Soccer: Coach warns of winter league burnout

Mick Waitt has echoed sentiments that the money being offered by clubs in winter leagues is having an adverse effect on the New Zealand Football Championship.

Former All Whites coach Waitt, preparing to bring his Team Wellington side to Kiwitea St for tomorrow's key clash with championship leaders Auckland City, said he thought the standard of this year's competition was no stronger, possibly weaker, than the inaugural season.

"Some franchises have gone back," said Waitt. "It is obvious to see that some clubs are struggling with injuries and other issues which can be attributed to having players turn up for the NZFC after playing in meaningless winter leagues.

"We haven't said to our players you can't play [in the winter] but we expect them to monitor what they do."

Waitt said it was becoming more obvious that the provincial centres were struggling.

"It is hard to attract players to places like Napier, Hamilton and Palmerston North although Manawatu did recruit a couple of players just before the deadline, which has helped them."

That, and a string of home games. Sharing top spot with Auckland City on the back of four wins in five games, YoungHeart Manawatu have made the most of their home advantage.

"I think it is a real bad draw when one team [Manawatu] has five of their first six games at home," said Waitt. "On the other hand we will have played only twice at home after six games. It is bizarre that in an eight-team competition you can't get a better home and away balance."

Waitt also pointed out that in January, Team Wellington would play at home while in February they were on the road.

"In playing so many games at home early in the season, a team like Manawatu has an unfair advantage. They can use those games, and playing at home is a huge advantage, to build confidence which they can then take to their away games."

Buoyed by their second win of the season, Team Wellington head north determined to build on their win over fancied Canterbury United.

"They caused us a few problems in the first 30 minutes and we probably scored a goal against the run of play," said Waitt. "But from that point we deserved to win. To be honest we have played well all season but have not always been able to hold on.

"Overall, we are a lot more settled in our training and that is showing. Last year I was appointed late and we were rushing around to prepare for the season. The franchise is much better organised this time."

Although he has a couple of minor injury worries and will be without a couple of players tomorrow, Waitt is well-prepared for the challenge.

"I haven't been able to see City play this season but I know they will be competitive and play in their usual direct way. To have a chance we have to contain their front two [Keryn Jordan and Grant Young]."

Team Wellington have four players in the golden boot race - David Johnston, Bryan and Graham Little and Peter Halstead - with two goals each.

City will need to reproduce more of what they showed in the second half in last week's 3-0 win over Hawkes Bay if they are to test the Wellington defence.

After a mediocre first 45 minutes, the home side took a comfortable victory but needed two goals from substitute Paul Urlovic to do it. Surprisingly, it appears that was not enough to earn Urlovic a first start for the season as he has again been named on the bench.

In the other key round six clash, Canterbury meet Waitakere in Christchurch on Sunday.

GOLDEN BOOT

5: Richie Cardozo (Waitakere), Commins Menapi (Manawatu), Blair Scoullar (Otago).

4: Brent Fisher (Canterbury).

3: Keryn Jordan, Jonathan Smith (Auckland).

2: Campbell Banks (Manawatu), Francesco Caruso (Otago), Hone Fowler (Waitakere), Peter Halstead, Bryan Little, Graham Little, David Johnston (Wellington), Liam Mulrooney, Grant Young, Paul Urlovic (Auckland), Jakub Sinkora (Waikato).

NZ FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Auckland City v Team Wellington

Kiwitea St, Sandringham, tomorrow 4pm. Referee: Steve Fletcher

Auckland: Ross Nicholson, Nick Hyde, Paul Seaman, Liam Mulrooney, James Pritchett, Jonathan Smith, Grant Young, Keryn Jordan, Luiz Del Monte, Paul Vodanovich, Matt Cunneen. Substitutes: Paul Urlovic, Richard Gillespie, Sam Wilkinson, Reg Davani, Michael Bell.

