All-Time Fantasy Draft

[DanNistelrooy]

Team DanNistelrooy

Formation: 4-3-3

Tactics:
The general mentality of the team will be to attack. With Drogba I have one of the toughest forwards and he is able to occupy and hassle even the best defenders in the draft. He will be fed by the ridiculously creative trio of Gascoigne, Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo. All of that front 4 is capable of creating and scoring goals against any defence.

Although the team has strengths in attacking, they are able to focus on this thanks to a top defence including the best defender of his generation in Nesta and another World Cup winner and ex Germany captain in Vogts. The added protection of Makelele will provide that front 4 with freedom to create. In behind them is Petr Cech, who in his prime was the best in the world. Finally, Seedorf, one of the most decorated players of recent times provides the engine and passing from midfield.

Petr Cech
During Chelsea’s dominance from 2004-2006 he was the best in the world and a key reason for Chelsea’s tight defence in those years. There is no doubt that Chelsea were lucky to win the European cup in 2012 but Cech pulled off some of the best performances I have seen from a keeper in that run – notable performances against Barcelona and Bayern, in particularly the decisive spot kick save from Schweinsteiger.

Berti Vogts
Winner of the World Cup and European Championships with Germany. Also took over the captaincy from Beckenbauer in 1977 so at right back I have a solid player of proper quality.

Alessandro Nesta
Another World Cup winner and also the best centre half of his generation and the finest reader of the game I have seen. The timing of his tackling in his prime was a joy to watch.

Paul McGrath
Imperious centre back and another fine reader of the game. On his day there were few better. Notable performances include the opening game of the 1994 World Cup against Italy. McGrath’s performance in this match went down as one of the best defensive displays ever against Baggio and Signori. Franco Baresi, a frequent contender for the title of best ever central defender, could merely clap watching McGrath’s performance that day.

Jose Antonio Camacho
414 appearances for Real Madrid and a fixture at left back during their dominance of the Spanish League in the 70/80s with NINE league titles to his name.

Claude Makelele
I wanted to pick a player who will allow my forward players to flourish, and there is absolutely nobody better equipped to do this job than Claude Makelele. He has the defensive midfield position name after him. He was a key figure for the “Galacticos” of Real Madrid and although didn’t get as much recognition as Figo/Zidane/Ronaldo, he was just as important to their dominance. This continued to his time with Chelsea. Champions League winner, along with league titles in France, England and Spain.

Clarence Seedorf
A true great of his generation and with his engine and ball control will prove the perfect partner for Makelele. Winner of the Champions League with 3 different teams and also a league Champion in Holland, Spain and Italy. One of the best “box to box” midfielders in his prime and also scorer of one of my favourite goals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGQ6speL4Ww

Paul Gascoigne
People often talk about what could have been with Gascoigne but there is no doubt about his quality and ability on his day. The most talented and exciting English player I have ever seen. His flair, dribbling and unpredictability will pose a threat for any defender. Sir Alex Ferguson’s biggest regret was not signing Gascoigne.

Ronaldinho
During his prime years is quite simply the best player I have ever seen. He was one of those players who could create something out of nothing and he did this against some of the tightest defences in recent history. Notably THAT goal against Chelsea but a personal favourite is this pass at 1:41 in a tight semi final vs a Milan side with one of the best defences out there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52oP6RDpOhU . Just one more clip for Ronaldinho and this one I still regard as the best individual performance since my time of watching football, the 2005 El Classico http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjabWksidPs I hope you watch those 2 clips as they are well worth a watch.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Not much needs to be said about him, the best United player in recent times and has turned into a goal scoring freak since his move to Madrid. If it wasn’t for Lionel Messi I think we would be talking about Ronaldo being one of the best ever.

Didier Drogba
What a player to lead the line. Dragged Chelsea to the European Cup in 2012 with some immense performances in the knockout stages and final. In his prime I don’ think there is another striker who is more difficult to handle. In terms of "Big Game Players" he was also up there with the best and that surely helps when coming up against the quality of defenders in this draft?

Subs:

Spoiler

Robin Van Persie
Great option to bring off the bench, in fact it feels ridiculous having him on the bench in the first place but the nationality rule has forced my hand. If we are talking about primes, there has been no striker better than him since 2011.

Yaya Toure
Key player for both Barca and City, winning League Titles with both and a European Cup too. Equally effective in the holding midfield role and box-to-box or attacking role. Beast of a midfielder and one City are extremely lucky to have.

