Post by Kieran on Jan 20, 2013 1:41:30 GMT
Hello, welcome to the Premier League Draft Game. Basically, 16 players have spent the last few weeks picking players to make a team (you can see how they did it in this thread pldraftgame.freeforums.net/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=2 ). and they are now ready to go head-to-head against each other to win your vote - which do you think is the better team? The voter has both the squad-sheet and the bios/tactics to consider!
The key rule for this edition of the game is that players are to be judged on the basis of their performances in the Premier League - so what they did in other leagues, in cup competitions or on the international stage is not directly relevant here.
Additionally, voters are requested to please justify the votes you cast: an explanation of why you voted for the team you did would be much appreciated and would add to the game as a whole. If you vote but don't justify your selection, then that vote may be discarded when totting up the final results. Please vote and adhere to the rules on each match thread.
Good luck to McNulty and AB!
McNulty- Formation/bio/tactics
@apple_bonkers- Formation/bio/tactics
The key rule for this edition of the game is that players are to be judged on the basis of their performances in the Premier League - so what they did in other leagues, in cup competitions or on the international stage is not directly relevant here.
Additionally, voters are requested to please justify the votes you cast: an explanation of why you voted for the team you did would be much appreciated and would add to the game as a whole. If you vote but don't justify your selection, then that vote may be discarded when totting up the final results. Please vote and adhere to the rules on each match thread.
Good luck to McNulty and AB!
McNulty- Formation/bio/tactics
Brad Friedel has been one of the most consistant goalkeepers in Premier League history, underlined by the fact he didn't miss a single league match for over 8 years. His importance was highlighted after leaving his previous clubs, with Blackburn falling from 7th to 15th whilst Aston Villa dropped from 9th to 16th the season after he left. He was named in the PFA team of the year in 2003 and is still playing at the top level at the grand age of 41.
Glen Johnson has improved a lot defensively in the last couple of seasons after some criticism earlier in his career, but his main asset is going forward. Leighton Baines is the only defender to have had more shots on target this season, whilst he has created the 3rd most chances from defence in the league. He has secured the right back spot in the England squad and has 45 caps to his name.
Steve Bruce was named alongside Tony Adams in the Premier League 10 season awards as the best domestic centre back as voted by critics and the public. The old fashioned centre back was virtually an ever present during Man Utd's first four seasons in the Premier League (92-96), a period in which they won three league titles and conceded the least goals of any team.
Sol Campbell was twice a Premier League winner at Arsenal and played 35 of the 38 matches in their invincible season in 2003/04, where they conceded just 26 goals. He has also won 2 FA cups, been named 3 times in the PFA team of the year whilst also picking up 73 caps for his country.
John Arne Riise made over 337 appearances for Liverpool in a time where they picked up both the FA Cup and Champions League titles. He showed an eye for goal especially in their Champions League winning season where he managed 8 goals in all competitions. Defensively he also impressed, helping Pepe Reina win the Golden Glove Award (most clean sheets) for 3 consecutive seasons between 2005-07.
Nani has provided the 10th most assists in Premier League history, hitting double figure assists in his last 3 seasons. His total of 9 goals and 18 assists in the 2010/11 season was his best to date, helping Man Utd to their 19th league title. His speed and trickery will give any full back a tough test, especially any that lack a yard of pace.
Luka Modric was hailed by critics in his time at Tottenham with his ability to pick up the ball from deep positions and dictate the play. His performances on the pitch led Spurs to two top 4 finishes in 3 years (the highest in their history) and a Champions League Quarter Final spot, which in turn earnt him a £30m move to Real Madrid last summer.
Marouane Fellaini has shown a new attacking threat this season, being almost unplayable at times this season with his strength in the air and ball control. Previously he has been employed in a deeper position, being amonst the top players in the league each season for successful tackles completed. His all round ability could be utilised in many different ways, linking him with a host of big clubs for a big money money move this summer.
Ashley Young has all the abilities required of a top class winger, his great pace and dribbling skills will get the better of most full backs, whilst his passing and crossing ability gives any team a great attacking threat from wide areas. His performances at Aston Villa earnt him a place in the PFA team of the year in consecutive seasons (07/08 & 08/09).
Carlos Tevez found his best goalscoring form for Man City over the 09/10 & 10/11 seasons scoring 43 goals in total, higher than any other player in the Premier League during this period. His relentless worth ethic and determination makes him a menace to any defence and great partner of any forward duo. The 13 assists he has managed so far this season (most in the league) also shows his efficiency playing as a second striker.
