Daniel Morgan (Maritzburg United | South Africa)

Starting XI
6.7K
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4.5K
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over 9 years

Thought he'd have had a thread for himself already, but doesn't look like it so thought I'd start one off.

Made his debut overnight for his new club Maritzburg United in the PSL. Logged a full 90 as well as his side shared the points in a 1-1 draw with Highlands Park.

Micah Lea'alafa also got a tick over 20 minutes off the bench in his debut for the club too.

Maritzburg United 1-1 Highlands Park

Legend
11K
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21K
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almost 9 years

Genuine question, is he a Kiwi?

I thought he was from the UK.

Marquee
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7.2K
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almost 17 years

Transfermarkt says NZ so yeah definitely a kiwi. Also 28 yo already... Quite late to turn pro but good on him for chasing his dream

Legend
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21K
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almost 9 years

In a battle of PSL strugglers Morgan plays 90 mins in 0-0 draw at Stellenbosch.

Starting XI
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4.1K
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about 17 years

Any idea what position he's playing coochie?

Legend
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almost 9 years

reg22 wrote:

Any idea what position he's playing coochie?

Looks like central midfield, behind a front two. That's just taken from team sheet in latest match.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2019/08/25/south-africa/psl/vasco-da-gama/maritzburg-united/3052912/

A few weeks before in Flying Kiwis thread he was noted as playing as a LWB.

http://theniche-cache.com/football/2019/8/13/flying-kiwis-august-13

Starting XI
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4.1K
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about 17 years

Thanks mate

I reckon he's a good player. Starting for any team in that league confirms as much

Legend
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21K
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almost 9 years

reg22 wrote:

Thanks mate

I reckon he's a good player. Starting for any team in that league confirms as much

If he's starts to shine in PSL, I'm sure Sundowns will sign him up. 

But yeah good signs for him & De Jong, that they have quickly become starters, even if their teams will be down the bottom of the ladder.

Legend
11K
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almost 9 years

Another full game, this time a 0-1 home loss to Black Leopards.

Lea'alafa got 10 minutes off the bench.

Maritzburg 3rd last on the table.

Legend
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21K
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almost 9 years

PSL resumes and Morgan gets 81 mins before being subbed in a 2-1 loss at Mamelodi Sundowns.

Credited with the assist for Maritzburg's goal

A possibility for AW squad in November? Played on the left as part of a back four.

Brockie not in the match day squad for Maritzburg, as prohibited by Sundowns as condition of his loan deal.

Legend
11K
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almost 9 years

Morgan full game in a 1-0 win over Cape Town City.

Brockie 57 mins before being subbed. Score 1-0 when he game off.

No goals yet for “Sniper” but his arrival has coincided with a turnaround in Maritzburg’s fortunes.

Three consecutive 1-0 wins in the PSL (only wins of the season) and up to 7th.

Legend
11K
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almost 9 years

On the bench as Maritzburg beat Highlands Park on pens in League Cup.

1-1 after NT & ET.

Brockie not in match day squad. Could be injured as replaced early (57 mins) in his last game.

Legend
11K
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21K
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almost 9 years

Full game in a 0-0 draw verus Orlando Pirates

Brockie 69 mins

Maritzburg now unbeaten in 5 Games

Starting XI
2K
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4.7K
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almost 17 years

Is he good enough to warm the beach behind Libby?

Legend
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almost 9 years

Marto wrote:

Is he good enough to warm the beach behind Libby?

Wynne and Mcgarry are ahead of him.

Phoenix Academy
59
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230
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about 11 years

Wynne you are joking hasn't played for ages anyway he only got to where is because of Hudson. He was never good enough

Legend
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almost 9 years

charger1 wrote:

Wynne you are joking hasn't played for ages anyway he only got to where is because of Hudson. He was never good enough

Just because he's been injured lately doesn't mean he's not a handy player.

Was on books at Vancouver, before picked up by Hudson at Colorado.

Will be interesting to see if Rapids keep him on or not.

If not, he's good enough for the A League.

Starting XI
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4.1K
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about 17 years

the other thing about wynne is that i believe (correct me if i am wrong) he kept his place in the side for a period of time after hudson left until he got injured

Phoenix Academy
59
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230
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about 11 years

Morgan is a far better player Wynne will be back playing in the Handa before long ACFC i'm picking

Legend
11K
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21K
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almost 9 years

Full game in a 2-1 win at Kaizer Chiefs in League Cup semi.

Lea'alafa replaced after 65 mins, and Brockie an unused sub.

Maritzburg will play Sundowns in the final. Imagine Brockie can't play in the final, being out on loan from Sundowns.

Legend
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almost 9 years

71 mins in a 0-2 home loss to Supersport (3rd on PSL table).

Score 0-1 when he came off and replaced by Brockie.

Lea'alafa replaced at 55 mins.

Maritzburg 9th.

RR
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Bossi Insider
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33K
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over 15 years

coochiee wrote:

71 mins in a 0-2 home loss to Supersport (3rd on PSL table).

