Your world XI

I think the same of people who use American spelling when they are British! It is labelling!

Though - assume the forum software is American based?

 

I have never, in all my years of talking about the toon on forums, ever had the pleasure of being called a ****** by tash until this moment... Is this what heaven feels like?

I hope I count anyway, as Vidic at his best is a brilliant centre-back in my view. Right now, coming back from a series of injuries? Who knows, he might be a shadow of what he was...

Strong in the air, ruthless in the tackle, decent passer, excellent anticipation, great leadership... Wonderful wonderful player. He has a nasty side, a surprising amount of players in the game do. The better, more intelligent players get away with the niggles, face-slaps, elbows that clumsy idiots are called on every time. I think players like Fellaini and Vidic cross the line more than most, but objectively you've got to point out that a lot of good players do in some respect, and tend to be good at escaping punishment. Messi and Ronaldo, apparently the two best players of this generation, have taken some dives, and scored handballs etc.

If you're looking for the best clean first 11, you'll have great difficulty mate. Ibra defo can't play in that team. Was Neuer the goalie who so obviously watched Lampard score a magnificent goal, but played on as if the ball hadn't crossed the line? Hasn't Cole had his fair share of scuffles? You've selected bloody RAMOS and he's one of the dirtiest players I've seen!

 

Even before his injuries he was a dirty bastard and put in a ridiculous amount of poor challenges, and he got away with a lot of them. He shouldn't be classed as one of the best until he proves he can regain his past form.

He's a great defender, but not one of the best.

 

I subjectively agree with you completely, hence I did not pick him for my team, but I would have done (and probably did) in versions of this thread of yesteryear.

At his peak I do believe he was the best defender in the premier league by far, and would make a world 11, but right now he wouldn't until he regains form. Of course, this relies on me picking my players like the f-ing England manager, only staying in one place never scouting further a-field beyond the known footballing universe. Jonny may have a different approach to what is just a game after all. Vidic is a current player, and as a current player is available for selection in the world 11, and based on previous seasons is world class... I see no problem with his inclusion, nor any reason mental disability is a decisive factor in such a selection!

But as I say, it's an honour to think of myself as Tash's sort of ******

 

Also, you pick on Vidic, but not Seb Rajalakso? WTF!!!

 

Ah the joys of being called a ****** for having a difference of opinion.

Due the past few season he has proven himself world class, once he is playing often again, and if he plays poorly, he wouldn't be in my team.
Doesn't matter how much of a dirty player he is.

Ramos, has a record for red cards(11 in La Liga), one of the dirtiest defenders around, after Pepe. Ramos as well as other Madrid players have been poor this season, yet you think Ramos is the best in the world?

 

Ramos is pure filth. Vidic is too. I like dirty defenders, you want centre backs who people fear mixed with ability. That's why I chose Chiellini. Filthy but uses typical Italian guile/slyness to disguise it from the referee.

 

If I may,

I do think learning how to play a little dirty but not penalised for it is an art in the game of football.

Now, I don't mean dirty a la Nigel De Jong, more like the small niggling tussling and stuff that bothers attackers. I myself am a proponent of it...I feel that there are situations where you can play a little dirty but nothing cynical obviously. What I mean is stuff like pulling players back while he's dribbling, players attempting to clear the ball hold onto them to make them off balance, or minor stuff like that. Obviously I hate to see any dangerous dirty foul play and won't tolerate those.

 

Casillas
Lahm Ramos Silva Cole
Alonso Iniesta
Ozil
Ronaldo Ibrahimovic Messi​