Football Manager Community Draft League
Andres Iniesta or Mesut Ozil? Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?
This is the FM bloggers’ chance to voice those opinions and create a team fitting to their philosophies and ideal tactical systems.
The premise:
– standard snake draft (by snake I mean that the order for round 1 is reversed for round 2 – order for round 1 is generated by a list randomiser)
– each drafter must pick a player to add to their 23-man squad
– you can pick a player when your time is up by mentioning his name in the comment section of this article – you’re welcome to say a few words about why you’ve picked him too
– once you have picked a player, no-one else can pick him
– each pick has a 24 hour limit – if you don’t pick within 24 hours then your turn is skipped and the draft moves on – you may make up your pick at any time after this point.
– at the end of the 23 round draft, each manager will be required to create a couple of paragraphs about the tactical systems they’d use if they were using this team in real-life or in football manager. This can be as long or as short as you so wish.
After discussions on Twitter, it was decided the more interesting part was picking the players and tactical systems so I’ve decided to abandon the idea of holidaying the game. Therefore, you don’t need Football Manager or anything like that – this is purely based on real-life and tactical theory.
Any other questions, let me know on Twitter or in the comments section below.
Drafters
@MrEdsFM – myself.
@cook1e_Mr – owner of the footballmanagerfocus.wordpress.com blog.
@MichaelKOfori – moderator at fm-base.co.uk.
@RealTimeFM – owner of the realtimefm.wordpress.com blog.
@Jakzeh – video maker at youtube.com/user/WorkTheSpace
@FMmanagers – owner of the fmmanagerblog.wordpress.com blog.
@FM_Old_Skool – owner of the footballmanageroldskool.com blog.
@Shrewnaldo – owner of the footballmanagerveteran.wordpress.com blog.
@gisby_marc – owner of the theguttmanchronicles.wordpress.com blog.
@Passion4FM – owner of mypassion4footballmanager.com.
@acidphire21 – owner of the longshotseverywhere.wordpress.com blog.
note: I forgot acidphire in the original draft orders (sorry mate!), so I randomised a load of numbers and his were 9, 10 and 3. So I fitted him in there in those rounds and shoved everyone else down one. Hope that’s okay!
Round One Order – http://i.imgur.com/TwyiR5P.jpg
1. @RealTimeFM – Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina)
2. @MichaelKOfori – Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)
3. @Passion4FM – Arturo Vidal (Juventus, Chile)
4. @FM_Old_Skool – Paul Pogba (Juventus, France)
5. @Shrewnaldo – Mesut Özil (Arsenal, Germany)
6. @Jakzeh – Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona, Spain)
7. @gisby_marc – Leighton Baines (Everton, England)
8. @cook1e_Mr – Daniele de Rossi (Roma, Italy)
9. @acidphire21 – Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund, Poland)
10. @MrEdsFM – Xavi Hernández (Barcelona, Spain)
11. @FMmanagers – Zlatan Ibrahimović (PSG, Sweden)
Round Two Order
12. @FMmanagers – Mario Götze (Bayern Munich, Germany)
13. @MrEdsFM – Thiago Silva (PSG, Brazil)
14. @acidphire21 – Radamel Falcao (Monaco, Colombia)
15. @cook1e_Mr – Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)
16. @gisby_marc – Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus, Italy)
17. @Jakzeh – Gareth Bale (Real Madrid, Wales)
18. @Shrewnaldo – David Alaba (Bayern Munich, Austria)
19. @FM_Old_Skool – Edinson Cavani (PSG, Uruguay)
