Variable Formation Draft - Zlatan vs Chester

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

VS
.............................................................. TEAM ZLATAN ..................................................................................................................... TEAM CHESTER ................................................


TEAM ZLATAN:

Solid back line, Chiellini happy playing on the left of a back 3, Lucio the same on other side with Nesta central.
Pacy Brazilians Roberto Carlos and Maicon filling the wingback rolls can make the overlapping runs down the wing.

Busquets will sit deepest of a midfield 3, viera in a more box to box roll, Beckham can drift out to the right while Del Piero can take up positions on the left looking to find Batistuta

TEAM CHESTER

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Positions/roles:

Maier: GK
Jansen: RB *
Vierchowod: CB (stopper)
Scirea: CB (ball player, defence leader) **
Evra: LB
Pirlo: DM/CM (playmaker)
Neeskens: CM (b2b, allrounder) *
Zagallo: LW ***
Cubillas: AM/SS
Garrincha: RW/RWF ****
Kocsis: CF

* The idea here is that these players cover for each other (as/when appropriate, both players being very familiar with the other player's role).

** I don't see him getting forward all that much here, given the level of the opposition - but in theory he could obviously do that (too).

*** Much more balanced (in terms of offence/defence than his opposite number.

**** Almost a free role, really. At any rate, he will frequently drift inside.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

@Zlatan 7 @Chesterlestreet All the best

 

[Chesterlestreet]

@Zlatan 7 Good luck, mate!

I have to do some work now - and then get some sleep. But I'll drop by tomorrow to check on things.

 

[Zlatan 7]

I don’t know enough about chesters team to try picking it apart, however, I like my team, I think it’s well balanced and players are in the correct positions.

 

[Zlatan 7]

What a match, what a crowd. This is what football is about

 

[Physiocrat]

What a match, what a crowd. This is what football is about

How direct are you playing? Biscuits looks a little out of place. He is a one two merchant whereas the rest of the side looks like it would be quite direct.

@Chesterlestreet I'm not convinced of Pirlo and Neeskens together. The latter looked at his best in more of a Lampard or Stevie Me widish free role than as a disciplined CM. He looks to have a lot on his plate especially covering Jansen. Zagallo helps a bit but unless Cubillas does a lot (I genuinely don't know if he will) it looks unbalanced. I do though like the Garrincha to Kocsis route. And Garrinchais likely to get Bobby Carlos sent off as he jumps in time and again

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

That is too good a team for R1 @Chesterlestreet but that midfield 2 is quite bad to put it bluntly.

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

Great effort Zlatan, won't be surprised if you were winning this handsomely, purely on overall chemistry, I do think you have the much more coherent side.

 

[Zlatan 7]

How direct are you playing? Biscuits looks a little out of place. He is a one two merchant whereas the rest of the side looks like it would be quite direct.

@Chesterlestreet I'm not convinced of Pirlo and Neeskens together. The latter looked at his best in more of a Lampard or Stevie Me widish free role than as a disciplined CM. He looks to have a lot on his plate especially covering Jansen. Zagallo helps a bit but unless Cubillas does a lot (I genuinely don't know if he will) it looks unbalanced. I do though like the Garrincha to Kocsis route. And Garrinchais likely to get Bobby Carlos sent off as he jumps in time and again

I agree about biscuits really, I thought he could sit and block channels but agree he’s more one twoey and I’d have liked someone more sturdy and direct such as Dunga.

 

[Zlatan 7]

Great effort Zlatan, won't be surprised if you were winning this handsomely, purely on overall chemistry, I do think you have the much more coherent side.

Thanks mate, I do try to get a coherent team these days instead of just picking the best players, because of that my teams always lack that overall star quality though

 

[Zlatan 7]

Thanks to those who voted or commented.

I didn’t know some of your players well enough to really go at your team @Chesterlestreet but good game all the same

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Thanks to those who voted or commented.

I didn’t know some of your players well enough to really go at your team @Chesterlestreet but good game all the same

Had to work pretty much day and night yesterday - so wasn't able to take part, sorry about that!

Anyway - congrats and good luck next round!

 

[Pat_Mustard]

What a match, what a crowd. This is what football is about

I'm late to this extravaganza but that's a lovely team. Back three looks solid and well-constructed (well-suited to facing Kocsis' aerial threat too), WBs are ideal for this draft and particularly the 5-3-2, and Del Piero/Bati is pornographic for decrepit old Serie A fans like myself of a certain age.

For Chester, I more than sympathise with the unconventional approach, but I think I'd have preferred Jansen as the steadier midfield presence alongside Pirlo than Neeskens, with Neeskens as the RB (or Reuter). I do wonder if I fail to give Garrincha his dues as well. He rare;y jumps off the teamsheet for me like most of the equivalent attacking greats, despite clearly being in a favourable set up here.

 

[Zlatan 7]

I'm late to this extravaganza but that's a lovely team. Back three looks solid and well-constructed (well-suited to facing Kocsis' aerial threat too), WBs are ideal for this draft and particularly the 5-3-2, and Del Piero/Bati is pornographic for decrepit old Serie A fans like myself of a certain age.

For Chester, I more than sympathise with the unconventional approach, but I think I'd have preferred Jansen as the steadier midfield presence alongside Pirlo than Neeskens, with Neeskens as the RB (or Reuter). I do wonder if I fail to give Garrincha his dues as well. He rare;y jumps off the teamsheet for me like most of the equivalent attacking greats, despite clearly being in a favourable set up here.

Thanks mustard, I’m happy with the 90’s Italian inclusions too

 

[Himannv]

Excluding Biscuits, I really like the team, Zlatan. Love the front two.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

For Chester, I more than sympathise with the unconventional approach, but I think I'd have preferred Jansen as the steadier midfield presence alongside Pirlo than Neeskens, with Neeskens as the RB (or Reuter). I do wonder if I fail to give Garrincha his dues as well. He rare;y jumps off the teamsheet for me like most of the equivalent attacking greats, despite clearly being in a favourable set up here.

I considered switching Jansen and Neeskens - but ultimately decided against it, because Neeskens is (obviously) a much bigger asset as an actual midfielder.

But - and this is the key, I guess - you obviously can't go for something like this without...putting some effort into actually arguing for it (posting clips and whatnot): which I...well, I did plan on doing it but a) it really was bad timing (I had to work) and b) I detest arguing in match threads!

As for Garrincha - I dunno. I think I basically agree with your stance on him - someone else might've been able to make a great case for him, but that someone isn't me. I never should have drafted him in the first place, as I've said elsewhere - and that feck-up made the entire draft a sort of catch-up affair for me.

I do like the general idea of Neeskens/Jansen, though. In theory, I do think the idea would work well: A box-to-box midfielder (of exceptional quality) who is (also) a very plausible RB covering for a very plausible RB who is (also) a very good central/defensive midfielder. Considered as a combo, I think it's interesting at worst - and actually pretty effective at best.

The downside is - obviously - that neither Neeskens or Jansen is a top class RB in an all-time draft. But - again - the combo, in a draft that is all about versatility, I feel is a pretty decent idea.

Anyway - this sort of thing would have worked much better in the more extreme version we've talked about: same thing but only 11 players allowed.

(And we should do that - I'd be up for it).