 

[Cutch]

Formation

Spoiler

 

[MJJ]

Should I play Quincoces or chumpitoz, any ideas?

 

[mightberight]

Not sure of the plan but any chance we can hold off my match until at least Wednesday? Got a lot of course stuff going on at the moment.

 

[Thisistheone]

Story for Gio who has Platini, regarding him & the Juv owner. Came across it in Calcio by John Foot:-

Many stories are told about "The Lawyer", as Agnelli was known thanks to his degree in law. He dubbed Zibi Boniek 'beautiful at night' because of his great performances in European games. As usual, the nickname contained a hint of criticism. Boniek would often disappear on Sunday afternoons, in mundane league matches. Alex Del Piero was called Pinturicchio, after the artist. Again the nickname was double-edged. Del Piero was a genius, but he was also a bit inconsistent and a touch lightweight.

Only Platini really got the better of Agnelli. On one occasion, The Lawyer went down to the dressing room before a match, only to catch Platini puffing on a cigarette. 'That worries me', Agnelli said to Platini. Instantly, a riposte came back. 'You only need to worry if HE starts smoking' said Platini, Pointing at Massimo Bonini, the tireless midfield ball-winner in that Juventus team.

 

[lunchforthesky]

What do people reckon about this? Surely its criminal to put Seedorf on the bench??

Just writing my profiles up now

It's pretty debatable who's better out of RVP and Drogba. Good arguments either way to be honest.

But Seedorf is miles better than Yaya Toure.

So it's Seedorf/Drogba all day long for me.

 

[antohan]

Should I play Quincoces or chumpitoz, any ideas?

You should start by spelling your player's name correctly!

 

[antohan]

A few tidbits on some players left out

Just picking some of the more obscure ones I have interesting stories on:

domingos da guia: Best Brazilian centre-half ever, by some distance. My grandfather had a lot of time for him. He reckoned him and Nassazi was the best central partnership he had ever seen. As far as he was concerned (and he watched football up to the mid-90s), the best centre-halves were: 1. Domingos ("you simply could not get past him"), 2. Nasazzi (potential bias there), 3. Moore ("the last centre-half who was a one man defence"), 4. Figueroa (quite reluctantly, since he wasn't a Peñarol fan), 5. Baresi ("defending today is easy, there's like 5-7 defensive-minded players, it's no wonder they can keep clean sheets". He did reckon Baresi was the one who was timeless and could have worked in any era.). Beckenbauer? "He is a midfielder, or whatever you call what he does, whatever it is, it's not being a centre-half".

victor andrade: can't think of other cases off the top of my head right now. J.L. Andrade won the 1930 World Cup at right halfback, then his nephew Victor won it in 1950 playing at right back.

schubert gambetta: El Mono's greatest claim to fame (other than being a WC winner) is that the generic term used for dribbling is named after him throughout South America: dribble = gambeta. It's not like he invented it, others had been dribbling for decades, but him being a fullback, he would do it at full pelt as he advanced down the wing. There were already terms being used for different ways of dribbling which described the shapes of these -rather static- tricks. Gambetta's slalom runs mixing up all sorts of dribbles became known as "gambetear".

hector scarone: the orchestrator of Uruguay's attacking moves. Like Maradona, or Laudrup, play went through him and he raised the level of those around him. An insanely accurate passer and shooter, his personal post-training routine involved leaning some ladders against a wall.

He would name each hole between steps with a letter and would shoot from different distances and angles to form words thrown at him as challenges.

Another challenge consisted in someone picking one of the holes and then man marking him. He had a set time, as you have to release the ball in basketball, and within that timeframe he had to hit the designated target despite his marker's best efforts.

My grandfather used to love watching him do this, asked how regularly he hit the target, he replied it was more accurate to ask how many times he didn't. I complied, he answered: "Once". Again, probably rose-tinted exaggeration, but the man's record speaks for itself, and that routine would probably be brilliant even today.

isabelino gradin: first black player to take part in an international tournament, the very first Copa America, which Uruguay won. The Chileans complained Uruguay had fielded African players How do you fancy a four-times South American 200 and 400-meter champion as your left winger?

juan joya: Alberto Spencer's partner in crime and jointly the first iconic club partnership in Copa Libertadores history. Surprised Brwned didn't bring them back together again. Peruvian himself, followed in Spencer's footsteps in accepting to play friendlies for Uruguay, but not full blown international games, otherwise 1966 could have been an entirely different story with them two, Rocha and Sasía.

 

[NM]

FAO THEON

Clear your messages!!!!!

