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This is certainly true, which is why I was happy that The Mogul was able to work with me to identify some prospects to save towards the end of this past season. However, I would suggest that Moran was more the exception rather than the rule. A couple of points:

1) This would only be true for a C. For a C you can get away with training 3 skills, so they can in general improve quite quickly, provided they have the potential to do so.

2) If I am being completely honest, Moran is great but I am not sure he is the best ever U21 centre. Sure, he has the highest salary ever for a C on Canada's U21 (I will take your word for it), but I am sure that has more to do with the recent salary increase than anything else. Given the same game shape, I would have likely started Spencer over Moran at the same points in their respective careers.

3) I personally hope we never see another U21 talent pool like this.

So... While I agree with you in principle, if a U21 manager is pressed for time at the end of the season, I would like to see looking for players to save at the bottom of his priority list.

Last edited by HeadPaperPusher at 3/24/2010 1:18:46 PM

Actually, just called Moran up to confirm and it turns out I was wrong. He is a fair bit better than Spencer was at the same time last season.

then sorry

i m dropping out and never tring to be canadas u21 manager

u have my vote

There have been some very nice words on my behalf in this thread so far, and I'd like to thank everyone that has offered encouragement and support. I also really like how many voices have appeared in this thread; it's good to see many different managers asking questions here, and/or making comments. Hopefully over the next few days, the discussion will continue to grow and move in some good directions.

At the moment, there are a couple of comments/questions that I haven't responded to yet, and that I'd like to say a few things about:

@DonutDunker; hypothetical tactics for a U21 game
There was a question about presenting a sample game plan, for a hypothetical game against Portugal. For Many different reasons, I won't attempt to provide a game plan here. However, I do think that it may be worthwhile to give a glimpse at my thought process, when it comes to preparing for games.

With my league team, I approach every season by looking at the schedule as a whole. I try to work out my general chances for winning each game, try to identify which games I "should" win, and look for openings that might help me steal certain games against stronger teams. At the start of each new game week, expectations are adjusted in light of changes to game shape, rosters (inuries, etc.), and enthusiasm. At the U21 level, I would also plan around the season as a whole, in an effort to get the best possible end results. I'm sure that many managers in BB also approach things this way, but I thought I would write a little bit about my own thoughts here.

In terms of preparation for particular games, I have written my thoughts about many National team games in the past. These posts can mainly be found on the Canadian off-site forum. This forum in run by the current National Team manager, Rip, and I think it would be great if more Canadian managers joined and participated.

@jsmythjsmyth: prospect's chances of making team, such as Sylvain Milot
If anyone would like to hear my thoughts about a particular prospect, and their general outlook in terms of the U21 team, then I'd be happy to answer any BB-Mails you'd like to send. I was involved with U21 scouting this previous season, and am familiar with the overall player pool.

Last edited by The Mogul at 3/24/2010 7:43:00 PM

well, throwing my name into the ring didn't draw much attention. i see there are 3 good solid younger managers with their names in now, so i will bow out gracefully.

i have not decided yet who will get my vote, greerzilla, the mogul, or O-Rod at this point. good luck to all.

Somehow I missed your candidacy. It is too bad you are bowing out. It would have made for an extremely interesting campaign, although I have to say it is already quite interesting.

i had thrown my name in the mix yesterday after not seeing much competition early on in the campaign. but there's a few good managers in the run now so that's good. i can spend more time coaching my own kids this spring and summer then.

Ok, time to respond on the SF and role player issue.

I believe that we are in good shape at SF thanks to my own player Numbers Ali! He's a well rounded player and very good defender both inside and on the perimeter as well as being a good shooter and a good passer. The Mogul and I have spoken about him and its likely that he starts at SF regardless of who becomes manager.

As for role players I also think that there is a place for defensive specialists on the team and I wouldn't mind having a 3pt specialist at hand for times when we can expose a team on the perimeter. Obviously this player would have to have decent other skills too or he might become a liability for the team which is something that can't happen.

There was also a question about own players on the U21 team. And yes if I was to be elected manager there would be one of my own players on the team. I don't really think it is much of an issue though as it is not like he is a fringe player and I belive that he would be starter under most other managers. There is a slight chance that one of my other trainees, Paul Gaize might make the team at some point, but again he is a very good player and I doubt that it would cause much contraversy. If there were other mangers that did have questions about my players in the team I would be more than happy to answer them and if there was pressure on me to remove my player from the team then I would (we are a democracy after all!).

I believe that we are in good shape at SF thanks to my own player Numbers Ali!

So are you saying that in your opinion Ali should always start?

Ali is a pretty solid option at SF in certain scenarios but he has his strengths and weaknesses. He is far from an all-rounded SF, at least in my opinion.