Football Fantasy Draft

[Solius]

FAO all participants (managers, voters and spectators) of the Football Fantasy Cup, due to concerns raised by Snow that the guidelines on voting were not sufficiently clear and resulted in his team being unfairly knocked out. I propose opening the door for any team that wants a re-match.

In the match threads, it will be stated - This is a Fantasy Football Team competition. Managers are required to assemble their teams of XI by selecting players BASED ON THEIR FORM IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. A limiting condition is that the players must be born earlier than C Ronaldo. As this is meant to simulate a real match, formation, tactics and team balance also plays a part. Hence please carefully consider the abovesaid factors and evaluate the merits of both teams before voting for the team which in your opinion is more likely to win the match.

The opposing managers will be asked to comment on both the teams before the match starts. The result of the re-match will be final. Are there any objections?

Nobody really listened to me when I was being very clear about this at the start. The criteria was never actually typed up for random voters to see. KM still would have beaten me though.

 

[Polaroid]

i don't think that is fair, since we were not just looking at it as a match-off in the initial brief, but rather as a long-term team. So the necessity to go for slightly younger players (and ofcourse the form too)

and as someone already pointed out, people will vote for the team and tactics, not necessarily the rules of the draft.

i think that for future drafts only 1 rule should apply in the voting process. Basically it should be who would win this match if it is played right now. Current form should be the primary factor and for injured players their most recent form before the injury. Past success should be an asset, especially in recent seasons but should come second to current form for me.

As for the proposed rematches i'm not sure its a good idea. Voters have made their decisions and it should be final, no matter how flawed the reasoning was.

Not fair to have rematches. Those who've won, won it. Over and done with.

Current form is the easiest way to make up your mind. But what I think what goes inside people's mind when they look at two lineups is not how the player is doing right now. Just how it looks on paper. Of course if you pick a player like Adriano people know he went down and out and is not the same as he was in his prime. However if you pick someone who everybody knows but his current situation is less known, let's say fx. Luis Fabiano who was a starter for Brazil, played CL football but has now gone back to Brazil where no one knows what he's doing, they still see Luis Fabiano as he was (most likely).

Nobody really listened to me when I was being very clear about this at the start. The criteria was never actually typed up for random voters to see. KM still would have beaten me though.

The consensus is no re-matches then

Like many of the managers in this draft, I picked my players based on their form in the past two years. However, I observed there is a tendency for voters to go for name recognition and the reputation of a player built when he was in his prime/at his best apparently guarantees a halo effect even after the player has been average or even mediocre for quite some time.

I have ideas for a Retro Fantasy draft some time after this
Players born in the 60s, based on their prime/best
That would include luminaries of the games such as Schmeichel, Baresi, Kohler, Maldini, Mathaus, Gullit, Laudrup, Maradona, Van Basten, Romario, Baggio etc
Perhaps instead of draft format, we could do it Fantasy Sheik auction style with each manager given a mammoth budget to outbid each other

 

[Polaroid]

Team Polaroid shaded Team DanNistelrooy by the narrowest of margins to progress to the final

Transfer: Lucas Barrios out, Robin Van Persie in

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas
Nicknamed San Iker (Saint Iker) for his miraculous goalkeeping displays, Casillas is the best goalkeeper in the world today. He captains Real Madrid and Spain, and is among the select few in history to have won every major trophy at club and international level. His personal accolades include, but is not limited to, FIFPro World XI (2008-2010), UEFA Team of the Year (2007-2010), World Cup 2010 Golden Glove winner, World Cup 2010 All-Star Team, Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament.

Rightback: Darijo Srna
Captain of Croatia and Shakhtar Donetsk. His marauding runs and excellent delivery of crosses made him one of the outstanding performers in the Champions League last season with 5 assists from 9 appearances (the third highest tally of any player in the competition). He also carries a threat from long range shots and set-pieces.

Centreback: Thiago Silva
Probably the most complete defender in the world. Technically, physically, mentally, he has everything - accomplished technique, tackling prowess, aerial strength, searing pace, Rolls Royce power, immaculate composure and reading of the game. Excellent at bringing the ball out of defence too.

Centreback: Alessandro Nesta
Italian Maestro who has perfected the art of defending. His flawless reading of the game, first-rate anticipation and impeccable positioning keeps him a step ahead of others. His recent masterclass against Barcelona is the hallmark of a great defender at the top of his game. Legend in the true sense of the word.

