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Subject: [NT] Friendlies
It should, but I fear too much damage has been done to the ranking. Assuming 14 groups again next WC, 28th position is the cut off for second seeds (coincidentally, the position currently occupied by Australia :D).
What a convenience then Canada got a rough draw for the U21 WC :p.
I actually think it's going to be 15 groups next season if the NT's I expect to be introduced are in fact created. (Cuba, Iran, possibly Luxembourg). Thus making 30th the cutoff for 2nd seed, and having top 2 progress to the WC, then the best 2 of 15 3rd placed teams (talk about being cut throat).
New Zealand would have to make up ~150 points in the next month, which is not a reasonable expectation. We'll do our best, but it unless the format is expanded it looks like a #3 seed for New Zealand in the next qualifying tournament.
Yeah it's going to be hard, although you'll get 40 points or so for knocking over South Africa this week. I think 30th is gettable for you though and might sneak in a 2nd seed if the new NT's are created.
What a convenience then Canada got a rough draw for the U21 WC :p.
I actually think it's going to be 15 groups next season if the NT's I expect to be introduced are in fact created. (Cuba, Iran, possibly Luxembourg). Thus making 30th the cutoff for 2nd seed, and having top 2 progress to the WC, then the best 2 of 15 3rd placed teams (talk about being cut throat).
New Zealand would have to make up ~150 points in the next month, which is not a reasonable expectation. We'll do our best, but it unless the format is expanded it looks like a #3 seed for New Zealand in the next qualifying tournament.
Yeah it's going to be hard, although you'll get 40 points or so for knocking over South Africa this week. I think 30th is gettable for you though and might sneak in a 2nd seed if the new NT's are created.
15 groups is possible. Though some teams could come out as the ones you mentioned go in. Nice thing about the current structure of 14 groups is a balanced schedule. 15 groups might mean a few with 6 teams, which is uncool.
I know but we've had that before, which killed our qualification campaign that season because we had 2 less games to gain goal difference and points from ;). We've had a few of these "unfortunate" draws, must be time for a good one ;).
They could do what you said by kicking out the 6 bottom placed teams ranking point wise, although that's somewhat unfair to them as they'd beat the new NT's most likely.
A much better way would be, introduce the U21 NT separate, give them their own wc and schedule. That free's up time during the world cup season to have the bottom chunk of teams have to playoff against each other just to reach the qualification group the next season. Probably a lot of calculation needed though for that.
I would still bank they'd just go to 15 groups, some with 6 teams and those without 6 teams might want to consider finishing in the top 2 ;).
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They could do what you said by kicking out the 6 bottom placed teams ranking point wise, although that's somewhat unfair to them as they'd beat the new NT's most likely.
A much better way would be, introduce the U21 NT separate, give them their own wc and schedule. That free's up time during the world cup season to have the bottom chunk of teams have to playoff against each other just to reach the qualification group the next season. Probably a lot of calculation needed though for that.
I would still bank they'd just go to 15 groups, some with 6 teams and those without 6 teams might want to consider finishing in the top 2 ;).
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Booked against Iceland this week.
More injuries today ... notably Pollock, who was great yesterday, and Sansom, who's been awesome the past two weeks.
More injuries today ... notably Pollock, who was great yesterday, and Sansom, who's been awesome the past two weeks.
Thx for the match lads.
A new match engine was tested today and there is plenty of work to tweak it since trhere were lot´s of strange passes and very few goal chances.
A new match engine was tested today and there is plenty of work to tweak it since trhere were lot´s of strange passes and very few goal chances.
Thanks for the match. :)
I managed to miss the news. :P IMO it kinda looks (and this game is consistent) like the changes make 541 even better. I doubt I would have played with two strikers (even though they are massive) had I known those changes were in play.
Pretty flat match from New Zealand. Hard to know what was changes and what was poor play. I thought we looked to be in good shape when we took the field. The two strikers were in gaps, the central mids had clear passing lanes, had our best marker and wider positioned back on Sturg.. Looked very promising.
But there was very little offensive muster. The players seemed to think Campfens (LB) was supposed to be the focus of the offense. Root especially turned down a number of chances to feed Morcombe to send the ball back to Campfens. The ball went round and round in a circle until it was given away.
- Players will now determine dribbling direction somewhat more effectively, instead of proceeding directly towards the goal in most cases.
