Team Pat
Sir Alex Ferguson:
Fernando Hierro:
From 1995-96 to 2003-04 Raul never dropped under 20 goals a season, playing in a variety of formations and in several different roles. He was excellent in a three-pronged attack behind Suker and Mijatovic (and later, more briefly, Anelka and Morientes), and performed creditably as a line leader at times too. His apex IMO, was as a second striker, and that's how we've deployed him here.
Hierro and Fergie's quotes are key to my understanding of him as a player, and to the philosophy of this team. We don't want him constrained by having him lead the line, to be the principal ball carrier, or the main playmaker. With a supporting cast picked for their ability to carry out these functions without overshadowing Raul, he's got free rein to exploit his greatest assets, namely his footballing intelligence and his incredible ability to find space. He's free to link up and help orchestrate the build up play, or he can ghost into goalscoring positions, all as he sees fit. As this excellent article by Jacob Steinberg states,
Style: A fast tempo, fluid attacking game, interspersed with periods of possession football. Think Real Madrid battering us in 2000.
Defence: A fairly high defensive line to minimise space between our lines. An aggressive press when we lose possession with the team dropping back into two banks of four if the initial press fails. Boateng will tend to attack the first ball, with Koeman sweeping up behind him. Koeman to orchestrate the transitions when possible, either finding the front men or wingers early or else opting for the slower build up.
Midfield: Giles and Haan are particularly well-suited to supporting the press when we're out of possession. Haan and Giles are both excellent all-rounders, but Giles will assume the main playmaking mantle. Barnes is the more orthodox winger with Hassler coming infield more and playing more as an RM and supporting playmaker.
Attack: As discussed already, Raul plays as a second striker with freedom to roam wherever he wants when we're in possession. He produced probably the best form of his career playing alongside an orthodox centre forward in Morientes, and his partner Careca looks a good fit to perform a similar function here.
The overall set up is somewhat similar to a mirrored version of Real ~2003, with Hassler as Zidane, with a rampaging full back providing alot of width on that side (Beszonov for Roberto Carlos). Barnes takes the Figo role, we field two solid CMs, and then Raul plays off a main striker.
All in all, I'm confident we've recreated the main elements Raul requires to be at his best: A line-leader partnering him up front. Barnes and Hassler to provide width and ball-carrying ability. The likes of Giles/Hassler/Koeman as playmakers, and a supporting cast who are all attacking in instinct and good on the ball.
Team Downcast/MJJ/Arbitrium
ROYAL PHILOSOPHY/IDEOLOGY OF THE TACTICAL SET-UP
ENGLAND MAKES HIM KING
The King feels at home in England and will be surrounded by 8 successful players familiar with the authentic and successful British English Football we love. The choice of these players was driven by many factors: quality, track record, tactical considerations, 'Cantona-Compatibility Index', Cantona-Welfare Optimization... This 1st point is more about values, philosophy, understanding of Football and style of play.
In concrete terms, the project is to develop a relatively straight-forward Football style with generous teammates whose main assets are heart, fighting-spirit and simplicity. So-called 'Tiki Taka players' or players with a Phd in tactics are not the welcome. The unsuccessful Man City of Guardiola is clearly our antithesis: a lot of blah blah and a disappointing end product at all levels. We do believe Beauty is Simplicity and that England will always welcome non-British players who bring fighting-spirit (Vidic, Simeone, typically players like Kanté) or creativity (Cantona, Pirès, Michel, Butragueno). We are proud to offer 3 Football League 100 Legends (Cantona, Bremner, Southall).
MANCHESTER UNITED 1993/94 IS OUR MAIN INSPIRATION FROM AN IDEOLOGICAL/TACTICAL STANDPOINT TO MAKE THE KING HAPPY <> THE MOST EXCITING/ENTERTAINING UNITED SIDE OF THE LAST 20 YEARS?
