Greatest Everton squad of the Premier League era

And your picks are amazingly similar to mine, with only a few small objections. Much as I loved watching Peanuts, an attacking mid who scored only a goal every ten games does not belong ahead of a creative genius like Beardsley or a skyrocket like Limpar.

On the subs bench, I think Howard shades Martyn (of course) and there must be a place for Gana.

And as a matter of personal preference, I can stomach only one Ferguson, and never, ever as a captain. (Sorry, Peter #1, but for all his intimidation he wasn't half of Lukaku.)

Otherwise, very well done sir!

(GK) Big Neville

(RB) Seamus Coleman

(CB) Dave Watson

(CB) Sylvain Distin

(LB) Leighton Baines

(CM) Tim Cahill

(CM) Mikel Arteta

(LW) Steven Pienaar

(RW) Andrei Kanchelskis

(FW) Romelu Lukaku

(FW) Duncan Ferguson

(Subs and special mentions)

Nigel Martyn
Matt Jackson
Davie Weir
Alan Stubbs
Gary Ablett
Andy Hinchcliffe
Don Hutchison
Kevin Campbell
Lee Carsley
Tommy Gravesen
Gary Speed
Gareth Barry
Graham Stuart
Anders Limpar
Paul Rideout
Yakubu
Tomasz Radzinski
Wayne Rooney
Peter Beardsley
Marouane Fellaini
Leon Osman
Louis Saha

There were some tough decisions and exclusions, personally I don't think Rooney was here long enough when at his peak to warrant a place in the first eleven.

Players like Beardsley could have become legendary had he also been here an extra two years or so.

I excluded Tony Cottee because I feel his best years were prior to 1992.

Midfield was tough, we've had some cracking players over the years but the mainstay of Arteta and Cahill deserves the place.

I don't include Tim Howard quite simply because Nigel Martyn played for us and he was in a league of his own in those first two season's.

Unlucky to miss out would be the likes of Craig Short, Joe Parkinson, Paul Rideout, maybe even forgotten gems like Gary Naysmith who to be fair always used to put in a good shift.

I included Tomasz Radzinski because I felt in Moyes first two seasons with better players around him and better luck with injuries that lad could have been amazing, he was harshly playing second fiddle to the Rooney bandwagon in 2002, but arguably outplayed Wayne that season.

Glad Craig Short was mentioned. Wayne Rooney was great only for another club down the East Lancs.

Howard, Distin, Hinchcliffe, Carsley, Limpar, Rooney, Ferguson

Howard has to be on the bench given the number of appearances he made. Gana is the only 'green' addition as I think it's too early to put the like of Digne in there... Rooney gets in for the excitement he created when he was both a Youth Cup player and when he was breaking into the first team.

Great memories of all though that's for sure!

I like that first eleven, but I'll probably get shouted down for this. I've always thought Phil Neville has been the best defensive right back we've had during this time. I know he never always played and he gave very little going forward but he's one change I might consider to the team above.

Another would be the possible inclusion of Lescott ahead of Jagielka. I love Jags (and Seamus for that matter) but I always thought he just edged Jags. (Dons tin hat!!!)

Also, as has been previously mentioned, I'd think about swapping Limpar for Pienaar. Just feel he would have been more likely to create a bit of danger for the opposition. I still dream of his slalom run at Anfield as he set up Andrei's second!

I think I'd also find a place for Yakubu at least on the bench. I'm probably nitpicking now though!!

I've just scanned up and I think that makes my team the same as Robert's although I'm not sure I can leave Barry out. Distin was immense but Jagielka and Watson were essentially one-club men so if that counts for anything they stay in.

I'd love to have seen the postings from you Jim back in those days after his performances! A steady player but never a great for me and I always felt he had a mistake in him.

That said, I wouldn't argue with any of your team apart from Duncan – I saw enough of Rooney in his first spell to select him. A home game against Bolton sticks in the memory where he didn't score but ran riot against their ex-Real Madrid player with the long black hair( can't recall his name) and was totally unplayable.

Saha at his best would come very close. Duncan on his day was unplayable but there were not enough of those days for me.

However, and this will upset a few, was Neville still at the peak of his abilities in the Premier League era? I don't think that he was the player who stood head and shoulders above the World's best keepers like he did when he was in his pomp in the 1980's*. And the longer he stayed the more timber he added and the more static he became.

