Subject: [NT] News

It felt like your tactic deserved a better result today, at least on paper at the start of the match.

As it turned out smashing through the middle was very effective for the USA & I feel the score line was deserved.

I am actually satisfied with the match itself, result could have been better, but I was expecting this - so not a surprise. If I have solid pm/very good passing player on midfield, then it´s tough to beat you. Deserved win for sure. Maybe when I have the chance to use all the players I want, especially in defense, where I had Edwards and Findlay missing, in midfield Richards and Campfens, in offense Gilbert and Priore, then we could play better. Especially I want to use those two defenders, who have played only few games during the last two season due to bad form. Findlay haven`t been over average and Edwards not over solid as he is now. Hopefully that in the world cup I can use almost everyone.

Thanks for the good match though - I got what I needed. Next week I will play against France - will try something similar, but with low defense. Will see how it goes.

:)

Played against the French today - tried to play with a low defense. Failed as I expected, because most of the goals were scored from through balls. We scored 2 goals, satisfied with that. Shame that Morocombe didn`t score one, Brunton and Priore used their chances.

It´s a shame Kaz has started to drop in form and fast - only solid at the moment. On the bright side our defenders, who should play in first line-up - Findlay and Edwards are both on good form. There are few weeks to go before the World Cup, hopefully they go better. However our strikers, who have been in top form for the last two seasons losing it ....Morocombe and Priore in excellent, Brunton in formidable form. Need to get them back in top if we want to surprise others in World Cup.

Thanks for electing me back. I am shocked:)

Schedule so far - and what are the plans for this season? World cup, try to perform as well as possible. To get us back in Top 32 before the next season to get 2nd seed for the World Cup qualification draw. Going to meet teams, that are as good as us or bit better, so will be diffficult, but don`t see any point playing against 50+ ranked teams.

week 1 France
week 2 Ukraina
week 3 Vietnam
week 4 Nederland
week 5 Brasil
week 6 Argentina
week 7 Finland
week 8 Turkey
week 9 Cymru
week 10 Uruguay
week 11 Sweden
week 12
week 13 Russia
week 14 Norge
week 15 Australia
week 0 Scotland
week 1 Romania






(edited)

We are 32nd in the world ranking which is enough to get the second seed for another World Cup Qualification draw, but it´s like walking on a thin ice. We need to start getting some ranking points. Our opponents are visible above, difficult ones. I chose them to keep my motivation as high as possible.

Next week we start against Finland.
(edited)

Friendly against Finland tomorrow - they are using U26 or something like this...
My main aim is to injure him. A win would be nice too. I`ll be using something different, not very new, but bit different....I hope it works, again.

And we beat them. I actually closed the window after normal time, thought it end 3:3. But then surprisingly discovered we have won after penalties. Definitely a deserved win. We had so many chances to score, especially on the first half. Even before their red card we had 2 one on one chances....

I also closed the window after Taylor saved Uronen's shot in the 90th minute and saw that it ended 5-4. We were playing with U25 feat. one 26yo. You deserved to win today, but it was a nice battle from our not so impressive generation of players.

Yes, I admit I actually could have gone either way. And you had better chances in the end, Kaz saved us...
First half belonged to NZ, second half I think Suomi was bit better. If I remember correct, then we had today at least 4 (normal time, maybe even more) one on ones against keeper, but all were missed. All goals were basically from distance.
Compared to NZ you didn`t have a weaker line-up, definitely not - your players were better if we start to compare the skills.

:)

Anyway it was fun to beat you guys, I should do it on regular basis...

I also start thinking about nest season, maybe I´ll try to continue here. I have some new thoughts how to make NZ better. Shame I didn`t think about it 3 seasons ago.

John Root is the arch nemesis of Sam Sansom ;)

Yes he is:) They are so similar and I can`t use them together, both have too low defense skill. So they just have to share their playing time.

Andy Weddle, young 17yo keeper is probably going to be trained in keeper. Good news for our future U21 keeper.

Nicky Shoe, also 17yo keeper moves to Lithuania premier league. I feel sorry for him, because the weather there at the moment is cold and snowy. Good news is that he will trained in pace for some time. After that I will try to find a keeper trainer for him.

*****

Tomorrow we meet Turkey, good world class side. Both teams will be using their best line-up. Will see how it goes.

I am also interested playing U23 match. Was planned against Cymru next week, but their manager said their side is too weak, so is ours though. Would be interesting to see the future of NZ NT.
(edited)

Yeah, I wasn't saying that we had a weaker squad on the field, I just meant that I don't find that generation too impressive, especially when compared to those that we have coming.. :) I'd also like to run some NT, but won't have the time at least for now.. but maybe some day and then I'll kick your arse big time! :)

You can try NZ in future if you have time and motivation - it´s great challenge and definitely the best decision I have made in this game. Every win against stronger side gives a great feeling. Will see what I will do in future, you might not get the chance to kick my ass. At the moment it´s 50-50 if I try to stay or not.

:)

And we beat them, can`t go any better than this:)

I guess I can say thanks to sokker god who ever he is up there. Red card helped us, but I think it was fair sent off, because their players were just better. So it even out the strengths. Morocombe scored 3 from 3. Haven`t seen anything like that from him anymore. I guess with age he gets more accurate.

Next week we will play Cymru. I am trying to convince their NT manager to agree playing with U23 squad. I think if he refuses, then I might set the friendly with someone stronger.
(edited)

So it is - next week it will be U23 against Cymru. I am going to use our best 22 and 23 year old players. Will be interesting.