Premier League 20th Anniversary Awards

Xavi6

Tis the season for awards.

http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/20-seasons.html

Don't forget to include your moral outrage.

(Voted for the 6-1 as best game :cool:)

homerjay2005

the team will look something like this...

jaykay74

Xavi6 wrote: »

Don't forget to include your moral outrage.

I can't believe they left out [something or other]. The whole thing is a farce.

MaceFace

homerjay2005 wrote: »

the team will look something like this...

Had this team with two differences - Rio ahead of Vidic and I also choose Gerrard over Scholes as I think Gerrard has a slightly better goals/game ratio despite playing in a poorer team during his career. While Scholes is better at passing the ball, his tackling (or lack thereof) puts him behind Gerrard for me.

Xavi6

MaceFace wrote: »

I also choose Gerrard over Scholes

GavRedKing

In my team I had :

Schemichel

Neville
Ferdinand
Terry
Cole

Ronaldo
Lampard
Keane
Giggs

Henry
Zola

Perfect balance in that team to play a host of formations and systems.

Rekop dog

Cole>>Irwin

homerjay2005

Rekop dog wrote: »

Cole>>Irwin

in what way? Irwin had everything - 2 footed, penalties, corners, free kicks, assists, excellent defending. he aint far off the best full back to play in england, let alone be doubted by you.

ashley cole just isnt fit to lace his boots

GavRedKing

homerjay2005 wrote: »

in what way? Irwin had everything - 2 footed, penalties, corners, free kicks, assists, excellent defending. he aint far off the best full back to play in england, let alone be doubted by you.

ashley cole just isnt fit to lace his boots

If thats the case then he could be easily played at RB and drop Neville for Cole.

Cole has been one of the finest LB's in the modern game for the best part of a decade.

homerjay2005

gavredking wrote: »

If thats the case then he could be easily played at RB and drop Neville for Cole.

Cole has been one of the finest LB's in the modern game for the best part of a decade.

and irwin is one of the finest full backs in the history of the game. huge difference.

and cole is one of the most hateable, spiteful players every to play the game, it counts for something when these decisions are being made. even taking that aside, Irwin was still a better player all things considered.

neville v cole is interesting, i think neville shades that also.

TerryTibbs!

Never argue against red tinted specs.

Rekop dog

homerjay2005 wrote: »

Rekop dog wrote: »

Cole>>Irwin

in what way? Irwin had everything - 2 footed, penalties, corners, free kicks, assists, excellent defending. he aint far off the best full back to play in england, let alone be doubted by you.

ashley cole just isnt fit to lace his boots

I'm not doubting him, he was a fine player. Just think Cole has been the best left back in the premier league era. A phenomenal defender first and foremost, with pace and a cracking positional sense. Equally brilliant going forward. Yeah he's a knob but he's better than Irwin was. Your obv a United fan yes?

GavRedKing

homerjay2005 wrote: »

and irwin is one of the finest full backs in the history of the game. huge difference.

and cole is one of the most hateable, spiteful players every to play the game, it counts for something when these decisions are being made. even taking that aside, Irwin was still a better player all things considered.

neville v cole is interesting, i think neville shades that also.

How does that count against him, I was under the assumption that best ever EPL team would be picked on ability?

In the first 10 years of the EPL Irwin was the best LB, next 10 years its been Cole.

Cole has been Englands best fullback since the EPL started and that includes RB IMO.

His ability to get up and down isnt matched by anyone to play in the EPL so far.

lordgoat

Last season and this one Cole isn't the player he was. Being old enough to appreciate Irwin gives you the perspective needed here I think.

The man had all Cole had and a bit more, pace would be the only thing Cole had over him. And Irwin more than compensates for that with positional sense, i expect Cole to get more exposed as he gets older and loses a yard or two. In no way saying he's a poor player but Irwin was consistently the best full back ever to play in England.

LuckyLloyd

Liverpool fan obviously. I voted:

- Newcastle vs Liverpool;
- Thierry Henry (obviously the Le Tiss goals are amazing, but Henry's might be the most aggressive kick of a ball I've ever seen);
- Alan Shearer;
- Brad Friedel (this wasn't easy to choose);

---

Schmeichel

---

Neville

---

Adams

---

Campbell

---

Irwin

Ronaldo

---

Keane

---

Vieira

---

Giggs

---

Shearer

---

Henry

---

Recency bias tends to obscure these things. Scholes is a great, great player. But I've never seen anything like Keane or Vieira for the imposition of one's will at the very highest levels of the game.

lordgoat

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Recency bias tends to obscure these things.

+1 to this.

