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Subject: [NT] Friendlies
Ok. All-set for this weekend against the Dominican Republic. Delayed a little by our contest winner, :D, but we're ready to go.
Starters
Jerry Anthopoulos - 20 - West Auckland Warriors
Johnny Bodger - 24 - 11 Wise Men
Jake Dabner - 21 - in Poland, The Unbelievers youth
Gary Edwards - 21 - in Poland, AC Cikini youth
Matt Gilbert - 21 - in Belgium, Fiery Tigers youth
John Root - 19 - Cashmere
Alex Richards - 21 - in Scotland, Deathstrike youth
Sam Sansom - 20 - The Invincibles, Deathstrike youth
Robert Smith - 21 - in Spain, Fiery Tigers youth
*David Watts - 21 - in England, Deathstrike youth
Alan Welford - 18 - in Romania, N_Z youth
Substitutes
Darren Herbert - 21 - Hyperintelligent Shades of Blue, 11 Wise Men youth
Mark Kelly - 22 - in Brazil, 11 Wise Men youth
Gavin Lynch - 18 - New Mancheste United
Nigel Pollock - 19 - One
Kaz Taylor - 19 - in USA, 11 Wise Men youth
Debuts by Welford and Lynch.
Herbert takes Smith ~ 50.
Pollock takes Bodger ~ 60.
Lynch takes Root ~ 75.
* selection by trivia contest winner. Was someone who was already in the line-up. Trivia winner used his prize to decide where he would play.
(edited)
Starters
Jerry Anthopoulos - 20 - West Auckland Warriors
Johnny Bodger - 24 - 11 Wise Men
Jake Dabner - 21 - in Poland, The Unbelievers youth
Gary Edwards - 21 - in Poland, AC Cikini youth
Matt Gilbert - 21 - in Belgium, Fiery Tigers youth
John Root - 19 - Cashmere
Alex Richards - 21 - in Scotland, Deathstrike youth
Sam Sansom - 20 - The Invincibles, Deathstrike youth
Robert Smith - 21 - in Spain, Fiery Tigers youth
*David Watts - 21 - in England, Deathstrike youth
Alan Welford - 18 - in Romania, N_Z youth
Substitutes
Darren Herbert - 21 - Hyperintelligent Shades of Blue, 11 Wise Men youth
Mark Kelly - 22 - in Brazil, 11 Wise Men youth
Gavin Lynch - 18 - New Mancheste United
Nigel Pollock - 19 - One
Kaz Taylor - 19 - in USA, 11 Wise Men youth
Debuts by Welford and Lynch.
Herbert takes Smith ~ 50.
Pollock takes Bodger ~ 60.
Lynch takes Root ~ 75.
* selection by trivia contest winner. Was someone who was already in the line-up. Trivia winner used his prize to decide where he would play.
(edited)
Underway. :)
Tactic is based on last weeks, with some non-trivial alterations. Defense and midfield (including winger) are both shifted back a little. The wide forward is more central. It’s not a very responsible tactic defensively, but should be able to do some fun things with the ball in their end.
The Dominican Republic manager is somewhat unpredictable. My guess is something conservative from them. Hoping to use Watts as “shock troops” - have him positioned quite high (optimized for Dominican Republic’s most defensive tactic) with the goal of terrorizing the opponent’s defense with his obvious tackling skills. If they play more aggressively, he could go off-side from time to time.
Using Sansom on the wing for the first time - think he will be good there. Young Root steps into the role Big Al played so well last week - he could have a big game. Look for Pollock, whose form is finally showing signs of improving, to get his first NT tally.
Tactic is based on last weeks, with some non-trivial alterations. Defense and midfield (including winger) are both shifted back a little. The wide forward is more central. It’s not a very responsible tactic defensively, but should be able to do some fun things with the ball in their end.
The Dominican Republic manager is somewhat unpredictable. My guess is something conservative from them. Hoping to use Watts as “shock troops” - have him positioned quite high (optimized for Dominican Republic’s most defensive tactic) with the goal of terrorizing the opponent’s defense with his obvious tackling skills. If they play more aggressively, he could go off-side from time to time.
