Also Canterbury had the 2nd best defensive record but really couldn't put away the goals. Yes Kamo may hold the ball up well but we lack a quality striker who can actually put the ball in the net. If you take away Clapham's penalties from goals scored our scoring ability from play is not good.
Scoring goals has always been a problem, as keep stating 3 regulars scorers in the MPL have never made squad. Having a tight defence doesn't mean anything if cant get goals. Canterbury only on way down now as Imagine some players moving on! so if Keith quits who we think Mick Braithwaite or John Brown?
JB and KB swap jobs?
Only thing with that is both squads wouldn't change it still be the same players
True that. Reality is that there may simply be no better option available at present.
Kotahitanga. We are one.
Which in itself reflects the state of footy in canterbury. Board won't do anything drastic though, as they are unlikely to see it as a disastrous year.
Kotahitanga. We are one.
So then they will probably stick with KB. I think Clapham may have played his last game for Canterbury also
True that. Reality is that there may simply be no better option available at present.
I let my guitar speak for me
Also Canterbury had the 2nd best defensive record but really couldn't put away the goals. Yes Kamo may hold the ball up well but we lack a quality striker who can actually put the ball in the net. If you take away Clapham's penalties from goals scored our scoring ability from play is not good.
Which in itself reflects the state of footy in canterbury. Board won't do anything drastic though, as they are unlikely to see it as a disastrous year.
Three for me, and two for them.
what's the view from down there on how seriously the players take themselves?
also, in terms of preparation, auckland and waitak train like genuine semi pros. preparation starts pretty much as soon as the northern league ends (or even before). while team wellington have a fair chunk of their squad with the phoenix through the a-league pre-season.
it seems that canterbury cobbled together their squad 2-3 weeks before the season began
Also Canterbury had the 2nd best defensive record but really couldn't put away the goals. Yes Kamo may hold the ball up well but we lack a quality striker who can actually put the ball in the net. If you take away Clapham's penalties from goals scored our scoring ability from play is not good.
Has Kamo not done his job?
what's the view from down there on how seriously the players take themselves?
also, in terms of preparation, auckland and waitak train like genuine semi pros. preparation starts pretty much as soon as the northern league ends (or even before). while team wellington have a fair chunk of their squad with the phoenix through the a-league pre-season.
it seems that canterbury cobbled together their squad 2-3 weeks before the season began
Wait til you see Kamo's goal from today! Top class!
CU must be gutted. They should have at least qualified for the playoffs. Loss to Wanderers early on and recently to HBU at home proved decisive. When they played ACFC at Kiwitea Street I thought CU were good value although I can appreciate they need a goal scorer.
Would be a shame if KB moved on, I appreciate his passion. Think the CU board needs to invest more in the team. At least it won't end up an all Auckland final and ACFC have secured their O League spot for 2015.
The game today could easily have seen the chips fall differently were it not for Robinson pulling off several saves. Goals conceded were 2 great strikes from 25 yards (1 a free kick) and 1 wind assisted direct from a corner type. Canterbury's obvious problem I think this year is depth. I like reg's comment about the squad being cobbled together at the last minute. They probably spend their budget on the core of the team and flesh out the rest of the squad with youth and the best of those who are keen. Clapham and Kamo drifted in and out of today's game but they are the obvious class of the side. All in all, Canterbury obviously not achieved what they've hoped for but they've shown they can compete with the best on their day (Auckland - 2 draws) and over the course of a season, to compete you need a stronger extended group, no matter who is the coach!
Wait til you see Kamo's goal from today! Top class!
... No doubting Keith's desire and I'm sure he's going all he can. But now it's time to ask, is there anyone else who could do a better job?
What's sight without sound? Love without peace? Copulation without conception?
The game today could easily have seen the chips fall differently were it not for Robinson pulling off several saves. Goals conceded were 2 great strikes from 25 yards (1 a free kick) and 1 wind assisted direct from a corner type. Canterbury's obvious problem I think this year is depth. I like reg's comment about the squad being cobbled together at the last minute. They probably spend their budget on the core of the team and flesh out the rest of the squad with youth and the best of those who are keen. Clapham and Kamo drifted in and out of today's game but they are the obvious class of the side. All in all, Canterbury obviously not achieved what they've hoped for but they've shown they can compete with the best on their day (Auckland - 2 draws) and over the course of a season, to compete you need a stronger extended group, no matter who is the coach!
What's sight without sound? Love without peace? Copulation without conception?
JB and KB swap jobs?
What's sight without sound? Love without peace? Copulation without conception?
Scoring goals has always been a problem, as keep stating 3 regulars scorers in the MPL have never made squad. Having a tight defence doesn't mean anything if cant get goals. Canterbury only on way down now as Imagine some players moving on! so if Keith quits who we think Mick Braithwaite or John Brown?
What's sight without sound? Love without peace? Copulation without conception?
what's the view from down there on how seriously the players take themselves?
also, in terms of preparation, auckland and waitak train like genuine semi pros. preparation starts pretty much as soon as the northern league ends (or even before). while team wellington have a fair chunk of their squad with the phoenix through the a-league pre-season.
it seems that canterbury cobbled together their squad 2-3 weeks before the season began
What's sight without sound? Love without peace? Copulation without conception?
... No doubting Keith's desire and I'm sure he's going all he can. But now it's time to ask, is there anyone else who could do a better job?
