Back To Seven

Zephyr Rovers are set to continue with the seven man starting squad this week as the pace of the Division 1 games had demonstrated the benefits of an extra player. "These Division 1 teams are often young, fit and play two subs" said Rovers Manager Steve Hall "so unless we get a good rotation going they get us stuffed in the last five". Hall said Rovers now needed to get the interchange working better so that big gaps didn't appear whilst the swaps were being made. "There is definitely a science to making the interchange in indoor as otherwise you can leave an opponent in the clear" said Hall "I is not uncommon for goals to be scored just as a change is being made". Hall said he knew other teams came up with quite complicated substitution rules but wanted Rovers to "keep it simple".

Smith Missing

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall confirmed this afternoon that he hadn't heard from Charles Smith all week. "Charlie normally sends about ten e mails a day from Perth" admitted Hall "but has gone dead quiet ever since Chelski beat Pompey and Perth Glory failed to make an impression in their match". Hall said Smith had been talking Pompey up all last week but was certainly not communicating at present. "We know Charlie keeps in touch with the blog but he takes about six days to get over every Pompey defeat" said Hall "but he'll be bleating on again any time now". Hall said it was a small wonder he hadn't heard from Chris Riddle as "the Saints finally got off the bottom of the table".

Shapeshifting Working

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said this evening that the input of himself hand Chairman Nash had seen a turn around in the fortune of the Shapeshifters team. "I'd like to think the team has won two games in a row due to a little bit of Rovers wisdom" said Hall "the team had lost about ten straight before that so it shows that success can breed success". Chairman George Nash said he didn't put too much stock into the theory especially as Rovers were struggling a bit in the big time of Division 1. "The Shapeshifters is a Wednesday night romp" said Nash "but we play it for a bit of extra fitness and I'm more interested in improving the Rovers results". Nash denied that any of the Shapeshifter team had the ability to change their shape like in the Sci-fi movies. "It's not that sort of Shapeshifting" said Nash.

No Rovers Ticket Issues

Zephyr Rovers Chairman George Nash confirmed today that Zephyr Rovers were not suffering the same ticketing issues as the Wellington Phoenix. "We see they've had trouble getting people in the gates and touch wood it isn't a problem we've had so far" said Nash "in fact we're prepared to take on any disgruntled Phoenix season ticket holders and they can watch out games for the rest of the season for free". Nash indicated that a club like Rovers needed to look after its fan base and Rovers season ticket holders could expect a better deal than what Phoenix had provided so far. "We'll look after our season ticket holders and I'll personally welcome them to every game" said Nash "in fact the team will be personally introduced to all season ticket holders that sign up this week". Nash indicated Rovers season tickets were retailing at a little cheaper than Phoenix tickets. "I think our advantage is we're prepared to barter and supporters can pay in beer if they wish" informed Nash "they can even pay in installments".

No George

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said one unusual thing about the Phoenix game on Sunday was the non-selection of Brazilian George (pictured). "I think Ricky Herbert is setting a trend here for not selecting players called George and it is one I'm going to have to think about" confessed Hall "although whether the Phoenix George has the same level of ability as our George remains to be seen although I expect their one to be better at ball juggling". Hall said there were however similarities between both the Zephyr George and the Phoenix George. "They both speak in a foreign language" said Hall "and both would require sub-titles if they ever appeared in an American film". Hall said he had no immediate plans to drop his George from the squad. "George provides that x factor for the Zephyr faithful" said Hall "you don't see many players doing as many toe pokes as he does".

Oh What A Night

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall this evening that Wellington Indoor Sports could learn something from the Phoenix game at the Westpac Stadium. "I thought there was a bit of atmosphere and I think Shed 1 needs a bigger seating area to accommodate say 20000" said Hall "I'm sure the only thing stopping this sort of crowd for Rovers is the lack of a stand and the fact that we don't sell beer at highly inflated prices nor rock hard burgers with soggy chips". Hall said he did think that outdoor soccer at the stadium had proven far more entertaining in than rugby and proved that outdoor football and indoor football were the best games in town. "It was all pretty exciting with the Fever Boys going off and even the drums seemed to add to the occasion" said Hall "and if Phoenix had scored the winner then the stadium roof would have ended up at Shed 1". Phoenix drew with Melbourne 2 - 2.

Hussey Back For Next Match

Zephyr Rovers face an uphill battle to qualify for the top four after next weeks games. "We needed the top teams to keep beating our rivals after our close loss to the Gayes" said Hall "but unfortunately Mercer went down to Ten Left Feet so we really have to win our last two and hope results go our way". Hall said the return of Eddie Hussey would help and he would be rushed staright into the line up. "I had a beer with Eddie on Friday night and he confirmed he is back for the next fixture" said Hall " although I'm not as certain about Ben White and I'll have to follow up with him later and see if we'll ever see him again in a Rovers shirt". Hall said the impromptu Rovers drinks on Friday night had seen him minding Chopper McIntosh after a few quiets at the Occidental. "I have pictures of the event but I think we'll need to make sure the media never gets hold of them" confided Hall.