Using Sansom on the wing for the first time - think he will be good there. Young Root steps into the role Big Al played so well last week - he could have a big game. Look for Pollock, whose form is finally showing signs of improving, to get his first NT tally.
A game of firsts.
First cap for Lynch.
First cap for Welford.
First clean sheet for Welford.
First NT assist by Sansom.
First NT assist by Root.
First NT goal by Watts.
First NT hattrick by Watts.
First NT goal by Pollock.
The defense was solid (aside from Dabner's indiscretion). The back-line looked quite sharp.
Was happy with the midfield play. Thought that in general they made some pretty good decisions. So nice balls through the middle when there was space, and utilised the wing when there wasn't. Sansom looked good till he tired. Root made some very nice decisions with the ball. Herbert seems guaranteed to provide at least one "can't miss" cross each game he plays.
Was happy the two starting strikers managed to get along up front. Watts seemed to have the louder voice - saw much more of the ball. Think his average shot distance was around 5 yards - happy he converted 1/3 of them.
That's it - next week (Ireland scheduled) is Week 0 of the new season. I will post my Season Summary a little later today.
First cap for Lynch.
First cap for Welford.
First clean sheet for Welford.
First NT assist by Sansom.
First NT assist by Root.
First NT goal by Watts.
First NT hattrick by Watts.
First NT goal by Pollock.
The defense was solid (aside from Dabner's indiscretion). The back-line looked quite sharp.
Was happy with the midfield play. Thought that in general they made some pretty good decisions. So nice balls through the middle when there was space, and utilised the wing when there wasn't. Sansom looked good till he tired. Root made some very nice decisions with the ball. Herbert seems guaranteed to provide at least one "can't miss" cross each game he plays.
Was happy the two starting strikers managed to get along up front. Watts seemed to have the louder voice - saw much more of the ball. Think his average shot distance was around 5 yards - happy he converted 1/3 of them.
That's it - next week (Ireland scheduled) is Week 0 of the new season. I will post my Season Summary a little later today.
It's official then - Watts is a better defender AND striker than the lousy Bodger, as I have said all along :).
Yay, At last Root gets an assist. I was hoping he could grab the loose ball around the goal and maybe fire one or two in. Another full season training and he will be getting to the ball faster :)
Watts is a better defender IMO
Watts is a better defender IMO
oh yes, Watts with 33% of shots compared with 100% for Bodger =P
Besides, Howarth will be playing striker on wednesday anyway =]
Besides, Howarth will be playing striker on wednesday anyway =]
Bodger was pushed aside by Watts. Bodger is scared of him really.
Ireland confirmed for this weekend. Will be a clash of the senior squads.
Line-up is set for this weekend. I'm not going to post the line-up tho. I think Nin is lurking ... I can smell him. :D
Will send notices to managers later today. Have a busy morning ... followed by 2 months of vacation. (Schools out!)
Tactic is similar to one used previously this season (don't want to give anything away the week before Australia). Will be experimenting a little with different players in different roles.
Will send notices to managers later today. Have a busy morning ... followed by 2 months of vacation. (Schools out!)
Tactic is similar to one used previously this season (don't want to give anything away the week before Australia). Will be experimenting a little with different players in different roles.
Never fear, you'll still lose comfortably..
Like like Australia will against the AB's this weekend =D
Like like Australia will against the AB's this weekend =D
aww why not, was hoping you would :(. Looking forward to discovering what it is next week :).
You'll have to wait. :)
Underway.
Of late, Ireland has primarily used two tactics - a 3-5-2 and 4-4-2. Given the renown of the striker corps, I suspect the 4-4-2 is more likely and have prepared for it. Of course Nin could cross me up and play something entirely new. :P
Their 4-4-2 does put a lot of pressure on the opposing midfield. The Irish defense plays up, and there are a ton of bodies occupying the passing lanes. The New Zealand midfield will need to be decisive and accurate if that is indeed the formation they choose.
