Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the second Quarter Final of the RAWK all-time draft cup. Another potential thriller on the cards for you today, with the RAWK draft winner, LF's team led by John McKenna coming up against Joe Fagan's Sarge team. It's a glorious may evening, the virtual crowd is going crazy with plenty of gorgeous women for the camera man to focus on in the build up...the teams are eyeballing each other in the tunnel and it's time to go! Good luck to both teams in this glorious summer of RAWK fantasy football
INTRO:This thread started out as a mixture of fantasy football and a ‘Time Team’ style delve into Liverpool’s history. There is information on some 'players to consider’ towards the bottom. I realise that many of them are actually hugely well known but I also wanted to highlight players who should be considered at their peak, rather than cut short through injury or poor because they didn’t set Anfield alight.
See all the original teams in awesome depth here:
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=235851.0
For the first knockout round see here:
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=241376.0
For the 1st 1/4 final match see here:
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=241771.0
FIXTURES:Last round’s results:
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=241376.msg5681449#msg5681449QF Match 1 2nd May = Royhendo Vs Superthing - Royhendo wins
QF Match 2 12th May = LF Vs Sarge - Sarge winsQF Match 3 19th = BHAS Vs Shanks1965
QF Match 4 26th = STORMTROOPER Vs Billy The Kid
RULES:You have until Tuesday at 6pm to register your vote. Pick the team you think will win, based on all the information given below (and any you find out) then vote for it. When thinking about the players, consider them playing at their peak, and please consider those who you may not know so well. Don’t forget to factor in the managers and tactical/team instructions! To vote just put preferred team in a post below, though it would be great if you good give analysis and reasons too! Enjoy! See also:
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=241376.msg5682348#msg5682348
and:
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=236236.msg5473379#msg5473379LINE UPS:LF - Hamann captains the team in a 4-4-2 lineup. We've got powerful powerful wings with Zenden/Bjornbye and Macca/Riise, a world class midfield of Hamann/Mascherano and superpower forward line in Robbie/Keegan.
Subs: Diego Cavalieri, Igor Biscan, Ronny Rosenthal, Bobby Graham
Manager: John McKenna Sander Westerveld
John-Arne Riise Dominic Matteo Tommy Lucas Stig-Inge Bjornbye
Steve McManaman Didi Hamann Javier Mascherano Boudewijn Zenden
Kevin Keegan
Robbie Fowler Sarge - Hansen captains in a classic 4-4-2. Quick fast pass and move from a footballing side with massive workrate and quality that can handle themselves in a fight, built on the platform of a rock-solid centre-back pair.
Subs: Tommy Younger, Cyril Done, Alun Evans, Djibril Cissé.
Manager: Joe Fagan Peter Crouch Sam Raybould
Michael Thomas
Ray Kennedy Ray Houghton
Ronnie Whelan
Avi Cohen Alan Hansen (C) Mark Wright Steve Harkness
Chris Kirkland
THE TACTICS:LF - Very dangerous aerially as I've got two world class headers in Fowler and Keegan, particularly singling out Fowler as the best header I've seen for Liverpool. There is a third giant in Didi Hamann and Matteo can also threaten. McManaman and Bjornbye are class crossers, and Riise and Zenden can contribute crosses too.
Sarge has Hansen and Wright, they could hold off Keegan, Fowler or Macca individually, but not all three. That's three WORLD class players dragging the opposition out of position. All it takes is one moment of genius from Macca and any loose ball in the box is going to be banged in instantly by Fowler. Keegan is the workhose of this team and will be link up the midfield and attack - he has plenty of skill. Defense is where I look to exploit Sarge's team with my strongest point, the attack. The opposition back three is no match for my front three of Fowler, Keegan and McManaman.
Zenden has lots of skill but I admire his iron discipline in the field and he will be the not-so-good-but-very-important player for this team. I'll employ him to keep the balance, he stays back or goes forward depending on the situation evening up the numbers if Macca breaks position and the opponent counters. Masch and Hamann will be looking to neutralise Sarge’s midfield together and Cisse will have a tough time going clear with Masch sniffing around. There is also added support from the full backs to cut off Sarge’s wings. Thomas was good but never anywhere near the level of being capable of keeping out my forward line and midfield out and Whelan alone won't be able to do it.
The Idea is to impose high pressure so that Kennedy and Houghton have to sacrifice their offense to shore up defensively - isolating the forward three of Sarge.
I am proud to be league champion so here's hoping I end up the cup champion as well! Good luck to Sarge and everyone else in this competition.
Sarge - I demand quick, fast, pass-and-move from a footballing side with massive workrate and quality that can handle themselves in a fight. In short – classic Liverpool. On the wings I will stop their threat and his centre forwards are too small if anything does get into my box, Hansen and Wright will eat them alive so LF’s wings are not a problem. My very hard working midfield and my attacking threat are too much for his dodgy back four as we will play it around Didi and Masch, exploiting two all time greats in Houghton and Kennedy. Crouch and LFC all timer scoring striker Raybould (121 goals in 234 games) will cause havoc in their defense.
