sifter Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 I made a list of my best saints 11, based on players I actually saw with my own eyes. Hopefully that explains why Allan Ball and Mick Channon aren't in my team and also maybe why Tino Livramento is there - my other choices were Jason Dodd or Nathan Clyne...) Be interested to see your best 11 - it's a good way of telling how old you are 1. Anti Niemi 2. Tino Livramento 3. Gareth Bale 4. Jimmy Case 5. Virgil Van Dijk 6. Toby Alderweireld 7. Matt Le Tissier 8. Morgan Schneiderlin 9. Allan Shearer 10. Theo Walcott (2005/06) 11. Rodney Wallace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 Peter Shilton Ivan Golac Gareth Bale Mark Wright Virgil van Dijk Steve Williams Alan Ball Matt Le Tissier Mick Channon Ron Davies Kevin Keegan 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifter Posted 4 October, 2021 Author Share Posted 4 October, 2021 Mmm Golac is a good shout but I never saw him. I did see Mark Wright maybe once but he broke his leg and transferred to Derby the season I started going to every match - otherwise I'm sure he would have been in my team as he looked good on the tele. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 Not easy as I have had to leave some quality players out, but here we go - Niemi Mills Wright Van Dijk Bale David Armstrong Ball Williams Le Tiss Ron Davies Channon sub Paine 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecuk268 Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 I'd have Mark Dennis in there. Surely would have played for England if he'd been a bit more controlled. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Katalinic's 'tache Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 Tough one this but here goes... Shilton Golac, Richards, van Dijk, Dennis Ball, Case, Williams Le Tissier, Keegan Shearer Subs: Niemi, Bridge, M Svensson, D Armstrong, Tadic, D Wallace, Beattie 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 47 minutes ago, sifter said: I made a list of my best saints 11, based on players I actually saw with my own eyes. Hopefully that explains why Allan Ball and Mick Channon aren't in my team and also maybe why Tino Livramento is there - my other choices were Jason Dodd or Nathan Clyne...) Be interested to see your best 11 - it's a good way of telling how old you are 1. Anti Niemi 2. Tino Livramento 3. Gareth Bale 4. Jimmy Case 5. Virgil Van Dijk 6. Toby Alderweireld 7. Matt Le Tissier 8. Morgan Schneiderlin 9. Allan Shearer 10. Theo Walcott (2005/06) 11. Rodney Wallace Is this based on only what they did at Saints or their whole careers? For example Bale and Shearer dont get in mine based on his time at Saints only, but certainly does if you're talking about their whole careers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellman Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 Peter Shilton Alf Ramsey (yes, I am very old) Gareth Bale Steve Williams Van Dyke Matt Le T Terry Paine Mike Channon Ron Davies Sadio Mane John Sydenham 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Left Back Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 I'm going with players based on their time at Saints. I'm also going with a loose interpretation of 'best' to allow some personal favourites. 1. Flowers 2. Golac 3. Bridge 4. Williams 5. Wright 6. Svensson 7. Le Tiss 8. Moran 9. Lambert 10. Case 11. Rod Wallace Could easily pick another team, or perhaps two, without any loss in quality/personal favourites. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErwinK1961 Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 Niemi Bridge Svensson Van Dijk Clyne Morgan Wanyama Le Tiss Mane Lallana Lambert Richards, Pahars and Tadic very unlucky to miss out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wurzel Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 (edited) A question that will get very fdifferent answers depending on age. And "Best 11" meaning line up and "Best 11" meaning best individuals are not nrecessarily the same thing I've gone 4-4 2 based on their time at Saints (and yes, I can't fit MLT in ! ) Niemi Golac Van Dijk Mark Wright Steve Mills Paine Dave Armstrong Keegan Danny Wallace Channon Ron Davies Edited 4 October, 2021 by Wurzel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 1 hour ago, VectisSaint said: Peter Shilton Ivan Golac Gareth Bale Mark Wright Virgil van Dijk Steve Williams Alan Ball Matt Le Tissier Mick Channon Ron Davies Kevin Keegan I think that is a great team but Terry Paine is the best player I ever saw playing for the Saints so I think I would replace Stevie Williams with him It was his crosses and Sydenham's too which made Ron Davies such a Potent Goal Scorer