Redafe Champions League Draft - Gio vs Nahealai

[Buchan]

Right, it appears that folk are being swayed by the fanciful notion that Owen is a top-class lone striker, despite him never being prolific in the role. Owen's best performances always came playing off a bigger target man, alá Heskey with England and Liverpool. How he's going to cope with the physical nature of both Couto and Marchena is beyond me, but hey ho. Also, I think I would have been better off choosing a centre-back from 2010 onwards as many voters here are either being dismissive of Couto or they haven't seen him play. He was brilliant in the late 1990s/early 2000s and shone in Serie A where top-class centre-backs were aplenty.


Anyway, I've decided to re-jig my formation and go for a 3-5-2 formation with Abidal coming on for Juninho and my full-backs pushing further up. Abidal is pacy and athletic and will be well able for Michael Owen's apparent God-like speed. Also, my midfield will push further up and put Gio's midfield two under immense pressure (I can't fathom how Fabregas and Mauro Silva - two of the lesser midfielders in the draft - are handling my midfield three, but hey-ho) and I think this pressure should eventually tell, especially with my two strikers being far more lethal than anyone on Gio's team. Taffarel, the obvious weak-link among all the players on the field, will surely be tested and I cannot see him keeping out my attacking threat.

Jaoquin and Nedved both like to stay in attack but will be asked to defend now and I'm not sure they are up to the job. van Nistelrooy and Raúl will thrive on the extra crosses into the box from my marauding wing-backs, and Ballack will be timing those late runs into the box to perfection, something which he made a career out of.

Let's see can Gio's weak middle third withstand the immense pressure and keep out two of the most prolific strikers in the draft. Many questioned my width with the diamond formation, but there's no questioning the supply that they'll thrive on now. I can see Taffarel coming and flapping at crosses and my two legendary goalscorers will be there to pounce.

Can the OP be updated with the new formation graphic please?

 

[Theon]

Updated now mate

 

[Buchan]

a better defence and better cohesion as a team would mean Gio edges it.

I find this comment rather bizarre. I have mentioned already that I have far more player connections/relationships from players who played with each other in real life, and whom were very successful in doing so. It just seems to be accepted that Gio's XI are a better unit, despite several questions marks over some, including:

• Fabregas and Mauro Silva is not a good midfield partnership, and certainly not against my midfield three
• Michael Owen is not a lone striker
• Taffarel flopping every time he played in a side that didn't have two strong defensive lines in front of him (Here he has a back four and, er, Mauro Silva)
• The assumption that an attacking midfield three of Jaoquin, Rivaldo and Nedved would provide protection for an already suspect central midfield partnership

Also, highlighting a rare mistake from Busquets is clutching at straws I think, Gio. He has long been established at the premiere player in his position, akin to Xavi in his position. I could find a catalog of Taffarel errors, Rio Ferdinand liked to drop a bollock regularly, Montero is an accident waiting to happen when tackling, Zambrotta is suspect positionally, Fabregas struggles at the very highest level in a midfield two, and Owen would be lost in a lone striker role, particularly early on in his career.

I can accept being slightly behind in a tight contest, but there's no way that there's such a margin in this game. I have plenty of keys areas on the pitch where I undoubtedly have the upper hand, but this seems to be ignored.

 

[Buchan]

Updated now mate

Cheers, mate.

 

[Gio]

Taffarel, the obvious weak-link among all the players on the field, will surely be tested and I cannot see him keeping out my attacking threat.

No concerns about Taffarel. He had over 100 caps for Brazil, reached one World Cup Final, won another World Cup Final during a tournament where he kept 5 clean sheets in 7 games, two Copa America titles, one of which he kept 7 clean sheets in 9 games. Here's what Brazilian football guru Tim Vickery had to say about him:

Brazil has become a fine producer of keepers. Huge credit must go to Taffarel, a pioneer in the sense that he was the first one to gain the confidence of an international audience. To play three World Cups with hardly an error is also a massive achievement, a real test of character

Jaoquin and Nedved both like to stay in attack but will be asked to defend now and I'm not sure they are up to the job.

