All Time Chain Draft - QF2: antohan vs diarm

[green_smiley]

vs.

.........................................Team antohan...........................................................................................Team diarm........................................

Spoiler: Original tactics from diarm

TEAM ANTOHAN​

Tactics:

The team has been built around a homage to Uruguay’s inspiration of Italy’s catenaccio sides. It’s a straightforward well-known setup that all my players are well drilled for and completely familiar and at home with their roles.

It features:

• a rock solid well-protected defence,
• superb distribution from deep (Scirea, Figueroa, Gonçalves)
• players capable of carrying out quick counter-attacking transitions down the flanks (Facchetti and Abbadie) or through the middle (Cubillas, with Varela more likely a second wave edge-of-the-box-loose-ball twatter)
• the best regista in this draft and of all time according to Gianni Brera (Juan Alberto Schiaffino)
  
• one of the most complete and prolific centreforwards in history (Nordahl)

My rival:

Will be playing a narrow formation, diamond or XMAS tree, same thing really.

Unfortunately, unless he does something completely mental, the decades restriction means he has to drop one of Tardelli or Schuster. Either of them would be a big loss, both would start ahead of the other midfielders IMO, but considering there's already enough passing in the team I assume Tardelli will get the nod (and rightly so).

He will also have to decide whether to play Völler and Klinsmann ahead of Baggio, or Baggio and Cantona behind Klinsmann. I'd do the former, but not too fussed either way.

I would like to point out:

1. There’s a distinct lack of width. Little if anything on the right and Amoros on the left. While in the previous game I faced a defence-stretching attack with no teeth, now there's the sort of centreforward previously missing but no ability to get away from a central clusterfeck.

2. The multitude of passers in midfield won't amount to much. In fact, they are a bit wasted. You want the likes of Paul Scholes to be spraying passes, but there's little spraying to do, no diagonal balls to place, just forward balls to play centrally through a tight and organised defensive core. A bit pointless really, and decidedly fruitless.

3. His flanks are horribly exposed to my counters: Facchetti vs. Neville isn't a route to goal as much as it is a motorway, Abbadie (50s winger Abbadie) will track Amoros early on but won't defend all the way to the corner flag. He will be happy to leave him to contend with Rodríguez Andrade and instead exploit the freedom of the flank behind Amoros' back.


Why I win:

· I have a significantly better and expertly protected defence, he is on a collision course with a brickwall. Campbell and Beppe (not Franco) Baresi are out of their depth here and are afforded no protection whatsoever.

· I own the flanks and my forwards are better and more prolific.

· I have the benefit of space and the right delivery and execution to exploit it. As Abbadie said: “where there is space, the attacker always has the advantage”

· I have the personnel to control proceedings from start to finish. Not necessarily control possession, but the flow of the game: determining where I'm happy to let diarm faff around and where I won't let him go; then making a more productive use of the ball when I have it.

· My players have great mentality and character, well proven at the highest levels.


LINKS TO PLAYER PROFILES: THEME - BACK 5 - MIDFIELD - ATTACK

DECADES: 10s: Varela; 20s: Buffon, Rodríguez Andrade, Schiaffino, Nordahl; 30s: Gonçalves, Abbadie; 40s: Facchetti, Figueroa, Cubillas; 50s: Scirea

 

[green_smiley]

TEAM DIARM​

I spent hours working on what I was going to write for this but in the end, I have deleted much of what I'd put together because I anticipate we will have enough to read this evening.

I'm not looking to undermine the ability of our opponents because clearly, Anto's side has great quality. Nor am I going to downplay the great strengths of my side. Since the first round I have added pace up front where it was sorely needed and further strengthened what was already a superb midfield. We have Baggio and Tardelli in roles that more suit their talents and should provide the side with greater width, and we have an all round more balanced look to the side.

Ours is a simple game plan, based on a solid and well balanced defence behind an outstanding midfield who will look to keep the ball and make use of the many players we have who are capable of creating something special.

Tactics

Formation: 433

• Defence - The defensively excellent Neville alongside a classy, game reading CB in Giuseppe Baresi and a more assertive, physically dominant CB in Campbell. Amoros offers a more attacking threat from LWB.

• Midfield - Scholes as a deep lying playmaker alongside a B2B all action footballer in Tardelli and a more advanced playmaker in Schuster.

• Attack - An ideal trio combing an inside forward/No.10 extraordinaire in Baggio, a complete CF with pace to burn in Völler and a ruthless striker in Klinsmann.

