Soccer: Really it's all about belief

By GREGOR PAUL

When a man who played alongside David Beckham in his formative years says a number of NewZealand players could cut the mustard in England, we should probably believe him.

It's not as if Craig Dean, a self-described journeyman despite playing more than 200 games for Manchester United's reserve team, has any ulterior motive in making the claim.

He arrived at Napier City in September, having long since reconciled himself to a life in football's less glamorous outposts.

His talent as a left-sided midfielder, while considerable, was never enough to allow him to step out of the shadow of his more illustrious colleagues in the Manchester United Youth team.

While his best mate, Nicky Butt, Beckham and Paul Scholes went on to command first team and England places, Dean found himself on loan in the salubrious confines of the lower leagues. Torquay United, Southend, Cambridge United and prior to coming to New Zealand, Shelbourne FC in Ireland enjoyed his services.

He didn't come to New Zealand to resurrect a stalled career or prove to United they were mad to let him go.

He came to further his coaching and playing experience and to enjoy the different lifestyle.

His praise of the Football Championship is not an attempt to talk up the quality to serve his own purposes, but a genuine appraisal of what he has encountered.

"I think the league is strong," says Dean. "I think each team has four or five really good players. The standard is not high compared with the Premiership. I always compare it with the Football Conference in England.

"There are some players who I have seen who would maybe be good enough to go back and have a chance in England. I'm not saying they would make it and get a contract, but they are worthy of a trial."

Dean is obviously one of life's great optimists, a glass half-full guy. Not only has he found beauty in a competition so many others believe is an ugly duckling, he is also convinced Napier City can rise from their current position of second last to make the playoffs.

It sounds like crazy talk to the casual observer, until you hear Dean's reasoning.

"The confidence is there between the players and the coaching staff. As soon as we can get that first win under our belts, I think we can get a run going and sneak into the top three.

"I believe we have the ability in the team. We need to build a bit more confidence. Against Wellington we went 2-0 up and then played into the opposition's hands. We need to communicate more. In every game, we play in fits and starts and have made silly mistakes. If you look at it that way, then we have a platform to work from.

"If it doesn't happen this year for Napier they have got good young players with a lot of room for development."

That Napier, a club with a rich heritage who were strongly fancied pre-season, are languishing in the basement is a major surprise.

"It is also causing great mirth in some quarters, as having signed a big-shot with experience at the world's biggest club, Napier have fallen flat on their faces.

Dean, though, was at pains to stress before signing that he would bring experience, acultured left boot but not miracles. "Craig told me before he signed that he was not going to come here and win games on his own," says Napier coach Charlie Howe.

"He's a real team player and he brings us his enormous experience.

"I know that I've got a lot more chance of winning games with him on the pitch.

"His nous of the game is evident and he has brought a lot to the franchise with his coaching experience and ability to nurture talent.

"But on the pitch he has always said that he is not a one-man show."

On what he has seen so far, Howe would be keen for Dean to extend his contract beyond the one-year deal he has signed.

The 28-year-old Dean will certainly be keen to discuss the option. He has a desire to help not only Napier City fulfil their potential but wants to nuture New Zealand's young football talent.

But coming from the bright lights of Manchester, the slower pace of Napier is taking a bit of getting used to. Still, he as at least found a way of amusing himself. "I'll give Nicky (Butt) a ring and give him some stick. He didn't have the best game against Man United last week."

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