CL Round of 8

[The Abusement Park]

I'm not against calling him that. But he's not top 3 and in a starting XI for me. Not over Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and Ronaldinho. Since most would agree with Ronaldo-Henry-Messi up front.

I do agree with this statement though.

I think a CR7, Dinho, Messi front 3 would be my choice but I can 100% understand putting Henry in there as well.

 

[YNWA14]

That's absolutely true. But highlight goal are also Gerrard's trademark. He's more known for this than his defensive ability.

I mean, yeah, he can score a highlight goal but so can many players. That doesn't make him a forward. I also don't necessarily think that's a fair representation of what he's known for; he's known for his loyalty, heart, engine and all-around game I think. His passing (hollywood passes even) and grit were just as notable.

The answer is none of the above. England tried way to hard to fit those three in the team when it was impossible to make it work. Honestly if they would’ve played Carrick behind 2 of those 3 I think they would’ve been infinitely more successful as a national team throughout that era.

I agree. I think they could have played a diamond and been amazing.

Carrick
Gerrard - Scholes
Lampard​

 

[Evilo]

And for the record I don't put Vieira in that top XI either. not over Iniesta, Busquets and Ronaldinho.

 

[Live in the Now]

They're all great players anyway, it's a matter of how great. The biggest shock on that UEFA list is still no Nesta. I think it's debatable which other CB you'd put there, but I have no idea how Nesta is left out. Silva learned a massive amount playing with him.

If he never gets hurt in 2006, the Materazzi thing never happens either, and seeing as Materazzi scored in that final, who knows if they'd have won without him getting hurt. So that's something interesting to think about it.

 

[The Abusement Park]

And for the record I don't put Vieira in that top XI either. not over Iniesta, Busquets and Ronaldinho.

Do you put biscuits in there because you think he’s the better player or because he’s a better fit?

 

[The Abusement Park]

They're all great players anyway, it's a matter of how great. The biggest shock on that UEFA list is still no Nesta. I think it's debatable which other CB you'd put there, but I have no idea how Nesta is left out. Silva learned a massive amount playing with him.

If he never gets hurt in 2006, the Materazzi thing never happens either, and seeing as Materazzi scored in that final, who knows if they'd have won without him getting hurt. So that's something interesting to think about it.

Even Cannavaro too. He was incredible as well, I’d take both of them over Pique quite easily.

 

[Live in the Now]

I agree. I think they could have played a diamond and been amazing.

Carrick
Gerrard - Scholes
Lampard​

No, they probably should have benched Lampard for some water carrier type player. But international coaches almost never do that and with good reason, look at the reaction for Germany doing it with Khedira and others. Or Paulinho playing for Brazil right now. Fans simply cannot handle it. If the passing level isn't as extremely coherent as Xavi, Busquets, and Iniesta, it is inevitable a team must bring in a worker. I can almost guarantee that Brazil will have one of the best defenses at the WC for doing it.

I don't see how two free role CAM players who play basically the same way like Gerrard and Lampard could ever play together. I think there's a chance that this current England team advances as far in the WC as Gerrard and Lampard ever did, particularly because they don't have that kind of selection issue.

 

[YNWA14]

No, they probably should have benched Lampard for some water carrier type player. But international coaches almost never do that and with good reason, look at the reaction for Germany doing it with Khedira and others. Or Paulinho playing for Brazil right now. Fans simply cannot handle it. If the passing level isn't as extremely coherent as Xavi, Busquets, and Iniesta, it is inevitable a team must bring in a worker. I can almost guarantee that Brazil will have one of the best defenses at the WC for doing it.

I don't see how two free role CAM players who play basically the same way like Gerrard and Lampard could ever play together.

I don't disagree with the concept, but there's more than one way to be a role player. Carrick would have fit that mold without needing to be the Casemiro of Brazil (which is who I assume you're referring to because I highly doubt that Paulinho will start when the team is fully fit).

 

[Live in the Now]

I don't disagree with the concept, but there's more than one way to be a role player. Carrick would have fit that mold without needing to be the Casemiro of Brazil (which is who I assume you're referring to because I highly doubt that Paulinho will start when the team is fully fit).

Paulinho started all the last qualifiers when they hadn't clinched their spot yet. Played 8 games last year and scored 5 times even though nobody rates him. Had a hat trick against Uruguay in a crucial game. He'll definitely start. If there's a change it would be Fernandinho out for Renato Augusto.

 

[YNWA14]

Paulinho started all the last qualifiers when they hadn't clinched their spot yet. Played 8 games last year and scored 5 times even though nobody rates him. Had a hat trick against Uruguay in a crucial game. He'll definitely start. If there's a change it would be Fernandinho out for Renato Augusto.

So which of Willian, Casemiro, Fernandinho or Coutinho are being benched when Neymar comes back if Paulinho stays in?

 

[The Abusement Park]

And that’s why you play Carrick, Scholes, Gerrard . That’s an incredible midfield 3 right there.

 

[Live in the Now]

So which of Willian, Casemiro, Fernandinho or Coutinho are being benched when Neymar comes back if Paulinho stays in?

Willian or Jesus.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Ronaldinho Ronaldo Messi

Iniesta Xavi

Busquets

Lahm Nesta Puyol Alves

Neuer
​

Oh, and Scholes >>> Gerrard.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Ronaldinho Ronaldo Messi

Iniesta Xavi

Busquets

Lahm Nesta Puyol Alves

Buffon
​

Oh, and Scholes >>> Gerrard.

Meh the most >’s you can use in the Scholes/Gerrard debate is one either way.

 

[Evilo]

Do you put biscuits in there because you think he’s the better player or because he’s a better fit?

Both.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Both.

Hmm ok fair enough.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Meh the most >’s you can use in the Scholes/Gerrard debate is one either way.

Either way lol.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Either way lol.

But I do agree with the premise of that equation lol.

 

[Deficient Mode]

Oh, and Scholes >>> Gerrard.

Agreed with that as well

 

[The Abusement Park]

Agreed with that as well

Finally something we can agree on

 

[Deficient Mode]

Finally something we can agree on

We probably have a similar opinion of Mourinho too

 

[The Abusement Park]

We probably have a similar opinion of Mourinho too

What?? I love Mourinho, haven’t I made that clear lately?

 

[S E P H]

What's with all this Gerrard talk when Modric is easily the better player? Mod is also better than Busquets as well.

 

[Deficient Mode]

What's with all this Gerrard talk when Modric is easily the better player? Mod is also better than Busquets as well.

Agreed with the first part. Not the second part. They don't really play the same position though. Modric would have to knock off Xavi or Iniesta.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Agreed with the first part. Not the second part. They don't really play the same position though. Modric would have to knock off Xavi or Iniesta.

All garbage. Everyone knows Eric Djemba Djemba was the best midfielder of his generation.