PeterTwo

Some strange selections for the team. Desailly over Carvalho, Petit in centre mid and no Drogba.

latenia

Temuri Ketsbaia has to win the celebration vote

LuckyLloyd

latenia wrote: »

Temuri Ketsbaia has to win the celebration vote

Shearer celebrated like a man. Simple, no frills.

GavRedKing

The reason I'm picking Cole is simple, hes better going forward and offers more to the team in the way of a goal threat in regards to setting up team mates or chipping in with the odd goal.

His link up play with the guys ahead of him is excellent and hes proved at Arsenal and Chelsea that if you can keep him penned back then you stop a whole flank been exploited, Irwin never had the threat that Cole had on the left.

If people really believe that Irwin was the finest FB in England ever, then its simple really, Neville wouldnt get a game at RB and Cole would take LB.

Rekop dog

Irishness bias also obscures things!

LuckyLloyd

gavredking wrote: »

If people really believe that Irwin was the finest FB in England ever, then its simple really, Neville wouldnt get a game at RB and Cole would take LB.

That isn't an option though, is it?

Irwin was an absolute prince of a player. Consistency defined, the best backpost cover defender you'll ever see, never roasted, excellent from setpieces.

Cole is also an extraordinary player, and still performing at a really high level. They are the two best EPL fullbacks, but it would be a joke not to include Irwin imo.

Xavi6

Game: United 1-6 City
Goal: Le Tissier v Blackburn (pity about no Yeboah v Wimbledon which was his better one imo)
Celebration: Klinsmann definitely
Save: Schmeichel v Newcastle, there's an awesome still of him in mid air for that one as well.

Team:

Schmeichel

Neville
Campbell
Adams
Cole

Beckham
Scholes
Vieira
Giggs

Bergkamp
Henry

Lack of quality at right back and a tough decision between Ronaldo and Becks.

Morzadec

I went for Cole over Irwin. The fact he is a díck shouldn't come into it, otherwise a lot of other players would be left out too. Cole for is the epitomy of the modern fullback, great going forward and in defence. To say Irwin isn't fit to lace his boots is laughable to be honest.

Midfield is impossible to choose really. Hard to leave out any of Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes, Keane and Viera.

I went for Scholes and Gerrard, imo the best playmaker/passer and goalscoring/match-winner midfielders of the era, but couldn't really argue with any combination of the above 5. Fabregas and Makelele woudl be up there as well, but I didn't consider them because they did not play for as many seasons as the rest.

GK, Right-back, Right-mid and Left-Mid are all fairly dead certs imo, plus I think Henry has to fill one of the striker slots

lordgoat

gavredking wrote: »

The reason I'm picking Cole is simple, hes better going forward and offers more to the team in the way of a goal threat in regards to setting up team mates or chipping in with the odd goal.

.

I'd wager there is very little if anything between them in goals scored. It comes across as that you haven'#t seen Irwin play that much tbh.

GavRedKing

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

That isn't an option though, is it?

Irwin was an absolute prince of a player. Consistency defined, the best backpost cover defender you'll ever see, never roasted, excellent from setpieces.

Cole is also an extraordinary player, and still performing at a really high level. They are the two best EPL fullbacks, but it would be a joke not to include Irwin imo.

Its not an option on the internet no, in fact some of the options are fairly baffling from Barclays.

I'd have no problem including Irwin at RB as I rate him higher then Neville in the same way I rate Cole higher then Neville and due to Irwin's ability with his right he'd slot in no problem.

GavRedKing

lordgoat wrote: »

I'd wager there is very little if anything between them in goals scored. It comes across as that you haven'#t seen Irwin play that much tbh.

Irwin has 10 more goals, 25 v 15 in respect to their EPL careers, you could argue most of Irwin's came from free kicks or penalties and Cole's came from open play but thats not the point really.

I've seen Irwin play numerous times back in the day you couldnt get away from Utd on T.V. :pac:

I'll admit theres not much between them but my preference would be Cole due to his overall attacking quality and what he offers the team going forward and how he occupys RB's.

Cantona's Collars

I think a lot of voters are too young to remember Irwin playing,the man was simply the best full back I saw playing in England.

Plus he could do things like this....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frue5EYNDqA

For the record my team is.

---

SCHMEICHEL

---

G.NEVILLE

---

ADAMS

---

BRUCE

---

IRWIN

RONALDO

---

KEANE

---

SCHOLES----GIGGS

---

SHEARER

---

CANTONA

---

It was a toss up between Bruce & Vidic and Cantona/Henry.

GavRedKing

zerks wrote: »

I think a lot of voters are too young to remember Irwin playing,the man was simply the best full back I saw playing in England.