Pavel Nedved is a bundle of energy and dynamism. This questioning of his ability to participate in a midfield battle is rubbish really. He'll be putting a shift in to support the rest of the midfield - that is clear. Joaquin too has got plenty of graft in him: he'll match any forrays from Lizarazu and has Zanetti to back him up as well.

 

[Gio]

Rio Ferdinand liked to drop a bollock regularly, Montero is an accident waiting to happen when tackling, Zambrotta is suspect positionally, Fabregas struggles at the very highest level in a midfield two, and Owen would be lost in a lone striker role, particularly early on in his career.

Questioning Ferdinand, Zambrotta, Fabregas - all of whom are proven at the highest level - sounds like you're scraping the barrel.

Mauro Silva is a big upgrade on Gilberto Silva the player alongside whom Fabregas first established himself as a world-class central midfielder. I'd certainly fancy Silva and Fabregas to do more defensive doggy work than Busquets and Xavi. You'll indicate that Ballack is in there supporting but equally I have Nedved involved in my midfield five.

 

[Buchan]

No concerns about Taffarel. He had over 100 caps for Brazil, reached one World Cup Final, won another World Cup Final during a tournament where he kept 5 clean sheets in 7 games, two Copa America titles, one of which he kept 7 clean sheets in 9 games. Here's what Brazilian football guru Tim Vickery had to say about him:

Revisonism at its finest there, Gio. At the time there was a huge controversy in Brazil about Taffarel's inclusion in the side. Perriera was getting slated back home for selecting him ahead of others who were actually playing competitive football (At the time, Taffarel was on a "sabbatical" from the game after a failed stint in Italy). Also, about the main reason for his number of clean sheets at the World Cup was Perriera steadfastly refusing to play more than two attacking flair players in his first XI (Bebeto and Romario). The four midfielders were defensive-minded and there to protect the back four and the (at times) hapless Taffarel. He does not have that cover in your team, and your midfield in general is rather weak in this regard.

Describing him as one of Brazil's best ever goalkeepers isn't a ringing endorsement.

Pavel Nedved is a bundle of energy and dynamism. This questioning of his ability to participate in a midfield battle is rubbish really. He'll be putting a shift in to support the rest of the midfield - that is clear. Joaquin too has got plenty of graft in him: he'll match any forrays from Lizarazu and has Zanetti to back him up as well.

Describing them as "bundles of energy" does not equate to adequate defensive cover, mate. Your midfield two are far too exposed in your team selection and I doubt any of your forward three would be adept at giving them the cover they need. Your midfield is severely lacking another industrious midfielder and Fabregas looks out of place beside Mauro Silva there. A total mis-match of personnel and I think it should be reflected on the scoreline when judging the calibre of player in my midfield sector.

 

[Buchan]

Questioning Ferdinand, Zambrotta, Fabregas - all of whom are proven at the highest level - sounds like you're scraping the barrel.

Mauro Silva is a big upgrade on Gilberto Silva the player alongside whom Fabregas first established himself as a world-class central midfielder. I'd certainly fancy Silva and Fabregas to do more defensive doggy work than Busquets and Xavi. You'll indicate that Ballack is in there supporting but equally I have Nedved involved in my midfield five.

I am not questioning them as players, Gio. I am questioning certain aspects of their games and I believe if there are chinks in their respective armours, they should be highlighted. I doubt anybody could deny that Ferdinand wasn't capable of costly gaffes, that Zambrotta was a converted winger and thus, was suspect in his positioning defensively and that Fabregas needs another two midfielders beside him in order to shine, and he doesn't have that in your side. Fabregas will have to do a lot of donkey work in your midfield beside Silva and he's not that type of player.

Very fair comments I think.

