Soccer Draft: Discussion Thread

[SP]

Sign up here. Let's goooo

1. SP
2. Woot
3. Rob
4. Rufus
5. R4L
6. Jughead
7. McGee

http://i3.chroniclelive.co.uk/incoming/article13027946.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Rafael-Benitez-File-Photo.jpg

[Woot]

checking in

http://assets3.lfcimages.com/uploads/placeholders/6683__1925__logo-125-splash-new-padded.png

Liverpool FC

FW - Luis Suarez
W - Emil Forsberg
W - Gareth Bale
MF - Arturo Vidal
MF - Dele Alli
MF - Ivan Rakitic
LB - Raphael Guerreiro
CB - Raphael Varane
CB - Diego Godin
RB - Mario Gaspar


ST - Andrea Belotti
MF - Moussa Dembele

[R4L]

I want in

[Zach]

I am not gonna hold you guys up by trying this, so I just wanna say I look forward to seeing the teams!

[Woot]

I see nothing wrong with you joining in Zach. As long as you don't spend 36 hours deciding on a pick

[Jughead]

I'm in.

[McGee]

sure.

[SP]

There were 7 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

7. McGee
1. SP
4. Rufus
2. Woot
5. R4L
6. Jughead
3. Rob
IP: 77.103.45.170
Timestamp: 2017-05-31 23:27:59 UTC

[SP]

Random.org really wants me to pick Cristiano fml. I won't do it!

[R4L]

5th? RIIIGGGEEEDDD!!!

[Rob S]

Roster

Eden Hazard
Thiago Alcantra
Mats Hummels
Giorgio Chiellini

[Rob S]

Just one year, right? Assume injuries are factored in a bit, but you assume health at the beginning of a season or whatever?

[SP]

Just one year, right? Assume injuries are factored in a bit, but you assume health at the beginning of a season or whatever?

Yes yes.

If people want 3 years that's cool as well, just say before McGee picks

[Rob S]

I prefer one year, I think. 3 years is always so tough to judge.

[Klaus]

checking in

http://assets3.lfcimages.com/uploads/placeholders/6683__1925__logo-125-splash-new-padded.png

Liverpool FC

Since I don't have time to participate, it is your responsibility to spend a first round pick on Coutinho. Don't let me down.

[Rob S]

Neymar is the correct #2.

[SP]

Yeah I took him #2 last year as well, although then it felt more radical. Only a matter of time before he breaks the Leo/Cristiano stranglehold on Ballon D'ors (probably next year when Brazil wins the WC).

[Zach]

I see nothing wrong with you joining in Zach. As long as you don't spend 36 hours deciding on a pick

I appreciate it, but honestly its almost the weekend and I am always very busy during it, so I forget about this. Itll be interesting to see where certain people go.

[Rufus]

I wasn't serious about being in this but I guess if Cyle Larin falls into my lap, I'll have to show all you stupid idiots how its done.

(My team will be terrible)


https://i.imgbox.com/7UaEQXl8.jpg----------https://i.imgbox.com/NiTubt7D.jpg
Cristiano Ronaldo--Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

[Caddy]

If you guys are happy for me to join I'd gladly take the 8th pick of the first round. Saves on time when my timezone causes disruptions too.

[R4L]

Remember I'm on PST so I won't be awake til like 11 EST

[Rob S]

The combination of PST and Australian time are going to kill us today.

[SP]

Hmm, its 01:38 in Australia right now? We'll see when Jughead picks but might have to end up skipping Caddy.

[Rufus]

Just give Caddy Winston Reid and Mark Bresciano, I'm sure he won't complain having some Aussies in his lineup.

[Rob S]

This is a brutal spot right here. Ugh.

[McGee]

Agreed, brutal pick.

[R4L]

I was debating between your pick and mine.

[McGee]

Personally, I like the way Jug went :D

[Jughead]

I considered Hazard but I didn't want all the backlash for being a homer.

[Klaus]

Jug is a man of excellent taste.

[McGee]

I considered Hazard but I didn't want all the backlash for being a homer.

