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Subject: National Team
6 - 0 win in the end. Might not have been a fair reflection on the game though but I can't really say that the 6 goals we got weren't deserved, perhaps they should have scored though, they had their chances. Their winger had much more technique then I anticipated, would probably cause some of our 1st XI defenders some problems. Defensive fumbles were almost costly on a number of occasions but fortunately Deeley had a solid performance in goal to keep them out.
Defensively dropped them back a bit too far, but it worked on the rebound when we caught them offside a few times as a result of the defense pushing up quickly when they passed back to their midfielder in the centre.
Offensively, pretty good, wasn't expecting them to go in with that kind of a tactic but our midfield still supplied our forwards some good chances. The red card to their outer defender helped but we still didn't exploit that channel with Richter often enough for my liking. Was very surprised they were able to tackle Richter from behind yet we couldn't take their winger from side on. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me unless they have exceptionally good defenders in which case they should be producing stronger results then they have been. Their midfield looked to be one of the weakest areas though, quite often we were able to beat the first tackle and continue down the pitch, whilst they didn't have very strong crossing skills or passing skills in general.
That's probably what stopped them from putting a few past us.
Overall, satisfied with the result, few issues in the tactic crept up again, most likely because I didn't notice it when modifying a previous tactic. Was surprised they didn't resort to their usual style of play though, caught me out just a little bit but we were still able to win the game.
Defensively dropped them back a bit too far, but it worked on the rebound when we caught them offside a few times as a result of the defense pushing up quickly when they passed back to their midfielder in the centre.
Offensively, pretty good, wasn't expecting them to go in with that kind of a tactic but our midfield still supplied our forwards some good chances. The red card to their outer defender helped but we still didn't exploit that channel with Richter often enough for my liking. Was very surprised they were able to tackle Richter from behind yet we couldn't take their winger from side on. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me unless they have exceptionally good defenders in which case they should be producing stronger results then they have been. Their midfield looked to be one of the weakest areas though, quite often we were able to beat the first tackle and continue down the pitch, whilst they didn't have very strong crossing skills or passing skills in general.
That's probably what stopped them from putting a few past us.
Overall, satisfied with the result, few issues in the tactic crept up again, most likely because I didn't notice it when modifying a previous tactic. Was surprised they didn't resort to their usual style of play though, caught me out just a little bit but we were still able to win the game.
Yes, my friend..you noticed well that our midfielders weren't that good, and that's because I had to play without my best 2 midfielders[they are both injured].:(
I've never been a fan of giving your opponent the center of the pitch and I think we did that today. Even assuming you're happy to give them the center, it pulls your formation out of shape when someone goes running into the middle (far too late to affect the play)
In todays game not only did it provide them with plenty of time and space to send them into attack, but it also prevented us from switching play and taking advantage of the defender that was sent off. As it was we continued to go up Thompson's side of the park (not a bad option admittedly), but we didn't really take advantage of their first red.
I too was surprised that they were able to contain Richter so well. Strange. Then Stephenson comes on and he has less problems with the same defenders... I really rate Stephenson by the way. I think his skills suit our wing-focussed offense.
Strange to see Plesa go on his solo runs too. I bet the two forwards were giving him heaps when he ignored them open in the box and blazed away himself. Normally Plesa's decision making is much better.
Another point of interest is the 4-1 formation at the back. I think if you're going to give your opponent the middle of the park you'd be better of with 3-2. Maybe its just a personal preference, but I think you're more likely to cut off their passing-lanes for through-balls and we're normally fast enough with the 2 dropping back when the ball goes wide that we don't get caught short at the back.
In todays game not only did it provide them with plenty of time and space to send them into attack, but it also prevented us from switching play and taking advantage of the defender that was sent off. As it was we continued to go up Thompson's side of the park (not a bad option admittedly), but we didn't really take advantage of their first red.
I too was surprised that they were able to contain Richter so well. Strange. Then Stephenson comes on and he has less problems with the same defenders... I really rate Stephenson by the way. I think his skills suit our wing-focussed offense.
Strange to see Plesa go on his solo runs too. I bet the two forwards were giving him heaps when he ignored them open in the box and blazed away himself. Normally Plesa's decision making is much better.
Another point of interest is the 4-1 formation at the back. I think if you're going to give your opponent the middle of the park you'd be better of with 3-2. Maybe its just a personal preference, but I think you're more likely to cut off their passing-lanes for through-balls and we're normally fast enough with the 2 dropping back when the ball goes wide that we don't get caught short at the back.
Throw ins seemed reasonable, given what I expected them to do.
