New Training Module Released!

It's here! The not-so-long awaited improved training module for Trophy Manager (for Pro and otherwise) has been released!



In the Trophy Manager universe, player development through training is essential for the success of your club. Whether you develop players to trade or to use in your own team is beside the point. Training is winning, plain and simple (if only real life were so simple, eh?).

Basically, instead of having 5 training groups, you now have 6 (although a managers participation in training goalkeepers has been reduced to just getting a good gk training coach). For the 5 remaining training groups (you could use less, if you were so inclined), you select a coach and up to 6 training regimes (at least 1, again, the decision is up to you), and you plop your players into the box (which is a huge leap from the individual drop down dialog box of the previous iteration). Easy isn't it? Well, initially that's how it seems.

The graphics are great, intuitively designed and full of color coded convenience for visual appeal and increased functionality. Coach and player stats are cleverly displayed on mouseover popups (gold and silver stars both displaying well for stats at 19 and 20 respectively). Toggle type button icons denoting the various training regimens are well portrayed and reflect a controlled, almost minimalist, feel. Various color and animation changes also help the user to know where to drag/drop the boxes representing the coaches/players, adding to the ease of use and shaving away some degrees from a learning curve that would have been MUCH steeper.

Peeling away the superficial, the meat of the update to the training module is basically a shift of perspective. Previously, the ideal coach would be good at 2 or maybe 3 stats, providing excellent training (an arguable point to some, in light of the volunteer coach issue) at a relatively cheap salary rate. This has shifted, however, and a necessity for coaches with 3-4 (possibly more) exceptional stats has become evident. More well rounded coaches are needed, with higher salaries, sign on fees (2x weekly salary), and search fees.

Just as the perspective has changed, coaches stats have changed dramatically, too.



The new skills win (winger), tec (technique), and hea (heading) replaced the old skill mid (midfield). With these new stats to consider (and include in your search for coaches, i presume), it's clear that another change in perspective intended (as posted by Nielsen himself on the forums) is a greater degree of control for the managers regarding the development of their players.

What do these coach skills do? Each skill represents a training regimen and how well the coach can administer it, on a scale of 20 (as most stats in Trophy Manager are). The exception (life would be a lot less interesting without exceptions, don't you think?) is the skill mot (motivation), which is usually the most important too (if you consider the old training requirements, whether this still holds true has yet to be elucidated) because it represents the degree to which your coach inspires and pushes the players training under him to excel. Freddie Roach, I think, would have a 20 for mot.

The real debate, though (of which there are many swirling about in the forums as you read this), is what the impact of this new system will be on the actual skills of the players. Various computations and feats of mathematics (large and miniscule) have been postulated but, as of this writing, no exact/official formula (so to speak) has been given, especially regarding the random factor/coefficient. A new manual is forthcoming, at any rate, so an answer (which may or may not be what people are looking for or expecting) is definitely possibly in there. = )

All things considered, I think this is exactly what TM needed, a big development to close the 13th season and the year. The timing may have been a little off but, I think the devs were just trying to stick to their word to get it out inside 2 weeks (and to have 6-7 training updates to evaluate the system before the start of next season). It seems a certain synergism is happening between Trophy Manager and Trophy Hockey and perhaps this will lead both communities to further heights. While cynics wonder how long it will be before they turn this into a Pro-only (paying member) feature, guys like me know that good things never really last and it's best not to ask.




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Countdown Initiated

Only ten games are left to determine the final league standings for TM Season 13. In Divison 3 Group 2, Marikina United FC struggle to maintain their hold on the top spot. Challenges from the top contenders Iligan Templars and Greenland Ville FC repeatedly forced the Sublime Supremo to push his squad over and above any limits they had, or thought they had. This overdrive of sorts has resulted in both injuries and burnouts, ace forward Fidel Lopez being one and star right back Emilio Lavandera another. The two have been sidelined for a majority of the remaining matches but will hopefully spell the difference in the final stretch. We have been granted an exclusive interview with Mar Queno just before the National Cup match tonight.