I had both him and Lewa in the last draft. It was glorious, I tell you.

[Jughead]

I had both him and Lewa in the last draft. It was glorious, I tell you.

Lewa is just so damn consistent. And he's never hurt.

[Woot]

I'll send Suarez bites all of you.

[R4L]

I considered Hazard but I didn't want all the backlash for being a homer.

That's kind of what stopped me too...thought me being a fan of his was clouding my judgement.

[Klaus]

Lewa is just so damn consistent. And he's never hurt.

I read somewhere, that if only Lewas goals counted for Bayern in the BuLi this season, they still would've ended 4th.. That's consistency for ya.

[Klaus]

I'll send Suarez bites all of you.

You just focus on taking James Milner with your next pick.

[Jughead]

You just focus on taking James Milner with your next pick.

So he can convert on all Suarez's dives in the box?

[Klaus]

So he can convert on all Suarez's dives in the box?

My evil plan has been exposed.

[Woot]

someone is feisty.

[Rob S]

I don't think Hazard was BPA necessarily. More I didn't want to take certain positions early.

[Rob S]

The Australian best check this thread before he goes to work.

[Caddy]

I'm off work today XD

[towelie]

caddy, draft 11 hotspur and you win

[Rob S]

Caddy - who is your 2nd pick?

[Caddy]

caddy, draft 11 hotspur and you win

I was so close to pulling the trigger on a certain mouth breathing Spur.

[Rob S]

I was so close to pulling the trigger on a certain mouth breathing Spur.

You left the name in your post, sir.

[Caddy]

You left the name in your post, sir.

Haha I know. Had to change it :)

[Rob S]

Time to draft the best midfielder in the world.

[Jughead]

Damn I was going to take Kante.

[Jughead]

And Thiago. :mad: I need a minute or a few now.

[Caddy]

Damn I was going to take Kante.

It wasn't a sexy pick by me, but he is a phenomenal player.

[Rob S]

Kante is amazing. Was considering going with Thiago instead of Hazard and then picking up Hazard or Kante on the way back.

[towelie]

It wasn't a sexy pick by me, but he is a phenomenal player.
no, i thought he should've went earlier. his skillset is unmatchable. skillset scarcity = more value

[Caddy]

no, i thought he should've went earlier. his skillset is unmatchable. skillset scarcity = more value

Agreed. He really is in a league of his own at the moment.

[R4L]

I considered Kante as well but went with Griez

[R4L]

Gtdamn it jug, I was gonna go Sanchez

[Klaus]

Kante is such a good pick. Every team needs a Kante.

[Caddy]

You son of a bitch.

[Woot]

Suck it!

[Rob S]

SP definitely getting in a pre-Finals nap here.

[towelie]

jiminy cricket i can't hold out. too late to jump in?

[SP]

SP definitely getting in a pre-Finals nap here.

Fast asleep lmao

[Rob S]

You took the better Real midfielder 2nd!

[R4L]

Y'all taking all my picks >_>

[SP]

You took the better Real midfielder 2nd!

I had no conviction with either pick just because I probably would've taken KdB but really didn't want to go Neymar/de Bruyne in consecutive drafts. Meh meh meh.

[Klaus]

You are dead to me Woot.

[Woot]

i did not think he would go this early!

[Klaus]

i did not think he would go this early!

Dead. To. Me.

[Rob S]

How many rounds are we planning on going?

[Jughead]

I was curious about that as well. Are we only doing a starting 11?

[SP]

5 subs

[SP]

1 hour clock from 10 to 12 ET

[Rob S]

I'm cool w/ the clock, but I'd say don't skip R4L this AM considering he didn't have a chance to send a list and it is 7am on the West Coast. Also, Caddy will basically have to send a perpetual list.

[R4L]

Thanks for the consideration.

[Jughead]

I couldn't decide between Busquets and Verratti. Thought maybe Verratti had a better chance of making it back around to me again. WRONG.

[Rob S]

I couldn't decide between Busquets and Verratti. Thought maybe Verratti had a better chance of making it back around to me again. WRONG.