---------------------SCHMEICHEL--------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
---------------BRUCE(C)---------PALLISTER---------------
PARKER----------------------------------------IRWIN-------
-----------------------------------------------------------
------------------KEANE---------INCE----------------------
KANCHELSKIS----------------------------------GIGGS------
----------------------------------------------------------
-----------------CANTONA------HUGHES------------------
93/94: the team won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Charity Shield
93/94: With Man United Cantona scored 25 goals in 49 games --> 1993 Ballon d'Or 3rd place + PFA Players' Player of the Year + PFA Premier League Team of the Year
Cantona also scored with France so 30 goals in 57 games.
93/94 it was also the season he was given the No.7 shirt
OUR STYLE? BRITISH FIGHTING-SPIRIT WITH FRANCO-SPANISH FLAIR
- Crucial role of the sided-midfielders who will appreciate the support of the full-backs
- Strong in counter-attacking
- Strong defensive asset
- 8 players with a high work-rate
- Very limited defensive tasks attributed to the King
---------------------MATCH-WINNER--------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
--------------- GLADIATOR---------CRAZY HORSE---------------
RELIABILITY---------------------------------------------PSYCHO-------
-----------------------------------------------------------
------------------STRENGTH AND HIGH WORK-RATE ----------------------
CREATIVITY------------------------------------------- PASSING ------
----------------------------------------------------------
-----------------CANTONA------VERSATILITY ------------------
CENTRAL PLAYER - THE KING WILL RULE AT HIS BEST AS HE IS SURROUNDED BY TRUSTED/COMMITED/TALENTED SERVANTS IN A UNITED WAY
PLEASE OPEN THE SPOILER TO WATCH ALL HIS GOALS FOR UNITED
1. CANTONA IS MADE TO PLAY IN A 4-4-2 SYSTEM AS A FREE-ROLE KING PLAYER
Is he a no.9? Or a a second striker? Is he a goal-poacher or a central playmaker/attacker? Humm, a a free role forward? He's all of them! He could shoot, he was great in the air, he could volley or run with the ball, great close technical ability too....humm... he was a KING FFS!
A King who needs total freedom of action at the Heart of the Game so that the Sun can enlighten the Game but also make the opponent get sunburnt by joining the penalty area. Like Zola, his impact on British Football was also the result of his ability to drop off and play between the lines. We also preserve his animal instinct that makes him special (Kung-Fu goal/assist)
This system will provide him with free license to create at will and join the penalty area. In concrete terms, he will have a limited required defensive contribution
2. THE SUN CANTONA NEEDS VERY MOBILE PLAYERS AROUND HIM TO SHINE
Raul is another story: I consider him as a Pharaoh who reached his peak at the top of a Pyramid...
3. NOBODY TO QUESTION HIS ROLE BUT EVERYBODY TO SUPPORT HIM
All the other players are pure collective players. To be detailed later.
4. YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND CANTONA-GIGGS HAD A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP: NO BETTER CHOICE THAN PIRES TO REPLACE GIGGS
If you watch all the goals scored by Cantona, you would see that he scored more goals thanks to Giggs than to any other players. As you know, Giggs is the #1 provider of assists in the history of the EPL. Another explanation is that Cantona was a right-footed player so it was easier for him to have the right body position and exploit the crosses of Ryan.
5. MICHEL IS THE SPANISH KANCHELSKIS: A BRILLIANT WINGER IN TERMS OF CREATIVITY AND IMPACT
6. THE VULTURE BUTRAGENO WILL COMBINE HARMONIOUSLY WITH CANTO: THE ARTISTIC ALLIANCE
To be explained later
7. A DYNAMIC CENTRAL MIDFIELD: 2 B2B WITH A HIGH WORK-RATE >> SIMILARITIES WITH KEANE/INCE IN TERMS OF DEFENSIVE/OFFENSIVE CONTRIBUTION
Below the example of Bremner who knows how to play the United way.