 

[Gio]

There's no revisionism concerning Taffarel. I've laid out the facts which are:

• Over 100 caps for Brazil
• Appeared in 8 major international tournaments
• Won the World Cup, keeping five clean sheets along the way with a back four less impressive than what he's got in front of him today
• Reached another World Cup final after a heroic shoot-out performance in the semi-final against Holland
• Won two Copa America titles
• Kept 8 clean sheets in 9 games in the '89 Copa America: that is 1 goal conceded in 9 games!
• A UEFA Cup win following a phenomenal save from a Thierry Henry header:

 

[Buchan]

That's fine, Gio. As I said, in any side he was successful in, he was well protected. You say the 1994 back four wasn't as good as yours, but you're neglecting the fact that that Brazil side had FOUR defensive-minded midfielders in front of him, too. You have one. The pressure is bound to tell as some stage as you cannot keep my midfield and my outstanding strike partnership at bay with that personnel.

As for Taffarel, he might be capable of one once-in-a-lifetime save as above, but he's also capable of doing this:



And in draft games, it's the weaknesses you're punished for which can decide the match, not necessarily the greats you have in your side.

 

[Gio]

I am not questioning them as players, Gio. I am questioning certain aspects of their games and I believe if there are chinks in their respective armours, they should be highlighted. I doubt anybody could deny that Ferdinand wasn't capable of costly gaffes, that Zambrotta was a converted winger and thus, was suspect in his positioning defensively.

I'll take Ferdinand's once-in-a-blue-moon gaffe if it means I'm getting the same defender who was the standout centre-half in the world between 2006 and 2008, a peak that no-one has matched since Nesta was in his prime over a decade ago. As for Zambrotta I wasn't overly aware of his suspect positioning and find it hard to conceive of an Italian full-back who racks up 98 caps for the national team and gets into 2 consecutive team-of-the-tournaments with that defect in their game. Either way any chinks in their armour, perceived or otherwise, fade into obscurity in comparison with the comparatively error-prone and flawed set of central defenders in your team.

 

[Gio]

That's fine, Gio. As I said, in any side he was successful in, he was well protected.

He still shone in 1990 and 1998 irrespective of more attack-minded set-ups. And in the 1989 Copa America, Brazil played a fairly attacking 4-4-2 with forward-thinking players like Valdo and Silas in their midfield - yet Taffarel still restricted them to a single goal conceded in 9 games. He's really not a weakness and any talk about him getting tested at crosses will remain just talk because there is no attacking width to create crossing positions in the first place. Especially with the strongest pair of full-backs in the draft marshalling those flanks.

 

[Buchan]

I'm not here over-estimating the abilities of Couto, Marchena or Abidal at all. I have admitted that Ferdinand and Montero is a better partnership, but there are frailties in your defence, too. Ferdinand was gaffe-prone (even in your 2006 - 2008 window) and Montero regularly fouled opponents. That is irrefutable.

You mentioned Couto's lack of pace earlier and quoted pieces from late on in his career, which I thought wasn't fair and very misleading. I am certain that Michael Owen would not be a success as a lone frontman yet for some reason, you have convinced half the voters that this is your trump card, despite gaping holes in your midfield and a very suspect goalkeeper in between your sticks.

I am not proclaiming my side to be the finished article and beyond reproach at all, I just see a skew in the figures between how close this game is and the voting pattern is all. I was 4-1 up at the time you posted those quotes on Couto and started highlighting inaccuracies about his pace (conveniently neglecting his prime, which everyone else is being judged on), and then when I next logged on the score had shifted to 12-7 in your favour. This obviously influenced voters and I find it frustrating that some are overlooking the deficiencies in your team despite them being as glaring (in some cases, more glaring)than mine.

I have the better - and more reliable - goalkeeper by a distance, wing-backs just as dependable defensively and arguably better going forward, a stronger overall midfield and the more potent attack, yet I find myself some bit behind on the scoreboard. Some attributing this to "better cohesion" on your team despite my team having more familiar partnerships than yours is also baffling.

