All-Time Fantasy Draft

What is 'prime form' for those players, such as Messi and C.Ronaldo, who may not have even reached their peaks yet, btw?

C.Ronaldo's 'best' season is highly subjective, is it not? Many would argue his 20 something goals and assists is the best form of his career over any of the goal-scoring ones. And, if that's the case, he was a very different player then to how he is now.

Is it going to be noted what season(s) these (in fact all) players are being ascribed?

It's pretty important given the changes a lot of these players go through from starting out to calling it a day. Someone like Matthaus, for example had three solid phases and positions to be picked from, and his peak is quite questionable. given he was so good for so long.

Then you've got someone like Pele who was a goal-scoring phenomenon as a youngster and slowly transitioned to a creator and play-maker in his late 20's , but some would argue his best years were then rather than when he was starting out to his early 20's.
 
Just have him drop into midfield when he can during a game. He's not glued to the ground I assume.

The point still remains that Charlton used to play with 2-3 forwards ahead of him, and here it is just the one chap to aim for. It's just a bit odd.
 
Charlton played with 2 ahead of him in '66 right? Hurst and Hunt. Ramsey played a 4132 formation.

Either way, he's one of the best of all time & offers me some flexibility when picking my formation.
 
Is it going to be noted what season(s) these (in fact all) players are being ascribed?

No, it won't be registered somewhere. Voters ultimately vote on what they see and have experienced. Some will see Madrid Ronaldo, some Red Ronaldo. It is an issue with many players and it tends to be the subject of much debate within the gamematch thread. Some people read that debate, participate and form an opinion (particularly if a manager is talking out of his arse); most vote based on the picture.

Another classic issue is players who have played for far too long. Don't remember who now but one player was massively underrated based on past-it form in England. Matthaus may have a similar issue as his latter form didn't justify the hype, let alone his arrogance (he was about 40 though!).

It will be interesting how this pans out. Some on here are surprised Ronaldinho goes in Round 2, while I would have him as one of the top 10 sure vote-winners. What sort of reception will Puskas/Di Stefano get? How deep can you go into those talent pools? From my experience when the United draft was done, my instinct was to ignore players I didn't know. That is, no plus, no minus, neutral. Most times I ended up not voting though.
 
Charlton played with 2 ahead of him in '66 right? Hurst and Hunt. Ramsey played a 4132 formation.

Either way, he's one of the best of all time & offers me some flexibility when picking my formation.

No doubt, I was just commenting on your suggestion with one upfront. It's not the ideal setting to get the best out of Charlton, that's all.
 
No doubt, I was just commenting on your suggestion with one upfront. It's not the ideal setting to get the best out of Charlton, that's all.

Yeah I think you're right. A diamond is looking an attractive possibility now. Thanks for the advice.
 
-----Maradona--------9
-------------Charlton
---------CM-----------CM
----------------DM

That would arguably get the best out of Charlton then.

I love that formation but others don't seem to!
 
-----Maradona--------9
-------------Charlton
---------CM-----------CM
----------------DM

That would arguably get the best out of Charlton then.

Not really sure, as like Charlton, Maradona was also a great passer, and one of the greatest at that. Getting the best out of him would having at least a couple of players who are willing to make runs and get at the end of his through balls.

You can try shifting Charlton to central midfield and Maradona as the attacking midfielder behind two striker, one out of which is good enough to pull wide when needed and stretch the defense. I think in a diamond, Charlton can still have the freedom he needs as long as the DM and the other CM is good enough to take care of the defensive duties.
 
-----Maradona--------9
-------------Charlton
---------CM-----------CM
----------------DM

That would arguably get the best out of Charlton then.

But will it get the best out of Maradona? I guess that's what Brwned was getting at. It could work though subject to who are the other four chaps.

The issue overall is that, while both are in the top bracket, you may end up restricting yourself by having to fit both in in a way that best utilises them.
 
Me too. Lack of width is a problem though, right? Not a vote winner...

I'd say lack of obvious width. You could have that formation and have width with the right personnel, but more often than not you end up with a clusterfeck of central operators. "Obvious width" is key there, even with the right personnel people won't necessarily perceive it.
 
Not really sure, as like Charlton, Maradona was also a great passer, and one of the greatest at that. Getting the best out of him would having at least a couple of players who are willing to make runs and get at the end of his through balls.

Hey Welcome up Aldo! About time.
 
Me too. Lack of width is a problem though, right? Not a vote winner...

Yes exactly, you can make it work though. Fullbacks become much more important but if you get the right two it won't be an issue.
 
Tbf Charlton can offer width, he played out wide a good few times when younger.

Indeed, which is why I can see him in one of those CM roles. The choice of the other CM and the DM become very important though. You can't just drop anyone in there.
 
No, it won't be registered somewhere. Voters ultimately vote on what they see and have experienced. Some will see Madrid Ronaldo, some Red Ronaldo. It is an issue with many players and it tends to be the subject of much debate within the gamematch thread. Some people read that debate, participate and form an opinion (particularly if a manager is talking out of his arse); most vote based on the picture.

Another classic issue is players who have played for far too long. Don't remember who now but one player was massively underrated based on past-it form in England. Matthaus may have a similar issue as his latter form didn't justify the hype, let alone his arrogance (he was about 40 though!).

It will be interesting how this pans out. Some on here are surprised Ronaldinho goes in Round 2, while I would have him as one of the top 10 sure vote-winners. What sort of reception will Puskas/Di Stefano get? How deep can you go into those talent pools? From my experience when the United draft was done, my instinct was to ignore players I didn't know. That is, no plus, no minus, neutral. Most times I ended up not voting though.

Cheers.
 
i was going to pick eusebio but didn't as i had pele.. would have been a great pick though.
 
my two assitants (theon & anointed one) are much better than me btw.
 
Completely forgot about Didi, assumed another Brazillian CM would be the next to go but I think you have made the right choice there Fergus. Great couple of picks.
 
i was going to pick eusebio but didn't as i had pele.. would have been a great pick though.

You didn't need him man, Neeskens was the right pick. We have a good plan mapped out from now on, feeling very confident.
 
What's all this about assistants?

They are PM'ing me with advice etc. I don't know too many players before the 90s so the are chipping in. I only know the big names, so they will prove invaluable later one.. And even now!
 
Concur with the quality of those last two picks.

That's shaping up to be a very interesting team.
 
Suppose I should say I also have a man in my corner. Jiggs'Hamstring is giving me some advice.

Good picks by the way Fergus'son.
 
It's good to have someone helping out, not only for the picks but also for having someone to pick the player when you are offline.
 
Fergus'son: 1. Beckenbauer 2. Eusebio 3. Didi
DanNistelrooy: Cristiano Ronaldo 2. Ronaldinho
KM: 1. Messi 2. Scirea
Thisistheone: 1. Maradona 2. B.Charlton
NM: 1. Pele 2. Neeskens
Cutch: 1. Best 2. Van Basten
Brwned: 1. Di Stéfano 2. Keane
MJJ: 1. Duncan Edwards 2. Garrincha
JakeC: 1. Ronaldo 2. Maldini
mightberight: 1. Ferenc Puskas 2. Stoichkov
EDogen: 1. Cruyff 2. Moore
Gio: 1. Platini 2. Xavi
Antohan: 1. Laudrup 2. Rijkaard
Stobzilla: 1. Zidane 2. Yashin (Russia)
Isotope: 1. Zico 2. L. Matthäus
paceme: 1. Figueroa 2. Baresi