All-Time Fantasy Draft - Cutch v MJJ

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

  • Total voters
    38
  • Poll closed .
EDogen said:
Really like Cutch team, only the right back I have no knowledge about. But Hamrin in front of him, that makes me happy as a Swede! No weak spots for me and I really like Tigana and Robson.
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Yeah, that's one of Cutch's standout qualities, doesn't look like a side straight out of the draft. He probably doesn't have the biggest names, but has good quality across the board and no obvious weak links/WTF? players.

He needs a more solid midfield, but he will be home and dry here, no doubt.
 
I understood the Suarez sub, should have started to begin with. No idea why Chump... oh, nationality, that's a bummer.

I reckon Van Basten will give him a torrid time, more so than Muller will give the other two. Cutch wins the battle of the wings IMO, by some distance as well considering the fullbacks. In the middle MJJ has him under his thumb, but I'm not clear whether it is enough to turn the tide.
 
Thanks for the votes guys. Taking the comments about my centre midfield on board here. What is it you's consider comparitively weak about Robson and Tigana? I thought they'd complement eachother superbly and both from the same era probably helps. Could have gone for Vieira for a more robust option but thought Tigana would just give more class.

If i get through this game should i consider Hierro in a midfield role?
 
Cutch said:
Thanks for the votes guys. Taking the comments about my centre midfield on board here. What is it you's consider comparitively weak about Robson and Tigana? I thought they'd complement eachother superbly and both from the same era probably helps. Could have gone for Vieira for a more robust option but thought Tigana would just give more class.

If i get through this game should i consider Hierro in a midfield role?
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Robson isn't really all time level class imo. He's a really good player for sure but I think you were a little fortunate with the draw that you got matched against a guy who also has a weaker midfield than most whilst having a worse attack and defence than you. The other issue is that Baggio is a striker not an AM like most people use so you're really getting no midfield support from him.

You'll be able to pick up some quality in midfield in the reinforcements I'd imagine. If I were you I'd try and replace Robson, Hierro and Hamrin. People don't know who Hamrin is, Hierro's a great defender but there are a lot of better centre backs too and as I said above I'm not a huge Robson fan at this level.

Hierro in midfield isn't an option imo because Baggio can't ever play out wide and Best can only play wide left. Unless you mean instead of Robson or Tigana but Tigana is better than Hierro by a distance and you want someone with more adventure than Hierro to partner Tigana. Matthaus, Xavi, Falcao and Luis Suarez would all be great pickups imo.
 
Cutch said:
Thanks for the votes guys. Taking the comments about my centre midfield on board here. What is it you's consider comparitively weak about Robson and Tigana? I thought they'd complement eachother superbly and both from the same era probably helps. Could have gone for Vieira for a more robust option but thought Tigana would just give more class.

If i get through this game should i consider Hierro in a midfield role?
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Just pick a CM in the draft. With that, you will have an AMAZING team. And I voted for MJJ here
 
Cutch said:
Thanks for the votes guys. Taking the comments about my centre midfield on board here. What is it you's consider comparitively weak about Robson and Tigana? I thought they'd complement eachother superbly and both from the same era probably helps. Could have gone for Vieira for a more robust option but thought Tigana would just give more class.

If i get through this game should i consider Hierro in a midfield role?
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Hierro is not a bad call. Tigana is not the problem, Robson is. We can all very clearly see that midfield effectively being reduced to one man when two is already pushing it.

The more I think about it the more it looks like you would be completely starved of possession.
 
I don't understand the argument of having better wingers, the midfield actually needs to be able to give them the ball in the areas wanted. I can't see that happening often in this game, nor is Cutch's midfield particulary well attached to Van Basten. Shut down Baggio and it falls apart, Van Basten needs service really.
 
paceme said:
I don't understand the argument of having better wingers, the midfield actually needs to be able to give them the ball in the areas wanted. I can't see that happening often in this game, nor is Cutch's midfield particulary well attached to Van Basten. Shut down Baggio and it falls apart, Van Basten needs service really.
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That's what I'm struggling with. It's like there's a giant vortex in the middle of the pitch where the ball will get lost forever. Cutch stronger all around it but can only see the Santos-Best channel working as a means to get it to Marco and Roberto.