As I said, I have no problem losing a tight game to a tight scoreline, but the figures are skewed on this one. The change to 3-5-2 in my formation should hopefully see my superiority in midfield prove telling now.

 

[Buchan]

P.S I'm thoroughly enjoying this match-up, Gio. Whoever wins this game will have earned it!

 

[Gio]

You mentioned Couto's lack of pace earlier and quoted pieces from late on in his career, which I thought wasn't fair and very misleading.

It's always been an issue with Couto. He's always been vulnerable to sheer pace, despite his various other qualities. That could be compensated alongside another centre-half who complements him, perhaps somebody nippy and mobile like Ivan Cordoba would've been a good match. But Marchena - an even slower defender - just exacerbates those weaknesses, especially with Owen in place to capitalise. Owen isn't isolated in my eyes, he's playing off Rivaldo. Look at the formation graphic - there's not a lot of space between them, just enough for Rivaldo to thread a through ball. But it's the same set-up as Rivaldo has played in countless times in his career, whether playing off Kluivert, Saviola, Ronaldo, Romario, Bebeto, Shevchenko, Tomasson, Beguiristan and so forth (substitute Owen in as appropriate).

wing-backs just as dependable defensively and arguably better going forward

I guarantee you'll be the only poster who believes Lizarazu and Irwin are a stronger pair than Javier Zanetti and Gianluca Zambrotta.

 

[Cutch]

I agree with Nahealai to an extent regarding Taffarel. As I recall he was pretty much the only relatively competent Brazilian keeper around at that time. He was fairly reliable but I think he was still one of the weaker links of that side. More than good enough for this draft but being overrated slightly from what I remember him

 

[Fergus' son]

This one is strange for me, don't really know who to vote. It would've been gio all the way but I think Fabregas or Joaquin is a bit of a luxury in there, a more solid defensive partner with Mauro Silva would've made it a lot better IMO, and guaranteed the victory, particularly with the likes of Rivaldo and Nedved there to create anyway and such great wingbacks. Owen I don't particularly like but I can see having joy in this match up.

One thing is certain, it's that if Nahelai does manage to get a hold of the game, his strikers will score, but now I'm worried that they aren't used to the new formation.

Difficult, as it stand I think Gio will edge it but it's still in the balance for now.

 

[Gio]

I agree with Nahealai to an extent regarding Taffarel. As I recall he was pretty much the only relatively competent Brazilian keeper around at that time. He was fairly reliable but I think he was still one of the weaker links of that side. More than good enough for this draft but being overrated slightly from what I remember him

Aye, I know you didn't rate him, but chose him on the basis that his track record at the top level was easily the strongest of the remaining goalkeepers.

 

[Theon]

I prefer this new formation by quite a bit actually, not for Abidal's pace or anything but it takes the defensive burden off Xavi and it looks far harder for Gio to score now - which before I thought could have been an issue.

The only downside is Irwin probably isn't totally ideal here IMO compared to other possible rightbacks, but overall it's a better side for me.

 

[Fergus' son]

Questioning Ferdinand, Zambrotta, Fabregas - all of whom are proven at the highest level - sounds like you're scraping the barrel.

Mauro Silva is a big upgrade on Gilberto Silva the player alongside whom Fabregas first established himself as a world-class central midfielder. I'd certainly fancy Silva and Fabregas to do more defensive doggy work than Busquets and Xavi. You'll indicate that Ballack is in there supporting but equally I have Nedved involved in my midfield five.

Good post, interesting.

I prefer this new formation by quite a bit actually, not for Abidal's pace or anything but it takes the defensive burden off Xavi and it looks far harder for Gio to score now - which before I thought could have been an issue.

The only downside is Irwin probably isn't totally ideal here IMO compared to other possible rightbacks, but overall it's a better side for me.

Agree.

