The only way his World Cup is impressive is in a possession setting. Possession football is bound to be alien to most generations in this draft and you are compelled to pick at least 5 pre-70s players. It's just far too easy to end up with an incoherent side, that's the main issue.
That is one issue but the biggest one is that he doesn't really work in a midfield two with an AM, he needs that 4-3-3 with a DM (or two DM's for Spain in truth). Both me and Gio have seen that first hand so he'll be aware of the risks. I won the last all time draft in spite of Xavi, he was actually a detriment to me the whole way which is crazy for how good he is - but the truth is he needs that correct system, which I wasn't prepared to give him.
Cheers Theon.Congrats on the new house Gio
That's a bit simplistic. We're talking about 192 of the greatest 200-230 players that ever lived. The majority of them are going to be more than comfortable on the ball. It's just a case of good management to ensure the right blend.The only way his World Cup is impressive is in a possession setting. Possession football is bound to be alien to most generations in this draft and you are compelled to pick at least 5 pre-70s players. It's just far too easy to end up with an incoherent side, that's the main issue.
The only way his World Cup is impressive is in a possession setting. Possession football is bound to be alien to most generations in this draft and you are compelled to pick at least 5 pre-70s players. It's just far too easy to end up with an incoherent side, that's the main issue.
He needs it though, absolutely, I think I was among the ones giving you the most stick but once you had Ronnie-XXX, Jairzinho-C. Alberto and Fat Ronaldo I didn't give a shit any more. Actually, you never thanked me for letting you get Ronaldo instead of YYY who looked a liability in that side as well.![]()
I did consider a few other midfielders in the same ilk, but none of them truly mastered the ball in the same way as Xavi has done.
Cheers Theon.
That's a bit simplistic. We're talking about 192 of the greatest 200-230 players that ever lived. The majority of them are going to be more than comfortable on the ball. It's just a case of good management to ensure the right blend.
I did consider a few other midfielders in the same ilk, but none of them truly mastered the ball in the same way as Xavi has done.
That isn't very accurate at all. Xavi/Iniesta/XXXX are among/if not the best midfield in terms of handling pressure from opponents and using it against them. How many teams managed to stand up against them and actually win the midfield battle.
If anything a player like Xavi will be incredibly effective against more erratic players with a higher engine which was common in the past.
You have to nail the perfect team to make it work -but the same goes with most players.
Oh you bastard
I actually had ruled him out until someone reminded me what an excellent world cup he had in 98Oh you bastard
I actually had ruled him out until someone reminded me what an excellent world cup he had in 98.
Great job by Jayvin to get the partnership of Rivaldo and Ronaldo.![]()
Great, proven and productive partnerships Crappy and Jayvin. It was a bit ridiculous in the last but one all-time draft we did Kopa didn't get picked until round 10.I pick Raymond Kopa to link up with his partner in crome
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I think he probably hates me right now for what I wrote about BeckenbauerI've already fallen in love with Theon's team due to him choosing Baggio. I felt he was a wee bit hard done by during the all-time draft debates, but he should be an easier sell this time around with World Cup form at the centre of the discussion. Will be interested to see how Theon chooses to accommodate Zico and Baggio as he's not frightened to experiment with different formations. 3-5-2 this time around maybe? Still alot of good foils around for his current picks imo.
It is simplistic. The right blend is probably achievable but then you have the constraints to worry about, what other people choose to pick... it's basically nailing your colours on a mast and leaving you little room for manoeuvre going forward. That's all I'm pointing out, I agree there are few midfield playmakers that are much use left.
Iniesta is already in a different team. Edit the other one as he hasn't been picked. If you had all three and nailed everything else of course it's great. Mind you, Spain's World Cup didn't set the world alight. I think they only turned up against Germany myself. It's a very specific style, most players will adapt to something more conventional, but here you really get yourself in a straightjacket. Not that I'm not getting myself into one!
All in all, I like themes, some are easier to pull off than others though.
I pick Edgar Davids.
I've already fallen in love with Theon's team due to him choosing Baggio. I felt he was a wee bit hard done by during the all-time draft debates, but he should be an easier sell this time around with World Cup form at the centre of the discussion.
Thought he might slide a few more picks. But then I've done so much trumpeting of his performances in and around 1998 in the past that his stock on the Caf has grown a little. He was absolutely immense then, especially against Yugoslavia (the winning goal capped a fine performance), Argentina (a fascinating head-to-head showdown with Veron) and Brazil (spents most of his time covering his centre-halves arses, and managing to quell the great Ronaldo in the process).
The danger with PM's!
It was unlikely he would have gotten to me anyway so mehh
I think he probably hates me right now for what I wrote about Beckenbauer![]()
I actually told Theon myself he should pick the defender I wantThis. I'm stopping PMs guys, much as I enjoy them. I was bouncing idea with Balu about Davids, then open a PM from Theon saying he is picking Davids and posting his tactics plan (inc. unpicked players I may yet be interested in!), then asks me about defenders... and Balu has told me one he wants...
fecking nightmare guys, I'll leave you two to it!
Yeah Baggio couldn't be any lower than a round 2 pick given his talismanic performances in 1994 and his wondergoal in 1990. I'd have been interested had the others missed out on him.
I think he probably hates me right now for what I wrote about Beckenbauer![]()
Yeah Baggio couldn't be any lower than a round 2 pick given his talismanic performances in 1994 and his wondergoal in 1990. I'd have been interested had the others missed out on him.
Already done. I'm off now, let's hope we get a few more picks done tomorrow.Balu, don't forget to PM Fergus, I never do because you are around so it would be easy for you to forget.
That is one issue but the biggest one is that he doesn't really work in a midfield two with an AM, he needs that 4-3-3 with a DM (or two DM's for Spain in truth). Both me and Gio have seen that first hand so he'll be aware of the risks. I won the last all time draft in spite of Xavi, he was actually a detriment to me the whole way which is crazy for how good he is - but the truth is he needs that correct system, which I wasn't prepared to give him.
I always think that criticism of Xavi is mental, he didn't fit into the Barcelona side, he defined it and it was built around him. Iniesta gets away with zero criticism despite being the one of the two who has a system that fits him perfectly.