Not trying anything new tactically - using that 4-4-2 with a triangle midfield and winger. Want another pre-WC chance to see how different players perform in the different roles. Gilbert is the starting winger, Atkinson replaces at half. Ideally, I think Richards plays the top of the triangle - but his form has really been an issue. So today we’ll see how Matthews (1st half) and Tomlinson (2nd half) fare in the “router” role. Also at half, Watts and Kilkenny switch to see how Kilkenny does a little further upfield. Hird takes freekicks, Bodger penalties. Harris is the only defender not covered in case of red card.
Underway.
Of late, Ireland has primarily used two tactics - a 3-5-2 and 4-4-2. Given the renown of the striker corps, I suspect the 4-4-2 is more likely and have prepared for it. Of course Nin could cross me up and play something entirely new. :P
Their 4-4-2 does put a lot of pressure on the opposing midfield. The Irish defense plays up, and there are a ton of bodies occupying the passing lanes. The New Zealand midfield will need to be decisive and accurate if that is indeed the formation they choose.
Not trying anything new tactically - using that 4-4-2 with a triangle midfield and winger. Want another pre-WC chance to see how different players perform in the different roles. Gilbert is the starting winger, Atkinson replaces at half. Ideally, I think Richards plays the top of the triangle - but his form has really been an issue. So today we’ll see how Matthews (1st half) and Tomlinson (2nd half) fare in the “router” role. Also at half, Watts and Kilkenny switch to see how Kilkenny does a little further upfield. Hird takes freekicks, Bodger penalties. Harris is the only defender not covered in case of red card.
I should have warned everyone teams seem to play rather poorly for me during election time - sometimes I wonder if they are trying to prevent my re-election. :P
Got pretty much the tactic I expected from Ireland. I don't think the New Zealand tactic was that bad (will watch again tomorrow when I'm not so sleepy). Had some very nice scoring opportunities that were wasted (most without a shot). In the end, fortunate to get the draw - the first New Zealand goal was from an absolutely terrible angle, and the second one would not likely have been without the red card.
Thought there were a number of poor performances. The New Zealand back 4 were dreadful. Lost far too many of the 1 on 1 battles, and their passing was very weak. I thought I could get away with playing some youngsters. :S Not so much.
Wasn't impressed with either winger. Atkinson in particular had lots of space and open strikers, but experienced difficulty getting the ball to them.
Thought Watts and Hird played well, maybe Tomlinson too. Otherwise of number of forgetable outings.
I was impressed with Lizzraga. I tried to get New Zealand's two best markers on him (Kelly and Harris), but he pretty much did what he wanted anyway.
Australia next week. :)
Got pretty much the tactic I expected from Ireland. I don't think the New Zealand tactic was that bad (will watch again tomorrow when I'm not so sleepy). Had some very nice scoring opportunities that were wasted (most without a shot). In the end, fortunate to get the draw - the first New Zealand goal was from an absolutely terrible angle, and the second one would not likely have been without the red card.
Thought there were a number of poor performances. The New Zealand back 4 were dreadful. Lost far too many of the 1 on 1 battles, and their passing was very weak. I thought I could get away with playing some youngsters. :S Not so much.
Wasn't impressed with either winger. Atkinson in particular had lots of space and open strikers, but experienced difficulty getting the ball to them.
Thought Watts and Hird played well, maybe Tomlinson too. Otherwise of number of forgetable outings.
I was impressed with Lizzraga. I tried to get New Zealand's two best markers on him (Kelly and Harris), but he pretty much did what he wanted anyway.
Australia next week. :)
Ireland aren't an easy side to defeat. Agree that you were fortunate to get the draw, but there were a few chances blown for both sides like the Bodger to Hird to Bodger which ended in an offside instead of a goal.
Looking forward to next week and I'm not sure whether I'm looking forward to the surprise or not yet. I hate surprises in games, usually means a bad sign :p.
Looking forward to next week and I'm not sure whether I'm looking forward to the surprise or not yet. I hate surprises in games, usually means a bad sign :p.