Thanks! Good luck to you as well. Great matches all around!
The Americas Draft
- Thread starter Chesterlestreet
- Start date
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) was joined by comedian Ali Woods to look back at the best and worst moments of a rollercoaster season with the annual United Hour Awards.
Has Ten Hag been sacked yet? We're not sure and we hope not, but it's looking more likely as the days pass.
Who should replace him and why is it taking so long to make a decision?
Probably Thursday would be best if it fits with either or both of you guys.
REMINDER:
WRITE-UPS:
Recommendation: Keep it brief and to the point. Provide a basic description of what your players are supposed to do. Details and finer points are part of what managers and neutrals are supposed to discuss in the match thread and do not belong in the write-up.
Rules: Write-ups must not exceed one post. Do not include gifs, embedded videos or quotes.
Subsequent (in the match thread) gifs must be spoilered. Try to keep gifs and videos relevant to the actual discussion: Focus on illustrating your argument – generic praise and highlight videos can be posted in the main thread and linked to.
Lengthy player profiles should be posted in the main thread and linked to. The latter are more than welcome – not to say encouraged – but post them in the right place. The idea is to make the match threads inviting to people who want to contribute to the discussion.
Tip: Post a comprehensive player profile in the main thread, then quote from it (brief and on-the-point quotes) in the match thread if you want to highlight something. What we often see is that people post half a novel plus three videos, with two sentences in bold (the actual point they're trying to make) - which, well...it's somewhat senseless, really. It makes the match threads artificially bloated - and what little research has been carried out in this field indicates that many don't actually read these mega posts anyway. Those who do read them, do so because they're genuinely interested in the player - and those people will gladly click on a link or two to get to the anecdotes and descriptions they're keen on reading.
WRITE-UPS:
Recommendation: Keep it brief and to the point. Provide a basic description of what your players are supposed to do. Details and finer points are part of what managers and neutrals are supposed to discuss in the match thread and do not belong in the write-up.
Rules: Write-ups must not exceed one post. Do not include gifs, embedded videos or quotes.
Subsequent (in the match thread) gifs must be spoilered. Try to keep gifs and videos relevant to the actual discussion: Focus on illustrating your argument – generic praise and highlight videos can be posted in the main thread and linked to.
Lengthy player profiles should be posted in the main thread and linked to. The latter are more than welcome – not to say encouraged – but post them in the right place. The idea is to make the match threads inviting to people who want to contribute to the discussion.
Tip: Post a comprehensive player profile in the main thread, then quote from it (brief and on-the-point quotes) in the match thread if you want to highlight something. What we often see is that people post half a novel plus three videos, with two sentences in bold (the actual point they're trying to make) - which, well...it's somewhat senseless, really. It makes the match threads artificially bloated - and what little research has been carried out in this field indicates that many don't actually read these mega posts anyway. Those who do read them, do so because they're genuinely interested in the player - and those people will gladly click on a link or two to get to the anecdotes and descriptions they're keen on reading.
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Right then @BorisDeLeFora when do you fancy? Anything Wednesday onwards is good for me.
@Downcast bon courage
I just provide the basis of the write-up and @P-Nut0712 will present his strategy.I won't be as involved as usual so don't expect so much propaganda this time
Just to make it clear:
The reason for not allowing videos and quotes in the write-ups is technical more than anything: It has to do with formating and such. It can be a pain in the arse to copy/paste a PM with loads of quotes and vids - you risk having to redo the tags yourself, open the video links and copy the embed codes, etc. And that simply isn't on with 16 managers involved.
The reason for insisting on spoilers for gifs is that many people browse the threads on their phones - and loading gifs can be a bother.
So, there's a purely practical side to it.
And then there's what was said above: What you want is people discussing particular points that are brought up. Generally appreciating the players involved is obviously an important part of it too - but that part can be taken care of by posting links. If you're interested, you'll be willing to click on a link, presumably.
Personally I don't want less information posted - quite to the contrary. I just want it posted in the right place.
The reason for not allowing videos and quotes in the write-ups is technical more than anything: It has to do with formating and such. It can be a pain in the arse to copy/paste a PM with loads of quotes and vids - you risk having to redo the tags yourself, open the video links and copy the embed codes, etc. And that simply isn't on with 16 managers involved.
The reason for insisting on spoilers for gifs is that many people browse the threads on their phones - and loading gifs can be a bother.
So, there's a purely practical side to it.
And then there's what was said above: What you want is people discussing particular points that are brought up. Generally appreciating the players involved is obviously an important part of it too - but that part can be taken care of by posting links. If you're interested, you'll be willing to click on a link, presumably.