Eric Cantona has been widely regarded as Ferguson's best ever signing, after joining from Leeds for just £1.2m he transformed Man Utd to win their first league title and begin their reign of dominance. Cantona was a magician who could beat players at ease and score goals that other players wouldn't even attempt. He won four league titles in 5 years with at Man Utd, the one season he did not win the league was because he missed the second half of the campaign through his 'kung-fu kick' suspension, highlighting his importance and inspiration to the team. He was shortlisted for the Best Player in the Premier League 20 Seasons Awards and was named as Man Utd's second best player in history in an official poll.
Glen Johnson has improved a lot defensively in the last couple of seasons after some criticism earlier in his career, but his main asset is going forward. Leighton Baines is the only defender to have had more shots on target this season, whilst he has created the 3rd most chances from defence in the league. He has secured the right back spot in the England squad and has 45 caps to his name.
Steve Bruce was named alongside Tony Adams in the Premier League 10 season awards as the best domestic centre back as voted by critics and the public. The old fashioned centre back was virtually an ever present during Man Utd's first four seasons in the Premier League (92-96), a period in which they won three league titles and conceded the least goals of any team.
Sol Campbell was twice a Premier League winner at Arsenal and played 35 of the 38 matches in their invincible season in 2003/04, where they conceded just 26 goals. He has also won 2 FA cups, been named 3 times in the PFA team of the year whilst also picking up 73 caps for his country.
John Arne Riise made over 337 appearances for Liverpool in a time where they picked up both the FA Cup and Champions League titles. He showed an eye for goal especially in their Champions League winning season where he managed 8 goals in all competitions. Defensively he also impressed, helping Pepe Reina win the Golden Glove Award (most clean sheets) for 3 consecutive seasons between 2005-07.
Nani has provided the 10th most assists in Premier League history, hitting double figure assists in his last 3 seasons. His total of 9 goals and 18 assists in the 2010/11 season was his best to date, helping Man Utd to their 19th league title. His speed and trickery will give any full back a tough test, especially any that lack a yard of pace.
Luka Modric was hailed by critics in his time at Tottenham with his ability to pick up the ball from deep positions and dictate the play. His performances on the pitch led Spurs to two top 4 finishes in 3 years (the highest in their history) and a Champions League Quarter Final spot, which in turn earnt him a £30m move to Real Madrid last summer.
Marouane Fellaini has shown a new attacking threat this season, being almost unplayable at times this season with his strength in the air and ball control. Previously he has been employed in a deeper position, being amonst the top players in the league each season for successful tackles completed. His all round ability could be utilised in many different ways, linking him with a host of big clubs for a big money money move this summer.
Ashley Young has all the abilities required of a top class winger, his great pace and dribbling skills will get the better of most full backs, whilst his passing and crossing ability gives any team a great attacking threat from wide areas. His performances at Aston Villa earnt him a place in the PFA team of the year in consecutive seasons (07/08 & 08/09).
Carlos Tevez found his best goalscoring form for Man City over the 09/10 & 10/11 seasons scoring 43 goals in total, higher than any other player in the Premier League during this period. His relentless worth ethic and determination makes him a menace to any defence and great partner of any forward duo. The 13 assists he has managed so far this season (most in the league) also shows his efficiency playing as a second striker.
Eric Cantona has been widely regarded as Ferguson's best ever signing, after joining from Leeds for just £1.2m he transformed Man Utd to win their first league title and begin their reign of dominance. Cantona was a magician who could beat players at ease and score goals that other players wouldn't even attempt. He won four league titles in 5 years with at Man Utd, the one season he did not win the league was because he missed the second half of the campaign through his 'kung-fu kick' suspension, highlighting his importance and inspiration to the team. He was shortlisted for the Best Player in the Premier League 20 Seasons Awards and was named as Man Utd's second best player in history in an official poll.
Tactics
Consistant and commanding presence in goal in Brad Friedel, who can always be relied upon
Two rigid centre backs in Campbell and Bruce will give an attacking license to both Riise and Glen Johnson to support the attacking phases of the match when needed. Two traditional centrebacks could also prove a wall against Berbatov, whos lack of work rate may limit his chances and against such a strong defence the 'flat track bully' may well fail to find the net
Modric will be the deep lying playmaker and his ability to use both feet and quickly see a pass will be deadly when on the counter, feeding it out to Nani and Young on the wings (or the full backs) to move the ball up the pitch with pace.
This is also the area where I think AB is lacking, with no natural wide midfielders he may play Robinho and Anelka out wide who are unlikely to track back. This could prove a weak spot to expose with the explosive threat from both Nani and Young could cause serious problems for his full backs.
