Ifill still has eyes on title

LEG UP: Wairarapa United's Seule Soromon (right) demonstrates his leaping skills against Western Suburbs while team-mates Sam Mason-Smith and Cory Chettleburgh watch. PHOTO/CHRIS KILFORD

There has been some tough talking in the Wairarapa United football camp over the past week.

Nothing has been swept under the carpet in the post mortems held after the 7-2 thumping by Western Suburbs in their Chatham Cup match at Memorial Park last Friday night.

"We just didn't turn up, it really is that simple," coach Paul Ifill said. "We were two goals down after only six minutes and it went from bad to worse, there was absolutely no excuse for it."

Ifill said there was an overwhelming feeling of disappointment in the whole squad over the fact they had played so poorly in such an important fixture and in front of their loyal army of supporters.

"We let ourselves down and we let our supporters down, we can't get away from that."

At the same time Ifill didn't want to detract from the excellence of the young Western Suburbs side, who had played some "brilliant" football.

"You have to give them credit, they had a game plan and they executed it perfectly. They were as good as we were poor."

Ifill says it's wrong to say the Chatham Cup loss means Wairarapa United have nothing but pride to play for over the remainder of the season.

Right now they sit two wins behind leaders Napier City Rovers on the Central League table and he says if they can win all seven of their remaining games they can still take away the league title for what would be the very first time.

"I know it's a big ask and I know some people are saying it's impossible but honestly I see things differently. It puts a lot of pressure on us but good teams react to pressure, and I think we are good enough to do it."

Ifill said he had made no bones about his thoughts when addressing his players.

"I said that if there was any player in the squad who didn't believe we could win our last seven games then they should leave now. Everybody has to have a positive mindset, it's the only way we can pull it off."

Ifill admits the next week promises to have a huge bearing on whether Wairarapa United can justify his confidence.

Tomorrow they are away to Stop Out, on Tuesday they play Palmerston North Marist in a catch-up match at Memorial Park and then next Saturday they confront Napier City Rovers.

"It's going to be a huge seven days for us, win all three and we'll be back in the hunt for the league big time."

On paper Stop Out should provide a comfortable win for Wairarapa United. They are seventh on the points table, eight points behind Wairarapa United, and have registered more losses (six) than wins (five). Ifill though remembers them providing formidable opposition in their first round clash which Wairarapa United won 3-2 and is expecting a similarly close game on their home ground.

With only Ollie Rowland unavailable through injury the Wairarapa United line-up could have some changes from that which initially took the field against Western Suburbs and nothing is surer than Ifill will be looking for a majorly improved effort, especially on defence. Wairarapa United have been a real mixed bag in that area this season with lapses in concentration often proving costly on the scoreboard.