Key Focus Areas

• Dominate possession with Scholes and Schuster dictating the tempo of the game

• Use Amoros along with the movement of Tardelli, Baggio and Völler to provide width

• Look to exploit the excellent movement of our front 3 by making use of Scholes long range passing, Schusters slide rule passing (delicious through balls!) and Tardelli's running from midfield to join the attack.

Why Team Diarm Will Win

• We have the better midfield. Scholes and Schuster are two of the finest midfielders ever to pass a ball and Tardelli is the sort of warrior every manager wishes he had in the middle of the park. We plan to dominate possession of the ball, allowing our two playmakers to put the ball in areas where Baggio, Völler and Klinsmann can hurt the opposition.

• We have a beautifully balanced and incredibly talented front 3. The dribbling and general brilliance of Baggio operating between the lines and able to attack the box from central or wider areas will be complimented by the pace and movement of Völler. The German's ability to both run at defenders and to pull into wider areas, looking to receive the ball from Scholes or Schuster, will pull defenders out of position and create space for Baggio to dribble into. Once in the box, both players are lethal and here they'll be joined by a sublime striker who is no less deadly.

• Anto hates his main striker (All-time Fantasy Draft - Gio v antohan) He once called him "a poor mans Vieri" among other such insults. Now I do not claim to agree with such hatred and obvious lack of respect, but I do expect it will have some effect on the poor lads confidence going into such an important match.

Best of luck Anto. Here's to a good, fair game!

 

[green_smiley]

@Rado_N

Could you please help to add a poll? Thanks

With playes are career best, who will win the match?
Team antohan
Team diarm

 

[green_smiley]

Good luck @antohan @diarm

 

[antohan]

...

 

[antohan]

I've no idea where I got the idea Amoros was a 50s player.

Anyway, good upgrade on Verón then, but I would have played Schuster anchoring, not on the left.

 

[antohan]

So, who's your captain @diarm?

I see a distinct lack of captain material, while I have a hard time deciding between Obdulio, Tito, Facchetti, Figueroa and Scirea.

Nah, not really, it has to be the greatest of them all, just thought it was worth pointing out how awesome my defence and DM pair are relative to the likes of Campbell, Giuseppe Baresi and Scholes anchoring a midfield and conceding fould left, right and centre as Cubillas waltzes past him time and again.

 

[diarm]

Just a few quick points.

Unfortunately, unless he does something completely mental, the decades restriction means he has to drop one of Tardelli or Schuster. Either of them would be a big loss, both would start ahead of the other midfielders IMO, but considering there's already enough passing in the team I assume Tardelli will get the nod (and rightly so).

??? I only have 4 players born in the 50's in my whole squad? Schuster and Tardelli play alongside Tacconi and Baresi.

His flanks are horribly exposed to my counters: Facchetti vs. Neville isn't a route to goal as much as it is a motorway, Abbadie (50s winger Abbadie) will track Amoros early on but won't defend all the way to the corner flag. He will be happy to leave him to contend with Rodríguez Andrade and instead exploit the freedom of the flank behind Amoros' back.

Massive, massive undervaluing of Gary Neville here. A superb defender and will be more than a match here in this more conservative role. Like I said, I am not going to undermine good footballers but the idea that anyone would find a "motorway" through Neville is ludicrous. On the other side, Amoros is simply a complete wing back, awesome defensively and poses significant threat going forwards.

I have a significantly better and expertly protected defence, he is on a collision course with a brickwall. Campbell and Beppe (not Franco) Baresi are out of their depth here and are afforded no protection whatsoever.

You have a great defence but Campbell and Baresi are two of the finest centre backs of their generations and are in no way out of their depth.

my forwards are better and more prolific.

Can't agree with this. You have the better defence, I have the better midfield and our attacks are fairly close. If anything I'd take my trio which offer great balance, pace, variety and true finishing ability. Your attack is spearheaded by a player you yourself have undermined in a previous draft.

I have the personnel to control proceedings from start to finish. Not necessarily control possession, but the flow of the game: determining where I'm happy to let diarm faff around and where I won't let him go; then making a more productive use of the ball when I have it.

Can't see how you'll control proceedings against my midfield 3, either with the ball or without it.

My players have great mentality and character, well proven at the highest levels.

