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Greyfriars Bobby · 04-09-2020, 08:53 PM

30 July 2016

As the first matchday in the 2016/17 USS Mid-Atlantic Premier League programme approaches, it's time to look at the squad I've been able to assemble.

My assistant manager, Adam Whitehead, provides the star ratings. For our level, Adam isn't too bad at evaluating talent (6 for Judging Player Ability, 7 for Judging Player Potential).

Goalkeepers

Both our 'keepers are young and very, very raw. Cerda is a slightly better shot stopper, while Vaughan understands the game better. I'm looking for an upgrade here, but he's not easy to find.

Full Backs

When I arrived at the club, there wasn't a right or left back in the senior team. My first priority was finding some.

Greene played for Silver Spring in Patriot League One (a level higher than we are) last year, but he was released at the end of the season. He's quite good for our level. Moose, whom I picked up from Wake Forest after they were relegated to the lower leagues, is a hard-working player whose long flat throw will be a fun weapon to have on set pieces.

If any full backs at our level can push forward and join the attack effectively, Greene and Moose can. What this means is that their attributes for Crossing and Dribbling are higher than 1.

Tiny Cross and diligent Benítez are the backups. Martínez is a much, much better center back, so you'll meet him in a moment.

Center Backs

Martínez is tough and plays with an attitude, as evidenced by the 10 yellow cards he was shown last season. He'll start at center half, paired with the promising Poll. Ideally, I'd like to find a more polished player here, one who's comfortable enough on the ball to play it out from the back. I'm not holding my breath.

Rodgers and O'Sullivan struggled to keep up in limited duty last year, but Andy looked decent during our preseason friendlies.

Central Midfielders

I want to play with a defensive midfielder shielding my back four, and we had nobody in the team who had ever played that position. I lured Webster away from Lynchburg with the promise of more playing time. A natural leader with a high degree of professionalism, he'd be our captain if he weren't 15 years old. Kim, a former Morgantown man, has many of the same qualities, but not to quite as high a level.

I really like our central midfield pair. Acosta is very athletic and diligent; his mental game needs work, but he's 17 years old. Callahan is the more creative player, as evidenced by his four goals and 11 assists last season. Wood and Gomez provide depth.

Wide Midfielders

Flores is fairly quick and flashy. He'll start on the left wing, and I've awarded him the captain's arm band. Mathers and Harvey have battled throughout the preseason for the other wide midfield spot. Dan is a tricky dribbler, while Jim has a better nose for goal. My assistant is very high on Mathers' potential.

Again, we have two young reserves here, Jones and Parker.

Center Forwards

Schrader is clearly the man. He scored 10 goals for Founders last season, and knocked in four more in five preseason appearances. He's as good in the air as you'd expect a 6'6" striker to be, and he's also surprisingly deft with his feet.

I like Wong, too. He's got a great attitude, a deft touch on the ball, and the ability to finish. He has lots of promise.

Final Thoughts
I was able to solve the team's biggest problem during July: the absolute lack of wide defenders. Finding a pair of DMs was also a plus. I like the fact that this database is set up in such a way I can't bring in players from all over the Country. Realistically, nobody would move from Kansas to Virginia to play football for $120 a game, and players don't do it in my football world, either.

I have had to open up the coffers to keep a few of the Founders from leaving for nearby clubs, though. I gave Schrader and Callahan big raises to keep them in Charlottesville. Fortunately, I was able to do so. And, I still have more money to spend if I find players I'd like to hire.

Chapel Hill Rams were relegated from Patriot League One last year, and the oddsmakers have tipped them to go right back up again. Charleston Timbers, another relegated club, and last year's runners up, Wilmington Iron Pigs, also look better than the rest of the teams in our division. Meanwhile, we're picked to battle against relegation with Dundalk Conestogas, Bristol Speed, and Rocky Mount Rapids. All those clubs were promoted from the lower leagues. Frederick County Hessians and Go Ahead Dover return for another season in the Mid-Atlantic Premier.

Fortunately, our board aren't expecting me to do anything more than avoid the drop, while we win a cup match here and there.

