All time British/Irish fantasy draft, S-F: Edgar vs Skizzo

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

@Jiggs'Hamstring
@Invictus

as above...

 

[Pat_Mustard]

Not quite. I have Scholes there who can split a pass faster than any of your players can make their lung bursting runs. At best it might be Scholes moving slightly up and supporting the attack without me missing much of defensive ability.

Scholes ability to control the game from the deep needs no explanation. He will make his passes, keep the ball ticking. I admit you have the best CB's in the draft, but if anyone can crack that open, it will be Scholes and Gazza.

You may have the best CB pairing in draft, but then in my favour:
- Best DLP in draft. Scholes (Annah may take offence, but Blanchflower is not playing)
- Best AM in draft. Arguably Gazza.
- Best Winger in draft. George Best.

And McGrath is just a shade below Moore/Charles. Hughes is not that far behind either. Your defence certainly is better, but the gap is not that big, imo.

And some points on game play:

1. Beckham is not going to fool anyone by his spectacular dribbling. I certainly see no problem in Gemmell moving up to deny him, he is among top 3 LB's in this draft. An they also have Brady who is a had working winger. They have the capability to hold that flank against yours on their own.
2. Your midfield can dominate most, but not mine. Simply because passing a ball is faster than 'lung bursting runs' as they put it. And mine has the capability to knock the ball around quickly than any of your midfielders can run.
3. The other flank is definitely mine with Best/Cohen. Without support from Keane/Moore, you'll be at a big disadvantage.

But then you have the early lead and all you can do is sit back and soak up the loss of possession...and that works in my favour. I have the perfect attacking midfield to do that.

You've completely misunerstood me there mate. Keane and Murdoch don't have to make those lung-bursting runs towards your penalty area any more as we're leading the game. They're holding our shape, closing down passing lanes, ready to win back possession.

On the second bolded point, not at all. You've just stated that Scholes will be moving slightly up but still playing fairly deep, presumably near Stiles and your defence. There's two scenarios here:

1) Your attacking midfield is pushing up and trying to get in positions where they can threaten our defence, and there's a chasm between them and Scholes. You're effectively playing long-ball tactics against an exceptionally well-organised and well-manned defence.
2) They're dropping deeper to link with Scholes, and they're effectively knocking the ball around in front of our defensive and midfield lines.
With your lack of goalscorers, and our brilliant defence and robust midfield, we can cope with that all day.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

1) Your attacking midfield is pushing up and trying to get in positions where they can threaten our defence, and there's a chasm between them and Scholes. You're effectively playing long-ball tactics against an exceptionally well-organised and well-manned defence.
2) They're dropping deeper to link with Scholes,

Aha, you reinforce my point.

1) There is no one better to play a long ball game than Scholes. His DLP profile was imo far effective in controlling the game than his partnership with Keane.
2) With your midfielders 'holding a defensive shape', it just makes it easy for Scholes to connect with my midfielders.
3) Scholes is not there to play short passes to dropping deep midfielders. He will split any defence and get the ball straight to the attack. I'm playing Scholes at his best against you protecting your lead. With no one to pressurize him, he will simple be devastating!

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

And a query on John Charles at Centre Back. Any link to his performances in that position? I can only find a line in wiki, and all his Italian days seem to point to his forward position.

I'm not disputing anything here. Just trying to find out more.

 

[Skizzo]

And a query on John Charles at Centre Back. Any link to his performances in that position? I can only find a line in wiki, and all his Italian days seem to point to his forward position.

I'm not disputing anything here. Just trying to find out more.

http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=43991/

http://www.serieaweekly.com/2011/02/legend-of-calcio-john-charles.html

Bit more information in those links

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I lost the lead at the beginning of the game. Now it's time to take back what's rightfully mine. @crappycraperson can you please update this in OP?

Road to recovery: Countering opponents lead

"Keane and Murdoch won't be bursting lungs to get ahead of the ball and bomb into your penalty area. They'll be focussed on defensive shape and cutting off passing lanes."

This plays right into my best creative weapon in Scholes. With not much pressure on the ball, he will be devastating henceforth. few players are better at dictating gameplay when they have time and space on the ball and Scholes will be in his element here. with Stiles to take care of whatever threat they can drum up without compromising their lead, Scholes will wreck havoc here.