Just a thought, which brings me onto this:- If Neville is picked because of the player he WAS, then who else would get into the squad? Think of some of the players who WERE great but whose star had begun to fade, or disappeared altogether by the time we signed them. Gascoigne, Ginola, Sansom, Gough, Beardsley, or players who left like Lineker and Keown.

True, Beardsley has been mentioned but was he as good as when he played for the RS? If so, why did they let him go? And Gough was brilliant for the short time we had him but if he'd signed when he was 21? What heights would he have risen to in our eyes?

* Just for the record, Neville is the best British keeper I've seen and the best despite Schmeichel's later dominance. But was he as athletic and commanding as he was in, say, 1985?

This is all in the name of debate.

A team including these players at their peak would have been awesome:

Rooney, Martyn, Beardsley, Sansom, Gough, Ginola, Gazza, Blomqvist, Hughes.

For me, the best season Everton had (in the Premier League era) was finishing top 4. That season's star man was Thomas Gravesen. We got 40-odd points with him, and half that without him. Therefore, he should be the first name in that side, not a reserve.

The other great season was Martinez's 72 point season. That team had our only had one great Premier League striker of note in Lukaku. Rooney was a fleeting player, here for two full seasons, one as a boy and one as a has-been. He doesn't make the cut, or even close to it. I loved Big Nev and Dave Watson, but we're talking Premier League not the '80s and by 1993 they were both old, even if they won the cup two years later. So they get pipped for players who played for longer in the era.

Lukaku
Pienaar Gravesen Cahill Kanchelskis
Carsley
Baines Distin Jagielka Coleman
Howard

I like Steve Fern's line up but would probably:
1. Shoehorn in Arteta over Carsley. Not really his role but a far superior player.
2. Martyn over Howard. Southall was past his best by the time the Premier League started.
3. Watson (captain) over Distin
4. Funny – I would keep Lukaku but in the all-time side but wouldn't have him in the current squad (he just doesn't fit). Agree that Rooney wasn't around long enough to merit selection.
5. Richarlison over Pienaar

It's a difficult one with Rooney. As he is easily one of the best players I have seen in an Everton shirt in the flesh. Circa 2002-03.

One home game vs Blackburn in the 2002-03 season was just breathtaking. I was pinching myself and this was a 17-year-old lad.

We certainly didn't see the best of him. And we didn't see that much of him, but what I did see warrants his inclusion in my opinion.

Materazzi and Dacourt were also vastly talented but they played less games than Rooney. Made less impact in big moments and ultimately did not prevents a very poor season.

I think back then I was younger and easier to please haha!

Let's not forget when we signed Craig Short in 1995, we had just won the FA Cup and Charity Shield (bigger back then than now) and it was only 8 years since we had last lifted the League in 87'.

I think we all had a bit more patience back then, 25 years on however we are all a lot more worn out watching Everton.

Depressingly, I'm not convinced...

As for whether or not he deserves a place in the all-time Premier League Everton XI, I think I'd be playing the 2004 Wayne Rooney over pretty much anyone else. He was an extraordinary talent.

Anyhow great summing up of your best Everton players, the only trouble Elliott is its very hard to disagree with your picks and reserves, you've nailed it in one.

Rooney has to be in, okay he wasn't here long but for sheer brilliance he's a standout.
Coleman shades it just over Hibbert.
Jagielka is the weakest pick I think, Stones will become a better player but he wasn't when he was here.
Pienaar just makes it because of his link with
Baines and Baines because of the length of time he's been quality. Digne is one hell of a player and he could overtake Baines if we can keep him at Everton. We must if we want to progress.

As I say, Elliott, I'm going have to be boring and agree with the team you have chosen.

And I put Howard above Martyn. I know he should have been moved on earlier, but he was the first choice for many seasons, whilst Nige had two.

Southall
Coleman
Baines
Keown
Stones

Gana
Arteta
Cahill

Beardsley
Lukuka
Rooney

Subs
Speed
Saha
Lescott
Watson
Martyn
Kanchelskis
Richarlison

Otherwise okay.

One of the players that most made me laugh with his skill and cheek.

Any place?

Southall
Coleman Stones Watson Baines
Pienaar Arteta Kanchelskis
Felliani
Rooney Lukaku

Bench / Subs / Have to be included: Yakubu, Cahill, Barry, Carsley, Gana, Howard

I include two defensive midfielders on the bench only out of respect for both, not a fantasy game situation. Barry and Carsley were great players. Have to be included. So I'm taking a bench / honorable mention of 6 players.

