Best 11 of last ten years

[SGBlade]

Apologies to LoyalBlade - I was going to post on that thread but without Bash, N’Diaye etc it just didn’t feel right! Having a go here at the best 11 to play under Wilder or Hecky at any point for the blades. My criteria:

• including loan players
• defining ‘best’ in absolute terms, not relative terms. So if someone ripped it up in L1 but didn’t do it in the Prem they would be lower than someone who did well in the Prem, even if that player was not as ‘popular’.
• judging them on the best 1/2 season they had with us. So longevity not a factor.
• am considering team balance, formation and intangibles such as leadership

So, basically, the most talented 11 players of that era we could put out for a one-off match such as an FA cup final.

Hendo

Baldock
Bash
Egan
O’Connell
Stevens

Hamer
Fleck

Didzy
N’Daiye

Mousse


Others considered:
Berge
BBD
MGW
Sharp
McB
Arblaster
D Brooks
Coutts
Duffy
Norwood
Ramsdale
McAtee


Back 6 picks itself for me. Have gone ultra attacking up top with either didz or Illi rotating into the ‘Duffy’ role because the defence and keeper are so good.

Was tough to leave Duffy out but Illi and Didz are an upgrade physically and as a goal threat. Went for Illy over MGW but in honesty that was close.

Considered Norwood vs Hamer but think Hamer has done well this year and him plus peak fleck would be a bundle of energy and fun to watch, with some goals in them.

I know Mousse will be highly controversial but for that first half of 19/20 he was an absolute monster and I genuinely thought he’d be picked up by a big European club. Plus there is so much work rate in the rest of this team I think we can carry one luxury player. Obviously sharp was the next choice but actually also considered BBD because he’s been class for us in an awful side.

 

[mattbianco1]

This is impossible.
Off the top of my head...

Henderson
Bash - Egan - O'Connell
Baldock - Norwood - Stevens
Ndiaye - MGW - McGoldrick
Sharp

Subs: Brooks, Fleck, Duffy, McBurnie, Mousset, Coutts, Moore
​

God we've been blessed haven't we. Brooks, Fleck, Coutts n Duffy on bench

 

[Houston_Blade]

This is impossible.
Off the top of my head...

Henderson
Bash - Egan - O'Connell
Baldock - Norwood - Stevens
Ndiaye - MGW - McGoldrick
Sharp

Subs: Brooks, Fleck, Duffy, McBurnie, Mousset, Coutts, Moore
​

God we've been blessed haven't we. Brooks, Fleck, Coutts n Duffy on bench

That would be mine.

MGW, Ndiaye and McGoldrick are 3 of the best forward players of our last 40 years and we’ve had the pleasure of them all very recently.

 

[SGBlade]

Yeah having those three playing together in their prime would be unbelievable.

Hopefully they’ll be more good years ahead but as the last of that old guard leave the club, definitely time this summer to reflect and acknowledge we’ve had a superb last few years.

I know we’ll get a few on here saying that’s a small club mindset and mid-tier Prem sides like Brighton, Palace and Wolves have had it better. Objectively that’s obviously true but as a fan there’s no way I would swap out last few years for those of, say, palace.

 

[Bladezz]

Another thread that shows how good Wilder is at recruitment. If I started these topics I would be stoned in the village.

 

[MadDad38]

This is impossible.
Off the top of my head...

Henderson
Bash - Egan - O'Connell
Baldock - Norwood - Stevens
Ndiaye - MGW - McGoldrick
Sharp

Subs: Brooks, Fleck, Duffy, McBurnie, Mousset, Coutts, Moore
​

God we've been blessed haven't we. Brooks, Fleck, Coutts n Duffy on bench

Swap Sharp for prime Mousset and I’m in. Assuming that back 5 is playing Wilderball then Norwood is an essential cog, Hamer’s overall higher ceiling notwithstanding. Qualitywise MGW and Didzy are in a different league to Duffy so very much agree with your picks there.

 

[Aml-blade]

This is impossible.
Off the top of my head...

