Decades Draft Tournament Final

Who will win based on all the players at their peak?


  • Total voters
    17
  • Poll closed .

Moby

Dick
Joined
May 20, 2011
Messages
51,356
Location
Barcelona, Catalunya
The aim of this poll is to determine which team will end up victorious based on all the players at their prime keeping tactics, playing styles and all in game dynamics in mind.



AldoRaine's Tactics
The defense is comprised of the cerebral genius Gaetano Scirea, imperial to the success of Juve and Italy in the 80s, the commander of the backline organizing everything with the help of two rock solid defenders in Thuram and Vidic and on the left is the tenacious World Cup winning fullback Zambrotta. I've got great intelligence in Scirea which is vital against a team with the creativity of the opposition I have and his anticipation would be very useful, as he showed against Maradona himself not allowing to score a single goal from open play when Napoli played Juve. To go with that there is great physical presence and aerial prowess in Vidic while Thuram is one of the best defensive fullbacks of all time.

The midfield has the beast Frank Rijkaard, a great combination of technical brilliance while a defensive stalwart for Milan and Holland, as good a roadblock that can be put to stop Maradona, and he's being partnered with the ever energetic and tremendously hard working Gullit. Reunited Milan and Dutch teammates, they will squeeze out all the space in there with the great engine and workrate and provide enough freedom for the attack to function. They are partnered by Zico who will be using his top quality vision and creativity to create chances for the devastating front three.

The attack has devastating dribbling ability combined with probably the best finisher of all time. Cruyff has a free role as a second striker and would roam all across the pitch looking to attack wherever the team allows most space. He will be direct and use his immense dribbling and creativity to take on defenders, isolate them and look to create space. Garrincha on the other side will provide genuine width and unstoppable dribbling and look to play the crosses for Muller after going on his trademark unstoppable runs.

Key points :

- Both Cruyff and Garrincha will exploit the space left by his attacking fullbacks, specially Garrincha against Carlos.
- Rijkaard will deal with maradona and try to curb his game as much as possible.
- Scirea will always be looking to cut off any service to Ronaldo.
- With Cruyff and Garrincha drawing CBs out, Muller will slot into the space left and will latch onto any passes dealt to him.
- Vidic will help Zambrotta out against Best.


TEAM AldoRaine18
TEAM Theon


Theon's tactics
FORMATION
A devastating 4-2-3-1 formation filled with complimentary partnerships and the perfect blend of width, creativity and ruthless finishing.

Very similar to the set up in the last few games except the defence has been significantly improved with the addition of Franco Baresi and Carlos Alberto & George Best has come into the team.

Defence
The heart of the defence is marshalled by two of the greatest centre backs of all time Franco Baresi and the great Argentine Daniel Passarella. Both are amongst the Top 5 ever centre backs and combine to form an impenetrable shield in front of Gordon Banks.

Two technically gifted footballers capable of taking control of the ball and instigating attacks from deep, which will help dominate possession against Cutch’s side. Along with this technical mastery Passarella brings a ferocious leap and a ruthless mentality to the defence, as well as an unbelievable scoring record of just under 1 in 3. His partner Baresi is simply the best of all time.

A partnership of Brazilian fullbacks round off the defence and offer a huge threat going forward. As Antohan called him “A Cafú with better defending” Carlos Alberto is arguably the greatest right back ever and the Captain of 1970 Brazil who remain the best football team in the history of the game.

On the other side Roberto Carlos will bomb forward in support of Ronaldinho to create a devastating 2 vs 1 against Suurbier who is the weakest defender on the pitch, whilst having the electric pace to combat even the best wingers. This is the exact role that Carlos perfected at Real Madrid which led him to numerous awards including twice being named UEFA Defender of the Year and coming second to Ronaldo in the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1997 and runner up in the 2002 Ballon D’Or.

Midfield
In midfield Xavi and Tigana will look to sit deep and keep it tight in front of the defence. Xavi will look utilise his exceptional passing range by spraying the ball around the pitch and through gaps into the feet of Maradona.

Tigana is the greatest French central midfielder of all time and brings a monstrous defensive work-ethic to toughen up the midfield whilst possessing the technical ability to fit the exquisite passing style of his team mates.