Is it enough though? Not seeing much from that midfield of MJJs beyond recovery. Monti on the ball is no real danger. Robson will run box-to-box alongside Edwards all day. Can Suárez have the better of Tigana frequently enough? Frequently enough with Muller is very few times though.
 
paceme said:
I don't understand the argument of having better wingers, the midfield actually needs to be able to give them the ball in the areas wanted. I can't see that happening often in this game, nor is Cutch's midfield particulary well attached to Van Basten. Shut down Baggio and it falls apart, Van Basten needs service really.
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You'd think i had Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson in midfield the way you're talkin. I've 2 of the standout box to box midfielders of the 80s and a creative genius infront of them, attacking fullbacks, proper widemen, and one of the best passers out from the back i've ever seen. How on earth will Van Basten not get service?
 
You have two box to box midfielders which can be a little difficult to get the balance right with.

Generally it would be fine but against certain midfields it's risky.

Baggio as the AM along with that makes it quite an disadvantage. Baggio for me should be the AM if he midfield behind him is particularly solid, both style wise and positionally ( not sure you have the latter) and if the wing players contribute at both ends. With Best and Hamrin as your wingers it's definitely overkill in terms of the attacking and it leaves you hugely vulnerable IMO.
 
antohan said:
That's what I'm struggling with. It's like there's a giant vortex in the middle of the pitch where the ball will get lost forever. Cutch stronger all around it but can only see the Santos-Best channel working as a means to get it to Marco and Roberto.

Is it enough though? Not seeing much from that midfield of MJJs beyond recovery. Monti on the ball is no real danger. Robson will run box-to-box alongside Edwards all day. Can Suárez have the better of Tigana frequently enough? Frequently enough with Muller is very few times though.
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I think you are underrating monti here. He was known for his playmaking skills as much as his defensive work. The italians in particular recruited him as they felt that he would link up very well with meazza and was the main guy responsible for linking the defense with the attack.
 
paceme said:
Because his midfield is simply better than yours. His team is set up to get the best out of his players where as yours seems like a bunch of big names shoved into a formation.
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What big name have i have shoved into a formation? I've got everyone playing in their favoured position in a system that suits. I'd understand if i was wasting Baggio playing him on the wing or something, but i've given everyone imo a platform to play to their best capabilities.
 
Cutch said:
What big name have i have shoved into a formation? I've got everyone playing in their favoured position in a system that suits. I'd understand if i was wasting Baggio playing him on the wing or something, but i've given everyone imo a platform to play to their best capabilities.
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I agree you have done the latter given the players you have, but he is right you don't have the mix/blend right in midfield. Something to sort out going forward, that's all.
 
I dont mean the players are out of position. I mean it seems like you just picked names when going through the picking stages instead of thinking of a system and then basing your picks on that. Baggio is a very creative player but he needs someone in midfield who is equally creative to give him the ball up the pitch. The problem is that your midfield is getting dominated by three extremely intelligent players who will know how to cut out most of the supply. There's no point just banging on about how your players are really good, you need to explain exactly how you will get over the stranglehold in the middle.
 
MJJ said:
I think you are underrating monti here. He was known for his playmaking skills as much as his defensive work. The italians in particular recruited him as they felt that he would link up very well with meazza and was the main guy responsible for linking the defense with the attack.
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I guess it is fair to say that while not skilful on the ball he could still punt it upfield. Not much aerial presence upfront in your side though.
 
Cutch said:
What big name have i have shoved into a formation? I've got everyone playing in their favoured position in a system that suits. I'd understand if i was wasting Baggio playing him on the wing or something, but i've given everyone imo a platform to play to their best capabilities.
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I would have minded Baggio less on the wing than as the AM in this particular set up. He could have played in from there free from some of the responsibility that you being a CAM.

You're clearly going to win this so getting another midfield option or two (one attacking and one defensive) will leave you in a great position with the evident vote winners (and undoubdetly superb players) you already have.
 
Muller was a small fat man. He ain't winning any headers against Hierro never mind "the Gentle Giant".
 
antohan said:
And Meazza was a midget.
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Yeah I thought that. Had it in my head he was lacking a bit of aggression to put it lightly too, though I've no idea whether I'm confusing him with someone else.

