70s Fantasy Draft QF1 - Cold_Boy v DanNistelrooy

Who will win based on players in their prime, team tactics, balance & bench strength?

  • Total voters
    28
  • Poll closed .

Brwned

Have you ever been in love before?
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
50,937
Important note: For the purpose of this competition, these players are considered at the level when they were in their prime.

Team Cold Boy

STRATEGY/TACTICS

My team is set -up with a 4- 2 -3-1 (or alternatively 4-3-3) with Shevchenko as the main striker with Wiltord and DI Natale on the wings who will not only put in crosses but also cut inside the box.

Litmanen will be my play-maker cum link-up between the midfield and Sheva.

Ballack and Hamann will be in central midfield with Ballack playing the box-to-box role and will be everywhere.Hamann will sit back and link up with the defense and use his abilities to spray passes ahead as well as stop/tackle the opposition's attack.

With Stam and Materazzi I have two no-nonsense ,beast of defenders who are sure to win every ball in the air and also have special attributes like speed and physical strength to tackle any kind of opposing attacker.

In Lauren and Abidal I have two extremely reliable wing-backs who will not only bomb forward but also will be solid in defense.Both again pretty tall players.

The team has plenty of height with only Natale and Wiltord who are short and also plenty of speed.
Click to expand...

MARCOS

Brazil's main goalkeeper during the 2002 World Cup winning squad.One of the best Brazilian keepers ever and voted 4th best in the world according to IFFHS

LAUREN

First choice in the Arsenal's Invincibles Team.Voted ANC player of tournament in 2000 and also made it into the PFA team of 2004.Was one of the best right backs in the PL era.Solid defensively as well as great going forward

Mallorca

* Supercopa de España: 1

1998

Arsenal

* FA Premier League: 2

2001–02, 2003–04

* FA Cup: 3

2002, 2003, 2005

* Community Shield: 2

2002, 2004

Portsmouth

* Premier League Asia Trophy: 1

2007

* FA Cup: 1

2008

Cameroon

* Olympic Tournament: 1

2000

* African Nations Cup: 2

2000, 2002

Individual

* African Nations Cup Player of the Tournament: 1

2000

* PFA Team of the Year: 1

2004[14]

STAM

Jaap Stam needs no intro for us United fans.Beast of a defender.
1997 Dutch player of the year.Twice best defender in the CL and 3 times part of the PFA team of year. Legend! No team will even bother messing with my team.:devil:

MATERAZZI

Now lets forget what a cnut he was and the Zidane incident. Materazzi was one of the best defenders in Italy over past 2 decades.Voted Serie A defender of the Year 2007 and won 5 Serie A titles and World Cup winner.

Known for his aggressive style and no nonsense defending.Chipped in with a decent number of goals too throughout his career.

ABIDAL

One of the best left-back of recent times.Made it into the UEFA team of the year 2007 and voted Defender of the year recently and French regular ahead of Evra.

Tall,Fast and Strong.Equally amazing attacking wise and defensively.

Lyon

* French League: 3

2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07

* French Supercup: 3

2005, 2006, 2007

Barcelona

* Spanish League: 3

2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11

* Spanish Cup: 1

2008–09

* Spanish Super Cup: 3

2009, 2010, 2011

* UEFA Champions League: 2

2008–09, 2010–11

* UEFA Super Cup: 2

2009, 2011

* FIFA Club World Cup: 2

2009, 2011

HAMANN

One of Liverpools most influential midfielders and best signing during the Houlier era.One of the most under-rated players in the PL.Known for his reliability and consistency. A quality defensive midfielder who can not only interrupt the opposition attack but also had a very good range of passing himself. Won the CL with Pool and Capped 60 times for Germany.

I think those of you'all who have seen him play many times will admit he was real quality.

BALLACK

Arguably the best box-to-box midfielder of the last decade.An absolute machine and midfielder who could do everything possible.
Known for his Passing ,Agility, Shooting, Quickness, Strength, Ability in air, Attitude.So basically everything. Had an eye for those killer through balls too and a very good goal scoring record. 42 in 90 for Germany and a similar record for the clubs in his pick.

Was my favorite midfielder before he joined Chelsea.

UEFA Midfielder of the Year 2002.
3 times German player of the Year
Named 2 times each in the World Cup and Euro's Team of the year respectively.

