Left, Left, Right, Left.

Right, Right, Left, Right.

Hang on, this is hattrick?

Well, I got this from the former Hattrick Masters winner, of which I can’t recall the name, as he posted in the Global Conference something like “As in masters no one team can afford to lose in midfield and Central Attack, its all like dancing of where we need to guess whether to attack on the left or right.” How enlightening, as it is widely believe that Central Attack contribute approximately 40% of all normal chances while the other two side contribute 25% each and Set Pieces 10%. Therefore it is understandable how Central Attack would be causing great peril for those who ignore it. In order to win or at least be competitive in midfield, therefore requires team to utilize its wingers post or at least one of them to be played as inner midfield or at least playing winger towords middle. Thus only one side attack can be utilize in addition to the upmost important central attack. In response, many team also sacrifice 1 side of their defence, that is, by playing 2 central defender to protect them from central attack.

How does this help? Well, if we match our opponents midfield, taking 10 normal chances, we will get 5 chances, of which most probably 2 to 3 will come from center, 1 to 2 from left and another 1 to 2 from right. Therefore ignoring 1 side defense will risk you of conceding 1 to 2 goals. Make sense? Maybe, if the set-up confidently allows your offence the high chance to score 2 or more goals, of which a great central attack and 1 side attack allows!

Ofcourse, AIM and AOW are supposed to modify the ratio, especially since HT announced that they have fixed the AOW’s bug, but the reduction in Central Defense (AOW) or Side Defence (AIM) make them less attractive.

I must say that I have been amazed (and still wonder) on how our former U20 coach toong managed to get most of his guesses right during his U20 matches, something I have yet able to do in the NT…

So keep them guessing…… Left or Right?

Dear Diary,

Hahaha! I’ve never wrote a diary in my entire life. Hey but this a blog, besides I can’t let Jeff’s ‘Dear HT Diary’ post being in the first post for so long….

Yesterday, was the day of which Kota Damansara’s 7 games of unbeaten streak was broken when we fell down to our knees at DagangFC. It’s a game that one would expect that Damansara would lose, after all, midfield still plays a very important part of the game. So what would you do if you know that you would lose midfield? If you are still thinking (or dreaming) to win then playing Counter Attack appears to be the only alternative. However, if you are trying to get a draw, pressing will be a great alternative. But I really dislike playing for a draw, its like you are giving up all hope, not my style huh?

Realising that in order to train playmaking and still make some decent money, it is obvious that you need to sell your playmaker trainee at a profitable level, usually around the worldclass level, which means that most of the time my middy sucks!! (That might change much later…) Besides, I pity the U20 Malaysia of having to go through its campaign without much middy power over the last season. Patriotic thought huh. Also that my middy at that time has very little secondary, which make them a no competitor in the National Team with the likes of other players trained by PeeJayReds, AirHitam, Kickaball and KJBrite.

While I am not an expert in Counter Attack (unlike goldfries), here is what I gathered over the seasons:

Counter Attack required:

1. Great defense – Therefore your defenders have be better at high level and great goalkeeper too.
2. Defenders with passing – The counter attacking defenders, so that they can pass the ball that they won after defending to your attackers instead of clearing at row Z like English defenders normally did. :p
3. Great attack – Your striker better be good, since counter attacking chances are normally not many, only 1 to 3 per match, you really need to utilize that limited chances.
4. Less than 50% possession, or else you will only lose your middy. So do make sure that you have a high chance of a weaker midfield than your opponent, but don’t give up too much possession as well (45%-50% would be idle) .
5. Extra advantage points : Since competing against the more superior number of normal chances, having a great Set Pieces taker, specialty etc will be helpful, all little things will be needed when playing Counter Attack.
6. AND A LOTS OF LUCK So Good Luck!

Eleven players – what formations to play? Should I put the player to play normal, offensively or defensively? How about towards wing? Towards middle? Aggghhhh… I’m pulling my hair out! Sometimes doing trigonometry or calculus is easier than setting the match orders for your team for that next crucial match!

If you take a step back a bit, and look at HT in general, it is actually quite simple, really! The objective of match orders is, you have that eleven players from your team, in order to churn out that 7 ratings that will determine the outcome of the match. Whatever it takes, whether it’s 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 2-5-3…. as long as it’s a legal HT formation.

(more…)

I’m sure many have never even thought of Playing It Cool (PIC) for their first cup game, little do they realize that this is a very helpful way in helping the team’s progress for both league and cup games.

See, the advantage of PIC is the Team Spirit. And how does Team Spirit help your game? Higher Team Spirit boosts your midfield! Righto!

So why should you use it for a Cup game? I know you might be thinking that it’s your first cup game and you should win as best as you can, fair enough but let’s look at it this way – whether you win or lose the game, PIC is surely boosting your Team Spirit and bring you benefit to your first League game.

Of course I’m not saying everyone should do it. Do note that the game you PIC will result in your team performing with lesser midfield rating, thus reducing your possession. So if PICing is going to sacrifice your win on the cup game then it’s obvious that you shouldn’t be doing it.

I’ve been PICing on my first cup game for many years now, I do recall times that I didn’t PIC on the first cup game so that I could get even more goals. Again it’s entirely up to you, perhaps on my next article I will elaborate on Team Spirit management.

In the mean time, learn to take advantage of the first cup game. If it’s a sure win situation, PIC it! If it’s a sure lose situation, PIC it too! If it’s uncertain, please play NORMAL.