Transfer Muppet 1st Round: Viva vs MJJ

[Polaroid]

All Cafe members are welcome to vote

Basic Tactics:[/B]
My team is based on creativity and versatility combined with hard work, my front four of Lucho-Rui Costa-Giggs-Vieri have brilliant goal creation and scoring statistics. My defense is built around the Dutch trio of VDS-Stam-de Boer, with Petit as the defensive midfielder, and two attacking full backs with covering wingers.

Key points vs MJJ:

• Freedom for Rui Costa - MJJ's midfield duo is Fabregas and Emerson, one is a very creative CM who likes to go forward as much as possible, and the other is a mediocre DM. Between the two of them Rui Costa will have plenty of space to pull all the strings in my team. With the weakness of MJJ's defensive line that could prove vital and to be a potential game winner for me.
• Minimizing MJJ's biggest strength - No question about it, Ronaldo and Nedved are a flamboyant wing duo who can switch around and be extremely efficient against any FB pair, but my plan is to minimize their impact on the match by two things - 1. Instructing my full backs to roam a little less than usual and my wide men(who are known for their work rate) to help out against them. And 2. Making them rely on their own goalscoring abilities to carry the team - Yes, they both can score, but with de Boer & Stam with Petit incredibly minimize Shearer & Rooney's output on the match, Ronaldo & Nedved will have to rely solely on their own abilities against a packed defensive line to score. Alaba has already proven he's abilities against some of the best wingers in the world even at his young age, and Piszczek handled Ronaldo well once before(last year's CL SF - one goal in two matches in a weaker defensive side), and now he's got Luis Enrique's great defensive attributes to aid him.
• Hitting my opponent's weak defense: Vieri used to be one of the best strikers in the world, and he never had such a magnificent supporting cast, now take a look at MJJ's defensive line of Sagna, Marquez, Varane & F.Luis, only one of them proven at the highest levels(Marquez) and he too was never a top defender in terms of defensive abilities. I think my front four with Seedorf's bombarding runs forward will simply run them over, and Giggs' crosses to Vieri will be very efficient here, DDG's weakness is aerial challenge, and neither of Marquez or Varane are right for covering Vieri from crosses by the great Giggs, or from a neat pinpoint pass from Rui/Giggs/Lucho.
• Proven Defensive Strength: My team's defense will be organized by my Dutch trio of VDS, Stam & de Boer. These three played together in the Netherlands' NT, with Stam being known as the CB to make de Boer look like a defensive mastermind. If you take all three of their's peak(Which wasn't necessarily when they played together) and put them together again with their knowledge of each other, you got a scary CB pair who will arrange an entire defensive line to perfection.

Player Profiles - https://www.redcafe.net/threads/transfer-muppet-fantasy.387040/page-95#post-15408508

Team VivaJanuzaj

Team MJJ

Why my team will win.

My attack is by far the superior one. I have ronaldo and nedved, two of the best wingers in the history of the game attacking piszczek and alaba. In attack, I have the top scorer in the history of premier league(shearer) and the third highest scorer(rooney).Whereas VJ has no consistent goalscorer apart from vieri who will be marked out of the game. Giggs,Enrique and Costa were never renowned for their goal scoring and VJ will struggle to score.

Furthermore, I have the best midfielder in the game, fabregas, to complement this wonderful array of attacking talent.

Key Battles
Ronaldo vs Piszczek.



The only way to stop ronaldo is to deprive him off the ball, with fabregas,rooney,nedved,luis, marquez,DDG in my team that is not going to be possible. Ronaldo will have plenty of opportunites of going 1 vs 1 with piszczek, a defender who has only a 53% tackle rate. This matchup will win me the game. Even if the midfield is swamped, all marquez needs to do is aim a longball towards ronaldo who will be one on one with piszczek.
And the way VJ has positioned his defenders, means that once ronaldo passes piszczek more often than not it will be de boer's responsibility to stop him. De boer being extremely slow will find it harder to stop ronaldo running riot.

Midfield battle.

Last time a 20 year old fabregas faced seedorf's beloved milan he dominated affairs. A midfield containing pirlo-gattuso-kaka couldnt contain him and arsenal won 2-0 on the night. Now imagine what a fabregas at the peak of his powers would do to this midfield with the help of emerson(upgrade on flamini) and rooney(HUGE upgrade on hleb).

Rooney-Free to roam?

