The 4th Sheep Draft - R16 Voting - Thread 1

[Chesterlestreet]

Mustard and Enigma are the standouts for me. Rest is pretty much a toss-up where a mix of individual quality, «weak» links and personal preference decides it.

Doesn't feel right voting against anyone, but then I suppose that isn't really what we're doing either.

 

[Physiocrat]

My favourite team is Pat's- big man, wingers and Cruyff.

 

[harms]

Bepo is great too - obviously there is a lot of room for an upgrade (Tevez, Hughes, Puyol, Motta), but absolutely spot on tactically, making the best out of Maradona, Passarella and Stoichkov

 

[Physiocrat]

I wasn't sure how Enigma's midfield three of Tigana, Vidal and Xavi would work but I've just watched the first half of England vs West Germany in '72 and the Netzer, Wimmer and Hoeness midfield seems very similar to what you were going for @Enigma_87 . Netzer is always central and can be quite deep at time but also runs forward but is always flanked by Hoeness and Wimmer; it's like having a much more mobile Pirlo who gets up and down the pitch. It's not something I'm used to seeing as is the full-backs switching sides.

 

[harms]

I wasn't sure how Enigma's midfield three of Tigana, Vidal and Xavi would work but I've just watched the first half of England vs West Germany in '72 and the Netzer, Wimmer and Hoeness midfield seems very similar to what you were going for @Enigma_87 . Netzer is always central and can be quite deep at time but also runs forward but is always flanked by Hoeness and Wimmer; it's like having a much more mobile Pirlo who gets up and down the pitch. It's not something I'm used to seeing as is the full-backs switching sides.

To be fair, having Beckenbauer and Breitner also influences that midfield dynamic

 

[The Stain]

We were discussing the 4 groups of 5 before it was suggested elsewhere and with hindsight, ye, maybe that would have been the right move. The 4 that were knocked out before R16 would have at least played some. Still, don't think the results (who were knocked out) would have differed much.

 

[Physiocrat]

To be fair, having Beckenbauer and Breitner also influences that midfield dynamic

True but the basic setup is similar and gave me a way to understand how it would work. Also from what I've seen so far Breitner has done little in the middle. Der Kaiser definitely has though. It's such a fluid system it's hard to really come to grips with. Even Schwarzenback made a foray forward

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Bepo is great too - obviously there is a lot of room for an upgrade (Tevez, Hughes, Puyol, Motta), but absolutely spot on tactically, making the best out of Maradona, Passarella and Stoichkov

Cheers, and i agree with upgrades bar maybe one as with that im not even sure how highly i rate him tbh....its Puyol, perfect tactical fit, very good player and his individual trophy cabinet is insane, if i didnt watch him id say i picked a GOAT. Having problems placing him in a certain tier, specially in that RCB role.

 

[harms]

Cheers, and i agree with upgrades bar maybe one as with that im not even sure how highly i rate him tbh....its Puyol, perfect tactical fit, very good player and his individual trophy cabinet is insane, if i didnt watch him id say i picked a GOAT. Having problems placing him in a certain tier, specially in that RCB role.

Well, I have a feeling that Thuram is going to be available after this round A great player, Puyol (and, like Hughes here, a brilliant tactical fit), but never in the top tier of defenders, even of his own generation. Fits in well mentally too, with Passarella, Maradona, Beckham, Davids etc.

edit: just realized that you have a certain theme on your wings too, with Golden Balls and Bell'Antonio

 

[Enigma_87]

I wasn't sure how Enigma's midfield three of Tigana, Vidal and Xavi would work but I've just watched the first half of England vs West Germany in '72 and the Netzer, Wimmer and Hoeness midfield seems very similar to what you were going for @Enigma_87 . Netzer is always central and can be quite deep at time but also runs forward but is always flanked by Hoeness and Wimmer; it's like having a much more mobile Pirlo who gets up and down the pitch. It's not something I'm used to seeing as is the full-backs switching sides.

To be honest the inspiration was more of the AJAX and Dutch sides in the 70's and of course the Barca side for incorporating Eusebio and Xavi. Tigana/Vidal are similar to what Neeskens and Van Hanegem offered in that 4-3-3 as right and left midfielders. The difference is Vasovic and Xavi. Especially Vasovic is pretty important to the dynamics since I don't have a designated DM.

If I play an opponent where the focal point is the wings(against 4-3-3 with no designated #10) - Vidal and Tigana defend wide and help out the full backs, while Vasovic/Godin take care of the #9 or pick up central midfielder moving vertically.