I think many underestimate how strong a few of their players are. To give you an indication Langdon is stronger defensively than Foley to give you an indication of how strong their winger actually was.
Their defense too at times, you can see Richters skills as he is advertised and they were tackling that from behind ;).
I think you give far too little credit to their team depth. That was our 2nd XI against their 1st XI and even with 14 users you can get a good NT with a few decent junior pulls. For an example NZ only has around 20-30 users, yet their NT is as strong, if not stronger than our 1st XI NT despite us having over 100 users. The game isn't about how many users you get, it's how active your users are and how lucky you get with youth pulls.
Centre of field was deliberately meant to be empty, because they normally defend heavily and it was best to stretch them wider as the holes then opened up for a pass. Given they normally only go 1 striker centrally, 1 a bit wider I didn't actually feel threatened to give them the middle as I backed our midfielders to pass accurately.
As for fouls, the red they got early was deserved. Richter has unearthly technique they fouled him from behind (what more can you expect?) Most of our fouls came from side on so probably weren't "as bad". In saying that yeah there is pot luck involved but the larger the difference in pace/tech and pace/def of the other player makes a significant difference. When you don't have much defending you open yourself up for more cards as they bring them down since they can't tackle them.
Thompson is probably our 4th in line when it comes to wingers, behind Willis,Zdrilic/Timpano.
Won't give out his skills but I will say it's not low and it's no surprise TBF are dominating our A League when they've got 3 of our best 4 wingers in our NT, of which 2 can play centrally at club level.
Stephenson got lucky that the players were tired when he came on and he such a high striker level that he's able to capitalize when he gets a shot at goal.
In summary, I think you underestimate Hayastan (I know I wasn't expecting quite that strong, but I wasn't surprised they had 1 or 2 good players). The reason they got chances is because they beat the outside man, or else we had a defensive fumble due to lack of tech of the outer defenders, I don't think not having the centre of the pitch was a major influence other than turning over a bit of possession, but I wasn't after possession, was after useful ball and to split their normally defensive structure up to allow our strikers through ;).
I think many underestimate how strong a few of their players are. To give you an indication Langdon is stronger defensively than Foley to give you an indication of how strong their winger actually was.
Their defense too at times, you can see Richters skills as he is advertised and they were tackling that from behind ;).
I think you give far too little credit to their team depth. That was our 2nd XI against their 1st XI and even with 14 users you can get a good NT with a few decent junior pulls. For an example NZ only has around 20-30 users, yet their NT is as strong, if not stronger than our 1st XI NT despite us having over 100 users. The game isn't about how many users you get, it's how active your users are and how lucky you get with youth pulls.
Centre of field was deliberately meant to be empty, because they normally defend heavily and it was best to stretch them wider as the holes then opened up for a pass. Given they normally only go 1 striker centrally, 1 a bit wider I didn't actually feel threatened to give them the middle as I backed our midfielders to pass accurately.
As for fouls, the red they got early was deserved. Richter has unearthly technique they fouled him from behind (what more can you expect?) Most of our fouls came from side on so probably weren't "as bad". In saying that yeah there is pot luck involved but the larger the difference in pace/tech and pace/def of the other player makes a significant difference. When you don't have much defending you open yourself up for more cards as they bring them down since they can't tackle them.
Thompson is probably our 4th in line when it comes to wingers, behind Willis,Zdrilic/Timpano.
Won't give out his skills but I will say it's not low and it's no surprise TBF are dominating our A League when they've got 3 of our best 4 wingers in our NT, of which 2 can play centrally at club level.
Stephenson got lucky that the players were tired when he came on and he such a high striker level that he's able to capitalize when he gets a shot at goal.
In summary, I think you underestimate Hayastan (I know I wasn't expecting quite that strong, but I wasn't surprised they had 1 or 2 good players). The reason they got chances is because they beat the outside man, or else we had a defensive fumble due to lack of tech of the outer defenders, I don't think not having the centre of the pitch was a major influence other than turning over a bit of possession, but I wasn't after possession, was after useful ball and to split their normally defensive structure up to allow our strikers through ;).
Well if I underestimate or not underestimate Armenia... I'm accustomed to slovak NT, which is stronger then yours, so we would don't have some bigger problems with them :) If yes, only "thanks" to our new incompetent coach... So it will take some time to accustomed myself on true australian power of NT ;)
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Yeah, I wasn't anticipating them to go in with the formation they did, hence I was happy to give them the centre. I don't think giving them the centre stopped us from going to Richter, it's more the case the engine still treats it as a player being there even when it's not. Happens even when a central defender is off and there's a massive hole and players still don't pass there, except when it would have otherwise been a hole even with the player there. A classic case is strikers still missing penalty shots at goal in a penalty shootout when the keeper goes off injured and no one is there to replace him.