Personally I don't want less information posted - quite to the contrary. I just want it posted in the right place.
@DavidG @Šjor Bepo I prefer mon-thu. Any time free?
Friday? @P-Nut0712
Can do. I'll be more active in the morning so an early start Friday would suit me yeah.
Thursday for me
Monday?
Actually, Monday is not too good for me. How about Tuesday?
Sure.
FIXTURES:
Sunday 11:
Monday 12: Jayvin vs Tuppet
Tuesday 13: Raess vs. Onenil
Wednesday 14:
Thursday 15: EAP/Sjor vs DavidG
Friday 16:
Saturday 17:
Sunday 18:
@Šjor Bepo
Sunday 11:
Monday 12: Jayvin vs Tuppet
Tuesday 13: Raess vs. Onenil
Wednesday 14:
Thursday 15: EAP/Sjor vs DavidG
Friday 16:
Saturday 17:
Sunday 18:
@Šjor Bepo
Sure - Thursday sounds fine for both of us.
No issues mate, I'll probably pop up with some names as soon as the drafting is over
FIXTURES:
Sunday 11:
Monday 12: Jayvin vs Tuppet
Tuesday 13: Raess vs. Onenil
Wednesday 14:
Thursday 15: EAP/Sjor vs DavidG && Enigma/Joga vs Gio
Friday 16:
Saturday 17:
Sunday 18:
@Gio @Joga Bonito
Sunday 11:
Monday 12: Jayvin vs Tuppet
Tuesday 13: Raess vs. Onenil
Wednesday 14:
Thursday 15: EAP/Sjor vs DavidG && Enigma/Joga vs Gio
Friday 16:
Saturday 17:
Sunday 18:
@Gio @Joga Bonito
FIXTURES:
Sunday 11:
Monday 12: Jayvin vs Tuppet
Tuesday 13: Raess vs. Onenil & M/M/R vs. Aldo
Wednesday 14:
Thursday 15: EAP/Sjor vs DavidG && Enigma/Joga vs Gio
Friday 16:
Saturday 17:
Sunday 18:
Sunday 11:
Monday 12: Jayvin vs Tuppet
Tuesday 13: Raess vs. Onenil & M/M/R vs. Aldo
Wednesday 14:
Thursday 15: EAP/Sjor vs DavidG && Enigma/Joga vs Gio
Friday 16:
Saturday 17:
Sunday 18:
FIXTURES:
Sunday 11:
Monday 12: Jayvin vs Tuppet
Tuesday 13: Raess vs. Onenil & M/M/R vs. Aldo
Wednesday 14:
Thursday 15: EAP/Sjor vs DavidG && Enigma/Joga vs Gio
Friday 16: P-Nut/Downcast vs Boris (AM start)
Saturday 17:
Sunday 18:
@BorisDeLeFora that alright with you?
Sunday 11:
Monday 12: Jayvin vs Tuppet
Tuesday 13: Raess vs. Onenil & M/M/R vs. Aldo
Wednesday 14:
Thursday 15: EAP/Sjor vs DavidG && Enigma/Joga vs Gio
Friday 16: P-Nut/Downcast vs Boris (AM start)
Saturday 17:
Sunday 18:
@BorisDeLeFora that alright with you?
Yes @P-Nut0712
Sunday 11:
Monday 12: Jayvin vs Tuppet
Tuesday 13: Raess vs. Onenil & M/M/R vs. Aldo
Wednesday 14:
Thursday 15: EAP/Sjor vs DavidG && Enigma/Joga vs Gio
Friday 16: P-Nut/Downcast vs Boris (AM start)
Saturday 17:
Sunday 18:
Wednesday good for you @Mciahel Goodman ?
Monday 12: Jayvin vs Tuppet
Tuesday 13: Raess vs. Onenil & M/M/R vs. Aldo
Wednesday 14:
Thursday 15: EAP/Sjor vs DavidG && Enigma/Joga vs Gio
Friday 16: P-Nut/Downcast vs Boris (AM start)
Saturday 17:
Sunday 18:
Wednesday good for you @Mciahel Goodman ?
Yeah, Wednesday is perfect. I read that post too @Chesterlestreet. Sounds fair.
Very good - just a formality, really, but I thought it prudent since you'd be picking after the draw (thus knowing who your opponent is).
O Divino
Reputation:
Now while he is one of the most underrated players of Brazilian football but in all fairness, his talents weren't completely unrecognized as he finished 34th in IFFHS' South American player of the century nestled between Falcao and Rivelino just above him and Passarella and Chumpitaz just below. He also finished 14th in the Brazilian player of the century. When Placar published their 100 best players of all time, he was ranked 64th.