If the opponent formation is 4-2-3-1 the natural approach would be again Vidal/Tigana helping out wide, Godin marking the #9 while Vasovic moves in the hole between midfield and defence to intercept balls and also watch out for the #10. He did that a lot for Ajax while also organizing the offside trap.

Against 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 Vidal and Tigana defend narrow and Krol/Reuter pick up the opposition wing backs.

I needed fast full backs like Krol and Reuter not to be susceptible on counter attacks. Xavi of course also participates in the pressing and in the defensive phase but will defend centrally not on the wings.

What I was looking for is excellent balance in the side, especially the midfield. Vidal/Xavi/Tigana provide that in two ways - they defend and attack as a unit. Vidal has the license to roam forward and move in the #10 position and offer additional scoring opportunity. It also squeezes the pitch and limits the decision making for the opposition, while in the same time offers protection both wide to the fullbacks and centrally(Tigana/Xavi).

Xavi and Eusebio are really in the roles Xavi and Messi occupied during the Pep's side with Eusebio dropping into the #10 position while this allows Best/Ronnie to cut inside. When on the ball Tigana/Vidal can push forward as well which offer a lot of different goal scoring opportunities and lift the burden of solely to rely on Eusebio up top.

The Netzer comparison is spot on of course and basically what I see Xavi doing by running the show here

 

[Isotope]

I'm surprised by the lack of love for Cal? team. If you don't have an absolute great defense, that attack would easily destroy it. It has speed, power, skills, goals and assists from every players, and great movement and attack from every side. And he has for me, the best pair of center back in the draft, with not too shabby fullbacks also.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I'm surprised at the results.

For me RedTiger and Pat_Mustard are the clear standouts here with Cal and Sjor closely behind. Clear cut, strong and I can imagine how they'll dominate most opponents. Hope they don't meet each other in QFs.

Enigma_87 team is the hardest for me to imagine. Stellar players, but that midfield trio is just.... Novel. I certainly don't see them winning in the possession based strategy he's opted for. They'd have trouble recovering the ball and when they do, I reckon they'll rely on long balls from Xavi to transition. It would help if he defined their roles in detail further in the writeup. As to Eusebio, I'm sorry I just don't see him as a False 9. His strengths are pace, direct running and ability to take on defenders head on. And it'd be better to have someone like Stoichkov or Neymar rather than Ronaldinho there. Sorry to pick on your team Enigma. I think you're already through, so shouldn't suffer much from this

Absolutely shattered for DavidG as much as I felt for mazhar13. Just a solid team that just refuses to be loved. I feel like I just ditched my loving girlfriend for a bitch prom queen.

 

[Theon]

Enigma_87 team is the hardest for me to imagine. Stellar players, but that midfield trio is just.... Novel. I certainly don't see them winning in the possession based strategy he's opted for. They'd have trouble recovering the ball and when they do, I reckon they'll rely on long balls from Xavi to transition. It would help if he defined their roles in detail further in the writeup.

I don't really get the midfield either. Looks like a set up more suited to Pirlo than Xavi, both in terms of midfield partners (two shuttlers doing his running while he dictates from deep) and the make up of the front line (quick, direct, well suited to counter attacks).

Eusebio was never a possession player and I don't get the comparisons to Cruyff's Holland or Pep's Barcelona personally.

 

[mazhar13]

I wasn't sure how Enigma's midfield three of Tigana, Vidal and Xavi would work but I've just watched the first half of England vs West Germany in '72 and the Netzer, Wimmer and Hoeness midfield seems very similar to what you were going for @Enigma_87 . Netzer is always central and can be quite deep at time but also runs forward but is always flanked by Hoeness and Wimmer; it's like having a much more mobile Pirlo who gets up and down the pitch. It's not something I'm used to seeing as is the full-backs switching sides.

That's where Vasovic comes into play as the libero. He was great at performing the same role that Beckenbauer performed for Bayern and West Germany. His reading of the game along with his defensive aggression makes him very good at playing the libero role alongside a tough stopper in Godin, and this will help the midfield, particularly if they deal with a great #10 (still not sure about a GOAT-tier #10, but we'll see when the matches occur).

They'd have trouble recovering the ball and when they do, I reckon they'll rely on long balls from Xavi to transition.

Huh? How will they have trouble recovering the ball? I'd genuinely like to know that when they have a tenacious ball winner in Vidal, a defensively adept and energetic Tigana, and solid, athletic defenders at the back 4.

