The Timid Ranger has been flooded with interview requests this week and whilst I would love to share a coffee with every team coach, the fact of the matter is that I do have a national park to run and there has been an outbreak of scurvy among the eucalypts so I’ve been run off my feet. I have only a couple of spare minutes with which I can act as journalist this week, and that time has been spent chatting to the reigning premier of Leeds Premiership, Mr. Leeds himself.
Coach Name: Matt Leeds
Team Name: Leeds Dynasty
Current Position: 12th
Q: Thanks for offering your time Matt, when you are referred to as Mr Leeds by students, have you ever likened yourself to Mr Deeds and secretly wished that the inheritance which he was given was yours?
A: No.
Q: What are your thoughts on the dream team season thus far?
A: Its been a slightly disappointing start for yours truly. I never expect to find myself outside the top 8 at any point during the season and so to have started with two losses out of the first three games, its very depressing. I do have a strong squad though and I’m confident our off days will be less common in coming weeks.
Q: Is there any particular area of concern for you?
A: At the moment its just a case of the big boys not pulling their weight. Like many DT coaches, I base my team around picking players at the higher end or lower end of the market and not much in between. The problem has been that of my 13 ‘star’ players,12 have decreased in value so far this season which is simply not good enough. Accepting that is like being happy about losing a game after leading by 7
goals in the 3rd quarter – its just not on.
Q: How has the 3 weeks of 3 team byes affected your team?
A: I’m of the opinion that it effects all equally. As long as you plan for it, you should be able to get away with minimal damage. Having an awful weekend for most just gone has left many with a sour taste in their mouth, but I believe it to be another area where those who prepare well can take advantage of their tactical ability.
Q: Do you see any trades coming up in the near future?
A: We have reached the stage of the season where it is worth considering liquidating your cash cows and upgrading to a ‘keeper’. Whether I start that process this week or next is still up for debate. I think I’ll have to wait until the teams get released on Thursday
Q: You play dkisgun this weekend, are you feeling confident ahead of this important game?
A: I’m always confident of a good showing, but you are right when you say it is an important game. I think having just the one Collingwood player in my normal starting lineup will help me. Daniel has got Shaw as well as Swan, so he has two big holes to fill and I’ll be looking to target that weakness in defence. He has to play two of Duigan, O’Shea and Toy – none of whom I would want starting for me.
Q: Which game would you pick as the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service’s Match of the Week?
A: Judging by ladder position, you would have to say that Cutter411 v thebluesfan is the red hot game and the victor is well placed to go on and challenge the top 3. Dkisgun and I are also fairly close, but I’m tipping a 103 point win to the dynasters on the back of a Matthew Boyd masterclass.
If anyone would like to be featured next week, please submit your application to thetimidranger@hotmail.com or invite me as a friend on facebook and we can get the ball rolling.
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