 

[Cutch]

Aye, I know you didn't rate him, but chose him on the basis that his track record at the top level was easily the strongest of the remaining goalkeepers.

Yeah he was definately still a shrewd enough pick, after the best of the rest Toldo was taken

 

[Fergus' son]

I'm well familiar with his abilities, as I said I rate him really highly and he's one of my favourite players of the last few years, but you are highly underestimating the unstoppable force Rivaldo was. He must be one of the most underrated players of the last 20 years seeing how he doesn't get rated among the very best which he really deserves to be. Not only do you find insane attacking qualities in him that combine both goal scoring and vision and creativity to amazing extent, but you also have a player who has plenty and determination and fire in him to get a win for his team no matter how tough it is. He's gonna be all over the pitch here, dropping in positions where a very few, if any, can predict him to be. With Nedved he'd be interchanging oh so comfortably and dragging players all over the place. That's his game, it always has been, and he has faced tougher opponents than Busquets and showed that. It isn't something he did once in a blue moon, he'd do that day in day out. You possibly can't speak of keeping a player like Rivaldo quiet for 90 minutes. It is the same as Ronaldinho, Ronaldo or Messi, you can do you best to curtail them but it's virtually impossible to stop them when they are in mood, which is what we are considering here.

His performance against Valencia is my outright winner for the best individual performance I've seen in my lifetime.

Wholeheartedly agree!

Rivaldo is right up thee with Ronaldinho and Zidane IMO, brilliant brilliant number ten, and as you rightly point out, had great character in the most difficult moments. Nedved is absolutely brilliant too, fantastic blend of sublime brilliance and sheer hard work. I'd make space in my team for them anyway I could, same with Rio and Zanetti. Nahelais players are great but they don't conjure the same feeling for me, only Xavi comes close, Raul is great but inferior to Rivaldo IMO...

 

[Gio]

P.S I'm thoroughly enjoying this match-up, Gio. Whoever wins this game will have earned it!

Yes, either way it's been an entertaining affair and a good read.

 

[mufcwarm92]

I find this comment rather bizarre. I have mentioned already that I have far more player connections/relationships from players who played with each other in real life, and whom were very successful in doing so. It just seems to be accepted that Gio's XI are a better unit, despite several questions marks over some, including:

• Fabregas and Mauro Silva is not a good midfield partnership, and certainly not against my midfield three
• Michael Owen is not a lone striker
• Taffarel flopping every time he played in a side that didn't have two strong defensive lines in front of him (Here he has a back four and, er, Mauro Silva)
• The assumption that an attacking midfield three of Jaoquin, Rivaldo and Nedved would provide protection for an already suspect central midfield partnership

Also, highlighting a rare mistake from Busquets is clutching at straws I think, Gio. He has long been established at the premiere player in his position, akin to Xavi in his position. I could find a catalog of Taffarel errors, Rio Ferdinand liked to drop a bollock regularly, Montero is an accident waiting to happen when tackling, Zambrotta is suspect positionally, Fabregas struggles at the very highest level in a midfield two, and Owen would be lost in a lone striker role, particularly early on in his career.

I can accept being slightly behind in a tight contest, but there's no way that there's such a margin in this game. I have plenty of keys areas on the pitch where I undoubtedly have the upper hand, but this seems to be ignored.

Now I can't talk for everyone but I was put off by the midfield you put out (in the original diamond) because I didn't think the players really suited the formation. While you obviously sacrifice constant width with that formation the outside two are still expected to drift into wide pockets with the ball and press opposition wide men from time to time to make the formation work. Despite the obvious class of Ballack and Xavi, I don't really think either suits that role as both thrive centrally and unfamiliar commitments could harm their contribution. I'd agree Busquets is vital to shore up the midfield but I'd argue that Juninho was an unnecessary addition to what would have been a superb and complementary midfield three, one which would ideally be flanked by a couple of decent wide players (bear in mind my vote and comments were based on your original formation). Obviously things are complicated by the fact you have two brilliant strikers up top, neither of which should be left out, but I think that midfield would thrive with some genuine width on either side rather than a front two. Even with your changes, I still think there's something lacking in terms of width and I still see a vulnerability in the centre of defence. Personally I didn't even see the criticism regarding Couto's pace, but I genuinely think the presence of Rio, one of the best defenders available, makes Gio's defence superior.