Leftback: Federico Balzaretti
Fast, strong, tireless fullback whose overlapping runs and good wing-play yielded 7 assists from 33 league appearances last season. Defensively solid and first-choice left-back for Italy.

Deep-lying midfielder: Gökhan İnler
Midfield general and captain of Switzerland. Tough, uncompromising all-action midfielder who does all the 'basics' very well - position, tackle, pass and even fire long range screamers with either foot. He starred for Udinese before moving to Napoli this season, having established himself as one of the finest centre midfielders in Serie A.

Centre midfielder: Xavi Hernández
Playmaking Maestro who orchestrates his team to produce the most beautiful footballing symphony. The heartbeat of Spain and Barcelona, his imperious form over the past few seasons has rightly earned him an exalted pedestal in the pantheon of footballing legends.

Centre midfielder: Bastian Schweinsteiger
Probably the most complete midfielder today in terms of his all-round ability in the attributes required of the modern day midfielder. A leader of the German National Team and Bayern Munich, he is quite simply world-class. 10 goals and 14 assists last season. 5 goals and 7 assists to date this season.

Attacking midfielder: Santi Cazorla
The best player in Spain outside of Camp Nou and Bernabeu. Technique, speed and creativity rolled into one irrepressible pocket dynamo, Cazorla's fleet-footed dribbling and visionary passing can cut defences into ribbons. He is also a highly skilled exponent of free-kicks and long range shots. Van Nistelrooy, now playing with him at Malaga, exclaimed "What a player Santi is". 7 goals and 15 assists last season. 6 goals so far this season.

Attacking midfielder: Florent Malouda
Pacey versatile winger with intelligent off-the-ball movement, excellent work-rate, an eye for the pass and a nose for goals. An output of 32 goals and 20 assists in the past two seasons makes him the one of the most productive attackers around.

Centre forward: Robin Van Persie
A striker of supreme technique, flair and intelligence, Van Persie has the complete repertoire of skills and arsenal of weapons to hurt defences. Described as Dennis Bergkamp wth goals, he is currently the hottest striker in the world with 41 goals in 2011 to date.

 

[Polaroid]

Cal?, waiting for your transfer and updated team graphic before we kick off the final

 

[Cal?]

Team Cal makes the "older than Ronaldo" final after winning the "younger than Messi" draft last time...

Transfer out: Seedorf
Transfer in: Sneijder

Final lineup:

 

[Cal?]

Buffon - one of the best keepers ever, has got over his injury problems last season and playing a starring role with Juventus unbeaten and leading Serie A right now.

Miguel - first choice for Valencia & Portugal regularly until he retired from international football, already started 11 times this season for his club as they are in 3rd (again).

King - the best CB at Spurs and having recovered from another injury, already played in 9 league games this season to help propell Spurs up the table.

Puyol - well, captain for the supposed best team in the world ever ever...

Maxwell - very much a regular for Barca, 57 games in La Liga since 09/10...

Yaya Toure - we all hate City, but there is little doubt that he's one of their key players and the best in the World in his position

Montolivo - Star player for Fiorentina and now a regular for Italy as the Azzurri rebuilt after the disastrous WC

Iniesta - one of the biggest stars around, scorer of vital goals in vital games, including the winner in a World Cup final...

Sneijder - The man who should have won the Player of the year last year, led Inter to a historic Treble and the Dutch to the WC final. One of the best players in the world.

Villa - record goal scorer for the world & european champions, won everything in the last few seasons.

Forlan - what a career he's has since leaving United... led Uruguay in their revival on the international stage, won the Copa America, made the SF in the WC...

 

[Polaroid]

Final lineup:

Buffon - one of the best keepers ever, has got over his injury problems last season and playing a starring role with Juventus unbeaten and leading Serie A right now.

Miguel - first choice for Valencia & Portugal regularly until he retired from international football, already started 11 times this season for his club as they are in 3rd (again).

King - the best CB at Spurs and having recovered from another injury, already played in 9 league games this season to help propell Spurs up the table.

Puyol - well, captain for the supposed best team in the world ever ever...

Maxwell - very much a regular for Barca, 57 games in La Liga since 09/10...