20. @Passion4FM – Neymar da Silva (Barcelona, Brazil)
21. @MichaelKOfori – Wayne Rooney (Manchester United, England)
22. @RealTimeFM – Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich, France)
Round Three Order – http://i.imgur.com/xXGZCyO.jpg
23. @Jakzeh – Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich, Netherlands)
24. @Passion4FM – Robin van Persie (Manchester United, Netherlands)
25. @gisby_marc – Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid, Spain)
26. @MichaelKOfori – Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli, Argentina)
27. @FM_Old_Skool – Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad, France)
28. @FMmanagers (trade) – Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich, Germany)
29. @Shrewnaldo – Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich, Germany)
30. @RealTimeFM – Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)
31. @cook1e_Mr – Yaya Touré (Manchester City, Ivory Coast)
32. @acidphire21 – Vincent Kompany (Manchester City, Belgium)
33. @MrEdsFM (trade) – Juan Mata (Chelsea, Spain)
Round Four Order
34. @MrEdsFM (trade) – Luis Suárez (Liverpool, Uruguay)
35. @acidphire21 – Carles Puyol (Barcelona, Spain)
36. @cook1e_Mr – Jordi Alba (Barcelona, Spain)
37. @RealTimeFM – Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich, Germany)
38. @Shrewnaldo – Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich, Germany)
39. @FMmanagers (trade) – Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid, France)
40. @FM_Old_Skool – Eden Hazard (Chelsea, Belgium)
41. @MichaelKOfori – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund, Gabon)
42. @gisby_marc – Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur, Denmark)
43. @Passion4FM – Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur, Belgium)
44. @Jakzeh – Wesley Sneijder (Galatasary, Netherlands)
Round Five Order – http://i.imgur.com/Rr7S18p.jpg
45. @MichaelKOfori – Claudio Marchisio (Juventus, Italy)
46. @Passion4FM – Javi Martínez (Bayern Munich, Spain)
47. @acidphire21 – Marek Hamšík (Napoli, Slovakia)
48. @gisby_marc – Iker Casillas (Real Madrid, Spain)
49. @Shrewnaldo – İlkay Gündoğan (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)
50. @cook1e_Mr – Daniel Alves (Barcelona, Spain)
51. @FM_Old_Skool – Thiago Alcântara (Bayern Munich, Spain)
52. @RealTimeFM – Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
53. @Jakzeh – Sergio Busquets (Barcelona, Spain)
54. @FMmanagers – Dante (Bayern Munich, Brazil)
55. @MrEdsFM – Sergio Aguero (Manchester City, Argentina)
Round Six Order
56. @MrEdsFM – Andrea Pirlo (Juventus, Italy)
57. @FMmanagers – Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich, Germany)
58. @Jakzeh – Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, Italy)
59. @RealTimeFM – Fernando Llorente (Juventus, Spain)
60. @FM_Old_Skool – Marquinhos (PSG, Brazil)
61. @cook1e_Mr – Cesc Fàbregas (Barcelona, Spain)
62. @Shrewnaldo – Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan, Italy)
63. @gisby_marc – Darijo Srna (Shakthar Donetsk, Croatia)
64. @acidphire21 – Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich, Germany)
65. @Passion4FM – Łukasz Piszczek (Borussia Dortmund, Poland)
66. @MichaelKOfori – Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus, Italy)
Round Seven Order (FM Old Skool removed from hereon in)
67. @cook1e_Mr – Younès Kaboul (Tottenham Hotspur, France)
68. @gisby_marc – Lucas Moura (PSG, Brazil)
69. @MrEdsFM – Gerard Piqué (Barcelona, Spain)
