YoungHearts look to next season

Some YoungHeart Manawatu players will need a big game against Otago United at Carisbrook tomorrow if they want to return to the side next season.

It sums up the state of their effort in the New Zealand Football Championship this year that, with two games still to play, players have to be preparing for the next campaign.

Sitting seventh with only three wins from 12 games, it's been a dismal year for a side which made the playoffs last season.

Player departures from last year, injuries and suspensions have seemingly all conspired against YoungHeart though, and it appeared that anything that could go wrong, did go wrong.

YoungHeart captain Adam Cowan said the team knew positions in next year's squad were on the line from now.

"Basically it's just playing for spots next year; go hard and get a win," he said.

"It doesn't matter that we can't make the playoffs. We are playing for a position on the table."

YoungHeart are still without Cory Chettleburgh and competition golden boot leader Seule Soromon due to suspension, and it's likely the same line-up which drew 1-all with Auckland two weeks ago will start tomorrow.

YoungHeart's last encounter with Otago was where it all went wrong. Heavy favourites with the bookies, YoungHeart were dispatched 3-0 at Memorial Park by an Otago side who might not have any flashy players, but possess the work ethic that a top team needs.

After that game, Manawatu lost six straight and drew twice as their season slipped away week by week.

The stop-start nature of the draw has done nobody any favours this season and Cowan said it had made life tough for his side.

"It's been an annoying factor to this year."

YoungHeart haven't experienced an NZFC win since December and would love nothing more than to go to Carisbrook and pour cold water on Otago's playoff bid.

Auckland City and Waitakere United have the top two spots sewn up, but Otago are a good chance of clinching that third spot.

In other action, Wellington host Canterbury in a match that will have a huge bearing on who finishes with the third playoff position. Waitakere United host Waikato and Auckland travel to Hawke's Bay.

YoungHeart Manawatu: Ross Nicholson (GK), Nobuyoshi Ishi, Colin Falvey, Josh Chettleburgh, Adam Cowan, Scott Robson, Michael Crisford, Nathan Cooksley, Marco Paracchini, Caleb Duncan, Raf de Gregorio, Desmond Fa'aiuaso, Takayuki Omi, Matt Borren (GK), Campbell Banks.

Otago United: James Waggett (GK), Mike Abbott, Tristan Prattley, Dave Shaw, Mike Smith, Tom Sadd, Stu Kelly, Ryan Faichnie, Dave Dugdale, Andy Coburn, James Reichwin, Cameron Burns (GK), Tom Connor, Morgan Day, Tim Horner, Nathan Knox, Ben Light, Rhys Henderson, Harley Rodeka.

- © Fairfax NZ News