[Football] Calcio draft

Draft order

1st round
1- Les Habs : Shevchenko (Milan)
2- Flyhigh/Beli : Kaka (Milan)
3- Juni : Pirlo (Milan)
4- Evilo/The Rage : Nesta (Milan)
5- O=S/Bakos : Trezeguet (Juventus)

2nd round
6- O=S/Bakos : Toni (Fiorentina)
7- Evilo/The Rage : Zambrotta (Juventus)
8- Juni : Adriano (Inter)
9- Flyhigh/Beli : Cannavaro (Juventus)
10- Les Habs : Totti (Roma)

3rd round
11- Les Habs : Mexes (Roma)
12- Flyhigh/Beli : Gilardino (Milan)
13- Juni : Vieira (Juventus)
14- Evilo/The Rage : J. Zanetti (Inter)
15- O=S/Bakos : Seedorf (Milan)

4th round
16- O=S/Bakos : Chivu (Roma)
17- Evilo/The Rage : Ibrahimovic (Juventus)
18- Juni : De Rossi (Roma)
19- Flyhigh/Beli : Nedved (Juventus)
20- Les Habs : Mancini (Roma)

5th round
21- Les Habs : Emerson (Juventus)
22- Flyhigh/Beli : Cambiasso (Inter)
23- Juni : Del Piero (Juventus)
24- Evilo/The Rage : Gattuso (Milan)
25- O=S/Bakos : Stam (Milan)

6th round
26- O=S/Bakos : Camoranesi (Juventus)
27- Evilo/The Rage : Stankovic (Inter)
28- Juni : Cordoba (Inter)
29- Flyhigh/Beli : Suazo (Cagliari)
30- Les Habs : Oddo (Lazio)

7th round
31- Les Habs : Buffon (Juventus)
32- Flyhigh/Beli : Pasqual (Fiorentina)
33- Juni : Lucarelli (Livorno)
34- Evilo/The Rage : Inzaghi (Milan)
35- O=S/Bakos : Bojinov (Fiorentina)

8th round
36- O=S/Bakos : Materazzi (Inter)
37- Evilo/The Rage : Samuel (Inter)
38- Juni : Grosso (Palermo)
39- Flyhigh/Beli : Marchionni (Parma)
40- Les Habs : Simplicio (Parma)

9th round
41- Les Habs : Figo (Inter)
42- Flyhigh/Beli : Panucci (Roma)
43- Juni : Zaccardo (Palermo)
44- Evilo/The Rage : Veron (Inter)
45- O=S/Bakos : Perrotta (Roma)

10th round
46- O=S/Bakos : Dida (Milan)
47- Evilo/The Rage : Frey (Fiorentina)
48- Juni : Barzagli (Palermo)
49- Flyhigh/Beli : Thuram (Juventus)
50- Les Habs : Kaladze (Milan)

11th round
51- Les Habs : Jankulovski (Milan)
53- Flyhigh/Beli : Peruzzi (Lazio)
54- Juni : Amelia (Livorno)
55- Evilo/The Rage : Taddei (Roma)
56- O=S/Bakos : Bonera (Parma)

JUDGES : PK, Helicecopter, Bubbles and GB. I remind everyone that judges CAN give advices to anyone.

LooooooooooL, is this the right moment to start the serie A draft?

:biglaugh:

please discuss before starting how to consider players that could be banned by the end of this draft..

btw, again with this calcio thing..
'calcio' is the sport, 'serie A' is the league (or are serie B players available as well?)

I want in can I join?

I want in can I join?Hopefully yes, 5 teams are not enough..

Unfortunately, we are doing a general 6 league draft.
What you can do though is join someone who is drafting alone.

Unfortunately, we are doing a general 6 league draft.
What you can do though is join someone who is drafting alone.

Well hopefully either Juni/les habs is interested

Not one of the drafts I necessarily feel comfortable drafting first in. That said, who cares.

I'll start us out with Milan's Andriy Shevchenko

Flyhigh/Beli are up.

LooooooooooL, is this the right moment to start the serie A draft?

:biglaugh:

please discuss before starting how to consider players that could be banned by the end of this draft..

btw, again with this calcio thing..
'calcio' is the sport, 'serie A' is the league (or are serie B players available as well?)

:biglaugh: :biglaugh:

In a few days this would have to be named the Serie C2 draft. :sarcasm:

:biglaugh: :biglaugh:

In a few days this would have to be named the Serie C2 draft. :sarcasm:Only Juventus' players are expected to be drafted?
:sarcasm:

Unfortunately, we are doing a general 6 league draft.
What you can do though is join someone who is drafting alone.Well, i still don't get why you can't let one more partecipant in..just don't count him for the general classification at the end. :dunno:

Aside from a few players, I wouldn't expect many players to be picked from the middle/lower teams.

Nah, Milan and Fiorentina should also have a few. ;)But they don't hold a chance for C2.
Juve is the only one elegible for C2 ;)
(won't happen though :( )

Aside from a few players, I wouldn't expect many players to be picked from the middle/lower teams.Yeah, that's why i would be pleased to see one more team taking part..

Well, i still don't get why you can't let one more partecipant in..just don't count him for the general classification at the end. :dunno:
Because he's making it tougher for the other participants?

Because he's making it tougher for the other participants?For all the other partecipants in the same way so.. :rolleyes:

Except the other participants are in a bigger competition.
Really if I'm picking 4th and Alexander picks 3rd (for intance), I'm penalized compared to the others.

As I said, if he wants to participate, no problem, but it'd be better with another GM.
That's how we've done from the beginning.

Well after a PM from FlyHigh we agreed on the 2nd overall pick and we're taking Kaka also from Milan. :)

With Kaka taken (I'd have taken him #1 if I had the chance), I'll select Andrea Pirlo

I guess I'll wait until next time don't want to screw anyone over

We'll take Nesta.

I guess I'll wait until next time don't want to screw anyone over
Have you PMed Juni and Les Habs?

I PMed O=S. If i don´t hear something within the next 2 hours i´ll make our pick.

Hmm...received Pms from O=S, but still waiting for the reply to make a final decision.
To avoid any further delay i go ahead and hopefully i´m doing fine...

we´ll select David Trezeguet

and...

gimme a minute...

Luca Toni is the second choice.

We'll take Zambrotta.

Juni is up.

I'll take Adriano

I pm'd Beli, if he doesn't reply in a few hours, I'll pick.

Hehe, it takes more than two strikers to make an offense, and not everyone has even made two picks.
If Les Habs picks a good stiker for instance, he has Sheva to pair him with.

Best offense:

1. O=S/Bakos
2. The rest



They still need someone to get the ball to them... :D

I just received the PM from FlyHigh and agree on his proposal.
We're taking CB Fabio Cannavaro.

Unbelievable (explanations on this comment will be made available as soon as they won't influence anymore the upcoming picks).

I share the amazement.

is this related to our pick?