8. A STRONG DEFENCE
The centre half partnership - a mix of silk and steel - has been the template for the majority of the best central-defensive pairings at Manchester United in the last 50 years. In 93/94, United had it with Bruce/Pallister and this XI has it with Emlyn Hughes and Vidic. Emlyn Hughes was a great reader of the game, with a sound touch and a good passer of the ball. Vidic was the perfect foil - the immovable object in defence always heading crosses and set pieces away from the danger zone when his team was under pressure. An aggressive, no-nonsense tackler who would put his body on the line with gaping wounds and broken noses demonstrating his commitment.
- Normal Defensive Line
- Zonal marking essentially
- Off the ball - Aggressive closing down and compact defense
- On the ball -Basic & risk-free passing to midfield
9. ALL MY PLAYERS WERE SUCCESSFUL IN A 4-4-2 SYSTEM
10. ERIC WILL APPRECIATE THE RUNS OF THE CENTRAL MIDFIELD TO GET MORE OPTIONS TO PASS
PLAYERS ROLE (chosen version into brackets)
CF-BUTRAGENO (86) - Ballon d'Or Bronze Ball 86, 87 - World Cup All-Star Team: 86 - Real Madrid 123 goals/341 games - Spain 26 goals/69 games
El Buitre (The Vulture) was a member of the legendary Quinta del Buitre, along with Manolo Sanchís, Rafael Martín Vázquez, Míchel and Miguel Pardeza. He was chosen because he was well-rounded, collective and mobile.
Left-Midfielder PIRES (02) - WC Winner 98 + Euro Winner 00 -FWA Footballer of the Year: 01–02 -PFA Team of the Year: 01–02, 02–03, 03–04
Pires has enabled Arsenal to be called 'The Invincibles'. High work-rate. King of the pass. Great stats too: 62 goals in 189 games.
R-Midf. MICHEL (86)-Spanish player of the year 86- Ballon D'or 87 4th place - Spain 21 goals/66 games-WC 86/90: 9 games/4 goals/2 assists
Known for his stellar crossing ability and in terms of goals. Creative winger combined with exceptional physical strong and good in defensive duty, also operate as central midfielder in his late career. Michel totally scored 128 goals for Real Madrid and is one of the club's legends. According to Ballon D'or ranking, he is the greatest European winger twice times.
B2B BREMNER (73)- 1970 FWA Footballer Of The Year-Ballon D'or 1973: 5th place (best defensive/central midfielder!) - Leeds: 115 goals/772 games
He is the greatest player in the history of Leeds United club (see statue outside the South East corner of Elland Road). He's an uncompromising player, tough in the tackle and often going beyond the rules to get the better of a skilled opponent. He had a stamina to work from one end of the pitch to the other and could pass with precision and timing. Extraordinary ability to score crucial goals in the biggest games. Leeds...Leeds...Leeds....the most hated club in Britain in the late '60s and early '70s.
B2B SIMEONE (96)- Liga 95/96 Winner with Atletico Madrid (12 goals/45 games) - Argentina 11 goals/106 games
Tenacious, versatile, hard-working, and complete two-way midfielder, who was mobile, good in the air, and capable both of winning balls and starting attacking plays, also having a penchant for scoring several goals himself; this enabled him to play anywhere in midfield throughout his career, although he was usually deployed in the centre in a box-to-box or defensive midfield role. A talented yet combative player, he was primarily known for his leadership, tactical versatility, intelligence, strength, and stamina, although he was also praised by pundits for his technique, vision and passing range. Style? "holding a knife between his teeth".
Attacking LB PEARCE (90)- WC 90 SF with England - England 5 goals/78 games
He had a fantastic workrate, was defensively secure and could also providing some attacking emphasis down the left hand side and have some cracking shots at goal.
He's also a renown hard tackler, had a decent cross, consistent and had great conditioning.
He was given the affectionate nickname of "Psycho" for his unforgiving style of play and his great devotion shown while playing the game.
