Post by Kieran on Jan 20, 2013 1:47:46 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 Rumple and Janie!
Rumple- Formation/bio/tactics
Janie- 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 Rumple and Janie!
Rumple- Formation/bio/tactics
Van Persie:
Currently the Best Striker in the premiership,His finishing ability and the fact he can play as a winger, centre forward and a supporting striker makes him almost indispensable.Enough said
Aguero:
23 goals and 10 assists in 34 games in the Premier League last season. A cool and calm finisher who'll put the ball in the back of the net in any high pressure situation - which showed in his last minute winner to clinch the premier league title for Manchester City last season.
Peter Beardsley:
An excellent player that was very technically gifted and all round ability which led to him scoring many great goals. During his second spell at Newcastle he was played more as a centre attacking midfielder and excelled in this new role. He played for England 59 times and was part of a great partnership with Andrew Cole where between them they scored 55 times in a premier league season. He also was in the PFA team of the year in 1994 and was the runner up in the premier league twice with Newcastle. He was also inducted in the English Football Hall of Fame.
John Barnes:
The Legend had successful periods at Watford and Liverpool in the 1980s and 1990s, winning the First Division twice, the FA Cup twice, and playing for England 79 times.
Barnes converted from a left winger into a holding midfielder later in his career where he pulled all the strings in Midfield and showed his quality on the ball while rarely losing possession.
Many Players regard Barnes as one of the best players Technically they have trained or played with.
Nolberto Solano:
Solano is a RB and RW and his Talents in football range from accurate crosses to accomplished dead-ball skills,He has traditionally played either on the right wing, or as a right back during his career. With a slight frame and low centre of gravity Solano's game is based almost entirely on skill and vision, he in many ways exemplifies the South American type of footballer. During his time at Newcastle he was among the Premiership's most creative midfielders, second only to Thierry Henry in assists for the 2000/2001 season. He is also a dead ball specialist, having scored several memorable long range free-kicks. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iUjZ_731BA
Nigel Martyn:
A very good shot stopper, had it not been for the reliability of David Seamen he would have notched up more caps. Unfortunately a ankle injury forced him to retire in 2006
Christian Ziege:
Ziege Can play LB and LW and was a beautiful crosser of the ball and was well known for scoring some brilliant goals and some good free-kicks. Ziege was considered a dead-ball specialist and was an intelligent footballer.He was capped 72 times for Germany and was a part of the winning Euro 96 German squad. Best of Ziege's goals
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMuImcd5nUs
Steve Staunton:
Very versatile player indeed.In the 1989/90 season may have been the best period of all in Steve Staunton’s career. By this time he was showing his versatility by playing in a variety of roles, from all four positions at the back, to midfield, and sometimes up front. He even scored a hat trick in a League Cup match against Wigan in September ’89 when he was a substitute for Ian Rush. At the end of that season, he picked up a well earned medal as Liverpool won their eighteenth League Championship.
Ryan Shawcross:
Shawcross is a tough tackling defender who came through the Manchester United academy.He is also great in the air and has a good eye for goal.Many believe he should never have left united
Geremi:
Geremi played mostly at right back and has a great shot and free kick in his locker.He is not the fastest in the world but he was known for his great stamina over 90 minutes. He is a versatile player able to play at RB,CB and CM
Vegard Heggem:
Heggem was a pacey skillful player and can play RB and RW, His first two seasons at Anfield were splendid, but he was unfortunately plagued by hamstring injuries and Retired from football. He is best remembered in the premiership by some for the goal he scored for Liverpool here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbQ_q0l0w14
Currently the Best Striker in the premiership,His finishing ability and the fact he can play as a winger, centre forward and a supporting striker makes him almost indispensable.Enough said
Aguero:
23 goals and 10 assists in 34 games in the Premier League last season. A cool and calm finisher who'll put the ball in the back of the net in any high pressure situation - which showed in his last minute winner to clinch the premier league title for Manchester City last season.
Peter Beardsley:
An excellent player that was very technically gifted and all round ability which led to him scoring many great goals. During his second spell at Newcastle he was played more as a centre attacking midfielder and excelled in this new role. He played for England 59 times and was part of a great partnership with Andrew Cole where between them they scored 55 times in a premier league season. He also was in the PFA team of the year in 1994 and was the runner up in the premier league twice with Newcastle. He was also inducted in the English Football Hall of Fame.