We’ll play a classic 4-4-2 and I’m confident that my team is overall a better unit. Up top not as good but Crouch and Raybould are great players in their own right, and are champing at the bit to be let loose on Matteo and company. The two Rays will fly at them past two really good defensive midfielders in Masch and Didi - but Whelan and Thomas will keep them good company, Thomas being more than able to contribute in attack if he gets the chance.
In Joe Fagan, I’ve also got a top class manager who will exploit any other weaknesses in LF’s team as and when they appear. He knew how to get a team playing top class pass and move football and I don’t think LF’s team will be able to cope.
Looking at my bench, there’s plenty of goals in it if Fagan needs to change things. LF’s team may score but my centre-back pair of Hansen and Wright will sort them. Off the ball, my team will look to cut off the supply to LF’s forwards through hard work and team defending. This will allow our more solid attacking footballing side hit them fast on the break and show that back four for what it is, shit! Joe Fagan will have this team drilled to attack and defend as a unit.
PUNDIT CORNER:On LF:LF dominated the initial vote thanks to a supreme attack. For this format, LF has realised the need for a little more tactical nous, and has lined his team up in a more solid and balanced looking 4-4-2. His strikers can score goals from barely a sniff of a chance, with McManaman providing plenty of spark, but beyond that there isn't a massive amount of creativity. LF's centre-back pair should not be over-looked either. Though not stellar names, Tommy Lucas was a top-class stopper for 15 years, while Matteo on his day was a classy centre-back well capable of carrying the ball out of defense and supplying the rest of the team. John McKenna is also interesting - he led Liverpool into the league impressively, but remained untested at the highest level.
On Sarge:A Liverpool team through and through, with a legendary spine and almost legendary manager, as well as two of the best wingers ever to wear the red of Liverpool. In Harkness we have a no better than decent full back playing out of position, while Cohen, though undoubtedly quality, was never at any point top quality. Hansen and Wright screened by Whelan looks exceptionally solid, but like LF there is perhaps a lack of invention from central midfield. Crouch's height may also be a factor, LF's pair aren't the tallest. Hansen is also the most successful player in Liverpool's history - almost the perfect captain.
POINTS TO CONSIDER:On LF -Will pressure Sarge high up the pitch. Defense and strikers set to face an opposition three, but Sarge lines up in a 4-4-2, leaving an opposition two instead of three. Zenden to stay disciplined and cover for McManaman's roaming.
On Sarge – Wants to cut off supply to the wings, but no specific plan to do so beyond defending solidly as a unit drilled by Fagan.
KEY BATTLES:Fowler Vs HansenPossibly the most interesting fantasy duel even our illustrious history could conjour up. It's an irresistable force Vs and immovable object here
Zenden Vs HoughtonTasked with a more disciplined role Zenden will have a lot to handle in Houghton. He has the stamina and discipline to cope, but Houghton is an exceptionally tricky customer to deal with and has an impressive ability to ghost into dangerous areas.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER:LF –
Tommy Lucas Battling defender who was first choice throughout the 20s. Was picked by Elisha Scott as one of his 'best ever' Liverpool eleven, which considering his legendary status as a Keeper, is a ringing endorsment.
Dominic MatteoThough he never quite fulfilled his potential, in his early days he looked like one of the best defenders to emerge for us in years. Versatile, determined, pacy and pretty skillful he should be considered as a quality centre-back.
Boudewijn ZendenNever an indisputed star, Zenden has nevertheless spent his entire career playing for top teams (well, except Middlesbrough). A disciplined and versatile winger, never blessed with exceptional pace or flair but does have good crossing, exceptional awareness and a great team ethic.
Sarge – Sam RaybouldThe first Liverpool striker to reach 100 goals, Sam was the start of our stellar tradition of number nines. In keeping with that tradition, he never held down a spot for England, and was also harshly punished for, effectively, trying to go professional. One of the very earliest genuine Liverpool legends - though I doubt even Wooltonian ever saw Raybould play, as his last appearance was in 1907!
Mark WrightAn unsung hero who suffered terribly from injuries and having Souness as a manager. When fit and played at centre-back Wright was one of the classiest centre-backs this country has produced. Deceptive pace and superb timing in the tackle, as well as being a genuinely nice guy and a natural leader.
Chris KirklandUnusual to highlight someone still playing, but worthy because many may not rate him as highly as he should be. This competition is based on players at their peak - at his peak, denied him consistently so far through injury problems - Kirkland is an exceptional Keeper, blessed with the rare combination of an imposing physique and great agility. In a parallel universe Reina never joined us because Kirkland is our, and England's undisputed number one.