As to Eusebio, I'm sorry I just don't see him as a False 9. His strengths are pace, direct running and ability to take on defenders head on.

Isn't that what Messi did quite often as a false 9 under Pep? A false 9 doesn't necessarily need to be a Messi-like playmaker; they just need to possess good lateral and vertical movement as well as be strong at the link-up play with the midfielders/wide attacking players. Eusebio was great at all of that. He doesn't need to do much playmaking when Xavi's there to do that.

 

[P-Nut]

Just had a look at the teams. I think most of the areas that could be slightly picked on are the full backs. I like the way my team would exploit them areas more than most. I don't know what way people are looking at judging this though. Is it the 4 best 11s or which 4 would finish top 4 in a league type basis?

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Looks like a set up more suited to Pirlo than Xavi, both in terms of midfield partners (two shuttlers doing his running while he dictates from deep)

Good point. Pirlo would have been perfect. Not saying it's dysfunctional, but I have trouble imagining how they'll go about things.

Isn't that what Messi did quite often as a false 9 under Pep? A false 9 doesn't necessarily need to be a Messi-like playmaker; they just need to possess good lateral and vertical movement as well as be strong at the link-up play with the midfielders/wide attacking players. Eusebio was great at all of that. He doesn't need to do much playmaking when Xavi's there to do that.

Not a good comparison imo. Eusebio is a totally different player from Messi. I can't think of any similarities other than they both preferred Inside Right position. Eusebio is brilliant at recovering from deep and beating everyone to score. He's not the type to fox around the box. Certainly not one to bring others into play as much as needed for a successful F9.

You need pace, trickery, movement around the box plus two forwards to move in when F9 drops back. Ronaldinho is more of a #10 than a Inside Forward for me.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Its not the setup where we usually see Xavi but IMO he would shine here as well(just as i think older version of Scholes would shine in tiki taka). Its not that he has Gattuso and Ambrosini next to himself, both Tigana and Vidal are lovely footballers in possession, behind himself he has Vasovic and not to mention the front 3.....he would run the show against most teams in this draft.

 

[mazhar13]

Not a good comparison imo. Eusebio is a totally different player from Messi. I can't think of any similarities other than they both preferred Inside Right position. Eusebio is brilliant at recovering from deep and beating everyone to score. He's not the type to fox around the box.

You need pace, trickery, movement around the box plus two forwards to move in when F9 drops back. Ronaldinho is more of a #10 than a Inside Forward for me.

As a false 9, I won't be expecting Eusebio to fox around the box all that much.

Having said that, I can see where your concerns are lying regarding Eusebio as a false 9. However, Best scored a good number of goals as the right winger when Busby played two free-roaming forwards (two of Law, Herd, and Kidd). Also, Vidal frequently makes late runs into the box and is exactly the kind of midfielder who'll work well with a false 9 like Eusebio.

Finally, you don't necessarily need two direct wide forwards with a false 9 as long as you have at least two players who will attack the opposition box. Ronaldindho will be perfect in linking up with Eusebio and keeping the team fluid in the final third. Just having runs past the defensive line from the attacking players isn't enough when playing with a false 9; you also need players who will link up with him and drag away opposing defenders from their defensive line. That's where Ronaldinho will be important, and he'll create the spaces for Eusebio to receive the ball and take on opposing defenders.

 

[Enigma_87]

Enigma_87 team is the hardest for me to imagine. Stellar players, but that midfield trio is just.... Novel. I certainly don't see them winning in the possession based strategy he's opted for. They'd have trouble recovering the ball and when they do, I reckon they'll rely on long balls from Xavi to transition. It would help if he defined their roles in detail further in the writeup. As to Eusebio, I'm sorry I just don't see him as a False 9. His strengths are pace, direct running and ability to take on defenders head on. And it'd be better to have someone like Stoichkov or Neymar rather than Ronaldinho there. Sorry to pick on your team Enigma. I think you're already through, so shouldn't suffer much from this

No worries mate, any feedback is welcomed. I've explained a bit more above in the defensive phase how the midfield trio will defend depending on the opposition. Both Tigana and Vidal are excellent ball winners and can press the opponent, same goes for Xavi of course and I don't think a destroyer will help more in winning the possession and also in transition.

Tigana will thrive playing next to Xavi and along with Vidal they are good ball winners as any. I disagree we will need a long ball play or the midfield being inferior to any opposition really.