70. @FMmanagers – David De Gea (Manchester United, Spain)
71. @Passion4FM – Marcelo (Real Madrid, Brazil)
72. @RealTimeFM – Marco van Ginkel (Chelsea, Netherlands)
73. @Jakzeh – Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool, France)
74. @MichaelKOfori – Marc-André ter Stegen (Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany)
75. @Shrewnaldo – David Luiz (Chelsea, Brazil)
76. @acidphire21 – Víctor Valdés (Barcelona, Spain)
Round Eight Order
77. @acidphire21 – Andrea Barzagli (Juventus, Italy)
78. @Shrewnaldo – Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus, Switzerland)
79. @MichaelKOfori – Nemanja Vidić (Manchester United, Serbia)
80. @Jakzeh – Maicon Douglas (Roma, Brazil)
81. @RealTimeFM – Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)
82. @Passion4FM – João Moutinho (Monaco, Portugal)
83. @FMmanagers
84. @MrEdsFM – Ashley Cole (Chelsea, England)
85. @gisby_marc
86. @cook1e_Mr
Round Nine Order
87. @Passion4FM
88. @FMmanagers
89. @RealTimeFM
90. @Jakzeh
91. @MrEdsFM
92. @cook1e_Mr
93. @gisby_marc
94. @acidphire21
95. @MichaelKOfori
96. @Shrewnaldo
Round Ten Order
97. @Shrewnaldo
98. @MichaelKOfori
99. @acidphire21
100. @gisby_marc
101. @cook1e_Mr
102. @MrEdsFM
103. @Jakseh
104. @RealTimeFM
105. @FMmanagers
116. @Passion4FM
Round Eleven Order
117. @Shrewnaldo
118. @MichaelKOfori
119. @RealTimeFM
120. @cook1e_Mr
121. @MrEdsFM
122. @gisby_marc
123. @FMmanagers
124. @Jakzeh
125. @Passion4FM
126. @acidphire21
Round Twelve Order
127. @acidphire21
128. @Passion4FM
129. @Jakzeh
130. @FMmanagers
131. @gisby_marc
132. @MrEdsFM
133. @cook1e_Mr
134. @RealTimeFM
135. @MichaelKOfori
136. @Shrewnaldo
Round Thirteen Order
137. @FMmanagers
138. @acidphire21
139. @RealTimeFM
140. @Jakzeh
141. @MichaelKOfori
142. @MrEdsFM
143. @Shrewnaldo
144. @Passion4FM
145. @gisby_marc
146. @cook1e_Mr
Round Fourteen Order
147. @cook1e_Mr
148. @gisby_marc
149. @Passion4FM
150. @Shrewnaldo
151. @MrEdsFM
152. @MichaelKOfori
153. @Jakzeh
154. @RealTimeFM
155. @acidphire21
156. @FMmanagers
The Coffeehouse: FM Discussion 
My next draft pick is Marek Hamsik
acidphire picks Marek Hamsik.
Well that’s an unfortunate turn of events.
ahhh completely my fault!!! Damn you acid! ok………… I need a GK so I go for Iker Casillas
So I guess I’m up and I’ll complete my sitting midfield by selecting Borussia Dortmund’s İlkay Gündoğan to play alongside Brian.
I will complete my Barca full backs with Dani Alves – do I need to explain why?
It’s time to sign a playmaker, Thiago Alcantara
Building from the back, there’s always room in my team for a Bender. Let’s go with the older twin, Lars.
To complete the DC partnership got to be Danta, an absolute rock for Bayern last season. Should keep most strike forces quiet with them two at the back
yes that is supposed to say Dante haha
Can everyone stop picking the defenders I have ear marked
Alright then. I’ll take Sergio Aguero as my 5th round pick. Suarez can play from the left.
And for Round Six, I don’t really need him but by god I have no idea how he’s come this far so I just have to, Andrea Pirlo.
Looks like its me up again then. Going to be the second of my attacking three and another one Im shocked has got this far. Toni Kroos
About time I start of my defense, Gianluigi Buffon is my pick!
Fernando Llorente for my sixth pick then. Bangs in a hat-full in FM13.
If we can get the Squads selected quick enough I quite fancy setting up all the teams in one league in an FM database and playing a save with my team, sort of my last FM13 save. Anyone else be interested?
