Southern Football (incl Southern United) (Part 1)

Tackles flying all over at the moment..no cards yet apparently..won't be long at this rate.

We should be winning this...hit post a few close misses.

Goal!

Phone died...battery almost all out Rodeka puts us ahead he';s been my MOM and there's just like a few to go.

        Evans

Connor Joy Prattley Ferguson

Colidcott Overton Day Ryder

    Cunningham Rodeka

This is a pretty decent lineup that took out Manawatu. When Hancock is fit, he will slot back in nicely. Heard everyone played well on Sunday. Well done to the boys and the coaching staff. This will shut Malcolm "i will coach anywhere for cash" Fleming up saying that local talent is not up to it. Hmmmmmmmmm.......

why is cunningham playing up front? that seems a bit stupid to me

From https://www.nzfc.co.nz/index.php?id=1578 "Michael Cunningham dominated the midfield"

Well in the second half it had a 4-5-1 look about it even though we were behind. But we attacked with width and Cunningham certainly wasn't a striker - if anything he was a little deeper in midfield and Overton played higher than he did. The team were outstanding especially in the middle of the park were they zipped the ball around - TH were chasing shadows in truth. The whole team had a young confidence about them so I applaud Murray even if some of the young boys make mistakes at times they will learn. It's the second game I've seen after the TW one - dunno what went wrong against Waitak I guess their midfield were able to dominate.NatPevin2011-11-15 18:33:39

Otago to get beaten by 3 goals, they look weak at the back and slow up front, and that's were hawkes bay's strength lies. Is the game at tahuna because of the hideing they got from waitak instead of the stadium!!!!!!!!!

The game is at Tahuna because Elton John is booked in at the staduim.

Otago win. A few changes from Waitakere game and they are much stronger at the back now and upfront. With Donnie and Hancock back will be pleasing.

could be tough for the young lads against the experience of Robertson and Cowan

Is it true that the coach is away off shore the the Otago Under 15 team.

Yep he is away in Singapore, another reason that otago will lose today, just hope its not windy at tahuna other wise it will be a classic game of two halfs.

does anyone know how much it costs today? great day for football. conditions might favour hawkes bay

Nice Crixus you loser

I like you Yeovil - well maybe not you but I like some of the things you say and I like achieve by unity. We are doing so great with these young players..they impressed me in Welly and in Palmy especially in the middle of the park...just wish I could get down to watch a game at Tahuna..not! What a great win..congrats lads you are made of the real deal southern stuff. A play off spot is not unrealistic...just keep away from the spieghts.NatPevin2011-11-27 18:08:58

Great result for the Otago lads yesterday. Good game to watch and a well deserved victory. They are silencing the critics out there. Both goals were taken well even though one was a large deflection. Thought midfiled was up to its usual tricks keeping the tempo of the game and the defense was looking quality. Prattley and Joy is the combo you want. Thought it was an unusual decision from assistant coach Andy Duncan bringing on Joel Stevens for the inform Regan Coldicott but Stevens did not look out of place at all, great young player.

Well done to the players and coaching staff. Bring on Canterbury at Forsyth.

I'm happy to raise my hand eat some pie. It's only 4 rounds in but it seems you guys are doing it.

Overton and Cunningham must be making a big difference as well as giving guys like Morgan some confidence by playing him regularly and its paying off

Yes I must take my hat off to Otago as I stated that they would get beaten by 3 goals, from what I have heard is that they played well all over the park and the keeper pulled off 1 great save from point blanc range. But lets not get to ahead of your selfs you managed to pull of a draw against wellington but pretty sure that they will beat you in the second round and thats when the big boys start to playCrixus2011-11-28 21:50:32

And you've got Canty next, so look out!

Predictions this weekend vs Canterbury? Will be a good game to watch at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Iam going Otago 2 Canterbury 2

Canterbury by 3

Otago to win

Crixus have you got anything in your life right? Great win by the Otago lads, showed good patience. Were solid at the back and held there own across the park. Boy they are showing the critics up.Football Talk2011-12-11 18:06:09

thoroughly enjoyed the game. pretty even but otago worthy of the win. Rodeka played a great game. Plenty of fire from both sides- ref struggled to control it in the second half, but nothing too nasty I thought. Crunching tackles and the occasional handbags at 20 paces, but all very entertaining for the crowd. such a great venue for football- perfect conditions, and so close to the pitch. Great win for Otago, and superb through the match commentary from Jerry!

What was the red card about?

Apparently a swinging elbow.

But a great win. A fine goal and Otago just held up the centre of the park beautifully. This did not look like a canterbury team that has a league leading goalscorer and a current all white in it. We nullified them and Clapham was very poor I thought.

What did you make of the defense and attackers otagofan?

Agreed Clapham was very disappointing who over a year ago was at the Football World Cup. Canterburys top striker was a no show, got completely shut down.

Matt Joy has been superb IMHO. Hancock looked a little out place last year, but he's proving his worth. Morgan Day has come on in leaps and bounds. Darren Overton has partnered really well up front with Ant.

I will eat some humble pie this morning. Having watched otago
Yesterday as I was in Dunedin I was nothing but impressed. A youthful side with a fresh coaching approach, playing quality football on possibly the best footballing surface in nz was well worth the $13 ransom. Ant looked sharp, was quality in the air vs canterburys skrtel lookalike and created chances. Harley has improved out of sight from previous years. Overton took the piss up front and I would suspect should be in the olympic squad. Aaron clapham was not fit to even lace cunninghams boots, mike made him look like a child I especially enjoyed his crunching second half tackle. I have not seen matt joy play before, but he had the canty donkey up front in his back pocket, he was tower in the air and composed with the ball at his feet. I could go on but wont. Really really impressed. And not to be disappointed and glad to see some things dont change in dunedin the referee was absolutely horrific, but in being so added to the entertainment value. Hats off to otago united the staff and the management it appears they are getting things right.
horseshead212011-12-12 07:08:43

Well done Otago, fully deserved the win. Could'nt really pick anyone out as you all showed more desire and a willingness to run. Did think the ref was shocking but in fairness he was consistently bad for both sides and we knew beforehand that he would'nt let anything go so we can't blame that. Didn't see the sending off so can't comment but talking to George later he said the defender kicked him and he threw his arm out but no contact was made. Either way the red card made it harder but you guys were good for your victory when it was 11 v 11. Good luck for the rest of the season and hopefully we'll give you more of a game come february.