New Otago United coach Malcolm Fleming is committed to playing at least two strikers in his search for goals.
"We've got to score goals to win games. I've never ever played one striker up front. It doesn't matter how good a striker you have in that role. We'll be going to attack," he said.
Fleming is keen to improve on United's mediocre record of scoring 48 goals in the 56 matches played during the past three seasons.
"Obviously at less than a goal per game it's hard to register wins."
So the new coach hopes to unleash more firepower up front, where the likely starters could be selected from Dave Dugdale, Canterbury Premier League top-scorer Dan Ede, midfielder-striker Ryan Faichnie and possibly even Stu Kelly who, although voted Mainland's midfielder of the year in the winter league, is also a handy striker.
Scotsman Kelly was with Otago United last year, but has a history of having played professionally with East Stirlingshire after spending four years with Glasgow Rangers youth and reserve teams as well as representing Scotland at youth levels.
Kelly also has 10 years' coaching experience in professional club environments - looking after Glasgow Rangers elite youth teams for three years, and delivering Scottish FA development programmes for four years.
Kelly also holds a Scottish FA coaching licence, and a New Zealand national coaching licence.
Clearly the talented Scotsman will be an integral cog in United's team plan, and will be a useful source of information to Otago coach Fleming regarding the strengths of other Christchurch imports.
Otago will start without regular Andy Coburn in the 2pm kick-off at Carisbrook.
The midfielder will miss this season's first two matches due to a red card picked up last season against Waitakere.
Otago ran Waitakere close in that game as Fleming took over from the suspended Terry Phelan and, in a gutsy effort that attracted red cards to Coburn and Tom Jackson, plus six yellow cards, Otago narrowly lost 3-2 to the NZFC leader.
Fleming hopes to inspire more of the rugged approach that nearly upset Waitakere against star-studded Auckland City.
Auckland has already shown its teeth with a 5-0 mauling of Waikato in the first NZFC match last week.
Of some concern to Fleming is the fact there were five different goal-scorers on target for coach Paul Posa's Auckland side, which will require a disciplined team shape by the home side.
As O League champion, Auckland also has another 5-0 win under its belt this season, having beaten Tahitian champion AS Manu Ura at home in Kiwitea Street.
Daniel Koprivic scored a hat trick on debut for Auckland against the Tahiti side and also got a goal in the match against Waikato.
Auckland's full schedule this season will also include a Fifa World Club Cup match in Abu Dhabi, so the squad has everything to play for and must be confident after winning its past seven matches against Otago.
Otago supporters may see a few debut performances.
Caversham's two Englishmen, keeper James Waggett and centreback Chris Jenkinson, as well as Roslyn's Dave Shaw and Cantabrians Tom Sadd and striker Ede could be selected.
New Zealand Football Championship
Teams to play at Carisbrook tomorrow
Otago United: James Waggett (GK), Rhys Henderson, Tristan Prattley, Dave Shaw, Chris Jenkinson, Tom Sadd, Robbie Deeley, Stu Kelly, Ryan Faichnie, Dave Dugdale, James Reichwin, Brian Brown (GK), Dan Ede, Tom Connor, Tim Horner
Auckland City: Jacob Spoonley (GK), Ian Hogg, Sam Campbell, Matt Williams, Ki-Hyung Lee, James Pritchett, Chad Coombes, Grant Young, Daniel Koprivcic, Alex Feneridis, Keryn Jordan, Ivan Vicelich, Jason Hayne, Adam McGeorge, Paul Gothard (GK), Greg UhlmannMalcolm Fleming IF fortune favours the brave, then Otago United may just get something from tomorrow's New Zealand Football Championship match against Auckland City.
