Pardew Draft R1: BIG DUNK vs prolifik

With players at their peak, who would win?


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Physiocrat

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BIG DUNK



prolifik



BIG DUNK Tactics

Formation:
swashbuckling 4-4-2*
Playstyle: invite teams forward, then make swift counter-attacks.

Dream strike partnership – an abundance in goals, creativity and link-up play
Fantasista Roberto Baggio is paired with legendary centre-forward Alan Shearer. Both prolific goalscorers, but utilised in two different roles here: Baggio is a world class playmaker (elite vision, creativity, crossing accuracy and passing ability), who will be employed as the secondary striker. Baggio is offered more positional freedom in this partnership: the Italian’s tactical versatility and intelligence allows him to operate anywhere along the front-line and deeper. Baggio will link-up with Shearer, our central midfielders and wingers, creating a plethora of chances for them. Baggio will create space with his movement by dropping deep, dragging our opponent’s centreback out of position, allowing Brian Laudrup to cut inside and make attacking runs into the space and encouraging Scholes’ late attacking runs. Shearer’s strength, goalscoring instincts, excellent reactions, heading ability and strong shot made him a prolific centre-forward. Shearer was not a one-dimensional striker though – Shearer will provide chances for Baggio and my midfielders, making runs into space and offering excellent link-up play and high work-rate. Baggio and Shearer joins our long list of set-piece specialists: Beckham, Passarella and Pearce.



Complete midfield – a balanced quartet full of tenacity, high work-rate, intelligence and creativity
In Scholes-Dunga we have a dynamic central midfield partnership in the heart of our team. Scholes will control the tempo of play: possessing an extraordinary range of passing, link-up play, calmness and ability to retain possession under pressure. Alongside Dunga, Scholes can function in a deeper creative role as well as in a box-to-box role, drawing on his excellent awareness, positional sense and elite game management. Both Dunga and Scholes will initiate dangerous attacking plays after winning back possession. Scholes also possesses a powerful shot from long range. Dunga will be a very effective holding-enforcer, while still offering box-to-box quality. A ball-winner and deep-lying playmaker rolled into one. Dunga possesses composure on the ball, exceptional vision and pinpoint-accuracy when he makes long passes. Dunga is able to both support our team's attacks and protect the back line.

On the right wing, Beckham’s range of passing, vision and crossing ability will enable him to create countless chances for his teammates. Shearer getting on the end of Beckham’s crosses and passes will be a favourable route to a goal. Beckham will beat players through his movement and passing, as opposed to Brian Laudrup’s playstyle on the opposite wing, who will be running at opponents directly with the ball at pace. *At times our shape will resemble a 4-3-3 where Beckham tucks in more centrally, with Laudrup advancing. Our intelligent players allows us this positional fluidity and tactical flexibility.

On the left wing, Brian Laudrup’s elegance, technique and creativity, combined with his incredible pace and ball control will make him a formidable force. Possessing insane acceleration and ability to beat players with his exceptional dribbling skills allows him to create openings for himself and others. A powerful and accurate striker of the ball with either foot, Laudrup will benefit from Scholes and Baggio’s through-balls, and getting on the end of Beckham’s crosses. Laudrup was nonetheless an unselfish player demonstrating excellent vision setting up his teammates. Like Baggio, Laudrup will have the freedom to swap wings. We can take advantage of a numerical advantage centrally when our wingers move into inside channels, or outwide when supported by Baggio and our fullbacks.



Defensive solidity – a formidable defensive line to break down play and win back possession
Passarella and Vierchowod are my classic ball-playing/stopper centreback partnership. ‘El Gran Capitán’ has immense leadership ability and organisational prowess. Passarella will join the attack and help generate and finish offensive plays. Dominant in the air both defensively and in attack. Passarella was a commanding sweeper who is the perfect leader for my team and foil alongside Pietro Vierchowod, his tenacious centre-back partner. Vierchowod possessed great pace and was a very effective stopper: drawing on his immense strength, tight marking of opponents and hard tackling. Beckham will appreciate that Passarella and Vierchowod are both very strong in the air, experts at scoring goals from headers.

My right back is Claudio Gentile, a tough, strong and tenacious defender: a hard-tackling fullback who was a worldclass man-marker. Gentile was a mobile and hard-working player, who will also contribute offensively, overlapping Beckham, getting up the flank and providing deliveries into the box. On the left side we have another unforgiving and tough-tackling defender, Stuart ‘Psycho’ Pearce. Pearce is also an attacking threat going forward and a good crosser of the ball with his terrific left foot. My fullbacks will make delayed overlapping runs, only once our midfield is set in cover. When Passarella ventures forward into midfield, Pearce will tuck in more centrally to ensure a strong defensive base remains.