Now in terms of cohesion I didn't necessarily mean links or partnerships I'm real life, I meant formation and how I think the players wold be suited to it. I think Gio's comparatively weak midfield is complemented well by his wide players, which contrasts with what I've said about yours. Gio's Rio has an effective partner in the more aggressive Montero, who despite his weaknesses, I still believe to be significantly superior to Couto and particularly Marchena, who I'd argue wouldn't function particularly well as a pair either. I reckon both your strike partnerships would work well but as I said I think Gio's would get better service from wide positions and hence I think he edges it, despite the fact you probably have one of the best front twos in the draft. As I mentioned you have some truly outstanding individuals in Xavi, Kahn, Raul, Ruud, Busquets etc, hence why it's a close call, but I still reckon Gio's would function better as a team. It's all opinions, obviously, but I don't think the vote count necessarily represents a particularly big difference in quality because I don't think anyone would call this one a walkover either way and it's on a bit of a knife edge.

 

[Jayvin]

I had a long summary of both teams written up but I accidentally refreshed the page, bah! Here's a few key points:

Nahealai is making a lot of false claims that I'd like to address: For one, there's no way Denis Irwin was better going forward than Javier Zanetti and trying to even suggest that is laughable. Rio Ferdinand at his peak was not 'gaffe-prone', he is one of the best defenders I've ever seen and I can't remember him making a single error from 2006-2008. Nahealai's claim that the 'inexperienced' Michael Owen would struggle against Carlos Marchena is just flat out not true and it boggles the mind he's even suggested it. This is the same Michael Owen who was tearing top class defenders a new one when he was 18, not to mention we're considering these players at their peaks, which means none of them will be 'inexperienced' anyway.

There's also lot of underrating of Joaquin going on, I feel. Joaquin at his peak was the best winger in Europe and everyone on RedCafe was dreaming United would sign him.

Overall, Gio's team just looks to have a slightly better balance along with some truly world class individual talents. I really do like Raul-RvN up front, but I think Montero-Ferdinand nullifies their impact somewhat, while I think Marchena, Couto and Abidal would struggle against Rivaldo, Nedved and particularly the pace of Owen and Joaquin.

 

[Moby]

Gio has a great chance of winning the whole thing. He has an incredibly balanced and quality team as it is, with a couple of reinforcements he could be unbeatable. His defense can be carried till the final, no issues whatsoever.

 

[JaffyJoe]

Gio has a great chance of winning the whole thing. He has an incredibly balanced and quality team as it is, with a couple of reinforcements he could be unbeatable. His defense can be carried till the final, no issues whatsoever.

I agree imo and with all due respect but Naehali was never really in this one.

 

[Gio]

Owen's done his shift, bagged a couple of goals, and ran Marchena ragged. On comes Roy Makaay, perhaps the most under-rated striker of his generation. A sensational finisher with Deportivo and Bayern (108 goals in 3 seasons), banging in goals from anywhere on his right or his left, and equally very strong in the air with the sort of frame that makes him adept at holding the ball up. He's a safe pair of hands to occupy and provide a new threat to Nahealai's three centre-halves.

 

[Theon]

Gone for Nahealai as I liked his pro-active changes and I think the game should be closer than the scores suggest.

This new formation suits the players much more than the diamond, I think mufcwarm was spot on about Xavi/Ballack. The only slight weakness is Irwin on the right, but it isn't a huge issue, someone like Zanetti or Cafu would make Nahealai's 5-3-2 beautifully balanced and extremely hard to play through with that central midfield and three man central defence.

