I don't know who Bad News is but he sure was a great wrestler
Pat Nevin was a winger for Everton back in the 80's who actually listened to semi-decent music
otherwise fine:)
E's Flat Ah's Flat Too
Lets face it Otago UnUnited is shit, they play shit and would struggle to be the Otago's women's team.
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.
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.
Obviously he played, but any success they had with the ball was by hitting the pockets and having Joel, Regan and Seamus chase it down. Burgess had very few touches on the ball and did little defensively. Im not saying Burgess is a bad player (clearly more pedigree than most in the side) but more a bad fit for the style of play that this current side is built to play. I could see him making a better impact of the bench after Govan has harried the back four a bit more. At the end of the day its all down to personal opinion but 0 goals in 7 games isn't a great return from any centre forward in my eyes. Or am I just being a mug?
Burgess actually scored against Auckland, not Coldicott, so 1 from 7...Don't even mention that striker from Rosyn, he doesn't really know how to play soccer, as for Coldicott & Ryder, do they ever do any defensive work?
Aaron would claim the goal though wouldn't he? That's just like him. It doesn't show him scoring in that harsh nitty gritty record book though - it credits Regan. So 0 from 7 this season. Bad News I agree with you about the defensive work of Regan and Ryder though - you are spot on. They are both bone idle, show pony-ish types. And I also totally agree that Govan isn't a footballer like Aaron - and he never will be. But please please please - football is a game in which you have to be able to run. Not stand still looking at the girls in the stand and smiling at Rab Smith's zoom lens. Not waddle around pretending to look busy. Not jog gently with a nice breeze at your back. Even donkey-like centre backs have to actually run their arses off for 90 mins in order to be positioned perfectly ALL the time.
Here are the keen ones - from one of Rab's pre-season photos on the beep test. Prattley miles ahead of the rest. Then Da Costa and Day. Gotta admire Day. I thought he was hopeless against Wellington, but when you lack sharpness and give the ball away like that it's a sign of mental fitness mainly. Then Mepham,Fitzpatrick and Cunningham. All 20-21 and keen as - and too young to have lost their hunger yet. I hope RM gets the squad running up Mt Cargill a few times over the break. If we can't compete skill wise or tactically at least get these boys running so we are the fittest team in the comp.
So basically after all your ranting and raving Nat, you believe that somehow Burgess is to blame for Otago conceding 20 goals in 7 games. I think there might be a personal grudge in their somewhere? Cos that makes no sense and apparently you don't see the games but seem to know so much about all the goings on. I was at the game on Sunday and I think we all agree he isn't as fit or quick as he once was but during the game I watched he probably kept possession 80-90% of the time and a number of our best attacking moves came from him holding up play and releasing the wingers or Joel? If the midfield had anywhere near his possession% we would be a totally different team. I actually believe they should play him in midfield in a deep role to get the ball off the back four, he could sit there and run the game with Horner at the back. His pace wouldn't matter and his ball skills would. The central midfield is where all the problems lie.
I never said he was to blame for conceding at all, but he does need to defend more up high. And he is culpable for us not scoring more goals. I don't see many games now you're right. But when I do get to look at games, I actually see things - not like some of the blind nitwits on this forum. Playing Burgess in midfield is one of the more stupid suggestions I've ever heard in my entire life. So Aaron should sit in midfield and (hey presto!) he would run the game? That's bloody hilarious. Yeah, that's right he would be sitting on his fat arse as well - he'd be stuffed after 5 minutes. And pace doesn't matter in midfield? You, my friend, have had too much Xmas cheer already. And there's nothing personal with Aaron in the least. He's a very decent bloke and a LEGEND, but his particular star is dim now - almost out.
I actually believe they should play him in midfield in a deep role to get the ball off the back four, he could sit there and run the game...
I can't stop laughing at this...
Yeah probably right but I still think midfield is the issue, need someone with experience to get on the ball and KEEP it
What about Blair Scoullar. Surely they should try tempt the 'big' man back
Probably right? Come on XFactor don't let old sentiments about Aaron confuse your brain. But, you are spot on about the central mid - no argument there. The mighty Horner himself (supposedly) was on here yesterday extolling his virtues in the DM role. And that makes much more sense to me - but not unless he's close to 100%. And Wheeler is back in town, 'Horner' said. He could kick some arse and run around forever back in the day, but he's no spring chicken now either - Xmas turkey maybe. Haha love ya Kris.
What about Blair Scoullar. Surely they should try tempt the 'big' man back
Give that man Rhys the brain of the day award. Add Mike C and Pat Fleming in the mix and we'll avoid the wooden spoon for another season.