Style:
Hailed as one of the finest playmaker of all time in Brazilian football. He is often sited as the closest player Brazil had to Zidane. A stylish playmaker, who was great at holding possession and controlling the rhythm of the game from deep positions. His best attribute was probably his short passing and ability to dictate tempo. Positionally he was more of a CM than an AM, for Palmeiras, he shared the midfield with DM Dudu (another great player) in a two man midfield. He played in the exactly same position as Gérson for Botafogo, even though both of them could play as AM's at times (which, in the 60's, it meant playing as forwards, like Pelé).
More on the type of player he was could be deciphered from the general play of Palmeiras. By 1966, Palmeiras, led by Ademir da Guia, was already a superpower known as the "Academy of Football" that was crushing everyone and posing a serious threat to Santos hegemony. The reason it was called the academy was because of the way they play, which was considered the old school way of playing the game by controlling and holding the ball instead of the new scientific European football that the military regime wanted Brazil to follow. In this team he was referred to as "The Conductor" - player who organized his team mates and dictated the tempo of a game. As Didi had done a generation earlier, Da Guia was able to assert this degree of control in part because of what one adversary called his elegance and intelligence on the ball. His consistency also helped; radio announcer Fiori Giglito insisted that he had seen Pelé play badly and receive boos, but Ademir, never. Like Pelé, Da Guia used his range of skills wherever they were needed on the field. One of his coaches at Palmeiras recalled - He was one, but he seemed to be a thousand.
Palmeiras were so good that, in 1965, the whole team were given the Brazilian national-team yellow jersey (first time to ever happen to a Brazlian club) to represent Brazil against Uruguay; and Palmeiras/Brazil beat Uruguay 3-0. Ademir was used to score few goals, that was not his forte though, he was far more of a provider than scorer but his most remarkable quality was his manner of taking a game over. One commentator wrote that until watching Da Guia he had not understood that a player could master not only the ball, but time.
The world cup story:
Da Guia’s mastery in the end was too different from the efficiency that Zagallo and his allies sought. With their emphasis on delimited roles players within a set plan, they were not interested in a player who could manage the game like an orchestra conductor. Moreover, in spite of his ability to move the game along, he seemed an icon of the slowness that they wanted to eradicate from the national style. They wanted displays of scientific modernity, not artistic “recitals.” As a result, one of the outstanding talents of the era played only sixty minutes for his country in a World Cup.
This combined with an outrageously great generation of Brazilian playmakers was somewhat of downfall of his International Career. He was the opposite of the frenetic European style so dear to the scientific revolutionaries. More than any other player in the 1970s, he displayed the cadence of the traditional Brazilian game. This was the primary reason that he got a sum total of 60 minutes of World cup football.
Accolades:
His ability to control the game won him plaudits at the 1974 Ramón de Carranza Trophy in Spain. Leading his Palmeiras to victory in a tournament that also featured Santos with Pelé and Barcelona with Dutch legend Johan Cruyff , Da Guia was named the best player of the competition by the Spanish press.
He also won the Brazilian championship 5 times and the Sao Paulo state championship 5 times. As mentioned before he finished 34th position in IFFHS' South American player of the century.
Videos:
A short video (~4 mins) showcasing Ademir's beautiful technique and his general play in small snapshots. I would highly recommend this if you are just watching one video and trying to gauge his quality -
Much longer highlight video
His performance against Portuguesa in the twilight of his career -
Ademir's highlights of his only world cup game against Poland -
His performance against Corinthians
Finally a great article going into great details about Ademir's career - https://imortaisdofutebol.com/2013/04/04/craque-imortal-ademir-da-guia/
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Some background on El Ballet Azul era of Universidad de Chile taken from the book El Ballet Azul:
Ballet Azul de Chile
After several defeats in the 50s, Universidad de Chile decided to embark on an experimental project. In many ways it was a prototype of the modern super clubs and had an academy akin to la Masia. They took many young Chilean prospects and created an institution designed to maximize their athleticism and footballing education. What made it unique in the 1950s is they incorporated many doctors, dentists, psychologists and professors to create a support and analytical network much ahead of its time. It was an early version of the model that every big club now uses with sports scientists, sports medicine and analytics. This system allowed the Universidad to identify top prospects early that were evaluated on more metrics than just technique or athleticism. A key figure was former player Luis Alamos who would implement the system as manager of Universidad de Chile from 1956 to 1966. Known as Zorro for his cunning and crafty style, Alamos also managed Chile at the 1966 World Cup. He returned again to manage Chile for the 1974 World Cup and qualifying campaign. Alamos was considered ahead of his time. He once said prophetically, “football will become more like chess, increasingly tactical”. Luis "Lucho" Alamos and the Ballet Azul formed a crucial pillar in the foundation of Chilean football.
