Projecting Age Pure

Thought I would try to spark some discussion regarding the conundrum of age pure and projecting success. I make fun of people doing to much projecting but fall prey to it myself. I personally will find it fascinating on how teams develop and what wins out in the end. For example, how would you analyze the following scenario for let’s say 04s.

Team A – brings back 8 players off their 04 first team last year. The team was an OPL first team. They bring back 3 forwards (two of which were starters), 2 outside mid (1 starter), and two fullbacks (both starters) and a goalie (floated between first and second team). They lack experience at centerback and centermid.

Team B – brings back 7 players off their 04 first team last year. Finished behind Team A in the standings. They bring back the entire starting defensive line (4) players, two center mids (one a starter) and one forward who was also a starter. They lack experience at forward and outside mids.

How do you compare the teams? I am a big believer that you build your defense and midfield first and figure out forwards as you go. For example, I’m initially down on Team A because I view centerback and centermids as the most important positions on the field. Further, the chemistry that centerbacks and centermids must have will not be there no matter who they put in those positions. However, team A does have good returning offensive minded players.
Basically, will continuity on defense win out or will continuity on offense.

If you had your choice would you take team a or team b? Now of course this doesn’t factor in 05s and 2nd team players last year but my suspicion is the strength of most teams will lie in the returning 04s.

Team A beat team B's defense last year with the same offense. They can do it again.

Yes but how about if score was 3 - 2. Loss of central midfield.

My major point is that it will be interesting to see how teams that lose important positions fare. You can have the greatest forwards but if you have no midfield to get them the ball.... You can have a great midfield but not forwards to get the ball to....

Just some food for thought.

I agree with that... It's all so hypothetical anyway. I see all points and like we have discussed so many times before, it will all be revealed when they start playing each other. Such a guessing game. I bet team A picked up some midfield and Team B probably picked up some good players too.