KEY POINTS:
Grand final win against Waitakere United would also guarantee a place in O-League
Stu Jacobs sees tomorrow's New Zealand Football Championship grand final as the chance to finally shrug off the bridesmaid tag his team has been lumbered with all season.
That he puts out a team at the startlingly long odds of $8 only adds to the puzzle.
"There is little between the three teams [Auckland City, Waitakere United and his own Team Wellington] but for some reason we continually get overlooked," said Jacobs.
"Now, with that win over City last Saturday, people are starting to recognise we are a genuine contender. We always felt we had the ammunition to beat Auckland and Waitakere. Now we have proved that."
Jacobs says that in playing through the latter weeks of the season his team might have an advantage, and points to the lack of recent match play for key Waitakere defenders Danny Hay and Neil Emblen as another factor in their favour.
Asked why he had been able to turn fortunes around with the perennial under-achievers, Jacobs said there was no magic formula.
"I just try and provide an environment where players can relax and learn. We have a very transparent environment where everyone is encouraged to play a part off as well as on the field. We have players who are very fit and play a system which suits them."
But, for him to get the real tick of approval, Jacobs knows they must win tomorrow.
"That would get us into the O-League. That is what every coach and every player aims for."
Jacobs is set to put out the same starting XI that ran on to Kiwitea St a week ago. His only selection poser comes up front where he must decide between Daniel Ellensohn's pace and Peter Halstead's height and physical presence in finding his third striker to join in-form goal-scorers Graham Little and Luis Corrales.
To claim the first New Zealand spot in the 2008/09 O-League, Team Wellington must beat Waitakere whereas Waitakere are already assured of their place either as first pick _ by winning the final _ or second choice as the already-crowned minor premiers.
Waitakere coach Chris Milicich is not too interested in the second option.
"We have never won the grand final. That is what this is about," said Milicich.
He has bracketed midfielders Paul Seaman and Jake Butler and strikers Commins Menapi and Daniel Kopricvic at this stage.
Asked why Waitakere were able to turn a first-up 2-1 loss to Team Wellington into a 5-1 win over the same team a few weeks later, Milicich pointed to a combination of reasons.
"They were probably a bit casual second time round after having beaten us," he said.
"But the biggest change was in what we did. We went into the first game pretty confident on the back of a good pre-season but in losing we knew we had to change things _ and quickly.
"In many ways, they did us a favour with that wake-up call."
Milicich has no doubts about Wellington's right to be in the final.
"They are a confident side. They rolled Auckland City and have beaten us. That has removed any fear they might have had.
"They have some very good players but in my mind the key for them is their midfield where they have real ability."
NZFC GRAND FINAL
Trusts Stadium, tomorrow 2pm
Referee: Mike Hester
Waitakere United: Richard Gillespie, Jonathan Perry, Danny Hay, Neil Emblen, Darren Bazeley, Chris Bale, Paul Seaman or Jake Butler, Neil Sykes, Benjamin Totori, Allan Pearce, Commins Menapi or Daniel Kopricvic.
Coach: Chris Milicich.
Team Wellington: Phil Imray, Tim Schaeffers, Karl Whalen, Sean Douglas, Peter Howe, Wiremu Patrick, Darren Cheriton, Raf de Gregorio, Luis Corrales, Graham Little, Daniel Ellensohn or Peter Halstead.
Coach: Stu Jacobs.