I think Busquets is better assuming he's played in the correct position....he's been played too far forward by Barca in a lot of games this year.

[Woot]

Wanted Kroos but I'm glad I got Vidal.

[McGee]

Rufus, my man, you just get it.

[Woot]

Might be a reach but I don't care. I love this guy.

[R4L]

Ha! I was considering maybe taking Emil there but he wasn't my first choice.

[Rob S]

Boateng is a very interesting one for me. Not sure how to judge him right now.

[Jughead]

Boateng is a very interesting one for me. Not sure how to judge him right now.

Yeah he's always hurt. I considered him when I took Pique but the injuries made me go with Pique. Couldn't not take him now.

[R4L]

Boateng is another player that crossed my mind but I was in the same boat as Rob in that I just didn't know how I felt about him.

Not a bad pick at this point I think.

[Fernando]

Didn't even realize that had started long ago lol

[Rufus]

My team clearly has the best hair

[Rob S]

Stupid Caddy definitely got drunk last night.

[Jughead]

I have two players I want and am ok with either. If they both are taken I will murder all of you.

[towelie]

Mesut Ozil | Attacking Midfield
Toby Alderweireld | Centre Back


http://i.imgur.com/3YjGI.gif

[Woot]

I'm here. just checking who got picked.

[R4L]

I was stupid close to going Varane but swerved last minute and went Koulibaly instead lol

[towelie]

alli >>>> coutinho

[Rob S]

alli >>>> coutinho

Agree 100%

[SP]

alli >>>> coutinho

Lampard 2.0

[McGee]

I was stupid close to going Varane but swerved last minute and went Koulibaly instead lol

I would have been happy with Koulibaly or Manolas had it come to it. Have kept things fairly versatile in the back so I'm alright with you all helping make the decision for me.

[Rob S]

I say we give Caddy until 6 EST.

[R4L]

Agreed

[Rufus]

I'd give him more time than that. He's gonna be skipped twice between the time 12-8am his time, doesn't seem fair to me

[Jughead]

Yeah he can take as long as he wants in my opinion.

[Rob S]

Only reason I skipped initally is because SP asked him for a list and he said he would provide but must've forgot. Regardless, I am find holding off until he can pick if that's cool with everyone else.

[R4L]

Fine...we shall wait on the Aussie

[SP]

What Rob said. But yeah may as well just wait now

[Rufus]

You Americans are always trying to hold us Aussies down.

[Caddy]

Sorry team. I totally forgot to send SP my board. I'll have my makeup picks through shortly!

[R4L]

I wanted Walker and Rob picked Hummels already.

[Woot]

Muller was also picked by Mcgee.

[Caddy]

Oops

[Caddy]

Alright. Pretty sure nobody has picked the players I did now. I was wondering why Hummels was still available...

[Woot]

Well fuck you now Rob.

[McGee]

caddy taking Isco and Bernardo like he wants to be my best friend and give me hair tips

[SP]

Dammit I should've taken Fabinho

[Rufus]

https://66.media.tumblr.com/b476fbe221aa072e3c52c43aa8db43fa/tumblr_nof0wnqjsK1s1vzkoo1_500.gif

[McGee]

heh, I was pretty set on taking Insigne at some point but didn't really want to before Mertens went

[Rob S]

I was debating between Mertens and Zlatan.

[towelie]

heh, I was pretty set on taking Insigne at some point but didn't really want to before Mertens went
both were taken shockingly late. it was upsetting me a lot, but there is a lot of depth at their roles.

[Rob S]

both were taken shockingly late. it was upsetting me a lot, but there is a lot of depth at their roles.

Yeah, I waited on most of my attacking players for a while because of this.

[R4L]

Are we skipping woot?

[Rob S]

SP messaged me that I am up, but I'm cool waiting until tomorrow am. Sent him a board just in case though.

[R4L]

Yeah I got a message saying I'm up too but I wasn't sure.