I'll head to Rome and take Francesco Totti with my next pick

Sticking with Roma, I'll take Phillipe Mexes with my next pick

It's about damn time. He should have been picked with one of the first 2 picks.

Honestly, I wouldn't have pegged him quite that high. Still I wasn't planning on his being available necessarily. Seeing as how about two guys I wanted who I didn't expect to be taken in the top 10 were, I'm happy Totti was left. He was the easy pick, Mexes took some thought. There were a few guys I was looking at, but I had to take certain things into consideration.

He is the best playmaker in Italy.

Well I wanted either him or Kaka. I was tempted to take Kaka with the first pick, but I just couldn't pass up Sheva. Like I said, I'm thrilled he was left. You need a playmaker and IMO there really aren't that many quality ones in Serie A after these two guys.

Well I wanted either him or Kaka. I was tempted to take Kaka with the first pick, but I just couldn't pass up Sheva. Like I said, I'm thrilled he was left. You need a playmaker and IMO there really aren't that many quality ones in Serie A after these two guys.

That was my rationale as well.

There's one player that hasn't been picked yet, and I'm very very dissappointed that he hasn't been.

There's one player that hasn't been picked yet, and I'm very very dissappointed that he hasn't been.

Whichever one you're talking about, I'm sure they all will go next round.

I'll head to Rome and take Francesco Totti with my next pick:eek:
So, the best player in the league finally goes with the #10 pick!
:joker:

How is Totti even remotely close being the best in the Serie A?

The Mexes selection is rather doubtful to say the least, btw.

Beli hasn't replied, so we'll take Alberto Gilardino

I'll take Patrick Vieira

We'll pick Javier Zanetti.

We'll pick Javier Zanetti.

Personal favorite of mine. Still can't figure out why he won't be taken to Germany.

Not sure whether I wait for Bakos or select for myself in a few minutes.

We'll pick two former Ajacieden: Clarence Seedorf and Christian Chivu..

We'll take Ibrahimovic.

I'll have Daniele De Rossi

The Mexes selection is rather doubtful to say the least, btw.

Well seeing as how you're not a judge, nobody gives a ******* what you think. This coming from a guy who takes Seedorf as his 3rd player overall.

If Flyhigh and Beli can pick before too long, I'll make my two choices. Otherwise you guys will be waiting about 19 hours from this post.

Wow. One guy who cost tens of millions in the transfer market a few years back is still alive and kicking. He'd still go for at least 20 million considering his age.

Well seeing as how you're not a judge, nobody gives a ******* what you think. This coming from a guy who takes Seedorf as his 3rd player overall.

Who peed in your serial?

Take a break tough guy, I was merely saying I didn't like your pick.

I was merely saying I didn't like your pick.

Which is like a big red neon sign suddenly flashing "Nice pick les Habs!"

Ok, I'm pretty sure my fellow judges will agree that it's a huge surprise that one certain player that has yet to be taken. Given the nature of the Serie A (hint, hint) he should have been taken ages ago. Don't let me down, whoever is next! ;)

Well seeing as how you're not a judge, nobody gives a ******* what you think. This coming from a guy who takes Seedorf as his 3rd player overall.



:biglaugh:

You're a mean son of a *****, that was ****ing hilarious.

FlyHigh PM'd me and we agreed on our next pick :
Pavel Nedved, from Juventus.

Hopefully I understood FlyHigh PM... :)

Phew. I'll go with Roma's Mancini and Juve's Emerson with my next two picks.

:biglaugh:

You're a mean son of a *****, that was ****ing hilarious.

I don't criticize other picks unless folks comment on mine. Besides, Mexes had a very good season and I know a good number of folks who had him in their team of the season. He's really surprised some folks. He's also in the WC squad for France, I felt I needed a CB and I thought somebody might take him.

He's also in the WC squad for France
Not to nitpick, but... he's not. :innocent:

Flyhigh/Beli are up.

Not to nitpick, but... he's not. :innocent:

Nitpicker! :sarcasm: I think I must still be so shocked that Boumsong made it that i've convinced myself Mexes did.

Sorry about the wait, hopefully Beli won't be angry, but we'll take Esteban Cambiasso

He was on my list no problem FlyHigh, I think I gave you that name also. :)

I'll go with Alessandro Del Piero

We'll take Gattuso.

We'll take Stam and Camoranesi..

We'll take Stankovic.

I'll take Ivan Cordoba

I've sent Beli a pm, if he doesn't reply, I'll pick when I get home (8 hours)

5 shocking rounds, and counting!

I sent you a PM FlyHigh with several proposal and my 2 choices. :)

We'll take David Suazo.

Les Habs is up!!!!!!
:help: I deleted my post... sorry, I'm going to bed I think I'm tired... :biglaugh:

:help: I deleted my post... sorry, I'm going to bed I think I'm tired... :biglaugh:

Hehehe gave me quite a scare, but he's not on and we pick after he does, so no worries.

FlyHigh : so please edit your post! ;)

FlyHigh : so please edit your post! ;)

thanks, looks like you're not the only tired one. :)

Les Habs is up twice.
If he hasn't picked in 5 hours (he usually doesn't pick around this time), Flyhigh/Beli will be up.

Sorry for any delay folks. Seriously though, it was the CL final.

I'll take Massimo Oddo of Lazio and Juve's Gigi Buffon with my next two picks.

Yeah I was like ***

:dunno:

He was wondering why he hadn't been selected yet.

Two great picks, BTW.

Oh, that's what I figured.

Thanks. I like them both (as picks), but I still have a few guys I'm looking to get. Fortunately some depth is still our there.

So we're making our pick (again) and we'll surprise everyone with LB Manuel Pasqual from Fiorentina...
I think Evilo is stunned... :D

So we're making our pick (again) and we'll surprise everyone with LB Manuel Pasqual from Fiorentina...
I think Evilo is stunned... :D

Why is that a surprise? He's had a very good season.

Why is that a surprise? He's had a very good season.
Because Beli lacks sleep, and yesterday he picked Pasqual in this thread even though he wasn't up. Fortunately, I deleted his post before anyone could see it... ;)

Juni is up..

I'll have Cristiano Lucarelli

Just a reminder since i have received a couple of PMs asking for advices.

My personal opinion is that giving advices as a judger would be a bit unfair and would make the draft a bit less interesting, so i am not going to give advices to anyone.
Sorry all, i hope this doesn't sound unpleasing to anyone.


As general direction... draft the good ones!! :D

Pm sent to Bakos..

Sorry for any delay folks. Seriously though, it was the CL final.

I'll take Massimo Oddo of Lazio and Juve's Gigi Buffon with my next two picks.So Buffon finally goes in the 7th round!! :bow:

We'll take Inzaghi.

O=S/Bakos are up twice.