MJJ said:
I said they were good headers of the ball. Didnt say that they would win an aerial duel.
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It seems entirely irrelevant in the context given he was talking about lumping it up the field rather than firing in accurate crosses.
 
Brwned said:
Yeah I thought that. Had it in my head he was lacking a bit of aggression to put it lightly too, though I've no idea whether I'm confusing him with someone else.



It seems entirely irrelevant in the context given he was talking about lumping it up the field rather than firing in accurate crosses.
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I know thats why I agreed with him. I mentioned that as am a bit annoyed at the underrating of my side just because most people here dont know them.
 
Just take the loss in good grace and use this as a chance to tell people a few stories about these truly wonderful footballers then! That's what I'm resigning myself to doing.
 
yeah, that seems like the best option. Still it was loads of fun and I read a lot of interesting stuff about footballers I had no idea about. Specially yours and antos stories.
 
If you both go out there's going to be some bloody good midfielders in the pool!
 
Agreed, thought it all went unusually smoothly and was the best draft we've done so far. The popularity aspect was always going to come into play but I thought we could try and have a happy marriage of popular and obscure picks to create a bit of nostalgia and bring a few new names to light. I'm sure there's a few voters who enjoyed reading about the more obscure names and that's the main thing!
 
True, everyone kept it going quite nicely. Think it took us less time with 16 than it usually takes with 8!

Hope any eliminated managers hang around though (well, you have to Brwned! :lol: ).

MJJ, I actually liked the way you went about it. You took it as an opportunity to read up, get to know players... it was always going to backfire sooner or later, but in six months time you will remember what you picked up during the draft and the great players you know more about, not how this or that game panned out.
 
MJJ has too many unfamiliar names on his team, especially on center-backs.
 
Think this is not as one-sided as it seems, and it won't make a jot of difference, so will go with the sympathy vote.
 
antohan said:
True, everyone kept it going quite nicely. Think it took us less time with 16 than it usually takes with 8!

Hope any eliminated managers hang around though (well, you have to Brwned! :lol: ).

MJJ, I actually liked the way you went about it. You took it as an opportunity to read up, get to know players... it was always going to backfire sooner or later, but in six months time you will remember what you picked up during the draft and the great players you know more about, not how this or that game panned out.
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Yup. Winning the draft/game is just a flash in the pan experience. But that knowledge of these incredible players would stay longer and eventually benefit more.
 
antohan said:
True, everyone kept it going quite nicely. Think it took us less time with 16 than it usually takes with 8!

Hope any eliminated managers hang around though (well, you have to Brwned! :lol: ).

MJJ, I actually liked the way you went about it. You took it as an opportunity to read up, get to know players... it was always going to backfire sooner or later, but in six months time you will remember what you picked up during the draft and the great players you know more about, not how this or that game panned out.
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antohan said:
Think this is not as one-sided as it seems, and it won't make a jot of difference, so will go with the sympathy vote.
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:lol: Thanks, yeah it was definitely fun. Shame it ends so soon.

Isotope said:
MJJ has too many unfamiliar names on his team, especially on center-backs.
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That really shouldnt matter,specially as there is a link with explanation right there. No idea why I bothered writing it.
 
MJJ said:
That really shouldnt matter,specially as there is a link with explanation right there. No idea why I bothered writing it.
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It would matter, though. You can have a centerback that won 2 BPOTY award in the 30's, but as a casual observer, I'd see the like of Stam or Desailly as equal or the better centerback.
 
Isotope said:
It would matter, though. You can have a centerback that won 2 BPOTY award in the 30's, but as a casual observer, I'd see the like of Stam or Desailly as equal or the better centerback.
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If desailly or stam ever win a golden ball in a worldcup tournament while still being remembered as one of the best centrebacks ever, eighty years from now. I would accept your point.
 
From point of view of how voting works from casual observer.
 
Criminal that MJJ started with Rui Costa ahead of Luis Suarez, although he's suffering because some of his better players such as Nasazzi and Meazza are probably under-appreciated.
 
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