Crappy
Snow
Crappy Tactics
Inspiration: The Mighty Magyars
Tactics:
Snow Tactics
There are two themes to this team. One, it's mostly older players playing in a style that was popularized by Henry Chapman in the 20's when Billy Wright was in his heyday. Italians adopted it to their sistema. The West Germans used it in the 50's. It died out abit before getting somewhat of a resurgence more recently in a modernized way by Bielsa and Guardiola.
In order for the formation to work you need intelligent players who are good on the ball. Since we've gotten to pick from players over the entire history of football that was somewhat easy to accomplish.
We've seen this style of football a lot in the past decade. Many teams today play some kind of version of this in possession. I went a bit more old school and played with two halfbacks instead of the normal fullbacks or wingbacks. Basically I want two "Rodri's" instead of one. The roles of Gersón and Luis Suarés is key. Usually Pep has been made to do with one such player but like my good friend Pippin used to say We've had one Busquets yes but how about a second one?. Either of them are excellent on the ball and able to help out with closing down the flanks when needed but mostly we'll be doing or pressing high up and keep possession with the ability to quickly transition from defending to attacking.
Neymar Jr. Pelé and Keegan. I don't think I need to say much about them. There was a graphic the other day that showed Neymar Jr. with more g+a than C.Ronaldo at age 30. Reasonably somewhat played down for the league he played in for a while but that's insignificant in the grand scheme of things. We've seen him be great in Spain and the CL. We know how poor Brazil are without him and unlike the other two great comparisons, he actually puts in a shift off the ball. Also, since you can see him there on the pitch it means he's not injured or at his sister's birthday so you can't hold that against him.
Pelé.
For the young people reading. After Bobby Charlton and before Wayne Rooney England did indeed produce some great footballers. Keegan, isn't he a scouse scum? You might think? Yes, like many footballers he has his demons but I want to point you towards the Hamburger SV Keegan. The two-time Ballon d'Or winning Keegan.
What's this? A footballer with an education? I told you my players are intelligent. Sócrates could be popped into any era of football and look at home. He's the kind of man that when you see him on the pitch your imaginary wife says to you Why can't you me more like Sócrates?
Next to him is the East European Maradona himself. Little left-footed genius. I know what you're thinking. Kira Hagi's dad was a famous footballer? Yes indeed he was. Quite a good one too. The type of player who has got an envious YouTube highlight reel.
My defense is made up of hard men who know how to play backed up by possibly the greatest goalkeeper of all time. Billy Wright is the greatest legend in Wolves' history, Ballon d'Or runner up as CB, first player to reach 100 caps for his country.
Billy McNeill played almost 800 times for Celtic, winning everything possible that a Scotsman could win.
Ronald Koeman, yes the same mopey thick man that manages the Netherlands, loved by all Evertonians and has a flawless relationship with his old club Barcelona. One of my favorites of the 90's defender. Of the Beckenbauer mold of playing SW and being able to transition into a midfielder during a match. Perfect for this style of football. Also a rocket of a right foot which would make him one of my two free kick takers with Hagi.
Yashin. Who likes to really talk about goalkeepers at length? He's before my time but he's the guy every good goalkeeper got compared to growing up. If you would ask 100 people to name their top 5 goalkeeper of all time (assuming most of them know of footballers that played before they were born) he'd be there at least 95 times out of 100.
The second theme of mine, which I almost managed to complete, is that the players I picked have been so good for their respective club and/or countries that they have statues of themselves in front of a stadium (sometimes more than one). I think Gersón, Neymar Jr. and Keegan are the only ones who don't but I did find a picture of Keegan in front of a statue so I guess that counts.
Snow
Crappy Tactics
Inspiration: The Mighty Magyars
Tactics:
- Grosics playing sweeper keeper role. Santamaria playing a conservative defender role. Full backs tuck in when not in possession. One may overlap when team has possession and is attacking.
- Xabi Alonso plays the deep lying playmaker. Arie Haan playing traditional DM role that can even fall back into defense if required.