The height of the Blue Ballet in Chile was probably 1963 where they embarked on a spree of international matches some at home as part of a tournament and others across the world as part of a European tour. On Feb.8 Pele’s Santos was beaten 4-3. On April 3 they thrashed the famous Peñarol of Uruguay 6-1, a team that included Juan Joya, Roberto Matosas and Pedro Rocha among others. On the European tour they beat an Inter Milan team that included Brazilian Jair da Costa and Spain’s iconic Luis Suárez Miramontes. In Morocco they defeated a Botafogo that included Nilton Santos and Garrincha.
One interesting feature of the tactical system of the Ballet Azul was the midfielders were adept at rotating position and duty in the flow of the game. They mixed offensive fluidity with defensive stability. This was made possible by an intelligent reading of the game that result from their focused footballing education.
Leonel Sanchez and Luis Eyzaguirre were two of the earliest graduates of the Universidad system and leaders of the club and country. Ruben Marcos was a key player described as a “beast” for his ability to mark out an opposing creative midfielder and also add timely contributions to attack as one of the first overlapping fullbacks. When asked to describe his key players in one word his descriptions of these three were: Eyzaguirre- speed, Sanchez - gifted, Marcos - unyielding.
From interviews:
Eyzaguirre
Before Luis Eyzaguirre received a career ending injury, he was considered the main rival to Djalma Santos for best right back. He was selected for the Rest of the World against England in 1963. Interestingly Djalma and Eyzaguirre were the only South Americans selected so they ended up bonding even though they were the only two in same position of RB. In interviews, he says that was his most memorable match of his career. Training with Djalma, Eusebio, Puskas, Yashin and Di Stefano and playing against Charlton, Moore, Greaves et al. He says his best performance though was against Brazil in the 1962 World Cup even though Chile lost the match. Says Pele was the most difficult he ever marked. He recognizes Leonel Sanchez for his experience, guile and famous left foot. Along with Gento Sanchez was one of the most dangerous attacking footballers he mentions.
Ruben Marcos
Ruben Marcos also gives much credit to Leonel Sanchez. He says that even as a player Sanchez was an excellent teacher a good friend. He specifically mentions Leonel, Eyzaguirre and Don Lucho Alamos and calls the U not just a club but a home. This shows the level of chemistry the Universidad players had that matches the Brazilians. Marcos also mentions how humble Leonel Sanchez was. He sounds like a great complement to Socrates. He was always given the task of marking the opponents top midfielder. He remembers playing against Pedro Rocha and especially Pele noting how hard it was to control him.
Ballet Azul de Chile
After several defeats in the 50s, Universidad de Chile decided to embark on an experimental project. In many ways it was a prototype of the modern super clubs and had an academy akin to la Masia. They took many young Chilean prospects and created an institution designed to maximize their athleticism and footballing education. What made it unique in the 1950s is they incorporated many doctors, dentists, psychologists and professors to create a support and analytical network much ahead of its time. It was an early version of the model that every big club now uses with sports scientists, sports medicine and analytics. This system allowed the Universidad to identify top prospects early that were evaluated on more metrics than just technique or athleticism. A key figure was former player Luis Alamos who would implement the system as manager of Universidad de Chile from 1956 to 1966. Known as Zorro for his cunning and crafty style, Alamos also managed Chile at the 1966 World Cup. He returned again to manage Chile for the 1974 World Cup and qualifying campaign. Alamos was considered ahead of his time. He once said prophetically, “football will become more like chess, increasingly tactical”. Luis "Lucho" Alamos and the Ballet Azul formed a crucial pillar in the foundation of Chilean football.
The height of the Blue Ballet in Chile was probably 1963 where they embarked on a spree of international matches some at home as part of a tournament and others across the world as part of a European tour. On Feb.8 Pele’s Santos was beaten 4-3. On April 3 they thrashed the famous Peñarol of Uruguay 6-1, a team that included Juan Joya, Roberto Matosas and Pedro Rocha among others. On the European tour they beat an Inter Milan team that included Brazilian Jair da Costa and Spain’s iconic Luis Suárez Miramontes. In Morocco they defeated a Botafogo that included Nilton Santos and Garrincha.
