Phil Neville later said that although he initially felt devastated by the “kids” comment from a commentator of Hansen’s standing, the important thing was that manager Alex Ferguson backed his young brigade. Eventually the comment was motivation for them . . . to prove Hansen wrong.
Ferguson also had a core of experienced players to support his youngsters, and that’s something that Gisborne Thistle are struggling to establish. Injuries and prior commitments have meant Cramer has had to rely heavily on emerging — rather than proven — talent.
“I strongly believe in playing youngsters, but I don’t want to play nine of them at a time.
Cramer is still without the services of goalkeeper Mitchell Stewart-Hill (injured) and David Salmon and Isaac Bush (unavailable). Nicky Land is likely to be out for weeks, although the knee injury he picked up last Saturday is not as bad as first thought, and young centreback Jirah Wanoa is out for this weekend at least with a hamstring injury.
Three more of the first-team squad are expected to miss the game.
“It’s a massive problem,” Cramer said.
“We’re trying to get some new signings. We’ve had four guys from Vanuatu training with us. We’re trying to get them over the line.
“We’re looking at other ways to strengthen the squad and build a bit of depth. It’s just a matter of finding them and getting them here.”
The Anzac Day weekend break will offer welcome breathing space for Thistle. Before then they face a Palmerston North United (PNU) team being talked up as title contenders.
In the first round they beat defending champions Palmerston North Marist 2-1 and last week drew 1-1 with Havelock North Wanderers, who played Central League last season and are always strong at this level.
PNU are a young but seasoned side. Thistle will have their hands full but, as Cramer has said, every game is a learning experience.