LITMANEN

The greatest player Finland has ever produced and arguably one of the best players ever during his peak at Ajax ( the 90's decade).

9 times Finish player of the Year, Voted 3rd best in Europe in 1995, and the Dutch player of the year and top-scorer in 1993.

One of the best players Ajax ever had, Litmanen had almost no weaknesses. Known for his touch, technique, skills, passing and scoring.In his prime at Ajax he was almost as good as the great players named of the last century.

Watch the video below please :



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jari_Litmanen#Personal_awards_and_achievements

DI NATALE

An extremely versatile forward who could play anywhere in attack. Known for his pace, skills and ability to score and create goals.

During his peak one the best attackers of the decade in Serie A scoring 183 in 280 odd matches for Udinese.

Serie A top scorer in 2010 and 2011 and also Italian player of the year 2010.

WILTORD

Another member of the brilliant Arsenal side. French footballer of the year 1999 and top scorer in the French league once.

SHEVCHENKO

Needs no introduction imo. One of the best strikers ever. AC Milan legend.

2004 Winner of the Ballon D'Or and placed 3rd thrice.

Individual

* Ukrainian Footballer of the Year: (6) 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005
* Ukrainian Sports 1999.[35]
* Commonwealth of Independent States Cup Top Scorer: 1997
* Ukrainian Premier League Top Scorer: 1999
* Ukrainian Premier League Best player: 1997
* Ukrainian Cup Top Scorer (2): 1995, 1998
* ESM Team of the Year: (3) 1999-00, 2003–04, 2004–2005
* UEFA Champions League Top Scorer: (2) 1998–99, 2005–06
* UEFA Champions League Best Forward: 1999
* UEFA Team of the Year: (2) 2004, 2005
* UEFA Super Cup 2003 Man of the match.
* Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year: 2000
* Serie A Goal of the Year 2004 (Roma-Milan 2004).[36]
* Serie A Top Scorer: (2) 1999–00, 2003–04
* Supercoppa Italiana all time top Scorer
* Best Player of Eastern Europe - Focus Vest magazine Trophy: 2001
* Baltic and Commonwealth of Independent States Footballer of the Year: (2) 2004, 2005
* Ballon d'Or: 2004
* Ballon d'Or: Third Place 1999, 2000.
* 2004 FIFA World Player of the Year Third
* Golden Foot award : 2005
* FIFPro World XI: 2005
* Ukraine all-time Top Scorer with 46 goals.
* Derby della Madonnina all-time top scorer with 14 goals.
* All time Milan's Top goal scorer in Champions League with 33 goals.
* All time FIFA World Cup qualification European Top Scorer.[37]
* FIFA World Cup qualification 2002 Top Scorer European with 10 goals.
* FIFA 100
* The World Team of the Decade by Mirror Football: 2009[38]
* A.C. Milan Hall Of Fame.[39]
* UEFA awards 100 caps.[40]
* Pallone d'Argento 2004.
* L'Équipe Team of the Year: (2) 2004, 2005.[41][42]
* Top scorer in the history of football ukrainian with 370 goals.
* Dynamo Kiev Top goalscorer (2) .
* A.C Milan Top goalscorer (6).

[edit] Ballon d'Or

* 1998 – nominated (top 50)
* 1999 – 3rd
* 2000 – 3rd
* 2001 – 8th
* 2003 – 4th
* 2004 – 1st
* 2005 – 5th
* 2006 – nominated (top 50)

[edit] FIFA World Player of the Year

* 1999 – 7th
* 2000 – 5th
* 2001 – 9th
* 2003 – 10th
* 2004 – 3rd
* 2005 – 6th
* 2006 – 21st
Click to expand...


Cold_Boy said:
So going with Keane and Ballack in central midfield and Litmanen as the man in the hole/creative position. Beckham to put in the crosses and the height in my team being the advantage with everyone 6 or above except Di Natale and Lauren.

Di Natale will play on the left as an left sided attacking midfielder and will cut in towards the goal as well as put in balls with his favored and famous left foot.

Team has balanced width on both sides as Abidal (especially) and Lauren are known for their attacking as well as defending.

