Blackout Rugby

[Yorkshire Blue]

I upped my stadium capacity to about 9,500 the other week. Think it should be ready for Saturday's game.

I decided to trim my squad down to the bare minimum and stop operating a reserve XI. I basically fired a load of players and am going for youth. It seems to have paid off as my fianances are looking in better shape.

 

[mcrabb]

Your second XI? I think you might find you were a bit short on players anyway... ;)

Not sure if I'll be able to afford to upgrade my stadium just yet as I just signed this player. I'm very pleased with him actually, as I was expecting him to be much pricier. What do you think would be his best position? I was thinking inside centre. But what should I train - can probably spare 2-3 training slots.

Carlo Quadrelli
17 years old | 15,331 CSR | 179 cm | 103 kg
Right handed, right footed, in admirable form, and perfect energy levels.
An aggressive player with collected discipline, decent leadership, and non-existent experience.
Stamina: Moderate Handling: Decent
Attack: Moderate Defense: Reputable
Technique: Satisfactory Strength: Decent
Jumping: Satisfactory Speed: Decent
Agility: Reputable Kicking: Average

Only cost me $78K

 

[MrB]

Hmmm, strange one. Very very all round, you could probably manipulate him into whatever back position you need, though he's unlikely to excel at any of them for some time. With the strength Centre seems the best option, probably inside as they tend to kick less in my experience. Sessions will depend on your team training slots but attack and handling would be the priorities.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Your second XI? I think you might find you were a bit short on players anyway... ;)

Not sure if I'll be able to afford to upgrade my stadium just yet as I just signed this player. I'm very pleased with him actually, as I was expecting him to be much pricier. What do you think would be his best position? I was thinking inside centre. But what should I train - can probably spare 2-3 training slots.

Carlo Quadrelli
17 years old | 15,331 CSR | 179 cm | 103 kg
Right handed, right footed, in admirable form, and perfect energy levels.
An aggressive player with collected discipline, decent leadership, and non-existent experience.
Stamina: Moderate Handling: Decent
Attack: Moderate Defense: Reputable
Technique: Satisfactory Strength: Decent
Jumping: Satisfactory Speed: Decent
Agility: Reputable Kicking: Average

Only cost me $78K

He looks a jack of all trades, master of none. His size makes him too small for the pack, but his weight makes him harder to train in speed. Inside centre is probably the best bet, what you train him will depend on what team training you do. I haven't worked out whether it is better for someone to be a rounded player or have a couple of really high stats anyway.

 

[MrB]

Nice to see we agree for once!

 

[mcrabb]

Well that well and truly burst my bubble - I thought I'd picked up a real bargain there. I was thinking training in speed, defence and handling to work on him as an inside centre (don't really think attack is so critical for inside centre). Still I reckon even if he doesn't progress to be a great player, if I can get him up to 20K CSR he'll go for decent money on the transfer market.

I actually thought his well spread skills would stand him in better stead as a potential international. A strong all-rounder is probably more desirable than a specialist in one or two skills - at least from my experience.

his weight makes him harder to train in speed.

I've never heard this before - is that true? Heavier players take longer to train in speed? I've personally never noticed a players physical attributes having any impact on the speed at which they train.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Well that well and truly burst my bubble - I thought I'd picked up a real bargain there. I was thinking training in speed, defence and handling to work on him as an inside centre (don't really think attack is so critical for inside centre). Still I reckon even if he doesn't progress to be a great player, if I can get him up to 20K CSR he'll go for decent money on the transfer market.

I actually thought his well spread skills would stand him in better stead as a potential international. A strong all-rounder is probably more desirable than a specialist in one or two skills - at least from my experience.



I've never heard this before - is that true? Heavier players take longer to train in speed? I've personally never noticed a players physical attributes having any impact on the speed at which they train.

Have a read of the Ask Hiphopopotamus thread, it, and much other wisdom is in there. I haven't fully got to grips with it yet.

 

[mcrabb]

Is there any reference specifically to it? I've had quick read through (up to page 7) and it mentions that he thinks it should be influenced by the weight, but that Jeremy has not confirmed this is true. Maybe I'm too impatient and there is a bit more later on.

