This is a Premier League 20 Seasons Fantasy Tournament where managers are required to assemble their squads by selecting players based on their playing performance in the Premier League over a sustained period of time (at least 100 appearances which covers 3 years or more) - performance that has influence and impact on his team and the Premier League, including but not limited to those that lead to individual and team achievements. As in any team, team tactics and balance also play a part. Hence please carefully consider the abovesaid factors and evaluate the merits of both teams before voting for the team which in your opinion is the better team and more likely to win the match. Polls will last for 1 day and are open to all Redcafe members to vote. Managers can vote in matches other than their own. Thank you.
Rood United
Team Cutch
Rood United
Rood United:
A whole host of United greats from past and present make up the the core of the team - all these players are Premier League champions and have been taught to play the United way by SAF: Cantona (Overseas Player Of The Decade) & Van Nistelrooy (PFA POTY 01/02) upfront, Vidic&Pallister (both picked 4 times for PL TOTY) the centreback pairing, Kanchelskis (United Top Scorer 94/95) and Nani (PL TOTY 10/11) out wide plus Fletcher (PL TOTY 9/10) as the midfield engine
Add to that one of the best all-round midfielders of his generation in Michael Essien, 2 international class fullbacks and Nigel Martyn, a 3 time PL Keeper of the Year.
The team is built on rock solid defence, unrivalled midfield energy and a mouthwatering all United attacking quartet
Team Cutch
Sub: Carlos Tevez
My team is made up of players proven not only at PL level, but who have made outstanding contributions at European and in major international tournaments.
I have arguably the greatest keeper of all time between the sticks, with a strong French and Chelsea contingent outfield. I consider it to be well balanced and cohesive. A good blend of solidity and flair.
Lebouef and Gallas should complement eachother excellently at the back. They are flanked by extremely competent fullbacks who will bomb up and down all day providing genuine quality going forward, and the defence will be offered superb protection by Makelele who will keep a close eye on Cantona throughout as he's the only player with genuine creativity Rood has through the middle. Ballack and Gerrard will relish the battle with Fletcher and Essien and i would fancy them to come out on top, certainly both offer a greater goal threat. Ljungberg and Ginola add to this goal threat in midfield with Ginolas strong running constantly putting the opposition on the back foot drawing fouls from Ivanovic, and Ljungberg making clever probing runs in the channel between Staunton and Pallister. With Drogba upfront i have a player unplayable on his day who relishes the big occasion and is capable of a match winning contribution at any given moment.
I think this side also has the ability if required to soak up pressure when it doesnt have the ball and hit the opposition with a fast counter. Lebouef's superb raking long balls and Gerrards athleticism will benefit this swift transition.
Set pieces should also reap reward with this side. 7 players 6 ft plus and Lebouef, Drogba, Gerrard and Ballack all in contention to take free kicks anywhere within range.
The lively Tevez coming off the bench for the last half hour will cause Vidic and Pallister no shortage of problems.
I think this sides physical nature and unrivalled stamina will ensure it wins the battle in the middle of the park, stopping the supply to Cantona. With Schmeichel marshalling the defence and players like Gerrard, Ballack and Drogba who are guaranteed to raise their game, I think this side will have the experience and know how to get the required result.
Peter Schmeichel – By a mile the best keeper in this draft and arguably the greatest goalkeeper of all time.
350 PL appearances, 129 caps for Denmark, 5 PL titles.
Dan Petrescu – One of Romania’s greatest ever players and fans favourite at Chelsea. Brilliant attacking fullback. Creator and scorer of goals but could also defend well.
215 PL appearances and 24 goals. 95 caps for Romania. Premiership overseas team of the decade 1992-2002.
Franck Lebouef –Highly cultured centrehalf. Superb long passer. Scored many goals from set pieces.
World Cup and Euro winner with France with 50 caps. 5 major honours with Chelsea. 144 PL appearances and 17 goals.
William Gallas – Brilliant man marker. Strong and lightning quick. Part of Mourinho’s superb defense at Chelsea.
287 PL appearances and 24 goals. 84 caps for France. PFA team of year twice. 2 PL titles.
Gael Clichy – Blistering pace and stamina. Consistent player for 8 years at Arsenal.
218 PL appearances. 2 PL titles. PFA team of year 08. 15 caps for France.
Fredrik Ljungberg – Fans favourite at Arsenal. Part of their ‘Invincibles’ team. Intelligent player with a real eye for goal.
216 PL appearances and 46 goals for Arsenal. 75 caps for Sweden. PL player of the season 2002. Premiership overseas team of the decade 1992-2002.
Claude Makelele – Legendary holding midfielder for Real Madrid and Chelsea. Vital cog in the ‘Galacticos’ success and the fulcrum of Mourinho’s Chelsea.
144 PL appearances and 2 PL titles. CL winner and 2 time league winner with Real Madrid. 71 caps for France.
Steven Gerrard – Heartbeat of Liverpool and England for the last dozen years. Immensely competitive with unrivalled stamina. Dragged Liverpool almost singlehandedly to honours, particularly the 05 Champions League and 06 FA Cup.
408 PL appearances and 89 goals. 98 caps for England and 17 goals. 9 honours at Liverpool. 3rd in Ballon d’Or in 05. 7 teams PFA team of the year. Football writers, PFA, fans, young and players player of the year. UEFA team of the year 3 times.
Michael Ballack – Legendary German midfielder. Commanding presence, with good passing range and brilliant goalscoring record from midfield. Immense in the air. Dragged Germany to the latter stages of many international tournaments.
585 career appearances and 145 goals. 167 appearances and 5 major honours at Chelsea. 98 caps and 42 goals for Germany.
David Ginola – Flamboyant French winger. Brilliant dribbler and equally adept at shooting from distance with either foot.
195 PL appearances and 22 goals. Football writers and Players POTY in 2009. 2 time PFA team of the year.
Didier Drogba – Powerhouse centre forward. No better player at leading the line on his own and bringing others into play. Strong as a bull and devastating shooting power. The best big game player around.
226 PL appearances and 100 goals. 88 caps and 56 goals for Ivory Coast. 10 major honours at Chelsea including 3 PL titles and scorer in 4 FA Cup finals. 2 PL golden boot. 2 PFA team of the year. 1 UEFA team of year.
Sub
Carlos Tevez – Love him or hate him, theres no doubting his class. Great man to bring off the bench (providing he wants to of course) to defend a lead or chase a goal. Tireless energy and great goalscorer. Phenomenal goal return for City.
171 PL appearances and 76 goals. 59 caps for Argentina. 3 time PL winner. CL winner. PL golden boot. 3 time South American footballer of the year.
. Lebouef is a World Cup and Euro winning centrehalf with 50 caps in an outstanding french team, while Clichy is a multiple title winning fullback, who copes very well against kick and run wingers like Kanchelskis.