Plenty of goals in my team with Shevcheko, Litmanen, Ballack, Di Natale, Beckham all proven goal scorers. All in all a perfectly balanced team
Click to expand...

343038_Dream_Team.jpg


SUBS: Hamann
Albelda
Wiltord

Dan's (mostly) Brazilian Army

abB9HQBapx.jpg


Julio Cesar - Brazil's number 1 and over 200 caps for Inter. Won the treble with Inter in 2010 and was named UEFA Goalkeeper of the year

Cafu (c) - World cup winning captain - One of, if not the best right full back of his generation. Won 2 Copa America's, 2 World Cups along with a host of other club competitions; including the Champions League, 1 Club world cup, Serie A titles with Roma and AC.

Lucio - World cup winner and one of the best centre backs of the 2000s. On top of the Wolrd Cup, has won the lot at club level - also part of Inter's treble winning side in 2010. Before his time at Inter, Lucio was at the heart of Bayern Munich's defense who dominated the German League in the mid 2000s, collecting 3 Bundesliga titles.

Juan - Underrated, solid defender who has played with Lucio for Brazil. Juan is the 20th most capped Brazilian player of all time, anyone with that record for a team like Brazil has had an impressive career.

Serginho - one of the finest left sided players in the draft. Solid at the back but also brilliant going forward. Him and Cafu on the flanks, I think I have one of the strongest set of full backs in the draft. I was gutted when he was picked before me in the draft, a massive improvement over Sylvinho

Gilberto Silva - Solid, disciplined defensive midfielder who will keep things ticking and cover for Sylvinho and Cafu when they move forward. An integral part of both Brazil's World Cup 2002 winning team and Arsenal's "invincibles".

Claude Makelele - An exception to my all Brazilian team but a worthy exception. There was nobody better than him in the role he played, not many players have a position on the football pitch named after them. Influential in the dominant Real Madrid and Chelsea teams of the 2000s.

Juninho Paulista - Adding flair and creativity to the midfield is "Little" Juninho. World Cup winner in 2002.

Juninho Pernambucano - Will be remembered for his deadly freekicks. Very tidy on the ball and will link the midfield and attacking play well. Integral part of the dominant Lyon side who won 7 consecutive French titles between 2002-2008. Picked up 40 international caps for Brazil

Edmundo - had a reputation for being a bit of a nutter. But there was no doubting his talent. Scorer of one of the best goals I've seen scored against United Mundial FIFA 2000: Vasco 3 X 1 Manchester - Golaço de Edmundo - YouTube .10 goals in 39 caps for Brazil - the prospect of a Edmundo - Ronaldo partnership is exciting

Ronaldo - the best striker of his generation. A stunning 247 goals in 343 starts at club level, paired with 62 in 98 for Brazil. 2 time Ballon D'or winner, guided Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002.

Sub - Denilson - another World Cup winner. Famous for his trickery and step overs. If a bit of magic is needed from the bench, he is capable.

Sylvinho - Good servant for Arsenal, and part of Barcelona's 2006 and 2009 Champions League winning team. Also won a few La Liga titles and is capable of getting forward as well as putting in a defensive shift

Edu - Another important player of Arsenal's unbeaten side in 2004. 2 Premiership medals and 2 FA Cups was followed by a successful stint at Valencia where he won the Copa del Rey in 2008. Another World Champion as he was part of the Cornithians side to pick of the FIFA Club World Championship in 2000

I have gone for a strong core to the team. Julio Cesar, Lucio, Gilberto Silva, Makelele, Ronaldo - all top players who, in their prime, were amongst the best around.

I have replaced Edu with Makelele in the starting lineup to match the traditional Brazilian tactic of 2 defensive midfielders, to allow the rest of the team to attack when they need to.

The width will be provided by Cafu, arguably the best right back of his generation, and on the other side Serginho. When either of these 2 go forward I have a well disciplined, World Cup winning defensive midfielder in Gilberto and the best defensive midfielder in the draft to cover for them.

Attacking-wise, the creativity of the two Juninhos and Edmundo will be able to create chances, and then I have the best striker of this generation to score the goals for me in Ronaldo.

Flair is clearly not going to be lacking in a Brazilian team but this group of players also have the steel to go with that. The addition of Makelele to the mix has strengthened the middle of the park and I don't fancy creative midfielders to get much joy out of him and Silva.

