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Subject: [NT] News
Lol, i didn't have the airpoints, and the team is on a tight budget *look around*
Defender - DM Mark Kelly is on the TL. Little more pace would finish him off nicely. :)
New National team Sokker forums have been added. I can see they would be of benefit to larger Sokker Nations, but don't have quite the same utility for small countries. I don't really intend to use it (if everyone wants to tho, I can change. :D). If you'd like to add the forum, search for NT New Zealand, or click the following link.
NT New Zealand
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NT New Zealand
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You did good. I just hadn't approved you. Your security check took longer then usual. Some incidents had to be ... clarified. :)
One of the things that struck me after the Australia match was how old the New Zealand line-up looked. Harris - 30, Bodger - 29, Atkinson & Gilbert 28, Kelly & Kilkenny & Tomlinson - 27. It kinda freaked me out. Sokker is getting to the stage where there are a lot more older players on NTs, but New Zealand's demographics seem especially skewed.
So I've been pounding the pavement this week. Sending a lot of requests for scouting, hoping to get some fresher blood onto the team. Thanks to all who responded quickly. :) It is a work in progress - I've been going through the sales of New Zealand's established teams looking for players that might be off the radar. It's a bit of a slow process, but already a few interesting names have popped up.
From the initial replies, to immediate call ups have been made. William Murray, a 23 yr midfielder playing in the Czech Republic and former 11 Wise Men youth. He's actually a recall - got 2 caps as a youth player. His current manager is one I have some knowledge of - trains one of Canada's top young midfielders. He's a very capable trainer. :)
The other call up is Gary Blythe, a 24 yr midfielder playing with New Zealand Premier League's Cashmere. Cashmere is rife with talent at the moment - 20 yr old Filer and 21 yr old Williams also look like they will be called up before long.
Expect some more tweaking of the roster as more reports roll in.
So I've been pounding the pavement this week. Sending a lot of requests for scouting, hoping to get some fresher blood onto the team. Thanks to all who responded quickly. :) It is a work in progress - I've been going through the sales of New Zealand's established teams looking for players that might be off the radar. It's a bit of a slow process, but already a few interesting names have popped up.
From the initial replies, to immediate call ups have been made. William Murray, a 23 yr midfielder playing in the Czech Republic and former 11 Wise Men youth. He's actually a recall - got 2 caps as a youth player. His current manager is one I have some knowledge of - trains one of Canada's top young midfielders. He's a very capable trainer. :)
The other call up is Gary Blythe, a 24 yr midfielder playing with New Zealand Premier League's Cashmere. Cashmere is rife with talent at the moment - 20 yr old Filer and 21 yr old Williams also look like they will be called up before long.
Expect some more tweaking of the roster as more reports roll in.
Was an injury today - striker Lachlan has gone down with a significant knock.
I've sent at least 5 requests for scouting on Lachlan, all ignored. That's most of the reason why he didn't see action this season (he was in great form).
I'd actually reached the decision to play him this weekend, and see what kind of package he offers. Oh well. That's how it goes. :)
I've sent at least 5 requests for scouting on Lachlan, all ignored. That's most of the reason why he didn't see action this season (he was in great form).
I'd actually reached the decision to play him this weekend, and see what kind of package he offers. Oh well. That's how it goes. :)
There is an NT player on the TL. Rick Van Hattum.
TBH, his NT status is tenuous. He has two caps as an U21 player, but now that he is 22 he doesn't look all that useful.
If he lands with a defender trainer, then he should be able to make magical tackling and brilliant pace within a couple of seasons, which would make him an NT player (like his PM for a defender).
Wouldn't mind seeing him with a midfield trainer (would be great to have some midfielders with that kind of defense), though it would be a longer road - maybe 4 seasons (2 seasons passing, 1 each of tech & PM). That would make him 26, and still not very quick. Guess that would be a very long road. :)
All that is contingent on talent too - I have no idea what his talent is like.
TBH, his NT status is tenuous. He has two caps as an U21 player, but now that he is 22 he doesn't look all that useful.
If he lands with a defender trainer, then he should be able to make magical tackling and brilliant pace within a couple of seasons, which would make him an NT player (like his PM for a defender).
Wouldn't mind seeing him with a midfield trainer (would be great to have some midfielders with that kind of defense), though it would be a longer road - maybe 4 seasons (2 seasons passing, 1 each of tech & PM). That would make him 26, and still not very quick. Guess that would be a very long road. :)
All that is contingent on talent too - I have no idea what his talent is like.
Draw for the World Cup has been made.
Group G
1. België
2. Deutschland
3. Argentina
4. New Zealand
My initial reaction is that it probably couldn't have been much worse. :P
Group G
1. België
2. Deutschland
3. Argentina
4. New Zealand
My initial reaction is that it probably couldn't have been much worse. :P
Horrid draw, although Argentina are beatable. Don't know about the other two though.
My Deroo is becoming a valuable player in Belgie. And I have a chance to become new Belgie coach :p
I think Germany is also beatable..though there always has to be some luck.
I think Germany is also beatable..though there always has to be some luck.
Deroo had an excellent match today (vs. Canada). Seems to be progressing nicely. :D
I consider Argentina one of the strongest #3 teams (along with Brazil, USA). Any of Turkey, Serbia, Hungary, Chile, Slovensko would have been preferable IMO.
Germany was in Canada's group for the last WC, and was the class of the group. Their midfield consistently made exceptional passes. Really only one little slip in qualifying. There were a couple softer touches in the second basket (Switzerland, Denmark).
Not much needs to be said about Belgium. Wasn't a lot to choose in the first basket - all 8 teams are very strong. Still, Belgium wouldn't have been a dance partner I asked for. :)
Any team is beatable - especially with a little intervention from the referee. No one expected New Zealand to escape their group the last time, and Cerb-Griever did an excellent job achieving that. So there is hope ... though I think this hill is a little steeper yet. :D
I consider Argentina one of the strongest #3 teams (along with Brazil, USA). Any of Turkey, Serbia, Hungary, Chile, Slovensko would have been preferable IMO.
Germany was in Canada's group for the last WC, and was the class of the group. Their midfield consistently made exceptional passes. Really only one little slip in qualifying. There were a couple softer touches in the second basket (Switzerland, Denmark).
Not much needs to be said about Belgium. Wasn't a lot to choose in the first basket - all 8 teams are very strong. Still, Belgium wouldn't have been a dance partner I asked for. :)
Any team is beatable - especially with a little intervention from the referee. No one expected New Zealand to escape their group the last time, and Cerb-Griever did an excellent job achieving that. So there is hope ... though I think this hill is a little steeper yet. :D
Should note that Portugal, by finishing 2nd, earned themselves this group:
Group C
1. Eesti
2. Lietuva
3. USA
4. Portugal
Which (IMO) is really comparable to what New Zealand got. Both teams face 3 difficult matches.
Group C
1. Eesti
2. Lietuva
3. USA
4. Portugal
Which (IMO) is really comparable to what New Zealand got. Both teams face 3 difficult matches.
Yup. Actually it's hard to say now who beats who, in most groups everybody can beat everybody, maybe except Poland. If that won't make people interested in NTs then nothing will...:(
Going to be the best WC ever I think!
Going to be the best WC ever I think!