[Caddy]

More than happy to skip the Aussie though... :(

[SP]

Yeah it's been like 6 hours since anyone picked sooooo go ahead R4L/Jug/Rob

[Rob S]

I'm going to sleep now, I guess I'll just pick.

[SP]

More than happy to skip the Aussie though... :(

:D go ahead!

[Woot]

belotti is a stud.

[Jughead]

So with the 5 subs, are we expected to take a backup goalie or we just overlooking that.

[McGee]

would be more fun to overlook

[Jughead]

Ok I figured. Just wanted to make sure now that we're all picking bench players.

[Woot]

I'm here. just waiting on R4L as I don't want to skip him this early.

[Rob S]

We are so close, let's not allow this to die.

[Woot]

Mcgee is afraid to lose.

[Rob S]

How do we decide this? Seeding + tournament?

[Rufus]

Should I just pick?

[McGee]

No. I killed it. Go home.

[Rufus]

Oh.......You want to play pogs?

[McGee]

gonna have to borrow a slammer. May as well toss in Aubameyang while you're at it.

[Jughead]

FU rufus.

[Rufus]

gonna have to borrow a slammer. May as well toss in Aubameyang while you're at it.

Hmmmmm.....tough, but fair.

[Caddy]

Lukaku is a steal.

[Jughead]

Is it my turn to pick? Who have we skipped?

[Rob S]

I believe you are up, Jug.

[Rob S]

Just updated page 1 of the selection thread.

[Rob S]

Should we just finish our picks here?

[Woot]

should i go ahead ?

[Rob S]

Yeah, for sure.

[Rob S]

How are we deciding this, SP? We could just do a tourney w/ random seeding. Would be different than the normal PM rankings process.

[SP]

Yeah I'm cool with that. Getting the rankings is the longest part and its probably more fun when there aren't one sided match ups.

I'll sort out the bracket now and then give everyone a chance to adjust their lineups based on match up etc before we start voting. And McGee can make his final pick.

[Rufus]

Mcgee trying to win over my heart

[SP]

Okay we're all done then

[SP]

There were 8 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

R4L - Antoine Griezmann
Rob - Eden Hazard
Caddy - N'Golo Kante
Jughead - Robert Lewandowski
Woot - Luis Suarez
SP - Neymar
Rufus - Cristiano Ronaldo
McGee - Lionel Messi
IP: 77.103.45.170
Timestamp: 2017-06-07 16:35:51 UTC

Soooo

R4L vs Rob
Caddy vs Jughead
Woot vs SP
Rufus vs McGee

[SP]

Give everyone til 8pm ET to post their teams for the quarter finals? With some words detailing how your team will play/why you'll win the specific match up etc.

Post them in here

[Rufus]

Rufus vs McGee

https://i.imgbox.com/uNPUOWyV.gif

[SP]

Lol yeah i laughed at that match up too. He won your heart and then two minutes later it was broken into pieces.

[SP]

Actually may be better if people PM me their teams so that no one gets a scouting advantage!

[Zak]

Are picks done?

[McGee]

yes, and nobody taking David Silva in a one year draft is ripping apart my insides

[Jughead]

yes, and nobody taking David Silva in a one year draft is ripping apart my insides

There were a few good players no one took. But how does this get graded, Reus and Zlatan were taken but for one year they're hurt for half of it.

Also I thought someone would grab Pulisic late.

[Zak]

I figured Pulisic and Gabriel Jesus would go.

[Jughead]

There weren't many Man City players taken in general. Only 6 if you count Bernardo.

[Rob S]

There were a few good players no one took. But how does this get graded, Reus and Zlatan were taken but for one year they're hurt for half of it.

Also I thought someone would grab Pulisic late.

We said it at the beginning, health is assumed for everyone, but injury history can be considered. I think the best way to describe the voting criteria is: if these 2 teams played only each other for a full season, who would get more points?

So with someone like Reus, he would be 100% healthy at the start, but you could look at his injury history and assume he'd miss some time.

[R4L]

But he'd be glorious when he does play.

