Potential Stallions quote of the season (already) ...

'But hey, thats the last rash challenge for me of this season' - Joe

Pre-season wrap-up

With the pre season done and dusted, I thought I'd do a bit of a wrap-up and look at the pros and cons of what has been our most comprehensive pre-season yet. 2 games (or one game and 2 half games) brought most people out of hibernation which was great to see.

THE GOOD
While the Stallions have never been prolific goal scorers, the pre season games did cough up some early candidates for goal of the season. While they will never be voted on as they happened in pre season, they were still great nonetheless. All goals were scored from outside the box, and thankfully they were all caught on camera.

R Walker vs Karori Magpies


L Lepper vs Karori Magpies


A Lister vs Under 12s


To be fair to Aaron, it didn't look quite like this - it was from about 25 yards out the front rather than the side.

It was also good to see Panda walking around and good to know that if we ever need a babysitter then we can call on him.

THE BAD
While attack has never been prolific, the defense has always been very stingy. While we got destroyed early on in the game against the Magpies, we fought back well to win the second half 2-1. In the second pre season game we were our typical stingy selves, only conceding the one goal, and what a goal it was...



THE UGLY
And while the above goal was a little unfortunate, this one was just plain inexcusable. I wont mention names, but this diminutive midfielder has been known to give shit towards the forwards for worrying more about their looks than scoring goals, scored one of the best goals of last season, and had his whole family there to point and laugh when he missed this sitter (at least the kids did, the wife just looked at the ground and shook her head).
(Take your pick as to which one he was)


The red mist also descended (from a Red Devils fan no less) and a late, from behind, studs up, at the back of the knee, two-footed, premeditated tackle was made. Reports suggested that even Joey Barton blushed with embarrassment when he saw it. See for yourself



But seriously, it's been a good couple of games. I think if we focus on keeping our positions on the field and not getting sucked in or drawn out of position, as well as moving the ball quickly (doesn't matter if it's not forward or doesn't immediately open up the play, just dont get caught in position) we'll be all good.

As an illustration of what I mean, have a look at this video.

Obviously Barca are an amazing team and to do this you need a decent 10m pass and control, but look at the way they moved the ball around the back. There was no real "dangerous" pass until the end, but they kept the ball moving. The Magpies did this a lot against us and it opened us up. Not every ball has to be forward, and you don't have to do something amazing every time you touch the ball. You do have to move the ball quickly though as if you spend too long on the ball you and your support players get closed down and you're left with nothing other than route 1 football.

What happens in preseason, comes back to haunt you all season

Its a cruel and funny game - last game of last season Spencer volleys his way into Stallions folklore from about 20 meters. Yesterday, with an open goal beckoning from about 3 metres Spencer somehow manages to knee the ball over the post to give us our first terrible miss of the season - all of which will be documented.

Pre Season Questions #1

I know there are some important pre-season questions like: how can we score more goals? How on earth are we going to get fit(ter) in 2 weeks? How can we go on without the Butch? But there are a couple of others.

Question 1 - Who is going to write match reports? We have had some classics - Corey, Graham, Jason have all whipped up some mighty reports over the past couple of seasons, but end of last season all of them had got a little sick of it, and understandably so - it can take a bit of time.

Would be great if any of you wanted to take that task up again, or is there anyone else keen to flex some literary muscle? Anyone can do it, I reckon the only ones exempt should be Rauru - possibly not to good to have the skipper doing it, especially if it involves criticising/making fun of players etc, and me - who spends way too much time on the blog anyway - and it needs more voices than less.

Great if someone/anyone puts their hand(s) up to do it, or share duties. Or perhaps we get a little creative - what if the pony has to write the match report - it would different each week (especially with Mike not playing!), and it could be fun to have some bitter reports - ie discussing how your own goal cost the Stallion's championship gold! Might have to be punishment for not getting the report out before Wednesday or something.

Volunteers? Thoughts?

2010 stats before they get refreshed for the new season

Games Played: 17
Won: 9
Lost: 3
Drawn: 5
Place on table: 2nd
Next up:
Fights: 2
Goals for: 40
Goals Against: 27
GD: 13
Goal Scorers: Rauru 9, Tristin 5, Panda 5, Lloyd 5, Robin 4, Logan 3, Spencer 2, Dan, Corey, Nick G, Graham, Tangihaere, Aaron & yes, finally, Paddy.
Injury list: Jamie (season - knee)

Coloured boots

Logan raises an interesting point, a predominance of coloured boots in the Stallions this season already: Tangihaere with his canary predators (*cough* pussy), Aaron and Dan both apologetic in new white boots. Nothing to be apologetic about, this is a new generation of flashy stallions, black boots are so Div 7  - I propose a new fine for Stallions in black boots!
* Disclaimer - Graham, there is no excuse for your fluro boots.
** Disclaimer 2 - I might take the fine and wear my new(ish) black predators this weekend.