Plus he could do things like this....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frue5EYNDqA

For the record my team is.

---

SCHMEICHEL

---

G.NEVILLE

---

ADAMS

---

BRUCE

---

IRWIN

RONALDO

---

KEANE

---

SCHOLES----GIGGS

---

SHEARER

---

CANTONA

---

It was a toss up between Bruce & Vidic and Cantona/Henry.

I see a pattern there ^

At 27 I dont think I'm too young to have seen him play.

Theres much better free kick takers to play in the league so relying on Irwin for that would be negagted when you have Ronaldo in your team.

Plus theres 10 other positions up for grabs other then the LB slot.

homerjay2005

Xavi6 wrote: »

Lack of quality at right back and a tough decision between Ronaldo and Becks.

a team that doesnt include ronaldo, cannot be taken seriously. he is going down as one of the greatests players ever to play the game yet not good enough for the PL team of the past 20 years?

considering he won world player of the year and came in the top 3 on other occasions, while playing in the PL, he is nailed on to be in the team.

kevohmsford

Very difficult to pick a team. So many class players to choose from.
Team:

Schmeichel

Barton
Desailly
Adams
Irwin

Ronaldo
Gerrard
Keane
Giggs

Shearer
Henry

GavRedKing

Lampard walks into this team as well.

Most EPL goals from midfield and 2nd most assists behind Giggs from midfield.

LuckyLloyd

I'm sorry lads, but Cantona has no business being in this team.

Rekop dog

Yeah I wouldn't have commented if I wasn't old enough to see Irwin play. It's very close and definitely debate worthy, stupid comments suggesting it's not like "he's not fit to lace his boots" are just noise.

Xavi6

homerjay2005 wrote: »

a team that doesnt include ronaldo, cannot be taken seriously. he is going down as one of the greatests players ever to play the game yet not good enough for the PL team of the past 20 years?

considering he won world player of the year and came in the top 3 on other occasions, while playing in the PL, he is nailed on to be in the team.

Meh, it's my team and I like Becks so he's in.

Gutted that my team isn't taken seriously though. Really gutted

Cantona's Collars

gavredking wrote: »

I see a pattern there ^

At 27 I dont think I'm too young to have seen him play.

Theres much better free kick takers to play in the league so relying on Irwin for that would be negagted when you have Ronaldo in your team.

Plus theres 10 other positions up for grabs other then the LB slot.

Naturally the best team over the last 20 years were going to dominate my team,pity there wasn't a subs bench.Viera,Bergkamp,A.Cole could have made my team.

Judging Irwin on his free taking alone ignores the fact he was a wonderful defender,Mr.Reliable: You could always trust him.

homerjay2005

gavredking wrote: »

I see a pattern there ^

and so what? the team that has won the most PL titles in having some of the best players of that period shocker.

that group of players are multiple PL winners, multiple fa cup winners, some of them have appeared in 4 champions league finals and 2 world club cup finals.

including them is not united bias, its called picking the best players over the past 20 years and alot of them will have played for united due to what they have achieved and how they achieved it.

GavRedKing

homerjay2005 wrote: »

and so what? the team that has won the most PL titles in having some of the best players of that period shocker.

that group of players are multiple PL winners, multiple fa cup winners, some of them have appeared in 4 champions league finals and 2 world club cup finals.

including them is not united bias, its called picking the best players over the past 20 years and alot of them will have played for united due to what they have achieved and how they achieved it.

Cantona is not good enough for a best ever EPL team, neither is Bruce given the options there is available.

I will give you Schemichel, Ronaldo, Giggs, Keane or Scholes, Neville (becasue theres no other option), Irwin, well we've debated that enough at this stage.

I have no problem with including Utd players but 9?

Morzadec

Cantona over Henry?!?!

Morzadec

gavredking wrote: »

Lampard walks into this team as well.

Most EPL goals from midfield and 2nd most assists behind Giggs from midfield.

Nah nobody walks into this team in Centre-mid imo. You have Keane and Viera amazing engines and leaders, the centre point of two of the greatest PL teams, Gerrard and Lampard maybe (?) the first midfielders to get over 20+ goals and who could change the match with one moment of magic, Scholes who nobody beats in the passing/playmaking stakes and has done it for years. Makelele, arguably the best 'destroyer' to grace the game, Fabregas another brilliant free-scoring midfielder and a rival to Scholes in his playmaking ability.

The last 2 don't compete with the rest because of longevity imo.

