Subject: [NT] Friendly Vs Spain, u-25 match

Tomorrow we take on spain in a friendly u-25 match. As WDP can confirm we are not very strong as a nation at u-25 level, he will know alot of the players from his days as the u-21 coach. I have selected a small 22 man squad of the best u-25 players that we have in our system, i have sent out update requests for some players but i am not too hopeful of getting them back in time for tomorrows match.
Team is selected and formation is set, we may need a large slice of luck to gain a good result, but I will take a draw if its offered ;)
More tomorrow.

A very dissapointing 4-0 defeat, but I think it is one that underlines our fundamental problem at NT level at the moment. We are a sokker nation that is not getting any bigger, and as a result our pool of top players is shrinking with every passing season. we simply dont have the younger players coming through that the other nations have, and this means that we are suffering alot.

I hate to admit it but I think we are now finding our level in the sokker NT rankings, maybe we could have had some better results along the last 2 seasons, but overall I think we are where we should be. And trust me it hurts me to say it, when the older players of the full NT squad start to decrease we will be alot weaker unless players are suddenly updated and trained to their full potential.

We have Italy in another u-25 match next week, they are stronger than spain at this level and age and we will really struggle if im honest, especially for striker options.

What was with the bizarre double substitution on the winger?

Benstead was supposed to come on for Howe at no.8, but Howe was sent off so for some reason it set it so that he came on for the other sub who had just come on!!! When I saw that baffled me a bit I can tell you!!!

Bensted not our best u25 MID?

Hatcher > Benstead ;-)

Better and a year younger? You kept him quiet ;)

Just checked and he didn't even play! Value and form would suggest he should be?