FOS's Debate Part I: The North Vs The South

Hold on let me edit my OP for the south team

"8bit
No Rafael? Best right back in England?
Not even Zabaleta"
===

It was his South XI...

that was my southern team..

My team is probably a touch biased, but yeah...

I've edited my southern team.
Can't believe i forgot Wilshere
That looks much better now

Not enough quality strikers or centre mids for the south team but loads of attacking midfielders, couldn't fit Hazard in there.

"8bit
No Rafael? Best right back in England?
Not even Zabaleta
========================
Nope, no messi or ronaldo either.

North:

--------------------Hart------------------
Zabaleta---Vidic---Kompany---Evra
-------------Carrick---Toure-------
Silva------------Rooney--------Suarez
------------------RVP-----------------

Subs: De Gea, Agger, Lescott, Gerrard, Nani, Aguero, Tevez

South:

--------------------Cech------------------
Walker---Koscielny---Terry---Cole
-------------Dembele---Wilshere-------
Mata------------Cazorla--------Bale
------------------Theo-----------------

Subs: Loris, Sagna, Vertonghen, Parker, Hazard, Oscar, Ba, Podolski

That took quite awhile, I tired not to be too biased, I hope that is reflected in my teams

442 v 442

----------------------------Hart----------------------------
Zabaleta--------Kompany-----Agger----------------Evra
Valencia---------Carrick-------Lucas/Toure-------Young
-------------------Aguero--------van Persie--------------

-----------------Podolski-------Defoe----------------------
Bale---------Wilshere----------Ramirez-----------Lennon
Cole---------Vertonghen-------Koscielny----------Sagna
----------------------------Lloris----------------------------

South would have to sit back and try to counter using their physically strong team. North would have no problem retaining possession and would have a good outball to Valencia if needed. I'd say a 1-1 draw with North controlling the game but South having to much on the counter for them.

433 v 433

----------------------------Hart----------------------------
Johnson---------Kompany-----Agger----------------Evra
---------------------------Lucas----------------------------
-------------------Carrick------Gerrard/Toure-----------
Suarez----------------------------------------------Young
----------------------------RvP-----------------------------

--------------------------Podolski--------------------------
Bale-----------------------------------------------Walcott
------------------Lampard------Wilshere-----------------
---------------------------Sandro--------------------------
Cole---------Vertonghen-------Koscielny----Azpilicueta
----------------------------Lloris----------------------------

Again the North should be the team taking the initiative and try to control the game. With the South playing a lot more direct, especially down the North's right flank with Johnson and Suarez there. Which would require one of Carrick and Lucas to cover which allows one of the South's midfield get into a more promising position up the pitch. The South wouldn't be on the back foot as much as they were before due to their ability to force the North's D-line deeper and wider due to their shear pace. I can see the North struggling to get a foothold on the game and would only cause problems when Suarez or Robin were on the ball. 1-0 to the North, probably won from a set-piece.

4231 v 4231

----------------------------Hart----------------------------
Zabaleta--------Kompany-----Agger--------------Clichy
--------------------Carrick-----Lucas---------------------
Valencia-----------------Suarez----------------Coutinho
----------------------------RvP-----------------------------

---------------------------Torres-------------------------
Hazard------------------Cazorla---------------------Mata
-------------------Wilshere----Ramirez-------------------
Cole----------Vertonghen------Koscielny----------Sagna
----------------------------Lloris----------------------------

The first match were both teams are able to attack and try to take the initiative. First things first, the inclusion of Coutinho is for what he could potentially offer to the team if he lives up to the hype. And Clichy would also have to bring back his form from back in the day(not likely).

Due to the attacking nature that both teams would naturally undertake, I can see the South's greater ability to play fluidly a massive help. But the greater experience and better structure of the North would allow them to kill the pace of the game. A lot would depend on Suarez's ability to receive the ball to feet and link the defence to the offence. Valencia providing the width and Coutinho coming inside to help with possession/penetration.

The South's attack, despite being very creative and interchangeable, also has problems. With Torres prone to wandering to find space/being invisible and the wingers natural tendency to come inside(regardless of which side they are put on). The 3 Am's will struggle to find space, especially Cazorla. Who will then drop deeper into the midfield, will either leave the South with lack of cover on the wings or lack of men high up the centre of the pitch. Cazorla will also have a hard time controlling the match from a deeper position as he lack the physical elements for a midfield battle. Key player in the match would be Ramirez and his ability to become that advanced midfielder, maybe becoming a narrow winger allowing Mata to come across. Defence will need to be extremely on their game and they would desperately need Torres to have a good game.

North 3-2 South: South having a constant attacking threat but their lack of structure will lead to opportunities.

Hart
Zabaleta Kompany Vidic Evra
Carrick Y.Toure Gerrard
van Persie
Aguero Suarez


Lloris
Sagna Terry Kaboul Cole
Sandro
Wilshere Cazorla
Mata Ba Bale