John Barnes:
The Legend had successful periods at Watford and Liverpool in the 1980s and 1990s, winning the First Division twice, the FA Cup twice, and playing for England 79 times.
Barnes converted from a left winger into a holding midfielder later in his career where he pulled all the strings in Midfield and showed his quality on the ball while rarely losing possession.
Many Players regard Barnes as one of the best players Technically they have trained or played with.
Nolberto Solano:
Solano is a RB and RW and his Talents in football range from accurate crosses to accomplished dead-ball skills,He has traditionally played either on the right wing, or as a right back during his career. With a slight frame and low centre of gravity Solano's game is based almost entirely on skill and vision, he in many ways exemplifies the South American type of footballer. During his time at Newcastle he was among the Premiership's most creative midfielders, second only to Thierry Henry in assists for the 2000/2001 season. He is also a dead ball specialist, having scored several memorable long range free-kicks. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iUjZ_731BA
Nigel Martyn:
A very good shot stopper, had it not been for the reliability of David Seamen he would have notched up more caps. Unfortunately a ankle injury forced him to retire in 2006
Christian Ziege:
Ziege Can play LB and LW and was a beautiful crosser of the ball and was well known for scoring some brilliant goals and some good free-kicks. Ziege was considered a dead-ball specialist and was an intelligent footballer.He was capped 72 times for Germany and was a part of the winning Euro 96 German squad. Best of Ziege's goals
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMuImcd5nUs
Steve Staunton:
Very versatile player indeed.In the 1989/90 season may have been the best period of all in Steve Staunton’s career. By this time he was showing his versatility by playing in a variety of roles, from all four positions at the back, to midfield, and sometimes up front. He even scored a hat trick in a League Cup match against Wigan in September ’89 when he was a substitute for Ian Rush. At the end of that season, he picked up a well earned medal as Liverpool won their eighteenth League Championship.
Ryan Shawcross:
Shawcross is a tough tackling defender who came through the Manchester United academy.He is also great in the air and has a good eye for goal.Many believe he should never have left united
Geremi:
Geremi played mostly at right back and has a great shot and free kick in his locker.He is not the fastest in the world but he was known for his great stamina over 90 minutes. He is a versatile player able to play at RB,CB and CM
Vegard Heggem:
Heggem was a pacey skillful player and can play RB and RW, His first two seasons at Anfield were splendid, but he was unfortunately plagued by hamstring injuries and Retired from football. He is best remembered in the premiership by some for the goal he scored for Liverpool here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbQ_q0l0w14
Tactics
Right Guys, Lets get straight to the point.
I have possibly the best two best strikers currently in the Premiership, so it is Key to have the best suppliers of the Ball behind them. BINGO!! I have just the players.
Peter Beardsley was one of the best Strikers in the Premiership but at his peak in 1996 he moved into Midfield playing behind the Alan Shearer and was Superb creating many chances for Shearer.........
John Barnes played a pivotal role in central midfield for Liverpool later in his career and bossed the midfield pulling all the strings and rarely losing possession. (Alonso Style). Barnes will make many key passes for Solano and Ziege to get down the flanks and create many goal scoring chances for RVP and Aguero.
Please take into account that my team is quite unique because all of my team apart from Shawcross and Aguero are versatile players and can play in 2-3 different positions.EG: If you think my central Midfield looks a little weak defensively, Ziege and Solono are good defensive players and will Help old Barnes out when times get tough:)
PS:Should any game come down to a penalty shootout then I believe I would have the upper hand against any opponent because Nigel Martyn is a great shot stopper
Right Guys, Lets get straight to the point.
I have possibly the best two best strikers currently in the Premiership, so it is Key to have the best suppliers of the Ball behind them. BINGO!! I have just the players.
Peter Beardsley was one of the best Strikers in the Premiership but at his peak in 1996 he moved into Midfield playing behind the Alan Shearer and was Superb creating many chances for Shearer.........
John Barnes played a pivotal role in central midfield for Liverpool later in his career and bossed the midfield pulling all the strings and rarely losing possession. (Alonso Style). Barnes will make many key passes for Solano and Ziege to get down the flanks and create many goal scoring chances for RVP and Aguero.