But that of course would deplete the Mid Field It is so difficult as we have had so many wonderful players compared to the ones we have today Peter Osgood Charlie George plus others were really good before they came to the Dell and Martin Chivers was really good at Spurs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Corbyn Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 Premier League Era for me: Niemi KWP Svensson VVD Bridge Wanyama Davis Le Tiss Jay Rod (13/14) Lambert Ings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toussaint Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 (edited) Shilton Ivan Golac - Dave Watson - Michael Svennson - Mick Mills Steve Williams - Matt Le Tissier - Jimmy Case - David Armstrong Alan Shearer - Joe Jordan Not saying they are all the best, or would make a best 11 if all playing at once, but they were my favourites, so apologies to the OP for stretching it a little. Edited 4 October, 2021 by Toussaint capitalisation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minsk Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 Based on how they played when actually wearing a Saints shirt: Peter Shilton (Flowers close 2nd) Ivan Golac Mark Wright Virgil van Dijk (just gets in ahead of Killer and Dave Watson) Mark Dennis Steve Williams Jimmy Case Dave Armstrong Matt Le Tissier Kevin Keegan Steve Moran (almost went for Sir Ricky) If we were talking about how good the players were throughout their careers, would have to fit in Shearer, Bale, Ball and probably Channon. Actually, should probably have put Micky in anyway but am judging him on his 2nd spell with us. I did see him first time around, but only went occasionally in those days (down the front peering over the wall, sometimes on tiptoes). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toussaint Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 Jees, all this is confirming is what a forgettable bunch we have now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 As I was an impressionable kid when I watched them through rose coloured specs, the Alehouse brawlers team are hard to discount for me. They werent technically gifted but they surely didnt take prisoners. As I say I was a starry eyed school kid and could never understand why the mighty Saints ever lost a game. I hope youngsters of today have the same thrill as I had of the 'Old' Dell experience before the sanitised modern matchday experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 3 hours ago, John B said: I think that is a great team but Terry Paine is the best player I ever saw playing for the Saints so I think I would replace Stevie Williams with him It was his crosses and Sydenham's too which made Ron Davies such a Potent Goal Scorer But that of course would deplete the Mid Field It is so difficult as we have had so many wonderful players compared to the ones we have today Peter Osgood Charlie George plus others were really good before they came to the Dell and Martin Chivers was really good at Spurs Fair comment, of course Painer should really be there, but I wouldn't swap Stevie Williams out, he could come instead of Keegan. Thing with Terry, although I saw him, he was very much in the twilight of his career. John Sydenham was probably as good, but again I really only caught the last couple of years. Williams and Ball were not the greatest individually but as a pairing I still believe they were as good as anyone (and I mean anyone). Would loved to have put Ossie in, but much as I admired his skills and what he did for us, he was really past his best when he joined and adapted his game accordingly. Not sure about Charlie, liked him but not sure I'd put him too near our best XI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 Frank worthington would be one need to go and think about the rest - got a lot to choose from Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyinthesky Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 I have been watching Saints for 60+ years and here is my suggestions based on players who wore a Saints shirt rather than how they went on to further their careers which means that the likes of Shearer and Bale miss out,and how they may fit into todays style of play with decent pitches etc . Also have left out the likes of Osgood, George and Ball who were excellent players in their prime but may were just over the hill when they played for Saints. Honorable mentions to those in brackets Those in BOLD nailed on starters Keeper Shilton (Niemi) Right Back Golac (Dodd/Mills/Liveramento/KWP) Left Back Statham (Bridge/Dennis) Centre Half Richards (Wright/Watson/Alderwiereld) " " VVD (Svensson) Right Mid Channon (Paine) Centre Mid Le Tizz (Ekelund) " " Steve Williams (JWP/Wanyama/Case) Left Mid Danny or Rodney Wallace/Armstrong/Mane) Striker Keegan (Ings) " Chivers (Davies/Beattie) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint86 Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 (edited) 6 hours ago, sifter said: I made a list of my best saints 11, based on players I actually saw with my own eyes. Hopefully that explains why Allan Ball and Mick Channon aren't in my team and also maybe why Tino Livramento is there - my other choices were Jason Dodd or Nathan Clyne...) Be interested to see your best 11 - it's a good way of telling how old you are 1. Anti Niemi 2. Tino Livramento 3. Gareth Bale 4. Jimmy Case 5. Virgil Van Dijk 6. Toby Alderweireld 7. Matt Le Tissier 8. Morgan Schneiderlin 9. Allan Shearer 10. Theo Walcott (2005/06) 11. Rodney Wallace Gareth Bale is the best left back you ever saw play for saints...? come on mate behave! He couldn't even get in Tottenham's team for the next couple of years at that age. Luke shaw mops the floor with him for saints with respect to ability whilst at saints, as does Bridge. And livramento at right back... most of the forum want him put in the right CAM so KWP can play right back 🤣 In no way shape or form should anyone be considering him as saints best ever right back! Also surprised there is no spot for Sadio Mane, especially given you've included a 16year old theo? Mane was absolutely unplayable at times and is hands down one of the most dangerous players i've ever seen at saints. Edited 4 October, 2021 by Saint86 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 1 hour ago, VectisSaint said: Fair comment, of course Painer should really be there, but I wouldn't swap Stevie Williams out, he could come instead of Keegan. Thing with Terry, although I saw him, he was very much in the twilight of his career. John Sydenham was probably as good, but again I really only caught the last couple of years. Williams and Ball were not the greatest individually but as a pairing I still believe they were as good as anyone (and I mean anyone). Would loved to have put Ossie in, but much as I admired his skills and what he did for us, he was really past his best when he joined and adapted his game accordingly. Not sure about Charlie, liked him but not sure I'd put him too near our best XI. Paine was so much better than Sydenham him and Chivers got us to Div 1 Chivers went to Spurs Xmas 1967 probably the best Player who came from Southampton he was a Pup[l at Tauntons I would not want George in our team just mentioned him I think you are right about Williams and Ball so I would suggest there iare too many strikers so I would remove Keegan who was past his best from your 111 and replace him with Paine 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OttawaSaint Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 (edited) Flowers Petrescu M Svensson Richards Golac Ball Williams MLT D Wallace Beattie R Wallace Edited 4 October, 2021 by OttawaSaint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 I’m going with the best performances I saw live at St Mary’s. So whilst I did see Bale, for e.g., one season as a championship LB doesn’t qualify for my team. Niemi Liv - VvD - Toby - Bertrand Oakley - Wanyama Mané - Davis - Tadic Pellè 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 5 hours ago, ErwinK1961 said: Lallana Lambert Richards, Pahars and Tadic very unlucky to miss out Tadic was a different class to Lallana. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 6 hours ago, Dellman said: Peter Shilton Alf Ramsey (yes, I am very old) Gareth Bale Steve Williams Van Dyke Matt Le T Terry Paine Mike Channon Ron Davies Sadio Mane John Sydenham No Cliff Huxford or Tommy Traynor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Corbyn Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 27 minutes ago, Lighthouse said: Tadic was a different class to Lallana. What about on the pitch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangkoksaint Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 I appreciate its all about opinions but surely Shilton has to be no1 if you saw him play? Granted Niemi was class ………but Shilts was a different level again 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danjosaint Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 (edited) Niemi Clyne Svensson Vvd Shaw Mane Ekelund Schneiderlin R Wallace Mlt Lambert Not the best but the ones I enjoyed the most watching Edited 4 October, 2021 by danjosaint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarehamSaintJames Posted 4 October, 2021 Share Posted 4 October, 2021 Some incredible memories! Kelvin Davis - Nathaniel Clyne, José Fontè, Virgil van Dijk, Luke Shaw - Morgan Schneiderlin, Steven Davis, Adam Lallana, Sadio Mané - Rickie Lambert, Graziano Pellè You can definitely tell the age of some people! 