7 World Cup medals between them, along with a couple of Wolrd Club Championships and Champions Leagues. They also boast league titles from Greece, Brazil, England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany.
Click to expand...
 
I honestly think Dan's midfield isn't that great at all. With Makelele and Gilberto Silva at the heart of the midfield, it's surely one of the least creative midfield in the game right now. Both the Juninho's whilst being good players were never in the Upper echelons of players. Obviously Ronaldo was amazing and Dan has got extremely good pair of fullbacks but overall I think Coldboy's team trumps Dan's team for me.

Also voted just so that I don't have to click show votes everytime to see the votes, it won't be counted until or unless Dan has a secret assistant.
 
No secret assistant for me unfortunately. Shall I vote for myself to even it out? Its pretty annoying having to click to see the results I agree but I'm not sure if we are meant to vote for our own team...

This is a close one but I think now with Makelele in the mix alongside Gilberto Silva, I can't see the midfield battle being lost (which was my struggle in the previous rounds.) I don't fancy Litmanen, who is the creative force behind Cold Boy's team to get any joy out of these 2

I also have 2 of the best fullbacks in the draft bombing forward at will, either Gilberto or Makelele will cover these runs so there is no worries about being caught out here.
 
Still don't get Beckham's inclusion. He's at his best playing wide right in a 4 man midfield. Either he's out of position playing as a wing forward or Di Natale is out of position playing as a traditional wide man. Unless they've both got different positions, in which case I don't think its very balanced.
 
You and Coldboy are allowed to vote for your own teams but I'm not as it will give Coldboy some undue advantage.
 
Tough one this. All creative midfielders will clearly be nullified by significantly better DMs.

The goal will come from Dan's fullbacks or Beckham. Dan has the better set of strikers but Cold Boy's got Ballack who is head and shoulders better than either Juninho...
 
On first glance Ballack and Keane look like they're a class above Dan's midfield. Yet Dan does have essentially four central midfielders clogging things up in there, so even being better players it's difficult to see how much they'd be able to dictate from the middle. And then Dan is clearly better in the sticks, at right-back and leading the line. Tough call.
 
KM said:
You and Coldboy are allowed to vote for your own teams but I'm not as it will give Coldboy some undue advantage.
Click to expand...

Okay, I have voted just to cancel out your vote then.
 
Gio said:
On first glance Ballack and Keane look like they're a class above Dan's midfield. Yet Dan does have essentially four central midfielders clogging things up in there, so even being better players it's difficult to see how much they'd be able to dictate from the middle. And then Dan is clearly better in the sticks, at right-back and leading the line. Tough call.
Click to expand...

Cold Boy's back four is a more solid unit though.

I really see it as a game decided by a set piece.

Free kicks at goal: Beckham or Pernambucano? Tough
Free kicks and corners looking for a header: Cold Boy hands down
 
Voted Dan because of superior balance and team chemistry. And he has Ronaldo
 
man for man then Cold Boy has the better players but his formation doesnt feel right - I think he has tried to push in too many big names whereas Dan's team has a good balance.

I have not yet voted, waiting for either manager to make a good case for how their team will defeat the other...
 
You're playing Di Natale as a winger? That is a bit strange imo, he can play as a wide forward sure, but not as a winger.
 
I think the midfield battle in this one would be even. I can't see his midfield getting anything from mine, I have two of the best defensive midfielders in the draft to protect the back four.

That then leaves the flanks and strikers. Down both flanks I have top class attacking fullbacks, one of which, is the best aviailable in the draft.

Di Natalie (playing completely out of position) will provide no cover whatsoever down my right hand side and I expect my team to exploit that. Beckham will do his defensive duties I admit, but even then, he was always part of a 4 man midfield, not a 5 like Cold Boy is playing

Up front, Shevchenko, as good as he was, up top alone he would be isolated, especially against a very physical Lucio who turns it on in the big games and can dominate almost any striker.

The same can't be said about my strike force however. People shouldn't forget how good a player ROnaldo was, an absolute phenomenon, who on his day, could not be handled by anyone. The best out and out striker I have seen in my lifetime. A much better striker than Shevchenko and also will not be isolated - Edmundo will provide support and link balls through to him.
 
