Sjor Harmsopoly: R1 - GSTQ vs P-nut

[Šjor Bepo]

vs

Team GSTQ

THEME - With an average age of 22.5 years, the front 5 is inspired from Alan Hansen's quote and the class of 92. Special mention to Edwards who falls under the same bracket.

TACTICS -

Style of play -

1. Free flowing attacking football, score more goals than the opponent.
2. Defend compactly, close down the centre completely and force the opponent's play out wide.
3. Entertainment, entertainment, entertainment.

Special features -

1. Best and Ronaldinho exchange positions at will.
2. Kopa and Figo exchange positions at will.
3. Edwards leaves old Matthews on crutches.
4. Young Figo and Best to work their socks off on the wings.



Team P-nut

DEFENCE

A proven partnership in Pepe and Carvalho, played together at Madrid and Portugal. Classic stopper-sweeper combo.

Full backs are dependable and steady, they will back up the wingers rather than being free flowing ultra attacking full backs.

MIDFIELD

A world class CM partnership to take control of the game with power and strength. Rijkaard will sit as more of the holder, blocking any pathway through the centre of the pitch whilst Coluna has more license to dictate the gameplay with his dribbling abilities and overloading the attack.

Totti slots in as a AM/SS he's not tasked with dictating the game as a normal #10, but instead will feed off Riva ensuring there is always someone close by to encourage interplay.

WINGERS

I've gone for 2 contrasting widemen, Matthews will be your typical chalk on the boots winger, looking to supply dangerous crosses into the box and keeping the pitch spread wide. Rivaldo is more of your modern winger, coming inside to link play and add goals to the side.

STRIKER

Riva will lead the line, capable of great hold up play, but also running the channels. He'll look to push the opposition defence deeper and open space for Totti and Rivaldo behind him.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

@GodShaveTheQueen @P-Nut good luck!

 

[Physiocrat]

GSTQ side could play some excellent football here although they a bit too top heavy for my liking. Someone like Schuster instead of Kopa or Dinho would balance it a bit better.

That said Coluna and Rijkaard is a lightweight midfield as both very much liked to get forward. Now it might work if it is later Ajax Rikjaard but still, Coluna I'd an attacking B2B who I would want ideally as the most attacking of a midfield three.

@GodShaveTheQueen Is there any footage of Di Stefano at River Plate?

 

[Michaelf7777777]

Voted for GSTQ as P-Nut's defense looks weak by All Time standards (with the exception of Carvalho) imo

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

Someone like Schuster instead of Kopa or Dinho would balance it a bit better.

Yea, I agree. Once I decided the theme, the number of options I had for various positions reduced drastically.

I was really desperate to land on squares that led to Schuster and Edwards all through the later half of the draft. Got lucky with Edwards, not so much with Schuster.

Even though its top heavy, it has to be kept in mind that the back 5 (and GK) is super strong too, even by all time standards.

@GodShaveTheQueen Is there any footage of Di Stefano at River Plate?

I don't think so. I am just going by the reputation and numbers during that time and the eventual player he became while maintaining his goal scoring numbers.

Mind you, I am not even using his overall traits as the GOAT he became and just using him as a pure No.9 (I am free to use his Madrid version as well if I wish to, but that would not work with the theme)

He played as a CF in the last few active years of the famous La Maquina and became the 2nd biggest player in Argentina in just the 3 young years he spent at River Plate.

In his very first season at the club itself, he became the top scorer of the Argentine Primera Division.

At 23, alongside Pedernera, he led the player's strike to gain professional status and rights which eventually led him to go and play in Colombia like most other Argentine players of that time.

It probably still is a gamble to some extent, but its an educated gamble.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

@GodShaveTheQueen at times you would need to defend with a back 4, i assume Edwards would drop back as CB? Front three workrates(at least Best and Di Stefano(educated guess)) is brilliant but im not sure about Kopa and Dinho? Specially latter....

saying that, with those 2 in pockets and Di Stefano dropping a bit im not sure how @P-Nut would defend that without a proper DM

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

at times you would need to defend with a back 4, i assume Edwards would drop back as CB?

No, as mentioned in OP, it will always be a back 3, a compact one that would let the opposition take the ball out wide while closing down the centre.

Want to draw their fullbacks out to hit hard on the counter or let them resort to hopeful crosses inside the box from outwide. Centrally, I dont think they are beating those 5.

Not saying we will maintain a cleansheet of course.

Front three workrates(at least Best and Di Stefano(educated guess)) is brilliant but im not sure about Kopa and Dinho?

Kopa I never concentrated on that aspect, so can't comment.

