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Greyfriars Bobby · 11-08-2020, 09:17 PM

11 August 2017

AFC Winterhoven has completed their preseason, and the Eredivisie campaign is about to begin. Let's meet the players we've selected for our first team.

Goalkeepers
Our player budget was half the size of the one we had when Ajax was our "model" club, so we had to spend more carefully. We wanted a commanding presence in goal, so we splashed some cash to acquire veteran gloveman de Jong. He's a confident, technically adept goalkeeper who is comfortable as a sweeper keeper.

A cruciate ligament injury to our backup 'keeper caused us to look for a replacement two weeks ago. We noticed one of our newly-hired goalkeeping coaches had a goalkeeper for a son, plying his trade at Odds Ballklub in the Norwegian Premier Division. For €500,000, we brought Langerud into the team. He's a fine heir apparent for de Jong, good enough now to see action as our cup keeper.

Full Backs
Maas is a versatile young player who can fill a variety of roles, but we're using him as our first team right back. He is a threat going forward, while remaining responsible in his own end. Deur and Larsson are also available here; Larsson is an especially promising young player with a professional attitude.

Left back van Ottele is a stronger, more powerful version of Maas, but he's just as skillful with the ball at his feet. Van Leeuwen is a very capable option here, and so is Zagler.

Center Backs
Van Schijndel is probably our best player, a full international at age 18. He's fast, powerful, and comfortable on the ball. Robin is one of our two biggest earners, on €10,250/week, and I think he'll be worth every penny.

Robin is more comfortable on the right side. His partner will be either Vansteenkiste or Zagler. The former is a veteran who can also play effectively as a midfielder, while the latter is a cultured youngster with a lot of upside.

Erlingsson, a rugged, no-nonsense center half, is an extremely good reserve option who is part of the Iceland setup. Duman provides cover here, as well as at full back or as a defensive midfielder.

Defensive Midfielders
Our preferred 4-3-3 formation (4-1-2-3 DM in the game) uses a holding midfielder in front of the back four. We have several choices here, depending on whether we want a defensive destroyer or a more creative player.

Knoop, our club captain, provides a good mix of both styles. He's a confident playmaker who can also offer some defensive steel. Vansteenkiste gives us a stronger defensive presence, as does Duman.

Then there's Solheim, an extremely talented prospect who might make his international debut this fall. While he's probably not quite as good right now as some of our other options, his potential is off the charts.

Central Midfielders
You've already met some of the players we might employ in the other two spots in the middle of the park. Knoop can do a job there, and so can Solheim.

Meijer will certainly be part of the picture, too. His vision and technical ability are rare in a player his age; if he were a more dedicated defender, he'd be a perfect midfielder.

When we were picking our squad, we searched for players who fit the roles we wanted to use. One of our central midfielders needed to be an especially creative force, so we looked for an Advanced Playmaker. We usually looked for younger players, but one Italian footballer, age 37, caught our eye. His name was Daniele Damiani.

Blake looked at me. "That's the 'fake' Andrea Pirlo,"he declared. We quickly snapped him up. He cost us almost none of our squad-building funds...even better!

About a week into the game, the regenerated face that Fake Pirlo had been given disappeared. In its place was the portrait of Andrea himself! It's the only time I've ever seen a "real" picture appear in a "fake names" game.

Damiani can't, or won't run. He shows very little interest when the other team has the ball. His work rate is abysmal. I'm sure Daniele paid more attention to those aspects of his game as a younger man, but those days are gone. What he can do now is read the game with uncanny accuracy, spray passes all over the park, and deliver set pieces exactly where he wants them. It won't be a long ride, but it might be a fun one.

Wide Midfielders
On paper, our wingers don't look like anything special. They're very well suited to their roles, however, and they were productive during our preseason friendlies.

Jansen will usually start on the right side. He's a shifty dribbler with decent pace, and he assisted on seven goals in seven preseason appearances. On the left, Meulensteen asserted his claim on the starting spot with a vengeance, scoring seven times. When he plays on the wing, he likes to drift in on his favored right foot. He's also adept at playing behind the striker as a no. 10.

Another young Norwegian, Rygg, can do a job on either wing. So can de Haas, an even more promising young wide man; he's probably going to be the best of the lot one day.

Center Forwards
The team's best front man is the Great Dane, Kristensen. Like the dog, he's big, strong, fast, and dependable. At age 28, he's at his peak. Kleijn will also see considerable action. He's even more formidable than Kristensen, but not as agile. Both strikers are clinical finishers, and they're both adept at playing in their teammates.

If there's one place we're still looking for a player, it's here. I'd like to find a pacey young striker who is ready for first team duty.

Final Thoughts

We're predicted to fit comfortably into a group of four teams at the top of the Eredivisie. Five Dutch clubs will qualify for European competition, and the board expect us to be among them. That should be an achievable goal for us.

The team we've assembled is a young one; several of its stars--van Schijndel, Zagler, Meijer, Maas--are in their teens, or just out of them. Not far behind those players are a number of others, not quite ready to be first team regulars, but every bit as promising.

I'll introduce you to Winterhoven B and the Under 19s soon.

