Manawatu will rely on Benjamin Totori's pace to test the opposition. Picture / Kenny Rodger
Steve Cain leaned over the fence at Kiwitea St last Saturday and cast his eyes over the YoungHeart Manawatu team his Waitakere United side will face at Trusts Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
What did he glean from the look-see?
"In the first half they weren't bad but like us, they struggled
at the back and in the end they were well beaten," said Cain.
He knows the importance of tomorrow's round 13 clash. Now 12 points out of his targeted second place - held by Manawatu - Cain sees all remaining matches as "six-point games".
The United defence, under fire after conceding costly late goals in recent games, can again expect a torrid time.
The visitors have a reborn Campbell Banks to spearhead their attack. Added to Ricki Herbert's All Whites squad this week, Banks will be keen to show off his skills.
With the Solomon Islands trio of Alick Maemae, Commins Menapi and Benjamin Totori to provide the pace and unpredictability, Manawatu will run at the United defence to test both them and Simon Eaddy's goalkeeping skills.
Central defender Adam Cowan returns after missing the game at Kiwitea St to bolster the Manawatu defence.
Cain is looking for more from Australians Richie Cardozo and Shannon Cole. It is not, Cain insists, all doom and gloom.
"There are serious signs we are coming right. Conceding these late goals is more a concentration thing than anything else. They just seem to switch off when they think the game is safe."
The fans and those backing the club will be hoping they can flick the switch or their season will quickly be gone.
Auckland City, four points clear and on a four-match winning streak, have what should be the easiest encounter - an away match with bottom-of-the-table Hawkes Bay United in today's only game.
With three draws and two losses in their last five outings, Team Wellington have been, at best, marking time.
Crunch time looms for Mick Waitt and his team as they head south to play Canterbury United tomorrow.
In the remaining game, Waikato FC have the testing haul to Dunedin for a crucial clash with Otago United.