Maradona
The heart of the team - Diego Maradona has the freedom of the pitch ahead of the two centre mids in a system designed to get the best out of him. With the wingers stretching the pitch horizontally and the electric pace of Ronaldo pushing the defence back vertically, the pitch is at its absolute biggest giving Maradona the perfect platform to dominate this game.

Enrique - Maradona's team-mate at World Cup 1986 - "Diego was an example to everyone, not just in terms of his quality, but also for his commitment. He was the first to tackle and dive in when we lost possession, so how could we not do the same? He was contagious. When it came to his play, however, trying to imitate him was impossible."

Tenacious, determined and extraordinarily talented this is the perfect summary of Maradona and what he brings to the side. Whether it is with a pass, a dribble, a tackle or a goal Diego has the ability and mentality to raise a team like no player in the history of the game

Attack
The genius of Maradona is complimented with Brazilian flair & some George Best magic, as two devastating wingers flank the greatest striker in football history.

Best and Ronaldinho bring pace, trickery and goals to either flank, with both capable either cutting inside or stretching the pitch out wide. Both can create chances but also possess a huge goal threat themselves, with Best able to score every kind of goal: He was able to use either foot - sometimes he seemed to have six. Sir Matt Busby and Ronaldinho scoring or assisting 157 goals in 181 appearances for Barcelona.

The attack is rounded off with Ronaldo who reached a level brilliance only matched by Pele, Maradona and Messi. He possesses an unrivalled combination of pace, skill and dribbling ability which simply guarantees goals – particularly with this service.

George Best
We all know about Georgie boy so I'll just post some quotes that capture the whole Best ethos:

The only thing I have in common with George Best is that we come from the same place, play for the same club and were discovered by the same man
Norman Whiteside.


So George, where did it all go wrong?
The hotel bellboy who delivered champagne to Best's room and found him entertaining a scantily-clad Miss World on a bed covered with his winnings from the casino.

I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.
Best on cash.

I think I've found you a genius.
The telegram sent to Manchester United by talent scout Bob Bishop, who discovered a 15-year-old Best playing for Cregagh Boys' Club.
 

VP

Full Member
Joined
May 19, 2006
Messages
11,556
no brainer for me, Theon's team is ridiculous.
 

Thisistheone

Full Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2010
Messages
7,904
The things that immediately jump out are:

Best v Zambrotta.
Vidic looks slightly out of place in such a game
So much pressure on Rijkaard carrying all that attacking play whilst trying to deal with Maradona
Theon's side basically being incredible
And Roma in goal looks weak, especially compared to Banks.
 

BD

technologically challenged barbie doll
Joined
Sep 1, 2011
Messages
23,198
Theon's team is unreal. Aldo's is very good too, but Best and Maradona...
 

antohan

gets aroused by tagline boobs
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
42,185
Location
Montevideo
My main reservation with Theon's team is the use of G and J for Best, Banks and Tigana. No initial needed.

The midfield lacks a bit of bite but the pairing does it for me as far as complimenting each other goes. Aldo's Gullit-Rijkaard pair would be awesome there too but the 60s are used. Try make a better pair with an 80s and a 50s midfielder (or using up the spare 30s slot).... Falcao-Edwards? That got knocked out a few rounds ago! It's almost as good a fit as you could put together within the constraints.

I think he may well have put together a better team than the ideal XI I penned down as a "final quality" benchmark at the start of the draft.

I really like Aldo's team and there are some key battles that he would win, so I wouldn't write him off just yet.
 

Gio

★★★★★★★★
Joined
Jan 25, 2001
Messages
20,341
Location
Bonnie Scotland
Supports
Rangers
I'm going to vote against whichever fecker posts their player profiles in the thread first.
 

antohan

gets aroused by tagline boobs
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
42,185
Location
Montevideo
:lol: That's a bit unfair on Aldo though, it shows how confident Theon is that he hasn't done it yet!
 

Theon

Lord of the Iron Islands
Joined
Oct 14, 2011
Messages
13,289
Wasn't expecting to get online today, but pleased with the score so far! Best definitely working his magic

 

sajeev

Full Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2008
Messages
3,015
Well played Theon, you deserve to win.
already?

One player definitely out of place in your team is Vidic. Should have replaced him long back.
But yeah Theon has a very impressive team, apart from a relatively lightweight midfield (relative being the key word here)
 

Cutch

Full Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
16,404
Location
Northern Ireland. Stretty W3102, Row 2, Seat 129
already?