 

[MJJ]

You should start by spelling your player's name correctly!

sorry,

 

[antohan]

sorry,

You should apologise to Chumpito

 

[Isotope]

ATTACK and MIDFIELD:

Raúl González: this iconic Spanish player of Real Madrid is the club's all-time top goalscorer. With The Whites, he won six La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League titles, and becoming the Champions League's all-time leading goalscorer. He appears in 3 FIFA World Cups and 2 European championships.

Zico (Arthur Antunes Coimbra) : with 52 goals in 72 international matches for Brazil, “The White Pele” considered one of the most skilled dribblers and finishers ever of the early 80's. According to Pelé, "throughout the years, the one player that came closest to me was Zico".

Gheorghe Hagi : "The Maradona of the Carpathians" is considered the greatest Romanian footballer of all time. He was one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe during the 1980s and 1990s. Hagi's strength was the precision of his left foot, his soft attacking touches and a quality of pure, mischievous inspiration.

Juan Sebastián Verón : nicknamed La Brujita (Little Witch), this Argentinean is two-time South American Footballer of the Year and Argentine Player of the Year. He was one of the great passer midfielders in late 90’s, and prompted Manchester United to pay for a record British transfer fee to land him in 2001.

Patrick Vieira: the French was integral in Arsenal and France NT successes in late 90’s to 2000’s. At Arsenal he won 3 Premier League titles – one unbeaten – and 4 FA Cups. He was selected in Overall Team of the Decade – Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992/3 – 2001/2). With France NT, he played two World Cup Finals (won one), and also won a European Cup. Later on his career, he added 5 Serie A titles.

Lothar Matthäus : the most capped German player of all time, playing in 5 World Cups and 3 Euro Cups. He usually played as a box-to-box midfielder, capable of scoring 20 plus goals a season. Diego Maradona about him "he is the best rival I've ever had. I guess that's enough to define him".



DEFENCE and GOALKEEPER

Jose Santamaria : this greatest South American man-markers of all-time, is the best defender in history of Real Madrid club and is the best defender in the World during the 1950s. He is 5-time Uruguay league, 5-time La Liga, and 4-time European Cup winner.

Alan Hansen : the Scots regarded as the best center-back in history of English Top Division alongside Bobby Moore. He’s famous for his reading the game ability and lead from the back. With 8 league titles, he played all 4 European Cup final matches and win 3 times with Liverpool between late 1970s to the 1980s.

Ivan Cordoba: One of the quickest defenders around to compliment Hansen’s and Santamaria’s strength. The Columbian has over 450 caps for Inter while won 5 Serie A titles and 1 Champions League (in total 15 trophies).

Antonio Cabrini : this 6 times Serie A winner Italian was considered as the greatest full-back of the world during 1980s. Participate in 3 World Cups, and won it in 1982.

José Luis Chilavert : this Paraguayan was a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner. Known as a free kick specialist and often took penalties, he's scored 62 goals in his professional career. He kept 30 clean sheets in international appearances (out of 74 caps), and the only goalkeeper to ever win South American footballer of the year award.

Subs: Tom Finney, Denis Irwin.

 

[NM]

This starts Tuesday right? If it starts tomorrow, please do not have my game tomorrow. My stuff will be done by Tuesday

 

[Fortitude]

It's pretty debatable who's better out of RVP and Drogba. Good arguments either way to be honest.

But Seedorf is miles better than Yaya Toure.

So it's Seedorf/Drogba all day long for me.

Theoretically. Factually, Drogba is miles apart and is one of the biggest big game strikers of the modern era, which should count for the world in a competition such as this.

RVP has done nothing on that kind of stage to warrant a place in the draft, even.

As harsh as that may be we haven't got much factual information to say how RVP would fare under such pressure and against such quality whereas with Drogba, he's been a beast in big games for, what, seven years straight or something?

League performance takes a massive second best compared to Europe and international performance in a draft like this, and then, RVP's CV is very thin indeed as he's yet to make any kind of mark in Europe or for his NT.

 

[Cling Bak]

ATTACK and MIDFIELD:

Raúl González: this iconic Spanish player of Real Madrid is the club's all-time top goalscorer. With The Whites, he won six La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League titles, and becoming the Champions League's all-time leading goalscorer. He appears in 3 FIFA World Cups and 2 European championships.

Zico (Arthur Antunes Coimbra) : with 52 goals in 72 international matches for Brazil, “The White Pele” considered one of the most skilled dribblers and finishers ever of the early 80's. According to Pelé, "throughout the years, the one player that came closest to me was Zico".