Stephenson is getting better, but we don't need him at NT level yet until he gets his technique up. We have Byers to do most of the heading work ;).
The 4-1 at the back was built on the assumption they play 1 central striker and 1 widish striker. They didn't do this today and instead used a winger. I agree had that been the tactic choice I expected from then I wouldn't have done a few of the things I did today. We got exposed largely as I didn't anticipate much change from their usual style of tactic.
In saying that though, for their winger to get past Langdon who's as strong defensively as quite a number of our starting defenders for our 1st XI it's certainly a bit surprising, guess he had all tech and pace and no passing skills ;).
Stephenson is getting better, but we don't need him at NT level yet until he gets his technique up. We have Byers to do most of the heading work ;).
The 4-1 at the back was built on the assumption they play 1 central striker and 1 widish striker. They didn't do this today and instead used a winger. I agree had that been the tactic choice I expected from then I wouldn't have done a few of the things I did today. We got exposed largely as I didn't anticipate much change from their usual style of tactic.
In saying that though, for their winger to get past Langdon who's as strong defensively as quite a number of our starting defenders for our 1st XI it's certainly a bit surprising, guess he had all tech and pace and no passing skills ;).
Slovakian NT isn't a long way ahead of our 1st XI, it was a few seasons back, but I reckon we could take you on now :p. You're probably still a bit stronger, but I reckon we could still take you and beat you. We've only lost once with our 1st XI this season ;).
So... when is Scott Stephenson going to be in our 1st XI?
In ~3 more seasons, he could well be a triple divine, only needs 6 more tech, and 2 more pace.
In ~3 more seasons, he could well be a triple divine, only needs 6 more tech, and 2 more pace.
doubt it will be too far away. Needs higher technique than formidable, so if he's given a season of tech it should be sufficient to knock Hirons to the bench, but again it could easily be Byers knocked to the bench as quite often, I'll have different kinds of strikers playing, usually have one who's able to break clean of tackles with a quick burst of speed or clever footwork and one who can just slam home winners. In saying that though, if they have better skills they will play anyway.
I think if Stephenson gets to incredible/brilliant technique he'll be in the starting side on a regular basis. I certainly do like his finishing skills, our strikers could learn something from him :p.
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I think if Stephenson gets to incredible/brilliant technique he'll be in the starting side on a regular basis. I certainly do like his finishing skills, our strikers could learn something from him :p.
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don't be so smart, agent Smart ;) Okay, let's do a friendly next season with us and we'll see... True is, our NT is old, we have 25-26+ players as our basic stone, not too much good youth-pulls in your country :(
With a bit of luck we'll be in the same WC group, won't need a friendly then ;). I just like talking us up :p.
cometer to El_Scorpio
............I just like talking us up :p.
It's an aussie thing =p
............I just like talking us up :p.
It's an aussie thing =p
why did they stop after just sinking the rainbow warrior...
:p
:p
66 goals already this season. Just 6 short of last years record breaking 72.
Goal breakdown
Goals
23 Byers
16 Hirons
_8 Storey
_7 Maras
_3 Richter
_2 Croxall
_2 Ellem
_2 Mitchell
_1 Wirrpanda
_1 Stephenson
_1 Opponent Own Goal
Assists
24 Willis
_4 Timpano
_3 Croxall
_2 Thompson
_1 Walker, Storey, Hirons, Byers, O'Sullivan, Oliveira, Maras, Beauchamp, Stephenson
_28 Unassisted
Rpeat Combinations
12 _ Willis -> Byers
_9 _ Willis -> Hirons
_3 _ Willis -> Storey
_3 _ Croxall -> Maras
_2 _ Timpano -> Byers
Yes... its a slow day.
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Goal breakdown
Goals
23 Byers
16 Hirons
_8 Storey
_7 Maras
_3 Richter
_2 Croxall
_2 Ellem
_2 Mitchell
_1 Wirrpanda
_1 Stephenson
_1 Opponent Own Goal
Assists
24 Willis
_4 Timpano
_3 Croxall
_2 Thompson
_1 Walker, Storey, Hirons, Byers, O'Sullivan, Oliveira, Maras, Beauchamp, Stephenson
_28 Unassisted
Rpeat Combinations
12 _ Willis -> Byers
_9 _ Willis -> Hirons
_3 _ Willis -> Storey
_3 _ Croxall -> Maras
_2 _ Timpano -> Byers
Yes... its a slow day.
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that's not counting the last friendly against Hayastan though, so in that sense we're only 6 short of 72?