Because Beli lacks sleep, and yesterday he picked Pasqual in this thread even though he wasn't up. Fortunately, I deleted his post before anyone could see it... ;)


Ahhhh, I see. I wish I could draft when I was sleeping. I know, I know. So do you wish I could draft in my sleep, right E? :D ;)

Because you're telling me you're awake when you pick? :eek:

Because you're telling me you're awake when you pick? :eek:Ehm.. as for this particular draft it seems he drafts meanwhile all the other are sleeping.. :innocent:

(read Totti and Buffon..)

Hehe, Buffon was on everyone's list obviously, but there was no need to pick him this early IMO (no les habs, don't hit, don't hit!).

As for Totti, maybe 4 guys didn't want an ******* on their team. :sarcasm:

Hehe, Buffon was on everyone's list obviously, but there was no need to pick him this early IMO (no les habs, don't hit, don't hit!).

Wel it was nice knowing you.. But be prepared for an ***-whooping.. ;)

I'll pick Bojinov and Nedved..

--------------- Toni ------- Trezeguet --------
-------------------- Bojinov --------------------
--- Nedved ----------------------- Seedorf ---
----------------- Camoranesi ------------------
[XXXXX] ----------------------------- [XXXXX]
----------------- Chivu - Stam -----------------
-------------------- [XXXXX] -------------------

We'll pick Samuel.

Patrick Vieira, Jesus of Suburbia:snide:

Nedved was selected in the 4th round and put Camoranesi on th RW unless you want your opponents to go through your midfield like a hot knife goes through butter.

Why doesn't my search fuction work properly, it's a pain in the ***..

I like Camoranesi's feistyness though. I don't see why he wouldn't work in a more defensive role.

We'll pick Materazzi instead.

Ouch!
Broken leg right there.

Ouch!
Broken leg right there.

Camoranesi, Materazzi and Stam.. I don't think we'll play 11 on 11 much often. ;)

We seem to have build a physical team in general though unpurposly..

Nedved was selected in the 4th round..Ooooott..wake up!! It's late in the day already!:joker:
And moreover, please get some defense on your team for once!! I'm tired of placing you at the bottom of my rankings :banghead: :cry:

Ooooott..wake up!! It's late in the day already!:joker:
And moreover, please get some defense on your team for once!! I'm tired of placing you at the bottom of my rankings :banghead: :cry:

Haha, hush it.. Just blame Bakos! That's what I always do..

Stam, Chivu and Materazzi form a nice basis at D though.

Hehe, Buffon was on everyone's list obviously, but there was no need to pick him this early IMO (no les habs, don't hit, don't hit!).

As for Totti, maybe 4 guys didn't want an ******* on their team. :sarcasm:

Well, Buffon was the guy I was talking about. Finally someone picks him. Considering Cech got picked in the 1st round in the Premier League draft, it was quite odd Buffon was not picked earlier.

les habs got a steal with both Totti and Buffon. You are the frontrunner in my book.

Cech's situation is different IMO. He's pretty much alone as elite goalie in his league. That's not the case of Buffon.

Cech's situation is different IMO. He's pretty much alone as elite goalie in his league. That's not the case of Buffon. :eek:
Considering who is the second best keeper in Italy i was sure you thouhgt otherwise!! :joker:

Maybe we don't have the same "second best goalie"... :sarcasm:

Maybe we don't have the same "second best goalie"... :sarcasm:Yeaah... but who is the judge here? :D :naughty:

Well obviously, the judge will -impartially of course- rank me very low.
Just like he did last time, which cost Tom and I the victory... ;)
After all, when everyone has a team in the top 3, it's quite logical someone ranks it 9th or so... :sarcasm:
So don't worry, I don't expect our team to be ranked highly this time around either. :innocent:

I'll have Fabio Grosso

I'll have Fabio Grosso

Good pick, Juni!

Well obviously, the judge will -impartially of course- rank me very low.
Just like he did last time, which cost Tom and I the victory... ;)
After all, when everyone has a team in the top 3, it's quite logical someone ranks it 9th or so... :sarcasm:
So don't worry, I don't expect our team to be ranked highly this time around either. :innocent:lol, everlasting sour grapes! :biglaugh:
i don't remember if it was 9th or 8th.. but there were something like 15 teams so actually i didn't place your team that low.. :innocent:

btw, last time people 'hinted' about me being partial they were saying i was making things up against Juve.. :biglaugh:...so you see, i am not biased while judging even when you think i am. :D

Haha, hush it.. Just blame Bakos! That's what I always do..

Stam, Chivu and Materazzi form a nice basis at D though.Well, the problem is not the defense itself, but the fact that as usual on your teams defense has NO protection.

Btw, was it Bakos' idea to draft Materazzi ahead of Samuel? :rolleyes:

Well, weren't you the one bringing up sour grapes about Mascherano the other day? :sarcasm:
As for Juve, people say you go too far, not that you're wrong on anything.

Well, weren't you the one bringing up sour grapes about Mascherano the other day? :sarcasm:About one player..
anyway, since i was undeservedly placed way lower than you, i have better reason to keep my grapes sour! :p:


As for Juve, people say you go too far, not that you're wrong on anything.no, pas du tout mon frère..
no one ever said i was mostly right, and the point is: i've been proved right on EVERYTHING! Even on the yellow cards awarded to Juventus' next opponent players under warning... :biglaugh:

About one player..
anyway, since i was undeservedly placed way lower than you, i have better reason to keep my grapes sour! :p:

no, pas du tout mon frère..
no one ever said i was mostly right, and the point is: i've been proved right on EVERYTHING! Even on the yellow cards awarded to Juventus' next opponent players under warning... :biglaugh:
Undeservedly? Yes our team deserved to be better ranked than yours, but that's another matter. I guess you're right, and the 14 of us were wrong... ;)

Yes, plenty of people are aware Juve has had weird decisions go their way over the years. You didn't bring the news mind you. I can read it in L'Equipe like years ago for instance.
However, you tended to push things too far, which is why guys like Frolov argued with you.

Undeservedly? Yes our team deserved to be better ranked than yours, but that's another matter. I guess you're right, and the 14 of us were wrong... ;).Read better:
since i was undeservedly placed way lower than you
( so you are arguing with what i think but not with what i said! :D )


However, you tended to push things too far, which is why guys like Frolov argued with you. :cry:
See, there are prooves out there that i was NOT pushing anything beyond where it really was and you still say this.. it's frustrating. Indeed.

But you said Juventus didn't deserve its Scudetto or that it wasn't a big team (can't really say by heart, I must say I skipped most of your debates with Frolov) without a concrete proof. Obviously, not everyone would have agreed with you.

..which is why guys like Frolov argued with you.Oh, and please..i told to the Frog the fact Juve curiously never winning in Europe while often winning in Italy was not a coincidence and he even denied that fact, let alone he admitted Juve robbed instead of winning..
(and all of you others were denying it as well..
cause in case you still have to realize it, it's METHODIC cheating we are talking about)

no surprise Frog is nowhere to be found these days..

