Blackout Rugby

[MrB]

Hughes got a nice pop. Shame he's not a bit stronger but he's certainly a big asset for the team, handling should pop imminently:

Rhys Hughes
21 years old | 41,564 CSR (+387) | 174 cm | 90 kg
Left handed, left footed, in admirable form, and perfect energy levels.
A psychotic player with reckless discipline, satisfactory leadership, and average experience.
Stamina: Impressive Handling: Admirable
Attack: Princely Defense: Reputable
Technique: Non-Existent Strength: Limited
Jumping: Limited Speed: Impressive
Agility: Impressive Kicking: Satisfactory

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Hughes got a nice pop. Shame he's not a bit stronger but he's certainly a big asset for the team, handling should pop imminently:

Rhys Hughes
21 years old | 41,564 CSR (+387) | 174 cm | 90 kg
Left handed, left footed, in admirable form, and perfect energy levels.
A psychotic player with reckless discipline, satisfactory leadership, and average experience.
Stamina: Impressive Handling: Admirable
Attack: Princely Defense: Reputable
Technique: Non-Existent Strength: Limited
Jumping: Limited Speed: Impressive
Agility: Impressive Kicking: Satisfactory

Does he get turned-over a lot with non-existent technique?

 

[mcrabb]

With his speed, agility and attack I doubt many teams get close enough to stop him. He must be one of the best wingers around.

I've been training up my winger since the start of the game (he was my second youth pull). He's now got Impressive speed, and admirable attack and agility. Hopefully he'll pop again in speed and agility soon.

To be honest, I don't have particularly good technique in my backs and I don't find I suffer that badly for turnovers. Having said that I do have technique as one of my team training slots to try and boost it a bit. I think this is probably an area that a lot of teams (like myself) have largely ignored.

My fly half got two pops today. It's just annoying he wasn't 17 when I started the game as he'd be a brilliant player now. Unfortunately he's just too old to bother training that much.

Gavin MacGibbon
29 years old | 22,749 CSR | 181 cm | 99 kg
Right handed, right footed, in decent form, and perfect energy levels.
A timid player with reckless discipline, moderate leadership, and moderate experience.
Stamina: Decent Handling: Admirable
Attack: Average Defense: Reputable
Technique: Reputable Strength: Satisfactory
Jumping: Average Speed: Decent
Agility: Average Kicking: Admirable

 

[MrB]

Couldn't tell you as I've never analysed the commentary or statistics that closely, all I know is he's played for England 10 times so it doesn't seem to be a problem for them.

Like Crabby I'm going to add technique to my team training sessions as both my handling and defence are pretty good throughout the team. Seems to be an important stat and is probably neglected by most teams.

 

[mcrabb]

Just out of interest, what are your other team training slots.

I'm currently training Defense, Handling, Technique and Agility.

Up until recently I had been training Attack and Strength, but decided my technique and agility needed a boost.

I've never really bothered that much with Stamina as I haven't really noticed it make that much difference. I know the international manager always says how important it is, but my players seem to manage on moderate+ with 2 games a week (on normal). A few times I've conceded points in the last 10 mins which I guess might suggest that the players aren't fit enough to last the full game, but normally I'm fine.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Just out of interest, what are your other team training slots.

I'm currently training Defense, Handling, Technique and Agility.

Up until recently I had been training Attack and Strength, but decided my technique and agility needed a boost.

I've never really bothered that much with Stamina as I haven't really noticed it make that much difference. I know the international manager always says how important it is, but my players seem to manage on moderate+ with 2 games a week (on normal). A few times I've conceded points in the last 10 mins which I guess might suggest that the players aren't fit enough to last the full game, but normally I'm fine.

Strength, Technique, Stamina and Handling and I went in that order so only recently added my handling training.

 

[* ORM *]

if someone wants it I have a team with no real set up to speak of but over 3mill in the bank

 

[mcrabb]

if someone wants it I have a team with no real set up to speak of but over 3mill in the bank

Is that the team or the £3M?

