Chappers85
Can't Play Left-Back
Seeing a few best elevens on the other thread has got me thinking about our best XI over these last painful 23 years. I know it's sad but pre-season is so boring! My only rules are no short-term loans (so no Terry, Ramsey, Wright, Shorey etc) but long-term loans I'll accept. 7 subs allowed. Be interesting to see what everyone thinks. I think there's a few players that will be in most people's (Dawson, Reid, Antonio) but I reckon the other 8 places may differ wildly.
I've gone for a 4-3-3.
1. Samba
2. Cash
5. Dawson (c)
6. Wilson
3. Cohen
8. Guedioura
4. Garner
11. Reid
9. B Johnson
7. Grabban
10. Antonio
Subs: DeVries, Spence, S McKenna, Scimeca, McGugan, Harewood, D Johnson
Samba is just above DeVries and Ward for me.
Cash starts ahead of Djed because it's a back 4 (if I was playing wing-backs it'd be Spence).
I know Wilson left under a cloud and was pretty much broken in his second spell, but I thought he was class, particularly in that mop-up second centre-half role.
I have to have Cohen in there and thought he was tailor-made as modern day left back, even though he only played there every now and again.
Guedioura and Garner are maybe too similar but their ability on the ball, to carry it, to get stuck in, with Reidy dictating play would be quality.
Brennan has shown his quality this year. Still drifts in and out of games, but he's a constant threat and getting more and more clinical.
Grabban is a hard call because I don't think there's a lot between him, Harewood, David Johnson, Earnshaw and pre-injury Assombalonga. But his movement just edges it, especially with Antonio and Brennan tearing full-backs apart. Harewood and Johnno as super subs.
Scimeca on the bench as he's versatile and quality on the ball. Scott McKenna as he's a proper centre-half, and as a lefty may need to come on at left-back when Cohen's knees break. McGugan on the bench because we all know how good he could be.
I'm aware there's some very good players not in my 18 so feel free to pick apart, heckle and pick you own!
I've gone for a 4-3-3.
1. Samba
2. Cash
5. Dawson (c)
6. Wilson
3. Cohen
8. Guedioura
4. Garner
11. Reid
9. B Johnson
7. Grabban
10. Antonio
Subs: DeVries, Spence, S McKenna, Scimeca, McGugan, Harewood, D Johnson
Samba is just above DeVries and Ward for me.
Cash starts ahead of Djed because it's a back 4 (if I was playing wing-backs it'd be Spence).
I know Wilson left under a cloud and was pretty much broken in his second spell, but I thought he was class, particularly in that mop-up second centre-half role.
I have to have Cohen in there and thought he was tailor-made as modern day left back, even though he only played there every now and again.
Guedioura and Garner are maybe too similar but their ability on the ball, to carry it, to get stuck in, with Reidy dictating play would be quality.
Brennan has shown his quality this year. Still drifts in and out of games, but he's a constant threat and getting more and more clinical.
Grabban is a hard call because I don't think there's a lot between him, Harewood, David Johnson, Earnshaw and pre-injury Assombalonga. But his movement just edges it, especially with Antonio and Brennan tearing full-backs apart. Harewood and Johnno as super subs.
Scimeca on the bench as he's versatile and quality on the ball. Scott McKenna as he's a proper centre-half, and as a lefty may need to come on at left-back when Cohen's knees break. McGugan on the bench because we all know how good he could be.
I'm aware there's some very good players not in my 18 so feel free to pick apart, heckle and pick you own!