😂 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwsaint Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 Started watching in the early seventies. So for me: Shilton Van Dijk, Wright, Bridge, Golac Paine, Le Tissier, Ball, Williams Channon, Keegan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 Likely not the best team, but my favourite team. Tim Flowers Jason Dodd - Mark Wright - Virgil Van Dijk - Mark Dennis Steve Williams - Jimmy Case Rod Wallace - Matt le Tissier - Danny Wallace Alan Shearer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 4 minutes ago, The Kraken said: Likely not the best team, but my favourite team. Tim Flowers Jason Dodd - Mark Wright - Virgil Van Dijk - Mark Dennis Steve Williams - Jimmy Case Rod Wallace - Matt le Tissier - Danny Wallace Alan Shearer Probably not far off mine too, although i'd swap Rod Wallace for Steve Moran. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DT Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 Shilton Golac - Dave Watson/Mark Wright - Van Dijk - Bridge David Armstrong - Alan Ball - Jimmy Case - Gareth Bale Le Tissier Alan Shearer subs: Niemi, Ekelund, Danny Wallace, Schneiderlin, Shaw, Keith Cassells!!!, Mane, Keegan, Channon Bliimey we have had some good players Bit of a contrast 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macca155 Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 In fairness you could just list the 1984 team. Those of us a bit ancient, will name players alien to youngsters on here, but here goes. Shilton Golac Wright Van Dyke Bridge Ball Williams Case LeTissier Shearer Moran If you didn't see Williams Golac Wright or Moran play you missed out on real legends. What a team that would be. Subs bench Neimi Hollywood McGrath Bale Mane Keegan Wallace Chivers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 This is a really good topic. A very hard one to answer, I keep changing my mind, but here goes. Shilts Golac Wright Killer Bridge Williams Ball Holmes Channon Keegan Lambert Subs Anti MLT Morgan Mills VvD Shearer Paine In fact could easily pick 2 or 3 teams with real quality, Cant fit in Ron Davis, big Vic, Fonte, Dennis, Case, Boyer, Bale, and so many more other favourites over the years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabrice Fernandes no.1 fan Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 Been going to games since the move to St Marys, so MLT just misses out as I never quite saw him in person! Niemi Clyne Fonte Svensson Bertrand Lallana Schneiderlin Oakley Tadic Lambert Beattie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint86 Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 1 hour ago, kwsaint said: Started watching in the early seventies. So for me: Shilton Van Dijk, Wright, Bridge, Golac Paine, Le Tissier, Ball, Williams Channon, Keegan Now that is team! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appy Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 Niemi Clyne Richards Van Dijk Bridge Lallana Schneiderlin Oakley Mane Ings Lambert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miserableoldgit Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 On 04/10/2021 at 11:13, VectisSaint said: Peter Shilton Ivan Golac Gareth Bale Mark Wright Virgil van Dijk Steve Williams Alan Ball Matt Le Tissier Mick Channon Ron Davies Kevin Keegan THIS!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellman Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 I am amazed Terry Paine is left off so many lists. he was top creator and top scorer for 16 seasons and in all divisions. Was it so long ago some never saw him? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsweet87 Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 Niemi Clyne - Van Dijk - Fonte - Shaw Schneiderlein - JWP Tadic - Le Tissier - Mane Pelle Surprising lack of Shaw in these teams, especially as Bale only had one season for us and it was in the championship. Shaw had one of the best games i've ever seen any footballer have, let alone a Saints player, at Stamford Bridge when we drew 2-2 in 2013. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordic Saint Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 (edited) Peter Shilton Stuart Williams Virgil van Dijk José Fonte Luke Shaw Terry Paine Matt Le Tissier Alan Ball Mick Channon Alan Shearer Kevin Keegan Ist sub Sadio Mane. But, then there's Ron Davies and one we only saw as a young left back, Bale, who went on to become one of the best forwards in the world (It's hard to fit all of the great forwards we've had into one team) Edited 5 October, 2021 by Nordic Saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordic Saint Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 (edited) 40 minutes ago, Dellman said: I am amazed Terry Paine is left off so many lists. he was top creator and top scorer for 16 seasons and in all divisions. Was it so long ago some never saw him? At his peak, in 1963, he was one of the best players in the world: (155) 23/10/1963 ENGLAND v REST of the WORLD XI - YouTube Another one who's largely forgotten now, our Welsh international captain, Stuart Williams, was singled out for praise by Pele after the 1958 World Cup Finals. Edited 5 October, 2021 by Nordic Saint 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambosa75 Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 Niemi Clyne Richards van Dijik Bridge Schneiderlin Lallana Mane Le Tissier Bale Shearer Jeepers there wouldn't half be some goals in that side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainchris Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 Shilton Golac Wright Watson Bale Pain David Armstrong Le Tiss Keegan Channon Davies sub. Lambert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Left Back Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 17 hours ago, bangkoksaint said: I appreciate its all about opinions but surely Shilton has to be no1 if you saw him play? Granted Niemi was class ………but Shilts was a different level again This was one of my hardest choices. I went with Flowers because I just have fantastic memories of him in goal. Shilton was clearly the better player, but I'm just not quite so fond of him. Perhaps because he refused to give me his gloves when we invaded the pitch at Notts County after the last game of the 83/84 season when we finished 2nd in the first division! 1 hour ago, Dellman said: I am amazed Terry Paine is left off so many lists. he was top creator and top scorer for 16 seasons and in all divisions. Was it so long ago some never saw him? Just missed out on him. Think I saw his twilight in the early 70s, when his status exceeded his contribution. My Dad and his mates would have certainly had him in, he was Mr Southampton - the MLT of his era. As to those getting depressed by comparing these players to the current squad I would encourage you not to do that. We've had hundreds of players worse than the ones we have now. If you choose to compare anything with the best on offer you are going to get miserable. Better just to enjoy the memories and hope that some of the current squad end up having Saints careers worthy of being mentioned when we do another thread like this in 10-15 years time (sorry that's turned into a lecture!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 4 hours ago, Dellman said: I am amazed Terry Paine is left off so many lists. he was top creator and top scorer for 16 seasons and in all divisions. Was it so long ago some never saw him? Yes, I only caught his last 2 seasons, and to be honest he was over the hill by then. You have to be mid/late 60s to have been there, unless uou were really a little nipper 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 ‐--------------Niemi-------------- Dodd---Svensson--van Dijk---Shaw ----------Oakley---Ekelund------ Bale----------Le Tiss-------Pahars ---------------Beattie------------- Subs: Flowers, Clyne, Bridge, Alderweireld, Schneiderlin, Mane, Lallana, Lambert, Paul Moody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint1977 Posted 5 October, 2021 Share Posted 5 October, 2021 (edited) 1983/4 first season. Hence Shilton Clyne Dennis (brilliant player but would be off by 30 minutes today) Svensson M Wright Williams Case MLT D Wallace Moran Lambert (would link brilliantly with Steve Moran) Subs: Niemi, VVD, Mills, Mane, Bridge, R Wallace, Richards, Monkou, Statham, Pahars (fully fit), Tadic, Bertrand, Lallana, Morgan S, Beattie, Jordan (in his first season was superb), JWP Scary how poor the squad is now, weakest top flight Saints in my living memory. Livra will go on to have a good career and KWP was flying until Ralph starting messing him about. Aside from them and JWP it’s mid table Championship standard at best really, perhaps lower. To think with this heritage and standard of player - even across different eras - if some posters on here think the fanbase is happy with the status quo, Gao etc then they are deluded. As someone else said, it makes it all the more depressing seeing Redmond on the team sheet every week when you’ve had the Wallace brothers for years to watch, Mane, Pahars, Moran. Edited 5 October, 2021 by saint1977 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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