I disagree on Eusebio. Eusebio is one of the best forwards in the game. He is versatile enough to play anywhere in attack as he always did. His strengths first and foremost is his shooting technique and his finishing. You don't maintain a goal ratio of goal per game during his whole career if you are not a top goalscorer. He has played as an inside left, inside right, second striker and leading the line throughout his career. You don't score 600-700 goals for club and country running at players and shooting from distance.

He can and will drop deeper to get the ball and run at defenders - much like Messi did for Barca playing as a false 9. Best and Ronaldinho are exactly the types he would love to play alongside as they are on the same wavelength and also him dropping deeper will allow them to cut inside like they do. I don't see what Stoichkov or Neymar would bring to the team more to be honest. For starters they are lesser players than Best and Ronnie for me.

Eusebio is perfectly capable of playing any role in attack really. He's not expected to put a Gerd Muller role either resulting to being isolated up front. The front three is pretty interchangeable and he doesn't have to drop too deep to create his own chances, having in mind the personnel behind him and the midfield led by Xavi.

As good as he is at running at defenders you don't want to keep a top goalscorer like him away from goal. To me Eusebio is at his best either playing off someone(or interchange Tostao/Pele style) or play as a false 9 flanked by wide forwards. In essence he's not a pure #9 but he's not a #10 either. IMO Ibra/Eto'o role would suit him pretty fine if we put him in todays formations. False 9 will suit him really well IMO as he could thrive on Best and Ronaldinho creating chances and passing the ball to him utilizing his movement and also without a designated #10 he could drop deeper get the ball and shoot from distance or run at defenders.

 

[Enigma_87]

I don't really get the midfield either. Looks like a set up more suited to Pirlo than Xavi, both in terms of midfield partners (two shuttlers doing his running while he dictates from deep) and the make up of the front line (quick, direct, well suited to counter attacks).

Eusebio was never a possession player and I don't get the comparisons to Cruyff's Holland or Pep's Barcelona personally.

I've used Cruyff's Holland to explain the roles of Vidal/Tigana - complete box to box midfielders who are also great at linking up and provide plenty of dynamism and defensive cover. Both excellent ball winners. I'm quite surprised at Edgar's comment about not able to win the ball back. There aren't many better than those two in that aspect in the game, combined with the back four and Xavi's pressing abilities.

Eusebio is in a free forward role who will drop back and also run into channels. The comparison with Barca's team is due to not having a designated #10(so he has the space to drop back). His lack of playmaking ability ala Messi is complimented with the presence of Ronaldinho in the side.

 

[Deleted member 101472]

can we all just agree that @oneniltothearsenal team would absolutely destroy the vast majority of the other ones and just move on?

 

[Enigma_87]

Finally, you don't necessarily need two direct wide forwards with a false 9 as long as you have at least two players who will attack the opposition box. Ronaldindho will be perfect in linking up with Eusebio and keeping the team fluid in the final third. Just having runs past the defensive line from the attacking players isn't enough when playing with a false 9; you also need players who will link up with him and drag away opposing defenders from their defensive line. That's where Ronaldinho will be important, and he'll create the spaces for Eusebio to receive the ball and take on opposing defenders.

Exactly this. In a interchangeable front three you need players on the same wavelength that would combine well and compliment each other in attack. Here comes Ronaldinho with his linking up, passing game and also ability to create opportunities for Eusebio. I'm not playing with Eusebio as an out and out striker. The idea behind him as a false 9 is utilizing his movement off the ball, his link up game and also the ability of Ronaldinho and Xavi to pick his runs and pass into space.

That's where Vasovic comes into play as the libero. He was great at performing the same role that Beckenbauer performed for Bayern and West Germany. His reading of the game along with his defensive aggression makes him very good at playing the libero role alongside a tough stopper in Godin, and this will help the midfield, particularly if they deal with a great #10 (still not sure about a GOAT-tier #10, but we'll see when the matches occur).

This is also important part that I've tried to underline (maybe a slight arrow centrally for Vasovic moving into space would help). Vasovic is a lot similar in his role to Beckenbauer(he was often compared to Beckenbauer in his game) and the reason why I wanted so much Beckenbauer in the beginning of the draft.

This is also related to the concern for changing the personnel in the current team. To improve on one position I most likely will have to shuffle 2 and there is a lot of movement vertically and horizontally between the lines(the many arrows in the formation) which probably makes it harder to read for Edgar and Theon, but you have been spot on with the idea so far

 

[Cal?]