With seedorf and petit busy with emerson and fabregas, one important question comes to mind. Who exactly is stopping wayne rooney? Rooney is free to help out in midfield or creating havoc in attack.

Set pieces

I believe I have a huge advantage on corners and freekicks, which will allow me to score atleast a goal during the whole match. Picszcek again being the weak link here, with a 53% tackle success rate, it will be freekick galore.

Defense

While Stam is on a whole another level, I think both my CBs are better than De Boer. VJ is going to try and discredit varane but this guy is a complete defender. This is the guy mourinho described as the best defender in the world.

Mourinho

He has pace, strength and is a very good passer of the ball. Despite his young age, was chosen amongst the best foreign eleven of real madrid by marca in the company of zidane,cannavaro,figo,laudrup and redondo. The sky is the limit for this kid and he will be one of this generations great when he retires. Varane made his name against messi in the classicos, with all due respect to VJ's team, he has no one even close to messi's quality.

 

[Annahnomoss]

VivaJanuzaj is my favorite to win this draft, unlucky for MJJ to go up against that beast of a side. Good luck to both teams.

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

First of all good luck MJJ, I'll try to be around but not sure how much I'll be able to. May the best team win

Okay, I'm not sure if I will be able to be here for most of the match or not, but I'll quote some of @MJJ 's tactics that I find far from true to say the least:

Whereas VJ has no consistent goalscorer apart from vieri who will be marked out of the game. Giggs,Enrique and Costa were never renowned for their goal scoring and VJ will struggle to score.

Okay, first of all, how on earth will Vieri be marked out of the game? By who? there is no explanation for that and certainly Varane - a young defender with a good half season and nothing more, partnered with Marquez, half a CB half a DM who is more known for his passing than defensive abilities will stop one of the deadliest strikers in the last couple of decades in the seria A? One that defenders like Maldini Nesta Thuram and Cannavaro struggled with at his best? That's funny.
Second of all, Giggs Enrique and Rui Costa have 409 goals between them for club non-friendly football. If that's not a considerable goalthreat than for I'll be damned, you need to have 4 strikers in one side to be have a threatening attack.

The only way to stop ronaldo is to deprive him off the ball, with fabregas,rooney,nedved,luis, marquez,DDG in my team that is not going to be possible. Ronaldo will have plenty of opportunites of going 1 vs 1 with piszczek, a defender who has only a 53% tackle rate. This matchup will win me the game. Even if the midfield is swamped, all marquez needs to do is aim a longball towards ronaldo who will be one on one with piszczek.

Okay, first of all, I'm in nowhere suggesting Piszczek will be enough to mark out Ronaldo, but last year's CL semi final Piszczek faced C.Ronaldo one on one multiple times and in two games Ronaldo scored only once and didn't set up any goals, find me a RB with better stats against Ronaldo than that. Again, I'm not implying that Piszczek will neutralize C.Ronaldo in any way, but to claim that he's going to tear him a new one goes against the facts.

And the way VJ has positioned his defenders, means that once ronaldo passes piszczek more often than not it will be de boer's responsibility to stop him. De boer being extremely slow will find it harder to stop ronaldo running riot

de Boer was definitely not "extremely slow", but it doesn't matter because I have Stam next to him. I know you predicted wrong and it doesn't say anything about your tactics or misunderstanding of the game, just pointing it out.

Rooney-Free to roam?
With seedorf and petit busy with emerson and fabregas, one important question comes to mind. Who exactly is stopping wayne rooney? Rooney is free to help out in midfield or creating havoc in attack

Oh really? Seedorf and Petit are busy with Emerson and Fabregas? Since when is Emerson any threat that needs a midfielder to completely mark him out of the match? Come on. If it works that way, than who is marking Petit when Fabregas is "marking" Seedorf and Emerson is "marking" Rui Costa(unsuccessfully)..
Emerson is in no way needs a personal marking, I've got Seedorf following Fabregas and pressuring him to release quick passes and not giving him any space, while Petit is closing on Rooney.

I believe I have a huge advantage on corners and freekicks, which will allow me to score atleast a goal during the whole match. Picszcek again being the weak link here, with a 53% tackle success rate, it will be freekick galore.

Again with these statements. You will score at least a goal during the whole match thanks to set pieces. How many goals per match Cristiano scores in free kicks? My best guess is not one per match, I guess that add corners to that equation and it's still not one goal per match. So lets stop with these daft statements.
And as for Piszczek's "53% tackle success rate" that you like pointing out, I answered to it earlier in the post.

