Solano was one of the most effective assists leaders in PL history (I don't want to start copy and pasting stats to embarrass you). Yes, I agree my defenders are not the very top greats, I would have loved Adams, Vidić and Terry, but this was a draft, they were picked early, and fair play to the managers who picked them. Essien was my CM box-to-box dynamo (I thought my 100 arrows explained that ), Carrick my deep-lying playmaker (his distribution is excellent). Solano my right wingback. Baines my left wingback (look at his average position on the pitch and his most effective areas). I think your lack of knowledge of how non-442 formations work effected your judgement and evaluation of our teams and the balance of your own team There is nothing wrong with a back-three. I would take any of my players over your You-Tube-fancy one season wonders like Jay Jay Okocha, Joe Cole and Wayne Bridge. I loved your front two though My team is built on legacies and solid careers: Shearer, Essien, Schwarzer, Radebe, Solano and modern legends like van Persie, Baines, Carrick and Rooney
Yes but you still have a 3 man defence with Richard Dunne in it. No amount of long winded fluff and hyperbole will change that fact.
Also, Joe Cole has nearly 350 Premier League appearances. 3 league titles, 3 FA cups, 2 League cups. One team of the year, West Ham player of the year and Chelsea player of the year.... Not all done in one season, obviously...
The "long winded fluff" are the facts you are trying to deny: a player who was voted by both his teammates, opponents and managers the best in the league for one competitive season. In 2009-10 he was a titan, voted in the PFA Team of the Year. He's no Franco Baresi but not a shockingly bad defender as you are proposing. Plus, he has Radebe and Dawson to cover and support him.
In terms of Premier League legacies Jay Jay Okocha and Joe Cole are a world away from the Giggs', Le Tissier's and Beckham's, sorry. Your attack was excellent though.
To be fair, based on your line up Baines and Solano are actually playing as wingers, rather than wing backs, but I think you pushed them up further to cover up your weakness in width. It's a formation that I am intrigued by though. It's never won a league title but I think with the right players it could be deadly. I know Liverpool use it now and again but they still lack that extra bit of quality for it to show it's true potential. Off the top of My head, an XI like this would be a force. Oscar could perhaps be swapped with a Silva, Mata, Ozil quality player but I think his defensive game would keep the balance more. de Gea Luiz -- Kompany -- Vertonghen Johnson ------------------------------- Baines Carrick -- Toure Oscar Rooney --- Suarez
Well obviously not....but that has nothing to with your poor defence. Dunne, one season wonder. That's like me saying Richard Dunne, Michael Dawson and Lucas Radabe don't have the same legacy as Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry - which is pretty bloody obvious, no?
Exactly my point. (I sacrificed the quality defensive picks for the top tier offensive picks) I hope this makes sense now If I'd gone with a back four of Manchester United legends I don't think I would have achieved a better evaluation from everyone.
Yeah, not the best attacking team but very solid, great balance and would thrive from set pieces. 13th is a ridiculous shout.
