Southern Football (incl Southern United)

Who looked good? What was the lineup? 

I would love to hear about the line-up.  I don't have many concerns about our D - Otago has always been OK defensively in the National League.  But we have struggled up front big time - I think we have the worst goal-scoring record in the National League by some distance.  If we can fix that then we are top 4 contenders.  With Burgess it is a big boost, so who else was up front against the youth?  I wish Tom Jackson was around.  And what's happening with Pat Fleming?  How is his injury status?  He's a midfielder that can score goals.  Sheesh I sound like a Cavy fan now.

                                                               Little

Connor                          Prattley                         Joy                           Ferg

Regan                            Gannon                       Da Costa                    Ajay

                                                             Ryder

                                                            Burgess

Hey thanks foot.  Back line as expected, but hey hey Gannon in centre mid - nice one!  Interesting to see Aajay out wide and Ryder in the slot in behind Burgess there - very interesting.  No Stevens or Hancock - that's the surprise for me.  So what were the HT changes etc?

Umm, Gannon was not horrible. It was encouraging to see him looking to deliver ball forward frequently which is what he is so good at!!!!!!!

Hey Conte - my comment about Gannon wasn't about my preference for him; I've never even seen him.  But it was about the intrigue surrounding him - he isn't even in the squad as far as I know!!  And he was horrible?  So who was good?  I'm more interested in that.  I won't see the lads play until they play HBU away in late November - so I need you lads to keep me posted.

Thanks Bever!  Hey tell me about the game.  Like who scored?

Gannon has some very nice skills so it would be unfair to label him as 'horrible' so quickly. First game is this Sunday!!!!!! I believe the scorers were Burgess (2 in 1st half) Aajay, joel, James (2) all in second half. No one played badly, that is the perk of playing younger players - easier to look good!

Ah so reading between the lines Stevens and Govan came on at half time then?  As fans we shouldn't be knocking any of the players in my opinion.  They need our support, especially the young lads.

Stevens got entire second half, Jude got last 30, Mepham last 30, evans last 25, Govan and horner last 20.

Ha so Govan scored 2 in 20 min?  He's the man!

We have a good guess at the starting line up against YHM now then. I'm confused about Stevens and Hancock not starting this weekend, but I'm going with a 4-4-2:

Little, Connor, Joy, Prattley, Ferguson, Stevens (Academy), Gannon, da Costa, Coldicott, Hancock, Burgess.  Subs: Evans, Fitzpatrick, Ryder, Govan, Ridden (Academy).

Bit tough on Mepham, Day and Cunningham - sheesh it's good to have competition in midfield though.

That back five looks very solid. Great to have so many good midfielders. Aajay, Day, Mepham, Da Costa, Gannon, Stevens, Regan, Ridden, Ryder. However there appears to be no guaranteed selections there ( a lack of great midfielders). Hopefully some of the youngsters really step up, hopefully Gannon shows his ability at a higher level. 

Still, plenty of reasons to be positive with the new season approaching.

This would be ideal starting team;' would give some national league teams a nightmare at times.

Little

Hawkey, Fitzpatrick, Ward, Ferguson

Anton, Ryder, Bruin, Rodeka

Hancock, Jones

Any truth on Mike Cunningham returning from Australia?

Caversham AFC you are a knob.Be gone

    Imagine:

                 Little

Connor    Chisholm  Boyens   Prattely

Rodeka   Coburn   M. Cunningham   Overton

         Burgess Hancock

Unbeatable.

Chisholm was quality for Tech at CB but dont think he ever played there for Otago?Sub connor and Rodeka for Stu kelly and abbo i reckon

Chisholm had played defence for Otago, yes. I forgot about Tom Jackson. HIm and Burgess would be a formiddable force. Abbo? Otago wouldn't have the $ to pay for his red cards, and Kelly was caught drinking in town the night before a game ------liability!!!!!

 scoullar?

Gotta agree about Abbo...even though he a mate.  Tom Jackson has to be ahead of Ant I think. I like Coburn being there - very unlucky not to play for NZ and with injuries.  Hey Cam Howieson has to be there doesn't he; him being a pro and all!!!  But the best player of all - one of NZs best  - Mike McGarry.

I guess there are numerous players who have played for Otago that would fit nicely into some dream Otago side. In saying that, football is not an individual pursuit, so having the best individuals does not necessarily mean they would be best suited together.Everyone knows that though. predictions for Sunday? I'm guessing 4-2 Otago

OU to win 2 - 1 with Ants & Joy scorers 

Manawatu 2 - 1 Otago

Otago 2-1. Scorers Burgess and Da Costa.

mmm a little bit a of a theme with the predictions. Two 2-1 wins, a 2-1 loss and a 4-2 win.  Be good if we could score 4; that doesn't happen often.  And even though defence is what we are best at we find it hard to have clean sheets.  So 2-1 is a clever prediction I think.  On the balance of probability Burgess will get one, but I pick young Stevens to pick up his first NL goal.  All the best boys; start with a win please.  Wish I was there to watch, but I have to wait until round 4.

Word just got in that Scott Gannon has signed. Just one more spot left who will get it?

Donnie??

J Watson, surely

Yeah it's hard to believe they wouldn't sign Watson Bever.  Even if he doesn't get much game time he would be training through summer with good players and be given the opportunity to improve.  The talent base isn't so deep that you can let these young guys just give it away.  And what happened to Lockhart?  Personally I thought he was a very good talent and now he seems to have been disappeared off the NL scene.

In fact, why not hold that last contract? IS there that much urgency....

No urgency at all.  Some coaches like to send 'positive signals' to fringe players.  Personally I would get Watson signed and involved since I think he has a future with Otago Utd.  Don't know where James is at right now though, but I heard he had a reasonable winter season.  Other coaches think showing little interest in a player will fire them up to try harder.  Who knows what goes on in the mind of Mr Murray.

Watson is average, just a hatchet in my view, could you actually see Watson & Horner at the heart of the defence together? polar opposites in terms of ability & good looks

Haha that's a bit harsh Conte - Horner was sporting a nice Mexicali look for a while there.  And the young hippy-boy James has some good features.  He is aggressive, yes, but he has decent athleticism and the hunger to win.  Technically he's not bad.  He needs to be kept in the game -  mate, he's only 20.  Sheesh only a few years ago people were calling Matt Joy a donkey - now he's kicked on (haha pun) because he was given a chance.  Watson could be a very good right back IMO.  And answer me this - what age was the Hornstar when he debuted in NL?

http://www.asbpremiership.co.nz/index.php?id=1831

Preview for game, why all the watson talk, signed or not makes no difference there is about 5-6 centre backs ahead of him. So won't get a sniff all year.

stop it, watson can't play to save himself...not sure about about Horner, sources say 20 & it would've been a few years earlier but Caversham didn't get back into Nat League till 2003

No room for Govan on the bench even?