Forumites,
For the newcomers, let me bring up an old topic and let us use the same scenario and rephrase it with our friendlies and three upcoming world cup games.
Once one can answer these seven questions in the affirmative then victory is usually the outcome.
When this was first done we were LAST in the Hex and Beenhaker just came on board. We took a good hard look at our opponents and many of us using this analysis had a fair idea of the outcome of our games. I always knew we would come 4th and I predicted this even before the HEX started.
However let me refresh your memories and start some lively debate once again.
Original Seven Searching questions Click hereFor any of you who have read Sun Tzu's art of war, the outcome of a battle can usually be anticipated after answering the following questions. If we look at the next few World Cup games and put TT into this framework we may get an idea as to where we may stand or rather fall.
Now let us not forget that this battle we are dealing with lasts for 90min and the ball is round so on any given day surprises can happen.
Unto our lil debate..........
The Art of War is governed by five constant factors: Moral Law, Heaven, Earth, the Commander and Method and Discipline.
Moral Law causes people to be in constant accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.(Lets Call our Ruler Jack)
Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat times and seasons.( we have 2 home games, 3 away remaining)
Earth comprises distances great and small, danger and security, open ground and narrow passes, the chance of life and death( Lets use this as travel time to game i.e 3 days, fan support, etc.)
The Commander stands for the virtues of Wisdom, sincerity,benevolence courage and strictness( Leo Beenhaker)
Method and discipline, marshalling of the Army in proper subdivisions(fwd/mid/def),gradations of rank among officers(local/foreign based/starter/bench) maintenence of roads by which supplies reach the army and the control of military expenditure(fitness/injuries/match fees etc)
These five heads should be familiar to every general . He who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.
Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise:
SEVEN SEARCHING QUESTIONS
1) Which of two soverigns is imbued with moral law?
2) Which of the two generals has most ability?
3) With whom lie the advantages derived from heaven and earth?
4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?
5) Which Army is the stronger?
6) On which side are officers and men most highly trained?
7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.
Now I have looked at questions 1-7 in this light with regard to TT...
Question 1) Jack Warner......N/A no moral law here.
Question 2) If we use Beenhaker as our General we right up there with the best. If we use Dwight Yorke we can match them with the qualities he has as a leader.
Question 3) NA..........we are all playing on neutral ground (Germany) and all our players are accustommed to Euro temperatures and conditions.
Question 4) We have improved in this dept, but I still think our opponents are ahead of us in this dept. With failure or poor performance our opponents players lose their places on the team with TT we have a little more leeway and a poor performance does not result in much punishment.
Question 5) We are the weakest Army in both equipment and depth.
Question 6) Again we are the weakest
Question 7) Unsure about this question because I am not sure how our players receive their wages and bonuses if any. The motivational factor of money is not very high in our team. I could be wrong on this and how I look at the question I stand corrected on its interpretation.
Now apart from these seven questions let me quote some excerpts from this book that will help TT in its battle. Read and digest how you would like. Put in your two cents. Just think of the battle as the field and our 11 TT players and please remember our strengths and weaknesses keeping in mind those of the opponent as well.
Elemental TacticsAll warfare is based on deception. Hence when able to attack, we must seem unable, when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away we must make the enemy believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Fein disorder, and crush him.
If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him.
If he is superiour in strength , evade him. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak so that he may grow arrogant.
If he is inactive, give him no rest. I his forces are united, seprate them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: How much more do no calculation at all pave the way to defeat! It is by attention to this point that I can see who is likely to win or lose.
3 ways a Ruler can bring misfortune on an army1) By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This amounts to hobblng the army.
2) By attempting to govern an army in the same way he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness among the soldiers.
3) By employing the officers of his army without discriminination, through ignorance of the military principle of adapting action to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.
But when the army is restless and distrustful, trouble is sure to come from other fuedal princes. This is simply equivalent in results to bringing anarchy into the army and flinging victory away.5 essentials for victory He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight
He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces
He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all ranks
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the soverign.
Victory lies in the knowledge of those five points.
To be continued....