The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post

Boromir88 · 06-26-2011, 06:50 PM

Group F

Predicted Standings
1. Westernesse
2. Tol Eressea
3. Numenor
4. Mithrim

There should be no way Westernesse does not win this group. They have the best Numenorean talent from the Armenolos championship team and some of the best talent from Gondor. Not great individual stars, but play an excellent team game (although fusing the Numenoreans with the Gondorians might take a bit of time). Doriath was 1 of 2 teams ranked in the top 5 in each of our categories, and Westernesse is the other. (OFF-3, DEF-3, GK-2). And let's be honest, none of the other 3 can be legitmate challengers to first place.

It will still be an interesting 2-team battle for the 2nd spot. Well, more like whichever defense is better, or whichever offense is the least inept, however way you want to look at it. Despite Tol Eressea only achieving 1 goal, we like them above Numenor because it's Ulmo's defense. Wherever Ulmo is at, he always leads the best defense, and he consistantly takes the team far (2009 for Hithlum and 2010 for Vinyamar, the Ulmo's defense was good enough to be silver-medalists). Also, last year Vinyamar had no offensive ability in the friendlies, and while they didn't start burning up the scoreboard, they clearly adjusted their game to get more goals. The question is, can we see the same result, since Uinen, Elwing, and Earwen have never been great tournament scorers?

So, is Tol Eressea's defense good enough to shut down Numenor's attack? Yes. And that's what it comes down to, and that's why Numenor will finish 3rd. They have serious scoring issues and their only goals came against teams of lesser men and dwarves. Scoring on Ulmo and his Maiar helpers? Not going to happen.

Mithrim, probably doesn't deserve any mention at all based on the garbage we've seen from them. But if we say we're going to cover every angle, we mean it. The only person any good is Tuor and it's surprising his sv% was an atrocious 60.6%, because in 2008 as a goal keeper, Tuor performed about 20 percent points better. That seems so long ago now. Which is the story for the entire team, Androg was a premier name when Turin and Beleg first stepped onto the scene of Arda Cup soccer. He was able to mentor the two amazing FWs, but after they left the team, Androg went into retirement only to be brought out now by Tuor who really needed help to summon an 11-player team. Androg would have been better to stay in retirement and be remembered for the player he was, not the creaky, broken down veteran who can't move on from the game.

Round 1 Predictions

Mithrim vs. Westernesse - Well not much to say about this one, and the only key would be for Mithrim to keep some honour by not losing 4-0. How embarrassing. Westernesse is dominant in every position and facet of the game, still I can't believe Mithrim has forgotten all it's pride and dignity.
Westernesse wins 3-0

Numenor vs. Tol Eressea - One of the bigger games of Round 1, but based on friendly performances it'll probably be a real snoozer. Big because the winner will more than likely move on to the next round. If it's a draw, that will throw a wrench into things and add some tense excitement to the last rounds of this group.
Tol Eressea wins 1-0

Phantasy spin -

GK - Several good options at GK in this group. Tar Atanamir is always one of the top keepers (and doesn't cost as much as Huan or Ungoliant). However, Silmarien has come in to perform quite well, and same with Amandil both saving 80%. And even though Tuor has had a terrible go so far, he was a quality GK in 2008, and with the defect offenses of Numenor and Tol Eressea, he might get some consideration.

DF - Take a couple defenders from any team in this group except Mithrim. They're all good defensive teams and Tar Telperien is also an offensive power (at least when we're talking about defenders).

MF and FW - I've combined the last 2 positions because the only ones I'd feel comfortable adding to my team, from this group, would be the Westernesse MF and FW. Pick and choose really, they have a healthy spread of points (Hyarmendacil was the lowest at 6, but the other 5 had all 10 phantasy pts or more).

06-26-2011, 06:50 PM	#29
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,521	Group F Predicted Standings 1. Westernesse 2. Tol Eressea 3. Numenor 4. Mithrim There should be no way Westernesse does not win this group. They have the best Numenorean talent from the Armenolos championship team and some of the best talent from Gondor. Not great individual stars, but play an excellent team game (although fusing the Numenoreans with the Gondorians might take a bit of time). Doriath was 1 of 2 teams ranked in the top 5 in each of our categories, and Westernesse is the other. (OFF-3, DEF-3, GK-2). And let's be honest, none of the other 3 can be legitmate challengers to first place. It will still be an interesting 2-team battle for the 2nd spot. Well, more like whichever defense is better, or whichever offense is the least inept, however way you want to look at it. Despite Tol Eressea only achieving 1 goal, we like them above Numenor because it's Ulmo's defense. Wherever Ulmo is at, he always leads the best defense, and he consistantly takes the team far (2009 for Hithlum and 2010 for Vinyamar, the Ulmo's defense was good enough to be silver-medalists). Also, last year Vinyamar had no offensive ability in the friendlies, and while they didn't start burning up the scoreboard, they clearly adjusted their game to get more goals. The question is, can we see the same result, since Uinen, Elwing, and Earwen have never been great tournament scorers? So, is Tol Eressea's defense good enough to shut down Numenor's attack? Yes. And that's what it comes down to, and that's why Numenor will finish 3rd. They have serious scoring issues and their only goals came against teams of lesser men and dwarves. Scoring on Ulmo and his Maiar helpers? Not going to happen. Mithrim, probably doesn't deserve any mention at all based on the garbage we've seen from them. But if we say we're going to cover every angle, we mean it. The only person any good is Tuor and it's surprising his sv% was an atrocious 60.6%, because in 2008 as a goal keeper, Tuor performed about 20 percent points better. That seems so long ago now. Which is the story for the entire team, Androg was a premier name when Turin and Beleg first stepped onto the scene of Arda Cup soccer. He was able to mentor the two amazing FWs, but after they left the team, Androg went into retirement only to be brought out now by Tuor who really needed help to summon an 11-player team. Androg would have been better to stay in retirement and be remembered for the player he was, not the creaky, broken down veteran who can't move on from the game. Round 1 Predictions Mithrim vs. Westernesse - Well not much to say about this one, and the only key would be for Mithrim to keep some honour by not losing 4-0. How embarrassing. Westernesse is dominant in every position and facet of the game, still I can't believe Mithrim has forgotten all it's pride and dignity. Westernesse wins 3-0 Numenor vs. Tol Eressea - One of the bigger games of Round 1, but based on friendly performances it'll probably be a real snoozer. Big because the winner will more than likely move on to the next round. If it's a draw, that will throw a wrench into things and add some tense excitement to the last rounds of this group. Tol Eressea wins 1-0 Phantasy spin - GK - Several good options at GK in this group. Tar Atanamir is always one of the top keepers (and doesn't cost as much as Huan or Ungoliant). However, Silmarien has come in to perform quite well, and same with Amandil both saving 80%. And even though Tuor has had a terrible go so far, he was a quality GK in 2008, and with the defect offenses of Numenor and Tol Eressea, he might get some consideration. DF - Take a couple defenders from any team in this group except Mithrim. They're all good defensive teams and Tar Telperien is also an offensive power (at least when we're talking about defenders). MF and FW - I've combined the last 2 positions because the only ones I'd feel comfortable adding to my team, from this group, would be the Westernesse MF and FW. Pick and choose really, they have a healthy spread of points (Hyarmendacil was the lowest at 6, but the other 5 had all 10 phantasy pts or more). __________________ Fenris Penguin