Asunto: National Team U21

& to think I was in Malta for this match....the lone travelling supporter!! :(

Again, it was another match that we could well have won. Whilst I've only managed to win twice, we haven't been horribly smashed despite being outranked by most opposition. Certainly doesn't help the ranking points but we've at least been semi competitive. We're clearly lacking options but it's just a case of being persistent to get through the bad periods.

We take on Russia this week. They have agreed to use 3 U21's and the rest built of U20's and U19's whilst we have no restriction. We'll see how that goes.

Again suggestions and improvements are most welcome. I must apologise for not getting around to speaking directly regarding training but I still do intend to but I'll refrain from stating another time in case something else distracts me and I forget. I do intend to commence that this season, though I'm not sure it's going to do much good other than appear to be trying to achieve something that might not be achievable.

Injuries have murdered my training plans for Barnes, Budin, Jackovic this season - happy to switch to whatever suits the NT set up for this season (tech at the mo').
Have not pulled a decent youth since these guys. :(

Well we got a win that wasn't against Crna Gora :). We were still outrated but we finally took an opportunity which wasn't pretty but after the season we've been having I'll take anything that comes our way.

That should boost our ranking points back a little.

Well that makes me feel a lot better. Turns out they didn't stick to the arranged conditions as they fielded 6 21yo players when we agreed before the game it was to be a maximum of 3 21yo players. Therefore it appears like it was close to their strongest U21 side and they were in the U21 world cup earlier this season.

Still, is there anybody who keeps to their word these days when it comes to match arrangements :s.

too right...copped their right whack, I say!
well done.
(editado)

Jacko tech pop to brill (14)...NTDB updated.

:-)

That's what I like to see :).

We're taking on New Zealand U21's tonight (in an hour in fact). I'm quietly confident we should have the strength up front to win this. A few changes in the lineup this week more for tactical reasons then anything else.

nice win. :)

Starting to string some decent results together which is pleasing. Was getting frustrated at the narrow losses.

We take on Hungary's U20's tonight (well tomorrow morning our time). It's a good thing I checked the NTDB as I was able to pull out a few defenders to cover the loss of Durakovic (suspended), Hassan (injured and suspended) and Kamara (suspended). Disappointing thing is a defender which will play in tonights game should really be starting for us on a regular basis judging by skills but we didn't have him in the NTDB (well we did but he was one we lost accidentally).

Anyway, we've won 4 of the last 5 (NZ,Belgium,Russia and Montenegro) and I'm hoping we can pull off an upset here. I didn't see the point in playing someone around our strength with weaker ranking points, especially as I knew going into the game we were going to be down 3 defenders.

At least this way if we lose narrowly, we shouldn't lose too many points but a win could see us gain another 50pts and move us closer to the top 32.

Suggestions welcome, though at this late stage I'm pretty much finalised.
(editado)

I allowed their U20's on the basis that they'd get no higher than 50 avg marks. I could tell the way the match unfolded they were stronger than 50, and after checking the report they ended up with 56 plus. Never had a chance in the end, especially with 3 front line defenders out. We did well to restrict the damage to 2 goals.

Not too damaging at 0-2....& at least they stuck to the agreed U20. :)
Massive nation compared to us in SK terms, so you would expect their U20's to be more than ok.

Jacko striker pop to formid(11)....NTDB updated. :)

no game this week?