Besides, I don't think the weight is so ridiculously high that it would make a massive difference. It might be a little slower, but it shouldn't be as bad as for a 130Kg player (unless there is a cap - e.g. over 100Kg speed takes two weeks longer to train)

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Is there any reference specifically to it? I've had quick read through (up to page 7) and it mentions that he thinks it should be influenced by the weight, but that Jeremy has not confirmed this is true. Maybe I'm too impatient and there is a bit more later on.

Besides, I don't think the weight is so ridiculously high that it would make a massive difference. It might be a little slower, but it shouldn't be as bad as for a 130Kg player (unless there is a cap - e.g. over 100Kg speed takes two weeks longer to train)

Page 12 there is more

Quite true. But there other other advantages such as training that are affected by weight etc, which gives the same sort of advantages anyhow.

So really get the players into training.

What you mean with training is affected by weight?

What I mean is, example, an Inside center of 120 KG smashing against opponent of 90 Kg; does ME consider this sort of mismatch?
Also, a 110kg scrum half should be limited in movements then a 85-90 KG.

Well a 110kg guy could be much more agile than a 95kg guy. Just depends how good they are. But it will take more training to make a 110kg more agile. So weight has an effect in the right place, training.

It is well worth taking a read of the entire thread, just skip through and read his answers and don't bother reading other people's postings.

 

[mcrabb]

Bumper week for me this week. 15 pops including a handling pop for new boy Quadrelli :)

 

[MrB]

Picked up a new lock to replace my existing old boy.

Dylan Munro
17 years old | 15,613 CSR | 202 cm | 118 kg
Right handed, right footed, in average form, and supercharged energy levels.
A timid player with rebellious discipline, limited leadership, and non-existent experience.
Stamina: Decent Handling: Average
Attack: Decent Defense: Reputable
Technique: Satisfactory Strength: Decent
Jumping: Admirable Speed: Horrible
Agility: Moderate Kicking: Average

Shame about the discipline and technique but will work on the latter along with handling.

 

[mcrabb]

Looks a decent player - how much did he knock you back?

Supposedly technique isn't that critical for locks as their primary job is winning lineout rather than stealing the ball, but it would probably be worth upping it a bit.

 

[MrB]

$150k, quite a bit but the jumping was a massive improvement on my existing lock and his side skills are not too bad.

 

[MrB]

Went out of the cup last week, a travesty as I was way stronger. Though they LTNT'd, such is life.

Training still slow, though Hughes adds to his collection of Princelys and we have our first Sumptuous.

Dwight Idle
20 years old | 40,123 CSR | 165 cm | 97 kg
Right handed, right footed, in satisfactory form, and supercharged energy levels.
An aggressive player with rebellious discipline, despicable leadership, and limited experience.
Stamina: Reputable Handling: Impressive
Attack: Admirable Defense: Decent
Technique: Moderate Strength: Horrible
Jumping: Non-Existent Speed: Admirable
Agility: Reputable Kicking: Sumptuous

Rhys Hughes
21 years old | 46,599 CSR | 174 cm | 90 kg
Left handed, left footed, in decent form, and perfect energy levels.
A psychotic player with reckless discipline, satisfactory leadership, and satisfactory experience.
Stamina: Princely Handling: Impressive
Attack: Princely Defense: Reputable
Technique: Non-Existent Strength: Limited
Jumping: Limited Speed: Impressive
Agility: Princely Kicking: Satisfactory

 

[mcrabb]

they're both looking quality players - certainly better than any of mine. Daines is my top player:

Darrell Daines
20 years old | 33,286 CSR (+492) | 196 cm | 83 kg
Right handed, left footed, in admirable form, and supercharged energy levels.
An aggressive player with rebellious discipline, horrible leadership, and horrible experience.
Stamina: Satisfactory Handling: Impressive
Attack: Princely Defense: Impressive
Technique: Limited Strength: Limited
Jumping: Horrible Speed: Reputable
Agility: Satisfactory Kicking: Satisfactory

8 pops this week for me which isn't bad, although nowhere near as good as last week. It's just a shame most of them were on reserves.

Just bought a new prop - definitely paid a bit much for him, but really wanted his weight and height to match Dash.

