Heat on Uniteds senior players

THE onus will be on the senior players to produce the goods when a struggling Wairarapa United take on competition pacesetters Western Suburbs in a central league soccer match at Queen Elizabeth Park oval in Masterton tomorrow.
Seldom this season has Wairarapa United looked anything like the squad which won the Capital premier division and central league promotion-relegation series last year.
The names are pretty much the same but the level of performance has been inconsistent to say the least.
That the standard of play in the central league is higher - much higher - than what it was in premier division is undeniable.
The pace of the games is quicker, there is greater physicality in the battle for possession and teams invariably make the most of their scoring chances.
It has then , in many ways, been something of a culture shock for Wairarapa United and to combat it they desperately need experienced campaigners like Pita Rabo and Miriek Tvaroh to stamp their class on proceedings.
By their own normally high standards this duo have had a relatively quiet season to date so Sunday's match provides a royal opportunity for them to inspire their side to better things.
With Rabo at his elusive and skilful best and Tvaroh showing all the aggression which was such a trademark of his game in 2008 Wairarapa United could be a bigger handful for Western Suburbs than anyone could justifiably expect.
Rabo and Tvaroh need to lead by example with Tvaroh having the extra incentive of it being his 50th appearance in the Wairarapa United colours..
Losing star striker Seule Soromon to a leg injury is, of course, a negative for Wairarapa United because as goal scorers go he is clearly the jewel in their crown.
But there is still any amount of goal scoring potential in their side with Rabo, Adam Cowan, Sakeo Valevou, Aaron Spierling and Kote Maeno all capable of getting themselves on the scoreline.
Spierling, especially, would dearly love to put the ball in the back of the Western Suburbs net as he will be playing his 100th match for Wairarapa United, a feat already achieved by his brother Hayden Spierling and three others, Matt Harvey and current squad members Carl Shailer and Andy Robertson.
Coach Phil Keinzley says Soromon's absence won't stop Wairarapa United from adopting their usual attacking style of play simply because history shows that is the approach which suits them best.
But he does agree a tight defence will also need to be a crucial part of the Wairarapa United game plan as in Rupert Ryan Western Suburbs have a lethal striker who will pounce on anything loose .
"They (Western Suburbs) don't seem to have any weaknesses, they are a quality all-round side," Keinzley said.
"To compete with them you have do the simple things well, and trust you will catch them off guard somewhere along the way. Structure on attack and defence is vital, without that they will take you apart."
Kick off tomorrow is at 2pm.