[Boromir88]

TWO TOWERS NETWORK
Boromir the 88th

Club Interviews

TTN is back but there are a couple club interviews we first must catch up our readers on. All detailing preliminary plans and strategies of the eliminated teams in the tournament thus far. So, let's get to it.

Group A

The Downer (Hookbill, Barrow-Downs)-

Even with their elimination in the group stage, Hookbill's squad played fairly well and as the dirt cheap team of the tournament, they still leave with a fairly nice chunk of change to work with. They will still likely be at the lower end of salaries next year. Hookbill says to expect several changes to the Downer next year: "Since we're financed by the Barrow-Downs website we will definitely pursue several of the TIG Barrow-Downer's. And due to Eru's new rules about squads being "Tolkien relevant" we'll consider adding on talent from Tyrn Gorthad. However, any player we do add on will have to fit within our team mold and designs."

So, it appears we can expect much of the same style of play from The Downer, but with better players and a change of venue it should yield even better results.

Tol In Gaurhoth (Barrow-Downs, Tol In Gaurhoth Realty)-

There is a somber attitude around the TIG clubhouse, as they were certainly one of the better teams that did not advance. Still, they will not take much of a financial hit, so should be able to field a better squad, especially since Sauron has now hired, BD legal guru Saucepan Man to appeal Eru's decision about the limit on werewolf-players. Through their new legal spokesperson, SPM issued this statement: "We are not going to appeal the new Tolkienish mandate issued by Eru, so the team will be looking outside the boundaries of the website to pick up players. However, after looking at the case, and gathering all testimony, there is a strong legal argument that the limit on werewolf-players falls under the unfair competition clause. The rule stating teams must become more Tolkienish is an across the board one that all teams must abide. The werewolf-limit is enacted only against TIG, and thus the ONLY team it harms is TIG. These are grounds to get the rule overturned."

Group H

Barad-Dur (Barad-Dur’s Gold & Silver Jewelers)
Mordor (Barad-Dur’s Gold & Silver Jewelers, Black Sorcery Guild, Harad Inc., North Umbar Trading Company)-

Sauron has launched a major PR campaign through his representative, The Mouth, to quell Mordor's upheaval after both home squads were eliminated.

The Mouth: "What many have to realize is both Gondor clubs outspent both Mordor teams this year by 20 million. So they already had an advantage in talent, and we still had a good opportunity to make the playoffs."

Ortak, from The Gorgoroth Plain Dealer: "But much of the outrage stems from the fact it was Gondor who came here and beat Mordor. Surely, Sauron knows this is unacceptable. Will Sauron still be invested in Mordor?"

The Mouth: "Sauron will stay heavily invested in both Barad-dur and Mordor. He is committed to making Mordor a contender, but fans must remain patient. For, he believes overall salaries will trend downwards, and this will free up talent from other squads. Yet, he will not over-spend to bring in a big star-athlete or keep players who decide to take more money elsewhere. You witnessed what happened to Hithlum, who dumped 10s of millions into Turin, but still could not advance."

Ortak: "Can you tell us any specific players you have in mind, which may either leave the Mordor clubs, or come in to play here?"

The Mouth: "Heh. Patience, my friends, patience. It's too early to know what the off-season will bring. Sauron's general designs are, he will not enter into bidding wars for any player, whether it be to retain a current one or to add new. This means the salaries will still be on the lower end of clubs next year. However, we ended the year in the black, and therefor with some room to improve and siphon quality from other squads that took big hits."