While Stam is on a whole another level, I think both my CBs are better than De Boer. VJ is going to try and discredit varane but this guy is a complete defender. This is the guy mourinho described as the best defender in the world.

This is really disrespectful to de Boer. The guy is a CL winner and has over 110 NT performances!
And look who you are comparing him with? Varane - an extremely young defender who played only half a season for RM so far, and now after he returned from injury he's been third in line for Ancelotti's defense after Ramos & Pepe. And Marquez - a CB who was only decent in his defending but had brilliant passing range which is why he preferred to play at his better role - a DM.

edit: missed one:

Midfield battle.

Last time a 20 year old fabregas faced seedorf's beloved milan he dominated affairs. A midfield containing pirlo-gattuso-kaka couldnt contain him and arsenal won 2-0 on the night. Now imagine what a fabregas at the peak of his powers would do to this midfield with the help of emerson(upgrade on flamini) and rooney(HUGE upgrade on hleb).

I really don't think you can argue that Fabregas will tear Seedorf apart. I mean I have tons of appreciation for Fabregas and for what he did to a really good Milan that night, but come on. You can't be serious.

 

[Thisistheone]

I really like Viva's side. Not fussed on MJJ's defence or midfield but that front 4 is fantastic.

Will wait to hear more from both managers.

 

[MJJ]

Okay, I'm not sure if I will be able to be here for most of the match or not, but I'll quote some of @MJJ 's tactics that I find far from true to say the least:

Okay, first of all, how on earth will Vieri be marked out of the game? By who? there is no explanation for that and certainly Varane - a young defender with a good half season and nothing more, partnered with Marquez, half a CB half a DM who is more known for his passing than defensive abilities will stop one of the deadliest strikers in the last couple of decades in the seria A? One that defenders like Maldini Nesta Thuram and Cannavaro struggled with at his best? That's funny.
Second of all, Giggs Enrique and Rui Costa have 409 goals between them for club non-friendly football. If that's not a considerable goalthreat than for I'll be damned, you need to have 4 strikers in one side to be have a threatening attack.

By my defenders. Varane is already one of the best in the world and has proven his ability against an all time great in messi. Vieri is no where near close.

You are playing rui costa as a RW,where he mostly played for Real madrid. his goal scoring stats? 15 goals in 157 matches or a goal every 10 games. Costa has 66 goals in 498 games or a goal every 8 games. Giggs is your most conistent goal scorer but even he only scored a goal every six games.

Okay, first of all, I'm in nowhere suggesting Piszczek will be enough to mark out Ronaldo, but last year's CL semi final Piszczek faced C.Ronaldo one on one multiple times and in two games Ronaldo scored only once and didn't set up any goals, find me a RB with better stats against Ronaldo than that. Again, I'm not implying that Piszczek will neutralize C.Ronaldo in any way, but to claim that he's going to tear him a new one goes against the facts.

Because he was starved of the ball which will be impossible to do due to the quality of my side.

de Boer was definitely not "extremely slow", but it doesn't matter because I have Stam next to him. I know you predicted wrong and it doesn't say anything about your tactics or misunderstanding of the game, just pointing it out.

Fair enough that doesnt matter but yes de boer was one of the slowest defenders around. You might have switched them around but this only gives more advantage to nedved who likes to drift inside anyway.

Oh really? Seedorf and Petit are busy with Emerson and Fabregas? Since when is Emerson any threat that needs a midfielder to completely mark him out of the match? Come on. If it works that way, than who is marking Petit when Fabregas is "marking" Seedorf and Emerson is "marking" Rui Costa(unsuccessfully)..
Emerson is in no way needs a personal marking, I've got Seedorf following Fabregas and pressuring him to release quick passes and not giving him any space, while Petit is closing on Rooney.

So you are choosing to ignore emerson completely? This works for me as he will be an outlet for rooney/fabregas meaning I would rarely lose the ball in midfield.

Again with these statements. You will score at least a goal during the whole match thanks to set pieces. How many goals per match Cristiano scores in free kicks? My best guess is not one per match, I guess that add corners to that equation and it's still not one goal per match. So lets stop with these daft statements.
And as for Piszczek's "53% tackle success rate" that you like pointing out, I answered to it earlier in the post.