LCB EMELYN HUGHES (77)- 1977 FWA Footballer Of The Year - European Cup (2): 76–77, 77–78
He was the first Liverpool captain to lift the European Cup, a fact which alone would earn him a place in any Anfield hall of fame. His contribution to the club during the Shankly and Paisley eras went far beyond that unforgettable night in Rome, however. With a beaming smile and boundless enthusiasm, Hughes is one of the most popular players ever to wear a Liver bird on his chest. Never-say-die attitude, galloping forays into opposition territory and frantic goal celebrations. No wonder they called him 'Crazy Horse'. For whether it was at left-back, in midfield or at the heart of defence, where he eventually settled, Hughes could be relied upon to run through brick walls for the Liverpool cause.
RCB VIDIC - PFA Premier League Team of the Year (4): 06–07, 07–08, 08–09, 10–11
United Quality Player, no?
Offensive RB NEAL (77)- European Cup (4): 76–77, 77–78, 80-81, 83-84- 77 goals in his career including 5 goals with England (50 caps)
One of the most-decorated players in English football history (23 medals). Phil Neal will be remembered as one of the most consistent right backs Liverpool has ever had on its books. He served the club for over ten years and won four european cup winning medals in his time.
GK SOUTHALL (85) - The Greatest Welsh GK - 1985 FWA Footballer Of The Year - PFA team of the year 4 times - Top 5 IFFHS world best goalkeeper twice - Wales 92 Games (32 Clean Sheets)
One of the best goalkeepers in the World during the second half 1980s, he joined Everton in 1981 and went on to make a club record of 750 games all competitions, was an indispensable player for Everton in their golden era, most notable in 1985 when he much impacted on his club to win English top division title, Cup Winners' Cup and lost in FA Cup final match. Unfortunately, the suspension of English club in European competitions was happened in his prime year.
SPECIAL TACTICAL MANOEUVRES
PIRES EXTREMELY MOBILE TO SUPPORT THE TEAM AND THE SUN (THE SAME FOR Michel WHO CAN OPERATE ON THE LEFT)
NOW YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO UNDERSTAND THAT TEAM WILL PLAY IN A UNITED WAY
Sir Alex Ferguson:
Fernando Hierro:
From 1995-96 to 2003-04 Raul never dropped under 20 goals a season, playing in a variety of formations and in several different roles. He was excellent in a three-pronged attack behind Suker and Mijatovic (and later, more briefly, Anelka and Morientes), and performed creditably as a line leader at times too. His apex IMO, was as a second striker, and that's how we've deployed him here.
Hierro and Fergie's quotes are key to my understanding of him as a player, and to the philosophy of this team. We don't want him constrained by having him lead the line, to be the principal ball carrier, or the main playmaker. With a supporting cast picked for their ability to carry out these functions without overshadowing Raul, he's got free rein to exploit his greatest assets, namely his footballing intelligence and his incredible ability to find space. He's free to link up and help orchestrate the build up play, or he can ghost into goalscoring positions, all as he sees fit. As this excellent article by Jacob Steinberg states,
Style: A fast tempo, fluid attacking game, interspersed with periods of possession football. Think Real Madrid battering us in 2000.
Defence: A fairly high defensive line to minimise space between our lines. An aggressive press when we lose possession with the team dropping back into two banks of four if the initial press fails. Boateng will tend to attack the first ball, with Koeman sweeping up behind him. Koeman to orchestrate the transitions when possible, either finding the front men or wingers early or else opting for the slower build up.
Midfield: Giles and Haan are particularly well-suited to supporting the press when we're out of possession. Haan and Giles are both excellent all-rounders, but Giles will assume the main playmaking mantle. Barnes is the more orthodox winger with Hassler coming infield more and playing more as an RM and supporting playmaker.
Attack: As discussed already, Raul plays as a second striker with freedom to roam wherever he wants when we're in possession. He produced probably the best form of his career playing alongside an orthodox centre forward in Morientes, and his partner Careca looks a good fit to perform a similar function here.