I'm fairly sure that with Neville, Amoros, Tardelli, Scholes, Baggio, Voller and Klinsmann, my side is no shorter on mentality and character.

 

[antohan]

• Anto hates his main striker (All-time Fantasy Draft - Gio v antohan) He once called him "a poor mans Vieri" among other such insults. Now I do not claim to agree with such hatred and obvious lack of respect, but I do expect it will have some effect on the poor lads confidence going into such an important match.

I don't agree either, ludicrous arguments for the sake of getting everyone to ignore the elephants in the room (Rivaldo, Platini, Xavi...).

Good to see we got that out of the way

 

[diarm]

So, who's your captain @diarm?

I see a distinct lack of captain material, while I have a hard time deciding between Obdulio, Tito, Facchetti, Figueroa and Scirea.

Nah, not really, it has to be the greatest of them all, just thought it was worth pointing out how awesome my defence and DM pair are relative to the likes of Campbell, Giuseppe Baresi and Scholes anchoring a midfield and conceding fould left, right and centre as Cubillas waltzes past him time and again.

Every one of my back 4 has captained their national team on multiple occasions. They were all great leaders and captains for their clubs. This is a nonsense remark and there is no shortage of leadership in this side.

Edit: Made a mistake here with Baresi and Bergomi, Giuseppe didn't captain Italy and doesn't have 80 caps. He did captain Inter Milan from 1988-1992 though.

 

[diarm]

I don't agree either, ludicrous arguments for the sake of getting everyone to ignore the elephants in the room (Rivaldo, Platini, Xavi...).

Good to see we got that out of the way

True. It does cast suspicion on the remarks you make in subsequent drafts though. After all, there are elephants in the room of your current side that many of us are relying on your word and insight to describe....

 

[Joga Bonito]

Diarm's team is looking much more feasible tactically than I initially thought it would have been. Still it could be represented better on the teamsheet with Tardelli pulled back into RCM alongside Scholes at LCM. Think the right side of diarm looks a bit undermanned in the current representation with anto having Schiaffino, Cubillas and Facchetti there and Tardelli being pushed back slightly would make more sense imo. Schuster pushed to a RAM attacking role with Baggio at LAM. Völler and Klinsmann are capable of providing width and making those foraging runs outwide and probing the back line etc. Can see Baggio and Vosmann? Kloller? (doesn't work ) working a treat.

Tactically spot on from anto as usual. Can see Schiaffino excelling at that role.

 

[diarm]

Diarm's team is looking much more feasible tactically than I initially thought it would have been. Still it could be represented better on the teamsheet with Tardelli pulled back into RCM alongside Scholes at LCM. Think the right side of diarm looks a bit undermanned in the current representation with anto having Schiaffino, Cubillas and Facchetti there and Tardelli being pushed back slightly would make more sense imo. Schuster pushed to a RAM attacking role with Baggio at LAM. Völler and Klinsmann are capable of providing width and making those foraging runs outwide and probing the back line etc. Can see Baggio and Vosmann? Kloller? (doesn't work ) working a treat.

Tactically spot on from anto as usual.

Says the man who blocked my Boniek

No in all seriousness those are fair points. I did play with the idea of Tardelli deeper but while I can only do so much with those arrows, you have to bear in mind the engine on Tardelli. He is a true box to box midfielder and will cover the ground to sure up that midfield as well as providing width and running in both defence, and in more advanced areas. I wanted to show that width with the formation and hoped that his mobility and tenacity in the midfield battle would be acknowledged as given.

 

[antohan]

??? I only have 4 players born in the 50's in my whole squad? Schuster and Tardelli play alongside Tacconi and Baresi.

See above, I don't check decades, I do them off the top of my head so thought Amoros was 50s. Good for you, not that it changes much. IMO you should have Schuster anchoring, Tardelli right, Amoros right (if you had a leftback) and the third midfielder would be someone more akin to Zé Roberto. You don't need tonnes of passers when you have very little to aim/spray the ball to.

Massive, massive undervaluing of Gary Neville here. A superb defender and will be more than a match here in this more conservative role. Like I said, I am not going to undermine good footballers but the idea that anyone would find a "motorway" through Neville is ludicrous. On the other side, Amoros is simply a complete wing back, awesome defensively and poses significant threat going forwards.

He was always afforded the protection of a winger who tracked back. I won't get into how he worked with Ronaldo as he was spent then so that would be unfair, but Neville is a decent fullback in this context while Facchetti is a GOAT. Massive disparity, the crosses will keep flying in and Nordahl will put them to good use.

