In goal, Dean Henderson. Even in our good seasons in League 1, we always had a liability in goal (Simonsen, Long, Howard) until Moore who has been unlucky to not have had a chance at Championship level. However, the sheer impressive stats he has racked up in his season and a half with us means Henderson is an absolute must for the goal.
Obviously, we're playing 3-4-1-2 so we need three at the back. So is it Basham, Egan and O'Connell? Certainly the latter two and Basham's position is only threatened by one player that I can think of and that's Harry Maguire. Tough decision - Basham's improvement and commitment to the cause or Maguire's extra quality? I'll go with Harry Maguire just so the team is not as dominated by the current lot. As for John Egan and Jack O'Connell, there is no contest there and they are not even up for debate. I love O'Connell but Egan is going to be a stalwart of this club for many years to come IMO and will captain us. He's absolutely immense - though obviously I'd prefer Richard Keogh if I was Mick McCarthy ...
Left wing back - tough one this. The undoubted quality of the likes of Andy Taylor, Jordan Stewart, Chris Hussey and Marcus Williams ran them close but it was only ever going to be Enda Stevens or Danny Lafferty. It's clearly got to be Enda but a shoutout to Lafferty who was superb in the League 1 season and was a steady, reliable left back that suited Wilder's system perfectly; key goals too. However, the astonishing rise of Enda Stevens - he plays Premier League football next season regardless of what United do - from free transfer League 2 left back to one of the best left sided defenders in the Premier League mean he has to be in this team.
Right wing back - three options for me here. Kieron Freeman and George Baldock, obviously, but I loved watching Matty Lowton in that League 1 season and would love to see him in Wilder's team. Think it would have suited him to the ground. Just for sheer impact in the League 1 season, I'm going to narrowly give this to Kieron Freeman - especially after the debacle of the Adkins season - but very close. John Brayford, had he sustained the form in his loan spell, could have been a contender here too but the disappointment of his second spell sours me on him.
The most difficult choice comes next - who partners John Fleck in midfield? I love Fleck's drive and determination so I've got to select him but choosing between Paul Coutts and Olly Norwood is like choosing between my two little girls. Impossible. The only way I can do this is to go with which one has given me the most pleasure in one game - and Coutts' performance at Hillsborough snatches it by the slimmest of margins. The way Coutts orchestrated the game that Sunday afternoon in Sheffield 6 was a joy to see; like many others I'm sure, Fleetwood are my second team nowadays and that is the measure of Coutts' impact here. What a player to have on the bench is Olly Norwood though!
Attacking midfielder?
Any further questions? No. Thought not. Holy trinity reunited.
Up front, who partners our legendary captain? I don't care what his limitations are and how his age is now catching up with him, Billy Sharp is in this team and is captain. However, there are some serious contenders to partner him. Ched's goalscoring exploits in 2012. Nick Blackman's clinical finishing. David Brooks' undoubted star quality in his short spell with us. Although early in his career, Lys Mousset's performances show how good a signing he will be. David McGoldrick ... ON A FREE TRANSFER! However, and I would never have guessed I would say this four years ago, it has got to be Leon Clarke for me. Blades legend. Two goals at Hillsborough. Reliable and dependable. Four goals against Hull City. What a signing he proved to be. He nicks it over Didzy although that is another extremely tough decision to make.
So, my team ...
Henderson
Maguire
Egan
O'Connell
Freeman
Stevens
Coutts
Fleck
Duffy
Sharp (c)
Clarke
SUBS: Moore, Basham, Baldock, Norwood, Brooks, McGoldrick, Mousset
MANAGER: Nigel Ad ... I kid. Sir Chris.
Honourable mentions: J. Blackman, Ebanks-Landell, Lowton, Lafferty, McDonald, Williamson, Evans, N. Blackman, Cresswell, S.Quinn.