The overall set up is somewhat similar to a mirrored version of Real ~2003, with Hassler as Zidane, with a rampaging full back providing alot of width on that side (Beszonov for Roberto Carlos). Barnes takes the Figo role, we field two solid CMs, and then Raul plays off a main striker.
All in all, I'm confident we've recreated the main elements Raul requires to be at his best: A line-leader partnering him up front. Barnes and Hassler to provide width and ball-carrying ability. The likes of Giles/Hassler/Koeman as playmakers, and a supporting cast who are all attacking in instinct and good on the ball.
Team Downcast/MJJ/Arbitrium
ROYAL PHILOSOPHY/IDEOLOGY OF THE TACTICAL SET-UP
ENGLAND MAKES HIM KING
The King feels at home in England and will be surrounded by 8 successful players familiar with the authentic and successful British English Football we love. The choice of these players was driven by many factors: quality, track record, tactical considerations, 'Cantona-Compatibility Index', Cantona-Welfare Optimization... This 1st point is more about values, philosophy, understanding of Football and style of play.
In concrete terms, the project is to develop a relatively straight-forward Football style with generous teammates whose main assets are heart, fighting-spirit and simplicity. So-called 'Tiki Taka players' or players with a Phd in tactics are not the welcome. The unsuccessful Man City of Guardiola is clearly our antithesis: a lot of blah blah and a disappointing end product at all levels. We do believe Beauty is Simplicity and that England will always welcome non-British players who bring fighting-spirit (Vidic, Simeone, typically players like Kanté) or creativity (Cantona, Pirès, Michel, Butragueno). We are proud to offer 3 Football League 100 Legends (Cantona, Bremner, Southall).
MANCHESTER UNITED 1993/94 IS OUR MAIN INSPIRATION FROM AN IDEOLOGICAL/TACTICAL STANDPOINT TO MAKE THE KING HAPPY <> THE MOST EXCITING/ENTERTAINING UNITED SIDE OF THE LAST 20 YEARS?
---------------------SCHMEICHEL--------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
---------------BRUCE(C)---------PALLISTER---------------
PARKER----------------------------------------IRWIN-------
-----------------------------------------------------------
------------------KEANE---------INCE----------------------
KANCHELSKIS----------------------------------GIGGS------
----------------------------------------------------------
-----------------CANTONA------HUGHES------------------
93/94: the team won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Charity Shield
93/94: With Man United Cantona scored 25 goals in 49 games --> 1993 Ballon d'Or 3rd place + PFA Players' Player of the Year + PFA Premier League Team of the Year
Cantona also scored with France so 30 goals in 57 games.
93/94 it was also the season he was given the No.7 shirt
OUR STYLE? BRITISH FIGHTING-SPIRIT WITH FRANCO-SPANISH FLAIR
- Crucial role of the sided-midfielders who will appreciate the support of the full-backs
- Strong in counter-attacking
- Strong defensive asset
- 8 players with a high work-rate
- Very limited defensive tasks attributed to the King
---------------------MATCH-WINNER--------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
--------------- GLADIATOR---------CRAZY HORSE---------------
RELIABILITY---------------------------------------------PSYCHO-------
-----------------------------------------------------------
------------------STRENGTH AND HIGH WORK-RATE ----------------------
CREATIVITY------------------------------------------- PASSING ------
----------------------------------------------------------
-----------------CANTONA------VERSATILITY ------------------
CENTRAL PLAYER - THE KING WILL RULE AT HIS BEST AS HE IS SURROUNDED BY TRUSTED/COMMITED/TALENTED SERVANTS IN A UNITED WAY
PLEASE OPEN THE SPOILER TO WATCH ALL HIS GOALS FOR UNITED
1. CANTONA IS MADE TO PLAY IN A 4-4-2 SYSTEM AS A FREE-ROLE KING PLAYER
Is he a no.9? Or a a second striker? Is he a goal-poacher or a central playmaker/attacker? Humm, a a free role forward? He's all of them! He could shoot, he was great in the air, he could volley or run with the ball, great close technical ability too....humm... he was a KING FFS!
