Topic: The Balkan Express XI Draft

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Different game back then. All the top clubs wanted Hatzipanagis but the team he played for didn't want to sell him and there was nothing he could do about it. Shame he never got the chance to show his talent on a bigger stage. That's what makes this draft so interesting though, there's loads of hidden gems.

'bout time Manolas went as well! Zahovic is a cracking pick as well. Can't believe some of the players that went ahead of them!!

Well keep in mind these names aren't exactly house hold names.For those who haven't seen them play, their clubs and where they played can be off putting. 

[Betty Blue]

Well keep in mind these names aren't exactly house hold names.For those who haven't seen them play, their clubs and where they played can be off putting. 

It begs the question, is it better to go abroad and fail or remain at home with your success untainted? There will be a lot of picks on either side of the coin in this draft. The ones that succeeded both at home and abroad will be few are far between.

[KingLuis10]

Well keep in mind these names aren't exactly house hold names.For those who haven't seen them play, their clubs and where they played can be off putting. 

I completely get that, makes sense that people would want to pick players they've actually seen or at least heard of before.

I hope we see a few more obscure picks as we move into the later rounds though. One of the best things about these drafts is learning about new players. I've enjoyed reading your comments on the older Yugoslavian players. I've got plenty of stories to share about Greek players as well, if & when they get picked

[Crosby Nick]

I completely get that, makes sense that people would want to pick players they've actually seen or at least heard of before.

I hope we see a few more obscure picks as we move into the later rounds though. One of the best things about these drafts is learning about new players. I've enjoyed reading your comments on the older Yugoslavian players. I've got plenty of stories to share about Greek players as well, if & when they get picked

Surprised no one has gone for Socrates yet.

[El Lobo]

Well keep in mind these names aren't exactly house hold names.For those who haven't seen them play, their clubs and where they played can be off putting. 

Consider your audience mate  This is pretty much an extension of the hipster draft

[Betty Blue]

I completely get that, makes sense that people would want to pick players they've actually seen or at least heard of before.

I hope we see a few more obscure picks as we move into the later rounds though. One of the best things about these drafts is learning about new players. I've enjoyed reading your comments on the older Yugoslavian players. I've got plenty of stories to share about Greek players as well, if & when they get picked

That's true of course, but there's no excuse for picking bang average players - for which I've seen a few already - just because you've seen them play more often than a more obscure yet clearly better player from the past. It just leads to older players getting constantly overlooked, which is a bit of a trend in rawk draft history to be fair.

[KingLuis10]

That's true of course, but there's no excuse for picking bang average players - for which I've seen a few already - just because you've seen them play more often than a more obscure yet clearly better player from the past. It just leads to older players getting constantly overlooked, which is a bit of a trend in rawk draft history to be fair.

Yeah I'm with you there. My first ever RAWK draft team was proper old school, even had a few pre-War players thrown in there Quickly learned that you don't win votes that way, but it's a shame.

Let's put it this way... I'll be voting for Hatzipanagis over Arnautovic

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Something else unfortunately for some of these players is that there were restrictions when they could leave to foreign clubs there were rules in place, some of them were that you couldn't leave for a foreign club after the age of 28 [have no idea why that was the case]. I am not sure when it stopped or when it came into place, but I know it hindered some.

The league itself was fairly good but it limited their impact on the global stage. [That's why I always say European Cups is the biggest stage for that, and for players to showcase their talent to the world, when it may have been difficult to do so otherwise]. Red Star have a history in Europe even prior to their triumph in the early 90's, they always had the best players in Yugoslavia playing for them.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

I completely get that, makes sense that people would want to pick players they've actually seen or at least heard of before.

I hope we see a few more obscure picks as we move into the later rounds though. One of the best things about these drafts is learning about new players. I've enjoyed reading your comments on the older Yugoslavian players. I've got plenty of stories to share about Greek players as well, if & when they get picked

Cheers mate, I look forward to more of your posts in regards to them as well. My knowledge on Greek football isn't as great as it should be.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

It begs the question, is it better to go abroad and fail or remain at home with your success untainted? There will be a lot of picks on either side of the coin in this draft. The ones that succeeded both at home and abroad will be few are far between.

The good thing is at least, if they're playing up against one another, they would have done so in the same leagues 

[Sarge]

Just in giz a few mins.

[Sarge]

Any update on the picks lads?

[Sarge]

Has Marcelo Brozović been picked?

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Has Marcelo Brozović been picked?

He hasn't.

[Betty Blue]

Consider your audience mate  This is pretty much an extension of the hipster draft

Haha good point. That was one of my favourite drafts    Zahovic is a class pick either way though. Would have gone for him if we didn't have Stojkovic already at AM.

Yeah I'm with you there. My first ever RAWK draft team was proper old school, even had a few pre-War players thrown in there Quickly learned that you don't win votes that way, but it's a shame.

Don't remind me about my first RAWK draft. Picking a keeper in round 5    We all learn the hard way.

Something else unfortunately for some of these players is that there were restrictions when they could leave to foreign clubs there were rules in place, some of them were that you couldn't leave for a foreign club after the age of 28 [have no idea why that was the case]. I am not sure when it stopped or when it came into place, but I know it hindered some.