OK let's educate some of our readers here. Go here for the CUOU highlights from a few weeks back:
Look at the first play (starts on 34 secs on clip, 41 secs into game - yes just 41 secs in and we are rubbish!). Ask yourself this:
1. Does Gannon have to press the ball?
2. What are Ryder, Day and Ridden doing?
3. Look at the CU left wing? Who's man is he? Where does that leave Tom?
4. Is it Matt's job to pick up that CU player?
5. How does our backline look when they play forward with Matt out like that?
6. How easily have they just created a 2v2 on the edge of the box?
7. How well does Joel Stevens do?
i like this thread. don't know the players well but it looks like they are playing 4-5-1. at the start one midfielder presses the ball and that's fine by me in a 4-5-1. the middle three have no idea, you are right. the one on the right looks like he's about to take a crap. the guy on the right also needs to be much closer to the CU left wing, not right on him but closer and cutting off the passing line. the Otago right back is too far over because the right mid/right wing is so far out of position he's worried. the big centre back Joy comes out to win the ball, but really the big blonde centre mid should have had that covered and then the remaining midfielder can sit in there ready for the scraps after the long ball forward. but once Joy goes and doesn't win the ball it's really bad because (as you say) it's now a 2 versus 2 in there. and it's little guy versus big guy 2 versus 2 as well. so CU easily work it and get a shot off. only desperate stuff stops the shot. stevens does well i reckon - he's the left wing but tracks back as he should and helps but the CU striker off.
Er...Voice of Reason makes it sound so simple doesn't he? Because it is. I can't add much to that except Gannon is right to press (Burgess sure isn't going to is he?). And look at the space between the back four and the midfield - it's bigger than Texas and you need a player in there sitting in front of the back four. Tom is way too far over - he needs to be much tighter, but Ryder has no clue whatsoever about his defensive role. Off to find another clip - work is so quiet this time of year.
From what i've seen of the games, OU could be more fit. From my own experience, the biggest mistakes occur when fatigue is hitting hardest. If physical fatigue was not an issue, there would be absolutely no excuse for mental lapses. Bring on the shuttles.
Burgess will be putting in some fitness work over the holiday break and will get in some knick before the season resumes, he's a bloody legend and top bloke who will show some of his best work in this second stanza of the season. Ok we have been drubbed 6-1 by Waikato but time to move on put those things into the past and work together better as a team. All us boys need to get a lot fitter in this off season by working hard. Playoffs may be out of the picture now but a mid table finish is the goal and it's possible if we can approach games like Auckland and Waitakere and put thoses attitudes and mindsets into the likes of Manawatu and Waikato. The beauty of football is shit performances can be turned around next game if the boys approach it in the right way. Waikato was a bloody embarrassment but it's happened we all need to work harder as a team and individually and finish this second half off like Otago United is really capable of. You only live once
Lets hope, for your sake YOLO, that all these claims come true. As we all know, high expectations with poor results is a sure cause of suffering (in all areas of life). You've raised the bar in a lot of ways here. Not to say that your positivity and hope isn't a good thing, but sometimes keeping the peace through hope can come back to hurt.
Hope springs eternal. And on that note I'm off to the beach for a couple of weeks. Have a good one you lot.
Got the feeling that nobody liks NatPevin anymore, I for one still value his great insights, keep it up mate your doing your old club Roslyn proud
Hey Lads
Just thought you should know that we can now lay to rest the banter about Tristian Prattley and playing left back , In the transfer window he has signed with Waitakere and will complete the move over the summer break , Pratters will be sorely missed by OU and should prosper in the Waitak enviroment , Good luck T Prattley
Merry Xmas everbody
beach reception not so fancy on my phone but hey all the best tristan and well done to him and joel on pom selections - prattley a wank? well only he and mrs palmer and her five daughters know that-certainly hes a player that puts himself before the team imo and that doesnt really do it for me-but if thats what it takes to get where he wants good on him i guess - i do feel he needs to leave dunners now and play in dorkland or welly over winter-now back to the speights
Nat just seen Burgee out running in Cromwell, couldn't believe my eyes it was him. Then seen why he was running going get get more beer hope this counts for ya.
Happy new year Nattie
Football: Prattley leaves for Waitakere
I gotta wonder if it was particularly honourable move to accept the captaincy if he knew was leaving halfway through the season. Just my 2 cents.
Still a bloody captain & good on him for going.
Hands Horner the next captain?
Still a bloody captain & good on him for going.
Hands Horner the next captain?
Peter Evans should be the next captain
sunning my ass in nelson but cummon lads get real theres only one captain possible and its horner
I expect it'll be Horner, but wouldn't surprise if they went for Ryder or Burgess.
Right let's get serious about this, I would go for Sam Mephem as he's young and will be round the league for are very long time to come. This would mean dropping either De Costa or Cannon. Personally don't care which one as DeCosta is injured and Cannon went home before the Christmas break and is leaving to play up north this winter.
Horner and Burgess finishing at the seasons end so that rules them out for me!!!!!!!!
wetwetwet in nelson today but rooster its not so wet my brain is drippy - u all know i love rw but suggesting sm as el capitan is totally unrealistic cos he cant even get a game - cannon aka gannon has gone north well gl to him - da costa no speeky les angalis so tres bon so me no thinky hes the homme either - its the horner that will cap the side for the next 8 games - can we win one is the discussion we need to be having
Right let's get serious about this, I would go for Sam Mephem as he's young and will be round the league for are very long time to come. This would mean dropping either De Costa or Cannon. Personally don't care which one as DeCosta is injured and Cannon went home before the Christmas break and is leaving to play up north this winter.
Horner and Burgess finishing at the seasons end so that rules them out for me!!!!!!!!
Peter Evans would do a good job
This topic is locked.