This change was evident, but not sure worked as intended. Gilbert dribbled in a little circle a couple of times. Morcombe had a tendency to dribble towards the right corner flag in his own end.
Anyway, this match says a fair bit I think. Headers on goal - 2 for 2. 1 on 1 break-aways 0 for 3. Which regardless of the other changes, it's still better to have a monster winger then a monster striker. And a 541 will still be the best tactic.
I managed to miss the news. :P IMO it kinda looks (and this game is consistent) like the changes make 541 even better. I doubt I would have played with two strikers (even though they are massive) had I known those changes were in play.
Pretty flat match from New Zealand. Hard to know what was changes and what was poor play. I thought we looked to be in good shape when we took the field. The two strikers were in gaps, the central mids had clear passing lanes, had our best marker and wider positioned back on Sturg.. Looked very promising.
But there was very little offensive muster. The players seemed to think Campfens (LB) was supposed to be the focus of the offense. Root especially turned down a number of chances to feed Morcombe to send the ball back to Campfens. The ball went round and round in a circle until it was given away.
- Players will now determine dribbling direction somewhat more effectively, instead of proceeding directly towards the goal in most cases.
This change was evident, but not sure worked as intended. Gilbert dribbled in a little circle a couple of times. Morcombe had a tendency to dribble towards the right corner flag in his own end.
Anyway, this match says a fair bit I think. Headers on goal - 2 for 2. 1 on 1 break-aways 0 for 3. Which regardless of the other changes, it's still better to have a monster winger then a monster striker. And a 541 will still be the best tactic.
Also meant to say that Sansom was really missed. He's driven the offense the past month, which really sputtered today without him.
probably not the worst week to miss a friendly afterall. Got to sit back and watch a few other games to see what works what doesn't. Whilst liking the passes being strung together a few of the dangerous backpasses or passing backwards from a winger with a clear run wasn't so pretty but they'll be tweaked I'm sure.
A little unfortunate against Iceland, you had a few great chances to bury a goal but Gilbert didn't seem to deliver whilst at the other end Iceland took the few chances they had (they're good at doing that :s). Looks like pm on defenders is going to be more important along with technique in case of those sideways danger passes.
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A little unfortunate against Iceland, you had a few great chances to bury a goal but Gilbert didn't seem to deliver whilst at the other end Iceland took the few chances they had (they're good at doing that :s). Looks like pm on defenders is going to be more important along with technique in case of those sideways danger passes.
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Considering the relative striker - keeper combinations, I'd agree -2 was a bit of a tough result. One of those days when it was better to have headers then breakaways.
Jamaica was supposed to the opponent this weekend, but they welched. Have challenged everyone in sight. Not sure how many are involved in the U21 tournament. Hopefully still get a game.
Jamaica was supposed to the opponent this weekend, but they welched. Have challenged everyone in sight. Not sure how many are involved in the U21 tournament. Hopefully still get a game.
Equador took up the challenge. :)
Have put no thought into what Equador will be doing (big departure from my usual MO). Trying a formation with a thought to testing out the new ME tweaks.
Have put no thought into what Equador will be doing (big departure from my usual MO). Trying a formation with a thought to testing out the new ME tweaks.
Fair skill gap between the two sides meant a pretty easy win. Priorie was supposed to come on for Gilbert in the second half. Not sure how I screwed that up. :P Thought Richards in particular had a nice match ... he had a lot of space in the middle of the pitch (due to Equador's tactic) and did a nice job "quarterbacking" the play. Also played some very nice balls for Gilbert.
Thought the play in the 43rd minute really showed the positive nature of the ME tweaks. Richards had the ball, but all his forward options (Root, Gilbert, Sansom) were covered. So he made a little pass back to his support in Perry. Perry's passing options weren't much better ... he made a little lateral pass to Petherick. Petherick had an open lane to Sansom, and gave him a decent ball on the right flank allowing play to move upfield. Very nice and realistic play. :) How much of this was due to the skill gap between the teams, and the weakness in the middle of Equador's tactic is uncertain .... still thought it looked really good.
The goal ~58 was also worth noting IMO, as I'd describe it as a "build up" goal. Possession was established in Equador's end, and the ball was moved around the midfield until Murray got a reasonable chance to hit Gilbert. Less direct then most goals in Sokker.
