EPL team of the decade-midfield

Spiritoftheseventies

Okay to get this get back up and running again lads. Nominations in lads and then will put up poll later on. will concentrate on two wide berths after deliberations.

noodler

Keane, Gerrard, Lampard, Viera, Essien, Fabregas, Scholes.

We can nominate whoever else we want but it is going to be two of the above.

Mitch Connor

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

Okay to get this get back up and running again lads. Nominations in lads and then will put up poll later on.

any particular position?

I'm gonna vote for all 4 now...

Giggs - Scholes - Gerrard - Ronaldo

Not sure about the balance of the midfield, would like a defensive player in there but don't know who to go for. Keane was a great player United over his career - but I feel he was a poor shadow of himself from 2003/04 onwards at least. Vieira left Arsenal in 05, so he had 5 years of play.

Fabregas has been great since 04 or 05 too.

Some tough choices. I think Giggs and Ronaldo are fairly certain of spots, but there are a load of choices for the CM spots, with people like Scholes, Lampard, Gerrard, Fabregas, Vieira, Essien and I'm sure there are others too.

Spiritoftheseventies

noodler wrote: »

Keane, Gerrard, Lampard, Viera, Essien, Fabregas, Scholes.

We can nominate whoever else we want but it is going to be two of the above.

thats good selection. Was thinking of putting in S Ireland, Barry and Alonso in as well. But yeah but would think its between Gerrard, Lampard and Fabregas and Scholes for the four places

Spiritoftheseventies

Mitch Connor wrote: »

any particular position?

I'm gonna vote for all 4 now...

Giggs - Scholes - Gerrard - Ronaldo

Not sure about the balance of the midfield, would like a defensive player in there but don't know who to go for. Keane was a great player United over his career - but I feel he was a poor shadow of himself from 2003/04 onwards at least. Vieira left Arsenal in 05, so he had 5 years of play.

Fabregas has been great since 04 or 05 too.

Some tough choices. I think Giggs and Ronaldo are fairly certain of spots, but there are a load of choices for the CM spots, with people like Scholes, Lampard, Gerrard, Fabregas, Vieira, Essien and I'm sure there are others too.

yes may just go for four midfield to speed things up a bit. So nominate two wingers as well.

dyl10

Robert Pires worth consideration against Ronaldo?

Spiritoftheseventies

Yes Pires another good choice there (forgetting that penalty he made a hames of a few years ago, for those who don't remember see below). not sure about Vierra as he has been away from Premiership awhile now. Post poll up this evening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmMhmcHcyaY

noodler

Okay I assumed central midfield.


I don't think S.Ireland has done nearly enough in two years to be nominated for a PL team of the decade.

If anything people like Alonso, Masch, Carrick, Ballack and Gilberto would be more worthy of mention for central midfield.

Duff, Ronaldo, Pires, Robben, Giggs, Joe.Cole, SWP, Freddie (perhaps?).

SlickRic

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

thats good selection. Was thinking of putting in S Ireland, Barry and Alonso in as well. But yeah but would think its between Gerrard, Lampard and Fabregas and Scholes for the four places

Stephen Ireland has done nothing worthy of a mention.

Barry isn't in the same league as others mentioned, but is probably worth a nomination.

Alonso, probably is close enough to the class of others, and is worth a nomination at the very least,.

It should be the list that Noodler mentioned plus Makelele, plus a couple of pointless borderlines like Alonso, Barry, Hamann.

Spiritoftheseventies

SlickRic wrote: »

Stephen Ireland has done nothing worthy of a mention.

Barry isn't in the same league as others mentioned, but is probably worth a nomination.

Alonso, probably is close enough to the class of others, and is worth a nomination at the very least,.

It should be the list that Noodler mentioned plus Makelele, plus a couple of pointless borderlines like Alonso, Barry, Hamann.

Yes do remember Gerrard mentioning Makelele as toughest midfielder he played against.
And of course there is Michael Essien as well.

noodler

SlickRic wrote: »

It should be the list that Noodler mentioned plus Makelele, plus a couple of pointless borderlines like Alonso, Barry, Hamann.

I knew I had underrepresented Chelsea.

I think Hamann is a worthy nomination (I would) for a few seasons at Newcastle as well.

EDIT: Actually, he probably spent all his 2000s at Liverpool.

L'prof

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

not sure about Vierra as he has been away from Premiership awhile now. Post poll up this evening.

Vieira was playing great football in the league for 5 years of this decade, Ronaldo for 6. To be honest, if you leave out Vieira you should consider leaving out Ronaldo too!

noodler

jasonorr wrote: »

Vieira was playing great football in the league for 5 years of this decade, Ronaldo for 6. To be honest, if you leave out Vieira you should consider leaving out Ronaldo too!

We are considering Viera - of course we are!

Spiritoftheseventies

jasonorr wrote: »

Vieira was playing great football in the league for 5 years of this decade, Ronaldo for 6. To be honest, if you leave out Vieira you should consider leaving out Ronaldo too!

