The NC Raiders are hurting! Can you help?

[Poli]

The Raiders are floating at fifth place, with a 2-2-1 record, despite some of our best NSI and star performances ever. We're in jeopardy of another loss this weekend.

Post your suggestions and thoughts below.

I'll answer one question before Horned can ask it.

I'm not changing my socks to puke green!

Your comments and suggestions are appreciated. I'll clear room in the VIP seats for any helpful posts.

By the way, thanks to all my supporters! I do appreciate it!

[The Afoci]

This is the best advice the Crawfish can give, score more than them! And buy cheap russian lasers when trying to build Crawfish with Laser Blasters instead of Claws!

[HornedFrog Purple]

Deport Jerome Bettis! :D

[NevStar]

Give up your blasphemous run-and-shoot, and cross over to the true formation, the 4-5-1.

[FrogMan]

Originally posted by NevStar
Give up your blasphemous run-and-shoot, and cross over to the true formation, the 4-5-1.

Yeah, come drink the kool-aid :)

FM

[condors]

4-5-1 is where its at :)

[Katon]

Well, if you won't change your socks to green, why not try orange?

Seriously, what ratings are your rivals putting up? If you're in fifth on merit, there isn't really that much to be said besides 'sign better players'. If there are weaker teams ahead of you, on the other hand, things are more interesting.

[HornedFrog Purple]

For some reason, I don't believe ardent is in any danger of dealing out any VIP seats.

Puke green socks = shutouts :)

[RonnieDobbs]

In both your league losses this season, you were outplayed on the midfield. Buy better midfielders/make 1 or 2 wingers towards middle to shore it up.

[Poli]

Ah, a few VIP seats to dole out. I have a solid playmaker still out for a week. Maybe things would have been a little different if he played.

The loss to DeathKnight, was well, sad. I totally outplayed him, with the exception of midfield. Too bad coach Matt Wing had to pay for it.

Based off the Hatstats, would you suggest normal or PIC against the Rage?

I'm in D4.43.

[Brillig]

Some observations:

Your next opponent has recently switched to a 3-4-3. If you can guess the side he's pulling the winger from next, go to an asymmetric 3-5-2 and pull the wingback from that side.

His best wb, Fjallin, seems to be in form trouble - put up 5 stars on 5/1, but only 3.5 on 5/5. I think that's more than just rain vs sunshine and a powerful special. He's in inad form right now - pray for another hit and sunshine on Sunday, and overload your attack on the left.

His midfield isn't much different from yours, but he plays his remaning winger offensive. You might get a valuable midfield edge by playing your right winger toward the middle.

If everything goes just right, you should end up with your best offense opposite his weak spot, your best defense against his best offense, and a small midfield edge. On the other hand, if everything goes wrong and it rains, I will disavow any knowledge of your actions...

This post will self-destruct in 5 seconds...

[Poli]

Very nice Brillig. Consider yourself a VIP at Raider Field any day. I'll even send you a Jerome Bettis bobble head and a "I Hate Toads" t-shirt!

[RonnieDobbs]

62 59 52 58 - His first four NSIs this season.

54 56 61 60 - Your first four NSIs this season.

His midfield seems to be on par with yours, at least as far as number of stars is concerned. He's also going with a 3-4-3 with 3 IM.

I think to PIC would mean a very possible loss. I'd go normal.

[Coffee Warlord]

Unless you are willing to cede the title of Mastah Run and Shoot to me, I suggest you ignore these fools preaching the Don't Score...Ever Offense.

I suggest beer. Kegs, imported, multiple.

[Poli]

How about kool aid?

I don't think I could ever change formations, CW, but the thought keeps crossing my mind.

However, I know my protege would be upset, so I'll never switch. I'm like June Jones. I'll live and die with that run and shoot.

[Coffee Warlord]

Sooner or later the apprentice will become the master. Oh yes. :)

[Poli]

Right. You may want to work on your Jerome Bettis quals, though.:)

[Coffee Warlord]

I scoff at Jerome Bettis, for we have the Vikings.

Inge (Norway), Loven (Sweden), and Guinot (Denmark)

[Poli]

Yeah, but do you have a guy named Arrington?

[HornedFrog Purple]

Jerome Bettis should be deported. He is obviously a NFL ringer, I cant believe the hattrick gods havent banned him.

Oh and the duck and chuck will fall to the sniping ability of the uber 4-5-1.

Offense gets chicks, defense wins games.

[Coffee Warlord]

No, but I have a guy named Howie.

[daedalus]

I believe you have angered the Hattrick Gods by not providing us with updates in your dynasty.

That aside, I don't think there's a whole lot you can do with the G-stars. They were a thorn in your side last season as well. Perhaps it's time one of the scorers goes toward funding a midfield upgrade as Ronnie said?

I, uhh, second giving the puke green socks a try.

[sterlingice]

*pledges undying support to the run-and-shoot*

I'm one run further down the totem pole as I'm a disciple of both ardent and CW. Keep the faith, brothers!

ardent- I had a huge project due yesteday (...and last night I went, turned it in for class at 5:30, went saw X2, and collapsed on my bed at around 11pm until waking up at noon today) so I'll get to your email tonight. Tho, it may be late, but I've noticed you're always up to answering email at 5 in the morning Central time anyways. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten and it doesn't look like I have to remind you that these *spit* 4-5-1ers are mouthbreathers.

SI

[Raven Hawk]

Different strategies against different teams. Make sure you have a good rounded squad that you can sub in some offense or defense depending on the team that you are playing.

Need to protect against that star winger? Just put a defensive winger on him. Need to boost your midfield? How about trying a forward defensive?

Don't abadon the 3-4-3, but make sure that you have enough experience in at least two other formations (3-5-2 and 4-4-2) to throw the other person off guard.

But that being said. You need good midfielders . . .

[Poli]

Thanks for all the help guys. I got my shutout by changing my socks...which I swore I wouldn't do...and by the suggestions I received from all of you.

Thanks for my first ever passable rating in the midfield!