Interview with ex- National Team Coach

Bugglethegoof

1) When did you first join Hattrick?

Dec. 8th, 2001, 15 months ago.

2) What is the name of your HT team and why did you choose that name?

North York FC. Well...because I live in North York. At the time I was playing another soccer sim & my team name was the North York Boonies. I liked the North York part, but "boonies" was too cheesy. "FC" gives it more of a classy feel.

3) What is your team's greatest acheivement during that time and what is your goal for your team in the future?

Surviving in div. II while training defence.
My goal for the future is to maim & obliterate the Evil Barons, so that dental records will need to be used to identify the players.
"Yes, this one is Trapani. Be sure to tell the mother before you let the media in."
It may (will) take some time, but I am determined to be the best team in Canada.

4) What HT teams do you support with supporter and what federations are you a member of?

Heart of the Annex
Arsenal psx
Lorindol FC
Comitox
I had a fifth, but I dropped it. I want to leave the 5th spot open until I'm truly, wholeheartedly impressed.

LOTA
Daytrading Fed (tho I'm not a daytrader. Really! I just like to read about player valuations. Also I think daytraders are often unfairly maligned in our community, so I like to support & defend them).
The Canada Fed. (good for natl team discussions)

5) If you could add or change a single feature in Hattrick, what would it be and why?

Hands down, player statistics. I want to able to see detailed reports on a players performance over time. How many Cup games & league games & friendlies in a season? How many chances, how many goals in those games? How many saves for keepers? How many corner kicks taken? How many goals resulting from those kicks?

6) What would be the one piece of advice you would give a manager just starting on Hattrick?

Don't buy or sell anybody on the t/l for at least one month.

7) If you could have dinner with 3 people from history or alive today, who would you choose and why?

This is a tough one. I don't want to name anyone in particular, as there are so many, and to name only one may appear to give them more importance in my mind than they deserve. In general tho, I'd say anyone who has the courage to stand up for their convictions.

8) Which football teams do you support in real life, if any?

None in particular. I watch the EPL as it's the only league broadcast here in English. I would like to see some of the Spanish League, but they're never shown here.

9) Who is your favorite soccer player in real life?

Rio Ferdinand, was unbelievable for England at the WC, tho his play for Man U hasn't been of the same standard.

10) Have you ever played soccer and if so, which position did you play and at which level?

CD, DM. I played at the "I kinda suck" level.

11) Who is the one person in HT you respect/look up to the most?

Hrmm. Another toughie. I have a good friend playing the game, so he'd be the first choice, but that's not really a fair answer. Everybody playing has positives & negatives, so it's not really a very easy question... I'm gonna avoid the question ;)

There are more than a few people who would be considered tho.

12) For those of us that are not managers of national teams, explain how that challenge is different from being a club manager and what are the pros/cons of being a national team manager?

There's more pressure. Real pressure. If you suck with your own team you get mad sunday evening & log off to go watch hockey. If you suck with the national team, you suddenly run the risk of having half the community think you're a complete idiot.

The main advantage is having the faith of the community placed in you to represent them with dignity.
The main disadvantage is the tedium of arranging friendlies every week.

13) What is your favorite sports movie?

Jerry Macquire. Not only sports tho, life too. ;)

14) What would you is your biggest weakness?

Inability to tolerate stupidity with a smile.

15) Boxers or Briefs?

briefs