But you said Juventus didn't deserve its Scudetto or that it wasn't a big team (can't really say by heart, I must say I skipped most of your debates with Frolov) without a concrete proof. Obviously, not everyone would have agreed with you.Eh, contemporary posts..

anyway, never said they were not a big team.

As for saying they didn't deserve their scudetto without concrete proof, it seems someone can use his eyes while someone ELSE is biased.

Don't be ridiculous, Frolov hasn't been online for months it seems.
But hey Frolov was wrong, so what?
It's not like you aren't wrong either (Coupet=Dida, Essien, etc...).

All of us are wrong at some point (and yes, even me! :D ), it's part of the hindsight.

I remember on another hockey board I used to argue with someone (it was around 1997 or something) that Lang would be a decent NHLer, when the other person kept saying he would be nothing more than a fringe NHLer (that was when Pittsburgh picked him on waivers).
A few years later, he's nowhere to be found. The same guy said Andy Ference would never make the NHL because he was always on his butt (because of his size) in the WHL, which I obviously disagreed with, thanks to my well known bias).
That guy lived in Western Canada and was seeing WHL games every week.
I was in France and saw the guy once live in Portland.

That's part of the fun of internet talks ant predictions. You're sometimes right, you're sometimes wrong.

And you were wrong to rank our team that low! :D

Don't be ridiculous, Frolov hasn't been online for months it seems.
But hey Frolov was wrong, so what?
It's not like you aren't wrong either (Coupet=Dida, Essien, etc...).lol, do you have yet to get that i actually have Dida above Coupet? (even if obviously he did worse this season)

and give me a break, there are different levels of being wrong!
(how strongly you maintain your case and how clean you make your supposed reason to be)..
well, the Frog was at the top level!


All of us are wrong at some point (and yes, even me! :D ), it's part of the hindsight.

I remember on another hockey board I used to argue with someone (it was around 1997 or something) that Lang would be a decent NHLer, when the other person kept saying he would be nothing more than a fringe NHLer (that was when Pittsburgh picked him on waivers).
A few years later, he's nowhere to be found. The same guy said Andy Ference would never make the NHL because he was always on his butt (because of his size) in the WHL, which I obviously disagreed with, thanks to my well known bias).
That guy lived in Western Canada and was seeing WHL games every week.
I was in France and saw the guy once live in Portland.

That's part of the fun of internet talks ant predictions. You're sometimes right, you're sometimes wrong.Ah, i remember a lot of people laughing when BEFORE this season i said i would have chosen Malkin over Kovalchuk, Nash and probably over Ovechkin as well.. :D

I remember people laughing when I said Ovechkin would be the new king of the NHL when he was only 16 and people were already talking about Crosby.
And people laughing when I said I'd take Lehtonen over Fleury.
Of course Crosby and Fleury became Penguins so... :blush:

I remember people laughing when I said Ovechkin would be the new king of the NHL when he was only 16 and people were already talking about Crosby.
And people laughing when I said I'd take Lehtonen over Fleury.Well, Ovechkin is not going to be better than Crosby and we were many maintaining Lehtonen was better than Fleury! :D

We'll take Marchionni.

Les Habs is up twice.

Haha, hush it.. Just blame Bakos! That's what I always do..


Hugh, what ? :D

Adding a little more samba to my side, I'll take Parma's Simplicio.

That leaves me with one more pick. It is with great guilt, deep shame overall anxiety that I select Luis Figo of Inter. Had my other option not been taken, then I most certainly wouldn't have taken Judas Iscariot. :(

Flyhigh/Beli are up.

Adding a little more samba to my side, I'll take Parma's Simplicio.

That leaves me with one more pick. It is with great guilt, deep shame overall anxiety that I select Luis Figo of Inter. Had my other option not been taken, then I most certainly wouldn't have taken Judas Iscariot. :( :biglaugh:

:biglaugh:

Well I certainly hope you're having a laugh at my Figo remarks. I'm feeling sick to my stomach over it. He's quality, don't get me wrong. Still hate him though.

Well I certainly hope you're having a laugh at my Figo remarks. I'm feeling sick to my stomach over it. He's quality, don't get me wrong. Still hate him though.Yes, at your remarks..
it really seems you are ready for everything to try to win! :snide:

We'll take Christian Panucci.

Juni's up.

I'll have Christian Zaccardo

We'll take Veron.

DM Simone Perrotta please..

Oh, have to pick twice..

We'll pick Dida in net..

--------------------- Toni ---- Trézéguet---------------
------------------------- Boijnov ------------------------
--------------------------------------- Seedorf ---------
--------- Camoranesi ----------------------------------
------------------------ Perrotta -----------------------
Chivu ----------------------------------------- [XXXXX]
------------------ Materazzi - Stam -------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------- Dida --------------------------

We'll take Frey.

Juni's up.

Andrea Barzagli

Flyhigh/Beli are up.

We will take Lilian Thuram.

Les Habs is up twice.

Heading to Milan, I will select Marek Jankulovski with my next pick.

And with my final pick, I'll go with the REAL Kahka, Kahka Kaladze.

I'll put up my lineup tomorrow.

----------Shevchenko--------------------
-------------------------Totti------------

Mancini-----Simplicio-----Emerson-----Figo

Jankulovski-----Kaladze-----Mexes----Oddo

-------------------Buffon-----------------


I'm definately thrilled with this lineup. I was a bit nervous about this draft since I only started watching some Serie A again this year. I was also nervous with the first pick. In the end though I was able to get good players with every round. In fact I have three players who could have all easily gone in the first round with three more who could have easily gone in the second round. This team can pass the ball on the ground and provide quality crosses. It has goalscorers in a number of positions and is solid defensively.

Up front you've got two of the premier players in the world much less in Italy. Sheva has done the business time and again in both Serie A and in the CL. He also brings assists as well as he's tied for 8th this season. Totti not only brings goals, but he brings creativity and assists. Hell, why am I even explaining these guys? I'll just say that Totti is playing just off of Sheva.

In the midfield you've got creativity, goals, and steel. You've also got strong passing. On the flanks you've got two of the best wide players in Serie A. I made the conscious decision to move Mancini to the left which inverts him (Cruyff philosophy) and allows runs inside. Mancini is also on the left to provide cover as Simplicio won't stay at home as much as Emerson. Figo is on the right and has shown again this season that he's still got it. Both guys bring goals and assists. In the middle you've got two more Brazilians. Emerson is the steel, though Simplicio can play DM. Simplicio will get forward more though and bring some goals (as he's brought 10 this season and been one of Parma's biggest contributors - even when he's not scored). Emerson is on the right not only because he plays there but because I need my strongest DM on that side to provide cover with Figo and to a lesser extent Oddo there.

