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Subject: [NT] News
This thread will be used for primarily for player news this season. Match commentary will be elsewhere.
Made some roster moves today. Dropped are:
Jake Dabner - so much promise ... wasted.
Stuart Grove - hopefully we won't need a 4th keeper
William Murray - looks like he was filling a hole for U21 (now 22)
Darren Roza - might have kept him if he weren't in tragic form. Far down the depth chart at striker tho.
Also dropped the old, crappy Kaz Taylor. :P
Called up was Matthew Alves, already capped 36 times, who (independent of form) is probably our #2 keeper.
More moves to come as player reports start filtering in.
Made some roster moves today. Dropped are:
Jake Dabner - so much promise ... wasted.
Stuart Grove - hopefully we won't need a 4th keeper
William Murray - looks like he was filling a hole for U21 (now 22)
Darren Roza - might have kept him if he weren't in tragic form. Far down the depth chart at striker tho.
Also dropped the old, crappy Kaz Taylor. :P
Called up was Matthew Alves, already capped 36 times, who (independent of form) is probably our #2 keeper.
More moves to come as player reports start filtering in.
I have just been watching some of NZL games and i noticed that i had a player called up for one of the games. I might have to start paying more attention from now on...
Barlardy wake up!! Next weeks game gonna be tuff :)
Thanks to all who have been sending player updates. :) Still looking for a few reports ... so if you haven't sent yours in yet, please do.
There is a mad panic after every NT election consisting of NT managers racing to fill there friendly schedule. I've never understood it - perhaps there is some sort of prize if you finish first. Anyway, my approach is to try and arrange interesting matches preferably against teams close in the rankings.
I've contacted a number of potential opponents who are close in the rankings, but many have either filled their schedule already or are intimidated to play New Zealand. I'll continue to work away at the schedule - like I said, there isn't actually a rush. I'm optimistic Canada will fill one of the spots. I have a few other pending offers I've extended.
So far:
Week 4 -
Week 8 - Ireland
Week 12 - Slovenia
Week 15 -
Week 0 - Australia
Week 1 -
There is a mad panic after every NT election consisting of NT managers racing to fill there friendly schedule. I've never understood it - perhaps there is some sort of prize if you finish first. Anyway, my approach is to try and arrange interesting matches preferably against teams close in the rankings.
I've contacted a number of potential opponents who are close in the rankings, but many have either filled their schedule already or are intimidated to play New Zealand. I'll continue to work away at the schedule - like I said, there isn't actually a rush. I'm optimistic Canada will fill one of the spots. I have a few other pending offers I've extended.
So far:
Week 4 -
Week 8 - Ireland
Week 12 - Slovenia
Week 15 -
Week 0 - Australia
Week 1 -
Week 4 - Peru
Week 8 - Ireland
Week 12 - Slovenia
Week 15 -
Week 0 - Australia
Week 1 -
Week 8 - Ireland
Week 12 - Slovenia
Week 15 -
Week 0 - Australia
Week 1 -
Got through the week without any more key injuries, which is good. :) Form update was nothing to write home about - strikers are of particular concern. Amoungst the "big 4" the best form is only excellent. :(
(Form has always been important, but my sense is that the last ME changes have incidentally made form even more important - particularly on keepers and strikers.)
Btw - Canada has declined the invitation to a week 15 friendly, so I've sent out some other offers.
(Form has always been important, but my sense is that the last ME changes have incidentally made form even more important - particularly on keepers and strikers.)
Btw - Canada has declined the invitation to a week 15 friendly, so I've sent out some other offers.
Darren Herbert, 25 year old NT mid, is on the TL.
At one time he occupied a unique role on the roster as the high passing option. That niche is no longer his alone, as Atkinson, Sansom and Root have closed the passing gap, and have superior secondary skills.
He could still be useful with a little more pace & tech - but I don't expect him to get a lot more caps considering his competition.
At one time he occupied a unique role on the roster as the high passing option. That niche is no longer his alone, as Atkinson, Sansom and Root have closed the passing gap, and have superior secondary skills.
He could still be useful with a little more pace & tech - but I don't expect him to get a lot more caps considering his competition.
More knocks this past week - Edwards and Hird notable. Hird was suspended anyway, and Edwards not likely to play this weekend due to form (perhaps Barhilo's injury ==> form improvement theory will manifest for Edwards).
One notable form change - Morcombe with significant improvement this past week. Nice to have 1 of the big 4 strikers looking somewhat sharp.
One notable form change - Morcombe with significant improvement this past week. Nice to have 1 of the big 4 strikers looking somewhat sharp.
You still remember that? =] worked every time for Bodger!
I do ... tho I've never really believed it. :)
My own star striker Biron has been labouring with poor form for a while now. Took a knock Sunday, and has had 2 positive form updates since then.
Might be something to it. ;)
My own star striker Biron has been labouring with poor form for a while now. Took a knock Sunday, and has had 2 positive form updates since then.
Might be something to it. ;)
Rick Van Hattum, 21 year old NT defender, is on the TL.
He could get training in almost anything, and it would help him. :) Don't know what his talent is like.
He could get training in almost anything, and it would help him. :) Don't know what his talent is like.
I might go after him - been looking for a NT defender trainee for a while now
I think he's promising. I like that he has some PM on him already.
Pat Nicholas, a 22 year old defender, is also on the TL. He's not currently NT, but isn't really that far away - he's only a bit of PM and tech (& stamina) away from being Graham who saw action the past couple of seasons. A season of pace and a little tech could make him useful. Put a season of PM with that and he's looking very useful (tho also kinda old at that point :D).
Pat Nicholas, a 22 year old defender, is also on the TL. He's not currently NT, but isn't really that far away - he's only a bit of PM and tech (& stamina) away from being Graham who saw action the past couple of seasons. A season of pace and a little tech could make him useful. Put a season of PM with that and he's looking very useful (tho also kinda old at that point :D).
I'm told David Watts will be available soon. He's been revealed if you wish to take a peek.
Ideally he'd get a season of PM training. That would really make him top class. Some more pace or passing would be acceptable alternatives.
Ideally he'd get a season of PM training. That would really make him top class. Some more pace or passing would be acceptable alternatives.