Attacking Strength:

No disrespect to Law, but in this match George Best is the top attacking threat and Scholes is the best creative threat and both are in my team.

Dissecting my opponents midfield:

Spoiler: Auld-Murdoch

The spoiler above is the team sheet in which Auld-Murdoch were at their prime. Compared to the way they are played today, we see quite significant differences.
- It's not exactly the famed Auld-Murdoch partnership, but a Keane-Murdoch in the middle. Auld has far more responsibilities supporting Law as he does not have the comfort of 2 attackers in front. Though all of Lennox-Auld-Murdoch are on the pitch, I'm sure their famed partnership would still be broken due to differing responsibilities of Auld.
- Johnstone vs Beckham. Two completely different players. Johnstone was a player who relied on speed, balance and dribbling to beat defenders before cutting back to Murdoch/Auld or scoring himself. Here we have Beckham, whose strength is in his accurate passing/crossing. Totally different style of play and there is also no Charles to be at the other end of Beckham's crosses.

Not saying this would be a disaster, but it now becomes more of a "I believe this could function perfectly" rather than "a proven midfield with players in their respective positions".
The individual players talents cannot be questioned, but the overall strategy can be. I really don't see the midfield functioning to the extent of Lisbon Lions success, not even close.

My Attack:

Providing, I attach through my right,

- A unpressurised Scholes ill be pinging accurate balls to Best. Perfectly capable of that.
- George Best will be doing his genius thing. No offence to Dunne, but Best is a better and he will come out on top. Perfectly capable of that. Dunne will need constantly support of Moore/Keane to counter the threat. (This reduces the effectiveness of Moore on his other areas)
- They have no 'Makelele' type DM's on Gazza. The part time effort of Keane (see point above) ensures that Gazza will run into free spaces when we attack. (Murdoch will also need to keep a eye on cutting in Brady).
- With Scholes orchestrating and the split attention of Moore/Keane, I'm pretty sure that Gazza/Hughes can fancy themselves against Charles. There is definitely a way into the score sheet for me. It is inevitable.

Possession:

Even with a holding strategy, they will find it difficult to retain possession. With Brady, Gazza and Hughes pressurizing them they will be hard pressed to retain the ball for any length of time. On the flip side, when I have the ball the relatively unpressurised Scholes and Stiles will have the time and space to move the ball around. And they have very hard working midfielders in Brady and Gazza to support them in retaining possession. Give players of this calibre possession, it will just pile on pressure...precisely what I need. My strike will be swift and deadly as mentioned in previous point.

 

[MJJ]

Not quite. I have Scholes there who can split a pass faster than any of your players can make their lung bursting runs. At best it might be Scholes moving slightly up and supporting the attack without me missing much of defensive ability.

Scholes ability to control the game from the deep needs no explanation. He will make his passes, keep the ball ticking. I admit you have the best CB's in the draft, but if anyone can crack that open, it will be Scholes and Gazza.

You may have the best CB pairing in draft, but then in my favour:
- Best DLP in draft. Scholes (Annah may take offence, but Blanchflower is not playing)
- Best AM in draft. Arguably Gazza.
- Best Winger in draft. George Best.

And McGrath is just a shade below Moore/Charles. Hughes is not that far behind either. Your defence certainly is better, but the gap is not that big, imo.

And some points on game play:

1. Beckham is not going to fool anyone by his spectacular dribbling. I certainly see no problem in Gemmell moving up to deny him, he is among top 3 LB's in this draft. An they also have Brady who is a had working winger. They have the capability to hold that flank against yours on their own.
2. Your midfield can dominate most, but not mine. Simply because passing a ball is faster than 'lung bursting runs' as they put it. And mine has the capability to knock the ball around quickly than any of your midfielders can run.
3. The other flank is definitely mine with Best/Cohen. Without support from Keane/Moore, you'll be at a big disadvantage.

But then you have the early lead and all you can do is sit back and soak up the loss of possession...and that works in my favour. I have the perfect attacking midfield to do that.

Best AM=Charlton?

Like chester, am not voting here but would probably have gone for you here if I was. Think the scholes to best combination would have won it for you.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Best AM=Charlton?

Like chester, am not voting here but would probably have gone for you here if I was. Think the scholes to best combination would have won it for you.

In this game. Sorry!