At the back you've got a very solid defense with Serie's A best goalkeeper to boot. On the flanks you've got two solid fullbacks who can also get forward. Oddo is the leader in assists in Serie A to give you one example. I'm surprised he hasn't moved to a bigger club actually. Jakulovski's had a tough season, but look out for him again next season. He's averaged about 5 goals a season before this year too. In the middle you've got Mexes who was one of the best defenders in Serie A this season and on some teams of the season. Kaladze's been solid in the middle for Milan. Buffon's been hurt this season, but I don't need to talk him up.

Flyhigh/Beli are up.

And with my final pick, I'll go with the REAL Kahka, Kahka Kaladze.It's Kakha. ;)

question: should i give advices about the lineups and hint alterations before judging the final formations?

Actually it's one of my problems.
In previous drafts, we judged the teams with the formations that were given by the GMs.
Recently, some judges ranked teams with formations given by other juges (I think in the EPL draft). That caused me a problem.
Personally, I think that if you're unsure of your formation, PM a judge, ask advices, and then post your final formation.
I mean if you persist at playing a LW as a RB, then you should be penalized for it.

Just my two cents...

We will take Angelo Peruzzi.

FlyHigh/Beli

-----------Gilardino----------Suazo
----Nedved----------Kaka---------Marchionni
------------------Cambiasso-------------
Pasqual-----Cannavaro-----Thuram----Panucci
------------------Peruzzi------------------

I like this team pretty well. Up front, Gilardino and Suazo are both great goalpoachers, Gilardino especially is a rising star both for club and country. I also love my midfield. Nedved, Kaka, and Marchionni are all great playmakers and Nedved and Kaka also score quite a bit as well. Cambiasso is a good anchor and also a good playmaker. My back 4 are good. Pasqual was one of the best LBs in Serie A, Cannavaro and Thuram have been a great pairing for Juve over the last 2 years, and Panucci is a solid veteran. I also like Peruzzi who was the best GK in Serie A this year according to several reports that I read.

I'll round up with Marco Amelia

----------Adriano-------Lucarelli----------
------------------Del Piero----------------
------------------------------------------
----------De Rossi-------Vieira------------
-------------------Pirlo-------------------
------------------------------------------
Grosso------Cordoba--Barzagli----Zaccardo
------------------Amelia------------------

De Rossi and Vieira get through a load of work allowing Pirlo to work his magic in midfield, and with the three up front there should be no lack of goals. Adriano's power and drive compliments Del Piero's consistency and refinery and Lucarelli scores, just scores. The defence features three Palermo players, all full internationals, who know eachother well and play well together and individually, whilst Cordoba slots into place as one of the premier defenders in the league - he has it all. Amelia has this season stepped up to the potential he's always displayed and been a fantastic all round goalie.

We'll pick Taddei.

Our lineup :

------Inzaghi----Ibrahimovic-
--------------Veron--------------
Stankovic--------------Taddei
------------Gattuso------------
Zambrotta-Nesta-Samuel-Zanetti
------------Frey------------

Since we had a late pick and since Kaka was picked early, we decided to build from defense. We feel we might just have the 4 best defensemen in Serie A, with one of the best goalies.
The rest of the team features a huge fighter in midfield (Gattuso), two technical midfielders in Stankovic and Taddei and a trio of Veron-Inzaghi-Ibrahimovic that should create a lot of danger for opposing defenses.
Sure, we didn't get a sexy forward like Sheva, Trézéguet or Toni, but we feel our offense should still be very effective with the combination of the big guy that can do it all (Ibra) and the smaller guy that is a pure scorer (Inzaghi).
Veron may be old, but he's still among the best AMs in the world.

So yes we're very happy with our team, a team that should be rock solid defensively and that should be a good threat offensively.

O=S/Bakos are up for their last pick.

Daniele De Rossi?

Daniele De Rossi?
He was picked in the 4th round by Juni.

We'll complete out squad by adding a legend: Maldini.

--------------------- Toni --------- Trézéguet -------------------
--------------------------- Bojinov -------------------------------
-------------------------------------- Seedorf -------------------
------------ Camoranesi ------------------------------------------
--------------------------- Perrotta ------------------------------
Chivu ------------------------------------------------------ Maldini
----------------------- Materazzi - Stam --------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------- Dida ---------------------------------

Before my judgement, I just want to say everyone did a great job drafting teams. This will be very close, IMO. Some dodgy choices at the beginning, though.

Been busy guys, sorry.
Haven´t had talks with O=S, but if i´m not mistaken than Maldini is more a (pure) LB and if that´s true, i´d like to ask if we can change that selection to Bonera of Parma. :)

BTW, my head isn't fully working right now, but Maldini isn't even a RB now that I think of it. Can he play it though, or else we'd change selections..

BTW, my head isn't fully working right now, but Maldini isn't even a RB now that I think of it. Can he play it though, or else we'd change selections..

No. He's always been a LB, but the last few years he's moved to CB.

No. He's always been a LB, but the last few years he's moved to CB.

That's what I thought. Should've contemplated with Bakos, but since it is the last pick in the draft I think we could repalce him with Bonera.

BTW, my head isn't fully working right now, but Maldini isn't even a RB now that I think of it. Can he play it though, or else we'd change selections..No problem with the change of selection since you were the last to pick..
anyway, while we are at it..
Maldini first foot is his right one. I already reported this on these boards in the past. To define him a right footed player now can be a strecth since after more than a decade passed on the left flank he became more used to cross with his left foot, but actually he was a natural right footed..
in fact he played as rightback in Milan primavera until he turned 16 and joined the main squad under Liedholm tenure. He also played as rightback this year more than once in the CL. That said, he prefers to be on the left since he says he is not used to defend and tackle on the right anymore.

--------------------- Toni --------- Trézéguet -------------------
--------------------------- Bojinov -------------------------------
-------------------------------------- Seedorf -------------------
------------ Camoranesi ------------------------------------------
--------------------------- Perrotta ------------------------------
Chivu ------------------------------------------------------ Bonera
----------------------- Materazzi - Stam --------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------- Dida ---------------------------------

After some big early surprises (Totti and Buffon) things went for the better and most of the right guys were picked.

Here are some comments on who could have been picked. There could be some omissions since I’ve not done a complete check.
Within the teams’ write ups I’ll try to take care of the lineups, that’s where most mistakes came and several things got messed up.


--Should have been drafted--

Serginho: one of the best Milan performers this year, finally he suddenly became decent enough defensively to be effective as leftback. Aside from Zambrotta, he culd have been picked ahead other three leftbacks selected: Pasqual, Grosso and especially Jankulovsky, at least to play at that position.

Martins: kinda disappointing season, but more dangerous and fitting than some other forwards selected.