04-09-2020, 08:53 PM	#3
Greyfriars Bobby College Prospect Join Date: Sep 2013	30 July 2016 As the first matchday in the 2016/17 USS Mid-Atlantic Premier League programme approaches, it's time to look at the squad I've been able to assemble. My assistant manager, Adam Whitehead, provides the star ratings. For our level, Adam isn't too bad at evaluating talent (6 for Judging Player Ability, 7 for Judging Player Potential). Goalkeepers Both our 'keepers are young and very, very raw. Cerda is a slightly better shot stopper, while Vaughan understands the game better. I'm looking for an upgrade here, but he's not easy to find. Full Backs When I arrived at the club, there wasn't a right or left back in the senior team. My first priority was finding some. Greene played for Silver Spring in Patriot League One (a level higher than we are) last year, but he was released at the end of the season. He's quite good for our level. Moose, whom I picked up from Wake Forest after they were relegated to the lower leagues, is a hard-working player whose long flat throw will be a fun weapon to have on set pieces. If any full backs at our level can push forward and join the attack effectively, Greene and Moose can. What this means is that their attributes for Crossing and Dribbling are higher than 1. Tiny Cross and diligent Benítez are the backups. Martínez is a much, much better center back, so you'll meet him in a moment. Center Backs Martínez is tough and plays with an attitude, as evidenced by the 10 yellow cards he was shown last season. He'll start at center half, paired with the promising Poll. Ideally, I'd like to find a more polished player here, one who's comfortable enough on the ball to play it out from the back. I'm not holding my breath. Rodgers and O'Sullivan struggled to keep up in limited duty last year, but Andy looked decent during our preseason friendlies. Central Midfielders I want to play with a defensive midfielder shielding my back four, and we had nobody in the team who had ever played that position. I lured Webster away from Lynchburg with the promise of more playing time. A natural leader with a high degree of professionalism, he'd be our captain if he weren't 15 years old. Kim, a former Morgantown man, has many of the same qualities, but not to quite as high a level. I really like our central midfield pair. Acosta is very athletic and diligent; his mental game needs work, but he's 17 years old. Callahan is the more creative player, as evidenced by his four goals and 11 assists last season. Wood and Gomez provide depth. Wide Midfielders Flores is fairly quick and flashy. He'll start on the left wing, and I've awarded him the captain's arm band. Mathers and Harvey have battled throughout the preseason for the other wide midfield spot. Dan is a tricky dribbler, while Jim has a better nose for goal. My assistant is very high on Mathers' potential. Again, we have two young reserves here, Jones and Parker. Center Forwards Schrader is clearly the man. He scored 10 goals for Founders last season, and knocked in four more in five preseason appearances. He's as good in the air as you'd expect a 6'6" striker to be, and he's also surprisingly deft with his feet. I like Wong, too. He's got a great attitude, a deft touch on the ball, and the ability to finish. He has lots of promise. Final Thoughts I was able to solve the team's biggest problem during July: the absolute lack of wide defenders. Finding a pair of DMs was also a plus. I like the fact that this database is set up in such a way I can't bring in players from all over the Country. Realistically, nobody would move from Kansas to Virginia to play football for $120 a game, and players don't do it in my football world, either. I have had to open up the coffers to keep a few of the Founders from leaving for nearby clubs, though. I gave Schrader and Callahan big raises to keep them in Charlottesville. Fortunately, I was able to do so. And, I still have more money to spend if I find players I'd like to hire. Chapel Hill Rams were relegated from Patriot League One last year, and the oddsmakers have tipped them to go right back up again. Charleston Timbers, another relegated club, and last year's runners up, Wilmington Iron Pigs, also look better than the rest of the teams in our division. Meanwhile, we're picked to battle against relegation with Dundalk Conestogas, Bristol Speed, and Rocky Mount Rapids. All those clubs were promoted from the lower leagues. Frederick County Hessians and Go Ahead Dover return for another season in the Mid-Atlantic Premier. Fortunately, our board aren't expecting me to do anything more than avoid the drop, while we win a cup match here and there.