Thought the play in the 43rd minute really showed the positive nature of the ME tweaks. Richards had the ball, but all his forward options (Root, Gilbert, Sansom) were covered. So he made a little pass back to his support in Perry. Perry's passing options weren't much better ... he made a little lateral pass to Petherick. Petherick had an open lane to Sansom, and gave him a decent ball on the right flank allowing play to move upfield. Very nice and realistic play. :) How much of this was due to the skill gap between the teams, and the weakness in the middle of Equador's tactic is uncertain .... still thought it looked really good.
The goal ~58 was also worth noting IMO, as I'd describe it as a "build up" goal. Possession was established in Equador's end, and the ball was moved around the midfield until Murray got a reasonable chance to hit Gilbert. Less direct then most goals in Sokker.
nice win. Much better to watch then our game. I'm still doing my maths but I believe that's the first time I've been kept shotless with the NT :o.
Match engine seems to be reasonably good for high skilled players but for the low-middle class it really appears to be a struggle. Still a few weeks of tweaks left I think, both of the M.E and of tactics ;).
Match engine seems to be reasonably good for high skilled players but for the low-middle class it really appears to be a struggle. Still a few weeks of tweaks left I think, both of the M.E and of tactics ;).
For sure. The concern is how the lower tier teams will handle it.
Haven`t checked out Australia`s match yet. Did watch Serbia - Ireland. It looked like a battle between old school (Serbia) direct tactics and new tweak build-up (Ireland). Somewhat instructive. :) Going to be more low scoring matches at every level.
Haven`t checked out Australia`s match yet. Did watch Serbia - Ireland. It looked like a battle between old school (Serbia) direct tactics and new tweak build-up (Ireland). Somewhat instructive. :) Going to be more low scoring matches at every level.
Sat through the first half of Australia`s match before politely excusing myself. :P Pretty dull ... but not unrealistic. Lots of RL matches like that every week where neither side musters much creativity. ME tweaks may well force teams to earn their victories.
There was a post in Int`l saying these tweaks are bad for underdogs, but I think the opposite is true. It may well be easier now to slow a game down and grind out a draw or victory even in matches where one is out-chanced.
There was a post in Int`l saying these tweaks are bad for underdogs, but I think the opposite is true. It may well be easier now to slow a game down and grind out a draw or victory even in matches where one is out-chanced.
Sat through the first half of Australia`s match before politely excusing myself. :P Pretty dull ... but not unrealistic
Even the reporters thought the switching of ends was more interesting as we got squat all in commentry for the 1st half :p
It may well be easier now to slow a game down and grind out a draw or victory even in matches where one is out-chanced.
I'd like a few more before I stake my final opinion. At the moment my opinion is that the chances of winning as the underdog is now less than before although the chances of sharing the points has increased. Medium quality midfielders can't do much with the ball like they use to and for weaker teams this is going to cause problems for them scoring. I also believe the lower-middle teams are going to encounter more snore wars as player skills are so much more important. To grab a share of the game though I agree, there's fewer chances they concede, less chance of opposition teams scoring.
Even the reporters thought the switching of ends was more interesting as we got squat all in commentry for the 1st half :p
It may well be easier now to slow a game down and grind out a draw or victory even in matches where one is out-chanced.
I'd like a few more before I stake my final opinion. At the moment my opinion is that the chances of winning as the underdog is now less than before although the chances of sharing the points has increased. Medium quality midfielders can't do much with the ball like they use to and for weaker teams this is going to cause problems for them scoring. I also believe the lower-middle teams are going to encounter more snore wars as player skills are so much more important. To grab a share of the game though I agree, there's fewer chances they concede, less chance of opposition teams scoring.
I also believe the lower-middle teams are going to encounter more snore wars as player skills are so much more important.
ReallyÉ My impression was that these tweaks de-emphasis skills to a degree in favour of positioning. Previously, defenders and DMs would throw the ball at an uber-winger or striker even if the marking was pretty good. Now that winger or striker needs to be somewhat free, otherwise the ball will be passed back or sideways. Skills won`t come into play unless the positioning is good.
ReallyÉ My impression was that these tweaks de-emphasis skills to a degree in favour of positioning. Previously, defenders and DMs would throw the ball at an uber-winger or striker even if the marking was pretty good. Now that winger or striker needs to be somewhat free, otherwise the ball will be passed back or sideways. Skills won`t come into play unless the positioning is good.