Peter Schmeichel is my complete goalkeeper: a physically imposing keeper, who possessed excellent reflexes, athleticism and agility. The Great Dane’s shot-stopping ability, organisation skills, expert positioning and command of his area will instil confidence in his back line. His ball distribution will be key too: we will utilise his ability to launch swift counter-attacks with his long and accurate throws and kicks. Our team spine is full of captains and leaders, adding to our mental strength.



prolifik Tactics

We'll play a slightly lopsided diamond which allows us to leverage the pace, power, movement, and overall athleticism throughout our squad. Our approach will be to put the opposition under pressure all over the pitch, looking the win the ball quickly and blitz teams on the counter.

The press starts from the front with three of the hardest working attackers around in Eto'o, Benzema, and Gullit. Kanté does the work of two men on the left of the diamond, KDB is also a conscientious worker higher up on the right, and Alonso sweeps up at the base. All our defenders are quick and aggressive, and Reina is very comfortable operating as a sweeper-keeper. Between Alonso's positioning and the incredible amount of ground Kanté can cover, we should be able to effectively cover for our attack-minded full-backs.

In possession, we have the perfect weapons to pounce when we turn teams over. Alonso's range of passing, Kanté's ability to carry the ball forward, and KDB's combination of the two allow us to rapidly turn defence into attack.

The width will primarily be provided by the relentless overlapping runs of Maicon and Marcelo, with KDB sometimes drifting out to the right to create overloads; all three are excellent crossers as well. They will also be supplemented by the incredible movement and versatility of our attacking players. Benzema and Eto'o both have the ability to run in behind, peel wide into the channels, or drop back to aid the build-up play. Gullit is afforded the freedom to move into space wherever he finds it, and will frequently break into the box to provide an additional goal threat. KDB's set-piece delivery - whether shooting or crossing - provides an additional route to goal, especially given the aerial prowess of our front three.
 

Physiocrat

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I think prolifik might have been better with a 442 with De Bruyne on the left and Gullit on the right. I think this would be a better use of the space horizontally speaking.
 

The Red Viper

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I think prolifik might have been better with a 442 with De Bruyne on the left and Gullit on the right. I think this would be a better use of the space horizontally speaking.
TBH both Benz and Eto'o like to drift out wide themselves anyway.

I don't know about 4-4-2 but could have probably played 4-2-2-2 of sorts but with Benz's and Eto'o tendency to drift out wide, having Gullit push forward/make late runs into the box is the ideal way to fit them no?
 

Physiocrat

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TBH both Benz and Eto'o like to drift out wide themselves anyway.

I don't know about 4-4-2 but could have probably played 4-2-2-2 of sorts but with Benz's and Eto'o tendency to drift out wide, having Gullit push forward/make late runs into the box is the ideal way to fit them no?
I wasn't meaning a trad 442, it would be more like a 4222 as you mention. That's what I was thinking. Benz and Eto'o will drift, I just wanted Gullit and De Bruyne to drift on different sides. At present it looks like De Bruyne and Gullit would occupy similar spaces.
 

Enigma_87

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they cant be more different
Aye, strange comment, I’m not sure what @Edgar Allan Pillow meant there but they aren’t remotely the same physically or ability wise. Gullit was a physical specimen, great in the air,fast on the deck, KdB - top passer, vision but not the fastest or the stocky built ..
 

Gio

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Another suggestion for redesigning Prolifik’s team - a front 3 with Gullit left, Benz central and Eto’o right. Big Ruud up against the smaller Gentile and Sammy’s pace stretching Pearce. De Bruyne whipping it round the back post for Ruud to attack.

That’s the problem with Gullit though - so versatile everyone has a different idea.
 

The Red Viper

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I wasn't meaning a trad 442, it would be more like a 4222 as you mention. That's what I was thinking. Benz and Eto'o will drift, I just wanted Gullit and De Bruyne to drift on different sides. At present it looks like De Bruyne and Gullit would occupy similar spaces.
I don't think so. Especially when you consider KDB will operate on the right side zone and Gullit will essentially be more of a forward who drops deep occasionally. Especially when you consider Prolifik has Xabi and KDB to feed the attack.
 

prolifik

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Another suggestion for redesigning Prolifik’s team - a front 3 with Gullit left, Benz central and Eto’o right. Big Ruud up against the smaller Gentile and Sammy’s pace stretching Pearce. De Bruyne whipping it round the back post for Ruud to attack.

