Canterbury United

Good point 10cc the clubs put the $$ up through levies they should exert control.  I have seen the so-called 'star imports' come through this year and have been pretty disappointed.  

The clubs should not interfere with the governance role but should be able to give a vote of no confidence on a call of a special meeting.

Shouldn't need that. Board cant be that naive to not realise this ain't working. 

Not that close to the action but always a disappointment when the side does not make the play-offs and I think it was fairly clear after the Christmas break that it was going to be an up hill battle to make the top four and overall the standard of the league this season has been very average.

Clearly missed Russell Kamo with no one really looking dangerous in the box week in week out. 

Unsure why some of the players have come and gone. Was it on or off field reasons / issues? Hopefully the board are right across this and whatever the reason make changes.

Have to question the attitude of some of the player's - in some games when we went down a goal there seemed to be a lack of 'fight' or bottle. Clearly some of the players unable to play at the higher level - some physically not strong enough, pushed off the ball to easily, some not able to read a game.  

Many / maybe most of the 'imports' have failed to impress. If we are going to have imports then have to be based in Christchurch for the season a waste of money flying players in and out for games if not here for training.  

Would Christchurch players (not in the squad) been any better - hard to say, maybe one or two. I know of a few that have been asked, attended 'trials' but pulled the pin as not willing to attend three training sessions are week. If a player does not stand out, week in week out, in the Mainland Premier League then hard to see them making the grade in the ASB.  

I think that the board need to decide if the Dragon's are there to make-up the numbers or are they serious about making the play-off's (which should be the minimum each season) and then going on and qualify for next stage of the World Club Champs and then develop a plan (and $$$) to build a squad. 

I know money / funding is hard to come by - not to many businesses that can come up with a spare $20,000 or more for sponsorship but may be 20 smaller businesses willing to clip in a grand or two to buy / sponsor a players shirt for the season. Would a business or even fans be willing to pay a nominated amount per each goal scored by Dragon's. Nelson Suburbs do this ranging in amount from $1 (the fans) to $25 for a business, maybe capped at a certain level if we find our scoring boots. 

Need to get the fans on board - need to settle on a game day and stick with it. The results this season likely to have been the cause of the lower crouds this season but Sunday seems to attract a better croud than a Saturday. 

Nice comments AllWhites82.  

Funds are going to become harder to come by and without Auckland City's result this year Canterbury United's financial position would be dire (my prediction - will wait and see).  With any organisation like this it is important to tick off the simple things first that can be achieved without spending a lot of money. 

I think the recruitment policy this year was a case of 'jobs for the boys'.  Every player from outside seemed to have a link to Devine's previous playing history - this has no relation to how they will fit into the team.  Running a team is a very delicate exercise with lots of personalities that can be very strong if they don't fit in what a disaster.  The turnover of these 'stars' is a concern - what really happened?  The board obviously has to give the coach capacity over this but what controls did they have in place?

Got to agree about going to Saturday kickoffs.  Why compete with even one other sport?  This was a poor decision from day one.  The only reason non-pokey funds come into a team is because of exposures through fans - no fans equals no funds and poor treatment of fans equals no funds.  Every large club as simple as it sounds started as a small club - look at why they are successful and copy.

Re my original comments about $$$$ the $20,000 is just and example, I know the $20,000 is a drop in the bucket looking at the overall budget to run a ASB Prem. team.

so if 20000 is just a small amount. Surely cost saving way would be for locals to be involved or at least giving a chance.  Looking at the squad a few players there wont train 3 times a week. So AW82 you have seen plenty of mainland football over years what players there who have not been giving a chance to play for canterbury you would like t

From an outside point of view, the recruitment of the players that Canterbury did get from outside the province was baffling. The boy from Springs Nkoy, Hoffman, Stansfield, Miles John, Boss and latterly Dickinson.... Other than Dickinson, the rest have not done much at NRFL let alone ASBP. I know Chopah and I disagreed on Hoffman at the start of the year but he still has not been the answer.

Of those players, none are what your would call 'accomplished' in terms of having history of playing ASBP except Dickinson. I would think if you are going to go after players (and lets talk Auckland specific for a moment here), you try to get guys that have played ASBP previously or at least been ignored by other ASBP teams. Tim Myers is a player that has some pedigree at that level so did Canterbury approach him? Darren White can't get near a bench at ACFC....In saying that, players may have been approached and decided no thanks. Devine didn't exactly stand out as a 'good guy' when playing in Auckland and was not a coach that players wanted to play for so it could be that what you guys got in terms of out of towners could have been all you could get. Its tough to know because I guess we never know whom has been asked and whom may have said no.

I'm not trying to have a go at Canterbury because I would like to see all teams strong, but I look at the outsiders and go 'Those guys? Really? There must be better.'

I don't even remember this - what side was I on.  

Honestly I can't even recall this.