Please take into account that my team is quite unique because all of my team apart from Shawcross and Aguero are versatile players and can play in 2-3 different positions.EG: If you think my central Midfield looks a little weak defensively, Ziege and Solono are good defensive players and will Help old Barnes out when times get tough:)
PS:Should any game come down to a penalty shootout then I believe I would have the upper hand against any opponent because Nigel Martyn is a great shot stopper
Janie- Formation/bio/tactics
My Team
David Beckham (1998/9)
Becks OBE .... Becks OBE, where do I start? We can all remember the well-placed, low-drilled pen against the Argies in 2002; the 2001 93rd min match-winning free kick against Greece; and as part of the Reds famous treble winning side of 1999 - that sublime lob over the keeper from his own half. One of the best crossers and set piece takers there has ever been in the premiership... achieving an unprecedented 152/265 assists/premier league ratio... better than Lampard/Giggs -there were few that could bend it, score it, cross it or convert it like Beckham... top wingman.
Petr Čech (2004/5)
The athletic and agile Čech, commanding both on his line and in the box, is a world class goalkeeper. Čech holds a number of goalkeeping records; including the Premier League record for fewest appearances required to reach 100 clean sheets, having done so in 180 league appearances. Remembered mainly for 2004/5, where he achieved 9 successive clean sheets - 21 in total for the Blues season -not conceding a single goal for 1,025 minutes. Chelsea only conceded 15 goals that year, giving them the highest premier ship points record – still unbeaten. He was subsequently named the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper for 2005. Safe hands between the sticks.
Michael Owen (2000/1)
Ok... firstly, please don't be influenced by the bench-warming figure of late... Instead, remember the Michael Owen of old; the Michael Owen that was Pool's top scorer from 1997-2004 and Newcastle top scorer for the 2007/8 season. Remember his lightening fast pace that amassed a 601/323 game/goal ratio; including 118 premier league goals in 216 appearances. To quote Fergie: "There is no one better at taking chances. His positional play, first touch and finish were absolutely superb." Quite simply, go back to the year 2001 - when NO English striker came close to the world-class abilities of those of Michael Owen. Fast Forward.
Juan Mata (2011/12)
As a Mata of fact: Technically superb, close control, vision, the ability to beat his man and set up chances, making key passes, through balls, finishing, crossing, set pieces, lay-offs... Just some of the reasons why this midfielder led the assist chart for Chelsea last year, surpassing it by almost as many as the 2nd and 3rd highest put together. Deserving of his place as 2012 'Chelsea Player of the Year', he's already amassing 11 assists and 7 goals so far this term. He's a proven goal maker on an upward trajectory. Ask any Chelsea fan on the Fulham Road who the best player on the pitch was? No doubt the response will be Juan Mata!! Threads the ball through the eye of a needle.
Teddy Sherringham (1992/3)
National Treasure 'Teddy' poker-face Sherringham MBE began his Old Trafford career in 1997, as the big-booted replacement for those of Eric Cantona. And fill them he did, netting 31 goals in 104 games. He was a dangerous, unselfish, creative and intelligent player (the most intelligent strike partner he’s ever had, according to Klinsmann); whose great vision on the pitch enabled him to strategise his way past defenders with apparent ease; add to this his height and power in the air... and you've created a striker of defender's-worst-nightmare proportions. No doubt, his greatest year with the Red Devils was in 1998-99, when he helped United win poker's equivalent to the royal flush... the treble. However, in my opinion, not even his best year – that is 1992/93; where Teddy achieved the Premier League’s inaugural Golden Boot for scoring over a 1/3 of Spurs total goals tally. InTEDisense.
Jürgen Klinsmann (1994/5)
Well established as one of the greatest strikers the world has ever known, Jürgen 'the Golden Bomber' Klinsmann played just one iconic full season in England, when he joined Spurs for their 1994/95 term, scoring 21 times and adding to England's hall of fame as English Player of the Year 1995. He returned to Spurs 3 years later in 1998; when he scored 9 goals in 15 matches and saved them from almost certain relegation... his tally of 232 goals in 514 matches says it all really... Legend.