Felliani is the one that's more heart over head. Cahill is probably better. But I just loved the 'fro. And in that advanced position if you have to play long ball, the Fella had the best chest control I've ever seen. I love Cahill too. But such is my affinity for the Big Fella, he just has to make it in for me.

Remember how good Arteta was on a ball? My God what a player.

Manager - Martinez. Yup, I said that. Best points haul and best season of my 12 years. So despite fucking it all up because he couldn't understand the concept of defending, I'll name him manager and watch him take the above players, and reach the Champions League, knowing full well it'll all fall apart! But it'd be a magic season and ride.

Besides, Moyes was boring AF in an honest moment.

Favorite player in the Premier League era? Has to be Seamus Coleman. Never looked for a transfer / loyal, never bitched, always put in 100%, got him for almost zero money, determination after a horrific leg break, Irish (ya, that's a thing), by all counts a top human being. Legend. They should sing his name just after Andy Gray, before they get to Neville Southall.

I would just like an honourable mention for Manny Fernandes. He was only on loan (Thanks to Kenwright) but what a player.

Jamie and James, to me Cahill's extraordinary ability to score the clutch goal -- the soaring header in the 88th minute -- and his inspirational quality make him a lock for me. I was a huge Fellaini fan, but Cahill has to just shade him. (Remember when Moyes ran out of healthy forwards and played them up front together?)

No Dunan Mac

I remember him vividly in a game versus Aston Villa, Cahill had his man blocked then Cahill slid in from nowhere to help him out, he missed the ball but caught Tim who was then carried off, and was out of selection for the next six weeks. A few minutes after that tackle, he caught Alan Stubbs in the same sort of situation, luckily he never hurt him too much. Stubbs looked at Carsley as if to say "We're on the same fuckin' team!" Carsley, a hard man on and off the field, was a schoolyard footballer, just followed the ball, rarely knew how to use it when he got it.

Fellaini, there is a case for him as an auxiliary striker but never as a central midfielder, too slow and very easy put off his game by strong tacklers.

Mike, Hibbo is often a figure of fun. I've said this before, but defensively he was brilliant and so, as England often came up against a superior side in the World Cup and lost, why didn't they have him in the squad for those games when they were under the cosh and someone like Glen Johnson was being asked to play on his heels and defending, which for me, is a bit like asking Walcott to play right back.

Mike, I think many of us scratch our heads at terms like "clutch player" which I now fully understand after watching the British Open and being subjected to a load of Americanisms.

Dave, I really rated Carsley. I think Gravesen was the main man responsible for winning the points that got us to 4th, but a lot of it came down to not losing games or goals, and a lot of that was down to Carsley. I think he was a great player and easily the best Defensive Midfielder of the Premier League era in the royal blue.

And when Jela first game in and Moyes pushed Fella forward and we were practically scoring for fun.

And a great defensive Mid.

Besides, Elliot asked for the best Squad, so plenty of room for others. Let Moyes have full squad of talent, no, "making up the numbers". Would have been a damn fine Team.

Martyn

Coleman
Watson
Distin
Baines

Barry
Arteta
Kanchelskis
Limpar
Cahill

Lukaku

Southall - Lescott - Speed - Gana Gueye - Pienaar - Dunc - Rooney

I'll probably change my mind in ten minutes!

Manager - Joe Royal. Massive Evertonian. I am convinced that if he had stayed we would have won trophies. No apologies about knifes to gun fights with Joe.

Big Nev – Arguably the best in the world at his peak

Jags – For years he was the glue at the heart of the defence. Deceptive pace and bravery. For 10 years he covered the errors of the players around him and probably helped us earn the money from Lescott and Stones sales.

Watson – Waggy would run through walls for the blues

Unsworth – Loved the club and didn't want to leave which probably cost him more England caps. He is obviously on all of the pens.

Coleman – The best attitude I have seen any player have in the shirt. The best example to any young player, his resilience is 2nd to none. I was at his debut in the mini Derby at Widnes. He was barking orders and bollocking people all over the park.

Baines – His attitude and quality just beat Hinchcliffe out of the team. For a couple of seasons in his prime he was the best left back in the league.

Cahill – Another never say die character. Reputations counted for nothing with Tim. The drive and desire to score goals set him apart. Pound for pound the best header of the ball in the team.