Fellaini has only been used in an advanced role this season, but previously he was used as a defensive midfielder in which Everton produced strong defensive displays season by season (it also perhaps explains their lack of CS's this season). The stats tables have him high up each year for average tackles per game and he will be used in a deeper role to counter the strength of AB's centre midfielders. He also provides a great threat from set pieces and an alternative option if any plan B tactics are required, such as being deployed in a more advanced role
Tevez will use his energy to move around the space between AB's defence and midfield, picking up passes to feed out wide or looking to dribble or pass forward to Cantona who will have more of a free role. Cantona's technical ability, strength and finishing should compliment Tevez's work rate and doggedness to make a deadly strike partnership.
Consistant and commanding presence in goal in Brad Friedel, who can always be relied upon
Two rigid centre backs in Campbell and Bruce will give an attacking license to both Riise and Glen Johnson to support the attacking phases of the match when needed. Two traditional centrebacks could also prove a wall against Berbatov, whos lack of work rate may limit his chances and against such a strong defence the 'flat track bully' may well fail to find the net
Modric will be the deep lying playmaker and his ability to use both feet and quickly see a pass will be deadly when on the counter, feeding it out to Nani and Young on the wings (or the full backs) to move the ball up the pitch with pace.
This is also the area where I think AB is lacking, with no natural wide midfielders he may play Robinho and Anelka out wide who are unlikely to track back. This could prove a weak spot to expose with the explosive threat from both Nani and Young could cause serious problems for his full backs.
Fellaini has only been used in an advanced role this season, but previously he was used as a defensive midfielder in which Everton produced strong defensive displays season by season (it also perhaps explains their lack of CS's this season). The stats tables have him high up each year for average tackles per game and he will be used in a deeper role to counter the strength of AB's centre midfielders. He also provides a great threat from set pieces and an alternative option if any plan B tactics are required, such as being deployed in a more advanced role
Tevez will use his energy to move around the space between AB's defence and midfield, picking up passes to feed out wide or looking to dribble or pass forward to Cantona who will have more of a free role. Cantona's technical ability, strength and finishing should compliment Tevez's work rate and doggedness to make a deadly strike partnership.
@apple_bonkers- Formation/bio/tactics
Bio:
Jens Lehmann. He was the invincibles keeper in his 1st season. In his 2nd season he won the FA Cup saving a Scholes penalty in the shoot-out after a 0-0. In his 3rd season he won UEFA goalkeeper of the year, set a European record for minutes without conceding, then, albeit not with Arsenal, showed his class by being named in the 2006 World Cup All-Star Team. He had 1 more full season but age was starting to creep up with him so at 38 he returned to Germany for a well-earned pint of Beck's.
Ashley Cole. Leagues, cups, PFA team of the years, UEFA team of the years. Has there been a better left back?
Gary Pallister. In his 6 Premier League seasons with Man Utd he was voted in the PFA Team of the Year 4 times, only Rio Ferdinand has been in more as a CB. An amazing 18 home clean sheets in 94/95. Tall and aerially dominant, but also composed on the ball, Pallister is the zonal defender of this partnership. He chipped in with some important goals too including a brace in what was labelled the title-decider at Anfield in 96/97.
Paul McGrath. In 92/93 he won the big one, PFA Player of the Year, an award voted for by all the players who faced him. Only John Terry has won the award since as a defender. Whilst the Bruce & Pallister partnership flourished domestically their dismantling by genuinely world-class foreign talent in Europe was worrying. McGrath is picked for this reason, for his extra athleticism and man-marking ability. The bigger the game it seemed the bigger the performance. Won the League Cup in 93/94 and 95/96.
Markus Babbel. Defensively he was the same player who won Euro 96 as a first-choice CB. Attacking wise he’s the man who chipped in with 6 goals in Liverpool’s treble winning season. He was able to play right back due to surprising pace for his height & great stamina. A bad illness cut his PL career short but his résumé & performances in 00/01 remain untouched.
Ruud Gullit. The reason Gullit can come across as an arrogant arse on TV is that he’s talking about a game he was ridiculously good at. The former world player of the year knew that Chelsea team wasn’t good enough to challenge for the league so with the pressure off he went and had fun for a season, strolling into the PFA Team of the Year and finishing runner up to Cantona in Footballer of the Year. Even at 33/34 he could dictate from a deep midfield position.
Patrick Vieira (C). I’d argue this captain of the invincibles was the best PL player ever in terms of importance rather than just pure ability. 6 straight PFA Team of the Year appearances, Premier League Player of the Season in 00/01, 3 Leagues, 4 FA Cups & won everything with France while at Arsenal. A superb blend of beastly and elegantly talented. Arsenal haven’t won a thing since he left whilst he went and won 5 Serie A titles in his 5 seasons in Italy…with 2 different teams. Vieira = a winner.