A King who needs total freedom of action at the Heart of the Game so that the Sun can enlighten the Game but also make the opponent get sunburnt by joining the penalty area. Like Zola, his impact on British Football was also the result of his ability to drop off and play between the lines. We also preserve his animal instinct that makes him special (Kung-Fu goal/assist)
This system will provide him with free license to create at will and join the penalty area. In concrete terms, he will have a limited required defensive contribution
2. THE SUN CANTONA NEEDS VERY MOBILE PLAYERS AROUND HIM TO SHINE
Raul is another story: I consider him as a Pharaoh who reached his peak at the top of a Pyramid...
3. NOBODY TO QUESTION HIS ROLE BUT EVERYBODY TO SUPPORT HIM
All the other players are pure collective players. To be detailed later.
4. YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND CANTONA-GIGGS HAD A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP: NO BETTER CHOICE THAN PIRES TO REPLACE GIGGS
If you watch all the goals scored by Cantona, you would see that he scored more goals thanks to Giggs than to any other players. As you know, Giggs is the #1 provider of assists in the history of the EPL. Another explanation is that Cantona was a right-footed player so it was easier for him to have the right body position and exploit the crosses of Ryan.
5. MICHEL IS THE SPANISH KANCHELSKIS: A BRILLIANT WINGER IN TERMS OF CREATIVITY AND IMPACT
6. THE VULTURE BUTRAGENO WILL COMBINE HARMONIOUSLY WITH CANTO: THE ARTISTIC ALLIANCE
To be explained later
7. A DYNAMIC CENTRAL MIDFIELD: 2 B2B WITH A HIGH WORK-RATE >> SIMILARITIES WITH KEANE/INCE IN TERMS OF DEFENSIVE/OFFENSIVE CONTRIBUTION
Below the example of Bremner who knows how to play the United way.
8. A STRONG DEFENCE
The centre half partnership - a mix of silk and steel - has been the template for the majority of the best central-defensive pairings at Manchester United in the last 50 years. In 93/94, United had it with Bruce/Pallister and this XI has it with Emlyn Hughes and Vidic. Emlyn Hughes was a great reader of the game, with a sound touch and a good passer of the ball. Vidic was the perfect foil - the immovable object in defence always heading crosses and set pieces away from the danger zone when his team was under pressure. An aggressive, no-nonsense tackler who would put his body on the line with gaping wounds and broken noses demonstrating his commitment.
- Normal Defensive Line
- Zonal marking essentially
- Off the ball - Aggressive closing down and compact defense
- On the ball -Basic & risk-free passing to midfield
9. ALL MY PLAYERS WERE SUCCESSFUL IN A 4-4-2 SYSTEM
10. ERIC WILL APPRECIATE THE RUNS OF THE CENTRAL MIDFIELD TO GET MORE OPTIONS TO PASS
PLAYERS ROLE (chosen version into brackets)
CF-BUTRAGENO (86) - Ballon d'Or Bronze Ball 86, 87 - World Cup All-Star Team: 86 - Real Madrid 123 goals/341 games - Spain 26 goals/69 games
El Buitre (The Vulture) was a member of the legendary Quinta del Buitre, along with Manolo Sanchís, Rafael Martín Vázquez, Míchel and Miguel Pardeza. He was chosen because he was well-rounded, collective and mobile.
Left-Midfielder PIRES (02) - WC Winner 98 + Euro Winner 00 -FWA Footballer of the Year: 01–02 -PFA Team of the Year: 01–02, 02–03, 03–04
Pires has enabled Arsenal to be called 'The Invincibles'. High work-rate. King of the pass. Great stats too: 62 goals in 189 games.
R-Midf. MICHEL (86)-Spanish player of the year 86- Ballon D'or 87 4th place - Spain 21 goals/66 games-WC 86/90: 9 games/4 goals/2 assists
Known for his stellar crossing ability and in terms of goals. Creative winger combined with exceptional physical strong and good in defensive duty, also operate as central midfielder in his late career. Michel totally scored 128 goals for Real Madrid and is one of the club's legends. According to Ballon D'or ranking, he is the greatest European winger twice times.