Arteta – A joy to watch. He had magic in his boots and would glide past players. Had fantastic quality on the ball. His injury prevented him from playing on the wing though that didn't prevent Arsenal playing him as a holding midfielder for years winning trophies. We should have done the same only fans wanted to see the old Micky.

Beardsley – When he arrived his passing and movement were 2 steps ahead of anyone on the pitch. I love watching players who do things naturally that others wouldn't even attempt. A creator supreme pity Mojo or Cottee never gelled the same with him as Andy Cole did.

Rooney – Just shy of 100 games for the Blues. One of the Worlds best players over the last 20 years it was just a shame the club was in a mess when he broke through. Truth be told his transfer fee saved us from going under.

Kanchelskis – A season of pure magic. He could do no wrong. Under the Kosh, pass it to Kanchelskis and score a goal pretty much summed up how deadly he was in that season.

Ferguson – Tough choice between the natural talent of Lukaku against the drive and desire from big Dunc. When fit Dunc wins. His big game mentality gives him the edge. Derby goals, Pulling the all-conquering United defence to pieces nearly every time he played against them. On his day he was unplayable. His devilment is exactly what Lukaku needs to step up a level.

Subs

Neville – One of the best captains during the prem era. He brought a level of order to us on and off the pitch. He gave 100% every time he stepped on the pitch for us with no airs or graces that he had taken a step down from utd to play.

Howard – 10 years as our number one in the prem era doesn't happen by accident. A great shot stopper he soon settled with the blues a consummate professional.

Osman – The most underrated player in the squad. Too Small, No Pace. Had a fantastic attitude and would never give up. Had a technique other players could only dream about. The year after Cahill left us Osman was my player of the season and controlled games for us in the centre of the park. A Guardiola type player.

Billy Kenny – The biggest waste of natural talent ever seen at Goodison Park. The lad could have been a legend at the club. We needed to have protected him from an early age but instead after football he was left with his empty headed mates who ruined him. Such a shame.

Gravesen was better, especially on his day, but Tommy was a nutcase and he could drive you to distraction, the day we played Shrewsbury in the Cup was one of them, surprised he was ever chosen again after that match, he just wasn't interested and it showed.

I'm picking based on impact the individual had on team which makes a players standout for me.

Royle - last winning coach, debate ended.

Southall - attitude, longevity sheer ability.

Neville (c) - best captain in the PL, whilst not the best players impacted our ‘soft touch' as a team.

Baines - only Hinchcliffe gets in the same zip code, would have won plenty at an elite side

Lescott - his goals and left foot edged him out over Jagielka.

Watson - influence and longevity, winning mentality.

Beardsley - I think many forget without this genius, who held the side together we would imo been relegated he was that important.

Kanchelskis - biggest signing we ever made in the PL era and delivered, he scared the shit out of opposition.

Gravesen - the key to our 4th place finish

Lukaku - sheer weight of goals made teams respect us, shame about the rest.

Cahill - attitude and impact against Liverpool and many many important goals.

Limpar - the creative hub of the ‘95 side added the elan to a midfield devoid of a forward pass!

Best mentions

Martyn - best since Nev.
Weir - very durable in a dour period for us.
Carsley - could Gravesen done his bit without him?
Campbell - simply saved us.

There you have it lads, pick the bones out of that!!! Great

Great, well-thought out post and I think your 12 man team has the rest of ours beat!

I'd contest Ferguson and Arteta until I'm blue in the face! Duncan splits the fanbase on his impact to the club. He scored some important goals but his natural inclination to take the day off unless riled by something drove me crazy, a very undisciplined player who often let his team mates down. Hard pass!

Arteta well he could have been the best player we ever had in this era but the injury ruined him. From a player who could beat someone over 5-10 yards, the injury reduced him to a massively less dynamic player just prompting and ensuring continuity. Not his fault but others made more impact for me.

Your wrong.

With Gana gone, though, happy to provide you with another opportunity to say, "he lacked positional discipline" with another defensive Mid. And one signed, managed, and coached over many years by Moyes. Pretty funny.

Here's a reason I've said several times that the Barry/Lukaku signings were what made our Team Roberto's first season. Now, Lukaku was going to get goals. It's what he did and does, and will keep doing at Inter.

But Barry was the key. Because without signing him, we would have had Fellaini out, only James McCarthy in. THAT Team doesn't get to 72 points.

Anyways, as I mentioned to Mike, Elliot asked for a best Everton squad. Fella's in my squad and he plays.

