Four might be regarded as coach Malcolm Fleming's lucky number as Otago United prepares for an away game against Waikato tomorrow.
Otago has played four games, earned four points, scored four goals and conceded four goals in the New Zealand Football Championship this season.
Fleming is after another "four" tomorrow - a win could push Otago into fourth slot, or better, on the NZFC league table.
"We have played the two top teams in the NZFC, Auckland and Waitakere, and performed well. We are making chances and scoring goals, and possibly should have hit the net more often," Fleming said.
"But the other side of the ledger is that we have kept things tight in defence against top opposition, conceding just four goals while other teams such as Waikato have let in 11 goals during that time."
Competition is keen within the Otago squad and, with defender Tim Horner and striker James Reichwein available this week, Fleming will not have an easy job picking a starting XI.
Only a short time ago, when Fleming was appointed, his squad was paper-thin and local apathy made the coach cast his net further afield for players.
His Christchurch recruits have added depth and now Fleming says he is getting requests from players all over the country asking to be included in the Otago squad.
"It's encouraging that players want to join us. But we do not pay players, and they would have to relocate to Dunedin, so we are unlikely to add to the squad at the moment. However, it's a handy list to build up for future seasons."
On its home ground, bottom-placed Waikato will be a dangerous opponent.
Former Otago players Shaun van Rooyen, Joe Simpkins and Paul Stewart will be keen to upset their old team-mates.
The absence of player-coach Che Bunce might help Otago's cause.
The former All Whites defender was red-carded against Manawatu, and Waikato has drafted Michael Gwyther to offset his absence.
Otago defender Tom Sadd, who limped off after half an hour last week, has a groin injury which will keep him sidelined until after Christmas.
Two Otago players - Robbie Deeley and Rhys Henderson - were sent off when Waikato won the corresponding clash last year, 3-1.
"We need discipline and hard work and we must put away our goal-scoring chances," Fleming said.
"This is our chance to break into the top half of the competition, and we are capable of doing it."
Otago United v Waikato
Ngaruawahia, tomorrow, 2pm
Otago: James Waggett, Michael Abbot, Tristan Prattley, Tim Horner, Chris Jenkinson, Robbie Deeley, Stu Kelly, Ryan Faichnie, Dave Dugdale, Andy Coburn, James Reichwein, Brian Brown, Dan Ede, Tom Connor, Morgan Day, Nathan Knox.
Waikato: Sean Dowling, Richard Beard, Charlie Hoyle, Joe Simpkins, Jason Chewins, David Samson, Michael Munda, Michael Gywther, Sam Wilkinson, Shaun van Rooyen, Dan Peat, Paul Stewart, Corey Hitchins, Alex Barlow, Maurie Wasi, Scott Robinson.