--Could have been selected--
Favalli: he is like Gary Neville, with better abilities in the air but less consistency (more injuries).
Vucinic: complete scorer, would have not been out of place.
Barone: pretty complete midfielder.
Semioli: hard working winger, has actually been more consistent than Marchionni along the last two seasons.
Tavano: impressive season, cold scorer, good technique, need a center forward on his side.
Cruz: very effective season and more suited to play together with another center forward than some other big strikers selected.
Toldo: would still be top 5 in the league imho if played regularly

Other options that could have been used on some teams considering their needs:
Ujfalusi, Cassetti, Obodo, Felipe, Diana, Flachi, Fini, Di Michele, Canini, Esposito, Rocchi, Morfeo.

Examples:
Flachi struggled this year cause his team had all the available center forwards injured for the season.
Rocchi is a forward guy that moves really well without the ball.
Both could have helped in place for one of the two center forwards some teams selected.

two more guys that probably deserved more recognition are:
Pizarro (really disappointing season, but still one heck of a midfielder if properly used in the right envinronment. Don’t be surprised if he goes off to Roma and is back doing great)
Liverani (best one touch passer in the league after Totti. Probably best passer among serie A midfielders)
but as for midfielders I don’t see bad picks so..

--Should have NOT been drafted--

DelPiero: especially to play behind the forwards. Has no more enough gas for that role and even if this year he was back to form he was used as striker when not on the bench.

Bojinov: several other forwards should have been picked before. And the position behind the forwards is not his place.

Zaccardo: there were probably better options like Ujfalusi or Cassetti.

Amelia: Talented and coming off a very good season; finally, after two very disappointing years. Still there were more reliable options imo: Toldo, Julio Cesar Antonioli.

Jankulovsky: at least not to play as leftback. Yes I know he did play leftback for his national team, but he can’t defend properly and had a poor season.

We personally had Martins and Vucinic on our list.
But we went with Ibra and Inzaghi, mainly because of their experience.

We personally had Martins and Vucinic on our list.
But we went with Ibra and Inzaghi, mainly because of their experience.Nothing wrong with your attack. Personally i would have probably added Martins to Ibra to have more speed but Inzaghi makes up for Zlatan lack of scoring (when not injured).

I________Evilo________I

------Inzaghi----Ibrahimovic-
--------------Veron--------------
Stankovic--------------Taddei
------------Gattuso------------
Zambrotta-Nesta-Samuel-Zanetti
------------Frey------------


Two main things.

-The good one:
The defense is hands down the best of the draft.
I could add it's probably the best of all these HF drafts. Nesta and Samuel complement each other very well (and can stand the load of two offensive fullbacks).
Nesta can play the ball, command the line and provide some speed (not consistently the great speed of once, but still..); Samuel is more consistent, plays a risk-free game, is dirty, focused and smart in the penalty area.
Zambrotta is great, Zanetti is back on top form after his first disappointing season last year and a serious muscular injury early this season. He is not great defensively as he struggles a bit with positioning despite his experience and is not solid one on one, but brings great energy, protects the ball like no one else, can dribble, start the play from behind and help midfield. If only he could pass earlier..
a first mistake with positioning comes with Nesta and Samuel though. They should be switched, not only because Nesta is rightfooted and Samuel a lefty; Nesta on the right could help Zanetti more as he is more comfortable than Samuel running around out of his position.
The negative effects should be marginal though.

A more serious defensive drawback should come on free kicks:
Zambro and Javier are not good headers. The selected midfielders could barely help (just a bit Taddei, maybe Stankovic, no way Gattuso and Veron). Nesta and Samuel should take care of everything..the team would struggle in those situations, also considering that Frey would not help a lot on crosses. Speaking of the keeper, aside from that he was a good choice. Definitely top 5 in the league at the moment. This season he was actually the best performer at his position before the torn ACL. Less spectacular than in the past, but more consistent and reliable. Still some questionable goals here and then but way less than in the past and still capable of the big time save.

-The bad one:
midfielders positioning.
as for the players selected i have little problems. Only, i'm not a fan of Taddei (the emblem of inconsistency), but he brings some qulities. Problem is, this diamond system is ok only for Stankovic, for the other three it's a damage.
I've never liked Veron as a real attacking midfielder. He lacks change of pace and ball protection to be very effective there (can't play giving shoulders to the net), plus he could exploit less his long range pass.
Taddei has simply never played that role. He probably has the running to do that, but lacks any kind of experince and consistency to be effective there at the moment, he also loses too many ball.
Gattuso of course can defend, but he is more of an aggressive ball hunter, not that good as for defensive position to be a real anchor hold and kinda sucks and starting the play from behind. This last fact is marginal having behind a defensive line that features Zambro, Besta and Zanetti.
Attacking on the flank wouldn't be a problem either, with Zambro and Zanetti coming from behind, but this simple system would have been so much better imo:
--Stankovic--------Veron--------Gattuso--------Taddei


The forwards line is well assorted. After being great in 2004/05, Zlatan had a poor season this year, but probably he is already the most complete forward in the game. He can do it all and can create plays, a good thing especially when your other striker is Inzaghi. Obviously he has a mental problem when he has the chance to score as he loses his composure and his technical skills suddenly vanish.. he could also move better in the penalty area without the ball and keep his attention higher.. but here comes possessed scorer Inzaghi that brings all these qualities (lacking all the rest, of course).

Not on par with other teams as for freekicks threat (any real specialists here).

Overall a nice team, could have been better but players while playing are not rooted on the pitch either..

obviously i will try to be a bit more synthetic with the next teams :banghead:



I_______________Ott/Bakos______________I

--------------------- Toni --------- Trézéguet -------------------
--------------------------- Bojinov -------------------------------
-------------------------------------- Seedorf -------------------
------------ Camoranesi ------------------------------------------
--------------------------- Perrotta ------------------------------
Chivu ------------------------------------------------------ Bonera
----------------------- Materazzi - Stam --------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------- Dida ---------------------------------

here i go, the usual frustrating task of commenting and rank an Ott's team :cry:
(it seems Bakos was not much involved, as the Dida presence should confirm).
I read the names and i see several terrific players, then i look at the team as whole and i have to shake my head.
-First mistake: as said in my first comments, Bojinov should not have been selected. Terrific qualities, but coming off a poor season where he showed attitude (or better brain) problems. On top of that, the last team that should have drafted him was the one with Toni and Trez already on. He is a scorer and can't play as assist-man behind the forwards.
-Second mistake: you draft Trez 5th..why adding Toni at 6th?? two pure center forwards. Toni works a lot, the right players to take advantages of his heading deflections is a quick running forward that can also assist him, basically the opposite of what Trez is.
-Third: once you have two terrific headers (especially Trez) on your team, your main NEED to build a very effective offense are nice crosses. Well, Camoranesi is the only potential (right)winger drafted, but he plays where? as center/left midfielder. :banghead:
so you better have great crossers as fullbacks.. no, there were at least three terrific lefty crossers: Serginho, Pasqual and Grosso. No one was selected. Bonera is a good late pick, but not a crosser either.
-Fourth: how can you draft Materazzi ahead of Thuram and Samuel?
Put Chivu in the middle and draft one those three crossers and it's already a better story.
-Fifth: Perrotta is a run and gun type of player (very good season btw). Runs a lot, can join offense without the ball, can win balls.. but is not positionally that sound to play the anchor, and he never did before in his career in fact.