Odd not to see Lescott anywhere unless I'm missing it... he was brilliant with Jags and they were best when with each other. Distin wasn't close to him in my opinion as he was far more one dimensional. Lescott was brilliant at reading play and intercepting high up the pitch. Awesome player.

Unsworth was fortunate to get one England cap. Cannot question his commitment and professionalism.

But he was an incredibly limited football player. He did have a powerful left foot on him though and his penalty record was exemplary.

When I say limited, I mean for seasons on end limited to receiving it in the left back position and pinging it diagonally to nobody to the far right hand side.

But Unsworth was never capable of becoming a serious consideration for England squads.

As for Barry and McCarthy they were a great combination in the double pivot position.

I have to disagree with you Steve. Fellaini settles really well into a defensive midfield spot in his second season with us.

He was outstanding. A performance versus Man City at home when he pirouetted around Craig Bellamy typified this.

A combination of Cahill losing his goal scoring touch in 2011/2012 and a complete lack of investment in the squad saw Moyes adjust his tactics completely and play to the strengths of Fellaini in a more advanced role. It worked well and when someone like him is capable of getting double figures, and probably he only player in the squad who can then he's not likely to be moved back into defensive midfield and he wasn't.

He was taken to Manure I believe to fulfill the defensive midfield role. But in a side not absorbing pressure like us but instead taking the initiative with him as the only foil, he was found wanting as he didn't have the manoeuvrability to do so. Don't get me wrong, he covered unbelievable amounts of ground for us and them but he simply couldn't transition quickly enough.

Martyn- Nev past his best, but superb in '95 final

Coleman - class act
Jagielka - blue blood
Watson - stalwart
Baines - great attacking threat
Parkinson - injury robbed him of England cap
Arteta - Magical touch
Cahill - Desire, drive, goals
Kanchelskis - a winner Moyes biggest signing
Ferguson - on his day unplayable
Limpar- little genius
Big Nev, Lescott, Speed, Rooney, Saha.

Fellaini, whilst he could play in DM, his best position was behind Cahill. Way down any list of PL players for this XI.

I'm off for a lie down I've agreed with ‘Ferns twice in one day. 🤔

Kanchelskis joined in 1995, Royle as manager. He chose us ahead of Middlesbrough who'd also had a bid accepted.

Ferguson joined on loan in 1994, under the stewardship of Mike Walker. Ferguson remained on loan and then was signed permanently by Royle once big Joe became manager.

He left us for Newcastle Utd in 1998, returning in 2000 under Walter Smith.

Steve/Tommy/James, regarding Fellaini, I think we're talking terminology here. He was not a "defensive" midfielder in the Gana mold -- he could not mark or intercept passes in that position because he was too ponderous -- but like Gana he was probably the best ballwinning tackler among world midfielders in his time. You simply couldn't keep the ball from him. And that's a defensive skill. So phrase it as you wish, but he was brilliant at it. He was also somewhat underrated in attack -- for all his awkwardness he rang up 33 goals in 177 games for us, or a goal every 450 minutes, and added 26 assists (mostly on layoffs). That's not bad.

Thank you for being honest and also accurate. Lescott was fantastic at Everton. He easily makes our all time Premier League XI

Also, when Lescott left and the City boss said they were signing the best centre back in the country, Howard Kendall summed it up perfectly saying “Best centre back in the country? He isn't even the best Centre back at Everton” that accolade went to Jagielka.

Would definitely have Ferguson ahead of Lukaku, I can't imagine what Ferguson would have been like in a decent team.

Southall
Coleman, Watson, Jagielka, Baines
Kanchelskis, Parkinson, Arteta, Pienaar
Cahill
Ferguson
Joe Royle.

Subs
Martyn, Unsworth, Limpar, Barry Horne, Rooney, Campbell, Fellaini

He is among a group of players who have played the game that were capable of great things "on their day" but more often than not were just plain average.

Did he give us some memorable moments? absolutely
Was he talented? absolutely

Would I bet my house on him giving 100% most of the time he went out on the pitch? Not on your life.

Tommy #72, Lescott was an excellent player and I was a big fan, but Jags is a cut above.

Tony #73, Rooney scored nine goals that season, four of them in a 4-game stretch in late winter (including one gamewinner). He scored only once after March 20. So just from the record it does not appear he was among the most crucial figures in our survival.

Still, we've had very few players who could genuinely frighten top opposition. Rio Ferdinand once named him as his most difficult opponent and Alan Shearer pretty much told Newcastle to buy him so he could play alongside him.