You have a great defence but Campbell and Baresi are two of the finest centre backs of their generations and are in no way out of their depth.

Can't agree with this. You have the better defence, I have the better midfield and our attacks are fairly close. If anything I'd take my trio which offer great balance, pace, variety and true finishing ability. Your attack is spearheaded by a player you yourself have undermined in a previous draft.

I have the vastly superior defence against a very central and relatively easy to control attack. You have a poorer defence against an attack that stretches it and features the top scoring midfielder at World Cups, the best #10 in this draft (if not ever), and the most prolific goalscorer on the pitch.

I don't think your midfield is superior. It's unbalanced. Scholes anchoring is a joke, DLP Scholes had Carrick alongside him in a two and that wasn't the most defensively sound pairing. Here you have Scholes doing a Pirlo with Tardelli protecting and Schüster shooting up the pitch as an unnecessary AM.

I've got a terrific DM pair that will munch up and spit out anything you throw at them, good outball and a great AM in Cubillas. Schuster has nothing on him going forward.

Can't see how you'll control proceedings against my midfield 3, either with the ball or without it.

When I have the ball you are in complete disarray since you don't really have a midfield that protects your defence, be it centrally or on the flanks.

When you have the ball I'll just be happy to contain you in that black hole you are operating in between Scirea-Figueroa and Gonçalves-Varela.

I'm fairly sure that with Neville, Amoros, Tardelli, Scholes, Baggio, Voller and Klinsmann, my side is no shorter on mentality and character.

Men against boys really. I do rate some of those obviously, but they are in a different tier altogether when it comes to mentality and character.

 

[antohan]

The same usual age old question @diarm: which Schüster are you playing? Your teamsheet seems to imply it's Euro 80 Schüster.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I see a distinct lack of captain material,

Someone's not happy with you anto!

 

[antohan]

Every one of my back 4 has captained their national team on multiple occasions. They were all great leaders and captains for their clubs. This is a nonsense remark and there is no shortage of leadership in this side.

Sol "race card"Campbell?

Giuseppe Baresi captained Italy in his scant 18 starts for them?

Amoros and Gaz?

None of them are legendary NT captains by any stretch, more likely it may have fallen on their lap for the odd game.

And, again, I'm not saying you lack leadership (Nev certainly was good enough for us and SAF!) but we are talking a completely different ball game here. In an all-time draft you are looking for standouts, and they are all playing for me.

 

[diarm]

.

I'll get to work on answering the rest but this is disrespectful. 2 excellent defenders who share over 150 caps for Italy and England.

 

[antohan]

True. It does cast suspicion on the remarks you make in subsequent drafts though. After all, there are elephants in the room of your current side that many of us are relying on your word and insight to describe....

You can continue with that angle all you want, it's just usual draft tactics when in a position of clear inferiority (the Nordahl stuff and what you are doing here too). There you have @crappycraperson making a complete u-turn on Henry, and Bergkamp as well...

Who is the elephant in the room in my team? Let's talk about them then.

Abbadie? The one who beats Byrne below, then has Billy Wright racing past like a fire engine and is only stopped through some excellent wrestling from Roger Byrne?

He had also assisted the first goal, and scored a brace against Scotland including this one, assisted by none other than Obdulio himself:

 

[diarm]

Sol "race card"Campbell?

Giuseppe Baresi captained Italy in his scant 18 starts for them?

Amoros and Gaz?

None of them are legendary NT captains by any stretch, more likely it may have fallen on their lap for the odd game.

And, again, I'm not saying you lack leadership (Nev certainly was good enough for us and SAF!) but we are talking a completely different ball game here. In an all-time draft you are looking for standouts, and they are all playing for me.

Giuseppe Baresi was the Italian captain for the 1990 World Cup. Amoros has 30 caps as captain of France. You're making this stuff up. Roberto Baggio led an Italy side to the World Cup final almost on his own, with little else but sheer determination. I don't know what you look for in a leader but that's it for me.

Edit: The point on Beppe is wrong. He was Inter captain but not Italian. That was Bergomi - wrong Giuseppe

 

[antohan]

I'll get to work on answering the rest but this is disrespectful. 2 excellent defenders who share over 150 caps for Italy and England.

You don't have Franco Baresi, you have Giuseppe Baresi and his 18 caps.