Given my players, yes I can see myself scoring atleast a goal from setpieces.

This is really disrespectful to de Boer. The guy is a CL winner and has over 110 NT performances!
And look who you are comparing him with? Varane - an extremely young defender who played only half a season for RM so far, and now after he returned from injury he's been third in line for Ancelotti's defense after Ramos & Pepe. And Marquez - a CB who was only decent in his defending but had brilliant passing range which is why he preferred to play at his better role - a DM.

De Boer never really reached his Ajax peak at barcelona so yes I certainly feel that varane and marquez are better than him. I have already mentioned varane's accolade and marquez was voted the best defender in ligue one and in the Conacaf. Is among the best defenders to play for barca.

 

[MJJ]

I really like Viva's side. Not fussed on MJJ's defence or midfield but that front 4 is fantastic.

Will wait to hear more from both managers.

He is going to be murdered on the flanks, the only way he is going to cope his by having both giggs and enrique helping out which will negate their attack greatly. Fabregas also was and is a complete midfielder, as was proven by his time in arsenal.

Am playing a similar game to the one he excels in, not the tiki taka crap that he cant adjust to.

 

[Pippa]

The feck...did you just call Emerson a "mediocre DM"?

 

[MJJ]

Also, did vieri have a lot of success as a lone striker? Always saw him in a partnership.

VJ's support staff.

Enrique-One goal every 10 games at RM playing as a right winger.
Costa-One goal every 8 games
Giggs-One goal every six games.

VJ cant attack through the flanks as I would murder him with my counter attack, which only leads the middle which is congested already. He is leaving emerson free to do as he wills so I will have an extra man free whenever I attack while he can mark costa when defending. He has 77 caps for barcelona so no petit is not better than him.

My defense might be weak but VJ's attack is weaker. Am better than him on flanks so his wingers wont freely attack as he has admitted.

 

[MJJ]

VivaJanuzaj is my favorite to win this draft, unlucky for MJJ to go up against that beast of a side. Good luck to both teams.

How? He has no consistent goal scorer other than Vieri. He wont be able to assert dominance over my team so this match comes down to whoever finishes their chances where I have a huge edge.

A reminder of fabregas's skills. Imagine rooney/shearer/ronaldo/nedved getting on the end of that.

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

The feck...did you just call Emerson a "mediocre DM"?

As an attacking outlet. As an answer to the fact that MJJ suggested that I will need Seedorf to man mark him.

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

MJJ I voted for myself you should do the same.

 

[MJJ]

As an attacking outlet. As an answer to the fact that MJJ suggested that I will need Seedorf to man mark him.

the other is a mediocre DM.

Your tactics in the Op.

 

[MJJ]

Also, can anyone remember rooney's favorite passing option? Yes, pinging it to the wings. Imagine ronaldo and nedved running onto his and fabregas's balls.

There is no way @VivaJanuzaj plan on limiting the impact of my wingers will work. They wont be on their own as my side is built on quick transitions. From DDG-Marquez-Fabregas-Rooney, all four are extremely good with the ball and anyone of them can release my wingers to destroy VJ's side.

The only way to stop ronaldo is to cut off his supply, which will prove impossible here.

 

[Thisistheone]

He is going to be murdered on the flanks, the only way he is going to cope his by having both giggs and enrique helping out which will negate their attack greatly. Fabregas also was and is a complete midfielder, as was proven by his time in arsenal.

Am playing a similar game to the one he excels in, not the tiki taka crap that he cant adjust to.

Not quite murdered, Giggs and Enrique will put a big shift in.

In fairness, Fabregas was brilliant as a CM. His stock has probably dropped since he moved to Barca. I remember him for Arsenal, getting the better of a Juve midfield that had (and aging) Vieira in the side.

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

The thing I find most disturbing is how much you are overrating and unproven Varane.
Look, RM are a team I admire and watch constantly, and I adore Varane as a talent. But nothing more than that. Last season's Classico yeah he was superb and gave Messi a really really tough time, but than he got injured, and now he isn't even being started ahead of bloody Pepe and Ramos two mediocre CBs. All I'm saying is, that you are letting a couple of matches get the best of your memory, because look at this player's resume: barely half a season as a starter, in which he looked really good, followed by a year of being injured and used as a sub.
Than you are saying he will mark out Vieri. Come on, if Nesta, Cannavaro, Maldini or Thuram couldn't "mark him out" you think Varane can?