Gheorghe Hagi : "The Maradona of the Carpathians" is considered the greatest Romanian footballer of all time. He was one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe during the 1980s and 1990s. Hagi's strength was the precision of his left foot, his soft attacking touches and a quality of pure, mischievous inspiration.

Lothar Matthäus : the most capped German player of all time, playing in 5 World Cups and 3 Euro Cups. He usually played as a box-to-box midfielder, capable of scoring 20 plus goals a season. Diego Maradona about him "he is the best rival I've ever had. I guess that's enough to define him".

Patrick Vieira: the French was integral in Arsenal and France NT successes in late 90’s to 2000’s. At Arsenal he won 3 Premier League titles – one unbeaten – and 4 FA Cups. He was selected in Overall Team of the Decade – Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992/3 – 2001/2). With France NT, he played two World Cup Finals (won one), and also won a European Cup. Later on his career, he added 5 Serie A titles.

DEFENCE and GOALKEEPER

Jose Santamaria : this greatest South American man-markers of all-time, is the best defender in history of Real Madrid club and is the best defender in the World during the 1950s. He is 5-time Uruguay league, 5-time La Liga, and 4-time European Cup winner.

Alan Hansen : the Scots regarded as the best center-back in history of English Top Division alongside Bobby Moore. He’s famous for his reading the game ability and lead from the back. With 8 league titles, he played all 4 European Cup final matches and win 3 times with Liverpool between late 1970s to the 1980s.

Ivan Cordoba: One of the quickest defenders around to compliment Hansen’s and Santamaria’s strength. The Columbian has over 450 caps for Inter while won 5 Serie A titles and 1 Champions League (in total 15 trophies).

Antonio Cabrini : this 6 times Serie A winner Italian was considered as the greatest full-back of the world during 1980s. Participate in 3 World Cups, and won it in 1982.

Denis Irwin : the Irish played 368 games for Manchester United. The Mr. Reliable was penalty supremo and also United best full-back. Over 10 years at United, he’s won 7 Premier League titles and 1 Champions League. He was selected in Overall Team of the Decade – Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992/3 – 2001/2).

José Luis Chilavert : this Paraguayan was a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner. Known as a free kick specialist and often took penalties, he's scored 62 goals in his professional career. He kept 30 clean sheets in international appearances (out of 74 caps), and the only goalkeeper to ever win South American footballer of the year award.

Subs: Tom Finney, Juan Sebastián Verón.

I think this is my favourite team at the moment. Fantastic balance to that side.

 

[MJJ]

You should apologise to Chumpito

Chumpitoz has more of a ring to it than chumpitaz. My team report will be done by today or tomorrow at the latest.

 

[Thisistheone]

Got my write-ups all done, will post later when I finish work.

Who's the first game?

 

[Theon]

I think this is my favourite team at the moment. Fantastic balance to that side.

Surprised you think it is balanced, to me it seems it has 1) Zero width 2) Raul up top on his own?

No wingers and only one striker is strange IMO and really lacking balance.

 

[antohan]

This starts Tuesday right? If it starts tomorrow, please do not have my game tomorrow. My stuff will be done by Tuesday

Stuff to be done by Tuesday. Games start Wednesday.

 

[antohan]

Surprised you think it is balanced, to me it seems it has 1) Zero width 2) Raul up top on his own?

No wingers and only one striker is strange IMO and really lacking balance.

Keep it for the gamethreads

 

[Moby]

Theon struggling to hold the fire inside him.

 

[Thisistheone]

It's gonna kick off when the matches start, isn't it.

Worse than in the newbies drafts when Aldo & Fergus went at it.

 

[Moby]

And it doesn't look like Fergus has forgotten that, attacked my boss with the first chance he got.

I'm enjoying being the assistant though, all I have to do is put my input behind the scenes and watch the gaffer tear our opponents a new one.

 

[Cling Bak]

Surprised you think it is balanced, to me it seems it has 1) Zero width 2) Raul up top on his own?

No wingers and only one striker is strange IMO and really lacking balance.

The way I saw it was wing-backs to offer width and Zico as a forward, which he essentially was. Three man central midfield of Vieira and Matthaus (anchoring) and Hagi as the attacking midfielder. Beautiful.