Michaël Filleul
18 years old | 14,370 CSR | 174 cm | 131 kg
Left handed, left footed, in reputable form, and perfect energy levels.
An aggressive player with controlled discipline, reputable leadership, and despicable experience.
Stamina: Decent Handling: Horrible
Attack: Decent Defense: Decent
Technique: Satisfactory Strength: Admirable
Jumping: Reputable Speed: Despicable
Agility: Horrible Kicking: Non-Existent

Just over 100K

 

[mcrabb]

Another very good week for me with 14 pops - including 3 Princely's and my first Sumptuous!

Ben Simpson
20 years old | 26,883 CSR (+399) | 181 cm | 92 kg
Right handed, right footed, in moderate form, and perfect energy levels.
A timid player with flawless discipline, non-existent leadership, and horrible experience.
Stamina: Admirable Handling: Sumptuous Pop!
Attack: Reputable Defense: Decent
Technique: Limited Strength: Moderate
Jumping: Limited Speed: Reputable
Agility: Decent Kicking: Satisfactory

Bit of a disappointing game on Saturday playing the top team. I lost by three points in the end - having levelled the game they got a penalty right near the end. Oh well, the way these things work is largely irrelevant as it all comes down to the play-off anyway. Pretty much guaranteed 2nd place unless I really screw up.

 

[MrB]

I've had barely anything of late, only improvement of note this week was my hooker continuing his development:

Zachary Monaghan
20 years old | 37,161 CSR (+376) | 171 cm | 122 kg
Right handed, right footed, in decent form, and supercharged energy levels.
An aggressive player with controlled discipline, limited leadership, and limited experience.
Stamina: Decent Handling: Impressive
Attack: Moderate Defense: Princely
Technique: Admirable Strength: Princely
Jumping: Satisfactory Speed: Horrible
Agility: Limited Kicking: Limited

In the league I have the best record - P11 W10 - but with a lack of bonus points I still find myself in third place! Will probably stay there as I still have to play both first and second away. Will probably LTNT one of the games though to try and get a home semi (my other match is against a bot).

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I've had barely anything of late, only improvement of note this week was my hooker continuing his development:

Zachary Monaghan
20 years old | 37,161 CSR (+376) | 171 cm | 122 kg
Right handed, right footed, in decent form, and supercharged energy levels.
An aggressive player with controlled discipline, limited leadership, and limited experience.
Stamina: Decent Handling: Impressive
Attack: Moderate Defense: Princely
Technique: Admirable Strength: Princely
Jumping: Satisfactory Speed: Horrible
Agility: Limited Kicking: Limited

In the league I have the best record - P11 W10 - but with a lack of bonus points I still find myself in third place! Will probably stay there as I still have to play both first and second away. Will probably LTNT one of the games though to try and get a home semi (my other match is against a bot).

Damn you MrB, just as I was thinking how well my hooker is doing.

Ian Taylor
20 years old | 27,926 CSR | 184 cm | 122 kg
Right handed, left footed, in average form, and supercharged energy levels.
An aggressive player with collected discipline, admirable leadership, and horrible experience.
Stamina: Decent Handling: Princely
Attack: Decent Defense: Reputable
Technique: Impressive Strength: Admirable
Jumping: Average Speed: Despicable
Agility: Despicable Kicking: Moderate

Anyone want a friendly?

 

[MrB]

Still in the WCC. Only in the plate as came second in group due to bonus points.

I'd say our players were close, better technique and handling on yours is helpful and he can attack better which helps with try opportunities from scrums close to the line presumably.

First team BTR now:
High: 47,723
Low: 15,121
Ave: 25,538

Nowhere near my original target of getting all players above 20k by the end of the season but we only have 7 players left below it and 3 or 4 of those will go above before Season 5 starts.

 

[mcrabb]

Don't worry YB - you can feel smug in the knowledge that your hooker is better than mine:

Matthew Parer
19 years old | 21,935 CSR (+351) | 179 cm | 125 kg
Right handed, left footed, in decent form, and perfect energy levels.
A conservative player with flawless discipline, decent leadership, and horrible experience.
Stamina: Average Handling: Impressive
Attack: Despicable Defense: Impressive
Technique: Decent Strength: Admirable
Jumping: Satisfactory Speed: Non-Existent
Agility: Despicable Kicking: Limited

BTW - I've invited you to a friendly

By comparison to MrB's team:
Highest CSR - 35361
Lowest CSR - 18799
Average CSR - 23642