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MalcPow · 07-12-2006, 05:16 PM

The Squad

We'll probably have a few more additions trickle in over time leading up to the end of the transfer window. But here's a look at our squad ahead of our first meaningful game, an Italian Cup Qualifying showdown with Serie B side Pescara.

Keepers

Radoslaw Janukiewicz - A youngster we discovered in the previous dynasty, and I couldn't help but bring him in again for 12k (all numbers are in euros). He's a 20 year old Polish U21 player, and he's got a solid set of skills for this level of play. He doesn't appear to be quite the prospect he was previously, but at 6'4" and with great reflexes, he'll get the job done. He's a little weak with some of the mental aspects right now (with his concentration and composure being big concerns) but we're hoping he'll mature in those areas as time goes on.

Gennaro Iezzo - This 32 year old veteran Italian has passable skills, but also some holes. I don't feel completely uncomfortable with having him in the lineup, but he's never going to be better than he is right now, and that's barely good enough. We'll call him competent, but he's our backup.

Defenders

Haraldur Freyr Guðmundsson - Or Haraldo as the fans have already taken to calling him, is 23 year old Icelandic DC that our scouts discovered in their Scandinavian travels. We were able to pick him up for 12k and he made his debut in our recent friendly loss at Cremonese. Regardless, I'm excited to have him. He's an anchor in our central defense, shoring up, at least somewhat, our biggest squad weakness. He's strong in the air, has good pace (12-13), is technically sound, and won't be pushed off of too many balls. Bringing him in makes me much more comfortable in trying to implement my usual high defensive line, shorten the field tactics. He's going to be able to win the long balls forward and should be able to deal with the pace of most players at this level.

Andrea Briotti - He's a 19 year old Italian DLC, on loan from Roma for the season. He's solid in the air, and has a good set of all-around skills. We'll pair him up with HFG and the two will form the foundation of a nice backline. I feel much more comfortable with him as my "complementary" DC than I did when he seemed to be our only truly passable option.

Gianluca Grava - A 29 year old Italian DRC, Grava will play rightback for us, but if injuries force it, he can move inside and hold his own. I like the veteran presence that he brings and his maturity in some of the mental ratings will help us stay focused.

Mirko Savini - A 27 year old Italian DL, he gives us another veteran fullback manning the left side. He has the skills to push forward and put some good crosses in, but our system will play more to his also solid tackling and positioning abilities. We could certainly upgrade either of our fullback positions, but we're more than covered on both sides with Grava and Savini.

All of our defensive depth is either old and slow, or young and questionable. We can probably handle one injury at a time, but if two or more of these guys get hurt, we will be seriously vulnerable. I'll be looking to find another player or two if I can, but we may simply end up rolling the dice and hoping for the best. Our money will most likely be better spent on a midfield difference maker, so we'll have to make do at the back.

Midfield

Ivano Trotta - He's a 27 year old Italian MR and he'll be running up and down the right wing for us this season. I like the determination and leadership he brings to the table, and for a recent signing he does seem to have a lot of influence at the club. I'm not going to ask too much of him offensively, but he looks to have the skills to provide the occasional spark

Mariano Bogliaccino - He's a 25 year old Uruguayan ML and he has the physical and technical abilities to do everything we'll need. He's a player I know I can count on for some exciting runs and some well-placed crosses. He also has a few clubs interested in him, which makes a little wary. I was forced to sell him in my previous career. We'll keep our eye on his attitude as time goes on.

Francesco Montervino - He's another veteran Italian, listed as a DM but he plays more like an AM I've noticed, and has nice skills for either role. I think he is a solid player that I don't mind having on the pitch, but right now he's our best central midfielder, and I'd like an upgrade.

Patrik Stahl - Another favorite from the other dynasty, he's a 19 year old AMC from Sweden that cost us 3k. He has some potential, and a decent skillset, but he's very determined and plays above his ratings for me. He's another guy that I don't mind seeing on the pitch, but he's not someone that is going to thrive as our main guy in the middle. He'll grow quickly, but not if I ask too much of him. He also looks like he has the potential to be pretty versatile, so I'm training him as an MR as well.

Cataldo Montesanto - An older Italian DMRC, who is on the back end of his career. He still has the drive, and a good deal of stamina, but he's lost a step or two and gets by mostly on grit. He'll see the pitch occasionally, and even play a little rightback if we're in a bind, but he's more of a mature lockerroom presence than anything else.

Nicolas Amodio - A 23 year old DM on loan from Inter, Amodio is a great passer and possesses adequate other skills. I'm comfortable giving him playing time, but again, he's not going to be our midfield difference maker.

Forwards

Roberto Sosa - Our captain, a 30 year old Argentinian Striker, he's basically what makes us tick. A great finisher, he's less flashy than our other two good strikers, but his ability to win the long balls forward in the air makes everyone around him better. If he's out for any extended period of time we'll probably still be winning games, but we'll be prone to letdowns and laziness.

Inacio Pia - A 23 year old Brazilian, he's quick and talented, and has a good deal of flair. He'd start on any other team in this division but he'll come off the bench for us.

Emanuele Calaio - 23 year old Italian, he and Pia are somewhat similar with Calaio being a little better in the air. Calaio will start along Sosa simply because they seem to work well together, and Pia seems to relish the role of coming on in the 60th minute to make something happen. Any of these three are immensely talented for this level of play.