Another thing, Giggs, Rui Costa & Enrique's goal threat is more than just shoot and score. They create the goals themselves, Vieri was a huge aerial threat, Varane is good at air at best, and Marquez was never too good at the aerial battle, while Vieri is a monster in air. Giggs beats Sagna(quite easily if I may add) and crosses to the box, I doubt that a couple of those won't end up at Vieri's head.
And yes, you're wings are excellent, but the game doesn't work at a way that: you get a good pair of wingers, and you win the match.

Also, can anyone remember rooney's favorite passing option? Yes, pinging it to the wings. Imagine ronaldo and nedved running onto his and fabregas's balls.

There is no way @VivaJanuzaj plan on limiting the impact of my wingers will work. They wont be on their own as my side is built on quick transitions. From DDG-Marquez-Fabregas-Rooney, all four are extremely good with the ball and anyone of them can release my wingers to destroy VJ's side.

The only way to stop ronaldo is to cut off his supply, which will prove impossible here.

Funny you should mention it. My United-fans friends and I call it "the most overrated pass in the premier league".
And yes, you have some great passers in your team, but with a defense as weak as yours, you sure seem to have little support for them:

From your team this is who defends and how:
Shearer - won't do any defending
Cristiano Ronaldo - won't do any defending
Nedved - Works his ass off, will defend well.
Rooney - Works his ass off, still not a natural AM and is normally a SS so apart from counters where he'll run like a mad man for that last ditch tackle, he won't defend near you're box.
Fabregas - Not a defensive CM. He will defends because he has to at his role, but there's a reason he's being used at Barca and Spain in a much much more offensive role.
Emerson - will defend constantly.

And of course you're 4 defenders who will defend.
That means you got two player who don't give rats ass when it comes to defending, Nedved and Emerson who will defend extremely well, and two players who are in no way defensive minded who will defend, but won't do it too well.
I feel rather comfortable attacking against team MJJ, kind of an all out attack team.

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

Not quite murdered, Giggs and Enrique will put a big shift in.

In fairness, Fabregas was brilliant as a CM. His stock has probably dropped since he moved to Barca. I remember him for Arsenal, getting the better of a Juve midfield that had (and aging) Vieira in the side.

He was brilliant for Arsenal, but there's a reason both Pep, Tata Martino, Vilanova and Del Bosque play him in a much more forward role(either AM, LW, or a false 9), and never as a true CM. He doesn't defend as good as a CM should.

 

[MJJ]

Not quite murdered, Giggs and Enrique will put a big shift in.

In fairness, Fabregas was brilliant as a CM. His stock has probably dropped since he moved to Barca. I remember him for Arsenal, getting the better of a Juve midfield that had (and aging) Vieira in the side.

If both his wingers are more preoccupied with defending than attacking, that gives me a big edge. Ronaldo,specially, will always be a threat, even if he is being double marked. Add to the fact that both my fullbacks are free to go forward and cross it in for shearer and rooney. Either way, am going to outscore him, particularly with my attackers being more clinical than his.

Watch his game versus milan when he was just 20. Dominated a midfield of pirlo/gattuso/kaka with flamini and hleb as his partners. Not only is my attack better, have the best midfielder in fabregas on the pitch.

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

If both his wingers are more preoccupied with defending than attacking, that gives me a big edge. Ronaldo,specially, will always be a threat, even if he is being double marked. Add to the fact that both my fullbacks are free to go forward and cross it in for shearer and rooney. Either way, am going to outscore him, particularly with my attackers being more clinical than his.

Watch his game versus milan when he was just 20. Dominated a midfield of pirlo/gattuso/kaka with flamini and hleb as his partners. Not only is my attack better, have the best midfielder in fabregas on the pitch.

Yeah he was simply superb in that match, does that make him the best CM in the pitch? hell no. I can give you countless matches that was dominated by Seedorf.

 

[MJJ]

The thing I find most disturbing is how much you are overrating and unproven Varane.
Look, RM are a team I admire and watch constantly, and I adore Varane as a talent. But nothing more than that. Last season's Classico yeah he was superb and gave Messi a really really tough time, but than he got injured, and now he isn't even being started ahead of bloody Pepe and Ramos two mediocre CBs. All I'm saying is, that you are letting a couple of matches get the best of your memory, because look at this player's resume: barely half a season as a starter, in which he looked really good, followed by a year of being injured and used as a sub.
Than you are saying he will mark out Vieri. Come on, if Nesta, Cannavaro, Maldini or Thuram couldn't "mark him out" you think Varane can?

