New Zealand Football Championship
Flem NZFC Coach of the Month
Rab Smith
Otago coach Malcolm Fleming is calling for total concentration from his team when it faces Waikato at 1pm on Carisbrook on Sunday.
Recently named NZFC Coach of the Month, Fleming quipped ‘ I would have preferred the award next month – after getting into the Play-Offs. We all need to focus only on Sunday if we are to continue this season’s progress.’
However, the affable Fleming has clearly done a fine job in reversing Otago’s dismal performances in recent years.
Dunedin born and bred, as a player he represented the Province throughout youth 
grades to national league, and as a coach has learned his trade via coaching stints at several Southern League clubs.
Always a hall mark of significant coaching, Fleming’s half time team talks have often reversed his team’s fortunes after being under the cosh in many games. He is an astute strategist with a strong clear view of how he wants the team to play.
From day one in the NZFC he promised an attacking style and so far has delivered the goods. Boxers don’t win matches without throwing punches, and Flemings sides always look to get bodies forward when the opportunity arises.
Fleming said, ‘ Its pleasing when the team delivers at the weekend, what we have been training and planning for in midweek training. Then the players rightfully get the credit.’
‘ But when things go wrong, usually attention turns to the coach, his tactics and what went wrong. I can live with that.’
As far as awards are concerned, the Otago coach prefers to talk about his young left fullback Tristan Prattley who has twice consecutively been named in the NZFC Team of the Week.
‘ There are some very good left fullbacks out there such as Auckland’s Ian Hogg, so young Tristan is doing well to edge out that kind of quality opposition. He has been a consistent performer for us, and I’m pleased that he is getting some sort of national recognition,’ said Fleming.
Clearly the youngster has benefited from playing alongside the astute Otago captain and centreback Tim Horner whose organizational skills have knitted Otago’s back four into an effective unit.
A unit that is likely to be well tested by Waikato on Sunday as Che Bunce’s side try to claw themselves back into contention and away from the dreaded bottom slot where it rests one point below Manawatu.
Waikato showed with its narrow 2-1 loss to Auckland that it can compete, and the return of Jeff Campbell has sparked a mini-revival that could hoist the club upwards in such a tight NZFC league as exists at the moment. 
Well known former Otago players, Paul Stewart, Shaun Van Rooyen, and Joe Simpkins will be welcomed back by Otago fans, and coach Fleming recognizes their pedigree.
‘ Waikato has some very good players, so we are wary, and will have to switch on a top performance to get the points we want to have when we face Canterbury the week after.’
‘ Our week off has given the squad a chance to lick their wounds. Robbie Deeley and Rhys Henderson are fully fit and back as possible starters. Only Dan Ede is out of contention with an ankle injury.’
‘ I am looking for a strong committed effort from Otago. If we deliver top form we can win.’
Otago Squad: 1- James Waggett (GK), 2- Mike Abbot, 3- Tristan Prattley, 4- Dave Shaw, 5-Mike Smith, 6- Tom Sadd, 7- Robbie Deeley, 8- Stu Kelly, 9- Ryan Faichnie, 10- Dave Dugdale, 11- Andy Coburn, 12- James Reichwin, 13- Brian Brown (GK), 15- Tom Connor, 16- Morgan Day, 17- Tim Horner©, 18- Nathan Knox, 19- Ben Light, 20- Rhys Henderson, 21- Harley Rodeka
Waikato Squad : 1- Alex Carr (GK), 2- Che Bunce, 3- Richard Beard, 4- Charlie Hoyle, 5- Joey Simpkins, 6- Jason Chewins, 8- David Samson, 10- Mike Gwyther, 13- Shaun van Rooyen© ,16- Paul Stewart, 17- Mark Jones, 19- Jeff Campbell, 23- Alex Barlow, 24- Maurie Wasi, 26- Scott Robinson (GK).
In the curtain raiser at 10 am on Carisbrook, the Otago Youth team play Manawatu in the first of its National Youth League fixtures.
NZFC Table
Name |
P |
W |
D |
L |
For |
Ag |
GD |
Pts |
Auckland |
9 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
21 |
5 |
16 |
23 |
Waitakere |
12 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
23 |
19 |
4 |
23 |
Otago |
11 |
5 |
1 |
5 |
13 |
17 |
-4 |
16 |
Wellington |
12 |
5 |
0 |
7 |
17 |
21 |
-4 |
15 |
Canterbury |
9 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
17 |
8 |
9 |
14 |
Hawk Bay |
10 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
12 |
14 |
-2 |
11 |
Manawatu |
10 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
11 |
19 |
-8 |
10 |
Waikato |
11 |
3 |
0 |
8 |
13 |
24 |
-11 |
9 |
Golden Boot Leaders
8- Seule SOROMON (YoungHeart Manawatu)
7- Greg DRAPER (Team Wellington)
6- Leon BIRNIE (Hawke’s Bay United)
6- Grant YOUNG (Auckland City)
5- Brent FISHER (Waitakere United)
4- Tom LANCASTER (Canterbury United)
4- Roy KRISHNA (Waitakere United)
3- Andrew ABBA (Hawke’s Bay United)
3- Dan PEAT (Waikato FC)
3- Dan EDE (Otago United)
3- Matt WILLIAMS (Auckland City)
3- Russell KAMO (Canterbury United)
3- Dave DUGDALE (Otago United)
3- Benjamin TOTORI (Waitakere United)
3- Ki-Hyung LEE (Auckland City)
3- Aaron CLAPHAM (Canterbury United)
3- Allan PEARCE (Waitakere United)