You should try and persevere with it. With that much cash you could buy a fair few decent players and the game can be quite fun once you get the hang of it. There are still some areas (particularly tactics) that I'm still a bit clueless about, but it's still enjoyable.

Once you get an idea of the primary stats for each position it's not so different from hattrick or battrick. I guess the only thing is that a player needs a more varied range of skills than just, for example, batting and concentration.

 

[MrB]

ORM, as mentioned before I'd be happy to set your team up properly to run in case you ever have the inclination to start the game properly. Would be a waste to let a team with that much capital go!

I'm currently training Attack, Defence, Strength and Handling. I dropped fitness so am now training 6 players on individual sessions who are Average or below. We have 9 of our 15 at Satisfactory or above which is enough. Will probably drop Defence shortly as its through the roof now with only 3 of my 15 below decent and my Outside Centre on the verge of Sumptuous. Will also probably drop Handling as 11 of the 15 are Reputable or above. Only need to up my locks as they are the two weakest but obviously need it!

So will probably move to Attack, Strength, Technique and Agility. Wil give me a lot of scope on individual training sessions. May try to develop myself a new flanker as they are my weakest areas at the minute.

Should have a XV with minimum 20k CSR by the end of the season.

 

[mcrabb]

Should have a XV with minimum 20k CSR by the end of the season.

Yep, that's my target too. There's only a couple of players who might not reach it - currently at around 16K.

I just signed this guy - think he may replace my current inside centre if I can get his speed and agility up. He can also play flanker as a back up. He was probably a bit on the expensive side (I paid about 95K for him, but I'm severely lacking any decent 17yo trainees). After investing 20K a week on the academy, I've finally decided to give up on it and bring it back down to 5K. I really can't afford 50K and anything less doesn't really seem to be worth it.

Giordano Scandroglio
17 years old | 15,402 CSR | 194 cm | 107 kg
Right handed, right footed, in admirable form, and pumped energy levels.
A collected player with rebellious discipline, impressive leadership, and non-existent experience.
Stamina: Horrible Handling: Satisfactory
Attack: Satisfactory Defense: Admirable
Technique: Decent Strength: Satisfactory
Jumping: Reputable Speed: Moderate
Agility: Limited Kicking: Decent

I won my cup match last night fairly convincingly - 25-0. I've got another human team in the next round but they're a newbie (only joined at the beginning of Nov) and only have 2 players above 10K CSR so shouldn't be a big challenge.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I got knocked out of the cup last night and I'll be struggling to make it a team of 15,000 CSR by the end of the season.

If I'd invested the maximum into my youth set up I could probably stick youth pulls straight into my starting XV.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Interesting youth pull

Matteo Iaconianni
17 years old | 10,283 csr

Player ID: 4616241
Plays for: Southend Invicta
Nationality: England
Salary: $59,571 ($3,723 per week)
Weight: 80kg
Height: 176cm
Joined: 16th Dec 2008 11:56pm

Jersey: Premium
Right handed, right footed, in satisfactory form, and perfect energy levels.
A conservative player with rebellious discipline, despicable leadership, and non-existent experience.
Stamina: Reputable Handling: Reputable
Attack: Decent Defense: Despicable
Technique: Horrible Strength: Horrible
Jumping: Limited Speed: Moderate
Agility: Moderate Kicking: Reputable

I'd guess he'd probably be a scrum half, but any suggestions how much he'd be worth on the transfer market, or if I keep him what to train him in?

 

[MrB]

Hmmm, if his defence was half decent I'd suggest he might be worth training in agility and speed to make him a decent player. I'd probably sell though, might get $50k for him at a push.

 

[mcrabb]

Yeah - I think you'd be pretty lucky to make that much. You might get a newbie impressed with the reputable kicking. Other than that he's got handling, attack and stamina, with his other skills pretty low. Unless you're really short on players though, I wouldn't worry about training.

Not a bad week training for me - 8 pops and an experience pop which is probably above average for me. All on 1st teamers or at least players who get some 1st team action. My new Italian trainee got two pops which was nice too.

I also signed another youngster to bolster my forwards. He's a bit lacking in height but should make a reasonable flanker with a little bit of training. He'd already do a job as a prop although his height isn't that helpful alongside my other prop. Cost me 47K which isn't too bad.