I'm surprised by the lack of love for Cal? team. If you don't have an absolute great defense, that attack would easily destroy it. It has speed, power, skills, goals and assists from every players, and great movement and attack from every side. And he has for me, the best pair of center back in the draft, with not too shabby fullbacks also.

Thanks... I'm surprised by the way the vote is going, unless my keeper issue really is that massive...

 

[mazhar13]

Thanks... I'm surprised by the way the vote is going, unless my keeper issue really is that massive...

Honestly, it was always going to be tight. All 8 teams are quite good with no obvious weaknesses. If a team's not getting enough votes (like P-Nut's IMO), it's mostly down to the minor details or voter's preferences.

For me, however, I didn't vote for your team because your midfield wasn't as balanced as the teams that I voted for. Gattuso was generally all over the place, positionally, and his all-action, tenacious playing style needs to be complemented by a midfielder who's more positionally astute and composed like Ambrosini. Modric isn't defensively strong enough to really complement Gattuso well enough, and he's also better off with a positionally disciplined central midfielder like Xabi Alonso or Casemiro.

Again, minor details, but that's what does it for me.

 

[Cal?]

Honestly, it was always going to be tight. All 8 teams are quite good with no obvious weaknesses. If a team's not getting enough votes (like P-Nut's IMO), it's mostly down to the minor details or voter's preferences.

For me, however, I didn't vote for your team because your midfield wasn't as balanced as the teams that I voted for. Gattuso was generally all over the place, positionally, and his all-action, tenacious playing style needs to be complemented by a midfielder who's more positionally astute and composed like Ambrosini. Modric isn't defensively strong enough to really complement Gattuso well enough, and he's also better off with a positionally disciplined central midfielder like Xabi Alonso or Casemiro.

Again, minor details, but that's what does it for me.

Fair enough... but Modric normally plays with Kroos in that same formation and Gattuso is much more defensively sounds than Kroos.

 

[mazhar13]

Fair enough... but Modric normally plays with Kroos in that same formation and Gattuso is much more defensively sounds than Kroos.

Yeah, with Casemiro behind both of them. In the bigger matches with AC Milan, Gattuso had Ambrosini helping him out defensively whilst Seedorf and Kaka were the inside forward in the Christmas Tree formation. Here, he doesn't have an Ambrosini, so I see him struggling here.

 

[Deleted member 101472]

I see gattuso struggling because he's a poor footballer, quite frankly. An accident waiting to happen, the positional understanding of an orange and the passing range of a broken pinball machine.

 

[Deleted member 101472]

Often under appreciated, about 5mins32 into this the commentator sums it up perfectly.

 

[P-Nut]

Half the comments in here are about my team not getting enough love and yet my teams still not getting any love.

 

[Gio]

Bepo is great too - obviously there is a lot of room for an upgrade (Tevez, Hughes, Puyol, Motta), but absolutely spot on tactically, making the best out of Maradona, Passarella and Stoichkov

Yeah, it does a good job there on the key players. On first glance I was concerned with Beckham in a wing-back role, having recalled Keegan trying him there for England at home against Scotland in 1999 with less than stellar results (Neil McCann gave him a bit of a doing). At the same time, that could have been down to Keegan's questionable tactics more than anything else. Indeed, I'm fairly sure Hoddle had Beckham and Anderton alternating at wing-back and RCM in his 3-5-2 in 1998, which worked brilliantly. Then you factor in Puyol who is very natural in that RCB role - especially covering large spaces left by a marauding wing-back in Alves, and it all looks quite tasty actually.

 

[Gio]

I don't like the fact that P-Nut's team isn't getting much love. The whole team is well-built, and everyone's weaknesses are suppressed by their teammates. Ramos' hotheadedness is complemented by Rio's and Lahm's composure. Masopust, Roberto Carlos, Redondo and Yaya Touré all work perfectly with each other. Iniesta as the inside left can combine excellently with Bobby C and Suarez. Robben on the right is always a huge threat.

It's a shock that P-Nut's team only has 3 votes so far.

The left flank is gorgeous.

 

[Enigma_87]

The left flank is gorgeous.

yeah. I rate P-nut team a lot I've said it in the general as well. Even Ramos(who I don't rate in all time sense) is flanked by amazing defenders and in a Rio marshaled defence. Then Masopust and Redondo holding and creating and the attacking 4 is as good as any. But then it's hard to overlook any team out of those, so probably comes to personal preference and the little details.