Okay for time being lets concentrate on two wide positions and return to two CM berths in awhile.

noodler

Duff and Robben because it just looked deadly.

Realistically I don't see Giggs not getting one spot.

Ronaldo for pure goals or Pires for artistry (and end product too of course).

SlickRic

this needs to be organised better then SOTS.

change the OP, and make it obvious we're talking about wide players.

Duff, Robben, Giggs, Ronaldo, Pires, Ljungberg should be the main contenders.

nominations to the likes of Downing, Lennon, Ashley Young...then I'm struggling. i don't even like the look of those three for various reasons.

Spiritoftheseventies

SlickRic wrote: »

this needs to be organised better then SOTS.

change the OP, and make it obvious we're talking about wide players.

Duff, Robben, Giggs, Ronaldo, Pires, Ljungberg should be the main contenders.

nominations to the likes of Downing, Lennon, Ashley Young...then I'm struggling. i don't even like the look of those three for various reasons.

not forgetting we also have subs to consider. maybe five. Happy to go with wide men then if Mod can change it. Poll is up. either way would say results will be predictable enough. Andy Reid in there for solidarity. Sorry lads

Rekop dog

Went for Giggsy and Pires but and can't believe I left Ronaldo out! LOL at the Irish bias, I mean Andy Reid does not belong anywhere near this company. Surely the like of Wright Phillips should be ahead of him.

JPA

Is there going to be a serious poll anytime soon?

Xavi6

Andy Reid? Duff? Lennon?

Wtf is this?

Frisbee

Xavi6 wrote: »

Andy Reid? Duff? Lennon?

Wtf is this?

To make it worse I accidentally voted for Duff...

Your dead right though, how some of those players are in there I'll never know.

Xavi6

Frisbee wrote: »

To make it worse I accidentally voted for Duff...

Your dead right though, how some of those players are in there I'll never know.

Just vote for them all.

Shaun Wright-Phillips should be ahead of half of those on the poll.

L'prof

Xavi6 wrote: »

Shaun Wright-Phillips should be ahead of half of those on the poll.

I count 3...

JPA

Giggs
Beckham
Pires
Robben
SWP
CRonaldo
Joe Cole
Ashley Young
Ljunberg

Should be the poll.

Vokes

Beckham before Reid / Lennon surely? I know he wasn't at his greatest form-wise coming into 2003 but he played a big part (i think) in those 3 titles at the start of the decade.

GavRedKing

Its hard to look past Giggs and Ronaldo really.

SlickRic

JPA wrote: »

Giggs
Beckham
Pires
Robben
SWP
CRonaldo
Joe Cole
Ashley Young
Ljunberg

Should be the poll.

Duff instead of Young and you have it spot on imo.

event

so i voted for everyone, is that alright?

RasTa

event wrote: »

so i voted for everyone, is that alright?

+1, gotta be fair.

noodler

Xavi6 wrote: »

Andy Reid? Duff? Lennon?

Wtf is this?

What on earth is wrong with Duff? Explain in 20 words or less please.

Reid and Lennon are weird ones, one good season at Charlton and one great season (ish) with Sunderland does not get you in the poll.

SlickRic wrote: »

Duff instead of Young and you have it spot on imo.

Yes, Young has been great for two seasons and good for one with Watford. Not enough.

EDIT: Actually not that great this season - good though.

CHD

Voted for everyone except Andy Reid

JPA

SlickRic wrote: »

Duff instead of Young and you have it spot on imo.

Well Young has been in the team of the season for the last 2 years, something Duff never achieved and I think Duff was next to useless at Newcastle.
Although perhaps Young is still too young.:)

SlickRic

if Duff beats Pires.

i'm warning you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFgR0m-9FmM

Xavi6

noodler wrote: »

What on earth is wrong with Duff? Explain in 20 words or less please.

Peaked in 2002 meaning he had 3 good years in the decade then slumped. Injury prone. Good not great.

19 words ok?

event

noodler wrote: »

What on earth is wrong with Duff? Explain in 20 words or less please.

230 appearances in 10 years in the PL, its 25 games per season

was ****e for 3 of them for newcastle, very good for two with blackburn and chelsea, ok for the others

IMO, not one of the best wingers over the last decade

noodler

JPA wrote: »

Well Young has been in the team of the season for the last 2 years, something Duff never achieved and I think Duff was next to useless at Newcastle.
Although perhaps Young is still too young.:)

Xavi6 wrote: »

Peaked in 2002 meaning he had 3 good years in the decade then slumped. Injury prone. Good not great.

19 words ok?

Won two premierships. Played in the CL. Was Blackburn's best player, had a tough time at Newcastle (who the hell didn't?) but has bounced back very well this season with Fulham.

I am unsure if he made a PL team of the year - would be surprised if he never made one but its not dreadfully important.

