Viv Anderson was mustard, dunno about Des Walker though. Wright might be worthy of mention too, and that Defoe plays really well.
The jury is still out on Campbell as he has 'mares as well as stellar performances. I can't remember Anderson putting a foot wrong - but having said that, the game has changed a lot, and comparing players from one era to another seems incongruous.
Would Stanley Mathews do well now? George Best, Gordon Banks and Pele would be excellent in any era. (not exclusively talking about English players now of course)
Pearce was the Charlie Oatway of the England set-up, limited ability but wore his heart on his sleeve always put in maximum effort, and liked kicking people. How Viv Anderson and Des Walker were worse defenders beats me. But then again I'd rather watch Leon Knight than Adam Virgo.
Tough, if they're not good enough they have no right to be there. It doesnt matter if they're Black, White, Yellow or Purple. We dont want to go down the same road as the South African Cricket Association where they are not ALLOWED to pick an all white team regardless of whether or not they are the best 11 cricketers in the country. Anyway I cant think of a "non white" player who should feature in a greatest ever 17.
The FA have now ditched this DVD and are now bringing out a more acceptable one to the Perryman esk moaners of this world that will include both John Barnes and Sol Campbell.
This is a very good example of what there's been a bit of a 'minor altercation' about over on the PC brigade thread.
A couple of papers put Henry and Ferdinand on the back page saying it's disgraceful there are no black players on the DVD. They should have known better, that is the worst type of irresponsible 'chip on the shoulder' attitude.
John Barnes SHOULD have been in it - but he wasted his talent in many ineffective displays for his country. Anderson never quite shook off Phil Neal at right-back, Walker wasn't a great. Simply, there are no black players in the top 17, probably not the top 30.
Soemone like Rio, instead of stirring up trouble, should go away and make damn sure he's on the next one, because he is class.
Gerrard is in because he's a star now and it will sell more. Simple as.
Barnes should be in there purely for that goal he scored against Brazil. Other than that I can't think of any Black players that have done enough to make it.
Barnes should be in there purely for that goal he scored against Brazil. Other than that I can't think of any Black players that have done enough to make it.
Barnes to me should not be in it as he performances in an England shirt were poor as a rule. Des Walker, well he was fantastic in Italia 90, but went to seed once he moved to Sampdoria.
I think this is a little bit of PC going crazy. As the list seems to avoid the current squad I think it is only John Barnes possibly pushing for a place, maybe with Paul Ince as an outside bet.