This is a Pre Premier League draft from 1971/72 to 1991/92 where managers assemble their squads by selecting players based on their playing performance during this time period only. Performances that fall outside this time period should not be considered. Neither should the players performance for their country/international tournaments be considered. As in any team, team tactics and balance also play a part.
Hence please carefully consider the abovesaid factors and evaluate the merits of both teams before voting for the team which in your opinion is likelier to win the match.
Team Youngrell
VS.
Team BeforeKeanetherewasRobson
Tactics Team Youngrell
Goalkeeper - Ray Clemence
Clemence is one of the best keepers in the draft and the most successful by a long margin, claiming 5 league titles, 3 European Cups, 3 UEFA Cups and 3 FA Cups among other honours. He also gained over 60 caps despite playing during the same period as record cap winner Shilton, proving his level of ability. He holds the record for the least amount of goals conceded in a 42 game season (16). He has also featured in the PFA Team of the Year.
Left back - Alan Kennedy
Another stalwart of the great Liverpool side(s) of the 70s and 80s, he boasts 2 European Cups, having scored the winning goal in one final and the winning penalty in the other. Reliable and experienced, he steps up when called upon in big games.
Right back - Mike Duxbury
A youth product of Manchester United, Duxbury was a regular for the reds during the 1980s, sometimes filling in at centre back but most comfortable on the right. A winner of 2 FA Cups and selected in the PFA Team of the Year in 83/84.
Centre back - Alex McLeish
McLeish was ever present during Aberdeen's glory years under Alex Ferguson and is the third most capped player of all time for Scotland. Could also play in midfield but was best at centre back where he was famously chosen by Ferguson ahead of the great Alan Hansen for the 1986 World Cup. Winner of the SFWA Player of the Year in 1990.
Centre back - Steve Bould
Bould was part of the original famous back four at Arsenal who won the league title in 89 and 91 and was also voted as Arsenal's player of the season in 92. A very safe and reliable centre back who could also fill in at right back if needed.
Left midfield - Gary Speed
A key part of the impressive Leeds Utd team who won the league title in 92, Speed's versatility and consistency was a great asset for the club. Extremely dependable and a good goal scorer, providing a terrific threat in the air and at set pieces. Speed was one of the fittest professionals around and was equally adept in defence or attack. A true all rounder.
Right wing - Paul Merson
The creative spark in the formidable Arsenal side at the end of the 80s, Merson was a key component in winning 2 league titles and picked up the PFA Young Player of the Year Award along the way. A goal scorer and provider, Merse was a fans favourite and wore his heart on his sleeve.
Centre midfield - Paul Ince
The Guvnor was a tough tackling, energetic, box to box midfielder of the highest order. Incredible stamina and a will to win, he picked up FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners' Cup medals before going on to further success in the premier league and with England.
Centre midfield - Paul Gascoigne
Widely regarded as the most naturally gifted English player ever, Gazza was blessed with balance and speed that helped him breeze past opponents with ease. Creative and hard working, he was also excellent at set pieces and had an eye for the emphatic. Winner of a Young Player of the Year Award, selected in the PFA Team of the Year and the World Cup All Star Team in 1990.
Support striker - Matt Le Tissier
A mercurial talent, Le Tissier was as good at creating goals as he was scoring them. One of the best penalty takers of all time, he racked up 95 goals already during the draft period despite being more often linked to the early years of the premier league. Able to play across midfield or as a second striker, he had a knack for the spectacular and will surely thrive in a team with better players than he was used to at Southampton. PFA Young Player of the Year in 1990.
Striker - Ally McCoist
One of the best goal scorers in the draft period, McCoist is Rangers' highest goal scorer of all time and won 10 league titles with them (5 during draft period), 9 league cups (6) and a host of individual honours including SFWA Player of the Year and the European Golden Boot.
Tactics
Lining up in a classic 442 (or 4411 if being pedantic), I have purposely build a solid if unimaginative defence in order to give the best platform available for my impressively creative front 6. We have seen Ince and Gazza working well together for England so we know this can be a fruitful partnership in midfield. Both are hardworking but Ince will be tasked with more of the defensive work, allowing Gazza more freedom to create havoc in the opponents half. Speed also offers defensive cover for Gazza in midfield as he plays on the left hand side, covering in field when needed. He will also be looking to time runs into the box to get on the end of crosses with his impressive heading skills.
Merson will stay high and wide, being an outlet for defence and midfield with a view of whipping in crosses for the forwards. Le Tissier will drop in behind McCoist to help with creative duties and will also use his world class ability for long shots. McCoist is the fox in the box who will surely thrive on being supplied by his creative supporting cast. I see no way my side doesn't score lots of goals. We also have set pieces covered probably better than any other team.
