One more:
Mosgiel 1 Caversham 5
One more:
Mosgiel 1 Caversham 5
Roslyn 2 Queenstown 1
Thanks Yeovil - been waiting for that one and couldn't find it in the normal places. That keeps us in third spot....for now.
Onions 4-1 over Braeside
All the very best to the Cavvy boys on Sunday. No mistakes and you will win easy. I hope you go all the way, that way we can say we were beaten in the Cup by the winners! And, of course, all the best to the Horse away at Braes - keep us in third please lads.
Today's results:
Technical 3 Green Is 0
Grant Braes 2 Roslyn Wakari 6
University 0 Mosgiel 2
Queenstown 2 Northern 1
caversham just can't seem to get past that last hurdle in the cup
Crazy scores in both games - cup football I guess. Chin up Cavvy you do the city proud with making it to the semis regularly. And I read Pat Fleming got stretchered off in the Miramar game...best wishes for a fast recovery Patrick.
Broke his leg during a collison with their keeper. Picked up his second yellow and red while be stretched off.
That is just terrible news - I hope it's not a bad break he would be hoping for a TW spot again.
Off getting an x-ray at moment. Will update when hear more.
As an ex Cavvy boy it's a bad day for him, and he has such talent too. The results mean nothing when a young player is hurt like that.
Double break. Tibia and Fibula.
Double break. Tibia and Fibula.
there goes NZFC
That is just awful - godspeed Pat for a good recovery.
Mosgiel beat University how? Green Island could struggle to finish higher than these idiots now
Bit quiet on here is it not????????
Otago united must be getting together some time soon.
Anyone care to stick the neck out and sugest the squad?
Lock in GI for the 4th spot, doubt caversham will win by 9 goals, Malc has done a good job this season
been told Mosgiel were lucky with 8-1, is this true?
Congrats to Roslyn for their third place (but I am bitterly disappointed with that showing) and to Malc and his youngsters for 4th (barrring a crazy Cavvy win and/or Tech getting hammered by University). Still not a give-in that Cavvy have the title wrapped up, but they should do it now - well done to both them and Tech who were head and shoulders above the rest. Time to review those pre-season predictions.
As for Otago Utd squad predictions, I haven't seen any games at all this year but based on my mate's ideas from the sidelines, the media reports and last year's performances I would suggest a 4-4-2 as follows:
Little, Connor, Joy, Fitzpatrick, Fergusson, Stevens, Mepham, Melo, Prattley, Hancock, Govan.
Bench: Evans, Lockhart, Day, Coldicott, some academy player (need two in squad and Stevens qualifies still).
No bias to Roslyn players at all!!
Among the strong FSPL performers obviously Jackson, Burgess and Rodeka would be right in the mix, if not first choice players, if they were available. FSPL player of the year = Rodeka (if Cavvy win the league).
Insight
Lack of insight
You could win the local league win a young team, which cavvy have don't numerous times over the years but NZFC is a different story, maybe Waikato will prove me wrong but then again they're training basically everyday.
Insight
Partial insight...
Insight
Lack of insight
Brookside on a roll...
Insight
And again...Brookside please come back and entertain us with your false prophecies and wit...
Where have all the old players on this forum got to?
brookside, rugbyman, good solonius, crespo etc etc etc.
My squad for Otago United this season:
GK: Little, Evans
DEF: Connor, Ferguson, Joy, Prattley, Fitzpatrick, Fernando, Gunn, Lockhart
MID: Day, Mepham, Ryder, Cunningham, Coldicott, Ridden,
STR: Hancock, Stevens, Govan, MacGregor
Not bad squad..
Cannot see MacGregor in United colours on this seasons form.
Not sure of the names but a couple of the Varsity players have impressed.
Where have all the old players on this forum got to?
brookside, rugbyman, good solonius, crespo etc etc etc.
My squad for Otago United this season:
GK: Little, Evans
DEF: Connor, Ferguson, Joy, Prattley, Fitzpatrick, Fernando, Gunn, Lockhart
MID: Day, Mepham, Ryder, Cunningham, Coldicott, Ridden,
STR: Hancock, Stevens, Govan, MacGregor
Yeah it's a tidy squad - but there have to be 5 Academy players in total (out of 23 I think) and 2 of them have to be in the 16 each game day...
