Waikato v Waitakere

Waikato v Waitakere

Waikato v Waitakere,

This is a huge game for the reigning minor premiers. If they dont win this they will go into panic mode! I know it is early in the season but for a team with the aspirations of Waitakere it will be tough to stay calm!

It is gona be a tough game away from home for one of the better sides in the league. And with a first up loss to a better Wellington side the pressure is on them coming into Waikato Stadium.

This game will prove to be a physical one and for different reasons for each of them. Waikato has got a point to prove, they want to show that they can compete with the best of the NZFC. Whereas Waitakere on the other hand have to get their season started with a solid 3 points in their 1st away game of the season - So I cant see either side going easy!

I think that Wilkinson Jr will be back in the starting XI for this encounter. It will be his first game since he left Auckland last year. He will surely be up for this game and I will be hoping he is in the type of form he was in last season before he left Auckland. He will be keen to mix it up with the big boys of Waitak and Im sure the rest of the Waikato team will have his back.

Look at this game to be very tight - only one goal in it. Danny Robinson to have a stunner and Luke Findlay to silence his critics with a last gasp winner in extra time.

Robinson and Findlay in team of the week again (Finday on either side of the midfield) and Wilkinson to jump in there too.

I'm one of Findlays citics and he silenced me last week.  Will be a huge game though due to the points listed above.  I still think that Waitak will have to much fire power for Waitako but you raise some valid points,   if any team knows how to scrap and fight for a win its Waikato

I don't know, the pessimist in me thinks 3-1 to Auckland B

can one of the waikato fans tell me what has happened to tim schaeffers, i played against him a bit at school in rotorua and followed his progress with wfc last year and then at the u20 world cup but i havnt seen him mentioned so far this year, is he injured, gone overseas or dropped out of favour?

I think he played for Gisborne City over the winter. More of a second tier player at national league level though.

Tim Shaeffs is currently in Holland where both his parents are from.

I think Waikato will go closer than most expect. Waitak have too many ex auckland players and their defense will be there 'achilles heel'. Any defence with Matt Cuneen in it is well dodgy, and all the old men they have you would have to fancy any half decent players to back themselves. Although the attacking side of Waitak could pose serious problems.

How does Matt Cuneen continue to make it into teams in the national league? Every year he seems to get a team and somehow manages too start.... any thoughts on him?

Yeah, he's rubbish and if I were Roger I would be running my plays at him all day. It showed when Waikato got rid of him how well they played last year.