But my point is that no one 'walks in' to the midfield, it's an incredibly competitive area and there are too many standouts to say that

GavRedKing

Morzadec wrote: »

Nah nobody walks into this team in Centre-mid imo. You have Keane and Viera amazing engines and leaders, the centre point of two of the greatest PL teams, Gerrard and Lampard maybe (?) the first midfielders to get over 20+ goals and who could change the match with one moment of magic, Scholes who nobody beats in the passing/playmaking stakes and has done it for years. Makelele, arguably the best 'destroyer' to grace the game, Fabregas another brilliant free-scoring midfielder and a rival to Scholes in his playmaking ability.

The last 2 don't compete with the rest because of longevity imo.

But my point is that no one 'walks in' to the midfield, it's an incredibly competitive area and there are too many standouts to say that

Lampard has more goals then any of them midifelders and only second to Giggs in assists as well as possesing a fitness level superior to a good few professionals.

His worth to the team is vital from CM and statistically he has to play.

I'd personally play him with either Keane/Vieira/Makelele and opted for Keane as a leader among men.

Melion

It was all going so well until i got to the central defenders and Sami Hyypia wasnt on the list, yet Jaap Stam was. I swiftly closed off the tab. Absolutely ridiculous.

Cantona's Collars

gavredking wrote: »

Cantona is not good enough for a best ever EPL team, neither is Bruce given the options there is available.

Nobody gets a face like Steve Bruce's by being shy in defending,the man was a rock at the back.He didn't have the skills of Desailly or Ferdinand but by God he knew how to defend like his life depended on it.I think it was the fact Adams was in my team that skewed my choice,I was imagining the two playing together.

homerjay2005

Melion wrote: »

It was all going so well until i got to the central defenders and Sami Hyypia wasnt on the list, yet Jaap Stam was. I swiftly closed off the tab. Absolutely ridiculous.

the same Stam who got awarded worlds best defender for 3 years?

nobody has included him in their teams for what i see and he probably wont get in teh actual team, but to use his as a yardstick to show your displeasure about Hyypia is laughable.

Melion

homerjay2005 wrote: »

the same Stam who got awarded worlds best defender for 3 years?

nobody has included him in their teams for what i see and he probably wont get in teh actual team, but to use his as a yardstick to show your displeasure about Hyypia is laughable.

He got voted in the CL team of the year 2 years in a row. Is that what you meant? Hardly being voted the worlds best defender is it?

He played 79 league games for United over 3 seasons

Hyypia played 318 times over 10 years

Im sorry but its absolutely pathetic that Stam is shortlisted ahead of him.

Scholes >> Viera. I just do not get people picking Viera over Scholes, Scholes has it all over Viera, appearances, goals and assists. Scholes is older than Viera and is still playing at the highest level.

If you want to use the argument that Viera was a different type of player, I'd agree, so you should then compare him to Keane right? Keane also has more goals and appearances and was just a better player IMO.

Liam O

Melion wrote: »

He got voted in the CL team of the year 2 years in a row. Is that what you meant? Hardly being voted the worlds best defender is it?

He played 79 league games for United over 3 seasons

Hyypia played 318 times over 10 years

Im sorry but its absolutely pathetic that Stam is shortlisted ahead of him.

Quality over quantity.

Stam was in the top 3 defenders in Europe and probably consequently the world in that time and Hyypia would struggle to ever get in the top 20, maybe being slightly harsh on him as he was a great defender on his day but Stam was ridiculously good and consistent in his 3 seasons.

Melion

Liam O wrote: »

Quality over quantity.

Stam was in the top 3 defenders in Europe and probably consequently the world in that time and Hyypia would struggle to ever get in the top 20, maybe being slightly harsh on him as he was a great defender on his day but Stam was ridiculously good and consistent in his 3 seasons.

Hyypia from 04-06 was every bit as good as Stam was in the late 90's

Liam O

Melion wrote: »

Hyypia from 04-06 was every bit as good as Stam was in the late 90's

How many league titles do Liverpool have to show for it? Multiple trophy years? Stam did it every time he stepped onto the field and while Hyypia was great he should never be considered in Stam's league which is that of Alessandro Nesta and Nemanja Vidic among others.

Melion

Liam O wrote: »

How many league titles do Liverpool have to show for it? Multiple trophy years? Stam did it every time he stepped onto the field and while Hyypia was great he should never be considered in Stam's league which is that of Alessandro Nesta and Nemanja Vidic among others.

Djimi Traore has a champions league medal. Does that make him a better left back than Ashley Cole?

Liam O

Melion wrote: »

Djimi Traore has a champions league medal. Does that make him a better left back than Ashley Cole?

I'd prefer Cole's medal haul tbh...not sure what point you are trying to make, not only has Cole won more individually but collectively than Traore. Really poor point.