I think you and Chester should vote. There's always the trust on not voting for self interest, but it is also disadvantage to the players in this draft if supporters don't vote. Don't mind if it's with or against me.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

I lost the lead at the beginning of the game. Now it's time to take back what's rightfully mine. @crappycraperson can you please update this in OP?

Road to recovery: Countering opponents lead



This plays right into my best creative weapon in Scholes. With not much pressure on the ball, he will be devastating henceforth. few players are better at dictating gameplay when they have time and space on the ball and Scholes will be in his element here. with Stiles to take care of whatever threat they can drum up without compromising their lead, Scholes will wreck havoc here.

Attacking Strength:

No disrespect to Law, but in this match George Best is the top attacking threat and Scholes is the best creative threat and both are in my team.

Dissecting my opponents midfield:

Spoiler: Auld-Murdoch

The spoiler above is the team sheet in which Auld-Murdoch were at their prime. Compared to the way they are played today, we see quite significant differences.
- It's not exactly the famed Auld-Murdoch partnership, but a Keane-Murdoch in the middle. Auld has far more responsibilities supporting Law as he does not have the comfort of 2 attackers in front. Though all of Lennox-Auld-Murdoch are on the pitch, I'm sure their famed partnership would still be broken due to differing responsibilities of Auld.
- Johnstone vs Beckham. Two completely different players. Johnstone was a player who relied on speed, balance and dribbling to beat defenders before cutting back to Murdoch/Auld or scoring himself. Here we have Beckham, whose strength is in his accurate passing/crossing. Totally different style of play and there is also no Charles to be at the other end of Beckham's crosses.

Not saying this would be a disaster, but it now becomes more of a "I believe this could function perfectly" rather than "a proven midfield with players in their respective positions".
The individual players talents cannot be questioned, but the overall strategy can be. I really don't see the midfield functioning to the extent of Lisbon Lions success, not even close.

My Attack:

Providing, I attach through my right,

- A unpressurised Scholes ill be pinging accurate balls to Best. Perfectly capable of that.
- George Best will be doing his genius thing. No offence to Dunne, but Best is a better and he will come out on top. Perfectly capable of that. Dunne will need constantly support of Moore/Keane to counter the threat. (This reduces the effectiveness of Moore on his other areas)
- They have no 'Makelele' type DM's on Gazza. The part time effort of Keane (see point above) ensures that Gazza will run into free spaces when we attack. (Murdoch will also need to keep a eye on cutting in Brady).
- With Scholes orchestrating and the split attention of Moore/Keane, I'm pretty sure that Gazza/Hughes can fancy themselves against Charles. There is definitely a way into the score sheet for me. It is inevitable.

Possession:

Even with a holding strategy, they will find it difficult to retain possession. With Brady, Gazza and Hughes pressurizing them they will be hard pressed to retain the ball for any length of time. On the flip side, when I have the ball the relatively unpressurised Scholes and Stiles will have the time and space to move the ball around. And they have very hard working midfielders in Brady and Gazza to support them in retaining possession. Give players of this calibre possession, it will just pile on pressure...precisely what I need. My strike will be swift and deadly as mentioned in previous point.

There's so much here to disagree with that I barely know where to start

Where on earth have you got this 'park the bus tactic' from? I explicitly said that our tactics wouldn't radically change despite our emphatic early lead. The slight difference being that Keane and Murdoch would be more focussed on defensive shape than surging into your penalty area. "Focussed on defensive shape" DOES NOT EQUAL camping out on the edge of our penalty area inviting pressure.

Stiles to take care of whatever threat they can drum up[/unquote]

You've already said that Stiles is busy eliminating Auld, a battle that he's got a track history of struggling with. This is one AM he' not going to kick out of the game. Again, Keane and Murdoch won't be busting a gut to support the attack every time - when did I ever even suggest that they'd never do so?

 

[MJJ]

In this game. Sorry!

I think you and Chester should vote. There's always the trust on not voting for self interest, but it is also disadvantage to the players in this draft if supporters don't vote. Don't mind if it's with or against me.

