Tasman United

Tasman about to announce 4 new signings, mixture of local, OFC imports and further afield. One or two of them should be debuting within a fortnight. Might be another player or two to leave as well though.

Hamish Watson not among them - not worth it for 2 games after his 4 match stand down.

The Nelson College borders from the Solomon Islands arrived for the next school year?

Kaltack playing OFC?

I couldn't possibly comment

Cory Chettleburgh has been released, along with Brian Kaltack. Both joining OFC teams.

New signings:

Jordan Yong, a former Richmond Athletic player who came through Norwich's academy and most recently was playing professionally in Malaysia. 

Ben Wright - Moved to Nelson in 2011, playing initially for Richmond and now an assistant coach/player for Nelson Suburbs. Formerly played professionally in Norway and his claim to fame is scoring at Stamford Bridge in a UEFA Cup First Round macth

I know less about Ed Sillars and Samueka Kautoga. Ed used to play for Waitakere but now lives in Nelson and Sam has played 16 times for Fiji.

News article about it appears exclusive to the Nelson App though so can't post it.

Full article:

BY ANDREW BOARD

Another shake-up of players at Tasman United has been confirmed today with two more leaving and four new faces arriving.

Earlier this month Nelson App reported that Tasman had let go three players – Robbie Pearson, Kieran Smith and Alex Ridsdale – and would be unlikely to see much more of Abdulla Al-Kalisy as he had broken his foot.

At the time, Tasman coach Davor Tavich told the App that he was happy with several youth players that had been training with the squad since the start of the year. Two of those players, Matt Tod-Smith and Callan Elliot have gone on to star in the last two ISPS Handa Premiership games that has seen Tasman pick up a draw and a win.

Now midfielder Cory Chettleburgh and defender Brian Kaltack have also been allowed to leave the club to pursue O-League contracts in Fiji. To replace the five departed players, Jordan Yong, Ben Wright, Ed Sillars and Samueka Kautoga have been added to the squad.

The first two names will be familiar to local football fans with Yong a former Richmond Athletic player who has been playing for Kings Lynn Town FC in his native England since leaving Richmond in 2011.

Ben Wright is well-known as a classy centre forward for Nelson Suburbs in the Mainland Premier League. Before that he also had a brief stint at Richmond Athletic. 

The other two additions won’t quite be as well-known locally but should help add depth to coach Davor Tavich’s team.

Edward Sillars is an experienced midfielder who previously played for Waitakere United in the ISPS Handa Premiership. He moved to Nelson to live last year and has been training with the Tasman squad since the start of the season.

The fourth new-comer, Samuela Kautoga is a Fijian defender with 16 international caps to his name. He is a straight swap for Kaltack.

Tasman chairman Mark Sheenan says it’s been a busy few weeks for the team with player movements but he’s happy with the outcome.

"Davor is pretty relaxed about it. We’ve been very keen to promote youth and give them a go and that has paid off.

"With Chettleburgh and Kaltack, they both got very good contract offers and what do you do? We weren't going to stand in their way. But we're very happy with the new guys coming in and the youth coming up. We're one point off fourth and looking pretty good."

Tasman’s next game is against Team Wellington at Saxton Field this Saturday, kick off at 2pm.

Ed Sillars has been the physio for most of the season. 

Interesting, but he's been training as well? Lets see if he gets much gametime!

Yep believe he moved to Nelson to be a physio. But has signed on to add depth. Can't imagine him playing much to be honest. 

Feel like they need to give the National Youth League players a chance to step up as a result of the player exodus. David Maisey, Labu Pan and Tullamore MacFadyen are training with the first team. Would put all three of them on the bench.

Tinashe Marowa has been signed by Hawkes Bay

What's the reason of that move?

So "wants a break from football" means break from Tasman United football.

Down the pecking order at Tasman, maybe more game time on offer at HBU?

Yes its an odd one alright. I guess one week off was enough

Heard a rumour at the game the return of Harris might be on the cards during winter with his UK partner. Straight after the UK season ends.

...I have a feeling there are a number of very strong players returning

good connections from old richmond

But what's this doing for player development for the younger local lads that Tasman Utd is expected to create a 'pathway' for? Sustainability in the league would come from youth investment, put results aside!

Bringing in overseas players is great for developing football in the region.

I agree to Nelfoos how bringing these players in do improve the team. But  feel with only 4/5 games left (if the play this week) its time to give the players that have been training hard with the team for the full year a chance. Matt Todd-Smith has been one of there best players in the last two games. You have got to wonder how the likes of him, Lyle and other fringe players feel about seeing overseas players come in at short notice. I would think that their interest in the team will start to drop. In terms of coaching and academies any of the players could put their hand up and do an hour before the team training. Isn't the overseas skills some others might bring to the field but its great for the academy players to be able to watch their coaches through the full year.

Put 5 past HBU in a 5-2 win. 2nd hattrick of the season for Paul Ifill who now has 10 goals on the season. Other goal scorers were Lyle Matthysen and Maksym Kowal.

Jordy Yong, Ben Wright and Ed Sillars all played, however the new Fijian CB never got on his plane to NZ!

first home win of the season, (but have one of the best away records!), think they've left it too late can't see Canterbury losing to Weenix next week and then the point gap is 6 with 4 to play and they have Auckland City and Eastern Suburbs to play in those games

Yeah it will be tough, and results will have to go Tasman's way.

Still, its progress from last year and another solid season to build on next year. Should be a biiig top threat next year if the trend continues!

Ben Harris back in Nelson next season! You heard it here first!!

Not sure if he's confirmed for TU though?

I assume Richmond over Suburbs as well?

Tasman only!

Just need to solidify the back four. Conceding an average of 2 goals a game (31* in 14) probably wont break it into the top 4. But hey it could make for some entertaining games.

Hope you guys pull off the impossible, there's still time and I have a really soft spot for Tasman for some reason. Fourth is yours!

Got robbed with that goal given against you vs Eastern Suburbs lads. 

That was bloody poor from the officials!  

I'm a neutral & it wasn't even close to being a goal.

Goal /non-goal here

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/domestic/101347193/did-the-ball-cross-the-line-paul-ifill-fumes-as-tasman-concede-controversial-goal

Spot the ball

Angle of ball dropping 

Worth noting that as of yesterday, Messi now has as many goals against Chelsea as Ben Wright!

Whats the thoughts on Tasman season? Good or Bad? Tavich stays or goes? Who and what do we need to do or sign to get into the top 4???

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/domestic/10...

I think Tasman were a pass mark. Tavich stays if he wants to. No coach better in Nelson. The young players will be better from this season, and I'm sure Callan Elliot and Matt Tod-Smith will be key players next season if they return. With Paul Ifill leaving they will need to look for a goalscorer, maybe Ben Harris or Joey Turner (the import who was scoring for fun for Richmond Athletic last year). Surely the large player exodus in January will limit their out of town signings next season. Can't believe they conceded 11 penalties.

win some games at home