Southern Football (incl Southern United)

after a pretty poor effort against Waikato, does Sam Mepham deserve another crack? 

Wheeler was a great talent - I'd forgotten about him.  Basically I think any promising player needs to get out of town before they are about 19/20. The FSPL and coaching standards are too low for players to develop.  What's Prattley going to do over the coming winter?  Trudge around in the mud going no-where if he stays around, that's what.  Pat Fleming had the right idea and was doing well until he got injured.  Joel Stevens needs to get out while he still has time.

Sam has started twice and come on as sub three times.  Morgan has started six times and come on once.  Gannon has started twice and come on once.  Aajay has started once (but not in the middle).  Ridden has started once and come on five times.  Victor has started four times and come on once.  Two of that mob have to start in the middle because who else is there? Ryder and Stevens maybe, but neither of them are really centre mids.  You could put Horner in there I suppose, but can he run for 90 min yet?  For me it would be Victor and I don't have a clue, because none of the ones RM has tried (not counting Aajay) cut it for me at the moment.  Maybe I'd try three is the middle like that post from Voice of reason said.  Horner (DM), Victor and Joel/Aajay might be worth a crack.  Got to try something different.

Oh but there's a thought.  How's Fleming's rehab going?

Lets be fair the special one (you little twig). The train has had the best team in the league for the last decade. I'm surprised that there isn't more in there 

Just heard hot off the press from RM that we may have Kris Wheeler from Ozzie coming over in the transfer window , Not sure about another Roslyn man in the team but thats the word on the street .

I do prefer to play in the middle but as a more defensive mid , but currently the fitness is not quite there , probably on around 80% , but in the current state of play I would have Matt Joy , Tom Conner and Tristain Prattley & myself in the starting back 4 , in the mid we dont have a ball player apart from Victor ( not fit enough yet , but getting there ) , we should pair victor with ryder in the middle IMO , regan and stevens on the flank , burgess and govan ,

The only other change I may sugest is we trade stevens for mepham on the flank and have stephens / burgess up front with govan to the bench

So play 4-4-1-1 or 4-5-1( with stvens dropping into the top of midfield )

Horner (if that's you) thanks for the update.  Wheeler could add something if he's still got it - that would be interesting.  And Horner (if that's you) if you are only at 80% get the hell out there pounding the streets over the break you lazy bugger.  And Horner (if that's you) take that fat Aaron Burgess running with you.  And Horner (if that's you) Mepham can't play on the flank you moron.  And Horner (if that's really you), where is that birthmark you have again?

From my point of view changes needed to be made. I can help out anywhere where necessary from gained experience coaching Northern. Even if its just running some training sessions to pre match speeches I can help out.

NatPevin you are starting to freak me out

Steve, what's more freaky is the idea of you being involved.

Reveal yourself NatPevin whos the man behind the mask?

Shaaazam!  A big polar bear running around with his face on the ground.  Horner put it down there once and I've never recovered.

You are giving everyone stick including myself its time to front up. Be a man like I have and come forth.

Come forth?  Nah I'd rather come first.  Unlike Horner who comes too soon.

Saw a few players out in town on saterday night before the game.. Could this be the reason for the loss? Inside sources tell me that sam Mepham is ready to walk after only been given 1 or 2 chances in the first 6 games  Would be a real shame to lose a player of his quality

Some players can stay out all night and it doesn't seem to matter.  Others get one sniff of whisky and they're singing ballads, and quoting Robbie Burns, and are useless for days.  Not mentioning the name of any particular scotsman.  But seriously, if any player is out ANY night (except sunday) then they are just taking the Mick aren't they?  What twats.

Mepham needs to sit tight and be true to the team cause. It's very hard being a bit-part player.  When you do get a chance to come on, if you screw up even once you are gone again.  The same goes for Govan and Fitzpatrick in some ways - they can't put a foot wrong whereas some of the regulars have been getting away with murder.  But Mepham's still young and now he needs to just turn up to everything and work twice as hard as anyone else.  You hurt the team if you walk, but you hurt yourself more I think.  RM has insulted him hugely though IMO by putting Ridden ahead of him (and Aajay for that matter).  RM will sure have to show some man-management skills over the break otherwise he could face a bit of an exodus, I agree.

Sam is a decent guy, he might be disappointed but he wouldnt walk.

Nat you are coming on a bit strong, relax, go on holiday, tap the wife, girlfriend or monkey..