 

[Theon]

I've used Cruyff's Holland to explain the roles of Vidal/Tigana - complete box to box midfielders who are also great at linking up and provide plenty of dynamism and defensive cover.

Eusebio is in a free forward role who will drop back and also run into channels. The comparison with Barca's team is due to not having a designated #10(so he has the space to drop back). His lack of playmaking ability ala Messi is complimented with the presence of Ronaldinho in the side.

Eh? If the only reason you've brought up Cruyff's Holland is because you have Vidal and Tigana in your team then that's bizzare. When I see Vidal and Tigana one of the last things that pop's into my head is 1970's Holland.

Similarly with the Barcelona comparison, loads of teams play in a 4-3-3 formation without a designated #10. That's not specific to Pep's Barcelona.

 

[antohan]

Half the comments in here are about my team not getting enough love and yet my teams still not getting any love.

Tbh, Pat, Enigma and RT got my votes pretty much straight away.

Then it was the rest and Cal? stood out as the more finished article, while Bepo stood out for a promising setup around Maradona (the potential likely making the difference).

After that you look at the rest and go "Oh look at that combo", nice this, nice that, but ultimately meh.

 

[Enigma_87]

Eh? If the only reason you've brought up Cruyff's Holland is because you have Vidal and Tigana in your team then that's bizzare. When I see Vidal and Tigana one of the last things that pop's into my head is 1970's Holland.

Similarly with the Barcelona comparison, loads of teams play in a 4-3-3 formation without a designated #10. That's not specific to Pep's Barcelona.

As I said I've used the example to explain their roles a bit as complete midfielders who attack and defend as a unit. Van Hanegem and Neeskens share some of the same traits. The general idea is flanking Xavi who is in more central role to run the show. The idea is participating in both phases with Vidal making late runs in the box. I'm obviously not going with a copy of either system, just trying to explain some of the roles using some of the actual players in the system (Xavi) and their actual roles. Vidal and Tigana are really well fitted for a possession based system and are comfortable on the ball so complimenting Xavi won't be an issue. The comparison was more about the vertical movement two energetic midfielders(and also goal threat themselves) they can provide rather than going for a remake.

The main inspiration I mentioned those sides was to have 2 box to box midfielders flanking Xavi giving him the stage to shine, while also do the same with Eusebio - the space to drop deeper, but also interchangeability with Ronnie and Best and also the players who can set him up and pass into space. The Dutch side was filled with complete midfielders, while Messi in the false 9 role had the complete freedom to move around(not be a target man) and leave space behind to confuse defenders, while pulling them out of position.

For Eusebio the comparison (obviously they are not the same players as Messi) with that Barca team is not the possession based system itself, but the zone where he will operate. How he will run into space, combine with the wide forwards and also score goals. What he lacks in terms of playmaking (his link up play is excellent, but he's not a playmaker of course) will be covered by Ronaldinho and they can form a nice synergy swapping places and positions.

Then the West Germany example is pretty good one for the Vasovic role(neither the 70's Holland nor the Barca team had that) so I'm not going for a remake of either team(hence putting it up front that Xavi and Vasovic are in different roles to those set ups) and Xavi as well.

 

[Ecstatic]

Philosophical moment: choosing means eliminating.

Obviously, any team is great and would be a joy to watch and I don't see any concern on a tactical level.

Just personal preferences regarding the choice of some players for some roles have prevailed.

I thought team Cal? would have received more votes because he also has a great team.

 

[P-Nut]

Ramos and Ferdinand - Fire and ice

Bobby Carlos and Iniesta - Marauding full back with a winger cutting inside.

Lahm and Robben - Support full back with attacking winger

Redondo, Masopust, Toure - Control, Workrate, Goals

Suarez - Currently best striker in the world

#combinations

 

[Moby]

Tbh, Pat, Enigma and RT got my votes pretty much straight away.

Then it was the rest and Cal? stood out as the more finished article, while Bepo stood out for a promising setup around Maradona (the potential likely making the difference).

After that you look at the rest and go "Oh look at that combo", nice this, nice that, but ultimately meh.

Pretty much same for me.

 

[P-Nut]

Me and Cal? Drawing. Would have been an interesting match up that one.

 

[The Stain]

Congrats winners! The rest were clearly unlucky, thanks for playing.

Thread 2 up now:

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/the-4th-sheep-draft-r16-voting-thread-2.427216/