Steve Bould (1997/8)
Joining Arsenal in 1988, the astute and substantially proportioned Steve Bould became part of Arsenal's doggedly mean 'famous back four' defensive line-up. Despite his age, it was Bould, with his fearsome tackling and aerial dominance that helped Arsenal go on to win the double in 1997-98 by notoriously setting up the winning final goal with a little chip that won them the Premier League title ...topping the proverbial double-layered cake two weeks later by winning the FA Cup icing. Bould's haul of club medals enriched his magnificent defensive reputation; more so did the fact that no goals were conceded by England at any point that Bould was on the pitch. Solid.
Johnny Evans (2011/12)
At just 25, the calm and relaxed-under-pressure figure of Johnny Evans provides consistent and steadfast cover in the centre back position at Old Trafford, making 27 appearances in their tightly fought league runner-up 2011/12 season. He played a key part in Edwin van der Sar's record breaking run of cleanies in 2008-9 showing an early ability to be a top-drawer player. With his form improving regularly each season; his key strengths lies in his ability to make clean, short passes with consistency and his surgically positioned tacking gives solidity to the back four. Such has been his display this season, he has threatened to break up the well-established Vidic/Ferdinand defensive axis; and he's currently the second defensive lead scorer for the League Leaders. Go johnny.
Lucas Leiva (2010/11)
Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva has established himself as one of the best combative defensive midfielders in the prem. Since cementing a place in the Anfield squad he has played 183 times in the red shirt. His performance improved so much he was crowned Liverpool 'Player of the Season' for 2010-11 after winning 40% of the votes from the official fan poll. He is a strong, hard-working player with oodles of stamina; he shows intelligence on the ball and is always willing to run for it. He plays as a “midfield enforcer” with a phenomenal engine and terrific work-rate. Technically solid and able to stroke 30 yard passes and quick, incisive distribution. As tackling stats will verify, of the time he was on the field last season, he topped the tackling stats by attempting a challenge every 3.87 minutes and winning a challenge every 5.97 minutes. Combative.
Paulo Ferreira (2004/5)
Long-time servant and faithful club member, Ferreira signed for the blues in 2004/05 season, where they conceded only 15 goals all season when Chelsea won their Premier League title. The much loved and respected Paulo always gets a warm welcome from the Stamford Bridge faithful purely due to his commitment and reliability. Steadfast and very solid; he is always trusted to put in a good performance whether it be passing, holding the ball, making key passes or tackling.... he provides the cover required of him. Chelsea only conceded 15 goals that year, giving them the highest premiership points record. Not more I can say really ... Reliable.
José Enrique (2011/12)
Considered by many to be one of the best left-backs in the top flight, José Enrique is not only admired for his ability to pick out team mates with long and very accurate passes, particularly off his favoured left foot. He's also known as a strong tackler who is adept at keeping possession. 1 on 1, Enrique's very hard to beat, it happened only 9 times last season, compared to A. Cole (38), Clichy (26), Baines (24), Evra (23). His Tackling Stats Comparison is equally impressive: Enrique: 61 (84% won) Evra: 80 (76% won) Baines: 84 (74% won) Cole: 100 (67% won). And finally of note are his foul stats: of Baines, Evra, Cole, Clichy and Enrique, Enrique conceded the least fouls (in fact conceded 50% less than any of his contemporaries). Hard to beat.
David Beckham (1998/9)
Becks OBE .... Becks OBE, where do I start? We can all remember the well-placed, low-drilled pen against the Argies in 2002; the 2001 93rd min match-winning free kick against Greece; and as part of the Reds famous treble winning side of 1999 - that sublime lob over the keeper from his own half. One of the best crossers and set piece takers there has ever been in the premiership... achieving an unprecedented 152/265 assists/premier league ratio... better than Lampard/Giggs -there were few that could bend it, score it, cross it or convert it like Beckham... top wingman.
Petr Čech (2004/5)
The athletic and agile Čech, commanding both on his line and in the box, is a world class goalkeeper. Čech holds a number of goalkeeping records; including the Premier League record for fewest appearances required to reach 100 clean sheets, having done so in 180 league appearances. Remembered mainly for 2004/5, where he achieved 9 successive clean sheets - 21 in total for the Blues season -not conceding a single goal for 1,025 minutes. Chelsea only conceded 15 goals that year, giving them the highest premier ship points record – still unbeaten. He was subsequently named the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper for 2005. Safe hands between the sticks.