Score 0-1 when he came off and replaced by Brockie.

Lea'alafa replaced at 55 mins.

Maritzburg 9th.

First loss since Brockie joined them I think?
Legend
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21K
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almost 9 years

RR wrote:

coochiee wrote:

71 mins in a 0-2 home loss to Supersport (3rd on PSL table).

Score 0-1 when he came off and replaced by Brockie.

Lea'alafa replaced at 55 mins.

Maritzburg 9th.

First loss since Brockie joined them I think?

Yes that's right. Maritzburg had a bad season start but have turned it around. Had wondered whether Brockie coming in had been a part reason, even if he wasn't scoring goals.

But last 2 weeks, he has been dropped to the bench. This by Eric Tinkler, who coached the Nelsonian back at Supersport when he was on fire in the PSL.

Gees that 2nd striker spot in the AWs behind Wood is wide open for someone, somewhere in the next few years to be banging in the goals at club level.

Legend
11K
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21K
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almost 9 years

Gets 20 mins off the bench as Maritzburg win 1-0 away at Polokwane City.

Lea'alafa played full game, whilst Brockie an unused sub.

Maritzburg up to 8th in PSL.

Legend
11K
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21K
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almost 9 years

Starts for Maritzburg in the South African League Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns in Durban.

Lea'alafa on the bench. 

Brockie not in the match day squad. Presumably a condition of his loan deal from Sundowns.

Legend
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almost 9 years

coochiee wrote:

Starts for Maritzburg in the South African League Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns in Durban.

Lea'alafa on the bench. 

Brockie not in the match day squad. Presumably a condition of his loan deal from Sundowns.

Unfortunately Sundowns won 2-1.

Full game for Morgan.

Legend
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almost 9 years

Plays first half in a 2-1 home win over Golden Arrows.

Maritzburg down 0-1 at HT, and scored 2 goals late from 86 mins (2nd an OG) to snatch the win.

Lea'alafa also starts and replaced at 63 mins.

Brockie an unused sub.

Maritzburg up to 6th in the PSL.

Legend
11K
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almost 9 years

Full game in a 1-0 home win over Natal rivals AmaZulu.

Maritzburg consolidate 6th spot.

Neither Lea'alafa (injured?) or Brockie (who knows) in match day squad.

Andre De Jong still out injured for AmaZulu (14th & in relegation danger), from his broken foot on AWs duty.

Trialist
15
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56
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about 6 years

coochiee wrote:

Full game in a 1-0 home win over Natal rivals AmaZulu.

Maritzburg consolidate 6th spot.

Neither Lea'alafa (injured?) or Brockie (who knows) in match day squad.

Andre De Jong still out injured for AmaZulu (14th & in relegation danger), from his broken foot on AWs duty.




Well, I am going to write about Lea'alafa soon. I don't think he is injured, he was previously replaced in the first half in a match and I did not find anything about an injury, It was really a technical decision. 
Legend
11K
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21K
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almost 9 years

Saltori wrote:

coochiee wrote:

Full game in a 1-0 home win over Natal rivals AmaZulu.

Maritzburg consolidate 6th spot.

Neither Lea'alafa (injured?) or Brockie (who knows) in match day squad.

Andre De Jong still out injured for AmaZulu (14th & in relegation danger), from his broken foot on AWs duty.




Well, I am going to write about Lea'alafa soon. I don't think he is injured, he was previously replaced in the first half in a match and I did not find anything about an injury, It was really a technical decision. 

Possibly. In his last game (8th Jan) he was replaced at 38 mins and hasn't been in a match day squad since.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2020/01/08/south-africa/psl/supersport-united/maritzburg-united/3053016/

Wonder what sort of coin he is on over there.

Trialist
23
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60
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over 4 years

Dan Morgan has done incredibly well for his first season in the PSL. He has made the left wing-back position his own and is a credit to the ISPS Handa Premiership. In the beginning he struggled a bit with the pace of the league. There were fans asking for him to be replaced against tricky players but the coach stuck with him and he has done magnificently. I think he will be kicking himself for not trying his luck earlier in his career. I think as the league progresses  the coach will rest him a bit as I'm sure his legs are tiring especially because the return of Yusuf Jappie gives him that option. The intensity in the league will increase as teams fight to be in the top 8 and qualify for the Top 8 competition at the start of the new season and then the  Nedbank Cup (SA's version of the FA Cup) 

Lea'alafa on the other hand is struggling. His not injured so the first half changes are poorly tactical. Now that could be on Lea' alafa or the coach (he got his tactics wrong and looking to correct it). If that is the case, Tinkler will usually say so in the press. He hasn't. I might be wrong but I think he has got 2 assists to his name but no goals. He also got to work on the defensive side of his game which I know Tinkler is tough on. The positive side is he is in the squad. There are other players who are still trying to break in.

I'm speculating (because clubs don't release salary details) but I would say they making about NZD6342 to NZD10570 a month.

