Topic: -8 of Internationals Round 1(2) - Match thread

[Elzar]

Lastrador



VS

Hazell



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OldManNick



VS

Linudden



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Betty Blue



VS

Andy Muller



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[Linudden]

I really like my team and think it's easily the best in that tie but am well-aware that Nick is a very popular lad Most of his back four and Mahamadou Diarra aren't up to scratch and Díaz is still quite untried. Enzo, Yaya and Luka should be able to play some nice triangles against that.

[Crosby Nick]

I really like my team and think it's easily the best in that tie but am well-aware that Nick is a very popular lad Most of his back four and Mahamadou Diarra aren't up to scratch and Díaz is still quite untried. Enzo, Yaya and Luka should be able to play some nice triangles against that.

Cheap shot. I can be a c*nt and still win these things you know.

If you finish with 10 I’d be surprised. Is Diaz more untried than Hakimi? Ljungberg’s runs in behind getting picked out by Molby and Ru Costa.

Your midfield is nicely balanced. I’m a fair man, I’ll give you that.

[El Lobo]

First game....yeah Hazell might get a rare beating here Last has put together a really good defence, midfield and attack. Another diamond (well, no wingers) but actually has really good full backs to compensate. Hazells got a good team but just not quite at the level of Lasts.

Second game, pretty comfortably to Nick. Cech is obviously a better keeper than Oblak. Alabas best form has been at CB, and Hakimi hasn't really done anything of note over someone like Lauren so is a bit of a cheap pick (particularly as early as he went). You need those full backs to be brilliant if you dont have wingers, and they're just not. CBs again Nick wins there, against two rash players in Pepe and Vidic. Central midfield Nicks probably a bit behind on paper but there doesn't look a great balance at all to Linuddens midfield, more like three good invididuals just lumped in. And Nicks four attackers would pulverise the opposition, Diaz would have an absolute field day against Vidic and Hakimi and Lewa's movement would be just the sort that Pepe and Vidic in particular notoriously struggled with. Plus it does genuinely look like Linudden has just googled a few players that he knows nothing about, Bremner at his peak was a proper goalscoring midfielder.

Third game goes to Betty. He'll try and dodge the pressure but he's the favourite for this whole draft. Tremendous team he's put together, strong everywhere with a few all time GOATs thrown in.

[Linudden]

Cheap shot. I can be a c*nt and still win these things you know.

If you finish with 10 I’d be surprised. Is Diaz more untried than Hakimi? Ljungberg’s runs in behind getting picked out by Molby and Ru Costa.

Your midfield is nicely balanced. I’m a fair man, I’ll give you that.

Storm in a teacup compared to the Nick vs Hazell handbags

[Linudden]

Second game, pretty comfortably to Nick. Cech is obviously a better keeper than Oblak. Alabas best form has been at CB, and Hakimi hasn't really done anything of note over someone like Lauren so is a bit of a cheap pick (particularly as early as he went). You need those full backs to be brilliant if you dont have wingers, and they're just not. CBs again Nick wins there, against two rash players in Pepe and Vidic. Central midfield Nicks probably a bit behind on paper but there doesn't look a great balance at all to Linuddens midfield, more like three good invididuals just lumped in. And Nicks four attackers would pulverise the opposition, Diaz would have an absolute field day against Vidic and Hakimi and Lewa's movement would be just the sort that Pepe and Vidic in particular notoriously struggled with. Plus it does genuinely look like Linudden has just googled a few players that he knows nothing about, Bremner at his peak was a proper goalscoring midfielder.

 

Lobo always makes my teams sound like San Marino Bobby told me that Bremner was a class holding midfielder when he needed to be and since he was around to see it unlike us non-grandpas I'll believe him.

[El Lobo]

Lobo always makes my teams sound like San Marino Bobby told me that Bremner was a class holding midfielder when he needed to be and since he was around to see it unlike us non-grandpas I'll believe him.

You dont think Cech was better than Oblak?

Lauren was a regular for the Invincibles, won 2 league titles, 3 FA Cups and 2 AFCONs. Hakimi has looked good in a Dortmund team that didnt win anything, in a dominant Inter team with no competition and now at PSG where he doesn't look great. When he's played at a higher level in the CL he's not been anywhere near as productive, except at Dortmund where he was more often playing as a wide midfielder rather than a right back.

As for your midfield. All of the stat sites have Billy Bremner as a central midfielder who very rarely played as a defensive midfielder, and actually quite similar in terms of getting forward to Yaya Toure. So quite a lot of reliance on Modric, who whilst obviously a top class CM again isn't exactly a ball winner.

You've also left yourself very open to two very good wingers in Diaz and Ljungberg.

Don't take things so personally anyway, its just a draft We all put our teams out there for a bit of criticism. You've put together a better team than you have before but its still not a great one.