 

[Moby]

black hole you are operating in between Scirea-Figueroa and Gonçalves-Varela.

The words 'square of death' come to mind.

 

[Cutch]

Giuseppe Baresi was the Italian captain for the 1990 World Cup. Amoros has 30 caps as captain of France. You're making this stuff up. Roberto Baggio led an Italy side to the World Cup final almost on his own, with little else but sheer determination. I don't know what you look for in a leader but that's it for me.

I don't think this is right. My man Bergomi captained in 90, Guiseppe Baresi wasn't even in the squad.

 

[Balu]

Giuseppe Baresi was the Italian captain for the 1990 World Cup.

Pretty sure he didn't play in 1990. Bergomi was the captain. Zoff - Scirea - Bergomi - Franco Baresi - Maldini - Buffon were the Italian captains from the 70's till today, if I'm not mistaken. At least at World Cups, not sure if anyone else took over inbetween for a few games.

/edit: forgot Cannavaro between Maldini and Buffon.

 

[diarm]

You can continue with that angle all you want, it's just usual draft tactics when in a position of clear inferiority (the Nordahl stuff and what you are doing here too). There you have @crappycraperson making a complete u-turn on Henry, and Bergkamp as well...

You speak of draft tactics as if you aren't the chief instigator of tricks in these games! In this thread alone, you have admitted to making "ludicrous arguments for the sake of getting everyone to ignore the elephants in the room".

You can't blame us for being suspicious when you then post a couple of clips from youtube videos and tell us that these players many of us have never watched are world beaters and outclass the known stars in my side.

It smells a little bit like you're pissing in our pockets and telling us it's raining. Especially when you are at the same time, trying to convince us that excellent players like Neville, Campbell, Amoros, Scholes, Schuster, Voller and Baggio, who all of us have watched, aren't good enough.

 

[antohan]

Says the man who blocked my Boniek

No in all seriousness those are fair points. I did play with the idea of Tardelli deeper but while I can only do so much with those arrows, you have to bear in mind the engine on Tardelli. He is a true box to box midfielder and will cover the ground to sure up that midfield as well as providing width and running in both defence, and in more advanced areas. I wanted to show that width with the formation and hoped that his mobility and tenacity in the midfield battle would be acknowledged as given.

As I said in the op, Tardelli is absolutely essential for your team. He is the only one putting the required shift in midfield. Won't be enough though, you need him tracking Facchetti, Cubillas and Schiaffino. He'll bust a gut for you, no doubt, but he can't only be in one place at a time.

 

[Balu]

Awesome to see Klinsmann and Völler reunited . Always loved watching them play together.

 

[antohan]

The words 'square of death' come to mind.

Aye, I didn't want to keep ripping off @Gio but that's a square of death if I ever saw one.

 

[diarm]

I don't think this is right. My man Bergomi captained in 90, Guiseppe Baresi wasn't even in the squad.

Pretty sure he didn't play in 1990. Bergomi was the captain. Zoff - Scirea - Bergomi - Franco Baresi - Maldini - Buffon were the Italian captains from the 70's till today, if I'm not mistaken. At least at World Cups, not sure if anyone else took over inbetween for a few games.

Ah shite. I clicked the wrong link and you're quite right. Was reading a blurb on Bergomi. Will edit the post above accordingly. Doesn't change the fact that Campbell and Amoros both captained though.

 

[green_smiley]

I think it was me teaching EAP about using BIG CAPS, but I don't do full names. I hate them really as they often create problems with my fullbacks ending up tucked in!

 

[antohan]

Giuseppe Baresi was the Italian captain for the 1990 World Cup. Amoros has 30 caps as captain of France. You're making this stuff up. Roberto Baggio led an Italy side to the World Cup final almost on his own, with little else but sheer determination. I don't know what you look for in a leader but that's it for me.

That's not Giuseppe Baresi, it's Giuseppe Bergomi you moron

In that line up you produced I only really rate Tardelli (but he has too much to do) and Baggio's solo performance in 1994 (but then, that was playing in a side like mine, one that afforded him the space to exploit on the counter).

Tthat's the entire point I've been making from the start: solid defensive setup, draw the oppo in and if you have the right players upfront to exploit the space created you are onto a winner. Were the Italians made it "boring"was in relying on only one guy to work wonders, now if you have an attacking fullback like Facchetti, Cubillas and Schiaffino through the middle and Abbadie out on the wing suddenly it's far far more compelling. Particularly when you don't really have a midfield, Paul Scholes is supposed to stop Teófilo Cubillas? OK...