This is lifted from a website - what your boots say about you: Source: http://www.footy-boots.com/colour-football-boots-4673/

The colour of a footballer’s boots reveals what type of player he is according to a leading sports psychologist.
Dr Martin Perry and Footy Boots have joined forces to classify footballers according to their choice of footwear.

The Old Pro: Black Boots
Black, of course, is a safe colour and suggests certainty and authority. Having been at the club all his senior career, black boots might be your gnarly team captain. He will have seen it all before and doesn’t take readily to new methods. He might be silently scathing in his criticism of those who wear coloured boots. Always worn traditional black boots, and always will.

The Maestro: White Boots
Wandering into the Boot Room comes The Maestro, his white boots lain out ready to be slipped on, left before right, in an orderly fashion. In many societies white represents purity and light and The Maestro, a name he gave himself without any prompting from his tabloid ghost writer, is a player who shines brightly in any arena.
He is oozing talent and class, and has everything except sweat inducing work rate, but the gaffer has given him a special dispensation to not track back, so he says. He strolls around the pitch and thinks with his feet, which is better than trying to use his brain; and he always finds time on the ball. He has good instincts and he knows he is good, but he doesn’t mind other people reminding him. When he demands the ball he expects to get it and guarantees to use it diligently with the minimum of effort. White should be worn by players with class, who can give us a few footballing lessons, however expensive. He will be our white knight, rescuing us in times of trouble.

The Hot Potato: Red Boots
Red is an intense colour which generates intense emotions. Like love and hate, the yin and yang of who we are and who we’d like to be. If you want impetuous and rash and someone to make their mark on the game, and their opponents, this fire-brand will give you what you crave. Refs remember red boots, have nightmares about them. They are hard to forget, even when asleep.

The Veteran: Blue Boots
As we know, blue is the colour, true blue, for some. We look for blue skies, for peace and tranquillity. Our blue booted player is still going strong into his late thirties. He has drifted down a division or two but lacks nothing in keenness and enthusiasm. Rarely among our footy types, he reads books on sports psychology and quotes them liberally, randomly and, sometimes, inappropriately. He is diet conscious and accepts the ‘old man’ gibes of the young upstarts with equanimity. He is convinced that his experience and nous more than makes up for a lack of pace. He switched to blue boots to demonstrate his coolness and calmness under pressure.

The Enigma: Green Boots
Green may be a lucky colour in some countries, the colour of money, the flag of Libya, and refreshes a dull landscape as winter turns to spring. But your player who wears green boots on green grass is, to say the least, enigmatic. Here is a player who has the manager tearing his already thinning hair out in frustration. On his day, he can win a match by himself. He has skill; he has ability; he has attitude. One week, storming the barricades; next week, missing in inaction. Why? Who knows? Not the player. Quiet, please, artist in green boots and headband, at work.

The Entertainer: Yellow Boots
As well as being the colour of a true love’s hair, and buttercups, yellow brings good cheer and optimism is all around. Our yellow-booted entertainer, socks pulled up above his knees, will be the club clown, the life and soul of the team; they have to laugh with him, he makes them. He plays with a silly grin on his face, whatever the circumstances. He may seem to be happy go lucky, but there will be some sadness not that far beneath the surface. He can lift morale when others are down. He shows lots of energy and enthusiasm, and his well rehearsed goal celebrations will be the ‘and finally’ of many a highlights show.

The Organiser: Brown Boots
As solid as the dark earth beneath his feet, our brown booted player will be a smartly turned out defender, unyielding and dependable. The astute manager will make him the club captain. With a penchant for a sliding tackle you can rouse your team mates and stir the crowd. You don’t mind taking the brunt of criticism which your team gets, because you must accept responsibility. Your favourite colour is leathery brown, reflected in your natural calm in a crisis, in tune with your star sign, Capricorn. So, it is not surprising that you chose your soft chocolate brown medium weight lace ups as your boot of choice.

The Golden Boy: Gold Boots
Welcome to the bullion boy; he is our future. The colour of sun brings warmth and wisdom. Of course, he is super talented, but he might believe too much in his own publicity. A big ego brings big responsibility; we want him to dazzle, to make our dreams come true. We don’t want him to be prone to tantrums and throw those toys out of the pram. Even if he’s playing at the highest level, we keep hearing rumours of other challenges which await him elsewhere. They have no doubts that they are fit to wear gold boots. They need to believe they are above mediocrity, but sometimes struggle to prove it.