Henderson
Bash - Egan - O'Connell
Baldock - Norwood - Stevens
Ndiaye - MGW - McGoldrick
Sharp

Subs: Brooks, Fleck, Duffy, McBurnie, Mousset, Coutts, Moore
​

God we've been blessed haven't we. Brooks, Fleck, Coutts n Duffy on bench

This is pretty much spot on for me, and how exciting would it be to watch. Just needs a sub defender option.

I'd have to find a space on that bench for Leon Clarke too.

 

[Cassius Kray]

In his best season at the club Mousset scored 6 goals, made 4 assists, and was MotM once. Picking him over Sharp is insane imo.

 

[Aycliffe Blade]

Billy Sharp has to be in there for me for his goals ,attitude and leadership - all about opinions though.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Another thread that shows how good Wilder is at recruitment. If I started these topics I would be stoned in the village.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Billy Sharp has to be in there for me for his goals ,attitude and leadership - all about opinions though.

It could also be Leon in the first half of 17/18

 

[Sean Thornton]

Another thread that shows how good Wilder is at recruitment. If I started these topics I would be stoned in the village.

I always think you’re stoned full stop.

 

[Bladezz]

View attachment 183552

Large majority of the players were signed by Wilder… making an observation on a public forum.

 

[Slugger]

Really don't get the Moose-love here. I wouldn't have him anywhere near this team especially if you're considering "intangibles such as leadership".

Moose got 6 goals in 41 Prem league appearances.
Ben B-D got 6 goals in 12 appearances and in a much more underperforming team.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Henderson
Bash - Egan - O'Connell
Baldock - Norwood - Stevens
Ndiaye - MGW - McGoldrick
Sharp

Subs: Brooks, Fleck, Duffy, McBurnie, Mousset, Coutts, Moore
​

Henderson

Basham - Egan - O'Connell

Baldock - Norwood - Stevens

McGoldrick - MGW - Ndiaye

Mousset

Not necessarily the guys that gave the most or were most consistent, but the guys that at their best had the highest ceiling.

Mousset, for a couple of months, was phenomenal for us.
Coincided with the best period of football I can remember this club playing. We were seriously good.

I don't think any of the other picks are too controversial. MGW and Ndiaye were an absolute joy to watch.
McGoldrick deserves his spot. He ran the show in several PL games. We haven't had anyone else do that for us before or since.

One could argue that Anel had a higher performance level than Basham (maybe), but I'd disagree. Anel was useless in the PL, Basham was anything but.

 

[loyalblade95]

Felt strange making that thread yesterday and not putting Bash and Billy in a CW best 11.

It wasn't easy but here's my best 11 of that last 10 years.

Henderson
Bash-Egan-JOC
Baldock-Norwood-Fleck-Enda
Ndiaye-Mcgoldrick
Sharp

Honourable mentions:
Duffy
Tommy Doyle
Hamer
Arblaster (Early I know but his talent speaks for itself)
MGW
McAtee (mainly last season)
BBD
Lundstram
Coutts
Stearman
Anel
JLT
Mcburnie
Mousett

 

[Houston_Blade]

Large majority of the players were signed by Wilder… making an observation on a public forum.

If you read the comments about Wilder it’s clear that the vast majority think he did well 5 and 6 years ago.

The question I have and many others have is whether he’s still got the ability to do well now.

 

[SGBlade]

Henderson

Basham - Egan - O'Connell

Baldock - Norwood - Stevens

McGoldrick - MGW - Ndiaye

Mousset

Not necessarily the guys that gave the most or were most consistent, but the guys that at their best had the highest ceiling.

Mousset, for a couple of months, was phenomenal for us.
Coincided with the best period of football I can remember this club playing. We were seriously good.

I don't think any of the other picks are too controversial. MGW and Ndiaye were an absolute joy to watch.
McGoldrick deserves his spot. He ran the show in several PL games. We haven't had anyone else do that for us before or since.

One could argue that Anel had a higher performance level than Basham (maybe), but I'd disagree. Anel was useless in the PL, Basham was anything but.

Yeah had same thoughts re Anel. Last season I genuinely thought his trajectory would take him to a top European club. Huge disappointment this year.