Ralaks said:
You're playing Di Natale as a winger? That is a bit strange imo, he can play as a wide forward sure, but not as a winger.
Click to expand...

Not a winger.

Just like a wide forward as in the first post.

Just posted again to show Stam and Materazzi swapped.
 
DanNistelrooy said:
I think the midfield battle in this one would be even. I can't see his midfield getting anything from mine, I have two of the best defensive midfielders in the draft to protect the back four.

That then leaves the flanks and strikers. Down both flanks I have top class attacking fullbacks, one of which, is the best aviailable in the draft.

Di Natalie (playing completely out of position) will provide no cover whatsoever down my right hand side and I expect my team to exploit that. Beckham will do his defensive duties I admit, but even then, he was always part of a 4 man midfield, not a 5 like Cold Boy is playing

Up front, Shevchenko, as good as he was, up top alone he would be isolated, especially against a very physical Lucio who turns it on in the big games and can dominate almost any striker.

The same can't be said about my strike force however. People shouldn't forget how good a player ROnaldo was, an absolute phenomenon, who on his day, could not be handled by anyone. The best out and out striker I have seen in my lifetime. A much better striker than Shevchenko and also will not be isolated - Edmundo will provide support and link balls through to him.
Click to expand...

Your only argument as I expected is Ronaldo.

Litmanen is not a central midfielder.He can play a attacking mid cum second striker role. So Shevchenko will not be isolated and agreed Ronaldo is better but doesn't mean Sheva is bad.

At peak, I don't really need to explain how good he was.

Also Silva is not one of the best def-mids in the draft. No way.
 
Cold_Boy said:
Your only argument as I expected is Ronaldo.

Litmanen is not a central midfielder.He can play a attacking mid cum second striker role. So Shevchenko will not be isolated and agreed Ronaldo is better but doesn't mean Sheva is bad.

At peak, I don't really need to explain how good he was.

Also Silva is not one of the best def-mids in the draft. No way.
Click to expand...

At his peak Silva was a brilliant defensive midfielder, one of the most important parts of that annoyingly good Arsenal team. Gilberto alone would be enough to nullify Litmanen, who was never a world beater, however I also have Makelele in there to deal with any other threat from Keane and Ballack. My plan is to nullify that midfield battle, and I think i have 2 perfect players to do that.

My arguement isn't just Ronaldo, but of course he is the main threat. Edmundo was a fine player on his day and IMO would be a perfect foil for Ronaldo. I remember him tearing United apart in the Club World Cup, from what I remember, Stam couldn't handle him - I may be wrong here so correct me if so.

The two Juninho's are both very clever players and along with Edmundo can create. Pernambucano posseses one of the best set pieces around so there is that threat too.

The main areas I would look to exploit are down the flanks, Cafu and Serginho are both brilliant attacking fullbacks, and they are given a license to attack with Makelele and Silva covering. You are playing Di Natalie/Wiltord left midfield, neither of which were reknowned for their defensive work. I fancy Cafu et al to have a good time down your left hand side.
 
DanNistelrooy said:
My plan is to nullify that midfield battle, and I think i have 2 perfect players to do that.
Click to expand...

I believe you have. Nothing good/significant will come from central midfield from either team.

Edmundo was a fine player on his day and IMO would be a perfect foil for Ronaldo. I remember him tearing United apart in the Club World Cup, from what I remember, Stam couldn't handle him - I may be wrong here so correct me if so.
Click to expand...
Sort of, it was Silvestre who had a mare (I think that game was the one people started worrying about his lapses in concentration). But we were a shambles at the back and Stam didn't have a good game.

The main areas I would look to exploit are down the flanks, Cafu and Serginho are both brilliant attacking fullbacks, and they are given a license to attack with Makelele and Silva covering. You are playing Di Natalie/Wiltord left midfield, neither of which were reknowned for their defensive work. I fancy Cafu et al to have a good time down your left hand side.
Click to expand...
Abidal is pretty good though. I sure see your fullbacks doing more attacking-wise but, despite Makelele and Silva being able to cover, I see your backline less settled/assured as a result. Cold Boy's is solid, stable and will take something special to break down. Of course, Ronaldo could provide that. But I would expect as much goalscoring probability in Schevchenko getting opportunities against a rather more unsettled backline.

