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Asunto: National Team U21
Yeah Groom is a good player, and with secondaries which is nice
Yes, random pops aplenty.....lazy bugger's due some more, actually.
Great result against Venezuela who outrated us by 8 points.
Still struggling with our best strikers form, which just refuses to go up.
They went with a wide defensive tactic trying to counter our wing tactic, but having guessed they would probably do this, I decided to go right up the middle.
Their first goal was a bit lucky, but in saying that, they had other better opportunities which they didn't score from, so it all works out there. Ponting finally having a match in line with his actual skill level.
McConville scored a cracker of a goal to level us up before we lost a defender to a red card.
Overall, we managed to get away with one here, which us a very small balance to the number of matches where we deserved a better result.
It still puts us in a tough position trying to qualify, with the German result hurting us more than this one helped us, but we are still in with a shot. Even the team getting 2nd won't be guaranteed a shot in the WC
Shows just how important that result we got screwed by the time change with Germany was.
Still struggling with our best strikers form, which just refuses to go up.
They went with a wide defensive tactic trying to counter our wing tactic, but having guessed they would probably do this, I decided to go right up the middle.
Their first goal was a bit lucky, but in saying that, they had other better opportunities which they didn't score from, so it all works out there. Ponting finally having a match in line with his actual skill level.
McConville scored a cracker of a goal to level us up before we lost a defender to a red card.
Overall, we managed to get away with one here, which us a very small balance to the number of matches where we deserved a better result.
It still puts us in a tough position trying to qualify, with the German result hurting us more than this one helped us, but we are still in with a shot. Even the team getting 2nd won't be guaranteed a shot in the WC
Shows just how important that result we got screwed by the time change with Germany was.
This week we will be playing Chile in a B-team vs B-team match.
I certainly don't expect a result, as not only are they stronger than us normally, but they will have much more depth.
It will be a good opportunity for those on the fringes, and future NT players to get a run on the field
I certainly don't expect a result, as not only are they stronger than us normally, but they will have much more depth.
It will be a good opportunity for those on the fringes, and future NT players to get a run on the field
As I do every season, here is a progression of how our team has gone since I first started managing the U21 squad, and a quick look at the health of our players coming through. A little late reporting this season, but close enough
So where are we now?
Users: 12 --> 13 --> 17 --> 20 -->20 --> 25 --> 33 --> 44 --> 18
Rank: 50 --> 54 --> 52 --> 60 --> 62 --> 60 --> 53 --> 51 --> 46
Rank points: 1587 --> 1554 --> 1598 -->1344 --> 1196 --> 1271 --> 1578 --> 1546 --> 1758
Average form: excellent --> excellent --> very good --> excellent --> Formidable --> Outstanding --> Outstanding --> Outstanding --> Outstanding
Average age: 19.9 --> 19.9 --> 19.5 --> 19.5 --> 19.3 --> 19.5 --> 19.6 --> 19.7 --> 19.4
Average value: 518 811 AU$ --> 373 570 AU$ --> 338 350 AU$ --> 352 310 AU$ --> 352 360 AU$ --> 497 530 AU$ --> 540 830 AU$ --> 643 110 AU$ --> 711 320 AU$
Total value: 19 714 800 AU$ --> 14 942 800 AU$ --> 13 534 000 AU$ --> 14 092 400 AU$ --> 14 094 400 AU$ --> 19 901 200 AU$ --> 21 633 200 AU$ --> 25 724 400 AU$ --> 28 452 800 AU$
So what do we see.
The users finally got cleaned up, so we are closer to the actual number of users in the country. This is pretty unchanged despite it looking like we have been cut in half.
Our rank really went up a lot last season, and given we are half way through our WCQ campaign we have done well to hold it up there.
The average age is down a little. Hard to tell if this was due to my selection process for the squad, or we have a bit of a lull at 21yos this season.
Our average and total value have gone up a bit. Initially I thought this was because I have a couple of extra keepers, but that doesn't explain it all, so really we have a younger age and higher values which is a great move in the right direction.
Despite the above numbers, I do feel that this years 1st XI isn't as strong as last seasons, but it's still much better than many we have had prior.
With all the work everyone has been putting in, we have really asserted ourselves as a low basket 3, high basket 4 team, and then with tactics and a bit of selecting the right teams to play in the off season, we become a basket 3 team.
It's been a great team effort with out average value being double that of what I started with (remembering the "1st season" was actually based on what we had available the season prior to me taking over
So where are we now?