As you say though, when it mattered, Bash made the step up to the Prem, and Anel, despite his footballing ability, couldn’t. Bash’s mentality and physicality allowed him to squeeze 100% out of his talent.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Henderson
Basham Egan O'Connell
Baldock Coutts Fleck Stevens
Ndiaye McGoldrick
Sharp

Surprisingly easy to pick

Hardest one to leave out is Duffy

 

[FatPaul]

Henderson

Basham - Egan - O'Connell

Baldock - Norwood - Stevens

McGoldrick - MGW - Ndiaye

Mousset

Not necessarily the guys that gave the most or were most consistent, but the guys that at their best had the highest ceiling.

Mousset, for a couple of months, was phenomenal for us.
Coincided with the best period of football I can remember this club playing. We were seriously good.

I don't think any of the other picks are too controversial. MGW and Ndiaye were an absolute joy to watch.
McGoldrick deserves his spot. He ran the show in several PL games. We haven't had anyone else do that for us before or since.

One could argue that Anel had a higher performance level than Basham (maybe), but I'd disagree. Anel was useless in the PL, Basham was anything but.

I recall in our last Premier league outing, we played Everton or Chelsea (one or the other). One of the comment in the "view from" was saying something like "there's no way there was only 1 David mcgoldrick on the field, he was everywhere"

 

[bladesmanluke]

Mousset was unreal for 4 months. That is not enough to put him ahead of Sharp surely??

 

[Sean Thornton]

Mousset was unreal for 4 months. That is not enough to put him ahead of Sharp surely??

Luke will soon be in Witness Protection after suggesting that…..

 

[Old Programme seller]

I think you have to add Fleck because who out of the mention midfield is going to cover the yards to get the ball?

 

[jt64]

Hendo - Baldock, Basham, Egan, O'Connell, Stevens - Fleck, Norwood - Ndiaye, Didz - Sharp

 

[SB_90]

This is my suggestion. of all the players at their peak

---------------------- Henderson
----------- Basham - Egan - O'Connell
Baldock --------------------------------- Stevens
-------------- Hamer --------- Norwood
---------------------- Mcgoldrick
------------- Sharp --------- Ndiaye

but it was hard to leave some of attacking talent we've had out. because Fleck, MGW, Coutts, Fleck, ƁBD were fantastic but it is tough selection

 

[FatPaul]

This is my suggestion. of all the players at their peak

---------------------- Henderson
----------- Basham - Egan - O'Connell
Baldock --------------------------------- Stevens
-------------- Hamer --------- Norwood
---------------------- Mcgoldrick
------------- Sharp --------- Ndiaye

but it was hard to leave some of attacking talent we've had out. because Fleck, MGW, Coutts, Fleck, ƁBD were fantastic but it is tough selection

I've become so negative towards Norwood admittedly, I forgot about how awesome he was during that promotion season.

 

[SB_90]

I've become so negative towards Norwood admittedly, I forgot about how awesome he was during that promotion season.

at his peak, the best passer of a ball ive ever seen. he was incredible. & in PFA team of the yr 2018/19

 

[Geordie Blade]

I know Mousse will be highly controversial but for that first half of 19/20 he was an absolute monster and I genuinely thought he’d be picked up by a big European club.

Mousset, for a couple of months, was phenomenal for us.

Mousset was unreal for 4 months. That is not enough to put him ahead of Sharp surely??

If we’re allowed to pick a ‘peak’ period for players, then Lundstram in the first half of 2019/20 was twice the player Hamer is this season. Same goes for Norwood - at his peak he was better than any other player, possibly with the exception of JOC.

 

[ISZA ⚔️]

Duffy is one of the first names on the teamsheet for me.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

If we’re allowed to pick a ‘peak’ period for players, then Lundstram in the first half of 2019/20 was twice the player Hamer is this season. Same goes for Norwood - at his peak he was better than any other player, possibly with the exception of JOC.

I'm not sure on Lundstram. He was good, and played a key role in a well oiled machine, but I didn't think there was much technical excellence.
Different players, but if you were to compare him with MGW for example... it's night & day.

To be honest, even some of Berge's Championship displays (particularly early last season) were way beyond anything I saw from Lundstram.