Subject: [nt] World Cup Discussion

I didn't make the list, so don't blame me :P.

1 Polska 2748.31
2 Nederland 2293.99
3 Italia 2187.88
4 Lietuva 2168.18
5 Hrvatska 2099.58
6 England 2039.16
7 Česká republika 1980.95
8 Espana 1974.91
9 USA 1946.30
10 Scotland 1942.55

Current top 10. Lost the traditional top 5 slot after a couple of poor friendlies, but the 2-6 is now getting fairly close together, although the other teams aren't that far behind (even the meddling Scotland :P).

Poland don't get 65 ratings, this is the stats list from the qualifications, when they were playing with their best team, at least most of the matches:

Average individual marks:
61.4 Polska
45.9 Danmark
45.4 Brasil
40.4 Colombia
39.7 Chile
39.1 New Zealand

I think they could get 65 though.

They might, but on the other hand I think we (Holland) could get a rating of 54, 55 if all players played their best match ever.

So I guess the difference is about 10 rating points, which is doable with a poor tactic from their side and a perfect tactic from our side. But that probably won't happen this WC I think...

In 2 or 3 seasons I can see the difference being about 5 rating points though...

If I get bored enough, I might see what the best ratings for the England team would be if everyone played their best match.

The problem is that ratings do not give a true impression of quality.

For example a divine striker with poor pace and technique may score More than a magical one with formidable pace and solid technique. Which is silly.

I believe that the polish team is actually stronger than statistically they appear as secondaries are so strong.

Saw one of their defenders, same age as Corey Bridge, but had an entire wedge more pm, pace and another level on def. I doubt that was even one of their best, which shows how far behind we are.

Wasn't Corey Bridge one of your starting players? Is/was he all that talented?

We've not had that many amazing juniors in England that I can remember, nor much time to develop them into quality players. Give it 5 or so seasons and we'll be making some good ground up.

Yes, he was a starting player.

His talent is actually only average. As I've had him such a long time, and got a lot of his defending training under the old training system (where there was no slowdown for going over excellent), he's still pretty useful.

Trevor Henchoz has the potential to be one of the best defenders in Sokker though, given his skills at present.

and got a lot of his defending training under the old training system (where there was no slowdown for going over excellent)

Which is also one of the reasons the Polish are that far ahead...

True. I expect it will be quite a number of seasons before those players fizzle out of the game though.

I don't agree... it's not the reason, as Poland would easily win the WC with U-21 squad (with players that were pulled after the changes took effect).

The main reason is that Polish teams have far more supporters, better stadiums and can afford better coaches and junior schools.

That's why Polish 20-21 yo players are so good now and they are still improving.

the better coaches at all levels, YS, HC, and assistants, would give the players a boost, also more users for that ultra talented player to come from i guess

the gap seems to have closed which can only be a good thing if youre not from poland
(edited)

True, but the best players in Poland at this moment (Pater, Januszewski, etc) are all players that profited from the old training-system.

There are 20-21 yr old players outside of Poland comparable with the Polish 20-21 yr old players I think (Mulders, Gioia, Henchoz). The only difference is that Poland could fill several teams with players like that and most other countries just have 2 or 3 of those super-youngsters.

*none will ever catch Poland - bwahahaha [sound of evil laughter from the darkness]*


But seriously... I think it's the matter of a couple of seasons, if players from different countries get mixed...

At least 3-5 season for other countries to have any chance against Poland (with best possible tactic I guess)
(edited)