Users: 12 --> 13 --> 17 --> 20 -->20 --> 25 --> 33 --> 44 --> 18
Rank: 50 --> 54 --> 52 --> 60 --> 62 --> 60 --> 53 --> 51 --> 46
Rank points: 1587 --> 1554 --> 1598 -->1344 --> 1196 --> 1271 --> 1578 --> 1546 --> 1758
Average form: excellent --> excellent --> very good --> excellent --> Formidable --> Outstanding --> Outstanding --> Outstanding --> Outstanding
Average age: 19.9 --> 19.9 --> 19.5 --> 19.5 --> 19.3 --> 19.5 --> 19.6 --> 19.7 --> 19.4
Average value: 518 811 AU$ --> 373 570 AU$ --> 338 350 AU$ --> 352 310 AU$ --> 352 360 AU$ --> 497 530 AU$ --> 540 830 AU$ --> 643 110 AU$ --> 711 320 AU$
Total value: 19 714 800 AU$ --> 14 942 800 AU$ --> 13 534 000 AU$ --> 14 092 400 AU$ --> 14 094 400 AU$ --> 19 901 200 AU$ --> 21 633 200 AU$ --> 25 724 400 AU$ --> 28 452 800 AU$
So what do we see.
The users finally got cleaned up, so we are closer to the actual number of users in the country. This is pretty unchanged despite it looking like we have been cut in half.
Our rank really went up a lot last season, and given we are half way through our WCQ campaign we have done well to hold it up there.
The average age is down a little. Hard to tell if this was due to my selection process for the squad, or we have a bit of a lull at 21yos this season.
Our average and total value have gone up a bit. Initially I thought this was because I have a couple of extra keepers, but that doesn't explain it all, so really we have a younger age and higher values which is a great move in the right direction.
Despite the above numbers, I do feel that this years 1st XI isn't as strong as last seasons, but it's still much better than many we have had prior.
With all the work everyone has been putting in, we have really asserted ourselves as a low basket 3, high basket 4 team, and then with tactics and a bit of selecting the right teams to play in the off season, we become a basket 3 team.
It's been a great team effort with out average value being double that of what I started with (remembering the "1st season" was actually based on what we had available the season prior to me taking over
B-TEAM VS CHILE
Below is the lineup against Chile this week.
It has been agreed that each team uses a B-Grade team.
I don't expect it to be a pretty scoreline, but it will be good to see some new faces on the pitch.
There are 10 players on debut in the squad.
1 Travis Choony GK
2 Perry Houston DEF
3 Vicenzo Klee DEF
4 Rory Groom DEF
5 Goran Kearton DEF
6 Morgan Santalab DEF
7 Brad Ferguson MID
8 Dustin Prentice MID
9 Kevin Ang MID
10 Anton Boyd ATT
11 Terje Parkinson ATT
12 Blair Whitley GK
13 Cael Wright ATT
14 Andrew Wilson MID
15 Kane Hodge DEF
16 Danny Laybutt DEF
Below is the lineup against Chile this week.
It has been agreed that each team uses a B-Grade team.
I don't expect it to be a pretty scoreline, but it will be good to see some new faces on the pitch.
There are 10 players on debut in the squad.
1 Travis Choony GK
2 Perry Houston DEF
3 Vicenzo Klee DEF
4 Rory Groom DEF
5 Goran Kearton DEF
6 Morgan Santalab DEF
7 Brad Ferguson MID
8 Dustin Prentice MID
9 Kevin Ang MID
10 Anton Boyd ATT
11 Terje Parkinson ATT
12 Blair Whitley GK
13 Cael Wright ATT
14 Andrew Wilson MID
15 Kane Hodge DEF
16 Danny Laybutt DEF
Great work G....punching above your weight. Keeps me interested in SK.
Nice win against the 4th ranked team in our group. 7:2.
Decided to give the out of form Crampton a longer go to see how he went despite terrible form.
Franklin came off the bench, and dominated for the time her was there.
We were without a number of our big guns due to cards and injury, so hopefully they return for our most important match to come.
Decided to give the out of form Crampton a longer go to see how he went despite terrible form.
Franklin came off the bench, and dominated for the time her was there.
We were without a number of our big guns due to cards and injury, so hopefully they return for our most important match to come.
Attempted to make something online that anyone can keep an eye on whenever I update my database (without giving away actual skills), but failed miserably.
Tried to make a simple way to group by underage groups that meant once I set it up, it wouldn't take much manual effort on my behalf.
So this is what you get, a screenshot of players with a subjective rating, sorted by rating.
Whilst rating may be an indication of strength, it isn't the only thing used in selection, the combination of skills as well as form also play a huge role.
Enjoy
Tried to make a simple way to group by underage groups that meant once I set it up, it wouldn't take much manual effort on my behalf.
So this is what you get, a screenshot of players with a subjective rating, sorted by rating.
Whilst rating may be an indication of strength, it isn't the only thing used in selection, the combination of skills as well as form also play a huge role.
Enjoy
What a pain Crampton has spent the entire season in awful form. Could have done some real damage this season. Hope Greenwood doesn’t do the same in future seasons.
Well out team had a good match against Germany today, and has had a very good world cup qualification campaign.
With our main striker being out of form all season, we did well winning all games against lower ranked sides, taking points off the #1 team in the group, and what should have been more points off Germany too if it wasn't for the sneaky change in start time.
