Improvement sought by United coaches

Press, 7 June 1980, Page 56

Improvement sought by United coaches

A distinct Improvement in penetration in and around the opposition penalty area will be the main aim of the Trans Tours United coaches (Messrs Brian Hardman and Terry Mann) when their team meets Wellington Diamond United at Queen Elizabeth II Park tomorrow. The failure to make use of about 70 per cent of possession in its Rothmans League match with Rangers last Monday was very costly. While the Rangers team gave a fine display, they were aided by some weak finishing by United.

“You have to capitalise on your percentage of the play,” said Mr Hardman, “and we are not putting our chances away.” It is possible that United might revert to a 4-4-2 formation, which proved highly successful against Blockhouse Bay in Auckland a fortnight ago. In addition, Bobby Almond

will return to his position as sweeper after missing the last three games through injury. This will allow Allan Boath to return to the midfield, where he has been in fine form this season. United’s title hopes, which must have been very high after its excellent start to the competition, have taken a battering in recent weeks,' and it can be sure of a tough match against W.D.U., a team which gives very little away but has little sparkle or flair about it. It will be a confident Rangers team which will travel to Lower Hutt to meet Stop Out, the team one spot below them on the points table. Rangers will be without their experienced right back, Trevor Blake, who is overseas on business for three weeks. His place is likely to go to Tony Steer. Malcolm Parker, who

has missed the last two matches through injury, is now available, and a place might be found for him in the front line. In the opinion of lan Marshall, the Rangers coach, it is very important to beat the teams lower on the points table, and three of Rangers’ next four matches are against teams below them. Mr Marshall agreed that the 2-1 win over United last Monday was a “tremendous morale booster,” but he warned that talk of Rangers’ being safe from relegation worries was premature. Other league matches, all scheduled for tomorrow, are Gisborne City v. Newmans Nelson United at Gisborne, Manurewa v. Blockhouse Bay and Hani-mex-North Shore v. Hamilton, both at Auckland. Dunedin City’s home game with Mount Wellington has been postponed.