Absolutely! I’ve zero database fiddling experience, but I was hoping I’d get to see my bunch of picks compete. Been my thinking tactically anyway. *cough*
Im going to make a start on the database later tonight. Going to take a while to get the 23 men squads though
sounds awesome
Marquinhos, PSG central defender
Thought he would go under the radar. Nice pick bags of potential
Well I guess it is about time Fabregas got picked. He will add a little bit of cunning to my midfield three.
Right, time to start working on my defence I guess and I’ll start with Inter’s giant centre half – Andrea Ranocchia. Probably not one that I’ll have ‘stolen’ from those behind me.
going to surprise everyone with this pick but going for the criminally underrated Croat RB Darijo Srna
acidphire picks Muller.
im taking my fellow country man Piszczek to cover the right flank – quick with great stamina, will run forever and is adept in both defence and offense
I won’t be online for some days, so I won’t be able to conclude this.
Sorry.
Ive made a start on the FM database, what do people think I should do in regards to a 12th team. We have 11 drafters so could do with adding in an extra team….?
With Thomas dropping out, that makes it a round 10 for your database. Question is what do you do with his players: Pogba, Cavani, Griezmann, Hazard, Thiago and Marquinhos? Make them open for others to draft now or are they ‘quarantined’?
I will go with the majority but personally I think they now have to be excluded. Decisions on picks may have been made based on these players being excluded.
Alternatively if Thomas is able to, he makes all his picks now in order of preference. Submits them to Eds. When his turn comes round if the highest ranking player still available on his list is picked. Then he fills any of his remaining spots when able.
I agree with Cook1e, should be left out.
Yep, all his players will be left out of the draft and I’ll just remove him from future rounds.
Unless anyone can find a willing replacement, that is.
put them back in
Mike takes Leonardo Bonucci.
I will take Kaboul. With marauding fullbacks my team will be exposed down the flanks. With Kaboul’s height and ability in the air make him an important player to cut out crosses. He also has a good turn of pace to deal with those tricky speedsters.
marc takes Lucas Moura.
.. and I’ll have Gerard Pique, meaning my central defensive pairing is now what Barcelona really wanted for this season, Pique and Silva. Happy with that.
Think ill finish off my defensive setup with one of the best shot stoppers in world football. David De Gea between the sticks 🙂 Cant believe he made it this far
Marcelo for the left flank. Best left back/wing back in the world when in form and will run up and down the flank all day long
RealTimeFM selects Marco van Ginkel.
Mamadou Sakho
Ter Stegen
Assuming the ‘madsheep’ is Mike, I shall be selecting David Luis of Chelsea and Brazil. Solid defender, good on the ball and with splendid hair. Need to sign a few beards now.
Ill finish my backline with my double pick and have Valdes in goal and Andrea Barzagli to finish my keeper and back three
So it’s back to me and I’ll go with the flying Swiss – Stephan Lichsteiner. At least that should appease Thomas Paine, I promised him I’d do some shopping in Turin. I think people should be able to see what I’m building now.
Nemanja Vidic
My next pick is someone who in his prime was one of the best wingbacks in the world Maicon Douglas Sisenando
Interesting!
are you playing Bale as a Left Back?
Sorry if this has held people up, weekends are crazy for me, and I’m currently sat in A&E. Roman Weidenfeller.
My choice, to complete my midfield is Joao Moutinho – a fantastic player
FMmanagers has had 24 hours. He can regain his pick at any time.
I’ll take Ashley Cole.
Damn my slowness, Cole was my next pick as well :(. Ill take Felipe Luis from Athletic Madrid instead
@gisby_marc has said to me via twitter he has dropped out. So that makes it my go, I will pick Thibaut Courtois between the sticks. I would anticipate with the attacking fullbacks I have picked i will be prone to being exploited from wide areas. Courtois 6’6″ frame and excellent aerial ability are perfect to counter act this. He isn’t a bad shot stopper either keeping 19 clean sheets last season
i’ll take matija nastasic as the 2nd of my back three. Already great at top level and still very young for a central back. huge potential
Must be me by now: Georgi Schennikov