We?ll need to do better next year: Keinzley

Wairarapa United will need greater depth amongst their playing resources if they are to be competitive in the Capital Soccer premier division in 2006.
That's the honest appraisal of coach Phil Keinzley after premier division status was automatically achieved when they beat Wainuiomata 1-0 to win the Capital division one title at Carterton on Saturday.
"Obviously the standard of play in premier division will be a good deal better than we struck through most of this season and we need to be aware of that", he said. "Right now we do have some deficiencies and we've got to start working straight away to ensure we have them covered by the time next year comes around."
Keinzley is pleased that the three Fijians - Lai Gataurua, Pita Rabo and Sakeo Valevou - who were such a vital part of his team's success this season will be available again in 2005 but he hasn't ruled out the idea of having to again look outside the local region for next season.
Whether that will happen could depend on the strengthening of the relationship Wairarapa United have with local colleges with Keinzley believing it to be crucial that their best talent is available to Wairarapa United on a consistent basis.
"There are a good number of very promising youngsters in the district who have the potential to perform well even at premier division level and hopefully we can persuade the colleges to give them that chance", he said.
Keinzley is also aware of the challenges facing Wairarapa United from a financial viewpoint and to that end he and other officials are keen to hear from any sponsor who may be willing to help out in that regard.
"Winning the division one title is an obvious boost to our profile and now we have to convince possible sponsors of the value we can provide them in terms of exposure", he said.
As to Saturday's performance Keinzley admits his side played well below par, making much harder work of beating a lowly placed Wainuiomata than what was generally anticipated.
"Quite honestly we were a long way off what we should have been", he said. "We blew too many good scoring chances and we didn't work as a team. It wasn't a game to remember from a quality angle, that's for sure."
Talking to Keinzley you get the impression he himself might have been behind the rumour which swept Howard Booth Park during the course of the game, a rumour which had Wairarapa United's only challenger for division one honours, Western Suburbs, several goals up in their game against Miramar Rangers and, what's more, facing an opposition two players short.
When asked to comment on his involvement he would neither confirm or deny that it was a ploy from management to get players and supporters to lift their efforts.
"There were a few whispers going around but who started them??..no, I'll keep quiet on that one", he said. "We can't divulge everything, can we?"
Keinzley did admit though that until the after-match speeches he had been unaware of the special incentive Wainuiomata had to come up with something special, their player-coach having his 300 th , and last, game for the club.
"They were really keen to give him a good send off and it wouldn't have come much better than beating the competition leaders, would it?", he said.
"For them it was one of their best games of the season so I guess we can be thankful that even though we played poorly we were still able to get the win".