But Ronaldinho, from the PSG footage I saw, actually did try to close down the other midfielders and try to win the ball back in his younger years.

Work rate will never be a problem with a team this young anyways, yet to develop their egos (except Best maybe)

 

[Physiocrat]

@GodShaveTheQueen Di Stefano seems a good fit here especially since you don't need a false 9 version

 

[Physiocrat]

No, as mentioned in OP, it will always be a back 3, a compact one that would let the opposition take the ball out wide while closing down the centre.

So Figo and Best are uber attacking wingbacks then? A bold choice but certainly could work.

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

So Figo and Best are uber attacking wingbacks then? A bold choice but certainly could work.

I am not sure how you conclude that. No, they are not. We are playing without proper wingbacks or fullbacks. Retro style.

 

[Physiocrat]

I am not sure how you conclude that. No, they are not. We are playing without proper wingbacks or fullbacks. Retro style.

Ah OK. Got you.

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

@GodShaveTheQueen Di Stefano seems a good fit here especially since you don't need a false 9 version

Yea, probably will return back to his complete footballer gig if I do win a game or two, but this was a fun role to give him, away from his usual draft goat shenanigans

 

[Gio]

Superb defensive fit for the shape for GSTQ. Di Stefano looks clean as a whistle there too.

Pnut will get joy against such an attacking set-up, with a very complementary front 4.

I’m going 3-2 to GSTQ

 

[Šjor Bepo]

as old school WM goes this is pretty good from scrappy....my question is, if we ignore the dinosaur era was there ever a good team that didnt defend the flanks? You can find multiple 3 formation teams but all had plans to defend the flanks, being them formed a back 4 or midfielders stepping out wide etc.

 

[P-Nut]

I'm finally around.

The defence isn't ideal, got a bit screwed with club specific boxes when I only had full backs left to pick, and the only all time choice in Cole being blocked. However, I think their weaknesses can be covered by the system. They aren't tasked with being uber attacking and providing the width, they will back up play so they are in position to defend counters and have a defence first mentality. Piszscek made team of the season twice in the Bundesliga, both times coming outside a title winning year so he got there on merit, not due to the teams achievements. Winterburn of course won loads at Arsenal and even got their player of the season once, so whilst all time they might not stack up, judging purely on their performances at the respective clubs they are capable of doing a job.

 

[P-Nut]

On Coluna and Rijkaard not being defensively sound enough I think I might have watched the wrong match clips then. Coluna comes across as a all action box to box midfielder, with a penchant for dribbling and a long range strike. He regains possession multiple times, and constantly has 4 or 5 players ahead of him when he gets on the ball.

Rijkaard is possibly the greatest DM there has been for me personally, again an absolute physical specimen, and I think the fact Coluna is capable defensively should mean they dovetail well together.

Not on a quality side, but the similarities to our own conundrum with Mainoo at the moment is similar. Mainoo looks to be a defensively capable box to box midfielder, that can dictate games. I'd personally like to pair him with a DM that is capable of contributing going forward to prevent predictability, and here you've got the same dovetailing.

Highlights


Match compilation courtesy Joga

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Rijkaard is possibly the greatest DM there has been for me personally, again an absolute physical specimen, and I think the fact Coluna is capable defensively should mean they dovetail well together.

when exactly did he play as a DM?

 

[harms]

Looks like something crazy, the score would be like 5:4. I'm counting on Edwards to help out that GSTQ's defense, otherwise that Matthews flank is a huge issue.

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

I'm counting on Edwards to help out that GSTQ's defense, otherwise that Matthews flank is a huge issue.

Yep, Edwards and the stretchers are both good to go to take care of Matthews as indicated in the OP.

Special features -

1. Best and Ronaldinho exchange positions at will.
2. Kopa and Figo exchange positions at will.
3. Edwards leaves old Matthews on crutches.
4. Young Figo and Best to work their socks off on the wings.

 

[P-Nut]

when exactly did he play as a DM?

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fra...=&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=6&trainer_id=

Constantly, 89-93 he played DM in pretty much every league game he played.

 

[Synco]

Ridiculous quality in GTSQ's side, inch-perfect WM with a 5-5 defense/offense separation. I also like that both Edwards and Schweinsteiger can drop to take over the deeper buildup if needed.

The big question is what others have said already, P-Nut has the right tools to hit the opponent where it hurts. So it's attacking overkill vs systemic advantage, and I usually vote against WMs vs a modern formation, but, credit to GSTQ's drafting, I'm not sure here.

 

[Synco]

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fra...=&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=6&trainer_id=

Constantly, 89-93 he played DM in pretty much every league game he played.

