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Highbury Heroes

Escrito por liambrady

Highbury Heroes cup run

You acquired your first team, in Sweden, Nakorn Ratchasima in September 2002. We've heard there was quite a long waiting list to get a team in Sweden back then, please could you tell us how you heard about the game, and your early mistakes and successes?

Yes had to wait a while to get a team in those days, I think I got mine after 5-6 weeks waiting. Cant remember how I found HT, guess the usual internet way, you find something that looks interesting and just click on it. I remember wasting all my starting cash to find a better coach so my start was not the best one.

Your team name "Highbury Heroes" and your manager page indicate that you are an Arsenal fan. Please could you tell us a little bit about how you feel about Arsene Wenger, his tenure, and recent departure, and whether he has influenced the way you play hattrick if at all?

The last 2-3 seasons has really been awkward. Everybody, except Arsene, could see that he didn't have anything more to contribute. Its really sad as he has done so much for the club and even took football quite a few steps further in England. The passing game would not have caught on in England if it wasn't for him, at least not that early. I can't say that he's influenced me in any way in HT though, and I prefer a faster and more direct playing style to his possession oriented play. In his early years Arsenal also played with much more speed in my opinion. His game has become slower and slower and in these latter years sometimes it was really boring with only the odd glimpse of magic.

You have a few players at Highbury Heroes that have attracted the NT manager's attention, in Jackson, Johnsen and Dobbyn (who has been capped for England). Please tell us a little about these 3 home-grown players, how you trained them and how important they are for your club (and Cup) progression?

These three musketeers came through my youth academy almost at the same time and I doubt that will ever happen again. They are the backbone of the team and what I build the team around. Dobbyn (391592232) is still in contention for the NT it seems, as I was contacted about him not so long ago, but he will require more stamina and this would affect my team a bit too much I think. I guess I have to increase it anyway to keep them playing as long as possible so maybe one day he will get a recall. I also think Jackson (392042015) should have the chance as I think Powerful defender/midfielders are underestimated but maybe that will change now with the new possibility to man mark an opponent.

Ed. Man marking has yet to be introduced at NT level, with no 'due date' because of the 'blackout' system that prevents managers from seeing who is in the opposition squad.

You reached R8 in s65 and s67 and this season (s68) here you are in R10 the quarter finals facing a fellow Arsenal supporter and former Champion. You've knocked out Neale Cooper Barmy Army (home of an NT GK), Royal Pearl of London, and then Bill Nick's (Postigod's II side) last week. You must be delighted?

Absolutely. I have changed my approach to the game a bit. I always put training first before, but now I try a little bit more to win every game not risk so much. It also helped that I was relegated last season (due to a game where the ME played a big part in the last match (621651341)). In this lower division I don't have to maximize the line-up every game and can use PIC a bit more.

Please could you tell us about the last book you read and whether you'd recommend it?

It was a book written by Leif GW Persson and he is one of my favourite writers. He writes about crime with lots of humor and I guess there are quite a few from him translated to english as well.

6. Do you have a favourite building or architectural design?

Well that should be Highbury then :) (https://c8.alamy.com/comp/J9N00K/highbury-the-former-home-of-arsenal-football-club-has-been-converted-J9N00K.jpg)
(https://footballtripper.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/highbury-stadium.jpg)

Liam Brady played for Arsenal between 1973 and 1980 and was PFA player of the year in 1979, the year Arsenal beat Manchester United in the 'five minute' Cup Final 3-2. What are your fondest memories of this player?

Those 5 minutes are the worst and happiest I ever had as a gooner I think. Charlie George goal in the FA final -71 another happy one. Socks down and kinda hoovering on the pitch distributing high class passes with neat touch is my picture of Brady. Class all over. My hero no 1 is however Charlie George, a rebel (https://bookings.arsenal.com/stadiumtours/images/new/charlie-george.jpg). Kinda Arsenals James Dean ;) And of course Henry, one of the worlds greatest players ever.

Please tell us how your significant other (partner/spouse etc) feels about your interest in this game and a little bit about your other interests?

As I retired from work last year I got lots of time to spend now so it's not a problem. I played computer games since Civ 2 came out and also a lot of World of Warcraft but I don't play WoW anymore. I also like to travel and spend a lot of time in Thailand which is the reason my main team is named Nakorn Ratchasima FC which is a city/team in Thailand where we built a house some years ago.

Please provide us a link to utube or vimeo to one of your favourite of all time tunes, and perhaps to something recent as well?

I choose two in thai. Maybe an odd choice for westerners but I think this is one of the best songs ever: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx7uuzXVEF0)

And a recent one very popular in Thailand which I like too: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZigL4ZHnEk)

which of the following would you choose and why?

i) Mad Max or Alien - Neither. "One flew over the coco's nest" if I chose a movie. Or "Life on the bright side". Both with Jack Nicholson.

ii) Kanelbulle or Herring (if the latter, sill or stromming)? - Strömming with mashed potatoes and lingonberry.

iii) Powerful sitting midfielder or Powerful scorer (assume similar primary & support skill-sets) - Midfielder. They never get the cred they deserve. Would love to have a Vieira in Arsenal again.

iv) Oslo or Helsinki - Copenhagen. Never really been in the other two.

v) Bjorn Borg or Abba - Borg but didn't like the way he played, just the results he got from it. Don't like defensive football.