B2B BREMNER (73)- 1970 FWA Footballer Of The Year-Ballon D'or 1973: 5th place (best defensive/central midfielder!) - Leeds: 115 goals/772 games
He is the greatest player in the history of Leeds United club (see statue outside the South East corner of Elland Road). He's an uncompromising player, tough in the tackle and often going beyond the rules to get the better of a skilled opponent. He had a stamina to work from one end of the pitch to the other and could pass with precision and timing. Extraordinary ability to score crucial goals in the biggest games. Leeds...Leeds...Leeds....the most hated club in Britain in the late '60s and early '70s.
B2B SIMEONE (96)- Liga 95/96 Winner with Atletico Madrid (12 goals/45 games) - Argentina 11 goals/106 games
Tenacious, versatile, hard-working, and complete two-way midfielder, who was mobile, good in the air, and capable both of winning balls and starting attacking plays, also having a penchant for scoring several goals himself; this enabled him to play anywhere in midfield throughout his career, although he was usually deployed in the centre in a box-to-box or defensive midfield role. A talented yet combative player, he was primarily known for his leadership, tactical versatility, intelligence, strength, and stamina, although he was also praised by pundits for his technique, vision and passing range. Style? "holding a knife between his teeth".
Attacking LB PEARCE (90)- WC 90 SF with England - England 5 goals/78 games
He had a fantastic workrate, was defensively secure and could also providing some attacking emphasis down the left hand side and have some cracking shots at goal.
He's also a renown hard tackler, had a decent cross, consistent and had great conditioning.
He was given the affectionate nickname of "Psycho" for his unforgiving style of play and his great devotion shown while playing the game.
LCB EMELYN HUGHES (77)- 1977 FWA Footballer Of The Year - European Cup (2): 76–77, 77–78
He was the first Liverpool captain to lift the European Cup, a fact which alone would earn him a place in any Anfield hall of fame. His contribution to the club during the Shankly and Paisley eras went far beyond that unforgettable night in Rome, however. With a beaming smile and boundless enthusiasm, Hughes is one of the most popular players ever to wear a Liver bird on his chest. Never-say-die attitude, galloping forays into opposition territory and frantic goal celebrations. No wonder they called him 'Crazy Horse'. For whether it was at left-back, in midfield or at the heart of defence, where he eventually settled, Hughes could be relied upon to run through brick walls for the Liverpool cause.
RCB VIDIC - PFA Premier League Team of the Year (4): 06–07, 07–08, 08–09, 10–11
United Quality Player, no?
Offensive RB NEAL (77)- European Cup (4): 76–77, 77–78, 80-81, 83-84- 77 goals in his career including 5 goals with England (50 caps)
One of the most-decorated players in English football history (23 medals). Phil Neal will be remembered as one of the most consistent right backs Liverpool has ever had on its books. He served the club for over ten years and won four european cup winning medals in his time.
GK SOUTHALL (85) - The Greatest Welsh GK - 1985 FWA Footballer Of The Year - PFA team of the year 4 times - Top 5 IFFHS world best goalkeeper twice - Wales 92 Games (32 Clean Sheets)
One of the best goalkeepers in the World during the second half 1980s, he joined Everton in 1981 and went on to make a club record of 750 games all competitions, was an indispensable player for Everton in their golden era, most notable in 1985 when he much impacted on his club to win English top division title, Cup Winners' Cup and lost in FA Cup final match. Unfortunately, the suspension of English club in European competitions was happened in his prime year.
SPECIAL TACTICAL MANOEUVRES
PIRES EXTREMELY MOBILE TO SUPPORT THE TEAM AND THE SUN (THE SAME FOR Michel WHO CAN OPERATE ON THE LEFT)
NOW YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO UNDERSTAND THAT TEAM WILL PLAY IN A UNITED WAY