Another thing, Giggs, Rui Costa & Enrique's goal threat is more than just shoot and score. They create the goals themselves, Vieri was a huge aerial threat, Varane is good at air at best, and Marquez was never too good at the aerial battle, while Vieri is a monster in air. Giggs beats Sagna(quite easily if I may add) and crosses to the box, I doubt that a couple of those won't end up at Vieri's head.
And yes, you're wings are excellent, but the game doesn't work at a way that: you get a good pair of wingers, and you win the match.


Funny you should mention it. My United-fans friends and I call it "the most overrated pass in the premier league".
And yes, you have some great passers in your team, but with a defense as weak as yours, you sure seem to have little support for them:

From your team this is who defends and how:
Shearer - won't do any defending
Cristiano Ronaldo - won't do any defending
Nedved - Works his ass off, will defend well.
Rooney - Works his ass off, still not a natural AM and is normally a SS so apart from counters where he'll run like a mad man for that last ditch tackle, he won't defend near you're box.
Fabregas - Not a defensive CM. He will defends because he has to at his role, but there's a reason he's being used at Barca and Spain in a much much more offensive role.
Emerson - will defend constantly.

And of course you're 4 defenders who will defend.
That means you got two player who don't give rats ass when it comes to defending, Nedved and Emerson who will defend extremely well, and two players who are in no way defensive minded who will defend, but won't do it too well.
I feel rather comfortable attacking against team MJJ, kind of an all out attack team.

Yup lets look at Varane's resume. Was voted amongst the best foreign eleven in Real Madrid's history by Marca. In the company of superstars like Fernando Redondo, Luis Figo,Zidane and Cannavaro and Michael Laudrup. This is no ordinary feat despite his young age.

Mourinho has called him the best defender in the world and this is a guy who knows something about the art of defending, more than you and me.

I said him and marquez will mark out vieri. Varane has it all, pace, agility, strength. Is a monster in the air and one of the fastest defenders around. And it wasnt just one classico, has constantly held his own against barcelona and man utd.

Enrique at real madrid playing as a right winger was barely a goal threat, you have one goal scorer in the game i.e. vieri. And he will be marked out of the game.

Shearer wont do any defending? Every member of my team is hardworking with the exception of Ronaldo. Luis is one of the best fullbacks in europe and very defensively sound. Sagna was the best fullback in the premier league circa 2007 so yes he will hold his own against giggs. Plus if giggs is attacking down the left and the attack fails, that means I can easily release ronaldo who will be alone against picszcek.

Rooney has played as a CM before and will contribute all over the pitch. The fact that you are suggesting Costa will contribute more than him defensively suggests that you havent watched a lot of him.

 

[MJJ]

He was brilliant for Arsenal, but there's a reason both Pep, Tata Martino, Vilanova and Del Bosque play him in a much more forward role(either AM, LW, or a false 9), and never as a true CM. He doesn't defend as good as a CM should.

That might have something to do with xavi-iniesta-busquets. Has nothing to do with how good he is defensively.

Yeah he was simply superb in that match, does that make him the best CM in the pitch? hell no. I can give you countless matches that was dominated by Seedorf.

There are countless matches of his time at arsenal. There is a reason why he was the best midfielder in the world, he is a complete midfielder in a system that suits him which mine does perfectly.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

The thing I find most disturbing is how much you are overrating and unproven Varane.
Look, RM are a team I admire and watch constantly, and I adore Varane as a talent. But nothing more than that. Last season's Classico yeah he was superb and gave Messi a really really tough time, but than he got injured, and now he isn't even being started ahead of bloody Pepe and Ramos two mediocre CBs. All I'm saying is, that you are letting a couple of matches get the best of your memory, because look at this player's resume: barely half a season as a starter, in which he looked really good, followed by a year of being injured and used as a sub.
Than you are saying he will mark out Vieri. Come on, if Nesta, Cannavaro, Maldini or Thuram couldn't "mark him out" you think Varane can?

