Our current players...

[AndyC]

I wouldn't have taken any of them last season either. That 84/85 team didn't just win the league but was one of the best teams in Europe. Even Baines is too weak defensively.

Defensively, neither Baines or Coleman are as dependable as were Pat VDH or Gary Stevens.

Baines is more an offensive defender and these days should be pushed further forward with Garbutt to drop into the left back role. Seamus likewise is better going forwards and needs to rekindle the level he played at last season.

 

[rochdaleblue]

Only Baines could get near the 85 team. Saying that its all about balance. Baines was so much better offensively than van de hawe but psycho pat was much better defensively. It allowed Sheedy to do what he did best pull the strings from midfield. Saying that Baines enjoys playing with Piennar, well he would have given his right arm to play with someone of the football brain of Sheedy.

 

[Caolam]

Apart from the speed, fitness etc. you have to look at how the game is played today. An out and out defensive fullback would struggle to get into a top team. Today's fullbacks have to be able to attack every bit as much as they need to defend. Teams make up for defensive weakness with numbers.

 

[daz4matty]

Nobody for me that was our most successful side in our history and everybody played their part

 

[DRM]

Apart from the speed, fitness etc. you have to look at how the game is played today. An out and out defensive fullback would struggle to get into a top team. Today's fullbacks have to be able to attack every bit as much as they need to defend. Teams make up for defensive weakness with numbers.

True. And keepers didn't have to be good with their feet since they were always allowed to take the ball with their hands. And strikers only had to score goals and not interfere with the rest of game too much.

 

[blue4eva77]

Tough one this. Lets have a look at our first 11 from our last game...

Coleman, Jagielka, Stones, Baines, McCarthy, Barry, Mirallas, Lennon, Lukaku might get into the 1997/1998 side that stayed up on goal difference. I left out Naismith because he wouldn't get into the side ahead of Phil Jevons.

 

[marty mcfly]

Defensively, neither Baines or Coleman are as dependable as were Pat VDH or Gary Stevens.

Baines is more an offensive defender and these days should be pushed further forward with Garbutt to drop into the left back role. Seamus likewise is better going forwards and needs to rekindle the level he played at last season.

If anything Garbutt would be the one I would push further forward however fullbacks tend not to work too well when played as wingers. There's a big difference between coming late on an overlap and having to beat a man from a standing start.

I still think Baines would work really well played in midfield in the Barry role with Garbutt starting at left back.