Warning you that this was a trick question from Sjor.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fra...=&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=6&trainer_id=

Constantly, 89-93 he played DM in pretty much every league game he played.

Well, transfermarkt is wrong then as i watched over 20 games from that list and made around 15 match compilations where i followed only him and he didnt play as a DM in a single game. Mind you, i also picked tougher games as you would expect a GOAT dm would maybe get more freedom in easier fixtures but in tougher games for sure he would be used in a position where he is amongst best ever.

 

[Gio]

Rijkaard/Coluna looks fine to me as a two. Both had a verticality to their games but both were intelligent enough to know how to play with a partner.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

PNut defensive line is underwhelming given the opposition. Give this to GSTQ.

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

Rijkaard/Coluna looks fine to me as a two. Both had a verticality to their games but both were intelligent enough to know how to play with a partner.

Agreed, dont really see the problem that others seem to see. Rijkaard will probably have to play a more reserved game. If one of the three ahead of the midfield had significant workrate, it would have been a lot more easier on the eye

 

[P-Nut]

Warning you that this was a trick question from Sjor.

Oh I'm aware, just a bit on the nose when....

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/4way-draft-final-prolifik-vs-trv.479027/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/decades-chain-draft-final-gio-vs-beam-synco.474334/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/pr-draft-finals-sjor-vs-enigma.472178/

Can't really go further back as the team sheets have all been wiped, but there are 3 finals there with Rijkaard playing as a DM, usually with even less help than he'd get from Coluna and if there is a comment calling him out for being there then I've missed it

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Oh I'm aware, just a bit on the nose when....

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/4way-draft-final-prolifik-vs-trv.479027/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/decades-chain-draft-final-gio-vs-beam-synco.474334/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/pr-draft-finals-sjor-vs-enigma.472178/

Can't really go further back as the team sheets have all been wiped, but there are 3 finals there with Rijkaard playing as a DM, usually with even less help than he'd get from Coluna and if there is a comment calling him out for being there then I've missed it

yes he has a reputation as a DM and like you and probably the most i thought he is one of if not the GOAT dms but after watching hours of footage that cant be further from the truth

guy played as an attacking box to box and hilariously(considring the rep and the fact he was a great CB) he wasnt that good defensive wise

 

[Šjor Bepo]

also i dont have a problem with coluna rijkaard pairing per se, in a different match up it could work but against scrappy who has dinho and kopa in the hole with di stefano dropping at times its an issue and a DM specialist is required

 

[Himannv]

Haven’t read the thread yet but hard to see past that WM.

 

[Physiocrat]

This will definitely be a high scoring game but going with Scrappy 4-3. Too many goals for that defence to stop.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

This will definitely be a high scoring game but going with Scrappy 4-3. Too many goals for that defence to stop.

Sounds about right to me.

 

[Zlatan 7]

Where are pnuts player peaks

 

[harms]

Where are pnuts player peaks

On the formation. The ones without specifications are players with career peaks, I'd imagine.

 

[Synco]

But Ronaldinho, from the PSG footage I saw, actually did try to close down the other midfielders and try to win the ball back in his younger years.

Same with Dinho in a few Milan games I've watched (although this is the PSG version anyway). Good defensive discipline, and quite physical at times.

 

[Enigma_87]

Ridiculous quality in GTSQ's side, inch-perfect WM with a 5-5 defense/offense separation. I also like that both Edwards and Schweinsteiger can drop to take over the deeper buildup if needed.

The big question is what others have said already, P-Nut has the right tools to hit the opponent where it hurts. So it's attacking overkill vs systemic advantage, and I usually vote against WMs vs a modern formation, but, credit to GSTQ's drafting, I'm not sure here.

Aye I’d echo that.

don’t usually vote for WM but here has the edge.

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

Same with Dinho in a few Milan games I've watched (although this is the PSG version anyway). Good defensive discipline, and quite physical at times.

Will probably have to watch a bit more of his PSG stuff as I really only glanced over the flair stuff and just stumbled on the defensive side here and there.

Or we can just wait a few months till Sjor makes compilations to disprove the consensus. Poor Rijkaard.

 

[Zlatan 7]

That W of gtsq is going to be trouble for most

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

Cheers @P-Nut

A more recognized fullback pair away from the 5-4 becoming 4-5 IMO.

 

[P-Nut]

Cheers @P-Nut

A more recognized fullback pair away from the 5-4 becoming 4-5 IMO.

No problem, the outcome was obvious with that back line, but at least you got some feedback going forward. Good luck