I think its a good rule, I have already considered what the best scenario for me will be in the final. Its hard to know if you want one team to win or think they really should win so to eliminate bias its just best not to vote.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

Attacking Strength: You still haven't addressed the lack of goals in your team. Law and Lennox both averaged a goal every game or better in their best seasons. Best hit a goal every 2 games as his best ever, Hughes didn't even manage that as a lifelong striker. He's an incredible weak link at this stage of the draft, and his plus points are completely negated by Charles at centre back. In what possible scenario is he going to outmuscle John Charles?

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

There's so much here to disagree with that I barely know where to start

Where on earth have you got this 'park the bus tactic' from? I explicitly said that our tactics wouldn't radically change despite our emphatic early lead. The slight difference being that Keane and Murdoch would be more focussed on defensive shape than surging into your penalty area. "Focussed on defensive shape" DOES NOT EQUAL camping out on the edge of our penalty area inviting pressure.

The fight is on. @Annahnomoss can confirm how much of a annoying prick I can be!

I got the tactic from the same place where you got the Stiles and Auld will cancel each other from. I made it clear that there is no man marking happening. I think you'll suffer more lack of productivity from Auld that I'll do from Stiles.

Attacking Strength: You still haven't addressed the lack of goals in your team. Law and Lennox both averaged a goal every game or better in their best seasons. Best hit a goal every 2 games as his best ever, Hughes didn't even manage that as a lifelong striker. He's an incredible weak link at this stage of the draft, and his plus points are completely negated by Charles at centre back. In what possible scenario is he going to outmuscle John Charles?

it's never going to be a one vs one in these games, right? As I explained in my gain back advantage post, it'll be a combo from Gazza/Hughes that will get me back on par.

 

[MJJ]

@Pat_Mustard is anyone marking scholes or putting pressure on him?

 

[Pat_Mustard]

@Pat_Mustard is anyone marking scholes or putting pressure on him?

Noone's man-marking him. There'll be plenty of pressure on him. There's no passengers defensively in our front line. Law and Lennox were hard, selfess workers. Auld will be relentless in closing down Stiles and Scholes, and far more effective than Brady, Best or Gazza will be when Keane and Murdoch are in possession.

 

[MJJ]

Noone's man-marking him. There'll be plenty of pressure on him. There's no passengers defensively in our front line. Law and Lennox were hard, selfess workers. Auld will be relentless in closing down Stiles and Scholes, and far more effective than Brady, Best or Gazza will be when Keane and Murdoch are in possession.

Ahh okay, was just wondering if there was any specific plans to deal with him since imo if you can shut him down the game is won for you guys.

I forgot EAP having given as a keeper, thats a massive handicap as well.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

The fight is on. @Annahnomoss can confirm how much of a annoying prick I can be!

I got the tactic from the same place where you got the Stiles and Auld will cancel each other from. I made it clear that there is no man marking happening. I think you'll suffer more lack of productivity from Auld that I'll do from Stiles.



it's never going to be a one vs one in these games, right? As I explained in my gain back advantage post, it'll be a combo from Gazza/Hughes that will get me back on par.

You're the one that brought up Stiles cancelling Auld out ffs . I sincerely doubt that we'll struggle for productivity with Law (46 in 42 games 1963/64) and Lennox (44 in 44 games 1967/68). Add Gazza and Hughes' totals together in their best seasons and they'd barely come close to one of those guys. I'm confident Moore and Charles will cope.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

Ahh okay, was just wondering if there was any specific plans to deal with him since imo if you can shut him down the game is won for you guys.

I forgot EAP having given as a keeper, thats a massive handicap as well.

Aye, it factors into the disadvantage he's got in terms defensively, whilst also possesing far less of a goal threat. He's got a bunch of very talented and creative players in the middle of the park, but ultimately they lack the cutting edge to do anything here.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I forgot EAP having given as a keeper, thats a massive handicap as well.

Why? He is not Gordon Banks, but when he played in his prime he was solid between the posts. He still is the best Irish all time XI keeper from what I see. Why is he a 'handicap'?

You're the one that brought up Stiles cancelling Auld out ffs . I sincerely doubt that we'll struggle for productivity with Law (46 in 42 games 1963/64) and Lennox (44 in 44 games 1967/68). Add Gazza and Hughes' totals together in their best seasons and they'd barely come close to one of those guys. I'm confident Moore and Charles will cope.

Well, I just mentioned that as a dedicated DM, Stiles will keep a eye on Auld. None of the man-marking stuff came from me. Here's my quote;

Nope. He is now a normal DM shielding the back 4. Will keep an eye on Auld, but no man marking and stuff.