Assuming Joel will be one of those academy players and possibly Ridden? don't know much about the youth setup down here. Any other young fellas about? Jackson mitchell again or is he too old this season.
And with regard to In the Knows post - he names 8 defenders, which is perhaps a sign of what Otago Utd must do to 'not lose' games. Perhaps a 5-4-1 formation would be good in this regard. Connor Joy Fitzpatrick Fernando Fergusson is a strong back five - they are the pick of the defenders I'm told, and both Joy (albeit a bit injured this season) and Fitzpatrick (I'm told he's been immense for Cavvy) are both able to score goals as well. Although he can play centre back (he can play anywhere!) I think Prattey is wasted in defence, or at least at centre back. But as a wing back or wing forward he is much more able to show what he can do. With him and Joel Stevens (he must be played) wide in a 5-4-1 Otago look very solid defensively, and very capable on the counter. So then put a tough, hard-working strong CM in like Sam Mepham (the rock of Roslyn) alongside a creative engergetic CM like Day (the Energizer bunny) or AJ (cummon AJ if you work you will be like big brother Mike and more) and you have a team that won't concede many and will look to frustrate, counter and score at set piece time. So all you need then is a strong target man, or an elusive nippy CF - Govan and Hancock are both very able in this regards. In goal we have Little and Evans who are both supreme; what is young Walker doing btw? - he shows presence and is tall to boot. So then on the bench Lockhart can fill in at FB or CB easily and deserves the chance to develop, in mid Ryder will run all day and young Ridden also needs to be given a chance to grow - he can pass quite well and score goals, Coldicott is a freak at times - bring him on for impact out wide or one off up-front. I think if Otago play tight they will not concede easily. But we need a striker like Burgess to keep the opposition honest at all times- that won't happen I guess - or is there an import? Otago must play not to lose first of all - and then to steal the win. We can finish 5th at least yes we can. Ans then we might nick 4th even if we fight all the time.
Prattley is too important at the back, he marshalls the team well and was clearly the best player last season. Him and Joy form a quality centre halve pairing. I personally feel Prattley would be wasted on the wing. Whilst he has the quality to play there I feel he'd spend long periods out of the game if the team is on the back foot and thats not what you want your best player to be doing.
Anyone got any news on the fixture list? any new teams this season? Would be good if the lads started at home (stadium again this season?) to one of the more beatable teams instead of a trip to Auckland or Wellington.
Tristan is the best Otago player – we probably all agree on that. And yes I agree he is very important at the back. But he is the sort of player that can play, and excel, anywhere, and I’m just wondering where the midfield options and attacking thrust is going to come from? I like to see the best players play in their best positions, and Prattley’s best position isn’t Centre Back in my opinion – it’s on the left. I wasn’t suggesting an outright left wing – but a wing back or tucked in as part of a 4-4-2, with Joel Stevens in a similar role on the right would provide defensive support, midfield ball to feet options and, yes, some drive up the wings.
The FSPL has been one of the lowest scoring (for the league leaders) that I can recall. Normally the winners (i.e, Cavvy and then Tech last year) were scoring at least an average of 4 goals per game. Perhaps the defenders are getting better. I wouldn’t actually know because I’ve not seen them. More likely I think we have a shortage of quality goalscorers – who’s been knocking in the goals this year? Burgess and Rodeka and neither will play for Otago this season. So where are Otago’s goals going to come from? I would suggest we have a better chance at creating something with Prattley playing higher up the field. Even with Matt Joy and Tristan at the back Otago would still concede a few against the better sides, and I’d hate to see us just sitting behind the ball all day.
not sure who is about this summer
Little
Connor Joy Prattley Ferguson
De Costa, Day
Stevens Melo Coldicott
Hancock
Looks interesting - I quite like that line-up and formation Conte, and most of your picks have the pace you need at that level.
If the bench was GK, D, M, F it could be: Evans, Lockhart/Fitzpatrick/Watson, Mepham/Ryder/Ridden/Cunningham, Govan, Academy player.
So plenty of options. Gee, competition for midfield spots looks like it will be fierce. I've not seen De Costa, he will have to do something special to displace Mepham who is a Murray favourite I think.
would be nice to get a really decent centreback from somewhere & push Prattley out to LB, Ferg is good player but a weak link at NZFC level
De Costa will start over Mepham I beleive. Hes class and is more experienced playing at roughly NZFC level.
Lets hope there are good signings this year