Michael Owen (2000/1)
Ok... firstly, please don't be influenced by the bench-warming figure of late... Instead, remember the Michael Owen of old; the Michael Owen that was Pool's top scorer from 1997-2004 and Newcastle top scorer for the 2007/8 season. Remember his lightening fast pace that amassed a 601/323 game/goal ratio; including 118 premier league goals in 216 appearances. To quote Fergie: "There is no one better at taking chances. His positional play, first touch and finish were absolutely superb." Quite simply, go back to the year 2001 - when NO English striker came close to the world-class abilities of those of Michael Owen. Fast Forward.
Juan Mata (2011/12)
As a Mata of fact: Technically superb, close control, vision, the ability to beat his man and set up chances, making key passes, through balls, finishing, crossing, set pieces, lay-offs... Just some of the reasons why this midfielder led the assist chart for Chelsea last year, surpassing it by almost as many as the 2nd and 3rd highest put together. Deserving of his place as 2012 'Chelsea Player of the Year', he's already amassing 11 assists and 7 goals so far this term. He's a proven goal maker on an upward trajectory. Ask any Chelsea fan on the Fulham Road who the best player on the pitch was? No doubt the response will be Juan Mata!! Threads the ball through the eye of a needle.
Teddy Sherringham (1992/3)
National Treasure 'Teddy' poker-face Sherringham MBE began his Old Trafford career in 1997, as the big-booted replacement for those of Eric Cantona. And fill them he did, netting 31 goals in 104 games. He was a dangerous, unselfish, creative and intelligent player (the most intelligent strike partner he’s ever had, according to Klinsmann); whose great vision on the pitch enabled him to strategise his way past defenders with apparent ease; add to this his height and power in the air... and you've created a striker of defender's-worst-nightmare proportions. No doubt, his greatest year with the Red Devils was in 1998-99, when he helped United win poker's equivalent to the royal flush... the treble. However, in my opinion, not even his best year – that is 1992/93; where Teddy achieved the Premier League’s inaugural Golden Boot for scoring over a 1/3 of Spurs total goals tally. InTEDisense.
Jürgen Klinsmann (1994/5)
Well established as one of the greatest strikers the world has ever known, Jürgen 'the Golden Bomber' Klinsmann played just one iconic full season in England, when he joined Spurs for their 1994/95 term, scoring 21 times and adding to England's hall of fame as English Player of the Year 1995. He returned to Spurs 3 years later in 1998; when he scored 9 goals in 15 matches and saved them from almost certain relegation... his tally of 232 goals in 514 matches says it all really... Legend.
Steve Bould (1997/8)
Joining Arsenal in 1988, the astute and substantially proportioned Steve Bould became part of Arsenal's doggedly mean 'famous back four' defensive line-up. Despite his age, it was Bould, with his fearsome tackling and aerial dominance that helped Arsenal go on to win the double in 1997-98 by notoriously setting up the winning final goal with a little chip that won them the Premier League title ...topping the proverbial double-layered cake two weeks later by winning the FA Cup icing. Bould's haul of club medals enriched his magnificent defensive reputation; more so did the fact that no goals were conceded by England at any point that Bould was on the pitch. Solid.
Johnny Evans (2011/12)
At just 25, the calm and relaxed-under-pressure figure of Johnny Evans provides consistent and steadfast cover in the centre back position at Old Trafford, making 27 appearances in their tightly fought league runner-up 2011/12 season. He played a key part in Edwin van der Sar's record breaking run of cleanies in 2008-9 showing an early ability to be a top-drawer player. With his form improving regularly each season; his key strengths lies in his ability to make clean, short passes with consistency and his surgically positioned tacking gives solidity to the back four. Such has been his display this season, he has threatened to break up the well-established Vidic/Ferdinand defensive axis; and he's currently the second defensive lead scorer for the League Leaders. Go johnny.
Lucas Leiva (2010/11)
Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva has established himself as one of the best combative defensive midfielders in the prem. Since cementing a place in the Anfield squad he has played 183 times in the red shirt. His performance improved so much he was crowned Liverpool 'Player of the Season' for 2010-11 after winning 40% of the votes from the official fan poll. He is a strong, hard-working player with oodles of stamina; he shows intelligence on the ball and is always willing to run for it. He plays as a “midfield enforcer” with a phenomenal engine and terrific work-rate. Technically solid and able to stroke 30 yard passes and quick, incisive distribution. As tackling stats will verify, of the time he was on the field last season, he topped the tackling stats by attempting a challenge every 3.87 minutes and winning a challenge every 5.97 minutes. Combative.