Wise words Nat. Some of these young players need to earn there strips before they start mouthing off about leaving. But today's world is a very impatient world, and the likes of Govan, Mepham, aajay, and Jude might pack there bags a leave

I come on strong?  Maybe I do.  Some idiot on here told me to take a chill pill after the 6-1 thrashing, but I just don't get that attitude to be honest.  Maybe times have changed and it's OK to not give a shit about Otago football anymore.  Some people are so used to not winning or demanding excellence they think second best is good enough.  Not me pal.  Now, where's that monkey gone?

Would michael Cunningham save this team and get them in the playoffs? Even the great man couldn't help this team out of its current slumber 

So your telling me the Roslyn boys can't hack it so are going to leave. Where are they going to go? Play Youth league? Are they going to start training for another 4th place finish in the winter league

I think everyone was dissapointed with OU efforts on Sunday. From what I saw there is lots of individual talent in the team but that is the problem, everyone is playing on their own rather than a team. There was no midfield at all, the were running around like headless chickens and the defense was strong at times but still let in 6 goals. Something has to change there. It has to be putting Tristan at left back where he represented NZ U23s. He is the best left back in the south and isnt even been played there. Stevens has some pace and did some great work down the sides but needs to pass the ball more. Burgess is alot slower these days so im not sure why everyone is kicking long bombs and expecting him to chase them or win a header. That is never going to happen with his pace and height. I only saw 2 or 3 tech games over the winter but his team understood that and played to his strengths with ball at his feet and this meant he could do what he does best, score lots of goals. Great to see Horner back, he is a quality player but the defense still managed to let in 6 goals so something needs to be changed there. Govan looked out of place for his 10 minutes on the park and with Hancock not training they need to find another striker for the bench. DOnt think there is anyone else except RM either. I think OU have it in them to get some results next year as they do have talent but need to play as a team and tighten up alot more.

Maybe NatPevin should join the team, he seems to have all the answers for how the team should play.

Hey guys, does the local Otago TV channel still do the highlights of the Otago games? Keen to cast my eye over last weekend's game

Lounger I actually had half a brain to know when I was past playing and so I stopped.  I like what you are saying though Lounger, with the exception of the Burgess bit. At least you can see you just can't hoof it up to the old codger.  Govan or even Jude are better target men if that's what RM wants because they are young and hard and full of running -if they don't win the ball at least they will hurt someone trying, like Jude did against Wellington.  But mate Burgess can't receive to feet like he can in the FSPL because the pace of the game is too fast.  The writing was on the wall when Tech played Cavy this year and he didn't get on the score sheet in either game.  Even my old grandad in his wheelchair could knock a few in against Northern for goodness sake, so it's no surprise Burgess still can.  Honestly all he's good for at this level is the last 15-25 min when he could sneak in and poach one or two, or take advantage of a tired defender being out of position etc.  He's a cunning old bugger like that and a very tidy finisher IF he has space and time.

Yeah channel 9 - hope you've got a big aerial.

All time best otago united XI                                                                              C.Flaws.                                                                                                   Henderson. Horner. Fitzpatrick. M.Smith.                                                                       Rodeka. Deeley. Ridden. P.Fleming.                                                                            Dugdale. Jackson.                                                                                               Bench: Hancock. Footpenis. Little. Ryder. Ferguson.                                                            Coaches needless to say are a couple of legends R. Murray & S.Fleming                                              I'd be surprised if this team all playing together at their peak would ever drop a point.                         Cavy Train!!

Haha Chooochooo - that must be that midget goalie Flaws posting that rubbish.  We do miss Harley though I think and Tom Jackson would solve a lot of the problems we have up front, I don't deny that either.

Cavy_Train I like the way you have Flaws positioned way over on the left, outside his fullback, like that.  Very accurate - what's he doing having a leak on the corner flag?

Throw overton,little and wheeler in the mix and it would be all over

Rodeka would just make the bench

And where is that little pommy weasel Robbie Deeley anyway?  Still playing pub football in Oz?

I am a bit embarrassed with your chat Cavy_Train. We are good but lets not be silly with the all time OU XI 

 it's ghetto blaster time fool

Don't say that too loud - fool30 - someone will come looking for ya and wrap your gee-tar around your dumb head.

losing the plot NatPevin

 I thought Pat Nevin was a peaceful punk

Yeah I am - peace out.  I'm sorry.  But foal30 (see I can spell this time) - please explain.