I have noticed the Canterbury squad training the past few weeks as my son trains with Nomads

Must be about 7-8 players with another 2-3 in black shirts must be youth players.

No wonder results are terrible

Isis nomadic front coming our way. I blame Devine.

wtf?!

Miles John is only about 19 or 20 an ex Bristol City - looked ok for Napier this year, hasn't he cut the mustard down south?

One positive he is still here. 

Interesting story in The Press today talking to Dan Terris and Stu Kelly on what they think needs to be done to get Canterbury United to be compeitive on trhe ASB. Sorry no link to post here, which is a little strange as was the lead story on the back page. 

The write up mentioned above by AllWhites82 answers my question above re planning at all levels.  I am sure the piece is an abridged version.

Time for the board to step up.  Their 'wet bus ticket' approach to the team and its matters needs to stop.  What parameters and controls do they put on the players, coaches and team management.  Sounds like like they are treating it like a school team.

They should ask the question whether the training sessions are structured and whether the coaching team actually turn up in time or at all?  Or is this the elephant in the room?  Sure shows on the field.....

Another defeat thought the pressure of not being able to make playoffs might have helped but no SIX straight losses. Coaches in EPL have been sacked for less. JB or GT for the job 2 guys who know the Canterbury region and the players in it

Come on everyone.  Please post your guesses as to how SD will 'glorify the loss' today.

haha I giving up where to start. whatever it maybe it be totally different to how the game actually played out. if he had any pride he would resign and admit he has truly screwed this job up

Something from TWITTER

ASB Premiership ‏@ASBPremiership                      

Devine: “I can’t knock the way they are playing, their endeavour and their commitment. We’re just not putting the chances away.” #WPvCU

Your not putting away your chances because you don't have anyone in the squad that is a goalscorer. Dickinson has more chance of putting one in his own net. The midfield is not required when you have the Schwarz boys playing. KAMO has clearly been missed but maybe he knew who the coach was going to be, could be why he retired

I believe current contact the is for two seasons so unsure what options the board have. Re the two you mentioned most unlikely either would want the role. GT's coaching career with women's anyway for the immediate future.

Delete as in wrong tread.

Today's serving from The Press: 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/67118129/Th...

And the Dominion's take on the same game:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/6711705...

Accountability from coach would be too much to expect. Already looking for a reason to say no thanks I'm out without recognising his own limitations. Wouldn't surprise me if his days at Tech are numbered too.

Well said.  Anyone know how many out of towners he brought in this year?  Seemed to be some sort of record to me (well the shortness of time some of them spent with the team was).  AllWhites82 you have any stats on this?

No but you are likely to be correct.

Well on that count it is about time the media called his bluff and pointed out that he has recruited and been quoted through out the season on his recruits being the next best thing for Canterbury.

How many players from out of town [Non MPL clubs] did Keith have in the first year as coach when they made the finals.

Plenty of that squad had not played ASB Prem before that year.

I could be wrong but tell Divine it was a big fat zero. So go and get coaching SD as we do have the talent to play that level or as Keith did get a team around you that know what to do and took the game and owned it. 

Out of Towners this season were

Mark Peers, Miles John, Mario Hoffman, Rossi Nkoy, Dylan Stansfield, Adam Dickinson, Tom Boss.

IMO Mark Peers despite injuries added to team, pacy and at least liked to shoot . John to soft and not good enough for this level. Hoffman tried hard every game but not up to this level. Nkoy had pace and nice touch, but when used (mainly as sub)was just expected to chase hopeful long balls, has some potential. Stansfield was ok, but ended up "injured". Dickinson added nothing. Boss improved each week and started to look good and then went to Aussie.

I think Mark Peers was already in Christchurch.

Yes, you are right. He was already in Chch for work. Transferred from his last club Armadale (Western Australia) to Canterbury Dragons whilst already here.

Thanks Baba certainly seems a lot more than previous years.  Seems to be a lot of 'throws of the dice' there.

Here is The Press coverage for the final games against Hawkes Bay:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/67359138/Canterbury-United-draw-curtain-on-poor-ASB-Premiership-campaign

Dragons lose their greatest fan.

RIP Campbell Cowan.

My condolences to the family.

"If I'm not going to get the resources I need and the players I want, I'll rethink what I'm going to do," Devine said.

Thanks Mr Devine, and good luck in whatever else you will be doing next year. Think it's all gone to your head just little. 

Devine when will you learn not to open your mouth. Everytime he has done since xmas things have turned out bad. Please and i have never prayed before but please board dont agree with his future plans and let him go waste of time and money. 

Todays result Hawkes Bay 5 Canterbury United 2 (Aaron Clapham - pen 6 mins and Aaron Spain 16min) at on stage Canty were 2 - 1.

I was our seventh lost on the trot, equalling seven losses on the bounce in the 2008 -09 season, our worst losing streak is 11 on end in the 2007-08.

Wil in interesting to who turns out for whom in the MPL on Saturday.