- Neeskens has more of a free roaming role. When not in possession, drops back into the midfield. In attack, has freedom to attack the box. Played similar role for Holland in 74 WC
- Both wingers provide some level of defense when not in possession. Jairzinho hugging the width while Dragan attacking the box more.
- Puskas with free role of sorts as well. Can swap with Dragan/Neeskens if required and also move into striker position.
- Sanchez playing traditional 9 role to provide presence in the box at all times.
- Overall tactic being to build tempo in possession with short passes. When not in possession, press.
Snow Tactics
There are two themes to this team. One, it's mostly older players playing in a style that was popularized by Henry Chapman in the 20's when Billy Wright was in his heyday. Italians adopted it to their sistema. The West Germans used it in the 50's. It died out abit before getting somewhat of a resurgence more recently in a modernized way by Bielsa and Guardiola.
In order for the formation to work you need intelligent players who are good on the ball. Since we've gotten to pick from players over the entire history of football that was somewhat easy to accomplish.
We've seen this style of football a lot in the past decade. Many teams today play some kind of version of this in possession. I went a bit more old school and played with two halfbacks instead of the normal fullbacks or wingbacks. Basically I want two "Rodri's" instead of one. The roles of Gersón and Luis Suarés is key. Usually Pep has been made to do with one such player but like my good friend Pippin used to say We've had one Busquets yes but how about a second one?. Either of them are excellent on the ball and able to help out with closing down the flanks when needed but mostly we'll be doing or pressing high up and keep possession with the ability to quickly transition from defending to attacking.
Neymar Jr. Pelé and Keegan. I don't think I need to say much about them. There was a graphic the other day that showed Neymar Jr. with more g+a than C.Ronaldo at age 30. Reasonably somewhat played down for the league he played in for a while but that's insignificant in the grand scheme of things. We've seen him be great in Spain and the CL. We know how poor Brazil are without him and unlike the other two great comparisons, he actually puts in a shift off the ball. Also, since you can see him there on the pitch it means he's not injured or at his sister's birthday so you can't hold that against him.
Pelé.
For the young people reading. After Bobby Charlton and before Wayne Rooney England did indeed produce some great footballers. Keegan, isn't he a scouse scum? You might think? Yes, like many footballers he has his demons but I want to point you towards the Hamburger SV Keegan. The two-time Ballon d'Or winning Keegan.
What's this? A footballer with an education? I told you my players are intelligent. Sócrates could be popped into any era of football and look at home. He's the kind of man that when you see him on the pitch your imaginary wife says to you Why can't you me more like Sócrates?
Next to him is the East European Maradona himself. Little left-footed genius. I know what you're thinking. Kira Hagi's dad was a famous footballer? Yes indeed he was. Quite a good one too. The type of player who has got an envious YouTube highlight reel.
My defense is made up of hard men who know how to play backed up by possibly the greatest goalkeeper of all time. Billy Wright is the greatest legend in Wolves' history, Ballon d'Or runner up as CB, first player to reach 100 caps for his country.
Billy McNeill played almost 800 times for Celtic, winning everything possible that a Scotsman could win.
Ronald Koeman, yes the same mopey thick man that manages the Netherlands, loved by all Evertonians and has a flawless relationship with his old club Barcelona. One of my favorites of the 90's defender. Of the Beckenbauer mold of playing SW and being able to transition into a midfielder during a match. Perfect for this style of football. Also a rocket of a right foot which would make him one of my two free kick takers with Hagi.
Yashin. Who likes to really talk about goalkeepers at length? He's before my time but he's the guy every good goalkeeper got compared to growing up. If you would ask 100 people to name their top 5 goalkeeper of all time (assuming most of them know of footballers that played before they were born) he'd be there at least 95 times out of 100.
The second theme of mine, which I almost managed to complete, is that the players I picked have been so good for their respective club and/or countries that they have statues of themselves in front of a stadium (sometimes more than one). I think Gersón, Neymar Jr. and Keegan are the only ones who don't but I did find a picture of Keegan in front of a statue so I guess that counts.