Brockie's contract with Mamelodi Sundows will be cancelled at the end of the season. At his age I doubt he will get a contract with the big 6 teams but he is admired throughout the league and could get signed on for Ajax Cape Town if they win promotion.

Trialist
15
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56
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about 6 years

Saffa wrote:

Dan Morgan has done incredibly well for his first season in the PSL. He has made the left wing-back position his own and is a credit to the ISPS Handa Premiership. In the beginning he struggled a bit with the pace of the league. There were fans asking for him to be replaced against tricky players but the coach stuck with him and he has done magnificently. I think he will be kicking himself for not trying his luck earlier in his career. I think as the league progresses  the coach will rest him a bit as I'm sure his legs are tiring especially because the return of Yusuf Jappie gives him that option. The intensity in the league will increase as teams fight to be in the top 8 and qualify for the Top 8 competition at the start of the new season and then the  Nedbank Cup (SA's version of the FA Cup) 

Lea'alafa on the other hand is struggling. His not injured so the first half changes are poorly tactical. Now that could be on Lea' alafa or the coach (he got his tactics wrong and looking to correct it). If that is the case, Tinkler will usually say so in the press. He hasn't. I might be wrong but I think he has got 2 assists to his name but no goals. He also got to work on the defensive side of his game which I know Tinkler is tough on. The positive side is he is in the squad. There are other players who are still trying to break in.

I'm speculating (because clubs don't release salary details) but I would say they making about NZD6342 to NZD10570 a month.

Brockie's contract with Mamelodi Sundows will be cancelled at the end of the season. At his age I doubt he will get a contract with the big 6 teams but he is admired throughout the league and could get signed on for Ajax Cape Town if they win promotion.




Thanks for the info. I have seem lots of critics on Micah. Do you think he is quite good for the level, he has what it needs?
Trialist
23
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60
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over 4 years

Look, to be fair to Micah, some players need time to adjust to the PSL and the South African conditions in general. Firstly the PSL is generally not a high scoring league. Its just not. Last year was the first time a player scored more than 15 goals in the league since 2011/2012 season. It's much easier for a defender to adjust than a midfielder or striker. Topography (sea level to 1700 m in Joburg) could also be an issue. There is a reason why the All Blacks are mostly brought to the Highveld. The hard ground and some of the away playing fields are a challenge. Playing style is very different with players holding on to the ball a little to long in my opinion. Finally his got three experience players infront of him that are doing the job for the team in Kutumela, Moseamedi and Kunene.

With all that, I think the coach has been very fair to him. Bringing him in as a second half replacement to run at tired defenders is playing to Micah's strenghts. He has had a few decent opportunities he hasn't put away. He also needs to quickly adjusted to the pace of the game here. It is fast with most players having Micah's pace. I also think he needs to bring more variation to his game. If running at the defenders is not working he needs to go on the outside and deliver quality crosses. Its an area he definitely can learn from Dan Morgan. Lastly his defensive side to his game needs work.

Its not all doom and gloom for Micah though, even though I sound like the grim reaper above (lol),he just needs a goal. Like every struggling forward a goal is the viagra he needs to push on. His getting field time which is more than can be said for other players in the squad.

Legend
11K
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21K
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almost 9 years

Replaced at HT as Maritzburg (6th) lose 2-1 at Baroka (13th).

They were down 1-0 when Morgan came off, and conceded the 2nd goal late at 89 mins.

Coach Tinkler never seems afraid to make an early substitution.

No Brockie or Lea'alafa in match day squad.

Trialist
23
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60
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over 4 years

Looks like I was wrong on my analysis above....Its is all doom and gloom for Micah

Maritzburg release foreign striker
Legend
11K
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21K
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almost 9 years

90 mins in a 3-0 win over Stellenbosch (9th)

On the left of a back three.

Brockie stays on the bench.

Maritzburg up to 4th. Turned their season around greatly from a poor start.

TSA
Trialist
10
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36
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about 4 years

interesting to see Morgan playing as Left Centre back.  Would think his skillset is much more suited to wingback/higher up the field.

Legend
11K
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21K
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almost 9 years

TSA wrote:

interesting to see Morgan playing as Left Centre back.  Would think his skillset is much more suited to wingback/higher up the field.

He's mostly been playing as a left back, but has been on the bench the last few weeks.

Maybe they had an injury or two at the back, and he had to fill in.

Be interesting to see who Hay picks as backup to Cacace. Wynne & McGarry are probably both ahead of Morgan though.

Starting XI
3K
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3K
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almost 7 years

Would be cool if Morgan’s ahead of them both in Hay’s mind. McGarry with a possible injury and Wynne hasn’t played in ages

Getting paid to be here
700
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970
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over 6 years

mrsmiis wrote:

I’d say Morgan’s ahead of them both in Hay’s mind. McGarry with a possible injury and Wynne hasn’t played in ages

Morgan been a bit stop-start of late and now at LCB. Could be tight between him and Wynne, who should be fizzing after his MLS pre-season.

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