No room for misinterpretations.

On the other parts of your post, Sorry, but that ddoesn't make sense to me now.

1) Lennox is not even on the same side as Scholes. If he comes in all the way this side to engage Scholes, I fail to see the 'attacking threat' you seem to indicate.

Auld taking care of both Stiles and Scholes is just Not that I want to mention it yet again, Stiles was the guy who marked out Eusebio. Again, not that he is in a man marking mission, but I thin he can handle Auld without man-marking.

 

[MJJ]

Why? He is not Gordon Banks, but when he played in his prime he was solid between the posts. He still is the best Irish all time XI keeper from what I see. Why is he a 'handicap'?

My memory of him is being a very good shot stopper but terrible at commanding his area and dealing with high balls.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

My memory of him is being a very good shot stopper but terrible at commanding his area and dealing with high balls.

Sorry, a guy like that doesn't make a all time XI. He made EPL team of the year twice too.

Definitely would have been successful, if there was so obvious a flaw.

 

[MJJ]

Sorry, a guy like that doesn't make a all time XI. He made EPL team of the year twice too.

Definitely would have been successful, if there was so obvious a flaw.

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/the-myth-around-shay-given.277912/

Googled " shay given and howlers" and this came up. Sums up what I was going to say pretty accurately.

 

[Skizzo]

I'll just leave this here.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/the-myth-around-shay-given.277912/

Googled " shay given and howlers" and this came up. Sums up what I was going to say pretty accurately.

Why does it matter? As we take 'players at best' in this draft, surely 'great save after great save' should be the one in consideration? Again, he was playing for City at the time of the thread. The usual bias should be factored in.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I'll just leave this here.

Don't need to. I won't even watch it. But his is not as per 'playing at best' assumption we have in this draft.

Poor attempt to throw dirt on my players. I've stayed above this till now. Too bad you've to resort to this.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

Just to come back to this beauty of a post...

Possession:

Even with a holding strategy, they will find it difficult to retain possession. With Brady, Gazza and Hughes pressurizing them they will be hard pressed to retain the ball for any length of time. On the flip side, when I have the ball the relatively unpressurised Scholes and Stiles will have the time and space to move the ball around. And they have very hard working midfielders in Brady and Gazza to support them in retaining possession. Give players of this calibre possession, it will just pile on pressure...precisely what I need. My strike will be swift and deadly as mentioned in previous point.

are you seriously suggesting that Moore, Charles, Keane and Murdoch will struggle with Brady, Gazza and Hughes pressing them ? Scholes and Stiles "relatively untroubled" wih Auld hounding them, and fecking Gazza frightening Roy Keane into giving the ball away

 

[MJJ]

Why does it matter? As we take 'players at best' in this draft, surely 'great save after great save' should be the one in consideration? Again, he was playing for City at the time of the thread. The usual bias should be factored in.

That is true as well. Anyway was just considering the pros and cons of both teams.

 

[Skizzo]

Don't need to. I won't even watch it. But his is not as per 'playing at best' assumption we have in this draft.

Poor attempt to throw dirt on my players. I've stayed above this till now. Too bad you've to resort to this.

It's a light hearted video to highlight a high level blunder, relax...no need to get so worked up about it.

Although your "Best This - my player" list of why you would win the game was ridiculous, we didn't get all bent out of shape about it

And you've downplayed almost all of our team, tbf...

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

It's a light hearted video to highlight a high level blunder, relax...no need to get so worked up about it.

Although your "Best This - my player" list of why you would win the game was ridiculous, we didn't get all bent out of shape about it

And you've downplayed almost all of our team, tbf...

Not quite, there's a difference. My comparison was at players at best, and where I thought I had a advantage. Feel free to argue against. I never pointed out individual bad performances, and games etc till now.

No worries, I'm not worked up, just drunk

 

[Skizzo]

Not quite, there's a difference. My comparison was at players at best, and where I thought I had a advantage. Feel free to argue against. I never pointed out individual bad performances, and games etc till now.