That's why ultimately I went for a set piece deciding the game. Every corner and free kick would be a classic Beckham goldenball with Stam, Materazzi, Ballack and Keano attacking it, with Shevchenko ready to pounce on any rebound.

You are in real trouble there mate. Very effective approach, and your team is packed with relative midgets.
 
antohan said:
I believe you have. Nothing good/significant will come from central midfield from either team.

Sort of, it was Silvestre who had a mare (I think that game was the one people started worrying about his lapses in concentration). But we were a shambles at the back and Stam didn't have a good game.

Abidal is pretty good though. I sure see your fullbacks doing more attacking-wise but, despite Makelele and Silva being able to cover, I see your backline less settled/assured as a result. Cold Boy's is solid, stable and will take something special to break down. Of course, Ronaldo could provide that. But I would expect as much goalscoring probability in Schevchenko getting opportunities against a rather more unsettled backline.

That's why ultimately I went for a set piece deciding the game. Every corner and free kick would be a classic Beckham goldenball with Stam, Materazzi, Ballack and Keano attacking it, with Shevchenko ready to pounce on any rebound.

You are in real trouble there mate. Very effective approach, and your team is packed with relative midgets.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, size doesn't matter though, look at Spain and Barcelona's success. I have Lucio, Gilberto, Juan, Serginho, Ronaldo who are not midgets by a long way
 
DanNistelrooy said:
Fair enough, size doesn't matter though, look at Spain and Barcelona's success. I have Lucio, Gilberto, Juan, Serginho, Ronaldo who are not midgets by a long way
Click to expand...

It's not just size but strength and aggression when going for a header. I listed Stam, Materazzi, Ballack and Keano as the ones attacking the ball. Out of the ones you listed I can only see Lucio competing effectively. Gilberto and Juan less so.

Spain and Barcelona are great teams with truly phenomenal players, the last thing they have to worry about is height... so long as they have enough players who can defend set pieces (Puyol, Ramos, Piqué, Busquets...).

But here you have a game in deadlock, and the one striking option to break the deadlock is exploiting set pieces. The difference is abysmal.
 
Dan, you should keep me posting, the last three times I posted you were a vote behind and after I posted you drew level :lol:
 
Dan's players are all used to a certain way of playing, whist Cold boys are a bit of a mixed bag. Also Dan has a great balance of defence and attack (he has potentially 6 offensive / 6 defensive players with the wing backs able to do both depending on the situation within the game), plus one of the two genuine superstars of this tournament. I think he's being done a bit of a disservice because of the United / English based player presence in Cold boy's side
 
I reckon Cold_Boy should have gone for a United 4-4-2. Beckham is too forward. Wiltord on the left and Shevchenko partnered with either Di Natele or Litmanen.

I don't rate Materazzi and Lauren very much. Stam and Abidal make that defense good.

I think that Dan's weaknesses don't hinder him as much because the middle is crowded with players who are generally better at winning the ball. Cafu does a lot fore me. Boro Juninho is very mobile little player and can well help out a lot on the right where the defense is only Abidal.

There's not much in this. Shevchenko and Ronaldo can both score from nothing. Beckham and Juninho are the best at set pieces. Juninho might well score from 30-35m.
 
As much as Cold Boy has the better talent in centre-midfield, I've gone for Dan on the basis that it'll be a clusterfeck in there and his attack is more balanced. Cold Boy's left side is a concern: defensively Abidal is solid enough, but Di Natale / Wiltord on the wing doesn't smell right particularly without an overlapping wing-back or even a left-footed central midfielder to work the space with.
 
As it stands Dan is winning, need more votes people!
 
rofl I just went to vote...it let me and loaded up the next screen.....but that said its now closed. But I'm glad my voted didn't go through, a good old penalty shootout time.

Y'all gotta convince me.
 
I think the clocks on the forum have been playing up. Your last post was apparently at 10.07 when in fact its only 9.20 now
 
That would be telling, I won't get started on how much this entire win has cost me
 
Zen said:
rofl I just went to vote...it let me and loaded up the next screen.....but that said its now closed. But I'm glad my voted didn't go through, a good old penalty shootout time.

Y'all gotta convince me.
Click to expand...

Who were you voting for?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.