Yaya Toure. $urpri$ingly left a successful Barcelona to join Man City. A top 4 place & the winning goal in the FA Cup final in his first season, last season it was the league title and an overdue place in the PFA team of the year. Like Vieira a blend of skill/technical ability and athleticism which has rarely been seen in the PL.
Robinho. In his one full season Robinho showed bursts of real talent. He finished 4th top scorer as a winger with 14 goals in 31 games. He’s also picked here due to his ability to pick-out a pass. 5 assists in that season suggests otherwise but the context is the bizarre merry-go-round of forwards he was trying to feed: Caicedo, Ched Evans, Sturridge, Benjani, Jo, Vassel & Bojinov. Here it’s Anelka and Berbatov at their best.
Berbatov. Infinitely gifted, a Bulgarian budget Bergkamp. He can play as the furthest man forward in a position where he won the league & golden boot with Manchester United or play slightly withdrawn & use the playmaking ability which got him into double-figures for assists in each of his first 3 Premier League seasons (only Fabregas assisted more over those 3 seasons). Made the PFA Team of the Year twice.
Anelka. Extreme pace which only the likes of Henry, Walcott, Martins or a young Owen could rival, for this reason he excelled as an off the shoulder player. Also had the touch & skill to play wide as he did at Chelsea, reaching double figures for assists in 09/10 as they won the league. He’s the only attacking player to win the Premier League with 2 different teams. Also 2 PFA Team of the year appearances, a PFA Young Player of the Year, 3 FA Cups & a golden boot.
Jens Lehmann. He was the invincibles keeper in his 1st season. In his 2nd season he won the FA Cup saving a Scholes penalty in the shoot-out after a 0-0. In his 3rd season he won UEFA goalkeeper of the year, set a European record for minutes without conceding, then, albeit not with Arsenal, showed his class by being named in the 2006 World Cup All-Star Team. He had 1 more full season but age was starting to creep up with him so at 38 he returned to Germany for a well-earned pint of Beck's.
Ashley Cole. Leagues, cups, PFA team of the years, UEFA team of the years. Has there been a better left back?
Gary Pallister. In his 6 Premier League seasons with Man Utd he was voted in the PFA Team of the Year 4 times, only Rio Ferdinand has been in more as a CB. An amazing 18 home clean sheets in 94/95. Tall and aerially dominant, but also composed on the ball, Pallister is the zonal defender of this partnership. He chipped in with some important goals too including a brace in what was labelled the title-decider at Anfield in 96/97.
Paul McGrath. In 92/93 he won the big one, PFA Player of the Year, an award voted for by all the players who faced him. Only John Terry has won the award since as a defender. Whilst the Bruce & Pallister partnership flourished domestically their dismantling by genuinely world-class foreign talent in Europe was worrying. McGrath is picked for this reason, for his extra athleticism and man-marking ability. The bigger the game it seemed the bigger the performance. Won the League Cup in 93/94 and 95/96.
Markus Babbel. Defensively he was the same player who won Euro 96 as a first-choice CB. Attacking wise he’s the man who chipped in with 6 goals in Liverpool’s treble winning season. He was able to play right back due to surprising pace for his height & great stamina. A bad illness cut his PL career short but his résumé & performances in 00/01 remain untouched.
Ruud Gullit. The reason Gullit can come across as an arrogant arse on TV is that he’s talking about a game he was ridiculously good at. The former world player of the year knew that Chelsea team wasn’t good enough to challenge for the league so with the pressure off he went and had fun for a season, strolling into the PFA Team of the Year and finishing runner up to Cantona in Footballer of the Year. Even at 33/34 he could dictate from a deep midfield position.
Patrick Vieira (C). I’d argue this captain of the invincibles was the best PL player ever in terms of importance rather than just pure ability. 6 straight PFA Team of the Year appearances, Premier League Player of the Season in 00/01, 3 Leagues, 4 FA Cups & won everything with France while at Arsenal. A superb blend of beastly and elegantly talented. Arsenal haven’t won a thing since he left whilst he went and won 5 Serie A titles in his 5 seasons in Italy…with 2 different teams. Vieira = a winner.
Yaya Toure. $urpri$ingly left a successful Barcelona to join Man City. A top 4 place & the winning goal in the FA Cup final in his first season, last season it was the league title and an overdue place in the PFA team of the year. Like Vieira a blend of skill/technical ability and athleticism which has rarely been seen in the PL.
