Admire; Leon Knight - different gravy. Obviously not suffering fools for as long as he did with magoo, and the hecklers and booboys.
Henry - his product says it all. Loads of skills, hard to nick the ball off, or knock him off it. Doesn't just blast it, and therefore scores way more goals from his vision, subtlety, and balance.
Lennon - future England star...if a manager knows talent when he sees it.
Owen - Speaks intelligently, plays fairly, modest, and overall good professional head on his shoulders. Exempliary footballer.
Gerrard - Perfect player for his position, matter of fact in interviews, keeps his cool and can win games.
Lampard - same as above. Great balance and vision, unselfish and reliable.
Ronaldo - perhaps the most skilled footwork you will see play in this generation. 'That moment' in the WC was overblown as HE didn't get Rooney sent off.
Detest; Scott McGleish - prize pratt.
Slight Disdain; Ashley Cole - football, honour and honesty far second to money.
Savage - the goading and mouth might be part of the game, but he's most annoying (and Welsh).
Wise - can't respect anyone who takes a shot as cheap as on a sleeping man.
Keane - stroppy turd, and not a great Irishman either.
agent Orange - jumped-up no-mates spiv.
I can't admire any of them - generally they are vastly overpaid very lucky boys. Beckham should have retired by now - why is he hanging on? It can't be for the money.
On the other hand creatures such as Ben Thatcher have been allowed to get away with (almost) murder for far too long. Fancy finishing your career and being famous for two of the worst assaults (aka tackles) ever seen on TV.