11-08-2020, 09:17 PM	#20
Greyfriars Bobby College Prospect Join Date: Sep 2013	11 August 2017 AFC Winterhoven has completed their preseason, and the Eredivisie campaign is about to begin. Let's meet the players we've selected for our first team. Goalkeepers Our player budget was half the size of the one we had when Ajax was our "model" club, so we had to spend more carefully. We wanted a commanding presence in goal, so we splashed some cash to acquire veteran gloveman de Jong. He's a confident, technically adept goalkeeper who is comfortable as a sweeper keeper. A cruciate ligament injury to our backup 'keeper caused us to look for a replacement two weeks ago. We noticed one of our newly-hired goalkeeping coaches had a goalkeeper for a son, plying his trade at Odds Ballklub in the Norwegian Premier Division. For €500,000, we brought Langerud into the team. He's a fine heir apparent for de Jong, good enough now to see action as our cup keeper. Full Backs Maas is a versatile young player who can fill a variety of roles, but we're using him as our first team right back. He is a threat going forward, while remaining responsible in his own end. Deur and Larsson are also available here; Larsson is an especially promising young player with a professional attitude. Left back van Ottele is a stronger, more powerful version of Maas, but he's just as skillful with the ball at his feet. Van Leeuwen is a very capable option here, and so is Zagler. Center Backs Van Schijndel is probably our best player, a full international at age 18. He's fast, powerful, and comfortable on the ball. Robin is one of our two biggest earners, on €10,250/week, and I think he'll be worth every penny. Robin is more comfortable on the right side. His partner will be either Vansteenkiste or Zagler. The former is a veteran who can also play effectively as a midfielder, while the latter is a cultured youngster with a lot of upside. Erlingsson, a rugged, no-nonsense center half, is an extremely good reserve option who is part of the Iceland setup. Duman provides cover here, as well as at full back or as a defensive midfielder. Defensive Midfielders Our preferred 4-3-3 formation (4-1-2-3 DM in the game) uses a holding midfielder in front of the back four. We have several choices here, depending on whether we want a defensive destroyer or a more creative player. Knoop, our club captain, provides a good mix of both styles. He's a confident playmaker who can also offer some defensive steel. Vansteenkiste gives us a stronger defensive presence, as does Duman. Then there's Solheim, an extremely talented prospect who might make his international debut this fall. While he's probably not quite as good right now as some of our other options, his potential is off the charts. Central Midfielders You've already met some of the players we might employ in the other two spots in the middle of the park. Knoop can do a job there, and so can Solheim. Meijer will certainly be part of the picture, too. His vision and technical ability are rare in a player his age; if he were a more dedicated defender, he'd be a perfect midfielder. When we were picking our squad, we searched for players who fit the roles we wanted to use. One of our central midfielders needed to be an especially creative force, so we looked for an Advanced Playmaker. We usually looked for younger players, but one Italian footballer, age 37, caught our eye. His name was Daniele Damiani. Blake looked at me. "That's the 'fake' Andrea Pirlo,"he declared. We quickly snapped him up. He cost us almost none of our squad-building funds...even better! About a week into the game, the regenerated face that Fake Pirlo had been given disappeared. In its place was the portrait of Andrea himself! It's the only time I've ever seen a "real" picture appear in a "fake names" game. Damiani can't, or won't run. He shows very little interest when the other team has the ball. His work rate is abysmal. I'm sure Daniele paid more attention to those aspects of his game as a younger man, but those days are gone. What he can do now is read the game with uncanny accuracy, spray passes all over the park, and deliver set pieces exactly where he wants them. It won't be a long ride, but it might be a fun one. Wide Midfielders On paper, our wingers don't look like anything special. They're very well suited to their roles, however, and they were productive during our preseason friendlies. Jansen will usually start on the right side. He's a shifty dribbler with decent pace, and he assisted on seven goals in seven preseason appearances. On the left, Meulensteen asserted his claim on the starting spot with a vengeance, scoring seven times. When he plays on the wing, he likes to drift in on his favored right foot. He's also adept at playing behind the striker as a no. 10. Another young Norwegian, Rygg, can do a job on either wing. So can de Haas, an even more promising young wide man; he's probably going to be the best of the lot one day. Center Forwards The team's best front man is the Great Dane, Kristensen. Like the dog, he's big, strong, fast, and dependable. At age 28, he's at his peak. Kleijn will also see considerable action. He's even more formidable than Kristensen, but not as agile. Both strikers are clinical finishers, and they're both adept at playing in their teammates. If there's one place we're still looking for a player, it's here. I'd like to find a pacey young striker who is ready for first team duty. Final Thoughts We're predicted to fit comfortably into a group of four teams at the top of the Eredivisie. Five Dutch clubs will qualify for European competition, and the board expect us to be among them. That should be an achievable goal for us. The team we've assembled is a young one; several of its stars--van Schijndel, Zagler, Meijer, Maas--are in their teens, or just out of them. Not far behind those players are a number of others, not quite ready to be first team regulars, but every bit as promising. I'll introduce you to Winterhoven B and the Under 19s soon. Last edited by Greyfriars Bobby : 11-09-2020 at 09:39 AM.