Subject: [NT]cometer

Then who was that who slept on my couch the other night?

I know it's already been settled and I don't want to put any fuel on the fire but I wasn't deliberately trying to hurt anyone. I went for 2 because with 14 votes, only 2 managers have any of them at present and given the history of us only having about 16 people vote it was unlikely anyone outside of those 2 would pick up enough to be with a chance of being elected.

Enough said of the issue anyway and let's focus on the questions for whatever amount of time we've got left. Technically speaking you shouldn't be in my campaign thread but I've never been one to worry about that too much so long as the comments/questions are fair ones :).

;)

ROFL! :D

Do you think the current crop will make it to the World Cup or will we need a new batch to step up for next season?

Who are the up and coming stars of the Australian NT to look out for next season?

Will you be preserving our guns in the friendlies or using the games as a chance to try different formations against quality opponents?
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Do you think the current crop will make it to the World Cup or will we need a new batch to step up for next season?

Most should, some won't. Some probably won't even get a run during the WCQ's. Fortunately if you exclude strikers, we've got replacements available and still developing. I dare say that there might be some new faces as the season progresses and if we qualify to the WC might make their way into the team.

Strikers are again a key problem. We don't have enough strikers able to penetrate defenses and cause top class defenders problems. We'll need to sort that out if we are to start strongly competing against the top sides.

Who are the up and coming stars of the Australian NT to look out for next season?

Most of them you've already seen at club level or the U21's over the past few seasons. Certainly we've got Papaluca coming through like a freight train, then you need only look at the top few teams in the A League to see others regularly playing. Players like Morton, Stewart, Villafane are prime examples of who might just find themselves on the fringes if not in the side by later on during the season.

Then if you're question refers to looking out for the players to watch develop who won't necessarily play for the Australian NT but who have bright futures, you can include several players into that category. Byers,Drum,Colosimo,Midtsian,Kohler the list roles on.

We've got a real handy crop of players coming through the ranks so it's something to look forward to.

I might demonstrate by using the same information I dug up on the U21 staff forum to highlight an obvious reason to be encouraged by our younger generation.

C.Pottier -> 1st XI
C.Henderson
(s) N.Tiatto
P.Haereiti -> 1st/2nd XI
E.Kohler -> 1st XI
J.Kilkelly -> 2nd XI (has been 1st XI)
A. Willis -> 1st XI (who doesn't know this guy)
G.Cunico -> 1st XI
T.Healy -> 2nd XI
A.Leijer -> 2nd XI
(s) S.Thompson -> 1st/2nd XI
C.Storey -> 1st XI
(s) D.Coveny
J.Mitchell

Looking down that list that was an U21 side some seasons ago. Just as a point of notice the side put out against Malta a few weeks back scored higher average individual marks then the side here did against Greece back in 2007 (and that was towards the end of the season before they aged where as the Malta game was before they aged to 21).

So if marks mean any indication one might argue a case that our future side will be just as strong as it is currently and that's a very encouraging sign.

Will you be preserving our guns in the friendlies or using the games as a chance to try different formations against quality opponents?

The plan is definitely to preserve as many 1st team and fringe team players for the WCQ. Last thing you need is to be having mass trips to the emergency ward or dealing with un-necessary suspensions and then finding yourself in severe trouble in the next qualifier. At the same time, I haven't thought out exactly what will happen with friendlies. Quite possibly they will be used to give other types of matches as the season could become a bit dry otherwise. New or changed formations are never out of the equation regardless of the match and should exist throughout the entire season.
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what will you do to avenge our losses to NZ this season?

I'd kill a sheep...! ;)

boom! great answer.

qualify for the world cup perhaps ;). Perhaps another way could be to beat them next season too :).

commiserations...
I guess you'll be having more inputs with the U21 now!
not a bad thing for us :)

Feels like survivor now when you get voted off :p.


Thanks for those who voted for me though :).

I guess you'll be having more inputs with the U21 now!

I guess so ;).

I guess so ;).
We'll negociate your salary and expenses when I'll catch up with Vivski face to face tomorrow night... :p