Boards
Premiership 'Second XI' of the Decade
Now, it'd be easy to pick the actual Prem team of the decade (James, Neviller, Cashley, Rio, Terry, Gerrard, Lampard, Makelele, Griggs, Drogba, Henry) and there wouldn't be much debate. So, in the spirit of my esteemed performances for Keswick School second XV circa 2001, I've picked a handy 'B' team instead, more suggestions welcome.
GK - Friedel
Pretty easy pick this. Won't even go into why.
DR - O'Shea
Not exactly under the radar this pick, but in all honesty just how good is he? You hardly know he's there and he never does anything wrong.
DC - Hyypia
How good was he in the Houllier era? Answer - very good. One of the bargains of all time.
DC - Hierro
Admittedly past his best, but did that matter? Nope.
DL - Matteo
Probably the most under-rated member of that Leeds squad. Kept Harte out of the team as well.
MR - Solano
Arguably Newcastle's best player after Shearer in this era and Mr Consistent at Villa.
MC - Dunn
On his day one of the best players in England. Shame he gets labelled as a fat plank and was hopeless at Blues.
MC - Dacourt
Pre-Makelele Makelele and excellent going forward.
ML - Pires
Not exactly niche this pick but always overlooked in view of Terry, Paddy and Co.
FC - Bellamy
Admittedly an awful, awful unmentionable but brilliant everywhere he's played. Even Coventry.
SC - McBride
Poacher's instinct.
Subs - Sorenson, Okocha, Matt Taylor, Jansen, Litmanen, Behrami, Leon Osman
Manager - Roy Hodgson
He could make that team play.
Questions? Ideas? Where was George Donis? OMGOD I can't believe you didn't pick Marc Degryse/Regi Blinker/Chris Bart-Williams!!! Sort it below.