Robinho. In his one full season Robinho showed bursts of real talent. He finished 4th top scorer as a winger with 14 goals in 31 games. He’s also picked here due to his ability to pick-out a pass. 5 assists in that season suggests otherwise but the context is the bizarre merry-go-round of forwards he was trying to feed: Caicedo, Ched Evans, Sturridge, Benjani, Jo, Vassel & Bojinov. Here it’s Anelka and Berbatov at their best.
Berbatov. Infinitely gifted, a Bulgarian budget Bergkamp. He can play as the furthest man forward in a position where he won the league & golden boot with Manchester United or play slightly withdrawn & use the playmaking ability which got him into double-figures for assists in each of his first 3 Premier League seasons (only Fabregas assisted more over those 3 seasons). Made the PFA Team of the Year twice.
Anelka. Extreme pace which only the likes of Henry, Walcott, Martins or a young Owen could rival, for this reason he excelled as an off the shoulder player. Also had the touch & skill to play wide as he did at Chelsea, reaching double figures for assists in 09/10 as they won the league. He’s the only attacking player to win the Premier League with 2 different teams. Also 2 PFA Team of the year appearances, a PFA Young Player of the Year, 3 FA Cups & a golden boot.
Tactics:
I guess on paper it’s a 4-3-3, similar to Mourinho’s Chelsea. The twist involves the trio of Berbatov, Anelka and Yaya Toure. I want Anelka as a centre forward winger hybrid, tucked inside slightly and pushed right up on the last line of defence to primarily try and exploit the gap between centre back and left back. Basically I want all of his pace and finishing ability, but as a complement to Berbatov, not instead of him.
Yaya’s role is to be the Lampard (of 2005) of the middle trio and have the freedom to stampede into the box. It needs a man with Yaya’s engine to work as he also has the right side of the pitch behind Anelka to drive into but also cover defensively if needed. Essentially a CM/CAM on paper but also with both the freedom and responsibility to attack/cover the right side of the pitch between Anelka and Babbel.
Finally Berbatov, I almost want him as a false 9 as the ball sticks to him, draw centre backs up to him, and try to open up gaps for Anelka and Robinho to be played into. The only time I want him right up on the last man is on goal kicks due to his aerial/hold up ability.
Otherwise very standard, Robinho the tricky winger given freedom by Cole’s reliability. Vieira the all-action man in the middle, Gullit a deep-lying playmaker to spray passes, Babbel a normal right back and Cole a normal left back. I chose Babbel at right back as with Anelka so attacking in front of him I wanted first and foremost a defender, so an ex centre back for Germany and Bayern Munich fits the bill. Vieira and Yaya Toure will be helping out right and left too defensively. Only slight tweak is McGrath’s job is to stick to their striker against a one man strike force, don’t let him breathe, even follow him to the toilet at half time, with Pallister to play a more zonal role. Against a two man strike-force a standard defensive set-up.
I guess on paper it’s a 4-3-3, similar to Mourinho’s Chelsea. The twist involves the trio of Berbatov, Anelka and Yaya Toure. I want Anelka as a centre forward winger hybrid, tucked inside slightly and pushed right up on the last line of defence to primarily try and exploit the gap between centre back and left back. Basically I want all of his pace and finishing ability, but as a complement to Berbatov, not instead of him.
Yaya’s role is to be the Lampard (of 2005) of the middle trio and have the freedom to stampede into the box. It needs a man with Yaya’s engine to work as he also has the right side of the pitch behind Anelka to drive into but also cover defensively if needed. Essentially a CM/CAM on paper but also with both the freedom and responsibility to attack/cover the right side of the pitch between Anelka and Babbel.
Finally Berbatov, I almost want him as a false 9 as the ball sticks to him, draw centre backs up to him, and try to open up gaps for Anelka and Robinho to be played into. The only time I want him right up on the last man is on goal kicks due to his aerial/hold up ability.
Otherwise very standard, Robinho the tricky winger given freedom by Cole’s reliability. Vieira the all-action man in the middle, Gullit a deep-lying playmaker to spray passes, Babbel a normal right back and Cole a normal left back. I chose Babbel at right back as with Anelka so attacking in front of him I wanted first and foremost a defender, so an ex centre back for Germany and Bayern Munich fits the bill. Vieira and Yaya Toure will be helping out right and left too defensively. Only slight tweak is McGrath’s job is to stick to their striker against a one man strike force, don’t let him breathe, even follow him to the toilet at half time, with Pallister to play a more zonal role. Against a two man strike-force a standard defensive set-up.
) 
But that doesn't play out in this game, so....