 

[diarm]

That's not Giuseppe Baresi, it's Giuseppe Bergomi you moron

In that line up you produced I only really rate Tardelli (but he has too much to do) and Baggio's solo performance in 1994 (but then, that was playing in a side like mine, one that afforded him the space to exploit on the counter).

I'm not really sure how much I can rate players like Abaddie, Andrade and your entire midfield, based on a few short gifs/clips and the word of a man who doesn't rate Voller, Klinsmann, Amoros, Scholes and Schuster. We're all taking your word on it but it's amazing how they're all world beaters on your side and all useless on our sides. Especially when the same players have very different stories in other drafts when the roles are reversed.

Tthat's the entire point I've been making from the start: solid defensive setup, draw the oppo in and if you have the right players upfront to exploit the space created you are onto a winner. Were the Italians made it "boring"was in relying on only one guy to work wonders, now if you have an attacking fullback like Facchetti, Cubillas and Schiaffino through the middle and Abbadie out on the wing suddenly it's far far more compelling. Particularly when you don't really have a midfield, Paul Scholes is supposed to stop Teófilo Cubillas? OK...

Scholes is there as a deep lying playmaker. It's pretty clear in my write up. The circles on a teamsheet are precisely that - circles. You know as well as I do the protection and work rate Tardelli will offer here and the ability of Schuster to impose himself on this midfield.

 

[antohan]

Awesome to see Klinsmann and Völler reunited . Always loved watching them play together.

Indeed, said as much in the OP, I'd get shot of King Eric and reunite them.

 

[antohan]

You speak of draft tactics as if you aren't the chief instigator of tricks in these games! In this thread alone, you have admitted to making "ludicrous arguments for the sake of getting everyone to ignore the elephants in the room".

You can't blame us for being suspicious when you then post a couple of clips from youtube videos and tell us that these players many of us have never watched are world beaters and outclass the known stars in my side.

I've already asked you to tell me exactly who these elephants in the room are so we can address it. You are just saying it's all smoke and mirrors but not putting your finger on it so that it can't be crushed.

It smells a little bit like you're pissing in our pockets and telling us it's raining. Especially when you are at the same time, trying to convince us that excellent players like Neville, Campbell, Amoros, Scholes, Schuster, Voller and Baggio, who all of us have watched, aren't good enough.

Neville vs. Facchetti isn't a contest, anyone knowing anything about football knows that, hardly my say-so.

Campbell vs. Gunnar Nordahl, really? A five times Serie A top scorer and AC Milan's top scorer ever against... I am Sol Campbell. OK...

Amoros is a right-footed LB here, he won't offer width, he will cross from deep or cut inside into the square of death. I rate him, sure, but he ain't producing much against World Cup winners like Rodríguez Andrade, Obdulio and Scirea. In the meantime, Abbadie is exploiting the space he leaves behind, quick ball out and off he goes. Scholes won't cover, Sol will have to cover and then it's Nordahl vs. Baresi. I know which flank arrangement I'd rather have.

Scholes is being asked to play a rather unprotected Pirlo role he has never played in a side that doesn't really benefit all that much from his passing range and I suppose he is expected to do a job on Teófilo Cubillas. Fouls galore, and I have some superb free kick takers.

Schuster you haven't answered yet which one it is, so no comment.

Voller and Baggio, not sure why you omit Klinsmann. Great trio, I like them, they are just in the square of death and nobody is stretching the play to make it less congested for them.

Many of your players I've had way before your time. I've won drafts with some of them. I'm not underrating them, just think the setup doesn't get the best out of them and the rival they are facing is just too strong and negates what they can offer.

 

[antohan]

Ah shite. I clicked the wrong link and you're quite right. Was reading a blurb on Bergomi. Will edit the post above accordingly. Doesn't change the fact that Campbell and Amoros both captained though.

Please tell me Sol is your choice of captain then, the look on his teammate's faces would be priceless.

 

[antohan]

quote from previous game

I had to cut Giacinto's name instead, not great for OCD teamsheet designing Anto.

 

[antohan]

I'm not really sure how much I can rate players like Abaddie, Andrade and your entire midfield, based on a few short gifs/clips and the word of a man who doesn't rate Voller, Klinsmann, Amoros, Scholes and Schuster. We're all taking your word on it but it's amazing how they're all world beaters on your side and all useless on our sides. Especially when the same players have very different stories in other drafts when the roles are reversed.