Bronson Lovelace
17 years old | 12,899 CSR | 189 cm | 118 kg
Right handed, right footed, in decent form, and perfect energy levels.
A psychotic player with controlled discipline, satisfactory leadership, and non-existent experience.
Stamina: Average Handling: Moderate
Attack: Moderate Defense: Decent
Technique: Admirable Strength: Reputable
Jumping: Satisfactory Speed: Limited
Agility: Limited Kicking: Limited

 

[mcrabb]

Is anyone still in the cup? I got knocked out last week against Hythe Heathens who managed to beat me 6-3 despite me generally dominating the game. Not quite sure what went wrong but I guess I can concentrate on the league now. Currently 1st in my league.

Training is going okay, and I'm still on track for getting all my 1st 15 to 20K+ by the end of the season.

 

[MrB]

I'm still in, the draw has been very favourable and I've only had to play one decent team who we squeezed through 6-0 against a couple of rounds ago. Got another winnable game this round so hopefully can make the last 16 but current double winners Purple Dinosaurs will more than likely await in the quarters should I get there.

Lost my first league game of the season last week, though I blame tiredness for that as I haven't been rotating my squad round enough with WCC games as well. Have now picked up some more reserves so can hopefuly get back on track. Looking comfy for a top 4 finish anyway and that's the main thing.

Latest stadium increase has been done, now up to 10,500 and had 9,500 last home game. Plenty of cash in the bank so ready for another expansion when it's needed.

Training wise, no way I'll get to 20k per player but I should make 16k. Lowest is 13,723 but he's on 4 sessions. Hughes played another game for England and is now up to Satisfactory experience which is well clear of any of my other players.

 

[mcrabb]

10,500! That seems high, although I'm surprised you've had as many as 9,500.

My last home game was 8,045 and my best attendance was in round 6 of the cup when I got 8159 (my total capacity is 8485). I have been playing since the start and am in league II.2 and have got 2 promotions and 1 runners up in the last 3 seasons so I assumed I would be pretty much getting the top attendances possible. Having said that, maybe my stadium mix isn't optimal. I'm filling everything except the standing area.

How many sponsors/members do you have? I've got 9 sponsors and 985 members.

The cup seems to be a bit strange this season. Two of the teams in my league both got knocked out of the cup against inferior opposition despite dominating their games. Maybe those teams just played it better tactically, but it does seem a bit strange since I had the same experience.

Hughes does look a pretty good player. It's a shame his leadership isn't higher as he'd make a great captain. I'm quite lucky that two of my starting 17yos had pretty good experience so I have two players with admirable leadership and average experience.

 

[MrB]

9 Sponsors, 963 members. Leading into that game I'd won 13 successive competitive matches.

Standing: 1,985
Uncovered: 3,741
Covered: 2,838
Members: 785
Corporate: 95
Total: 9,444

How is your stadium split? Are you selling out a section? Mine still aren't right as I'm still selling out my standing area.

Standing: 1985
Uncovered seats: 4285
Covered seats: 3301
Member's seats: 882
Corporate seats: 113
Total capacity: 10566

 

[mcrabb]

Yep - I think this is probably where I'm losing out. Not sure what the balance is though as my standing area is too high.

Standing: 2500
Uncovered seats: 3100
Covered seats: 2100
Member's seats: 700
Corporate seats: 85
Total capacity: 8485

And my best attendance...
Standing: 2,174
Uncovered: 3,100
Covered: 2,100
Members: 700
Corporate: 85
Total: 8,159

So it looks like I need to expand all the rest of my stadium with the exception of the standing area.

Should the members area be big enough to accomodate all your members?

Any ideas what I should increase to? I'm trying to buy a new prop who will fit in with Dash for height, but if I don't get him then I'll probably spend the money on expanding the stadium.

 

[MrB]

No, there's no relation. Attendance is normally about 10x members for a successful team. I think you want to go to at least 10,000 or even 11,000 to allow for expansion.

If you made your non standing sections similar to mine you should be ok.