Inspiration From Banks

Zephyr Manager and goalkeeper Steve Hall said this evening that he was looking for inspiration from Gordon Banks for his goalkeeping skills in the Division 1 league of Wellington Indoor Football. "I've been reading that Gordon Banks early career was as a coal bagger and a brick layer, both occupations I'm likely to finish up working if I don't improve my goalkeeping skills". Hall said he'd looked to go down a coal mine during the week to see what he could learn from the experience. "I've found a shortage of Coal Mimes in the vicinity of the Shed 1 arena" said Hall "so I'm not working in a coal mine going down down". Hall said the only advantage of taking up bricklaying was if he could build a wall in front of his goal. "Maybe my last hope is to wear only one contact lens because Gordon Banks only has one eye" suggested Hall "I can't go any worse than with two eyes".

Phoenix Tickets Beyond A Joke

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said the situation with the Phoenix season tickets was now well beyond a joke. "No I still haven't seen my season ticket and it is closing in on the second match" said Hall "we're trying to support our outdoor cousins but they're not making it easy". Hall said the Phoenix could learn a few things about the slick marketing arm of the Rovers indoor football machine. "We have Heather Fernandes working away in the background and you never hear of any problems with our ticketing" said Hall "and we regularly feature on the Search Wellington web site which I think says we're doing things right". Hall said some people wanted to be on the cover of the Rolling Stone but being the lead story on Search Wellington was pretty good publicity. "Obviously I'm disappointed in the coverage we get from the Dominion" said Hall "but we do get noticed we do have supporters all over the world so we're fairly well known on the internet".

Hussey For Herbert

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said today that after watching the Phoenix defence last week he'd be recommending Rikki Herbert sign Eddie Hussey immediately. "I thought Eddie had a great return match for us and we only really went down the toilet when he was off the pitch" said hall "and he even managed a goal from long range so he might be just what Rikki is looking for". Hall said the Phoenix defence made school girl errors and overall he felt the Rovers had a better match than their outdoor counterparts. "Sure we lost but we played pretty well and we're closing the gap on the division" suggested Hall "and we're not far off the grading games now so we'll be pushing to stay in Division 1".

Mind Games

Zephyr Chairman George Nash said today that he was talking to several Scottish goalkeepers to ascertain there suitability for the Rovers squad. "I have full confidence in the manager" said Nash "and he has the full support of the board". Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said he didn't realise things had got so bad until the board expressed confidence in him. "You know you're in trouble in this game when you get a vote of confidence" said Hall "usually means you've got less than a week to go". Hall said he'd put some long hours in training since the game by going over the match in his mind. "I find if I visualise the ball coming at me for long enough I can finally visualise it not going between my legs and into the goal" said Hall "and then if I keep at it I find we actually won the game ten nil and are winning the league by a mile". Hall said the problem with visualising at the moment was that it wasn't having the reported benefits of making real things happen. "I'm beginning to wonder if this going through things in your mind actually works" said Hall "as I never let in any goals in my pre-match mind games".

Howler

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall admitted today after the match against Mercer that goalkeeping errors had contributed to a close 5 - 4 loss to Mercer. "We were up 4 - 0 and well into the second half and I actually thought I was having a good game" said Hall "but Mercer finally scored and the resulting throw out led to their second goal, and then I fumbled a regulation save to allow the third one and it fell to pieces from there". Hall indicated there was a lot of pressure on a goalkeeper in these big games and maybe it had got to him in the end. "George was kind enough to say I crap or words to that effect and he might be right" said Hall "we had all played so well in the first three quarters of the game and I was disappointed I let the lads down". Hall said the team also lost a bit of shape in the last quarter which gave the opposition a few more shooting chances. "To lose by a goal after being four up is heartbreaking" said Hall "but we are so close to getting it right and we're playing teams that punish any mistake severely". Hall said he'd ponder whether or not to drop himself in the next match but would allow a few days to contemplate his decision.

Final: Mercer 5 Rovers 4

No Mercy For Mercer

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said he is set to unleash Chopper McIntosh in the match tomorrow at the Shed of Dreams. "I think we can't afford to show Mercy to Mercer in this one as we need the points" said Hall "so I'll not only be expecting Chopper to get on the score sheet but also to get in a bit of enforcement action as well". Hall said the return of Eddie Hussey should strengthen the defense and now the job was to score some goals. "We seem loathe to shoot sometimes and we definitely hold the ball a bit too long at times" said Hall "but I think we'll be able to have Chopper, John Cao and Matty Cantwell rotating those forward position this time and I'm hopeful we'll see some goals". Hall said Matty Cantwell would have to find the right balance between demonstrating his excellent close ball skills and passing to team mates. "Matty is a wizard with the ball but he sometimes forgets he can't do it all himself all the time".

More Mongrel

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said he noted the defensive frailties of the Phoenix team whilst working our a tactical plan to beat Mercer on Monday. "They really showed me the importance of organisation and that the lack of it could lead to soft goals" said Hall "but I also liked the way Cleberson went over the top of his man at one point and I want to see a bit of this mongrel from George". Hall said players had different roles in teams and he saw Nash as the imported Scottish Hard man type. "Unfortunately George has often proven to be too nicer guy on the pitch and he he isn't as dirty as Riddle or Smith were" said Hall "in fact I'm worried we're going to win the fair play award the way we're going lately". Hall said Nash had sold himself as a enforcer before joining the squad but in fact Chopper McIntosh was now filling that role. "I can see a little bit of Chris Riddle in Chopper" said Hall "and I think he could develop into a Roy Keene type if he worked at it. Hall said he'd be happy to share defensive strategies with Rikki Herbert if he was to get the call.