Kotahitanga. We are one.
... No doubting Keith's desire and I'm sure he's going all he can. But now it's time to ask, is there anyone else who could do a better job?
What's sight without sound? Love without peace? Copulation without conception?
Kamo's goal a sensational first-time volley hit sweetly from well out on the left.
Waitak deserved the win - were well-organized in all areas, had more effective strikers etc.
To me, Canterbury's main problem this game and others is lack of defensive ability in the midfield. Opposition players had no problem cutting through the Canty midfield and this placed too much pressure on the defence. Contrast to Waitak who had good defensive cover in midfield in the form of Jake Butler etc. Good attacking midfield (Clapham, Kelly) but a poor defensive one.
The back four were basically sound most of the season - Terris / Schwarz / Collett / Boys
Capable goalie in Highfield who doesn't make too many mistakes (could have saved the goal from the corner today but was he fouled?)
Strikers: Kamo didn't score many this season (five) but cut through the Waitak team at will in this game and scored one of the goals of the season. Not convinced by Marquez - does two or three effective things every game but otherwise often doesn't add much. Doesn't look like he'll ever score many in this league (four this season: three from open play, one free kick). Canty badly need a player or two who can score regularly at this level.
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
From our outsiders perspective, there were clearly 5 very strong franchises fightining for 4 spots. Canterbury are a very strong football community both on and off the pitch. They are very well funded and supported
I think Keith has done a fantastic job over the years . My recollection is that this is the first year in many they haven't reached the playoffs. They will ruin the start of the league when they lose to WaiBop and drew with Wanderes. That was the difference in the finish
While your supporters are obviously dissapointed with this year, you have to put things in perspective
Canterbury football is very strong right across the board
what's the view from down there on how seriously the players take themselves?
also, in terms of preparation, auckland and waitak train like genuine semi pros. preparation starts pretty much as soon as the northern league ends (or even before). while team wellington have a fair chunk of their squad with the phoenix through the a-league pre-season.
it seems that canterbury cobbled together their squad 2-3 weeks before the season began
That's crap the only time I saw KB at halswell was when they were playing tech other than that never there. he knows his squad even now for next year players from tech and ferrymead and rest is imports or out towners
what's the view from down there on how seriously the players take themselves?
also, in terms of preparation, auckland and waitak train like genuine semi pros. preparation starts pretty much as soon as the northern league ends (or even before). while team wellington have a fair chunk of their squad with the phoenix through the a-league pre-season.
it seems that canterbury cobbled together their squad 2-3 weeks before the season began
That's crap the only time I saw KB at halswell was when they were playing tech other than that never there. he knows his squad even now for next year players from tech and ferrymead and rest is imports or out towners
Correct me if im wrong, although i believe out of all the mids clapham is the only one to score(albeit a few penalties)!! Kelly, Obrien, mitchell and morrison all struggled in front of goal which puts alot of pressure on Kamo, clapham and marquez to perform week in week out...
From what i saw obrien and Mitchell will gain experience from this season and have huge potential
what's the view from down there on how seriously the players take themselves?
also, in terms of preparation, auckland and waitak train like genuine semi pros. preparation starts pretty much as soon as the northern league ends (or even before). while team wellington have a fair chunk of their squad with the phoenix through the a-league pre-season.
it seems that canterbury cobbled together their squad 2-3 weeks before the season began
That's crap the only time I saw KB at halswell was when they were playing tech other than that never there. he knows his squad even now for next year players from tech and ferrymead and rest is imports or out towners
What's sight without sound? Love without peace? Copulation without conception?
Correct me if im wrong, although i believe out of all the mids clapham is the only one to score(albeit a few penalties)!! Kelly, Obrien, mitchell and morrison all struggled in front of goal which puts alot of pressure on Kamo, clapham and marquez to perform week in week out...
From what i saw obrien and Mitchell will gain experience from this season and have huge potential
What's sight without sound? Love without peace? Copulation without conception?
You may have to give Keith the benefit of the doubt here. I'm sure he knows whats going on at all of the local clubs in terms of talent available. Doesn't need to see them week in week out.
Tony Smith also put his report card in today's Press for the Dragon's season ( I cannot find an online link.)
Quote" the reality is that Braithwaite picked the best players in town. Clubs could help the franchise by importing players and making them available to the Dragons."
So more English unknowns to play a few minutes each season then get dropped is it ?
yeah, that sounds like nonsense to me
what ever happened to building up team cohesion by maintaining the same core of players year after year? braithwaite himself used to play in an amazingly successful christchurch united side that was built upon consistency of personnel
this actually highlights a(another) weakness of the asb prem. if it were a genuine national league, with 4 rounds of games, players would not be compelled to play for a winter club. they would attach themselves to a franchise and the franchise would be responsible for imports and ideally ensure that they are of a suitable standard
yeah, that sounds like nonsense to me
what ever happened to building up team cohesion by maintaining the same core of players year after year? braithwaite himself used to play in an amazingly successful christchurch united side that was built upon consistency of personnel
this actually highlights a(another) weakness of the asb prem. if it were a genuine national league, with 4 rounds of games, players would not be compelled to play for a winter club. they would attach themselves to a franchise and the franchise would be responsible for imports and ideally ensure that they are of a suitable standard