[R4L]

I considered Pulisic as my last pick just to be a homer.

[Jughead]

I considered Pulisic as my last pick just to be a homer.

I did too, because I wanted a wide player with my last pick but there were/are just so many currently better options.

[R4L]

Phew...thought I wasn't gonna make the deadline lol Had to keep an eye over my shoulder to make sure my supervisor didn't notice me typing up a philosophy as quickly as I could lmao

[Woot]

Wait if I PM you SP you'll get my strategy!

[SP]

Send it to someone else!

[Caddy]

My strategy is to do the opposites of what Jughead thinks I'm going to do. THE perfect plan.

[Jughead]

My strategy is to do the opposites of what Jughead thinks I'm going to do. THE perfect plan.

To be honest I don't know if I'm going to be able to submit something until tomorrow.

[Woot]

I went pretty generic.

[SP]

Okay I updated the tournament thread with the first two games. How do people wanna do it? Vote in here and first to 3 votes (or 5+ if people that didn't take part in the draft want to vote as well), or everyone PM me and I'll reveal once all votes are in?

[Woot]

Vote in here or by PM.

[Rob S]

I vote Caddy.

[Caddy]

To be honest I don't know if I'm going to be able to submit something until tomorrow.

Me either so don't worry. Gentleman's agreement that we both don't post strats?

[SP]

Yeah I am Rob and Caddy.

Verrati and Naingollan is very solid but I'm not a huge fan of the front 4. Kane is meh to me, Greiz on the wing and Lucas is good but not great. Coutinho is great at times but inconsistent. And when playing against probably the best back 3 in this, its gonna be hard for R4L to outscore Hazard, Ibra and Robben.

Isco, Ozil and Bernardo being a super creative 3 behind Higuain and in front of Kante just edges it for Caddy.

[R4L]

I'm going Caddy as well.

[McGee]

My votes will go to Caddy and Rob, but I will not praise them as they must all be crushed by me in time.

okay a little bit of praise for Caddy's midfield. Minus points for the Vertonghen-less defense.

[Caddy]

My votes will go to Caddy and Rob, but I will not praise them as they must all be crushed by me in time.

okay a little bit of praise for Caddy's midfield. Minus points for the Vertonghen-less defense.

I would've gone with an all Tottenham defense if I had the chance you SOB!

[Caddy]

I also voted for Rob. Sexy team.

[Rufus]

Rob because I like his defenders and jug head because I like his forward grouping

[McGee]

That is a pretty studly forward group. I wasn't quite sure when Mbappe was going to go, Jug ended up with one dangerous bunch.

[Woot]

Yeah also Caddy and Rob for me.

[SP]

Other two quarter-final games are up!

Rob goes through 4-0 and Caddy 4-1...

R4L (Caddy, N/A)
Woot (Caddy, Rob)
Rob S (Caddy, N/A)
Caddy (N/A, Rob)
SP (Caddy, Rob)
McGee (Caddy, Rob)
Rufus (Jug, Rob)
Jughead

[Rufus]

I'll give the slight edge to SP over Woot, tough matchup.

[SP]

I'm stuck with your matchup too. CR7, Dybala and PEA is ridiculous firepower. If your full backs can pin back Azpi/Luis then you'd probably take it, if not Messi and KdB will exploit everything.

Okay I think I'm going McGee

[R4L]

Imma go SP and Rufus

[McGee]

hey I voted last round. Don't make me out to be some non-participant. Ignoring my lack of tactile writeup.

I feel pretty good with the lineup I ended up on. I had a few half formed ideas for utilizing Fabinho in a midfield pair, which would be easy enough, or potentially even shifting him outside to let Vertonghen-Bonucci-Azpi be a thing, but Weigl is a natural for the role and I don't feel any talent/position is being compromised here. Definitely could play around a lot with Saul and Fabinho in midfield or throw in some Germans to play off an admittedly small forward group, but this is what I like.

[McGee]

smmmmmmmmmmmmm I'm going with woot.

[SP]

hey I voted last round. Don't make me out to be some non-participant. Ignoring my lack of tactile writeup.