Yaya Toure - we all hate City, but there is little doubt that he's one of their key players and the best in the World in his position

Montolivo - Star player for Fiorentina and now a regular for Italy as the Azzurri rebuilt after the disastrous WC

Iniesta - one of the biggest stars around, scorer of vital goals in vital games, including the winner in a World Cup final...

Sneijder - The man who should have won the Player of the year last year, led Inter to a historic Treble and the Dutch to the WC final. One of the best players in the world.

Villa - record goal scorer for the world & european champions, won everything in the last few seasons.

Forlan - what a career he's has since leaving United... led Uruguay in their revival on the international stage, won the Copa America, made the SF in the WC...

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas
Nicknamed San Iker (Saint Iker) for his miraculous goalkeeping displays, Casillas is the best goalkeeper in the world today. He captains Real Madrid and Spain, and is among the select few in history to have won every major trophy at club and international level. His personal accolades include, but is not limited to, FIFPro World XI (2008-2010), UEFA Team of the Year (2007-2010), World Cup 2010 Golden Glove winner, World Cup 2010 All-Star Team, Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament.

Rightback: Darijo Srna
Captain of Croatia and Shakhtar Donetsk. His marauding runs and excellent delivery of crosses made him one of the outstanding performers in the Champions League last season with 5 assists from 9 appearances (the third highest tally of any player in the competition). He also carries a threat from long range shots and set-pieces.

Centreback: Thiago Silva
Probably the most complete defender in the world. Technically, physically, mentally, he has everything - accomplished technique, tackling prowess, aerial strength, searing pace, Rolls Royce power, immaculate composure and reading of the game. Excellent at bringing the ball out of defence too.

Centreback: Alessandro Nesta
Italian Maestro who has perfected the art of defending. His flawless reading of the game, first-rate anticipation and impeccable positioning keeps him a step ahead of others. His recent masterclass against Barcelona is the hallmark of a great defender at the top of his game. Legend in the true sense of the word.

Leftback: Federico Balzaretti
Fast, strong, tireless fullback whose overlapping runs and good wing-play yielded 7 assists from 33 league appearances last season. Defensively solid and first-choice left-back for Italy.

Deep-lying midfielder: Gökhan İnler
Midfield general and captain of Switzerland. Tough, uncompromising all-action midfielder who does all the 'basics' very well - position, tackle, pass and even fire long range screamers with either foot. He starred for Udinese before moving to Napoli this season, having established himself as one of the finest centre midfielders in Serie A.

Centre midfielder: Xavi Hernández
Playmaking Maestro who orchestrates his team to produce the most beautiful footballing symphony. The heartbeat of Spain and Barcelona, his imperious form over the past few seasons has rightly earned him an exalted pedestal in the pantheon of footballing legends.

Centre midfielder: Bastian Schweinsteiger
Probably the most complete midfielder today in terms of his all-round ability in the attributes required of the modern day midfielder. A leader of the German National Team and Bayern Munich, he is quite simply world-class. 10 goals and 14 assists last season. 5 goals and 7 assists to date this season.

Attacking midfielder: Santi Cazorla
The best player in Spain outside of Camp Nou and Bernabeu. Technique, speed and creativity rolled into one irrepressible pocket dynamo, Cazorla's fleet-footed dribbling and visionary passing can cut defences into ribbons. He is also a highly skilled exponent of free-kicks and long range shots. Van Nistelrooy, now playing with him at Malaga, exclaimed "What a player Santi is". 7 goals and 15 assists last season. 6 goals so far this season.

Attacking midfielder: Florent Malouda
Pacey versatile winger with intelligent off-the-ball movement, excellent work-rate, an eye for the pass and a nose for goals. An output of 32 goals and 20 assists in the past two seasons makes him the one of the most productive attackers around.

Centre forward: Robin Van Persie
A striker of supreme technique, flair and intelligence, Van Persie has the complete repertoire of skills and arsenal of weapons to hurt defences. Described as Dennis Bergkamp wth goals, he is currently the hottest striker in the world with 41 goals in 2011 to date.

Cal?, anything to add or amend before we kick off the final?
You can continue to give tactical instructions during the course of the match

 

[Snow]

I think Cal? should have picked Lahm. He would have resembled Barcelona quite a lot with that. You have to fear for a team that plays a midfield of 4 against 5.