I have to disagree. Lescott had 3 excellent seasons with Everton and when he was finally played in the Centre Back role he was tremendous.

Jags was an outstanding player for us. In time he has shown to have played at a higher level for much longer than Lescott. But for those 3 seasons that a Lescott was with us, I've not seen a more consistent and brilliant defender at the club. And I include Leighton Baines in that.

Secondly, the biggest impact Wayne Rooney had was his transfer fee when he went to Utd. And Lukaku was so disrespectful to the club and its fans, over a sustained period. How he could be in anyone's greatest team defeats me. Unless you're just a mercenary. His inclusion in such a squad would sully the reputation of so many other fantastic, loyal players over the years. Like my heroes on the team poster, that's been on my wall ever since 1985. Please don't.

I wouldn't argue with the rest of the selection. There's always an element of subjectivity in it.

We nearly sold Baines in the summer of 2008. It was ludicrous. I am a big Moyes fan but he did often stumble his way to the correct decisions. It simply took too long for Baines to become a starting player and then for Jags and Lescott to become the starting centre back pairing. We never looked back after that.

The delay in signing Arteta was also mystifying as Moyes was pursuing Scott Parker. I also think that Moyes waited a year too long to go with Seamus at Right Back.

Thanks. I think it's the best way to interpret the question. Otherwise Gazza and Ginola are being picked at one end of the spectrum and at the other you have Hibbert and Barry Horne.

I like your overview of what Lescott offered. I honestly never saw him have a bad game for us, I saw him have many excellent ones.

He had all the ingredients, was strong in the air, deceptively quick and really powerful. He read the game well and was rarely beaten in any one on one situation. He could play too

Tommy you are spot on in saying he was chasing Scott Parker, in fact Parker was a guest of Everton when they played Arsenal in the last game of the season, Everton lost very heavily 6-0 or maybe 7-0 and Parker had seen enough to give Everton a wide berth.

It was interesting that Moyes felt it was one or the other. Both very good players but very different players.

What about the evil little red gnome Nick Barmby?

If, for anything else, the token boo boy that no team will ever be without!

Tommy, I saw Seamus play for Sligo Rovers and I championed on this site to the extent that people said I was related to him. In my view, he could have been in the side long before he was. This is not to criticize David Moyes. The hand he was dealt afforded him little leeway to give youth a chance but... he was conservative, no doubt.

Incidentally, and, yes I know I've done it to death, but I watched Shane Duffy before he came to Everton and he looked really, really special. He has made a decent career for himself but I believe that the life-threatening injury he suffered at a key stage of his development robbed us of a future great captain.

Lescott was indeed a fantastic player for us. I do feel that his final appearance for us severely dented his reputation. Moyes should never have played him.
From memory, didn't we get smashed at home to Arsenal and Lescott barely broke sweat.

The Tony Adams goal was on the second last weekend of the 98 season when Arsenal won 4-0 to wrap up the league. The 7-0 game was (I think) after we had wrapped up 4th in the 04-05 season and our players were on the beach.

I'm one of Seamie's biggest fans too but, in hindsight, I think Moyes managed him well. In fact, the loan spell at Blackpool did him the world of good. Probably the best player to come out of the League of Ireland since Paul McGrath, in my view.

I personally don't think Duffy ever had the potential that you think he had. Lower to mid-table Premier League was and probably is his peak, he's simply not mobile enough but is very good at the things he does well and a huge presence at set-pieces in both boxes.

I think we'd already secured 4th by then, so in many ways it was a dead rubber.

Andrew, we played like we'd been on the lash the night before, rumours abound that this was indeed the truth.

Took the family out to an Irish Pub for the opening day. Some rich, arrogant Chelsea fan wouldn't shut the hell up, talking shit to me while we got absolutely battered, and Lescott played for his move to City.

"You're a smart American. Why don't you follow a Club worth following?"

Should have punched him in the face. Problem is, assault and battery have a way of sticking with you like luggage.

I was genuinely excited for that year, and the thrashing we took on opening day deflated my soul.

For that reason, Joleon Lescott will never, ever get anywhere near my Everton top XI.

And regarding Duffy, again no where near the Everton Top XI, but I loved the kid. I could never understand why he wasn't given more of a chance? Thought he was a very talented player. If not talented, he could have minimally been serviceable and valuable in his own way? Would anyone swap Duffy and Alcaraz? One went, one came in. Just sayin'. And we actually could use Shane now as cover possibly! Never thought we should have shipped him out.