Wellington: Dylan Hall, Jamie Duncan, Andy Hedge, David Johnston, Bryan Little, Karl Whalen, Wiremu Patrick, Graham Little, Sam Peters, Matt Adams, Dan Keat. Substitutes: Mike McKinley, Steven Gulley, Geoff Brown, Peter Halstead, Michael Eager.

ODDS $1.50 DRAW $3.50 ODDS $6.50

Prediction: After failing to take control in the first half, City scored three in the second to see off a plucky Hawkes Bay. Back at the same ground, they will find this tougher against a Wellington side buoyed by their second win of the season. The pressure will be on City's team selection with Paul Urlovic putting his hand up.

Hawkes Bay United v Otago United

Park Island, Napier, tomorrow 4pm. Referee: Jamie Cross.

Hawkes Bay:Mitch O'Brien, Wayne Atkins, Graham Fyfe, Chris Greatholder, Jason Hayne, Dean Johnston, Lee Mudd, Ben Murphy, Sam Jenkins, Jamie Farrington, Willie Stanger. Substitutes: Warren Gilbertson, Andrew Huxford, David Gearey, Nick Lucas, Scott Dunn.

Otago: Lutz Pfannenstiel, Terry Boylan, Tim Horner, Blair Scoullar, Craig Dale, Ryley Webster, Andy Coburn, Brad Scott, Adam Letts, Michael Eisenhut, Francesco Caruso. Substitutes: John Chisholm, Russell Lawson, Robbie Deeley, Peter Evans

ODDS $6.50 DRAW $3.50 ODDS $1.50

Prediction: Hawkes Bay fought bravely but lacked enough conviction last week against the league leaders. That effort won't have filled them with confidence against an Otago side who banged home four on their trip to the Waikato.

YoungHeart Manawatu v Waikato FC

The Arena, Palmerston North, Sunday 3pm. Referee: Michael Brock.

Manawatu: Michael Utting, Scott Robson/Mark Tesar, Nathan Hill, Alick Maemae, Campbell Banks, Commins Menapi, Adam Cowan, Ian Sandbrook, Dalin Wilson, Ian Robinson, Yuki Tomomatsu. Substitutes: Hayden Englefield, Michael Sands, Nick Roydhouse, Jared McElhannan.

Waikato: Mark Fulcher, Aaron Scott, Stu Watene, LJ Pijnenburg, Grant Cooper, Shane Hooks, Matt Williams/Danny Donegan, Nathan Robertson, Jakub Sinkora, Stuart Hogg, Rodrigo Marcoleta. Substitutes: Colin Gardyne, Brent Mayhew, Stu Wilson, Ed Trubshoe.

ODDS $1.30 DRAW $4.40 ODDS $9

Prediction: Manawatu will be hot favourites to keep pace at the top with what should be a comfortable win over hapless Waikato who can't buy a point or score a goal these days. Commins Menapi and the rest will make life tough for the visitors who have already let in 19.

Canterbury United v Waitakere United

English Park, Christchurch, Sunday 3pm. Referee: Allan Martin

Canterbury: James Bannatyne, Daniel Terris, Ben Sigmund, Glen Collins, Brent Fisher, Brian Watret, Daniel Moir, Andy Pitman, Nic Tither, Stuart Kelly, Andrew Barron. Substitutes:Michael Lilley, Michael White, Justin Lucas, Ashley Short, Simon Roberts.

Waitakere:Simon Eaddy, Hone Fowler, Craig Wyllie, Jake Butler, Richie Cardozo, Pablo Cardozo, Prince Quansah, Daniel Ellensohn, Marcel Isakowitz, Sean van Rooyen, George Suri. Substitutes: Sam Jasper, Chris Limmer, Jeff Sole, Ben Steward, Nathan Christie.

ODDS $2.65 DRAW $3.20 ODDS $2.40

Prediction: Game of the round as two wounded warriors go head-to-head to try and turn it around after both slumped to their second losses of the season last week. The much-vaunted attacks managed just one goal - and that a penalty - between them in those two games. Expect some fireworks and goals in what should be a decent scrap with home advantage possibly the swinger.