Another thing, Giggs, Rui Costa & Enrique's goal threat is more than just shoot and score. They create the goals themselves, Vieri was a huge aerial threat, Varane is good at air at best, and Marquez was never too good at the aerial battle, while Vieri is a monster in air. Giggs beats Sagna(quite easily if I may add) and crosses to the box, I doubt that a couple of those won't end up at Vieri's head.
And yes, you're wings are excellent, but the game doesn't work at a way that: you get a good pair of wingers, and you win the match.


Funny you should mention it. My United-fans friends and I call it "the most overrated pass in the premier league".
And yes, you have some great passers in your team, but with a defense as weak as yours, you sure seem to have little support for them:

From your team this is who defends and how:
Shearer - won't do any defending
Cristiano Ronaldo - won't do any defending
Nedved - Works his ass off, will defend well.
Rooney - Works his ass off, still not a natural AM and is normally a SS so apart from counters where he'll run like a mad man for that last ditch tackle, he won't defend near you're box.
Fabregas - Not a defensive CM. He will defends because he has to at his role, but there's a reason he's being used at Barca and Spain in a much much more offensive role.
Emerson - will defend constantly.

And of course you're 4 defenders who will defend.
That means you got two player who don't give rats ass when it comes to defending, Nedved and Emerson who will defend extremely well, and two players who are in no way defensive minded who will defend, but won't do it too well.
I feel rather comfortable attacking against team MJJ, kind of an all out attack team.

I don't agree with that. Shearer put in a very good shift defensively, and Fabregas is being used further forward for Barca and Spain not because he's defnesively weak but because he hasn't quite adapted to tiki taka and he's up against the likes of Xavi and Busquets. Ronaldo is the only passenger there defensively

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

Xavi is far from he's best for the last couple of years, yet he's still being favored over Cesc at CM without any hesitation. Fabregas' defensive awareness was always falling behind his willingness to attack. Seedorf will simply be there to exploit it. As for shearer, maybe I'm not giving him enough credit for defensive work, but if he'll drop deep to defend while Rooney & Nedved to the same, Than it's Ronnie there alone for the counters.

Now, as for Rooney defending more than Rui Costa, I think you haven't seen enough of Rui. I watch Rooney every week so I know how he's defending is like, he implements great pressure on defenders, and when a teammate loses the ball and the other team goes on counters, he will run like a crazy man to make that last ditch(like that Nike commercial with Ribery ), what he won't do, is defend in a body of a midfield trio. You are forgetting he wasn't even a real AM, who cares if he played CM at times? that doesn't make him a CM, nor does it means he has the qualities to be a CM. On the other hand, Rui Costa did play deep lying CM role, because he does have the right attributes for it. So yes, he defends better than Rooney.

 

[RoadTrip]

I'm going to read through this thread after my lunch break and make a decision/ask some Q's!

Good luck guys, thanks for commenting in my match thread too.

 

[MJJ]

Xavi is far from he's best for the last couple of years, yet he's still being favored over Cesc at CM without any hesitation. Fabregas' defensive awareness was always falling behind his willingness to attack. Seedorf will simply be there to exploit it. As for shearer, maybe I'm not giving him enough credit for defensive work, but if he'll drop deep to defend while Rooney & Nedved to the same, Than it's Ronnie there alone for the counters.

Now, as for Rooney defending more than Rui Costa, I think you haven't seen enough of Rui. I watch Rooney every week so I know how he's defending is like, he implements great pressure on defenders, and when a teammate loses the ball and the other team goes on counters, he will run like a crazy man to make that last ditch(like that Nike commercial with Ribery ), what he won't do, is defend in a body of a midfield trio. You are forgetting he wasn't even a real AM, who cares if he played CM at times? that doesn't make him a CM, nor does it means he has the qualities to be a CM. On the other hand, Rui Costa did play deep lying CM role, because he does have the right attributes for it. So yes, he defends better than Rooney.

Cant believe am having to explain why fabregas isnt being played instead of xavi You do realize they can do both?

The simple facts is that my front four is more clinical and better than yours, none of your players bar vieri have scored consistently. Even vieri I dont think played a lot as a lone striker which will definitely impact your side.

Luis enrique is wasted as a RW as his stats show and if giggs contributes in attack, ronaldo will be left alone to do maximum damage. I have the players to release him quickly and my side will benefit more from set pieces. In the end, I will outscore you.

 

[Gio]

Interesting match-up. Key battles will be Vieri and Ronaldo both bullying their opposite numbers. Can also Nedved getting the better of Alaba. Don't think there's a work rate issue with MJJ's team, there's plenty of graft there bar Ronaldo.

