Hawke's Bay United

WeeNix play some okay football as well.  Will be interesting what sort of side they have out in the derby this week.

I think the general standard has normalised, I think the teams that are traditionally weaker are stronger and some of the stronger teams are a bit weaker and some of the middle teams have improved and some have not. Best ever league no, one of the most competitive maybe.

Im going to take a different tact to most of the posts. It would be great if people offered solutions/ideas on here to help better HB United and the region instead of the same old rubbish. I have had numerous conversations with HB united players, coaches and members and I know any positive ideas or people would be welcomed with in the HB united setup. Once again the same old topic of we have no local players playing comes up. Where are these local players everyone goes on about? In my opinion from observing the HB premier league last year we have none ready to step up and you could argue rovers central league had a couple and i use the word couple loosely. The young players who do rep football and show potential for the future go off to uni and unless they move back they are no use to Rovers Central League or HB United. So what other local players are out there?

I have been to all the games this year and from what I can see its just a team of kids trying to compete which currently they are doing well even after todays loss. Can they keep it up? only time will tell. It was always going to be an uphill battle this year for who ever took on the role due to so many players leaving the club so taking into consideration that only Ross & Sean Lovemore stayed I think they have done well so far. I also love when HB win or draw the other team played well or gave away cheap goals or the league is weaker, maybe just maybe they deserved their points? Its amazing when you are down at the games just listening to people in the crowd how many actually want HB to loose from ex coaches, players, managers, rovers supporters to name a few. Once again I go back to my first point it would great if we had some solutions or ideas to try and help not just HB United but Football and football clubs within the region. I look forward to some ideas but am not holding my breath because people who follow HB United and use these sites are not that way inclined. Wisehead.

Interesting first post Wisehead, but I will take issue with a couple of points.   Firstly, you say that it would be great if people offered solutions or ideas instead of the same old rubbish.   I didn't see you coming up with anything constructive.   Yes, we can be negative when we see negative things happening but we are all entitled to our opinions.

If all you watched was the local Premier League last year, you're right - there was no one there who could step up.   As far as NCR is concerned (and I will state my bias here) I think you will find a fair number of them spread throughout the League with two of them at HBU.   I believe that HBU has just signed two more NCR players.

I can understand the attitude of the crowd and it was fairly obvious yesterday with the comments direct at the coach.   Bruce Holloway stated in an ealier post - "I would politely call them an "excitable" team. Every single free kick against them drew histrionics or "the teapot". They felt aggrieved at every single decision against them. It was an attitude that permeated from the bench, where Angell is no Angel."   He is right.   To me, the Coach is an embarrassment and I noticed that after one of his outbursts yesterday, he was booed by a section of the crowd.   One suggested that the 4th Official should send him off.   It is no wonder that the team has a dodgy attitude when  they are lead by Mr Angell.
Funnily enough, you very seldom hear or see the successful coaches during a game - Andy Hedge, Matt Calcott (bit of a surprise) and Ramon Tribulietx to name three of them that I have seen here this year.

The way that HBU play is not endearing them to local fans and its a pity as we had a big crowd yesterday (free admission the reason?).   Yesterday I thought that HBU was playing for a home draw.   Possession was probably 80% to Auckland.   When the Auckland defence got the ball, HBU fell off, retreated into their own half and waited for Auckland to come at them.   It looked as though HBU was waiting for an Auckland mistake and then counter attack through Sean Lovemore.   When HBU defence got the ball, they were attacked by the Auckland strikers who put pressure on.  

Bit disappointed to see that it is only Rovers supporters that have been named as people who would like HBU to lose.   Strange that the come to a game hoping that the local team would lose.   I would have thought that with that attitude that they would stay home and not bother.   Still, if it is only Rovers supporters, I am sure that all the other Club supporters who go to the games will make up for it!

Im going to take a different tact to most of the posts. It would be great if people offered solutions/ideas on here to help better HB United and the region instead of the same old rubbish. I have had numerous conversations with HB united players, coaches and members and I know any positive ideas or people would be welcomed with in the HB united setup. Once again the same old topic of we have no local players playing comes up. Where are these local players everyone goes on about? In my opinion from observing the HB premier league last year we have none ready to step up and you could argue rovers central league had a couple and i use the word couple loosely. The young players who do rep football and show potential for the future go off to uni and unless they move back they are no use to Rovers Central League or HB United. So what other local players are out there?