No worries, I'm not worked up, just drunk

I'm just giving you a hard time

Pat's here now and I don't want to gang up...So I'm going to let the two drunkards duke it out...much more fun for the both of you, and the neutrals

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I'm just giving you a hard time

Pat's here now and I don't want to gang up...So I'm going to let the two drunkards duke it out...much more fun for the both of you, and the neutrals

Pat drunk scares me

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

That is true as well. Anyway was just considering the pros and cons of both teams.

He just has 1 player upfront + a attacking winger against my back 4. Cohen is sorely underestimated here.
And, Given is good enough for that kind of threat!

 

[Skizzo]

Pat drunk scares me

Pat drunk scares me too. He's abusive

 

[antohan]

Where is Paul Scholes?

Not too convinced by the Stiles and Gascoigne core against Murdoch-Keane-Auld trio. Really don't see the point in sacrificing Scholes for an extra striker considering Skizzo/Pat's strength in midfield. Neither do they have a central defense which could be possibly exploited by a strike duo. I understand that Owen or Hughes alone isn't all that impressive or threatening but it is in no way worth sacrificing Scholes imo.

On Thursday I asked him what the hell he was doing not bidding on Law, he told me this was his plan. I replied: "Mental, absolutely fecking mental. If you really want two upfront then you would drop Gazza for Scholes in midfield"

Edgar's reply:

Spoiler

Good to see you guys have knocked some sense back into him, I was really worried for his sanity.

 

[MJJ]

On Thursday I asked him what the hell he was doing not bidding on Law, he told me this was his plan. I replied: "Mental, absolutely fecking mental. If you really want two upfront then you would drop Gazza for Scholes in midfield"

Edgar's reply:

Spoiler

Good to see you guys have knocked some sense back into him, I was really worried for his sanity.

 

[antohan]

Hm. Initial remarks:

1. I won't be voting here, don't think it's proper (I maintained that stance throughout the last round and it's obviously even more...er, obvious here).

Good, you can't anyway. It's a rule that you can't vote in games that determine your next opponent, a semi clearly being such a game.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

Well, I just mentioned that as a dedicated DM, Stiles will keep a eye on Auld. None of the man-marking stuff came from me. Here's my quote;[/unquote]

Stiles as a DM will ensure that Auld's impact to be minimal.

That's the quote I meant. If Stiles is going to stifle Auld he's going to have to accept the inevitable comeback, which is the lowest quality in possession midfielder on the park being hounded by Auld every time he touches the ball. I fancy Keane to cope woth Gazza alot better than Stiles copes with Auld.

Stiles was the guy who marked out Eusebio. Again, not that he is in a man marking mission, but I thin he can handle Auld without man-marking.

I've already given my opinion on Stiles but its worth repeating. Lets not eulogise his peformance against Eusebio, as it was overwhelmingly a hack job. He won't do that on Auld without Auld giving back better than he got.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Feck anto. Get back to WW

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

That's the quote I meant. If Stiles is going to stifle Auld he's going to have to accept the inevitable comeback, which is the lowest quality in possession midfielder on the park being hounded by Auld every time he touches the ball. I fancy Keane to cope woth Gazza alot better than Stiles copes with Auld.

Yes, as a DM, he'll mitigate Auld, but there are other other ways of containing a player other than man marking.

Auld is the primary threat to me other than Law. Lennox and Murdoch are only secondary. As for wing threats are concerned Best outranks Lennox by a margin. No contest there. Any Dm worth his salt would prevent Auld from creating plays and linking midfield to attack and Stiles is so much better that that than most DM's.

Unless you are saying Auld is man marking Stiles when off possession

 

[Pat_Mustard]

Yes, as a DM, he'll mitigate Auld, but there are other other ways of containing a player other than man marking.

Auld is the primary other than Law threat to me . Lennox and Murdoch are only secondary. As for wing threats are concerned Best outranks Lennox by a margin. No contest there. Any Dm worth his salt would prevent Auld from creating plays and linking midfield to attack and Stiles is so much better that that than most DM's.

Unless you are saying Auld is man marking Stiles when off possession

Humour me. How will a player with Stiles' skill set mitigate Auld without man marking?

You really believe Lennox to be a 'secondary threat'? 44 goals in 44 games, with 2 of his 3 most prolific assisters on the pitch, and he's a secondary threat

 

[antohan]

There's so much here to disagree with that I barely know where to start

Where on earth have you got this 'park the bus tactic' from?

Annah may have something to say about that