Even without that I still think it's a very good side that would dominate possession against virtually every team in the competition.

Gio has proved too strong here which is unfortuate for Nahealai because against most other teams I think he would have gone through, but he got a shit draw against Gio who remains the team to beat. Great effort though and his tactical write up was brilliant.

 

[Thisistheone]

Gio's gonna take some stopping for the rest of the draft

 

[Moby]

Now I can't talk for everyone but I was put off by the midfield you put out (in the original diamond) because I didn't think the players really suited the formation. While you obviously sacrifice constant width with that formation the outside two are still expected to drift into wide pockets with the ball and press opposition wide men from time to time to make the formation work. Despite the obvious class of Ballack and Xavi, I don't really think either suits that role as both thrive centrally and unfamiliar commitments could harm their contribution. I'd agree Busquets is vital to shore up the midfield but I'd argue that Juninho was an unnecessary addition to what would have been a superb and complementary midfield three, one which would ideally be flanked by a couple of decent wide players (bear in mind my vote and comments were based on your original formation). Obviously things are complicated by the fact you have two brilliant strikers up top, neither of which should be left out, but I think that midfield would thrive with some genuine width on either side rather than a front two. Even with your changes, I still think there's something lacking in terms of width and I still see a vulnerability in the centre of defence. Personally I didn't even see the criticism regarding Couto's pace, but I genuinely think the presence of Rio, one of the best defenders available, makes Gio's defence superior.

Now in terms of cohesion I didn't necessarily mean links or partnerships I'm real life, I meant formation and how I think the players wold be suited to it. I think Gio's comparatively weak midfield is complemented well by his wide players, which contrasts with what I've said about yours. Gio's Rio has an effective partner in the more aggressive Montero, who despite his weaknesses, I still believe to be significantly superior to Couto and particularly Marchena, who I'd argue wouldn't function particularly well as a pair either. I reckon both your strike partnerships would work well but as I said I think Gio's would get better service from wide positions and hence I think he edges it, despite the fact you probably have one of the best front twos in the draft. As I mentioned you have some truly outstanding individuals in Xavi, Kahn, Raul, Ruud, Busquets etc, hence why it's a close call, but I still reckon Gio's would function better as a team. It's all opinions, obviously, but I don't think the vote count necessarily represents a particularly big difference in quality because I don't think anyone would call this one a walkover either way and it's on a bit of a knife edge.

Excellent post. Nail hit on the head.

 

[Fergus' son]

Should be closer than this but I still ended up voting for Gio, Rivaldo and Nedved tipped it in his favour when I couldn't decide.

 

[sajeev]

i voted for Gio, but I would drop Owen and Joaquin if I were him. i almost voted for nahealia but having Rivaldo & Nedved along with a stronger defence (one which needn't be changed) tilted it for Gio. Nahealia had the making of a really good midfield and attack, the match would have been much closer in reality (however having a more creative midfielder than Ballack would have tied things beetter because there really seems to be a missing link between midfield and attack)

 

[Buchan]

Great game, Gio, and well played, sir. I haven't been online at all today to see how the voting was progressing but I had an uphill task to claw back the deficit anyway. I thought the change to 3-5-2 might scramble a few votes back but I had no real hopes of a comeback alá Fergus yesterday. Putting a bit of respectability on the scoreboard was about the height of my ambition. I know the scoreline suggests a comprehensive victory but I'd say all who voted would say it was a tight enough call. I can see how Rivaldo and Nedved, in particular, would have been vote-clinchers, not to mention the strong back four.

It'll be interesting to see who Gio opts for in my side. Kahn and Xavi are too stand-out picks in areas where Gio could feasibly improve, as the back four is good enough to win the draft without being touched, and his attacking midfield is special, too. van Nistelrooy and Raúl would be too lethal goalscorers to consider too. To be honest, if Kahn was behind that back four, I wouldn't see anybody scoring against his XI, whilst Xavi would add some top-class quality and strength to his midfield two.

