United aiming to finish in top six

Paul O'Reilly.
Paul O'Reilly.
Southern United will be without one of its best players, but coach Paul O'Reilly believes he has a stronger squad this season.

The team was announced yesterday and a big name was missing.

Talented winger Andy Mulligan has been ruled out with a knee injury. Mulligan is still waiting for the results of a scan, but medical advice suggests he will be out for at least three months.

It is possible Southern United could sign him during the transfer window in January, but the team is ploughing ahead without him for now.

''He'd certainly be one of our top players,'' O'Reilly said.

''He has good experience and was in good form last year until he started having trouble with his shoulder.

''It is just unfortunate that he has got through that [shoulder] surgery, done the rehab and then done his knee in his first competitive game. He is certainly going to be a big loss.''

''But we think there is more competition for places, which is something we probably didn't have in the squad last year.

''The aim would be to try to make progress on last year, improve our performances and get better results.''

Southern United finished last with three wins and a draw from 18 games last season.

''The target would be to try to break into the top six. That will be difficult, but that is the target.''

O'Reilly identified the defence as an area which needed the greatest improvement. There was not enough depth at the back and some players were forced to play out of position.

''We've been lucky enough that we've added a couple of good defenders and hopefully that will give us a better platform.

''We just can't concede the amount of goals we did and expect to win games.''

Roland Bala has moved down from Wellington. He is a natural left-footer and has international experience for Papua New Guinea. He is an athletic and aggressive defender and will be joined at the back by Kristian Gibson, who is also a very physical defender.

Up front, Omar Guardiola and Garbhan Coughlan should offer more strike power, while in the midfield, Morgan Day returns and Aiden Barbour-Ryan has moved south from Canterbury.

Caversham's Jared Grove is another new addition in the midfield.

''He will definitely add a bit of steel in the midfield ... and that is something we will need against good opposition.''

The key departures include locals Ross Howard and Liam Whittaker, while Eric Molloy has left to join Team Wellington.

Whittaker is a promising keeper, while defender Howard played all 18 games last season. Both have gone to the United Kingdom on their OEs.

Molloy got a good offer to head north.

''[Molloy] scored some good goals for us but we are hoping some of the other additions will compensate for that loss.''

There is still one spot open and O'Reilly is contemplating whether he will fill it or rely on players from the youth side to make the step up if required.

Southern United's opening game against Auckland City on Sunday has been moved from Sunnyvale to Forsyth Barr Stadium.

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