I feel pretty good with the lineup I ended up on. I had a few half formed ideas for utilizing Fabinho in a midfield pair, which would be easy enough, or potentially even shifting him outside to let Vertonghen-Bonucci-Azpi be a thing, but Weigl is a natural for the role and I don't feel any talent/position is being compromised here. Definitely could play around a lot with Saul and Fabinho in midfield or throw in some Germans to play off an admittedly small forward group, but this is what I like.

No idea how I missed that.

[Caddy]

SP and Rufus for me

[Rob S]

SP and McGee. Both extremely close matchups though.

[Woot]

I'm getting robbed.

[SP]

Agree to disagree!

Who are you voting for in the other matchup? It's 2-2 atm

[SP]

Just randomized and McGee goes through on penalties. Will try to keep this going tomorrow.

Rob vs Caddy / SP vs McGee

[McGee]

Donnarumma chipped Buffon to win, I seen it

[Woot]

Still got robbed

[Rufus]

Bullshit!

[SP]

woot you bastard if you vote for mcgee or rufus we can get an actual winner!

[McGee]

Bullshit!

only fair result is to call a draw and combine rosters against SP's shenanigans

[Rufus]

only fair result is to call a draw and combine rosters against SP's shenanigans

See McGee just knows how to solve issues like this. Who can stop Messi & Ronaldo together!

[R4L]

See McGee just knows how to solve issues like this. Who can stop Messi & Ronaldo together!

Themselves, probably start a brawl at midfield.

[Rob S]

What are we on international break here?

[SP]

International break, yes!

[SP]

Think I'm edging towards Caddy here. Both great teams.

[R4L]

I'm going with Rob on this one.

[SP]

(If people want to make changes to their lineup let me know)

[Caddy]

I'm voting SP in SF#2 but both teams are fantastic.

[R4L]

For SF #2 I'm going with McGee

[Woot]

I'm voting for Mcgee.

[McGee]

This is hard. Decisions are hard.

Caddy has been my lean but Rob's bench just tickles me.

[Rob S]

I might change up tactics a bit, will think it over tomorrow AM.

Also need to think further on McGee - SP.

[SP]

Both 2-1 atm

SP (Caddy, N/A)
R4L (Rob, McGee)
Rob (N/A, )
Caddy (N/A, SP)
Woot (?, McGee)
Jughead ()
Mcgee (Rob?, N/A)
Rufus ()

I'll email people.

[Rob S]

I am going w/ McGee, but it is extremely close. Love both attacks - perhaps a slight edge to McGee because Messi is a god. I prefer the MF of SP as I absolutely love the Kroos / Modric combo. At the end of the day though, I think McGee's superior defense wins out - I just find it to be clearly better in 3/4 positions.

[SP]

McGee goes through.

I'll give a bit more for someone to hammer the Rob vs Caddy matchup because McGee's vote/non-vote was too vague. Penalties otherwise.

[McGee]

I'll vote Rob

[SP]

McGee vs Rob final.

Thought long and hard about this and I'm going with McGee. Rob edges the defense but Messi + Aguero and a super strong midfield three, I think will be able to dominate the game a little bit more. Rob could definitely edge it on a good day through Hazard/Robben getting hot on the counter, but if they play 10 times I'd say McGee wins 6.

[Rob S]

Yeah, it's definitely super close. I think I did about as well as I could have picking late, but it's really difficult to compete w/ Messi if you don't have Neymar, Ronaldo or Suarez. He's just way better than everyone.

The one thing I would say in defense of my team is that I think my team would improve with time and has a rock solid system w/ the players fitting their roles perfectly. Once they gelled, it would be a beautiful thing.

[R4L]

Imma go with Rob

His D has enough quality to contain Messi. The key will be controlling the midfield. You can always give Messi a PK and have him miss lol

[Caddy]

Rob has a pretty beastly team and he has my vote.

[McGee]

Rob has tried to paint me as an elite Messi-haver that does not represent you or fun. See through this political charade.