 

[BW.k]

Another close matchup this. On one hand MJJ's attacking end is superb while on the other vivajanuzaj has got pacey fullbacks able to contain their men with a bit of help from midfield and arguably one of the very best CBs in the world in his prime. Will definitely want to hear more before voting.
Good luck to both.

 

[MJJ]

Another close matchup this. On one hand MJJ's attacking end is superb while on the other vivajanuzaj has got pacey fullbacks able to contain their men with a bit of help from midfield and arguably one of the very best CBs in the world in his prime. Will definitely want to hear more before voting.
Good luck to both.

Any particular queries w.r.t my team?

 

[RoadTrip]

I really don't know how to vote on this one.

 

[Moby]

Went with Viva. MJJ's defense doesn't do much for me and Viva has a quality front four which would be tough for them. Cristiano would get his customary goal but I don't see him outscoring Viva's constant pressure and a much more balanced team.

 

[BW.k]

Any particular queries w.r.t my team?

Yes. How are you planning to use your fullbacks? If you give them the freedom to move forward there will be plenty of space for Giggs and Alaba to exploit if they get caught on the ball.

 

[bishblaize]

@VivaJanuzaj - which era Giggs do you see playing here?

He's a player for whom its hard to pin down his best period. Mid 90s Giggs was about exhilarating pace and trickery. Early to mid-2000s era Giggs was more balanced, team focussed and harder working, but maybe a little less thrilling and, even at that point, a touch slower.

 

[bishblaize]

I have to say - Goals all over this game. VivaJanuzaj has the more mature dominant looking team. But MJJs attack is thrilling.

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

I'll comment in a little but later can't now

 

[Polaroid]

Viva's team gives the better first impression but MJJ made a valid point about his team carrying greater goal threat with C Ronaldo Nedved and Rooney all capable of matchwinning moments, will mull over this

 

[Pat_Mustard]

Viva's team gives the better first impression but MJJ made a valid point about his team carrying greater goal threat with C Ronaldo Nedved and Rooney all capable of matchwinning moments, will mull over this

Aye I'm struggling to decide here too. I like the balance of Viva's team but MJJ has assembled something spectacular going forward.

 

[MJJ]

Yes. How are you planning to use your fullbacks? If you give them the freedom to move forward there will be plenty of space for Giggs and Alaba to exploit if they get caught on the ball.

Depends really. If VJ is having giggs and enrique attack(leaving ronaldo and nedved unattended) then ofcourse my fullbacks will stay back and ping the balls to the wingers.

If he has both giggs and enrique back to deal with the threat of my wingers, then they will attack and put crosses in for shearer/ronaldo/rooney.

Nedved cutting in will also give me an extra man at times.

 

[MJJ]

Went with Viva. MJJ's defense doesn't do much for me and Viva has a quality front four which would be tough for them. Cristiano would get his customary goal but I don't see him outscoring Viva's constant pressure and a much more balanced team.

None of VJ's players are consistent or natural goal scorers except for vieri. Really dont see how he will outscore me here.

 

[MJJ]

Viva's team gives the better first impression but MJJ made a valid point about his team carrying greater goal threat with C Ronaldo Nedved and Rooney all capable of matchwinning moments, will mull over this

Aye I'm struggling to decide here too. I like the balance of Viva's team but MJJ has assembled something spectacular going forward.

This will be a close game as there isnt a lot between both teams, in games like this whoever finishes their chances normally wins. Thats where I have the edge, have ronaldo who scores atleast a goal nowadays and my other attackers are better than his barring vieri which we can call a draw.

 

[Annahnomoss]

For me the deciding factor is that one of Rooney and Shearer would have been enough. Adding that last striker in to a team which already has an absolute unstoppable abundance of goals from Ronaldo adds less than it takes away.

Both teams are very solid though so it is a small thing that ends up being the decider.

 

[MJJ]

For me the deciding factor is that one of Rooney and Shearer would have been enough. Adding that last striker in to a team which already has an absolute unstoppable abundance of goals from Ronaldo adds less than it takes away.

Both teams are very solid though so it is a small thing that ends up being the decider.

Rooney is more destructive than most AM's though, cant remember any AM with his workrate and aggression. On form, he really is the complete player and as this draft is judging player on form, dont think any other player would have performed that role better for my side.