[Linudden]

Don't take things so personally anyway, its just a draft We all put our teams out there for a bit of criticism. You've put together a better team than you have before but its still not a great one.

[Hazell]

I never thought I'd say this, but can I hear less from Lobo please?

[AndyMuller]

Dammit I would get Betty in the first round.

[Crosby Nick]

I never thought I'd say this, but can I hear less from Lobo please?

Can I shock you? I like Lobo. Despite what I’ve said for the last 10 years.

[Hazell]

Can I shock you? I like Lobo. Despite what I’ve said for the last 10 years.

[Betty Blue]

Dammit I would get Betty in the first round.

I think you've got an excellent side, mate. Not one I look forward to facing myself. Definitely got the best kit in the draft as well 

[Lastrador]

I love Haz's team, I think he has one of the best midfield and attacks of the draft easily. But that defence is paper mache, let's be honest. Kuffour wasn't a great defender but a solid one for a couple of years, and quickly dropped off. Mihajlović was more valuable because of his free-kicks and playmaking than his actual defending, which is why he was played all over the defence and midfield throughout his career, but never could hold on to a position for too long. Simic was an unspectacular but solid squad player for most of his career. Cancelo is a great offensive player but he's not stopping anyone. So yeah, I can't see how that defence can hold off my attack, while my defence is extremely solid and would hold his own.

So yeah while I love Haz's team, I think my team is overall more solid on all lines. Still good luck to my hipster brother. 

[Samie]

my vote is available.

[Hazell]

I love Haz's team, I think he has one of the best midfield and attacks of the draft easily. But that defence is paper mache, let's be honest. Kuffour wasn't a great defender but a solid one for a couple of years, and quickly dropped off. Mihajlović was more valuable because of his free-kicks and playmaking than his actual defending, which is why he was played all over the defence and midfield throughout his career, but never could hold on to a position for too long. Simic was an unspectacular but solid squad player for most of his career. Cancelo is a great offensive player but he's not stopping anyone. So yeah, I can't see how that defence can hold off my attack, while my defence is extremely solid and would hold his own.

So yeah while I love Haz's team, I think my team is overall more solid on all lines. Still good luck to my hipster brother. 

I do like your team and it's strong all over, though I was never a huge fan of Mijatovic for some reason. I think it his face just annoyed me for some reason.

I think you're being a little harsh on Kuffour and Mihajlovic, both were really fine defenders, if not all time greats. I was really struggling for fullbacks to honest, one of the perils of leaving them right to the end and while Simic was decent, he's probably the weakest player I have and I'm usually loathed to pick current players in all time drafts but he was the best I could think of - though I did consider Tsimikas as well .

[Lastrador]

I do like your team and it's strong all over, though I was never a huge fan of Mijatovic for some reason. I think it his face just annoyed me for some reason.

I think you're being a little harsh on Kuffour and Mihajlovic, both were really fine defenders, if not all time greats. I was really struggling for fullbacks to honest, one of the perils of leaving them right to the end and while Simic was decent, he's probably the weakest player I have and I'm usually loathed to pick current players in all time drafts but he was the best I could think of - though I did consider Tsimikas as well .

I loved Peja and his 30's mob look. Cool as fuck

Not saying Kuffour and Mihajlovic were bad defenders. They were good, just not great IMO, and not exactly flanked by great defenders either. So it's hard to see how they could survive against my front three, who all were quick, skilful, and deadly finishers.

[Hazell]

I loved Peja and his 30's mob look. Cool as fuck

Not saying Kuffour and Mihajlovic were bad defenders. They were good, just not great IMO, and not exactly flanked by great defenders either. So it's hard to see how they could survive against my front three, who all were quick, skilful, and deadly finishers.

But there's an equal chance that Stoichkov will blow a fuse and get sent off in the 1st minute.

[Lastrador]

Yep, you got me there. 

[El Lobo]

16 votes, 15 votes, 13 votes

'Stop the count'

[El Lobo]

Hazell, Nick and....pelanties!

[Crosby Nick]

Unlucky Linudden. I think it was my lovely shirts that won it for me.

[Linudden]

Unlucky Linudden. I think it was my lovely shirts that won it for me.

At least I designed them

[Elzar]

Betty and Andy Muller have drawn. Will be going to pens, as I can't be arsed doing another vote.

[Betty Blue]

Save the hassle and put Andy through. I've seen plenty of Quarters in the past. Just in it to finish my Panini draft sticker album these days.

[Elzar]

Poor andy has just gone through a lot of effort prepping his team, for Betty's team not to show up. They have stormed down the tunnel and ranted something about not caring about the penalties.

Madness! Andy is through!

[Lastrador]

Some shocking voting from the congregation. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.



Well done Haz mate, and good luck. Make us football hipsters proud.

[Hazell]

Thanks mate, thought you'd win that too be honest.