I have been to all the games this year and from what I can see its just a team of kids trying to compete which currently they are doing well even after todays loss. Can they keep it up? only time will tell. It was always going to be an uphill battle this year for who ever took on the role due to so many players leaving the club so taking into consideration that only Ross & Sean Lovemore stayed I think they have done well so far. I also love when HB win or draw the other team played well or gave away cheap goals or the league is weaker, maybe just maybe they deserved their points? Its amazing when you are down at the games just listening to people in the crowd how many actually want HB to loose from ex coaches, players, managers, rovers supporters to name a few. Once again I go back to my first point it would great if we had some solutions or ideas to try and help not just HB United but Football and football clubs within the region. I look forward to some ideas but am not holding my breath because people who follow HB United and use these sites are not that way inclined. Wisehead. 

quotequote=ol'sole]

Interesting first post Wisehead, but I will take issue with a couple of points.   Firstly, you say that it would be great if people offered solutions or ideas instead of the same old rubbish.   I didn't see you coming up with anything constructive.   Yes, we can be negative when we see negative things happening but we are all entitled to our opinions.

If all you watched was the local Premier League last year, you're right - there was no one there who could step up.   As far as NCR is concerned (and I will state my bias here) I think you will find a fair number of them spread throughout the League with two of them at HBU.   I believe that HBU has just signed two more NCR players.

I can understand the attitude of the crowd and it was fairly obvious yesterday with the comments direct at the coach.   Bruce Holloway stated in an ealier post - "I would politely call them an "excitable" team. Every single free kick against them drew histrionics or "the teapot". They felt aggrieved at every single decision against them. It was an attitude that permeated from the bench, where Angell is no Angel."   He is right.   To me, the Coach is an embarrassment and I noticed that after one of his outbursts yesterday, he was booed by a section of the crowd.   One suggested that the 4th Official should send him off.   It is no wonder that the team has a dodgy attitude when  they are lead by Mr Angell.
Funnily enough, you very seldom hear or see the successful coaches during a game - Andy Hedge, Matt Calcott (bit of a surprise) and Ramon Tribulietx to name three of them that I have seen here this year.

The way that HBU play is not endearing them to local fans and its a pity as we had a big crowd yesterday (free admission the reason?).   Yesterday I thought that HBU was playing for a home draw.   Possession was probably 80% to Auckland.   When the Auckland defence got the ball, HBU fell off, retreated into their own half and waited for Auckland to come at them.   It looked as though HBU was waiting for an Auckland mistake and then counter attack through Sean Lovemore.   When HBU defence got the ball, they were attacked by the Auckland strikers who put pressure on.  

Bit disappointed to see that it is only Rovers supporters that have been named as people who would like HBU to lose.   Strange that the come to a game hoping that the local team would lose.   I would have thought that with that attitude that they would stay home and not bother.   Still, if it is only Rovers supporters, I am sure that all the other Club supporters who go to the games will make up for it!

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As I said in my first post I try and be positive where possible and if I have solutions then they would be offered. In the case of local players making up HB united there just isn't any, when I said NCR players in the Central League I meant just NCR not all the other clubs as obviously the point is to be local. I agree all clubs will have members that don't like or support HB United for what ever reason but I mentioned NCR because of this ongoing living in the past old school mentality and the battle for supremacy between the to outfits. The old school members of NCR are fantastic in regards to the effort they put in to the club and the work they do. In regards to helping football move forward in the region this club would be the worst. I do wonder and would like to think the members of HBU have meet with members from all clubs and looked to see how they can get them involved or what they can give back to the clubs to try and tie them in to the franchise where possible. Jeff I do agree that arguing takes place but I would say it is not any more than any other team I would however say the way they express it is immature and this is due to the age & nationalities throughout the team as I said they are just kids. I also agree that Mr Angell's performance from the side line is poor and while i do believe it is a combination of passion and a willingness to do well not for him but for the players and the region it does need to change.

Blew 2 - Im not sure how you would want HB united to play? as far as I can see they played exactly the same way as the did in the previous games only thing is Auckland is a lot better at keeping possession although I would argue they didn't threaten the goal often especially in the first half. HB didn't take the chances they created and I agree with Mr Angels comments they turned over possession far to often. I'm not sure what id do if I was coach and had this group of players don't quote me on this but don't they have like 8 players who made there debut at this level this year? if thats correct how should they get anywhere close to Auckland? I honestly don't think people realise that they actually have done really well to get the results they have and as i mentioned I'm not sure if they can keep this up but only time will tell.

I'm not sure what id do if I was coach and had this group of players don't quote me on this but don't they have like 8 players who made there debut at this level this year? if thats correct how should they get anywhere close to Auckland? I honestly don't think people realise that they actually have done really well to get the results they have

As I said in my first post I try and be positive where possible and if I have solutions then they would be offered. In the case of local players making up HB united there just isn't any, when I said NCR players in the Central League I meant just NCR not all the other clubs as obviously the point is to be local.

I have been to all the games this year and from what I can see its just a team of kids trying to compete which currently they are doing well even after todays loss. Can they keep it up? only time will tell. It was always going to be an uphill battle this year for who ever took on the role due to so many players leaving the club so taking into consideration that only Ross & Sean Lovemore stayed I think they have done well so far.

You are making my lol now with some of these comments. Classic.