One interesting feature of the tactical system of the Ballet Azul was the midfielders were adept at rotating position and duty in the flow of the game. They mixed offensive fluidity with defensive stability. This was made possible by an intelligent reading of the game that result from their focused footballing education.
Leonel Sanchez and Luis Eyzaguirre were two of the earliest graduates of the Universidad system and leaders of the club and country. Ruben Marcos was a key player described as a “beast” for his ability to mark out an opposing creative midfielder and also add timely contributions to attack as one of the first overlapping fullbacks. When asked to describe his key players in one word his descriptions of these three were: Eyzaguirre- speed, Sanchez - gifted, Marcos - unyielding.
From interviews:
Eyzaguirre
Before Luis Eyzaguirre received a career ending injury, he was considered the main rival to Djalma Santos for best right back. He was selected for the Rest of the World against England in 1963. Interestingly Djalma and Eyzaguirre were the only South Americans selected so they ended up bonding even though they were the only two in same position of RB. In interviews, he says that was his most memorable match of his career. Training with Djalma, Eusebio, Puskas, Yashin and Di Stefano and playing against Charlton, Moore, Greaves et al. He says his best performance though was against Brazil in the 1962 World Cup even though Chile lost the match. Says Pele was the most difficult he ever marked. He recognizes Leonel Sanchez for his experience, guile and famous left foot. Along with Gento Sanchez was one of the most dangerous attacking footballers he mentions.
Ruben Marcos
Ruben Marcos also gives much credit to Leonel Sanchez. He says that even as a player Sanchez was an excellent teacher a good friend. He specifically mentions Leonel, Eyzaguirre and Don Lucho Alamos and calls the U not just a club but a home. This shows the level of chemistry the Universidad players had that matches the Brazilians. Marcos also mentions how humble Leonel Sanchez was. He sounds like a great complement to Socrates. He was always given the task of marking the opponents top midfielder. He remembers playing against Pedro Rocha and especially Pele noting how hard it was to control him.
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Sunday 11:
Monday 12: Jayvin vs Tuppet
Tuesday 13: Raess vs. Onenil & M/M/R vs. Aldo
Wednesday 14: MounchesterUtd vs Mciahel Goodman
Thursday 15: EAP/Sjor vs DavidG && Enigma/Joga vs Gio
Friday 16: P-Nut/Downcast vs Boris (AM start)
Saturday 17:
Sunday 18:
I reckon Ronaldo has done a '98 final job again and @Skizzo @Pat_Mustard have thrown in the towel.
Sorry mate, forgot to respond yesterday due to post-derby gloom and subsequent beer guzzling whilst watching the boxing. Friday would suit me but I've got time to knock something up for tomorrow if you want to play then? I'm easy either way really, so whatever you prefer really.
No problem. Actually Friday should be fine for me too. Let's play then. Could you update the schedule as I'm on the phone.
Sunday 11:
Monday 12: Jayvin vs Tuppet
Tuesday 13: Raess vs. Onenil & M/M/R vs. Aldo
Wednesday 14: MounchesterUtd vs Mciahel Goodman
Thursday 15: EAP/Sjor vs DavidG && Enigma/Joga vs Gio
Friday 16: P-Nut/Downcast vs Boris (AM start) & Physiocrat vs Skizzo/Pat
Saturday 17:
Sunday 18:
Monday 12: Jayvin vs Tuppet
Tuesday 13: Raess vs. Onenil & M/M/R vs. Aldo
Wednesday 14: MounchesterUtd vs Mciahel Goodman
Thursday 15: EAP/Sjor vs DavidG && Enigma/Joga vs Gio
Friday 16: P-Nut/Downcast vs Boris (AM start) & Physiocrat vs Skizzo/Pat
Saturday 17:
Sunday 18:
Thanks @Pat_Mustard
No problem mate. I'm currently trying to guess your likely lineup and tactics
So am I!No problem mate. I'm currently trying to guess your likely lineup and tactics
Aye, I've got 3 or 4 different lineups that I'm pondering over for our team too.Since the quality of picks is pretty uniform it does give you genuine choice of set-up unlike a normal draft where the 12th pick just evens up the snake draft pick order
Aye, I like drafts like this where there's a real possibility of 'substitute' picks making the starting XI. Our 12th, 13th and 14th picks are all serious considerations for a starting role here. The Reserves Draft was similar IIRC, and as much I enjoy the all-time drafts there really is something to be said for freshening up the pool as well. I loved the Reserve Draft in that regard, as it was near-impossible to gauge the standout picks, as opposed to an unrestricted pool where the first 5-10 picks are so predictable.
Had a big weekend, just doing my writeup now so may be a bit late. What formation/lineup website should we use?