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Subject: [NT] News
Yes, I know. Robert is still growing and of course that sure will be better players.
I hope, just that, play some minutes in friendlies and in U21.
One more thing. I think that it's important to make the younger team posible, being competitive of course. This is the best way to make players better and faster. (from my experience seeing other nt)
Good luck on saturday.
I hope, just that, play some minutes in friendlies and in U21.
One more thing. I think that it's important to make the younger team posible, being competitive of course. This is the best way to make players better and faster. (from my experience seeing other nt)
Good luck on saturday.
If you look back over my tenure with the Canadian NT, you will see I always made an effort to get the young prospects in. It will be no different here. :)
That said, I don't play youth simply for the sake of playing youth. A prospect has to be worthwhile. If a 21 year old has little chance of achieving what a 24 year old already has, then the training perk may as well go to the 24 year old (assuming the 24 year old is still being trained).
I think a trend that will emerge over the next few seasons is an aging of the national teams. The game is reaching a greater state of maturity. The star youths coming out now aren't fighting start-up players for spots, but the previous generation of star youths. As such, they are making a lesser impact. Many of this previous generation of talented players are being trained beyond their prime training age by clubs dedicated to their NT. It will make these players difficult to displace.
There are, of course, other considerations for selection. During a qualification season it is important to protect regulars from unecessary injuries and cards that can occur in NT friendlies. I'm optimistic we will have some U21 friendlies. I was disappointed I couldn't talk Austria into one - I will likely make another attempt before week 4. :)
That said, I don't play youth simply for the sake of playing youth. A prospect has to be worthwhile. If a 21 year old has little chance of achieving what a 24 year old already has, then the training perk may as well go to the 24 year old (assuming the 24 year old is still being trained).
I think a trend that will emerge over the next few seasons is an aging of the national teams. The game is reaching a greater state of maturity. The star youths coming out now aren't fighting start-up players for spots, but the previous generation of star youths. As such, they are making a lesser impact. Many of this previous generation of talented players are being trained beyond their prime training age by clubs dedicated to their NT. It will make these players difficult to displace.
There are, of course, other considerations for selection. During a qualification season it is important to protect regulars from unecessary injuries and cards that can occur in NT friendlies. I'm optimistic we will have some U21 friendlies. I was disappointed I couldn't talk Austria into one - I will likely make another attempt before week 4. :)
I'm hoping for a friendly visit from the Form Faery. The following players are on the wish list:
Richards (adequete)
Hird (unsatisfactory)
Edwards (average)
Pritchett (solid)
Bodger (very good)
Richards (adequete)
Hird (unsatisfactory)
Edwards (average)
Pritchett (solid)
Bodger (very good)
leave your crappy spellings at home, its Fairy over here :P
I think it's fairy over here too. :D
Now I've likely irritated the Form ... Fairy, and all the listed players will drop to tragic. :(
Now I've likely irritated the Form ... Fairy, and all the listed players will drop to tragic. :(
Bodger the big winner in Monday's form lottery - he looks almost rehabilitated.
Hird crept the right direction. Edwards and Richards slid a little further into the abyss.
Starting to worry a little about Kelly and Taylor. Both still in decent shape, but eroding. :S
Hird crept the right direction. Edwards and Richards slid a little further into the abyss.
Starting to worry a little about Kelly and Taylor. Both still in decent shape, but eroding. :S
Hooray!!
Bodger's form graph beginning to look like a sharemarket company thats announced takeover plans after reporting a loss of 10 million :D
Bodger's form graph beginning to look like a sharemarket company thats announced takeover plans after reporting a loss of 10 million :D
lol. Let's hope it's not followed up by accouting irregularities and option scandals. :D It's great to see Bodger Corp back in black.
On a different note, I've heard back from the managers of most NT players (Robben and Dawkins the notable exceptions).
I am very impressed with the skills of the NZ players. :) I still relate everything to the Canadian team. Kelly, Hird and Bodger would be clear starters for that squad. Harris would likely also start. Guys like Kilkenny, Pritchett, and Gilbert would be in the mix. Prospects like Morcombe, Edwards and Richards are as good as any comparable aged Canadians.
The key concern (obviously) is depth. With the Canadian roster, there was a comparable replacement at most positions, so injuries or poor form could be mitigated. The NZ roster is a little ... thin. If the players can stay healthy and team form bounce up a little, I'm really optimistic about the squad's chances.
On a different note, I've heard back from the managers of most NT players (Robben and Dawkins the notable exceptions).
I am very impressed with the skills of the NZ players. :) I still relate everything to the Canadian team. Kelly, Hird and Bodger would be clear starters for that squad. Harris would likely also start. Guys like Kilkenny, Pritchett, and Gilbert would be in the mix. Prospects like Morcombe, Edwards and Richards are as good as any comparable aged Canadians.
The key concern (obviously) is depth. With the Canadian roster, there was a comparable replacement at most positions, so injuries or poor form could be mitigated. The NZ roster is a little ... thin. If the players can stay healthy and team form bounce up a little, I'm really optimistic about the squad's chances.
yes i've also noticed a lack of depth in kiwi squads over the seasons. I've recently made a couple of nice mid youthies and pawned them off so hopefully they should be good in a few seasons. Got some more talented individuals in the form of Scott Banbury and Waka Souter, hoping they come out as strikers but they will probably be defenders :P
With the small user base, depth will always be a fact of life for the New Zealand squad. Makes the team a little more susceptible to random events (injuries, form). But that's just how it is. :)
I'm envious of your prospects. Both are projected to be better then any youth I've ever had. :P So long as they aren't keepers, I wouldn't complain. :D
I'm envious of your prospects. Both are projected to be better then any youth I've ever had. :P So long as they aren't keepers, I wouldn't complain. :D
nah i've had my share of keepers in Gary Wood and Kaz Taylor, both bloody good.
Recently had my share of middies so now its up to luck/fate to decide whether i get defender or striker :P
I've never had anyone above outstanding so i have to say, Souter is about bloody time!
Recently had my share of middies so now its up to luck/fate to decide whether i get defender or striker :P
I've never had anyone above outstanding so i have to say, Souter is about bloody time!
Chadwick is a great player and valuable asset, but IMO not quite on the same level as Bodger and Hird.
If he were Canadian he would certainly be on the NT roster, but would likely be #3 or #4 on the depth chart.
If he were Canadian he would certainly be on the NT roster, but would likely be #3 or #4 on the depth chart.
Hird and Bodger do have an edge over Chadwick amoungst striker primaries (strike, tech & pace), but you're right - it's the secondaries that move them into that next class. :)
Donoso and B Watts picked up knocks in cup action. Neither were part of immediate line-up plans.
Donoso and B Watts picked up knocks in cup action. Neither were part of immediate line-up plans.