This is the highest standard of football you can play in NZ so maybe put a little bit of blame on your coach or board or whoever has done the recruitment if all they have done is bought in a group of kids. Groups of kids compete at under 15 level, not in the national league.

As I said in my first post I try and be positive where possible and if I have solutions then they would be offered. In the case of local players making up HB united there just isn't any, when I said NCR players in the Central League I meant just NCR not all the other clubs as obviously the point is to be local. I agree all clubs will have members that don't like or support HB United for what ever reason but I mentioned NCR because of this ongoing living in the past old school mentality and the battle for supremacy between the to outfits. The old school members of NCR are fantastic in regards to the effort they put in to the club and the work they do. In regards to helping football move forward in the region this club would be the worst. I do wonder and would like to think the members of HBU have meet with members from all clubs and looked to see how they can get them involved or what they can give back to the clubs to try and tie them in to the franchise where possible. Jeff I do agree that arguing takes place but I would say it is not any more than any other team I would however say the way they express it is immature and this is due to the age & nationalities throughout the team as I said they are just kids. I also agree that Mr Angell's performance from the side line is poor and while i do believe it is a combination of passion and a willingness to do well not for him but for the players and the region it does need to change.

Blew 2 - Im not sure how you would want HB united to play? as far as I can see they played exactly the same way as the did in the previous games only thing is Auckland is a lot better at keeping possession although I would argue they didn't threaten the goal often especially in the first half. HB didn't take the chances they created and I agree with Mr Angels comments they turned over possession far to often. I'm not sure what id do if I was coach and had this group of players don't quote me on this but don't they have like 8 players who made there debut at this level this year? if thats correct how should they get anywhere close to Auckland? I honestly don't think people realise that they actually have done really well to get the results they have and as i mentioned I'm not sure if they can keep this up but only time will tell.

Baller dave - Agree they did very well over the past two seasons under Greatholder but a lot of that success was down to the large amounts of money the was thrown around - money talks (this has come from players mouths) this year i heard it was the complete opposite hence the reason the team out there is what it is.The coach picks the team yes but only can use what resources he has available to him. The HB CEO, board who ever is in charge of the financial side needs to have systems in place to allow this to continue if they are ever going to compete with other regions/franchises year in year out as there are not enough local players to support the group. Biss, Robertson, Neil left for other franchises I'm not sure what their reasons were financial or because of the coach? but the year the franchise needs them they leave, Wilson stopped playing due to his baby being born (i think) Killkolly has not played at this level yet and has only had 1 year of Central League, Bruin had 1 or 2 years but was always a squad player nothing special, Stevenson has never made the cut.

Napier Phoenix - my statement was bold and I would like to change it as you are correct they have done a lot of good within the region but also a lot of harm, i'm not going to go into details. Napier City Rovers and HB United should be working together not against each other and this one partnership could make such a big improvement for football in HB.

Blew - I agree the coaches attitude and they way he conducts himself needs to improve but I would disagree that their is internal arguing they are no different to any other team.

Jeff Vader - Matt Hastings and Stu Wilson are honest players but really? they would help this team? you would move Soul on for one of these two? actually you could be the person I was talking about earlier (the one with some good ideas) 

I thought after 50+ years of playing and watching football I new a thing or two but due to all the responses it quite clearly shows I know very little. #selfawareness

Thats what I said Napier City Rovers and HB United need to work together or HB United and Napier City Rovers need to work together - what ever way you want to phrase it. They are the two biggest clubs in HB surely they can keep players year in year out between them.

That might well be correct that Napier City Rovers board is a lot more savvy than HB United's especially after they lost points last year for a admin error. My criticism of Napier City Rovers was on the bases that a core group that run the club need to be cleaned out but as i said in the other post i don't want to go down that path as my main point was to come on here and try generate some ideas to help football in HB as all we do is criticise with no real solutions. Reading back over my posts I probably haven't replied in the correct manner to do this as i was taken back by the naievity of some of the comments on here. Any way I am glad we agree that the only way this can happen is if both parties can work together. Unfortunately both are as bad as each other in this department and I can't see it getting any better in the future. 

Touched a nerve? I Agree a lot of good history I remember watching many games back in the day with the likes of Paul Halford, Perry Cotton, Andy Reny, Mark Paston, Harry clark to name a few and I have attended many games since. Ill continue to put politics aside and go and watch both HB United & Napier City Rovers Central League because I enjoy Football.

Maybe instead of jumping on here I could attend both Board meetings and take it from there

Its simple math people HB United + Napier City Rovers (working together) = improves football. 

This is my last post as its not good for my blood pressure so ill leave the last response to someone else.

COM ON U BLUES & COM ON THE BAY

Hawks bay potential dark horse in the play offs.

Good organised counter attacking team 

Watched them against the WeeNix at the weekend. WeeNix battered them for 60 minutes. HBU bullied their way back in but it wasn't pretty. In the end men overcame boys but HBU didn't play much football.