The Headless Chicken: Silver Boots
Silver has the lustre of moonlight, it offers light and balance, and the footballer who wears silver boots will bring stability to the team, if they let him. They may be suspicious of his shiny footwear. He has speed and pace to burn, but they think he does not always use it wisely. Unkindly known as a headless chicken by his merciless team-mates as he runs on everlasting nervous energy. Passing and distribution can be erratic but aesthetically pleasing. On their day, they are unstoppable. But when is their day?

The Eccentric: Orange Boots
Orange is a stimulating, lively colour, it offers freedom and emotional release. But if your orange boot wearer is your goalie, take a deep breath and get ready for a bumpy ride. Orange offers a life to be lived to the full, too often not the safe and reliable pair of hands the hard pressed coach yearns for. Your orange booted goalkeeper can be prone to impulsive decision making and heart stopping gaffes. Obviously, he can also pull off exceptional world-class saves, drawn from the top of the top drawer. His orange boots express his individuality and desire to be different, they can’t fail to get him noticed, even when he doesn’t want to be.
Dr Martin Perry is the resident Confidence Coach and Sports and Football Psychology columnist for the football magazine Four Four Two.

Damn, I would have brought green boots if I had read this earlier - maybe one green boot one orange boot ...

Draw for April 6

April 2 CAPITAL 6:
Uni Accies __ Marist Inter __ Nairnville 1 (12.30);
North Wgtn Villa __ Uni Stallions __ Alex Moore 2 (12.30);
Wainuiomata __ Brooklyn Northern __ Prouse 2 (12.30);
Petone Chacago __ Lower Hutt Sangham __ Petone 2 (2.30);
Miramar Rangers __ North Wellington __ Miramar 1 (2.30).

Looks like quite a few teams with midweek games at Te Whaea. Capital 9, Masters 1, Cap 1 and Cap 4.

We might get a full season in!

Fallen homies

Another trip to the casualty ward for Stallions - this time poor Mike B, who courtesy of a bicycle on car has a broken arm amongst other injuries. Hard luck Mike, terrible timing with the new job and of course the new season, you will be missed for however long you are out. Sad to think that the power throw in that so scared other teams may never see the light of day again. Won't stop the jinking surges through the middle of course.

In slightly better news Panda looked a lot better wandering around than expected.

Oh yeah, for those of you not at the game we were pretty comprehensively beaten, but came back damn well to win or at least draw the second half (I forget). Don't matter how many goals they scored - we had two potential goals of the seasons - huge strikes from distance by Rauru and Lachlan.

Remind you of a certain Stallion?

Season opener Div6 Stallions Vs

CAPITAL FOOTBALL DRAW FOR 2 - 8 APRIL:
SATURDAY 2 APRIL

CAPITAL 6:
Uni Accies V Marist Inter _ Nairnville 1 (12.30);
North Wgtn Villa V Uni Stallions_ Alex Moore 2 (12.30);
Wainuiomata V Brooklyn Northern _ Prouse 2 (12.30);
Petone Chacago V Lower Hutt Sangham__ Petone 2 (2.30);
Miramar RangersV North Wellington _ Miramar 1 (2.30).

More Silverware

Following the big win at the charity 5-aside tourny, the Stallions twilight team pulled out another grand final victory today. In typical Stallions fashion, we were 2-nil up with 10 to go, but it went to penalties - great save by Lachlan, Nick coolly slots it home, grade dominated. And all done at Kelburn Park under the watchful gaze of the practicing cricket Stallions.

The opposition included Colin from the Uni 3rds who let us know that most of their team from last year is back, with (said with a knowing smile) they have picked up a couple of fast new young guys from the trials. Man imagine, fast, young ...

Pre-season Formation

It's that time of year again where the blog gets updated frequently, new signings are made, and the Walker brothers squabble about formation.

Last season we had a bit of a play around with formation which seemed to work ok, except in that game where we were up 3-0 after about 10 minutes before blowing it (did we draw or lose it? Eds note: I just checked the tables and in the cup tournament we won 2 lost 1 so I guess we lost it 4-3). The formation worked ok for a bit until they worked out how to play us and we didn't adapt. We wont be making that same mistake this year and if things aren't working we'll look to change things around.

For this weekend I'd like to play a mix of 4-3-3/4-5-1/4-2-3-1. Basically the back 4 is pretty standard. For this game we'll start with (and in brackets the names of others who could/will fill those roles if everyone is available:

GK - Jamie (Paul)
LB - Corey
RB - Spencer (Dan/Joe)
CB - Jason (Mike/Tangihaere/Paddy)
CB - Dan

Their roles are pretty much what they have always been. Assuming they play 4-2-2, two of the defenders pick up their two attackers which leaves 2 people free to pick up their wide midfielders coming through, or just to help out in numbers.