Anyway, just saying there is no way, in my mind, he doesn't deserve a nomination. I could write off Freddie by the same arguments about peaking early in the decade etc.

Oh and 19 is fine, although I don't completely agree.

CHD

Eh, Duff deserves a nomination. How is that in question?

The man along with Robben and Makelele basically won Chelsea the league. He made a UEFA team of the year too I think. Amazing player at his peak, nominating him should be a given.

Mitch Connor

noodler wrote: »

Won two premierships. Played in the CL. Was Blackburn's best player, had a tough time at Newcastle (who the hell didn't?) but has bounced back very well this season with Fulham.

I am unsure if he made a PL team of the year - would be surprised if he never made one but its not dreadfully important.

Anyway, just saying there is no way, in my mind, he doesn't deserve a nomination. I could write off Freddie by the same arguments about peaking early in the decade etc.

Oh and 19 is fine, although I don't completely agree.

simply winning the prem and appearing in the CL does not make you a great player. that is just stupid to be fair. Djimi Traore (a favourite go to guy!!) has won the CL. So is he a great players?

noodler

event wrote: »

230 appearances in 10 years in the PL, its 25 games per season

was ****e for 3 of them for newcastle, very good for two with blackburn and chelsea, ok for the others

IMO, not one of the best wingers over the last decade

I would have said very good for at least two seasons at Chelsea myself.

The Ranieri one and then the first Mourinho one.

He wasn't crap at his first season at Newcastle for me.

25 per season in the EPL. out of 38 possible. Not all that bad considring he was involved in other competitions as well (Probably shouldn't be taking anything into account but PL performances but I wonder if everyone has stuck to that subconciously). Certainly nothing that should be used to write him out of it IMO.

L'prof

noodler wrote: »

I would have said very good for at least two seasons at Chelsea myself.

The Ranieri one and then the first Mourinho one.

He wasn't crap at his first season at Newcastle for me.

25 per season in the EPL. out of 38 possible. Not all that bad considring he was involved in other competitions as well (Probably shouldn't be taking anything into account but PL performances but I wonder if everyone has stuck to that subconciously). Certainly nothing that should be used to write him out of it IMO.

I think it's 25 a season in all competitions!

Mitch Connor

jasonorr wrote: »

I think it's 25 a season in all competitions!

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=7779&cc=5739

there are all his stats, from 01/02 onwards

PHB

Des anybody remember how amazing Pires was? The guy was unreal. 6 great years in the PL. If not for Ronaldo, I think he'd defo be in there.

Duff and Robben tore up the premiership for 2 years, unbelivable at times. Ronaldo and Giggs obviously. Beckham

L'prof

Mitch Connor wrote: »

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=7779&cc=5739

there are all his stats, from 01/02 onwards

I was about to edit it there, I think it's 34 per season in the last decade and he spent one season in the championship.

L'prof

PHB wrote: »

Des anybody remember how amazing Pires was? The guy was unreal. 6 great years in the PL. If not for Ronaldo, I think he'd defo be in there.

Duff and Robben tore up the premiership for 2 years, unbelivable at times. Ronaldo and Giggs obviously. Beckham

I do. Probably the best player in his position in the world until the injury against Newcastle.

Morzadec

Ronaldo should be a shoe-in to be fair. Pretty strong srgument for him being the best player of the decade so his wide position should be a shoe in.

For the other one it's between Pires, Lljungberg and Giggs. I think at their respective peaks I'd shade it to Pires, but over the decade it has to go to Giggs for me.

curry-muff

Giggs and Ronaldo surely.

As much as I loved watching Pires its gota be these two.

DazMarz

Giggs and Ronaldo by a country fúcking mile...

Spiritoftheseventies

Xavi6 wrote: »

Andy Reid? Duff? Lennon?

Wtf is this?

So you are totally discluding Duff. Was going to be Giggs and and Ronaldo anyway. We could pick Stephen Irelands granny and the vote still wouldn't change.

CHD

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

So you are totally discluding Duff. Was going to be Giggs and and Ronaldo anyway. We could pick Stephen Irelands granny and the vote still wouldn't change.

But she wasn't that great a midfielder anyway

dyl10

Duff should be in the poll, I don't think he's there on an Irish bias(he made more of an impact on the premiership than Robben). Andy Reid shouldn't be there, Downing is a better contender than he is.

Giggs and Pires/Ronaldo for me probably. Ronaldo will win out because of recent memory syndrome.

Spiritoftheseventies

dyl10 wrote: »

Duff should be in the poll, I don't think he's there on an Irish bias(he made more of an impact on the premiership than Robben). Andy Reid shouldn't be there, Downing is a better contender than he is.

Giggs and Pires/Ronaldo for me probably. Ronaldo will win out because of recent memory syndrome.

okay now that the two wingers sorted are lets get down to nominations for two CMS.
So far we Vierra, Fabregas, Gerrard, Lampard, Makelelle, Essien, Scholes. four more names should do.