 

[Brwned]

Agreed, think it works perfectly well. Perhaps could've done with an all-out attacking force at wingback rather than two perfectly rounded fullbacks but that's about it. Some people just don't like the look of a 3/5-man defence because of the lack of wingers but there's so many outstanding teams that have played without them, it's just not an issue. I love wingplay as much as anyone which is why I prioritised Giggs and Matthews but they're very much expendable.

I wouldn't call Zico a forward though. For Brazil he was still very much in that attacking midfield role and the little I've seen of him for Flamengo he was playing even deeper, almost in a Lampard-esque role. Freedom to get forward as much as he wants but he started everything off from deep.

 

[Moby]

Yep it's a well balanced side, with two strong subs who provide very different aspects themselves. Veron can come in and close the game down by adding strength to the midfield without compromising much on being an outlet for counters while Finney can come in and stretch the defense late on in the game if he is trailing and needs a plan B!

 

[Gio]

I like Isotope's side. It looks like a classic 3-5-2 with clear complementarity across the park.

 

[Moby]

Agreed, think it works perfectly well. Perhaps could've done with an all-out attacking force at wingback rather than two perfectly rounded fullbacks but that's about it. Some people just don't like the look of a 3/5-man defence because of the lack of wingers but there's so many outstanding teams that have played without them, it's just not an issue. I love wingplay as much as anyone which is why I prioritised Giggs and Matthews but they're very much expendable.

I wouldn't call Zico a forward though. For Brazil he was still very much in that attacking midfield role and the little I've seen of him for Flamengo he was playing even deeper, almost in a Lampard-esque role. Freedom to get forward as much as he wants but he started everything off from deep.

He might not be a full time forward, but his world class finishing is perfectly suited to play in a 2 man frontline IMO. In many games he was in and around the 6 yard box just lurking to get a rebound or something, his attributes are well suited for a forward role, although it's best to give him a free role.

 

[Fergus' son]

And it doesn't look like Fergus has forgotten that, attacked my boss with the first chance he got.

I'm enjoying being the assistant though, all I have to do is put my input behind the scenes and watch the gaffer tear our opponents a new one.

It was when you tried to describe Weah as some sort of big brute, in the box striker that I realised you would say anything to win!

That and the match fixing saga, when you someow managed to convince your opponent to take off all his best players off so you could be best loser!

 

[Moby]

 

[Brwned]

He might not be a full time forward, but his world class finishing is perfectly suited to play in a 2 man frontline IMO. In many games he was in and around the 6 yard box just lurking to get a rebound or something, his attributes are well suited for a forward role, although it's best to give him a free role.

Oh of course, anyone who can manage 52 goals in 72 games at international level is more than capable of playing up top. It's a great team. Though one thing you could say is there's a lack of real physical presence in attacking areas.

 

[KM]

Sorry lads I've been horrendously busy. Will try to post the description today.

 

[Theon]

The way I saw it was wing-backs to offer width and Zico as a forward, which he essentially was. Three man central midfield of Vieira and Matthaus (anchoring) and Hagi as the attacking midfielder. Beautiful.

Yeah contrary to what Brwned is implying I love that formation and its exactly the one I suggested to Fergus to use. Issue is I don't think Isotope has the players for it at all, whereas Fergus does.

His wingbacks aren't as suited to playing the excessively attacking game needed to stretch the pitch, not that they could anyway, it would be lunacy to attack with his fullbacks and just leave the lightning fast Boniek and Blokhin with noone marking them.

Zico isn't a forward but an attacking midfielder, so Raul is going to be stood up there on his own. With very limited width being provided then the backline will be more than comfortable tucking in and dealing with the solitary Raul. Zico and Hagi are in danger of getting in each others way, but more importantly the affect on the central midfielders is counter productive.

You have the best box-to-box player ever in Matthaus, yet deny him the space to operate by playing so narrowly. Doesn't make sense. If the game is open and stretched then he has the ability to completely dictate, but instead he's competing with Zico and Hagi and if he tries to bomb forward he's just running into the two attacking midfielders. There is no threat for the defence because it's such a narrow attack, Matthaus is just running into an already prepared, settled and comfortable backline.

Fourthly, there isn't even a spearhead to this narrow attack. I mean even Raul drops off for feck sake. He isn't a classic number 9 who is going to play the offside trap and just wait for through balls. Instead he's another player that will look to get into that space in front of the defence.. which is preoccupied by Hagi, Zico and a frustrated Matthaus.