The midfield/attack are:

DM - Aaron
CM/DM - Rauru
CM/AM - Gus (Lloyd/Paddy)
L/RM - Graham (Panda/Rauru/Gus/Paddy/Nick)
L/RM - Rob
CF - Tristin (Rauru/Gus)

I'd like the R/LM to play quite high up the pitch in almost an attacking role so that there is support for Tristin who is going to be a lone striker. I think we're not prolific enough goal scorers to have Tristin up front by himself (we had one of the lowest 'goals for' in our grade last year but had the best goal difference which says a lot for our defense - we had 5 less goals scored against us than the next best team!). This means that in this game on the weekend we need Rob and Graham to play more attacking than defending. Gus also has a bit of a free role to attack through the middle. Of course they cant play as attackers, but as soon as we get the ball the R/LM need to get wide and push up. If the ball is on their side they need to be hitting the corners, if it's on the other side they drop into the middle a bit more near Tristin who will stay central and as deep as possible.

This gives us 1 sub for the weekend (Nick - only cause I thought you were out initially Nick!) who will probably out wide as a L/RM but can fit into the middle if needed.

This could be seen as a 4-2-3-1 formation. 4 defenders, 2 holding mids, 3 attacking mids and 1 striker. We'll adapt as we need to though.

This is a bit of a mixed up team as two of our regular CM are out (which means I'll fit in there this week to start with), as well as two CB (although not as much of a disruption as Dan and Jason will probably play there quite a bit this season).

No idea if this is going to work, or even if it makes much sense, but we'll give it a crack!

We need us some Under Armour

Damn, imagine if the new Stallions strip had this technology

On the plus side, we will all be able to see just how much fitter and generally better than everyone else this season's Champions League winners are!

New Arrival

So every new signing brings a few teething problems right? I know that Dan doesn't read this blog, so just want to suggest that we take a few tips from the rumoured disfunction in the Chelsea locker room and just phase him out. Make him sit by himself in the changing room, let the skipper try to hit on his girl, and most importantly ignore him during the game. Analysis from the Chelsea-Blackpool game shows that there were 3 or 4 times when Torres was free in the box, but players did not/refused to pass to him.

This conspiracy theory is also driven by Torres's reaction to this where instead of looking frustrated or upset barely even acknowledged anything - as though he knew he was being phased out and accepted he wasn't getting any love. I'm with the Chelsea players on this, screw the fancy new signings, lets make Dan an outcast from the beginning, lets break his spirit and love for the game, drive away all those spectators he will bring to the game.  Screw Dan and all his game winning skills and abilities - they just ain't stallion-like. F****er

Nah, Welcome Dan - great to have you as a full team member as we embark on the heady rise up the grades. A great signing, excellent way to start the season.

And all power to the Stallions who won the University 5 aside tourney - a good omen, well played.

The twilight team just had a competitive, hard game that had the potential to get a bit nasty. Of course we won easily in the end, but interesting to see the team name on their strip - The Karori Magpies, our 'friendly' opposition in a couple of weeks. Bring your shinpads!

Hmmmmm

Even as a Liverpool supporter (who is feeling very good after Sunday's 3-1 win over Man U), I think maybe taking things too far?

Stallions Season 2010 highlights

Ok, so imagine we have a 15 second video celebrating our grade winning, free-wheeling, pie-eating, women-stealing last season (or was that just me?). What would this montage that summed up last season include?

- Definite fade out moment: one of Panda's run behind the goal posts pointing at the ball celebrations
- Flashes of G-Mann's bright boots
- Shots of Rauru's 4 goal haul vs Lower Hutt/Stokes Valley, whoever it was
- Dan's header vs Marist
- The sad moment - North Wellington score their 4th goal to win 4-3 (or was it a draw, I can't recall).
- General pride at running around the artificial at Te Whaea
- In car cam of Nick's breakdown with multiple stallions in the backseat
- Gus's reverse header goal
- Some epic stretching saves by Paul
- Rauru and Tangi arguing over the merits of 4-3-3 vs 4-3-2-1
- Endless missed shots on goal by Paddy
- This nagging presence of Ben Hodges in the background
- We might have to dig back to past seasons to get some biffo, what were we last season - sponsored by Hippies & Peaceniks?

Any other suggestions?

Damn, we might need more than 15 seconds.

We need a soundtrack to the season as well. Any thoughts?