The league itself was fairly good but it limited their impact on the global stage. [That's why I always say European Cups is the biggest stage for that, and for players to showcase their talent to the world, when it may have been difficult to do so otherwise]. Red Star have a history in Europe even prior to their triumph in the early 90's, they always had the best players in Yugoslavia playing for them.

Never knew that. Crazy in the modern context. As other have been saying, I'm really enjoying your insights on the Easter European guys getting picked    Been a great draft so far.

[Sarge]

He hasn't.

Has now

[Sarge]

Ok what way are we going who is next?

[Crosby Nick]

The nerds have taken over the asylum.

Go down swinging L’man!

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Ok what way are we going who is next?

Your sense of direction sucks mate. 

Max is next.

[Max_powers]

Ok Is Manolas the artist formerly known as Kostas Manolas?

There are a few different Manolas actually that played for Greece and few of them were quite good.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Haha good point. That was one of my favourite drafts    Zahovic is a class pick either way though. Would have gone for him if we didn't have Stojkovic already at AM.

Don't remind me about my first RAWK draft. Picking a keeper in round 5    We all learn the hard way.

Never knew that. Crazy in the modern context. As other have been saying, I'm really enjoying your insights on the Easter European guys getting picked    Been a great draft so far.

Cheers as always. Zahovic was a hell of a player

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Ok Is Manolas the artist formerly known as Kostas Manolas?

There are a few different Manolas actually that played for Greece and few of them were quite good.

I would ask Jersey to clarify

[Sarge]

Your sense of direction sucks mate. 

Max is next.

I'm all over the shop

[Sarge]

I would ask Jersey to clarify

FFS Jersey!!

[Sarge]

Any thoughts on my team?

[Crosby Nick]

Any thoughts on my team?

Shite.

[Sarge]

Any chance of a full player update please and thank you.

[Sarge]

Shite.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Any thoughts on my team?

Brazovic doesn't exist but Brozovic does 

[Sarge]

Brazovic doesn't exist but Brozovic does 

Ahh piss off you.

[Sarge]

Now.

                      Suker
Lacatus                               Lechtkov
                       CAM
          CM                  Brozovic
LB    Belodedici      Stimac       RB
                         GK

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Mikey: Modric, Mandzukic, Bobek, Tudor, Skoblar,
PIM: Ibra, Vukas, Srna, Dobrin, Simic,
Hazell: Stoickov, Salihamidzic, Kerimoglu, Shaqiri, Inler,
deFacto: Scholl, Pjanic, Sahin, Pandev, Subotic,
Tubby: Hagi, Berbatov, Belozoglu, Bilic, Contra
Max: Stankovic, Ivanovic, Pancev, Ivanov, Kolarov, Salihovic
Sarge: Suker, Lechtkov, Lacatus, Belodedici, Stimac, Brozovic
JKop: Savicevic, Rakitic, Oblak, Perisic, Viduka, Manolas,
Lastra: Boban, Dzeko, Chivu, Vucinic, Katanec, Dukic,
Eel L: Prosnicki, Jugovic, Ozil, N Kovac, Lovren, Zahovic,
SPS: Dzajic, Vidic, Balakov, Matic Hamit Altintop, Olic
TIND: Mihajlovic, Vasovic, Boloni, Susic,Arnautovic, Tadic,
Lawn: Mijatovic, Boksic, Jarni, Petrescu, Asanovic, S. Petrov,
BBB: Stojkovic, Popescu, Hakan Suker, Arda Turan, Hatzipanagis,Branko Oblak,

[JerseyKloppite]

Ok Is Manolas the artist formerly known as Kostas Manolas?

There are a few different Manolas actually that played for Greece and few of them were quite good.

Yep, current Manolas who is apparently moving from Roma to Napoli.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Now.

                      Suker
Lacatus                               Lechtkov
                       CAM
          CM                  Brozovic
LB    Belodedici      Stimac       RB
                         GK

Your midfield is going to be interesting, may struggle to get proper service to your attacking players and it's slim pickings at the moment of quality midfielders.

[Max_powers]

Yep, current Manolas who is apparently moving from Roma to Napoli.

Ok fair. He is a good pickup this late.

[Sarge]

Your midfield is going to be interesting, may struggle to get proper service to your attacking players and it's slim pickings at the moment of quality midfielders.

I have a couple in mind so I'll have to see who gets picked over the next few.

[Lastrador]

You could always play Lechtkov there, it would make more sense than him on the wing imo.

[Sarge]

You could always play Lechtkov there, it would make more sense than him on the wing imo.

I know he can play both, just waiting to see if I get who i want next round, Lechtkov was a fine baller all the same.

[Betty Blue]

You could always play Lechtkov there, it would make more sense than him on the wing imo.

I'd probably put Letchkov at CM. Although perhaps a bit similar to Brozovic, so AM is a good suggestion.

[Sarge]

I'd probably put Letchkov at CM. Although perhaps a bit similar to Brozovic, so AM is a good suggestion.

My AM is still not picked but if I cannot get my CM he'll go in beside Brozovic.