 

[Brwned]

You have the best box-to-box player ever in Matthaus, yet deny him the space to operate by playing so narrowly. Doesn't make sense. If the game is open and stretched then he has the ability to completely dictate, but instead he's competing with Zico and Hagi and if he tries to bomb forward he's just running into the two attacking midfielders. There is no threat for the defence because it's such a narrow attack, Matthaus is just running into an already prepared, settled and comfortable backline.

Zico and Hagi are obviously capable of playing right across the pitch and drifting out wide when required, and that's the exact setup Matthaus excelled in for Germany for years. Come on Theon, leave the lobbying for the matchday threads. This thread's for genuine, non-biased appraisal...

 

[Theon]

Zico and Hagi are obviously capable of playing right across the pitch and drifting out wide when required, and that's the exact setup Matthaus excelled in for Germany for years. Come on Theon, leave the lobbying for the matchday threads. This thread's for genuine, non-biased appraisal...

Not really, Germany had actual strikers in front of him.

This is an honest appraisal

 

[Brwned]

Hard to take you seriously when it's constant criticism directed at your opponent and nothing else.

In '86 it was Allofs and Rummenigge up top - Allofs was a second striker which is exactly how Zico will play and Raul's a great striker. And then they had Magath behind them in the creative role that Hagi's playing. You're reaching for criticisms from what I can see...

 

[Fergus' son]

Yeah contrary to what Brwned is implying I love that formation and its exactly the one I suggested to Fergus to use. Issue is I don't think Isotope has the players for it at all, whereas Fergus does.

His wingbacks aren't as suited to playing the excessively attacking game needed to stretch the pitch, not that they could anyway, it would be lunacy to attack with his fullbacks and just leave the lightning fast Boniek and Blokhin with noone marking them.

Zico isn't a forward but an attacking midfielder, so Raul is going to be stood up there on his own. With very limited width being provided then the backline will be more than comfortable tucking in and dealing with the solitary Raul. Zico and Hagi are in danger of getting in each others way, but more importantly the affect on the central midfielders is counter productive.

You have the best box-to-box player ever in Matthaus, yet deny him the space to operate by playing so narrowly. Doesn't make sense. If the game is open and stretched then he has the ability to completely dictate, but instead he's competing with Zico and Hagi and if he tries to bomb forward he's just running into the two attacking midfielders. There is no threat for the defence because it's such a narrow attack, Matthaus is just running into an already prepared, settled and comfortable backline.

Fourthly, there isn't even a spearhead to this narrow attack. I mean even Raul drops off for feck sake. He isn't a classic number 9 who is going to play the offside trap and just wait for through balls. Instead he's another player that will look to get into that space in front of the defence.. which is preoccupied by Hagi, Zico and a frustrated Matthaus.

Agree about the full backs, and to an extent about Raul, the rest of the team being as it is I think perhaps more of a pure striker would've worked better/got more votes.

Where I disagree is about Hagi, Zico, and Matthaus. I think that will work perfectly.

 

[Theon]

Hard to take you seriously when it's constant criticism directed at your opponent and nothing else.

In '86 it was Allofs and Rummenigge up top - Allofs was a second striker which is exactly how Zico will play and Raul's a great striker. You're reaching for criticisms from what I can see...

Dear God. Seriously, what are you talking about? Constant criticism.. I made one post, the exact same way I would have responded regardless of opposition.

It was a genuine comment as I don't think the team is balanced. It's got two attacking midfielders and a striker who drops off, so nobody leading the line. I haven't heard of a team ever playing that formation, usually there are two strikers, e.g. Germany playing Klinsmann and Voller.

That will impact the way Matthaus plays IMO as he'll be breaking into positions that are already occupied. Don't think its a ridiculous opinion at all.

 

[Brwned]

Just a couple of years ago Udinese made it into the Champions League spots with Sanchéz playing in behind Di Natale in the same sort of "3-6-1" as it was called. And Di Natale is no more of a striker than Raúl at his peak. In '86 Germany didn't play two strikers, Allofs dropped off Rummenigge and Magath drifted about as he pleased. That's exactly what Zico and Hagi will do. The only difference here is Raúl doesn't have as much pace as the German but he was't slow either.

 

[Theon]

Allofs is a forward though, Zico isn't.

But yeah, there probably is a few teams that have played a 3-6-1 the odd time. However there must be a reason 3-6-1 isn't knocking about more frequently.. My guess is that it is due to lacking balance.

Swap Zico for an actual striker and I think it would work fine, though I still think Fergus's team would beat it, mainly due to the wingbacks. As it is though there is three/possibly four players all looking to get into the same areas in front of the defence.