Favourite non-BFC player

Bit quiet on here today, I'm sure this will divide opinion!

This will not be a popular choice but Steven Gerrard for me. Liverpool would have won nothing without him in the last 15 years. Fast, athletic, strong, can pass, tackle and shoot. His performances in the Champions League final and the FA Cup final against West Ham were outstanding. Would loved to have seen him in a reds shirt crunching someone, pinging a ball 60 yards to someone's feet (who would then inevitably miscontrol it), or smashing the ball in the top corner from 30 yards.

Who's yours?

 

David Beckham/Maldini.

 

In terms of 'all time' I'd have to say Gascoigne. Was at his peak when I was a kid and he was the first 'superstar' footballer I was aware of. Remember my old man seeing him at a testimonial at Donny prior to the 1990 world cup and saying he was unreal. Bought all his videos, posters on the wall etc etc... Still think he's the most exciting player I've ever seen in an England shirt.

Also a huge fan of Paul Scholes. If I could play like any pro he's probably the one I would model myself on.

Non English...probably Bergkamp. I'm all about the flair.

 

Giggsy Wiggsy

For his mesmeric ball skills and he's a dirty b'stard with the women.

 

International stage- Lionel Messi, the best player I've seen in years. I don't have a favourite player domestically and haven't had one since Paul Gascoigne. My favourite player of all time is Pele, who I also believe is the best player ever. I'd also give special mention to the likes of Eusebio, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Gerson, Krol, Muller, Rensenbrink. On the domestic front, it'd be George Best with special mention for the likes of Moore, Charlton, Greaves, Banks, Worthington, Baxter, Jennings.

 

Changes all the time.

All time favourites include David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo (the Brazillian one) and Paul Gascoigne

Current favourites are, Lionel Messi, nobody comes close to him at the moment. I don't care if he's in a good team, for me, he makes Barcelona.

I'm also a big fan of Leighton Baines, think he should be England's first choice left back now, he's certainly on better form than Ashley Cole and offers something new looking at the future, in the top 3 left backs in the world at the moment.

Any footballer who can play at the highest level consistently despite their age also gets my admiration, Giggs and Scholes being the main 2. And although he's just moved to a lower standard of football in the Swiss premier league, Gennaro Gattuso is still one hell of a player for 35 years old. Andrea Pirlo also showed last summer that he can still perform to the same level as europe's best, when he totally bossed the European Championships.

 

At the moment Leighton Baines and Gareth Bale. I've got a penchant for left footers.

Running with the ball seems to have gone out of fashion in the modern pass, pass, pass world of football, but for me it's the most exciting aspect of the game. Bale can run faster with the ball glued to his foot than anyone I've ever seen. Baines does it better than the vast majority of international wingers and he's a left back. And they've both got a shot on them to die for. Brilliant players.

 

Bit of a left field choice but I'd have to say Robert Prosinecki. The guy was just a magician on the football pitch. Special mentions to George Best and Bobby Moore. Both a bit before my time but pure class.

 

Don't like Man U but got a lot of respect for Giggs

 

"I've got a penchant for left footers"

back to the future.

 

Often tried being Baggio down the park

 

Socrates is my favourite of all time. The 82 world cup i the first one I remember and he is still to this day the most graceful thing ever to set foot on a pitch with the skills to match anyone before or since. When I found out he was in a band too, that was it I was sold. A Doctor of Philosophy too, who's studies were interupted by his football career but he still saw it through. Then he seriously risked his life standing up to and speaking out against right wing corruption in Brazilian football and politics. Dude.

 

Zola was a different class on his day. I used to like shearer when i was a nipper as well!

 

Sir Bobby...

...currently not playing for BFC.

Actually it's Ed Upson at Yeovil - the only professional footballer I've ever known.

 

I think you're right. One of the things I love about Gerrard is (or more correctly 'was' given his advancing age) him surging through midfield with the ball. You don't seem to get centre midfielders like that anymore, it's all angles and passes (which I love) but nowt excites the crowd like a barn-storming run.

Oh and I'm a left footer! In fact (pre-injury) I could kick a ball further than anyone else I've ever played with. My problem was kicking it short and medium distances. I was like a Keith Hill nightmare. ("Time Andy. Andy, time. Time. Time...oh, you've cleared the houses again"). Proper centre half.

 

Suarez. Just cos others hate him!

 

Best, Maradona, Socrates, Zico, Platini, Hagi, Stoichkov, M Laudrup, Gazza, Le Tissier, Bergkamp, Zola, Henry, Zidane. Just a few from the past off the top of my head. Currently it has to be Messi.

 

My favourite non-BFC player from these shores was without doubt Paul Gascoigne - strong, technique to die for, eagle-eyed vision, could score any goal in the book, could tackle, head a ball, and despite never being the quickest, his ball control and upper body strength allowed him to take players on at will. Never been as excited about watching a player.

Other nods of appreciation to Chris Waddle, Gary McAllister, Ryan Giggs, Sol Campbell and Paul Merson. I loved the 90's.


Favourite player from overseas - Dennis Bergkamp or Eric Cantona. Can't split em. Just like Gazza, they were genius with a football. I loved Eric's attitude, the collar up, his emotional nature, and always delivered when it counted.
Bergkamp had a naughty side, too. So perhaps I like my tempestuous playmakers? He also scored the best goal I've ever seen - 98 World Cup, THAT goal for the Dutch against the Argies.... wow.

Other shouts for Zinedine Zidane, Gabriel Batistuta, Andreas Brehme and Salvatore Schillachi.


My favourite current player from these shores - a toss-up between Gareth Bale, Leighton Baines, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott. I'm not that fussed about the Premier League, but I do try to catch the goals online. MOTD bores the **** out my arse, and I don't subscribe to SlySports. But I really enjoy watching those four, and considering 3 of them are English it ought to be a good sign so far as our chances go in future tournaments. If only we could beat your Brazil's and Spain's in actual competition, eh?

If I had to say one, I'd go with Wilshere.


Favourite overseas player currently laiking?

Lionel Messi edges out Andres Iniesta.

 

I'll just chuck in a random one too, Kevin Phillips. Pure class. Small, not particularly quick, not particularly strong, but a goal machine. Still scoring goals in his late 30s too. Would have been so excited if we'd ever manged to sign him

 

Alan shearer, he really knew how to cheat . . .