Wow these are some big statements, but maybe we look at some facts:
1. Des and Greenie inherited a team that Ernie was unable to squeeze any blood out of. No players came in during this time and he also had to contend with All Whites games and the subsequent loss of those players while the league continued. Des also gave the likes of Sarpreet their A-League debuts.
If I remember rightly the points that they gained during that time would have had them in a playoff spot.
For whatever reason Morrison decided not to go with Des and instead go for a supposed name with great experience in Dario. I think we were all scratching our heads when he was announced and we all know how that ended up.
2. throughout the 20s and 23’s Des did not have at his disposal a consistent playing group, but what did stay consistent was the playing style and philosophy and the results and ongoing success. 49 players used and some people talk that he had the West’s boys so it made it easy. Only Eli, Callum and Nando played any real part and they were only involved in the Games in Poland. They were unavailable for all other games. There has been no consistency of player availability throughout the u19Quals/u20 WC, Pacific Games, Aussie internationals or u23 Quals so nothing was ever consistent hence 49 players. The fact that they continued to play the same way but with different personal and not resort to giving up possession, defending deep and kicking it long (traditional view of NZ teams) was testament to his tactical ability, player development and man management.
The Pacific Games showed how good a coach he is, winning a competition in the Islands against full national sides (a couple of teams the All Whites had struggled to beat 2 years earlier in the Nations Cup) with no preparation and a team with an average age of U20 (with only 2 players from the WC who were both reserves). If I remember rightly there were 10 debutants (out of a squad of 19. All other teams had 23) who in the past had been overlooked at both U17 and U20 levels. He was forced to select players who weren’t even starting for their Northern League teams. So that totally debunks you saying he had the most talented players at his disposal.
3. the one thing I do agree 100% with you on is he will go on to bigger and better things
Very good response. In fact I have heard only 2 players featured in every one of Des's campaigns, Cameron Brown and Dane Schnell. I still think he worked miracles given what he was given in terms of time and talent. I will always follow his career with interest and have said on these forums it is a great loss to the wider NZ football community. Where someone leaves something in better shape than he found it, that is always progress, and the mostly universal praise in social media tells us all how we enjoyed it!