Today's match went pretty much as expected but luckily it seems the German manager is still trying to learn tactics otherwise the result could have been a lot worse with the difference in skill levels between German u21 and Australian u21. Having monitored the market, their reserves which they have used the past few weeks against weaker WCQ teams, would walk right in to our side.
It was always going to be hard to go through or around a side with such high def skill (our number 1 striker could if in form), but I did my best to take advantage of some massive defensive holes many of his tactics have.
I was relieved they scored more than their first goal, which was very lucky, but their 2nd goal was quite nice, as was our one goal.
The aim for next season will be to hold our 3rd basket an continue to be a pain in the side for the top 2 teams at any WCQ.
Thank you to everyone who has been training players for the U21NT, if anyone has any suggestions on who they would like to see us play next season, or types of matches, I'm more than happy to try and set them up
With our main striker being out of form all season, we did well winning all games against lower ranked sides, taking points off the #1 team in the group, and what should have been more points off Germany too if it wasn't for the sneaky change in start time.
Today's match went pretty much as expected but luckily it seems the German manager is still trying to learn tactics otherwise the result could have been a lot worse with the difference in skill levels between German u21 and Australian u21. Having monitored the market, their reserves which they have used the past few weeks against weaker WCQ teams, would walk right in to our side.
It was always going to be hard to go through or around a side with such high def skill (our number 1 striker could if in form), but I did my best to take advantage of some massive defensive holes many of his tactics have.
I was relieved they scored more than their first goal, which was very lucky, but their 2nd goal was quite nice, as was our one goal.
The aim for next season will be to hold our 3rd basket an continue to be a pain in the side for the top 2 teams at any WCQ.
Thank you to everyone who has been training players for the U21NT, if anyone has any suggestions on who they would like to see us play next season, or types of matches, I'm more than happy to try and set them up
I think the fact they played a back 6 despite having the superior side is something you can take some positives from. Unfortunately, the match engine favours sides where their defenders have higher defense then opponents tech and higher pace then opponents. The amount of times mids pass backwards (sometimes through your own defense line if you yourself press) is kind of a flaw in the match engine. Would be nice if strikers realised they were offside and ran back to the onside mark or if midfielders were able to lob balls over the top into space for strikers to run onto. Defense may still retrieve the ball but then they might hoof it out thus destroying the press or at least giving slightly more options then currently.
Only way I see a press being beaten when you are the much weaker side is to play deeper which gives them territory but gives a chance for your midfielders to pierce their line. Alternatively you get creative and play a defender with tech and pace (or a mid with tech/pace/defender as the striker to tackle the defender and get a clean break.
Only way I see a press being beaten when you are the much weaker side is to play deeper which gives them territory but gives a chance for your midfielders to pierce their line. Alternatively you get creative and play a defender with tech and pace (or a mid with tech/pace/defender as the striker to tackle the defender and get a clean break.
Yeah it's definitely an issue but one that is fun to try to beat.
Generally I'd say our passing this match was better than most matches we play against similar-higher ranked sides. It looks to me like the match looks at the difference between the sides and adjusts how they play based on that. So when you play a weaker side, your team actually plays smarter and passes better, and then the exact same players will make silly decisions and not hit the side of a barn when against a stronger side.
Tactics obviously play a role too, which is probably why our MIDs did better than normal.
Looking forward to next season when we have MWC and hopefully Asian cup, which means we will be up against much more similar competition, except for the odd team who failed their WCQ campaign.
Generally I'd say our passing this match was better than most matches we play against similar-higher ranked sides. It looks to me like the match looks at the difference between the sides and adjusts how they play based on that. So when you play a weaker side, your team actually plays smarter and passes better, and then the exact same players will make silly decisions and not hit the side of a barn when against a stronger side.
Tactics obviously play a role too, which is probably why our MIDs did better than normal.
Looking forward to next season when we have MWC and hopefully Asian cup, which means we will be up against much more similar competition, except for the odd team who failed their WCQ campaign.
DEF pop -
Rory Groom, age: 20
club: Melbourne Mongrels, country: Australia
value : 466 000 AU$, wage: 3 680 AU$
brilliant [14] form, solid [8] tactical discipline
height: 177 cm, weight: 81 kg, BMI: 25.85
very good [9] stamina hopeless [1] keeper
outstanding [12] pace formidable [11] defender
good [7] technique solid [8] playmaker
adequate [6] passing poor [3] striker
Rory Groom, age: 20
club: Melbourne Mongrels, country: Australia
value : 466 000 AU$, wage: 3 680 AU$
brilliant [14] form, solid [8] tactical discipline
height: 177 cm, weight: 81 kg, BMI: 25.85
very good [9] stamina hopeless [1] keeper
outstanding [12] pace formidable [11] defender
good [7] technique solid [8] playmaker
adequate [6] passing poor [3] striker
Has the Comet stamp of approval written all over him :p. Definitely had a few gems from my ys in recent seasons that’s for sure. Good to see him getting good training as well.