Surprisingly, I was brought to The Spa, along E.Rodriguez Jr Ave. (aka Libis or C5 extension) where the ShoeMakers were apparently getting one or five knots rubbed out. MQ was having some coffee by the pool, fully dressed and grittily un-spa like in a somber gray Marc Jacobs. 'Board meeting', he half explained, half joked. Irony, it seems, is just another old friend for him.

'I couldn't let Pido and Ems have all the fun, the others worked just as hard. That and I felt kinda bad for getting in their face about the last week's performance. I know that 2 draws and 2 losses would get any manager worked up but, they did their best and this is my conciliatory gesture. Besides, last night's match alone more than made up for any shortcomings, as I'm sure you agree!' He was right. If the squad had only won one game the entire season, last night's game, the Cobbler Confederate would still be proud. Come to think of it, the team hadn't played like that since the end of last season! 'If we keep that pace, like the whole world hung in the balance, win or lose, I'd be satisfied. Of course, I wouldn't mind lifting the cup at season's end, seeing that it's becoming more of a likelihood.' Flashing a grin that reminds you of the noonday sun dancing on the edge of a wakizashi, he sipped his espresso.

5-nil. At home. Against the second seeded team in the league. The Sublime Supremo had reason to be proud. After the less than stellar showing of the past odd week, naysayers were doubtful whether the ShoeMakers could pull out of skid row long enough to stay in contention for the cup. Last night's result was redemption, retribution, and restitution rolled into a ni bin tsutsumi furoshiki of blue silk, with Johnny Blue inside. 'I still get excited about it, you know?' MQ quietly said, 'Especially that last goal from Delgado, that was the tabasco in the bloody mary (but Mama Sita's Pure Labuyo Sauce is tons hotter)! The match was put to bed much earlier but the cheeky old fart just had to get one off in stoppage! However, the real star was Cobo, in my eyes. Keeping a clean sheet for the nth time and against such a strong side, I have to give the guy a raise or something. Believe me, catching one of Lira's strikes is a feat of marvel in itself!' Biting into an ube muffin, his humility got the better of him and he kept whatever praise he had left to say about his players to himself.

When I asked him about the large number of new youths he recruited, mostly foreigners, he seemed almost embarrassed. 'I thought I'd hold tryouts. Trying my hand out at scouting and developing a better understanding of youth talent. Come on, you hafta cut me some slack, it's not really my thing. Don't worry, I'll get the hang of it. Those boys aren't really so bad. They may not be a perfect fit for the team I envision Marikina United FC becoming but they'll definitely learn a thing or two with our training system and become productive members of successful sides elsewhere. At the very least, they'll learn how to make adobo.' Ah! That's certainly not a bad skill to learn! Not bad at all!

The interview had to be cut short because of the board meeting MQ was requested to attend but, a continuation will be forthcoming. At The Spa, it seems like chances are good that we're going to get a happy ending.



Gabriel Isagani, Philippine Daily Star

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Team Philippines Holds Out

With the latest draw against Syria, the Azkals of the Team Philippines hold on to second place in the group. National Coach Taka has expressed some disappointment with the recent result but he still enjoys both the confidence and support of the country's managers. As the remaining matches play out, we hope to see the National Team earn a spot in the next stage of the road to the World Cup, whether as outright group leaders, should Oman falter, or as one of the top second places finishers (after a playoff with similarly placed nations from different groups).



We hope and we toil, that is the best we can do.

Gabriel Isagani, Philippine Daily Star

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Counting Beans

you know how it's difficult to keep track of your money on Trophy Manager? well, i'm no financial manager or accountant but i think this excel file i've devised (triple checked virus free - Norton, McAfee, AVG) will make it much easier to see how much you make, what you spend on and what your facilities are like. i'll be working on more analytical aspects to help answer profitability questions. until then, see if you like this. intelligent suggestions/comments are always welcome. =)


TM$.xls - trophy manager financial excel spreadsheet (virus free!)





if only i could make this much money in real life... hahaha!