When did I say I didn't rate them? I just don't think your setup brings the best out of them. Read above. First come the tactics and then the players best suited to execute them, you see that across my side, I don't see it in yours. Simple.

Andrade and Obdulio Varela are World Cup winners and semifinalists, renowned as being amongst the best ever in their roles. Not just by me but by any site where these sort of rosters are compiled. It's just a shame there's little footage. I could show you Rodriguez Andrade owning Tom Finney in the 1954 game, but you would be entitled to say: that's just one tackle. If we are going down the route of dissing players just because you don't know shit we may as well stop allowing pre'60s players in drafts.

Abbadie was a World Cup semifinalist as a winger and is considered Genoa's best ever player. Granted, I don't have that much footage but what there is shows obvious qualities to do the simple job of playing as a winger, exploiting the space behind Amoros and dragging Campbell. Fit for purpose. I have a much stronger case for Abbadie the 1960s right midfielder, I just think the 50s one is more appropriate here.

Tito won more continental titles than any of the players you listed (as captain, called the Captain of Captains because that side had 4 NT captains in it). But hey, let's just run him down on the basis that you are an ignorant feck so it isn't fair.

Scholes is there as a deep lying playmaker. It's pretty clear in my write up. The circles on a teamsheet are precisely that - circles. You know as well as I do the protection and work rate Tardelli will offer here and the ability of Schuster to impose himself on this midfield.

You still haven't told me which Schuster it is. Maybe you don't know, or maybe you just want each voter to assume it is the one they would prefer. And then you talk of being fishy. I couldn't be more crystal clear with my OP, tactics and role definitions.

Scholes has never played that role, not without someone like Carrick pretty much permanently next to him. Yes, Tardelli can drop, but you also have him foraging into the flank so, on the counter, it's Cubillas vs. Scholes. Only one winner there, and Paul will probably get sent off for two yellows.

 

[diarm]

Please tell me Sol is your choice of captain then, the look on his teammate's faces would be priceless.

No it would be Amoros. He has 30 caps as French captain.

As for your previous points, Facchetti was a wonderful attacker for a Left Back but he was a Left Back. Quite brilliant players but Neville has faced many brilliant players, both Left Backs and out and out Left Wingers or Wing Forwards in his career. He has always made it a contest.

Amoros was as good with his left foot as he was with his right. I watched the France Denmark game from the 84 Euros after I drafted him and was shocked by how good. It was what convinced me to opt for Neville in the end over a left back.

Scholes has never played as a deep lying playmaker? I haven't mentioned Schuster? A team with the movement of Baggio, Voller and Klinsmann won't benefit from Scholes and Schusters passing range?

I think you need to have a reread of my opening posts instead of trying to tell everyone what roles my players will be trying to play.

 

[antohan]

@Rado_N

Could you please help to add a poll? Thanks

With playes are career best, who will win the match?
Team antohan
Team diarm

@Rado_N @Damien

 

[antohan]

No it would be Amoros. He has 30 caps as French captain.

As for your previous points, Facchetti was a wonderful attacker for a Left Back but he was a Left Back. Quite brilliant players but Neville has faced many brilliant players, both Left Backs and out and out Left Wingers or Wing Forwards in his career. He has always made it a contest.

Amoros was as good with his left foot as he was with his right. I watched the France Denmark game from the 84 Euros after I drafted him and was shocked by how good. It was what convinced me to opt for Neville in the end over a left back.

Scholes has never played as a deep lying playmaker? I haven't mentioned Schuster? A team with the movement of Baggio, Voller and Klinsmann won't benefit from Scholes and Schusters passing range?

I think you need to have a reread of my opening posts instead of trying to tell everyone what roles my players will be trying to play.

You sure that wasn't me getting you out of that pickle?

Neville is obviously not a liability, the point is that he doesn't have the protection he was usually afforded so Facchetti will have the freedom of the flank with Gaz largely waiting for him deep. He can cross whenever the hell he wants really, or cut inside which he did to great effect.

Scholes played DLP ALONGSIDE CARRICK, not solo like he is here. He'll get run over, your defence has zero protection in midfield.

And no, you haven't mentioned which Schuster you are playing. It's clear enough you are not playing late 90s Scholes but you haven't clarified which version of Schuster is on the pitch. Handy.