Subject: [NT] Update

We've had an interesting season so far, and definitely an improvement on last season.

We did well in the Mini World Cup, only losing in the quarter finals to a late goal against the eventual tournament winners, Uruguay. In the final, they beat Slovenija who we beat comfortably in our opening match.

Our U21 side though is quite poor and has struggled. With only tomorrows game against Portugal to go, I'm not expecting to qualify for the next stage of the U21 World Cup.

The rest of the season will be used for the NT to prepare for the World Cup Qualifying stage next season. That being the case, here are my current thoughts for the composition of the team, and some guidelines for trainers trying to get their players into the squad.
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Goalkeepers

Lathan is unchallenged as the number one keeper. Zwane is still second choice, but only just.

Two pops in either pace and/or keeping could see Hartley taking over as NT reserve keeper.

There are three other young keepers with potential: Wuest, Raboroko and Skosana. Each could use a little more keeping and needs training in either pace or passing.
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Defenders

I want my defenders to be able to tackle, and quick enough to get to the strikers that they need to tackle. Pace without defence, or defence without pace, just won't do the job.

Baloyi, Mabotsa, and Rodrigues are clear selections.

The final spot in our probable four-at-the-back formation is more difficult. In the past, I have used Mabizela, but he isn't the best tackler, and I'd still prefer to use him as a winger. I've also used the combination of Goliath and Yohane, one subbing the other. Neither is really quick enough, both are not at peak fitness and each is weak in a secondary. I may end up using Permall, but he too is weak in a secondary.

Trainers should focus on getting their defenders to at least incredible(13) in both pace and defence to have a realistic chance of being in the starting lineup.
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Midfielders

Thanks to Phibeon for his help in this department. I believe that there are two seperate aspects to the midfield: the central midfielders and the wingers. A team can play without wings, but it gives an added dimension to the attack, and can be useful for a weaker team to get behind the defence.

The main purpose of the midfield is to supply the strikers with good passes. The wingers need pace to get down the line and make their crosses. The central midfielders need playmaking to get rid of the ball quickly, and choose the correct pass to make.

Trainers of central midfielders should be looking at a combined passing + playmaking score of 28 or more. For the wingers, trainers will have to do better than incredible(13) pace and formidable(11) passing with high secondaries.

This season, our midfield has usually been made up of Lekhuleng, Shongwe, Chacho and Madigage with Westerhof and Makhanya as the subs.

At the moment, there aren't any youngsters challenging that lineup, but I do plan to try Mabizela on the wing again in a few friendlies.
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Strikers

Thanks go to Theunis for his help with the strikers. I've come to realise that pace and technique are just about as important as striking here. Without the pace to beat defenders to the ball, or technique to control passes and/or beat the defence, high striking loses much of its value.

I like to try to use both a pace striker and a technique striker in the starting lineup, but each needs to be competent in the other skill. Trainers should be looking for a combined pace + technique + shooting score of at least 34 with minimums of formidable(11) pace, very good(9) technique and excellent(10) shooting.

Our best front pairing right now should be Makhaye and Behr but there is little to seperate them from Permall and Pono so form could be the final decider for each match.

Of the younger players, Matshitse, Khanyile and Lakay are getting close to challenging for places. Portgieter is only 19 but also is not far from being considered.
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> I may end up using Permall, but he too is weak in a secondary.

Try him in the middle of the defence :P

nice write up mate!

Great update.

Thanks guys.

Well, what do you know? The U21 team pulled off a shock draw against Portugal today, and I believe that qualifies us for the U21 World Cup as one of the best third placed teams!

We're probably going to get our butts kicked at the tournament, but at least we got there! :)

The U21's get a week off though. Our NT will be playing a friendly against Bulgaria next week. After that will be the three U21 WC round robin matches.

nice result well done! at least we are their and i am happy with my okes goal

Our NT scored a dominating 4-1 win over Bulgaria, but our youngsters struggled in the U21 World Cup going down 0-5, 1-3 and 1-4. It was still an achievement to get there with our small group of managers.

We've got 4 weeks to set up friendlies now (I've scheduled 3 so far) to prepare for the World Cup Qualifiers next season. Our first game will be at home against Sverige (ranked 35 to our 49).

We've been hit by a bunch of injuries so we'll be missing the following 3 players:

John Behr (striker, 22 days)
Clyde Goliath (defender, 22 days)
Leonard Permall (striker, 17 days)

Goliath has been improving and may be ready to take over as our 4th regular defender. Until he's fit though, the problem at the back remains.

Not happy to see two of our best strikers out. Still we've got two other good ones, and it'll give a chance for a youngster to make the bench.

Hmm strikers out that leaves spaces for my young guns to shine :) Good luck at least u got 4 weeks to get the stuff ready and try out stuff and tactics

Thanks. Yes, 4 weeks is better than jumping in the deep end like when I took the job! :)

Our friendly schedule is:

6 Oct -> Sverige (rank 35)
13 Oct -> Scotland (rank 19)
20 Oct -> Deutschland (rank 16)
27 Oct -> Cymru (rank 51)

Some good friendly opponents you got there. Well i am sure this gives you options to play around with, sure you have more or less your 15 or what players that guarantees there spot in the team but u can play around with tactics and what works for a player

We weren't disgraced in our friendly today, going down 1-2 against Sverige. Pono scored a late goal.

There were a couple of things I wasn't happy with which I hope to iron out in preperation for our next match.

Thanks for a nice match MarcL and good luck in future games!