The greatest ever Saints team?

With Saints match at Hartlepool being postponed due to the weather, I decided to share my all time favourite Saints team with you. I have been an avid follower for many years and have had the pleasure of seeing some incredible talent pull on the famous red and white shirts. Now my opinion will prove to be wrong in some people’s eyes, but this is the team I think was the best ever while I have been watching Saints. There were many candidates to make this team and coming up with a starting XI was a tough task, but here goes!!

1.       Tim Flowers – An England international who showed his true genius during the early years of the premiership. Flowers was a great shot stopper who commanded his area. Most memorable moment was when he ran the length of Old Trafford after saving a Ryan Giggs penalty in the FA Cup to put Saints through to the Quarter Finals.

2.       Jeff Kenna – Having come through the ranks, Jeff pips Jason Dodd as my right back. A marauding full back that made his name with whole hearted displays and a willingness to work for the team. My best memory of Jeff was his celebration with another stalwart of the club, Franny Benali after scoring a cracking left footed curler at home.

3.       Gareth Bale – Made his debut as a 16 year old away at Derby County and scored a cracking free kick in a 2-2 draw. Gareth somehow in one season got into my all time XI by showing a maturity beyond his years and running games from left back in the second tier of English football.

4.       Neil Maddison – Defensive midfielder was tough position to call. Candidates for this position included the tough tackling Tommy Widdrington and long haired monster Terry Hurlock. Maddison gets the nod as he would chip in with the odd goal and was part of a midfield whose main job was to win the ball and as Alan Ball wanted “Give it to TIss!”

5.       Michael Svennson – Killer as he was affectionately known to the fans, was a hard ginger Swedish centre back. He formed a great partnership with another Scandinavian in Claus Lundekvam. Killer scored the last ever goal at Maine Road in a 1-0 away win. That shut the Gallagher’s up!

6.       Francis Benali – Franny was Southampton through and through. Having started as a striker, he eventually played in defence. Franny was a hard working committed player. He had a nasty streak and opposition attackers knew he was there. Never the most talented, but wore his heart on his sleeve and shed plenty of blood for the cause. Scored only 1 goal in over 450 appearances.

7.       Matthew Le Tissier – Only one man could ever have this shirt in my team. Matty was simply the greatest player I have ever seen. Scorer of penalties, free kicks and spectacular goals. Matty was out talisman, when he played well, we generally played well. Scored goals which today’s overpaid players can only dream off. Scored the last ever league goal at the Dell. A goal which nearly bought me to tears, the perfect fairytale ending for the Dell!

8.       Anders Svennson – Another Swedish import to make my team, Anders was pushed close by Ronnie Ekelund, but due to Ronnie’s career being cut short due to injury, Svennson gets the nod. An attacking midfielder who helped to knit together the team in some difficult times. Scored a great goal on the route to Cardiff in 2003 against Spurs.

9.       Marian Pahars – A footballer with a woman’s name was how he was first billed but many premiership defences quickly realised he wasn’t one to be messed with! Marians Pace and skill made many a player look foolish including a certain nutmeg on Jaap Stam at Old Trafford!

10.   Chris Marsden – Journeyman is a term that could be used to describe Chris. A dependable midfielder who formed a great partnership with Wayne Bridge down the left side of the pitch. Highlight of his career was his John Barnes-esque goal away at Ipswich as he went past 6 players and finished.

11.   Neil Heaney – Norm as he was known was an infuriating player. He could produce magic down the wing and score great goals, but more often than not, his final ball would end up in the middle of the Milton Road stand. He gets the nod ahead of many other wide players we have had simply because I remember the way he terrorised Dean Austin of Spurs for a couple of seasons. Never have I seen a full back look so scared when a player ran at him.

So there is my favourite Saints XI, I’m sure many of you don’t agree with my selections. If you have any suggestions please let me know. Saints have had many talented and brilliant footballers during my years as a fan, but we have also had some shockers! I’m working on my worst ever Saints XI, but it may take a while to come up with that team.