One player definitely out of place in your team is Vidic. Should have replaced him long back.
But yeah Theon has a very impressive team, apart from a relatively lightweight midfield (relative being the key word here)

With the decade rule there had to be atleast 1 player born in the 80s starting. Not even sure how Vidic is seen as a weak link, one of the best dominating defenders of the premiership era, arguably the best in the world for a good while, and has a perfect covering partner alongside him.

The one out of place is Zambrotta!
 

Gio

★★★★★★★★
Joined
Jan 25, 2001
Messages
20,341
Location
Bonnie Scotland
Supports
Rangers
With the decade rule there had to be atleast 1 player born in the 80s starting. Not even sure how Vidic is seen as a weak link, one of the best dominating defenders of the premiership era, arguably the best in the world for a good while, and has a perfect covering partner alongside him.

The one out of place is Zambrotta!
The pair of them are soft at this level. And the three players in closest proximity are Best, Ronaldo and Maradona. Crikey.
 

Red-Indian

Full Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2003
Messages
6,432
Location
Supposedly working in office
Aldo's got a good team but I don't really see how Theon's side can be beaten. Tigana's the only player in that team that doesn't have a legitimae claim for consideration in an all time final. For Aldo on the other hand, Roma, Vidic, Zambrotta and Gullit are all a stretch.
 

antohan

gets aroused by tagline boobs
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
42,185
Location
Montevideo
Aldo's got a good team but I don't really see how Theon's side can be beaten. Tigana's the only player in that team that doesn't have a legitimae claim for consideration in an all time final. For Aldo on the other hand, Roma, Vidic, Zambrotta and Gullit are all a stretch.
That's one way of looking at it.

I was thinking earlier what the team of the tourno would be, i.e. not the best XI but a team that complies with the rules and merges the best performers throughout (e.g. Baresi and Best, while cracking players ended up playing for three different teams, which is one criterion that helps remove some of Theon's men :lol:).

This is what I came up with:



That would be awesome, and the midfield is no longer particularly weak is it? :drool:

I try to think about how they would work and it really blows my mind.
 

Pat_Mustard

I'm so gorgeous they want to put me under arrest!
Joined
Jan 17, 2008
Messages
13,810
Location
A never-nude? I thought he just liked cut-offs.
With the decade rule there had to be atleast 1 player born in the 80s starting. Not even sure how Vidic is seen as a weak link, one of the best dominating defenders of the premiership era, arguably the best in the world for a good while, and has a perfect covering partner alongside him.

The one out of place is Zambrotta!
Vidic is just one of those that will always be battered in all-time level discussions because he has a clear weakness that'll always be picked up on. Its unfortunate really, as he suffers in comparison with players of comparable quality who maybe don't have that acknowledged achilles heel. I rate Vidic higher than Stam for example, but Stam's almost certainly the safer bet in these drafts.
 

Pat_Mustard

I'm so gorgeous they want to put me under arrest!
Joined
Jan 17, 2008
Messages
13,810
Location
A never-nude? I thought he just liked cut-offs.
That's one way of looking at it.

I was thinking earlier what the team of the tourno would be, i.e. not the best XI but a team that complies with the rules and merges the best performers throughout (e.g. Baresi and Best, while cracking players ended up playing for three different teams, which is one criterion that helps remove some of Theon's men :lol:).

This is what I came up with:



That would be awesome, and the midfield is no longer particularly weak is it? :drool:

I try to think about how they would work and it really blows my mind.
The depth to which you're able to analyse these drafts and all their permutations never ceases to amaze me mate. It doesn't even seem difficult for you. I think your brain just works faster than mine :lol:

^ is to state the obvious an incredible team, but its a testament to what Theon has assembled that you would only have to swap out two players from his team (Tigana and Roberto Carlos) before you could begin to make a credible case for it being a greatest of all-time XI
 

Fergus' son

Gets very easily confused
Joined
Oct 13, 2011
Messages
11,161
Fergus the only one who voted against Theon.
I voted for Aldo.

Knew theon would win but having such little strength in midfield doesn't sit right with me, the game would be far closer than the current score indicates.

What are you suggesting anyway?