Tactics Team BeforeKeanetherewasRobson
FORMATION/TEAM
SUMMARY
Hence please carefully consider the abovesaid factors and evaluate the merits of both teams before voting for the team which in your opinion is likelier to win the match.
Team Youngrell
VS.
Team BeforeKeanetherewasRobson
Tactics Team Youngrell
Goalkeeper - Ray Clemence
Clemence is one of the best keepers in the draft and the most successful by a long margin, claiming 5 league titles, 3 European Cups, 3 UEFA Cups and 3 FA Cups among other honours. He also gained over 60 caps despite playing during the same period as record cap winner Shilton, proving his level of ability. He holds the record for the least amount of goals conceded in a 42 game season (16). He has also featured in the PFA Team of the Year.
Left back - Alan Kennedy
Another stalwart of the great Liverpool side(s) of the 70s and 80s, he boasts 2 European Cups, having scored the winning goal in one final and the winning penalty in the other. Reliable and experienced, he steps up when called upon in big games.
Right back - Mike Duxbury
A youth product of Manchester United, Duxbury was a regular for the reds during the 1980s, sometimes filling in at centre back but most comfortable on the right. A winner of 2 FA Cups and selected in the PFA Team of the Year in 83/84.
Centre back - Alex McLeish
McLeish was ever present during Aberdeen's glory years under Alex Ferguson and is the third most capped player of all time for Scotland. Could also play in midfield but was best at centre back where he was famously chosen by Ferguson ahead of the great Alan Hansen for the 1986 World Cup. Winner of the SFWA Player of the Year in 1990.
Centre back - Steve Bould
Bould was part of the original famous back four at Arsenal who won the league title in 89 and 91 and was also voted as Arsenal's player of the season in 92. A very safe and reliable centre back who could also fill in at right back if needed.
Left midfield - Gary Speed
A key part of the impressive Leeds Utd team who won the league title in 92, Speed's versatility and consistency was a great asset for the club. Extremely dependable and a good goal scorer, providing a terrific threat in the air and at set pieces. Speed was one of the fittest professionals around and was equally adept in defence or attack. A true all rounder.
Right wing - Paul Merson
The creative spark in the formidable Arsenal side at the end of the 80s, Merson was a key component in winning 2 league titles and picked up the PFA Young Player of the Year Award along the way. A goal scorer and provider, Merse was a fans favourite and wore his heart on his sleeve.
Centre midfield - Paul Ince
The Guvnor was a tough tackling, energetic, box to box midfielder of the highest order. Incredible stamina and a will to win, he picked up FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners' Cup medals before going on to further success in the premier league and with England.
Centre midfield - Paul Gascoigne
Widely regarded as the most naturally gifted English player ever, Gazza was blessed with balance and speed that helped him breeze past opponents with ease. Creative and hard working, he was also excellent at set pieces and had an eye for the emphatic. Winner of a Young Player of the Year Award, selected in the PFA Team of the Year and the World Cup All Star Team in 1990.
Support striker - Matt Le Tissier
A mercurial talent, Le Tissier was as good at creating goals as he was scoring them. One of the best penalty takers of all time, he racked up 95 goals already during the draft period despite being more often linked to the early years of the premier league. Able to play across midfield or as a second striker, he had a knack for the spectacular and will surely thrive in a team with better players than he was used to at Southampton. PFA Young Player of the Year in 1990.
Striker - Ally McCoist
One of the best goal scorers in the draft period, McCoist is Rangers' highest goal scorer of all time and won 10 league titles with them (5 during draft period), 9 league cups (6) and a host of individual honours including SFWA Player of the Year and the European Golden Boot.
Tactics
Lining up in a classic 442 (or 4411 if being pedantic), I have purposely build a solid if unimaginative defence in order to give the best platform available for my impressively creative front 6. We have seen Ince and Gazza working well together for England so we know this can be a fruitful partnership in midfield. Both are hardworking but Ince will be tasked with more of the defensive work, allowing Gazza more freedom to create havoc in the opponents half. Speed also offers defensive cover for Gazza in midfield as he plays on the left hand side, covering in field when needed. He will also be looking to time runs into the box to get on the end of crosses with his impressive heading skills.
Merson will stay high and wide, being an outlet for defence and midfield with a view of whipping in crosses for the forwards. Le Tissier will drop in behind McCoist to help with creative duties and will also use his world class ability for long shots. McCoist is the fox in the box who will surely thrive on being supplied by his creative supporting cast. I see no way my side doesn't score lots of goals. We also have set pieces covered probably better than any other team.
Tactics Team BeforeKeanetherewasRobson
FORMATION/TEAM
- It’s British football in the 70s and 80’s….. It’s 4-4-2?!
