Southern Football (incl Southern United)

Might not be a yarn you know.  I just spoke to a workmate who is from Hamilton and he reckons on of their key centre backs (Tyler Lissette) is injured and they need cover.

 waikato have also been casting the net wide in terms of finding players, much wider than auckland

Interesting thoughts over the past couple days. Anyone know when the squad gets named?

How have our Caversham boys been going at training?

Number 1

It will have to be pretty soon in order to get the transfers in and the info to the media etc.  So by the weekend surely.

 I think the first twenty (15 senior and 5 Academy) have to be with NZF by Friday.  You can add to the squad after that (up to another 5) before the window closes.

I dont know who your sources are Nat but it seems they wouldnt know a good footballer if they fell over one

Day has proven time and tme again he is strong and he also has natural talent, Methven is youngish and needs to work more on his skill level and ball playing. He has a good work rate and battles well but needs to be able to look to release players forward with quality distribution which he is still laking in.

Havnt seen enough of Da Costa but heard he is more suited to the back than midfield. Middle of the park for the first game will be Caldacott, Day, Ajay and Stevens

Youth, Pace and experiance

Maybe you are right about my sources (friends, coaches and family) Fizbot, but I think it's more of a club bias thing than not knowing a good player.  I've not even seen Da Costa play so it will be interesting to see if he does indeed take a place in the backline as your sources suggest, because I've not heard that mentioned at all.  Morgan and Regan are both very good players in my opinion and you are quite right about their national league experience being a factor (37 and 16 appearances respectively by my reckoning).  I think Regan will certainly feature on opening day out wide because his sheer pace terrifies defenders.  My money is actually on Da Costa and Mepham in the middle of the park though - time will tell.

Fizbot... It might be best if you watched a few games and formed your own opinion, Da Costa is definitely a midfielder, whether he is utilised is another matter.

I see a squad of sorts up on the Otago website now:

Little, Prattley, da Costa, Joy, Hancock, Govan, Ridden, Cunningham, Mepham, Fitzpatrick, Day, Coldicott, Horner (yes is Tim really back in blue?), Morrison, Gannon, Connor, Ferguson, Ryder, Stevens, Watson.

Should have linked it sorry:

Otago United 2012-2013 

And if you sniff around the website directories a bit it seems like these players have also signed:

Robson, Blackmore and McCormack.  So that would make it 23 with two more academy players to be added.  I think I'm right that Stevens, Ridden and Watson are academy players due to it being open to 20 year olds this season.

Gotta laugh at Coldicott's mugshot.  Wonder if he has gumboots on to match that black singlet?

So what are the omissions? There is 20 on that list so that must be final squad? Tim horner definite bolter. Only 2 genuine strikers? Only 1 goalkeeper? I assume Morrison is the yank? 

Yeah only one keeper...I missed that.  Jake Morrison is the Yank yeah - RB or CB I believe.  I like Horner, and if he truly is fit again he will be great asset not just because of his experience but because he's a centre back that can actually play a bit, not just defend.  Also is Chris Wheeler in the mix?  I'm hearing whispers he might be.

Bit concerning with depth in the GK and striking positions. Good to see Joy and Prattley in the squad despite the rumours flying around on here.  Maybe a youth goalkeeper will be back up?? 

And if Academy players are 20 year olds this season then Aajay will be one as well perhaps.

where's MacGregor & Burgess? Murray not liking the Big Don handshake?

The legend Horner would be great,, In for Joy? 

Needs to be a Caversham pairing with Horner and Fitzpatrick

Joy will not get dropped. No chance. 

It's hard to see Matt Joy not being in the starting line up.  What we do have now though is some pretty experienced defenders in Horner, Prattley and Connor (all over 30 appearances) to mix in with the less experienced Joy, Fitzpatrick and Watson to help them develop.  Maybe Horner will play in front of the back 4 in a 4-5-1.  I'd enjoy seeing him in that role to be honest.  What the low-down on Morrison?  Where did he play in the US?  College I guess, but then what then because he looks mid to late 20s?

Is Horner really back?

Horner is there! Gannon wasn't signed

 Is there an official squad list anywhere yet, I thought i saw somewhere gannon was in? It has to be announced today doesnt it

This is the official one:

Otago Utd 2012-13 

But if you follow the link it takes you to the page I put up yesterday, which is a bit different.  There's still a couple of free spots, so maybe Gannon and Blackmore will fill them  But Burgess and Evans are in!

 Cheers NatPevin, looking pretty solid I reckon Horner, Burgess, Evans additions are fantastic news. Adds so much more depth and experience to an otherwise very young team. Prattley staying also a huge bonus. We bit surprised about Gannon and Blackmore although team quite stacked with midfielders, surely Gannon is better and played at higher levels than likes of Mepham or Ajay cunningham? otherwsie pretty good. Defineltly ahead of last year especailly up front and at the back? Maybe midfield weaker with no Overton/ Mike Cunninham but all in all pretty solid. Now we can specualte on starting line ups

Bit of pedigree, clearly... http://www.sportal.com.au/football-opinion-display/aussies-abroadscott-gannon-115374

All the guys I spoke felt sure he'd be in the mix, maybe even in the 16 for game day.

wow, fair to say that turning down those trials didn't help him much.  it would seem that he should be well and truly good enough to play asb prem.

& now he's kicking a ball around Sunnyvale, probably should've gone on trial in hindsight

Confused... Nats link has the team including Scott.. He has good vision and is able to play an attacking ball forward.

Where is the info that he hasn't been signed? 

from Ange Postecoglou to Malcom Fleming haha

Donnie is livid about no making the squad

Yeah I'm a bit confused too Dino.  If you look at the last link I posted it has no Gannon.  But then follow that link to the mugshots and Gannon is there.

I bet Dusty is livid about Donnie not signing as well, easy source of income gone

Gannon on his way to Caversham this coming season

 Starting Line Up:

Little

Connor Joy Prattley  Ferguson

Regan Victor Cunningham Stevens

Burgess Hancock

So any game in the long weekend?  Must have been something on surely.