Also, as I said in my OP, it's a pity (from my own point of view, I doubt the others agree! ) that we met so early in the competition, Gio. I feel as though my XI would be capable of beating many teams in the competition and would have benefited greatly from a few added personnel (i.e. some vote-winning centre-backs and a top-class attacking midfielder). Gio's future opponents should be worried though as he'll have the option of significantly improving one or two areas of his already very strong team.

Great game all-around, and thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks to all who contributed in the game thread as they made it a great discussion and debate, and I've learned a lot from all of you. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of the competition pans out now.

 

[Fergus' son]

Great game, Gio, and well played, sir. I haven't been online at all today to see how the voting was progressing but I had an uphill task to claw back the deficit anyway. I thought the change to 3-5-2 might scramble a few votes back but I had no real hopes of a comeback alá Fergus yesterday. Putting a bit of respectability on the scoreboard was about the height of my ambition. I know the scoreline suggests a comprehensive victory but I'd say all who voted would say it was a tight enough call. I can see how Rivaldo and Nedved, in particular, would have been vote-clinchers, not to mention the strong back four.

It'll be interesting to see who Gio opts for in my side. Kahn and Xavi are too stand-out picks in areas where Gio could feasibly improve, as the back four is good enough to win the draft without being touched, and his attacking midfield is special, too. van Nistelrooy and Raúl would be too lethal goalscorers to consider too. To be honest, if Kahn was behind that back four, I wouldn't see anybody scoring against his XI, whilst Xavi would add some top-class quality and strength to his midfield two.

Also, as I said in my OP, it's a pity (from my own point of view, I doubt the others agree! ) that we met so early in the competition, Gio. I feel as though my XI would be capable of beating many teams in the competition and would have benefited greatly from a few added personnel (i.e. some vote-winning centre-backs and a top-class attacking midfielder). Gio's future opponents should be worried though as he'll have the option of significantly improving one or two areas of his already very strong team.

Great game all-around, and thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks to all who contributed in the game thread as they made it a great discussion and debate, and I've learned a lot from all you. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of the competition pans out now.

Well played mate, unlucky. It was tight and it came down to Rivaldo and Nedved being better vote winners IMO.

Gio doesn't have to neccessarily pick your players, all the eliminated players go into a pot and we draft again...Xavi and Kahn can probably walk into any team, Raul most teams, and RVN could be really useful for someone too, particularly Gio!

 

[Buchan]

Really? I didn't even know the rules, no wonder I was eliminated!

Xavi and Kahn would be top picks for most sides I reckon. Raúl's nous around the box will be attractive for most, too. Those with brilliant pairs of wingers in their teams would do well to find a better striker to supply than van Nistelrooy, who thrives on good service from wide. I thought Lizarazu and Irwin's offensive strengths would supply him with enough ammunition but it wasn't to be.

 

[Fergus' son]

Really? I didn't even know the rules, no wonder I was eliminated!

Xavi and Kahn would be top picks for most sides I reckon. Raúl's nous around the box will be attractive for most, too. Those with brilliant pairs of wingers in their teams would do well to find a better striker to supply than van Nistelrooy, who thrives on good service from wide. I thought Lizarazu and Irwin's offensive strengths would supply him with enough ammunition but it wasn't to be.

Oh yea, your fullbacks would improve many sides too, I could do with either and be really happy!

If Ralaks could get RVN, and reunite him with Beckham, that would be a great move for him!

 

[Buchan]

I'm not sure. Irwin wasn't the vote-winner I thought he'd be (many questioned his abilities, oddly, I thought). Lizarazu is among the best picks for left-back, though.

 

[Fergus' son]

Yeah, but instead of Tarnat...

Irwin is a vote winner IMO, is just that you had him as wingback which isn't what people associate with him.

 

[Buchan]

People don't associate Taffarel with making saves, either!

WHITE TEXT ALERT

I jokes, Gio! LOL!