07-12-2006, 05:16 PM	#3
MalcPow College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Diego	The Squad We'll probably have a few more additions trickle in over time leading up to the end of the transfer window. But here's a look at our squad ahead of our first meaningful game, an Italian Cup Qualifying showdown with Serie B side Pescara. *Keepers* Radoslaw Janukiewicz - A youngster we discovered in the previous dynasty, and I couldn't help but bring him in again for 12k (all numbers are in euros). He's a 20 year old Polish U21 player, and he's got a solid set of skills for this level of play. He doesn't appear to be quite the prospect he was previously, but at 6'4" and with great reflexes, he'll get the job done. He's a little weak with some of the mental aspects right now (with his concentration and composure being big concerns) but we're hoping he'll mature in those areas as time goes on. Gennaro Iezzo - This 32 year old veteran Italian has passable skills, but also some holes. I don't feel completely uncomfortable with having him in the lineup, but he's never going to be better than he is right now, and that's barely good enough. We'll call him competent, but he's our backup. *Defenders* Haraldur Freyr Guðmundsson - Or Haraldo as the fans have already taken to calling him, is 23 year old Icelandic DC that our scouts discovered in their Scandinavian travels. We were able to pick him up for 12k and he made his debut in our recent friendly loss at Cremonese. Regardless, I'm excited to have him. He's an anchor in our central defense, shoring up, at least somewhat, our biggest squad weakness. He's strong in the air, has good pace (12-13), is technically sound, and won't be pushed off of too many balls. Bringing him in makes me much more comfortable in trying to implement my usual high defensive line, shorten the field tactics. He's going to be able to win the long balls forward and should be able to deal with the pace of most players at this level. Andrea Briotti - He's a 19 year old Italian DLC, on loan from Roma for the season. He's solid in the air, and has a good set of all-around skills. We'll pair him up with HFG and the two will form the foundation of a nice backline. I feel much more comfortable with him as my "complementary" DC than I did when he seemed to be our only truly passable option. Gianluca Grava - A 29 year old Italian DRC, Grava will play rightback for us, but if injuries force it, he can move inside and hold his own. I like the veteran presence that he brings and his maturity in some of the mental ratings will help us stay focused. Mirko Savini - A 27 year old Italian DL, he gives us another veteran fullback manning the left side. He has the skills to push forward and put some good crosses in, but our system will play more to his also solid tackling and positioning abilities. We could certainly upgrade either of our fullback positions, but we're more than covered on both sides with Grava and Savini. All of our defensive depth is either old and slow, or young and questionable. We can probably handle one injury at a time, but if two or more of these guys get hurt, we will be seriously vulnerable. I'll be looking to find another player or two if I can, but we may simply end up rolling the dice and hoping for the best. Our money will most likely be better spent on a midfield difference maker, so we'll have to make do at the back. *Midfield* Ivano Trotta - He's a 27 year old Italian MR and he'll be running up and down the right wing for us this season. I like the determination and leadership he brings to the table, and for a recent signing he does seem to have a lot of influence at the club. I'm not going to ask too much of him offensively, but he looks to have the skills to provide the occasional spark Mariano Bogliaccino - He's a 25 year old Uruguayan ML and he has the physical and technical abilities to do everything we'll need. He's a player I know I can count on for some exciting runs and some well-placed crosses. He also has a few clubs interested in him, which makes a little wary. I was forced to sell him in my previous career. We'll keep our eye on his attitude as time goes on. Francesco Montervino - He's another veteran Italian, listed as a DM but he plays more like an AM I've noticed, and has nice skills for either role. I think he is a solid player that I don't mind having on the pitch, but right now he's our best central midfielder, and I'd like an upgrade. Patrik Stahl - Another favorite from the other dynasty, he's a 19 year old AMC from Sweden that cost us 3k. He has some potential, and a decent skillset, but he's very determined and plays above his ratings for me. He's another guy that I don't mind seeing on the pitch, but he's not someone that is going to thrive as our main guy in the middle. He'll grow quickly, but not if I ask too much of him. He also looks like he has the potential to be pretty versatile, so I'm training him as an MR as well. Cataldo Montesanto - An older Italian DMRC, who is on the back end of his career. He still has the drive, and a good deal of stamina, but he's lost a step or two and gets by mostly on grit. He'll see the pitch occasionally, and even play a little rightback if we're in a bind, but he's more of a mature lockerroom presence than anything else. Nicolas Amodio - A 23 year old DM on loan from Inter, Amodio is a great passer and possesses adequate other skills. I'm comfortable giving him playing time, but again, he's not going to be our midfield difference maker. *Forwards* Roberto Sosa - Our captain, a 30 year old Argentinian Striker, he's basically what makes us tick. A great finisher, he's less flashy than our other two good strikers, but his ability to win the long balls forward in the air makes everyone around him better. If he's out for any extended period of time we'll probably still be winning games, but we'll be prone to letdowns and laziness. Inacio Pia - A 23 year old Brazilian, he's quick and talented, and has a good deal of flair. He'd start on any other team in this division but he'll come off the bench for us. Emanuele Calaio - 23 year old Italian, he and Pia are somewhat similar with Calaio being a little better in the air. Calaio will start along Sosa simply because they seem to work well together, and Pia seems to relish the role of coming on in the 60th minute to make something happen. Any of these three are immensely talented for this level of play.