national players and set pieces
 

this topic somewhat came up on the usa national forums, but i thought we could expand on it here.

basically what do you think about set piece skills for national players?

obviously you dont need a team full of them, but if you ran the national team (or in ae's he doesnt have to pretend) would you consider a lower primary skilled player with high set piece over a higher primary skilled player?

personally, i think its a good idea. it probably depends on the exact make up of the team, but you can figure usually a goal chance or two per game involves set pieces. on my own team, i have a 19 year old with divine set pieces. he has passable defense, but he still starts for me over a few excellent defenders because i want the set pieces skill. but in this case, would you put the guy on a u20 team? i dont think i would, but its definately a decision worth thinking over.

anyone else have any input?

funny thing is that I ask this every season at election time, but no one really take me seriously.

What do you mean I don't have to pretend? I can have dreams, can't I?

i meant you dont have to pretend because you are the national trainer :) see, you are so used to hateraide that you dont even recognize when you are getting a compliment ;)

You got to be kidding me! I'm the national trainer??

Yeah, it's kindof disappointing, actually. I'd trade 2 levels of primary skill on something like a winger or defender for world class+ set pieces. That said, I'm also no natty team manager.

SI

yeah, winger or defender are probably the only 2 positions i would do this on as well SI. defenders get support from the keeper in their rating, and wingers get support from the forwards in theirs.
it probably isnt worth the skill trade off in any other position in my opinion.

I am experimenting now. I have a scoring trainee, 18, with brilliant SP.... I'm hoping to get him up to at least Mag scoring in a few seasons... I may train a week or two of SP in the offseason, so he might go up in the SP skill too.... I was thinking he might fetch some good $$ someday, but if I switch training I might just have to keep him. He tears up the friendlies!