Now, i could also talk about how good are the players drafted, but i won't, as a kind of clamor!

With the quality it features this team could still be dangerous, the better tactic being launching the ball high from the defense to Toni and Trez with good shooters like Seedorf, Bojinov and Perrotta jumping on the play (deflections), but its messy 3 men midfield would be probably killed.
Btw, this disposition could have been a bit better:

-------------Perrotta----------------Camoranesi--------
--------------------------Seedorf-----------------------

(as you surely know Clarence played there early on in his career)



I__________FlyHigh/Beli__________I

-----------Gilardino----------Suazo
----Nedved----------Kaka---------Marchionni
------------------Cambiasso-------------
Pasqual-----Cannavaro-----Thuram----Panucci
------------------Peruzzi------------------


Make one change and this is one heck of a team.

Replace Suazo with Barone (or Pizarro, who is better, but maybe less suited to play alongside Cambiasso) and all makes sense. Unfortunately it is not the case.
Suazo this year finally enjoyed his breakthrough season after a couple of disappointing years, exploiting his speed and shot to become a consistent threat and scorer. However, i think he is destined for better success on a counter attacking team than on a powerhouse. This year he has finally been using better his teammates, but that will never be his forte; not that i've problems with him being drafted, but this is not the best team for him; he is probably better at playing as the lone striker, or in case, supported by a secondary forward, while Gila is a center forward.
More importantly, the lack of another midfileder alongside Cambiasso arouses several defensive problems.
Nedved doesn't run anymore like in his good days, still dangerous but not all over the pitch anymore. Kaka is great and well placed, but on this team he should care a lot about defending.
Marchionni is another offensive player. He can be effective in that position, but only offensively.
So we have Cambiasso, who is sound positionally and defensively, but is far from being phisically a superman, like the one this team would need to have some balance.
The unprotected defensive line is good though, with Cannavaro and Thuram altogether back to their previous glories in the last couple of seasons. Panucci was a great late pick, as he has been the best rightback in the league this season. Pasqual brings energy and great crossing for Gila, the bad news is that he struggles defensively and need protection ahead, something he would not find on this team. With Peruzzi in the net this kind of lineup would probably be exposed to headers on defensive freekicks.
Now stop talking of the bad things (all basically coming out of ONE wrong decision).
Aside the Suazo thing you guys made a very good job at selecting and placing the players in the right position.
Peruzzi is not the same of some years ago but had a good season and is very probably still deserving the spot in the top 5. I like Nedved exactly in that position. Several players that would mix really well here.
This team would have been a huge threat for position #1 with one changement.



I__________les Habs__________I

----------Shevchenko--------------------
-------------------------Totti------------

Mancini-----Simplicio-----Emerson-----Figo

Jankulovski-----Kaladze-----Mexes----Oddo

-------------------Buffon-----------------


I would have never thought to find Shevchenko, Totti, Buffon and Emerson on the same team. It's more criticizing the other managers for making them available than praising les Habs here.
The best player in the league picked at #10. The clear top keeper of the league at #31. It didn't take a genius..
Mancini was a nice addiction to a team with Totti and only one other striker. He adds a key option for Totti's passes with his ability to attack spaces without the ball. It's basic for Totti to have more than one guy (Sheva is the other) with that attribute on his team. That said, Figo can play on the left as well as on the right, while Mancini is better-on/more-used-to the right. Tactical reasons make it understandable, but still i would have preferred the other way around. Simplicio can add scoring coming from behind and has been Parma's best player since joining, Emerson brings great defensive play and consistency and offensively was used to be better than what showed in the last couple of years. Aside from being a dead body by March for two seasons in a row, he is a great contributor.
Kaladze, Mexes and him add to Totti and Sheva a decent scoring threat in the air off freekicks (Oddo, Jankulovsky and Figo can all take them).
As said, there were better option left than Jankulovsky as LB, even if he is pretty well protected.
Oddo is doing well, deserved his spot on the national team and since Panucci is not there i would probably make him a starter.
Kaladze had a really strong season, his liability towards blunders with the ball can be helped by Mexes, as the French, a great passer and ball carrier for a CB, would take care of starting the play. Oddo and Janku can obviously play the ball as well.
Since we are considering the last couple of years though, it has to be pointed out that Mexes was horrendous in his first Italian season and struggled in the first months of this season (due to slight injuries too). Last 6 months he has been very good, and even great in some games. I won't weight in an average ofhis performances cuase i think his value is closer to his recent play, but he is not a mistakes free kind of defender.
The main drawback of this team is the defensive line as a whole.
Jankulovsky and Oddo being offensive fullbacks adds to the fact Kaladze and Mexes are good individually but neither can really command a defensive line yet. Having Emerson and adding Buffon to make decisive saves helps, but this drawback would have probably costed the #1 position without Evilo's and Flyhigh's mistakes.
One last thing to remark is that this is a team with great running:
Jankulovsky, Oddo, Mexes, Kaladze, Mancini are great runners, Totti and Sheva are very dynamic forwards.. nowadays' Figo is probably the only exception.



I____________Juni____________I

----------Adriano-------Lucarelli----------
------------------Del Piero----------------
------------------------------------------
----------De Rossi-------Vieira------------
-------------------Pirlo-------------------
------------------------------------------
Grosso------Cordoba--Barzagli----Zaccardo
------------------Amelia------------------


Very probably the best midfield of the bunch. You would expect just that with 3 mids picked in the first 4 rounds. Considering del Piero was an EARLY 5th round pick, that left less options for some not so deep positions.
Cordoba outstanding speed makes up for Barzagli's lack of agility. The latter is very good in the air but is not suited to properly take care of Cordoba's insipience with the ball. This defense would have a lot of troubles starting the play, only partially healed by Pirlo presence (coming back).
Zaccardo is not bad, but far from brilliant (didn't deserve the spot on the national team imo); moreover, he can't cover the whole flank like he would be supposed to do on this team. Not a very good ball carrier, not a very good crosser, average speed.
With the system used, this team needed something else. Since Oddo was already gone, Cafu would have still been a good solution.
Grosso is a great crosser even if he struggles to get the end of the picth. He is not with the best defensively and lacks agility, but he has some protection (for that reason i would have switched Vieira and De Rossi though).
Amelia finally delivered a season on par with his talent, but still as previously said i wouldn't consider him a really reliable keeper.
Adriano was horrendous this season, but it wouldn't be fair judging him through that. Still a terrific weapon if properly used. He has a pure center forward like Lucarelli on his side, but even if i prefer the Brazilian at center, he has been used to play as second forward with inter. Del Piero doesn't have anymore (actually, does he ever had?) the gas to play behind the forwards, but his shoulders are well protected by Vieira, De Rossi and Pirlo in the middle. Still, just like i said for Bojinov on Ott's team, there were better solutions to exploit that powerful attack, like wingers or a guy with great vision and assist like Morfeo.
This team would score none the less his fair share of goals though, with the likes of De Rossi and Vieira joining form behind. It would be particularly dangerous on headers off offensive freekicks (Lucarelli, De Rossi, Vieira, Barzagli, Cordoba, Adriano, with Grosso, Del Piero or Pirlo being the kickers)

We hesitated a bit on our midfield I must say.
We almost selected Dacourt to help out Gattuso, but we felt that we needed more offensive punch, which is why we took a more offensive profile player.
As for the D, it's my mistake. We knew Nesta would take the other CB position, but I somehow posted it the other way around. My fault.

