The way I see it you're restricting Zidane by playing him in proper midfield role even if it is in a midfield three but that's the only real option now. Otherwise you're playing Scholes very, very deep and while undoubtedly capable of playing there it leaves you somewhat exposed defensively (regardless of partner) and essentially nullifies Scholesy's goalscoring.
Don't think that matters, really. They're going to be in combination as an attacking unit.It's not a midfield 2
Yes, and having them share the ball when they're both going to want the majority of it isn't going to optimize either one of them.It was actually the start of my undoing in the 70s draft, really constrains your options.
Let's think about Scholes - whichever one that's brought to the table - and then consider Zidane's game; at which point do you think they overlap?Well obviously it depends on the others players he picks around them and how he sets his system up but if he puts a third man in there to sit in behind, do the leg work and give them a platform he's got two of the best technically gifted players out there. Passing range, goals and movement.
It's an exciting looking midfield early on.
Thanks Brwned, for doing my picks.
Yeah. I had Santamaria in mind, long before that discussion. Since he was exposed/discussed, was 99% sure that Antohan or Gio would go for him, though.
DanNistelroy goin for the popular vote again, I see.
The way I see it you're restricting Zidane by playing him in proper midfield role even if it is in a midfield three but that's the only real option now. Otherwise you're playing Scholes very, very deep and while undoubtedly capable of playing there it leaves you somewhat exposed defensively (regardless of partner) and essentially nullifies Scholesy's goalscoring.
feck!! I wanted either Scholes or Iniesta and now both are gone!!
No no no.
Well he's thrown Souness in the mix now. Guessing he'll use a 451/433 system with Zidane most advanced like the Iniesta role. Scholes -Xavi and Souness busquets
You will have a hard time selling him, particularly since he sounds like a bad Rafa cheapskate buy .
Yeah I don't really like his picks. Him and Antohan are the only players without a greatest of all time level talent imo.
I wasn't kean on MJJ's first pick but he made up for it with Garrincha.
NM had another player in mind who is a much better pick I think. We need someone more solid than Scholes to partner Neeskens against the calibre of midfield we are against here.
Let's think about Scholes - whichever one that's brought to the table - and then consider Zidane's game; at which point do you think they overlap?
In theory, Scholes could well thrive in a shorter passing system than we've ever seen him play with United or in his career, but in reality, we've never seen Scholes play the type of football that would enable Zidane, and Scholes should never be subservient, which is going to be the case if they're in the same team - it's one or the other; I don't see a scenario where they're both able to thrive unless one gives up a portion of what makes him the player he is.
Don't think that matters, really. They're going to be in combination as an attacking unit.
I did wonder what 'version' of Scholes (era) was being paired with Zidane - the goalscoring, attacking player or the deeper, game-controlling Scholes?
Scholes' peaks are quite subjective and probably a 50/50 split as to which was better, but it does alter the possibilities for the combo.
Yes, and having them share the ball when they're both going to want the majority of it isn't going to optimize either one of them.
Let's think about Scholes - whichever one that's brought to the table - and then consider Zidane's game; at which point do you think they overlap?
In theory, Scholes could well thrive in a shorter passing system than we've ever seen him play with United or in his career, but in reality, we've never seen Scholes play the type of football that would enable Zidane, and Scholes should never be subservient, which is going to be the case if they're in the same team - it's one or the other; I don't see a scenario where they're both able to thrive unless one gives up a portion of what makes him the player he is.
I hope you don't mean who I'm thinking about.
Nice team chemistry.
Having missed out on the obvious top 5-6 I'm aiming to build a balanced side, hoping for a lucky draw and nabbing those in reinforcement rounds.
Risky strategy, I know.
Mind you, I'm not sure what you mean by All-time greats. Laudrup is underrated, clearly, although I agree he is not Top 10 Ever or an All-Time XI starter.
But Facchetti? He could easily claim the LB slot in the All-Time XI.
I think Gio may be upset about Souness going, not Santamaria. Stacks of excellent CBs around anyway.
We had Cantona as the creative player between midfield and attack. Then Rooney also loves to drop deep, and sometimes as the third midfielder. So, Zidane can function as those two players, and Scholes being Scholes.
No no no.
Nice team chemistry.
The funny thing is I helped (not official AM, just PMs) Theon in one draft and my reaction to what he did and said was EXACTLY the one he is having with NM. Unreal.
He's a left back though, in the top three left backs of all time for sure but left backs aren't vote winners.
'99 Scholes is a very different player to post '06 Scholes. Post '06 Scholes was absolutely the main man and prior to that we had no one in the team who was going to take up the positions he did or want the ball in the same manner as him, whereas with Zidane, you've got a player who will only function in one way and is not going to be optimized if used outside of that - there'd be a lot of toe-stepping there, imo.Good point. But will Scholes really be less important just because Zidane is in the team? Scholesy has never been the main man. For us in '99 there was Giggs, Keane, Beckham who all stood out. If he played a Barca type system, it might work? It would mean the latter Scholes than the goalscoring one, but that is still a brilliant little player.
Cantona and Rooney are support/2nd strikers by default; it's their natural position on the pitch. Zidane has never played support striker and he is going to want to drop, and more importantly, stay, deep for the majority of the game with a full field of vision of the final third in front of him, not being the man who loiters along that imaginary final third line and bides his time to come into the game.We had Cantona as the creative player between midfield and attack. Then Rooney also loves to drop deep, and sometimes as the third midfielder. So, Zidane can function as those two players, and Scholes being Scholes.
Well he's thrown Souness in the mix now. Guessing he'll use a 451/433 system with Zidane most advanced like the Iniesta role. Scholes -Xavi and Souness busquets
Iniesta's workrate and responsible play is what sets him apart from the likes of Zidane in my view. He was part of a really effective defensive unit while Zidane was supported by a really effective defensive unit. In the end both France and Madrid played him as an inside left for a reason.
Gutted Facchetti's gone now, had him in mind the whole time but hadn't realised there's such a steep step down in terms of Italians after him. Still some great players of course but it's hard to know when to go for them.
Looks like Van Basten gettin the better of him there
I'm quite happy to miss out on Baresi, Scirea and Nesta to have that flank bolted and supporting the attack effectively. Fullbacks may not be great vote winners, but I'd rather not face some of the wingers on this with the fantasy legend that is Gary Kelly. Not losing votes to a key player is sometimes as important as getting them.
Fullbacks may not be great vote winners, but I'd rather not face some of the wingers on this with the fantasy legend that is Gary Kelly. Not losing votes to a key player is sometimes as important as getting them.
That was crap.
Opinions on my picks so far?
Honestly, I think you got too tied up in the romance and are in real trouble. You will need your two very inspired first picks on top form to salvage something.
I'm quite happy to miss out on Baresi, Scirea and Nesta to have that flank bolted and supporting the attack effectively. Fullbacks may not be great vote winners, but I'd rather not face some of the wingers on this with the fantasy legend that is Gary Kelly. Not losing votes to a key player is sometimes as important as getting them.
That was crap.
Opinions on my picks so far?
EDogen, mightberight, Jake & MJJ are all online - PM me your picks if you're going off any time soon.