That’s the problem with Gullit though - so versatile everyone has a different idea.
I had about 4 or 5 myself. Think this suits everyone best. The fullbacks provide great width, the forwards can drift into the channels, and KDB/Gullit can also operate in wide areas at different times. Even if I went 4-3-3 there would be a lot of interchanging.
 

Himannv

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I don't have a problem with the synergy of prolifik's team and I reckon they'll be a 4-3-3 at times depending on where the spaces are. I also don't see any problem with Gullit and KDB working together. KDB is a key player here as they need creativity to unlock that defense in the final third - I'm not sure if he's enough.

Big Dunk is set up to defend and counter and the team fits the tactics with plenty of players suited to pinging accurate long balls to the front two. Leaning towards him at the moment but it's a tough one to call.
 

Gio

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I had about 4 or 5 myself. Think this suits everyone best. The fullbacks provide great width, the forwards can drift into the channels, and KDB/Gullit can also operate in wide areas at different times. Even if I went 4-3-3 there would be a lot of interchanging.
Yeah I like the attacking freedom allocated to Gullit.
 

Jim Beam

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Gullit confused me a bit, see him more as a part of interchangeable front 3 which is than absolutely terrifying attack with De Bruyne/Kante/Alonso midfield (can't be more balanced and complimentary).

Love the other midfield (and attack) as well, but would like to see more attacking LB behind Laudrup. Can see why it is Pearce with Passarella, am just not that sure there is much need for Passarella with Dunga/Scholes coming deep and you lose a bit of width and attacking threat on the left.

Gave it to prolifik in the end.
 

BIG DUNK

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Love the other midfield (and attack) as well, but would like to see more attacking LB behind Laudrup. Can see why it is Pearce with Passarella, am just not that sure there is much need for Passarella with Dunga/Scholes coming deep and you lose a bit of width and attacking threat on the left.
Stuart Pearce wasn't a limited defensive fullback (he could play wingback with ease) but will be more disciplined behind Brian Laudrup and alongside Passarella. While not possessing the on-ball control of a Marcelo-type left back, Pearce would still charge up and down that flank, providing width and accurate crosses (direct, powerful and accurate vertical passes are key in my game plan). I would rather have Pearce in this set up than a Roberto Carlos/Giacinto Facchetti-type left back for example, even though they are of higher standing, all-time wise. Paolo Maldini would be my hypothetical first choice upgrade. I like the idea of using a strong 3-man defensive base too, with Dunga and Scholes infront when we are executing our dangerous attacks, making sure we are not open at the back. Moreover, watching Gentile's Juventus games, we realise how much of an attacking threat he can be too.

I didn't want Scholes to be the sole creatve hub for this team either. Scholes is supported by Baggio (playmaking secondary striker), my wingers (crossing and through balls), Dunga (who possesses a quality through-ball) and Passarella advancing. Thus, we can't be shut down with Kante sitting on Scholes for example: we have many weapons and creative players to call upon.

I would actually say there is more onus on Prolifik's fullbacks to offer the neccessary width and overlapping style given his narrow shape. I believe my wingers will keep them more than pre-occupied for the majority of the game. Given how high my opponent will be pressing, and his fullbacks attacking, this game is set up for me to exploit this space. I believe prolifik's players suit more in a 4-3-3 formation. With two all-time teams going head-to-head, players in their optimal role/positions will make a difference.
 

Edgar Allan Pillow

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they cant be more different
Aye, strange comment, I’m not sure what @Edgar Allan Pillow meant there but they aren’t remotely the same physically or ability wise. Gullit was a physical specimen, great in the air,fast on the deck, KdB - top passer, vision but not the fastest or the stocky built ..
Positionally. They both tend to operate in same areas of the field.
 

General_Elegancia

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I think prolifik might have been better with a 442 with De Bruyne on the left and Gullit on the right. I think this would be a better use of the space horizontally speaking.
In the defensive phase especially in this game against Dunk's wide combination, for sure. I mean KDB and Gullit might drop into defense each flank combination in a flat 4-4-2 shape.
 

Gio

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Hard one to separate. Big Dunk's got complementary partnerships everywhere and nicely balanced 4-man units in defence and midfield, can't fault it.