[Solved] All Time England XI

Not sure just yet, I'll have to have a think but in the meantime have a listen to this -

Bring It Back to Blighty

Ok I have been thinking about this one for a 24 hours and am still in a position where I have 3 or four players for each position. 😀

Here Goes - I have gone for 3 4 1 2

Peter Shilton

Tony Adams Bobby Moore Terry Butcher

David Beckham Bobby Charlton Paul Ince Ashley Cole

Paul Gascoigne

Gary Lineker Alan Shearer

Subs: Gordon Banks, Des Walker, David Platt, Paul Scholes, Jimmy Greaves, Ian wright

4-4-2
Because it’s what we do ...and we don’t seem to be able to play it any other way

Gordon Banks
To be honest it doesn’t really matter who plays here, because no one will get through (see defence strategy). Banks pips Shilton because of ‘that save’ against Pele and because in my world there was no car accident and he played on for another 10 years, becoming the greatest keeper the planet has ever known

Tommy Smith ‘The Anfield Iron’ / Terry [the] Butcher / Norman ‘bites yer legs’ Hunter / Stuart ‘psycho’ Pearce
OK – my team has been built around the meanest nastiest bunch of axe wielding nutters I could find to defend the goal. My theory is that if I lined this lot up, no one would be stupid enough to try and get past them and even if they were that stupid ...let’s just say they probably wouldn’t get through.

David Beckham (C) / Paul Gascoigne / Bobby Charlton / Duncan Edwards
I don’t have to worry about a defensive midfield (see defence strategy).
Becks: love him or hate him, his crossing, dedication, work rate, patriotism & conduct (forgiving the girly kick) are all exemplary
Gazza: In my world he fulfils his potential and keeps it together
Sir Bob: England’s top goal scorer ever ...’nuff said
Edwards: In my world there was no Munich disaster and I would like to see if he really did become our greatest player ever

Wayne Rooney / Alan Shearer
Rooney: For what he has still to achieve. Ooh, can you imagine a team with both Gazza and Wazza at their peak
Shearer: A good team should have a poacher and at least one striker over five foot tall (hence Linekar and Owen on the bench)

Subs: Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Paul Scholes, Bryan Robson, Gary Linekar, Michael Owen

Manager: Brian Clough of course ...well someone had to give him a chance at that top job

OK - I've given this some thought overnight and come up with my 'Rest of the World XI' that I would like my team to play against. Here goes:

Ref: Pierluigi Collina
No contest. I sure as [censored] wouldn’t mess with him.

Manager: Jose Morinho
Proven across many countries, will be perfect choice for a 'rest of the world' squad

Pele / Roger Milla
Pele: Couldn’t really leave him out ...and besides Banks is keeper for England 🙂
Milla: Best goal celebration, put Cameroon on the football map, smiles loads and was still playing at 142 years of age

Ryan Giggs (C) / Maradona / Socrates / George Best
Giggs: Pretty much same reasons as Becks ...a great ambassador
Maradona: I know he made a fool out of Butcher once before, but I’d like to see him get past my defensive line
Socrates: Fantastic name, holds a doctorate, smokes, drinks and plays football like he’s just woken up and can’t find his fags. Love him.
Best: Because in my world, he kept it together and became even better ...and I’d like to see that

Paulo Maldini / Andres Escobar / Alexi Lalas / Tomas Repka
Maldini: Got to really have an Italian in there somewhere
Escobar: We may need to rely on an own goal, if things don’t go well ...and if all esle fails we could just have him shot
Lalas: I’ve seen his pictures and I believe he may be Jesus, so should probably be in the team
Repka: This guy is my back up plan; famous for holding the record for greatest number of red cards (16). So there’s a good chance they’ll go a player down

Rene Higuita
He's just a nutter. Scorpion kicks. Running up field, taking people on. Scoring goals. And that hair. And he's fat. What is he on?

Subs: Lev Yashin, Roberto Carlos, Cristiano Ronaldo (just to watch him pout on the bench), Archie Gemmill (I’m sure he’s got a second goal in him), Gerd Muller, Ronaldo (the fat one from Brazil)

Nice - now that is a match I would love to see 😀

I have just seen this post so will need to consider it but I think that Geoff Thomas is a certainty!!

Mario

Ok then

Have given this some thought...

My England team would be as follows:

GK: Chris Kirkland

RB: Danny Mills
LB: Phil Neville
CB: Terry Fenwick
CB: Keith Curle

MF: Geoff Thomas
MF: Andy Sinton
MF: Stuart Ripley
MF: Carlton Palmer

ST: Michael Ricketts
ST: Francis Jeffers

Bring on the world...