Paulo Ferreira (2004/5)
Long-time servant and faithful club member, Ferreira signed for the blues in 2004/05 season, where they conceded only 15 goals all season when Chelsea won their Premier League title. The much loved and respected Paulo always gets a warm welcome from the Stamford Bridge faithful purely due to his commitment and reliability. Steadfast and very solid; he is always trusted to put in a good performance whether it be passing, holding the ball, making key passes or tackling.... he provides the cover required of him. Chelsea only conceded 15 goals that year, giving them the highest premiership points record. Not more I can say really ... Reliable.
José Enrique (2011/12)
Considered by many to be one of the best left-backs in the top flight, José Enrique is not only admired for his ability to pick out team mates with long and very accurate passes, particularly off his favoured left foot. He's also known as a strong tackler who is adept at keeping possession. 1 on 1, Enrique's very hard to beat, it happened only 9 times last season, compared to A. Cole (38), Clichy (26), Baines (24), Evra (23). His Tackling Stats Comparison is equally impressive: Enrique: 61 (84% won) Evra: 80 (76% won) Baines: 84 (74% won) Cole: 100 (67% won). And finally of note are his foul stats: of Baines, Evra, Cole, Clichy and Enrique, Enrique conceded the least fouls (in fact conceded 50% less than any of his contemporaries). Hard to beat.
Tactics
I’ve got a reliable and solid back 5 with the experience of 4 premier league champions; they will keep it simple and tight at the back. Lucas will keep quiet the number 10's or any floating striker. And Bould, Evans, Ferreira and Enrique will not be outdone for pace...
Two players from the opposition stand out - RVP and Aguero are top players.
But having contained RVP and Aguero with my solid defs... I'll let my forwards run riot on their weaker mf and defs ... the complete strike force of out and out pace, intelligence and vision. With Owen being a handful for their sluggish back 4, (particularly Shawcross and Staunton) they will always be on the back foot and worried with so many options available to me. And, I still have the better premiership GK to get by...
The midfield, however, is where my team would literally take control of the game.
My midfield of Mata and Beckham running freely to assist and feed my strikers... both more powerful and more skilful than the 4 or 5 they could be facing. Plus, Klinsmann's intelligence and clinical finishing... the pace of Owen will destroy any of back 4 even if they played a sweeper system, they wouldn't keep up with him.
Let’s take a closer look at his defs: ziege and heggem good going forward but suspect at the back. Staunton lacked pace. Shawcross dives in sometimes and is sluggish.
Nigel Martyn - Goalkeeper. Known to charge out of his area, which leads to opposition scoring.
So basically, while their defenders are turning like a tugboat... Michael Owen will already be celebrating having hit the back of the net.
I’ve got a reliable and solid back 5 with the experience of 4 premier league champions; they will keep it simple and tight at the back. Lucas will keep quiet the number 10's or any floating striker. And Bould, Evans, Ferreira and Enrique will not be outdone for pace...
Two players from the opposition stand out - RVP and Aguero are top players.
But having contained RVP and Aguero with my solid defs... I'll let my forwards run riot on their weaker mf and defs ... the complete strike force of out and out pace, intelligence and vision. With Owen being a handful for their sluggish back 4, (particularly Shawcross and Staunton) they will always be on the back foot and worried with so many options available to me. And, I still have the better premiership GK to get by...
The midfield, however, is where my team would literally take control of the game.
My midfield of Mata and Beckham running freely to assist and feed my strikers... both more powerful and more skilful than the 4 or 5 they could be facing. Plus, Klinsmann's intelligence and clinical finishing... the pace of Owen will destroy any of back 4 even if they played a sweeper system, they wouldn't keep up with him.
Let’s take a closer look at his defs: ziege and heggem good going forward but suspect at the back. Staunton lacked pace. Shawcross dives in sometimes and is sluggish.
Nigel Martyn - Goalkeeper. Known to charge out of his area, which leads to opposition scoring.
So basically, while their defenders are turning like a tugboat... Michael Owen will already be celebrating having hit the back of the net.
)
Great insight there haha