- No ‘just getting in’ the draft - with the exception maybe of Irwin (but 4 good seasons at Oldham and 2 with United in time criteria), these are all players at their peaks (rough years in brackets)
- Amazing talent throughout the team, but they are also winners with great mental attitude - none of your airy-fairy “look at me” players who wouldn’t put in the hard work and play for the team
- Either full-back allowed to push up and support/overlap respective wide player (other fullback stays back). Both fullbacks used to playing like this for respective clubs
- Robson/McDermott act like a seesaw - one goes up, the other doesn’t. Very experienced and disciplined central midfielders who played in a midfield two regularly throughout careers
- Mick Channon leads the line with McClair as second striker (bit like playing behind Hughes)
- More like a 4-1-4-1
- McClair drops to support midfield (easy for him, started there with Celtic and could do/did do at various times for United)
- Back four keep solid line, Robson drops slightly and gives extra cover in front of Chs (for any opposing No.10/second striker)
- Massively under-rated goalie and eased in as perfect replacement/improvement when Clemence decided to leave
- Every successful club needs a good goalie…. Every great team who win repeatedly over an era has to have a great goalie
- 13 key medals (most of any Liverpool goalie) : 6 (SIX) League Titles, 3 F A Cup winner medals, 3 League Cup winner medals, European Cup winner
- Started with Leeds (but we’ll forgive him), then brought himself to people’s (Fergies) attention after four pretty much ever-present seasons at Oldham culminating in their great cup runs of 1990
- Then became a United legend starting with being part of the 1991 ECWC winning team
- Went on to more and more medals (outside this period) but superb from Day.1
- Consistently good and amazing longevity. 722 appearances for Arsenal - a club record
- Unfortunate not to be around during Arsenals later period of success/medals but still won 2 League Titles (including one which made Liverpool fans cry = brownie points?)
- 2 F A Cup wins, 2 League Cup wins, 3 times in PFA Team of the Year
- Star from an early age (won FA Youth Cup under Clough), 1st team debut by 17 and Brian Clough bought him to be defensive rock for the forgotten (but excellent) Derby team of the early 70s
- 2 League Titles and (a sign of his respect with his peers), Players Player of the year 1975
- 3 times PFA team of the year (74/75/76) and over 600 league appearances
- Established fullback for a few seasons before Everton move in 1984 and part of the best Everton side ever
- 2 League Titles, ECWC winner then moved to Spurs and won the F A Cup. Over 400 league appearances
- Started with Millwall and loved there and called Merlin because of his magic feet
- Very unlucky to play for United between success of the 60s and before we turned the corner in the 80s but even in an average United team, Hill looked great and superb hard-working team player
- Tricky and hard-working left winger, with great cross but superb shot/goal-scoring record - 51 goals in 134 games for us. Sold by Sexton, one of millions of stupid decisions that Sexton made
- Key part of probably Liverpool’s best era (mid 70s - early 80s). The attacking foil to Souness’ defensive game (better player than him) and the link to the attack
- 5 League Titles (in 7 seasons), 3 European Cup wins, 1 UEFA Cup win and 2 League Cup wins
- 1980 : PFA Team of the year, PFA Players Player of the year, FWA Player of the year!
- Excellent player for (a very good) West Brom team - 1 in 5 goal-scoring record - before becoming British Transfer fee record (and worth every penny) and moving to United
- 2 League Titles, 3 F A Cup wins, 1 ECWC win, 6 teams PFA team of the year
- Club captain for 12 years, the best midfielder in this draft…. Captain Marvel, legend, god
- 1st team debut at 18 before Howard Kendall saw his potential and signed him in 81 to become another member of the superb mid-80s Everton team. Then moved to Rangers as part of the English invasion and more success
- Everton : 2 League titles, F A Cup win, ECWC win (scored in semi and final)
- Rangers (in draft time period) : 2 League titles, 1 Cup win
- Big move to Celtic in 1983 and scored 99 league goals in 145 games. League title and cup winner, top league scorer twice and 1987 was (Scottish) peak - 35 league goals, top scorer, Players player of the year, Writers player of the year
- Man United for 12 seasons and in first season, became an instant legend by becoming first player since Best to get 20 league goals in a season. Won the fans Matt Busby player of the year award
- In the draft time period, over 100 goals in 5 seasons for United, so 200+ 83-92
- Southampton legend - over a decade, sustained threat with185 goals (club all-time top scorer)
- F A Cup winner, League Cup winner
- 4 times PFA team of the year
SUMMARY
- Great individual ability
- Played peak in 4-4-2's
- Strong mental attitude and team players
- Winners - over 20 League titles, shed-loads of cups, numerous European trophies and awrds from fellow pro's
Just seen the location, that goal was probably my first memory of United... As for the long lost brother, maybe my uncle was. I was just a little boy who lapped up everything he said about them.