Thanks for the read Helice.

We hesitated a bit on our midfield I must say.
We almost selected Dacourt to help out Gattuso, but we felt that we needed more offensive punch, which is why we took a more offensive profile player.Hey, a Veron-Gattuso duo is definitely better than a Dacourt-Gattuso duo! The only problem is the collocation on the picth.

No Dacourt would have been picked with out last pick, instead of Taddei. He would have played DM with Gattuso and Stankovic and Veron would have managed the AM spots.

I've completed my write ups adding the two missing teams.
(post #192)

Rankings coming soon.

I've completed my write ups adding the two missing teams.
(post #192)

Rankings coming soon.

Thanks for the read, looking forward to the rankings.

Resulting rankings (see #192 for reasoning) :

1- les Habs

2- Evilo

3- FlyHigh/Beli

4- Juni

5- Ott/Bakos

We needs Bubbles' and GB's rankings.
So far the rankings after 2 are :
T1- Evilo/The Rage 4 points (2+2)
T1- les Habs 4 points (1+3)
T1- FlyHigh/Beli 4 points (1+3)
4- Juni 8 points (4+4)
5- Ott/Bakos 10 points (5+5)

Since I have a reputation (rightly or more so wrongly) I'll just post smilies so I don't get misunderstood here. :) :) :) :)

3. les Habs
That left side is just wrong. Mancini should be on the right side while Jankolusvki should be playing in midfield. Move Kahladze to LB and select Barzagli instead of Figo and that team would look very good. Totti and Sheva would be an insane duo. You also have the best GK, obviously.

I'll start by saying that I'm not looking for a ranking change. Still I do think the Mancini comment is harsh. IMO I gave two solid reasons for that decision. Also, I think the whole Jankulovski thing is a bit overdone, and Kaladze played in the middle this year. I also hate to defend Figo, but are you essentially saying he should not have been drafted? He had a good season and has been one of the best of his generation. I won't comment on other teams, but he's a lot better than another guy his age that you commented positively about and that was drafted much earlier.

Anyway, I guess I'm just saying that if I'd taken Serginho (something I strongly considered and only didn't due to his age) you wouldn't be carving the lineup up so much.

I would have never thought to find Shevchenko, Totti, Buffon and Emerson on the same team. It's more criticizing the other managers for making them available than praising les Habs here.
The best player in the league picked at #10. The clear top keeper of the league at #31. It didn't take a genius..

I agree with you here (I really do), but I think it's also down to my drafting. There are only two guys ahead of Totti that I wouldn't have taken at #10 had Totti been drafted sooner. By that I mean I wouldn't have take them at #10. As for Buffon, it was clear after the first round (and definately after the second) that keepers weren't going early. That coupled with the fact that a lot of guys were taking defenders while I hadn't yet meant that I did well to take him when I did. I think that Mancini and Emerson were bigger coups than Buffon if you consider how keepers slide. IMO it's just a shame that Mancini's presence in my lineup doesn't carry the weight I would give it. I guess I just like him a lot in real life.

Anyway, I still think I would have a solid side had I not benefitted from some choices. I do totally agree that I was given some gifts, but to my credit I did snap them up while EVERYBODY passed on them. There were a lot of gifts in the EPL draft too, I just didn't get any of them.

Since I have a reputation (rightly or more so wrongly) :lol: :innocent:

Anyway, I guess I'm just saying that if I'd taken Serginho (something I strongly considered and only didn't due to his age) you wouldn't be carving the lineup up so much. Mmmh.. true.

I think that Mancini and Emerson were bigger coups than Buffon if you consider how keepers slide.Whatever, fact is other managers should have taken him meanwhile you picked Mancini and Emerson.

IMO it's just a shame that Mancini's presence in my lineup doesn't carry the weight I would give it. I still considered it a huge plus for the reason i explained, even if i would still have him and Figo switched. Or actually, considering that would meant Jankulovsky and Figo on the same side, you could have done that after drafting a more defensive leftback.
And your tactical reasons, like the runs inside argument (with jankulovsky able to join and to keep fairly wide the defense), did help your case.

As said, the main drawback of your team imo is that the defensive line would lack experienced guidance (Kaladze is experienced, but not commanding the line. Janku and Oddo don't shine for their defensive cleverness. Mexes is a bit of a headcase)

Figo had to be drafted, but I'm just saying that Mancini should play on the right side and IMO you would've been better off drafting either a LM or LB instead of Figo. That being said, this draft was a close one, especially for the positions 1-3.

I agree, I think that our team, Evilo's, and LH's are just really, really close.

1. Evilo

Easily the best defense of all the teams. Serie A is based on defense, so that is a major point of my judgement. I'm not entirely sold on Veron, but you have a very balanced attack.

2. FlyHigh/Beli

Another excellent team built on defense. I think you could have gone with a better goalie than Peruzzi, but your defenders are strong. I really like the idea of Kaka feeding Gilardino.

3. les habs

Your defense is quite suspect. Aside from Buffon, your defenders are quite offensive. I like your attack, however, I think Totti best operates in the "hole" between the strikers and midfield, and if you had drafted another striker, you would be higher ranked.

4. Juni

A young team, but filled with lots of quality. Lucarelli is a very underrated striker, and despite Adriano having a bad season, he has the potential to be a top 5 striker. I would also put him on the right, as he loves to cut inside and shoot with his left.

5. Ott/Bakos

It pains me to put you this low (having Toni and Trez) but you have the worst central defenders! Materazzi is only good at getting yellow cards and Stam is too slow to keep up with some of the speedy strikers in the Serie A. Bojinov would be wasted in the "hole" position, and has not yet proven his quality.


The top 3 positions were very close.

I'm also surprised Fiore wasn't picked. He's been excellent since he returned from Spain.

After three rankings (we still need GB's)
1- Evilo/The Rage 5 points (2+2+1)
2- FlyHigh/Beli 6 points (1+3+2)
3- les Habs 7 points (1+3+3)
4- Juni 12 points (4+4+4)
5- Ott/Bakos 15 points (5+5+5)