[Boromir88]

Two Towers Network - Group E Preview
-Boro88

*Team Name (Round team was knocked out in 2013 ; Goals scored - Goals conceded)*

GROUP E

Anduin (Round of 16 ; 6-4)
-Additions: FW Beorn, MF Isildur
-Subtractions: MF Leod, DF Celeborn

Anduin's trying to make a push this year with their offseason signings and increased payroll. They're taking a few risks and everyone will just have to wait and see if Anduin's increased spending will pay off. The loss of Celeborn weakens a stout defense that only surrendered 4 goals in 4 games. However, working in Anduin's favor is having arguably the deepest mid-field in the tournament. Eorl, Haldir, Boromir II and Isildur are all capable of putting the ball in the back of the net and won't have to rely solely on one player to produce the offense. The sturdier mid-field play and keeping possession should offset the loss of Celeborn at the back. There's another risk taken with making Beorn the lone FW. However, TTN believes this is Beorn's natural position and best fits for his skills set. Beorn is best when he's in a berserk bear-form, and as a GK he showed a lot of inconsistency. As an aggressive lone FW, he should be in a berserker frenzy often and always looking to push the action.

Inter Beleriand (Group ; 5-6)
-Additions: MF Hador, MF Bor, DF NilpWight, DF Imlach, DF Huan
-Subtractions: MF Haleth, MF Forweg, DF Gorlim, DF Haldad, GK Turgon

Inter Beleriand were the biggest movers this offseason and are clearly trying to show the Arda world they are not AC Beleriand's "little brothers." The best player you lost was Turgon (GK) but bring in a better goalie (Huan) and also manage to sign Hador from offensive power-house Hithlum, then poach defensive specialist Nilp from the Championship TIG squad. And still have the funds to sign Bor and Imlach who can fill in supporting roles. Inter Beleriand has added quality to every position and looks poised to make a deep run this year. The investors not only spent, but spent their money well. I'm not sure it's going to be quite enough for a championship this year, but there is championship pedigree up and down this roster. Inter Beleriand had arguably the best offseason and still managed to keep payroll under 100 million.

Imladris (Group ; 1-6)
-Additions: MF Ohtar, DF Celeborn, DF Arwen, DF Roheryn, GK Aragorn
-Subtractions: MF Figwit, MF Gilraen, DF Varda, DF Erestor, GK Valandil

The loss of Varda and Erestor was huge for Imladris because it forced the owners to reload their defense. They found worthy replacements so their defensive talent shouldn't drop off. But those losses means Imladris couldn't focus on bringing in a stronger MF player to help their offense, which only scored once in three matches! Granted in 2013 Imladris was in perhaps the toughest defensive group (Angband, Anfauglith, TIG all ferocious and nasty defenses). They may be better suited against the teams in Group E, but I'm not convinced it will lead to enough goals to get the results needed to advance. Anduin's MF is vastly superior to Imladris' and Inter Beleriand is just top-to-bottom a better roster.

Minas Tirith (Group ; 1-7)
-Additions: MF Pelendur, MF Herion, DF Ostoher, DF Imrahil
-Subtractions: MF Eomer, DF Cirion, DF Firefoot, DF Earnur

I won't sugar-coat this analysis either, Minas Tirith are the whipping boys of this group and were losers in the offseason. 2013 they were in a group of death and vastly outclassed by Nargothrond, Tirion, and The Sea. However, their future isn't looking much brighter this year. They lost some of their top players and replaced them with well...nobodies. Even Imladris on a low-budget managed to attract some talent to bolster the losses of their stars. Statistically they may end up better than that 1 goal scored and 7 conceded from 2013, but only because they're not in a hellacious "group of death" this year. It's a mirage. Minas Tirith is in worse shape than it was in 2013.