By Rab Smith / asbpremiership.co.nz 

DUNEDIN - Otago United want to finish with a flourish when an Auckland City side that is unbeaten in the last 18 domestic and regional matches vists Forsyth Barr Stadium on Sunday.

But even with the home advantage of playing on the perfect surface of the Forsyth Barr Stadium, in front of a typically parochial crowd – the omens look bleak for Otago.

Without a win since December, when key players headed overseas for job opportunities, coach Richard Murray admits that there has been an imbalance in his squad.

"Our squad has been a bit thin, and while they have tried to compensate with spirited play – even that has created more injuries than we would have liked," he said.

Even the ‘good news’ has not helped Murray as the extremely talented Joel Stevens is on trial for a month in the US with San Jose Earthquakes, and young defender Matt Brook is off first to Perth, then to Hawaii for a football scholarship there.

"Running on Empty" is the phrase resounding around Otago as the winter league, Footballsouth Premier lurks round the corner and many players are already training hard for that competition.

Coach Murray has expressed concerns that several young players have played non-stop for several seasons. "Other ASB franchises encourage players to have a rest, but in Otago its full speed ahead throughout continuous seasons."

And with only two matches to go, it’s the mountain climbing prospect of playing a very strong Auckland team, then a Grand Finale against a Waikato side determined to leapfrog ahead of the Southerners.

Waikato is two points behind Otago in seventh spot, and against Hawke's Bay has a chance of picking up points, then in what could be a booming finish, coach Declan Edges side plays a game rescheduled to 25 March, at home against Otago with the possibility of finishing on 14 points.

To freshen what’s left of his squad, Murray has promoted Academy player Jackson Mitchell , Jude Fitzpatrick, and Canadian Donnie Macgregor.

With Otago United playing their last home game of the season out go the suspended Sam Mepham, Seamus Ryder with a collarbone injury and overseas are Stevens and Brook.

In the earlier round at Kiwitea Street, Auckland cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win, when Emiliano Tade scored, but other goals by Andy Milne and Dan Koprivcic were after 90 minutes play.

No doubt Otago will try to erect barriers again, but it will need a super human effort from the thin blue line.