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last entry (for this series of logos, at least)

pimped and blinged! =)



i couldn't let the richest man in springfield step out in such a drab suit. now that he's more dapper, i decided to give him the italian serie a trophy as well. thanks to TM's master teamster, Thomas for the contest! it gave me an excuse to play around with graphics again. dude, if you prefer a different combination of the elements in this series, just post a comment here and i'll upload it asap.

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A Minor Setback

The Cobbler Confederate were utterly stunned tonight at Irineo Cruz Memorial Stadium as The ShoeMakers suffered their first defeat in a league match for the season. It was at least a full minute before the flabbergasted fans regained their composure and showed the class of a city peerless in this country. They cheered enthusiastically for the local boys, Marikina United FC, as well as for their worthy opponents, Quikball FC, as the two squads shook hands, exchanged jerseys, and went back to the locker rooms. In a tremendous show of faith, club cheers and songs were performed as if a pitched battle for the World Cup was underway! Raised fists and proud, unbowed heads accompanied the final club hymn, thanksgiving for a fair battle and a guarantee to continue the fight. An outsider commented that it was a pity that the loss had to happen at a home match. A local replied that it was bound to happen, and they wouldn't have wanted it any other way. As the crowds start to leave, the sound system plays the Red Hot Chili Peppers' breakout hit, 'Under The Bridge'...



Which is exactly where I found Mar Queno, in a manner of speaking. The Sublime Supremo was in the conference room, replaying the game over and over and over again. An unlit MonteCristo was the only thing preventing the gnashing of his teeth. Aside from his right thumb which operated the remote, the man sat on the leather wingback virtually motionless, right leg crossed over his left knee, with nary a wrinkle on his three piece zegna. Even his scotch was untouched, the glass still firmly gripped in his left hand, perhaps his version of those little stressballs you're supposed to squeeze when you're agitated.

Being so engrossed, he wasn't aware of my presence, or so I thought. 'Help yourself to some Suntory 18, there's ice in the bucket if you want some.' he said, still unmoving. As I prepared my whiskey and water, the clinking of the ice on the glass and the sloshing of the liquid seemed almost sacrilegous, unwelcome annoyances during a ritual. I've never been witness to the Sublime Supremo's post game analysis then again, I'd never enjoyed such an expensive drink. Fitting then, on this night of firsts.

I was startled when MQ put the remote down and turned to face me. He managed a weary smile, a puzzling mix of understanding and relief. 'You've seen the 'how', I suppose you're wondering about the 'why'... possession wasn't the deciding factor and neither were scoring opportunities. I don't want to say that it was all luck, that would be disrespectful to Quikball FC. Raposo just had the best game of his career tonight, it was unfortunate that he was playing for the other team.' With the last phrase, he slowly sipped the Japanese elixir, clearly savoring the complex play of flavors that were developed since before some of his younger players were conceived. 'We thought we had prepared enough, knowing all there is to know about their squad and how they play. I still think we did everything we could have. It was clearly a hard fought match and, though I'm sure the lads are disappointed, no fingers need be pointed. There is no shame in a loss like this, only lessons to be learned, built upon, and used as fuel to drive us to greater heights!' Pouring another double, he continued, 'It was unrealistic to believe we would finish the season undefeated, despite what everyone else believed. At least, now that the pressure's off, we can more freely move forward and work harder to secure the league trophy. Dreaming is not for the faint hearted and even when dreams are met by a brutal reality, they do have their purposes.'

So as the dream of a clean sweep fades into the dead of night, we all look forward to the rest of the season as it unfolds. A milestone, though not a pleasant one, has been reached and the next one will surely be cause for celebrations! Rest easy, dear reader, Marikina United FC still holds reign over the standings, and will fight unceasingly until they lift the silver trophy at season's end!

Gabriel Isagani, Philippine Daily Star



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even more logos for the contest!

hehe... option paralysis...


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