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Players I'd like to see given a chance with the Dragons this year -
Strikers: Miles (Western), Ede (Halswell) and Welbourne (Coa$tal)
Midfield: Murphy (Bays)
Defenders: Nicol (Coa$tal), Parker (Halswell), Price (Tech)
Keepers: Highfield (Bays) Thomas (Coa$tal)
Of the lot Chris Murphy is probably the one who really stands out as deserving a chance, he has played to a consistently high standard over the past couple of years. Can play either central or wide midfield and is very creative on the ball, capable of creating goal scoring chances for himself or setting them up for others and doesn't shirk his defensive duties. I would be surprised if he doesn't get a call from Braithwaite this year.
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Totally agree with you about Murphy, he's been up their for a few years now, scores, creates and not afraid of a wee tackle either. He actually trained with Canty during pre-season but didn't really impress over 6 weeks, so the question is can he make the step up? I fully expect him to get another crack at the whip this season.Someone else mentioned Piercy, he actually called Keith and asked for an opportunity to try out for canty, which shows the confidence was their, unfortunately he turned up to one session which just happened to be a sunday morning torture fitness session, designed to separate the men from the boys, after said session he told Keith and I may be paraphrasing here that at this stage of his career he was'nt ready to commit to Canterbury. Basically that told the management all they needed to know. Miles is quite well thought off and got a lot of gametime towards the 2nd half of the season and had he not had a few niggles would have probably played more. On top of that I believe he's off to the states on a scholarship in August. Ede's a funny one, quite capable of scoring goals but the perception, and anyone fans of his bear in mind its a perception that when the going gets tough he tends to pick up phantom injuries. Games where I've seen Ede play and the team is down and looks like losing, he's thrown the towel in without fail and limped off. Now the lad could be injury prone but I've stood their and had one of his own team mates comment that he does this everytime it looks like its not gonna be his day. Wellbourne I can't comment but will keep an eye out and give you my expert opinion, lol. Same goes for Nicol. If Parker is the same player I'm thinking of then I would agree, can play centre mid or defence, good range with his passing, not the most aggressive which may be his downfall because I know braith and Pitts tend to favour that style of plyer more. Price and Cowen would probably had their chance by now but they will be returning to the states in august for their 3rd year at college. Highfield has some history with the Canterbury board concerning a past contract. I don't know the facts but basically I think Canty tried to renage on a contract and Highfield either took legal action and won or threatened to. Which should be fine except that I think management were keen to have him on board last season but the board said no. I may be wrong with that but thats how I heard it. Matty Thomas where do you start with him class winger, class keeper, one lazy unreliable bollucks and I like the lad. You just never know if he's gonna turn up, I don't mean meterphorically, I mean literally. The one reason he's not kickin arse for Canterbury or Otago is himself. Anyway I'm sorry to butcher your list of prospects, I have'nt seen nearly enough games to come up with a great list but I would pick alot of the Nelson lads who figured with the youth team. The lad Young from Richmond was class as well but ultimately that may come down to finances as well.
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