Didn't play many times and unfortunately injury cut his career short but simply for the memories I'd have Amokachi at least on the subs bench. I'll never forget those two goals against Spurs and the sheer joy of getting to the final back in ‘95. Fact he subbed himself on that game adds to the legend.

Tough call but Limpar would be in my first XI instead of Pienaar and I'd have Lescott ahead of Jagielka. Most importantly though I'd have Kevin Campbell well ahead of either Rooney or Lukaku as without him we'd have got relegated and may still be in the Championship to this day.

Also special mention for Gary Speed.

Fellaini was, and remains, a midfielder and his defensive presence and pressure was outstanding. Opponents with the ball couldn't get rid of it fast enough when they saw Fellaini bearing down on them. If they didn't he took it from them. He did this routinely.

And Moyes didn't play him mostly forward until we were desperate for more attacking options, then continued with him pushed forward with Jelavic.

He's not in your or other Evertonians' side, fair enough. We're all just playing Football Manager.

He's in my side for sure.

Fellaini? Jeez! The guy is a tall, angular Neanderthal with a propensity to get sent off, score a few for any team bereft of any other goal threat (he didn't score much at Man Utd though, did he?) and coast on the backs of true triers in any of his teams.

Frankly, in terms of attitude, I'd place Pembo above him because I have no time at all for pseuds, regardless of their physique or occasional "wow" displays, if for the rest of their time they fail to make the effort selection and us paying customers rightly demand. On these issues Fellaini failed.

Atop of that odious Everton podium in Premier League terms is "the legend" that never was, Ferguson, then Bilic, and then Nyarko (the only one of them all to be quite possibly mentally ill rather than a charlatan).

Frankly, you'd need dozens of podiums to accommodate the plethora of shite we've signed under the "guidance" of our self-proclaimed transfer "guru" whenever he could prise himself away from the West End or the darker recesses of the mysteriously "green" British Virgin Islands.

Who'd you like? Genuinely curious to see the other side of your coin.

A couple of points:

Everton were never really in much danger of relegation that year, despite finishing 17th. We actually spent most the campaign lurking in lower mid-table. We had a disastrous end to the season, winning one of the last ten, but still finished six points clear of the drop.

So it's not like Rooney failed to perform in a high-stakes relegation fight. Also worth noting that he picked up the first of the sprained ankle issues that would plague him his entire career that March.

Rooney absolutely did perform throughout the majority of the season however. He scored hugely important goals throughout. He didn't really do consolation goals or late strikes to put the gloss on big wins. His goals won us an additional 12 points that year - a vastly more significant direct impact than any other player in the squad.

And so you could argue that the reason we were never really ever in any great relegation danger that year was largely down to a barely 18-year-old Rooney.

Personally I think it would be crazy not to have him in an Everton All Time Premier League XI. It's easy to forget just how good he was back then. I've never seen anything like it - not just in England, but anywhere. For two years, we had arguably the most exciting player in world football playing at Goodison.

Big Dunc had everything except for the injuries, suspensions & occasionally the half-arsed attitude. Nigel Martyn is head & shoulders our best keeper in the Premier League era. Big Nev's (my favourite EFC player of all time) best days were pre-Premier League. Tim Howard.... meh, extremely average, always had a clanger in him.

Lescott simply has to be picked. Sheer class. That 6-1 defeat to Arsenal was down to Moyes. He should never have picked Lescott. That one game shouldn't detract from the fantastic player he was for us.

I'd probably say "most exciting young talent in world football" - but I agree with your sentiment; having him at our club and out on the pitch made me more excited for the future of Everton FC than I've ever been. We all know how that turned out...

For me, if we had every player who ever played for us in the Premier League - at the peak of their powers from when they were with us, all crammed into Finch Farm waiting for the team-sheet to go up* - then the Wayne Rooney of the 2003-04 season is at the very least worth on the bench. I'd probably start him though.

* I do know that's not how teams are announced. It's poetic licence.

I mean no disrespect at all to the author of this piece but who beyond ourselves gives a fuck as to who our "greatest" Premier League team was? The best of them (assuming we've even had two such teams) were patently inadequate in achieving success. In "world" terms, we're massively below Leicester City and have been for the decades that Kenwright has infected the boardroom in pursuit of personal wealth only.

In short, we've never had a squad to make any top team blink twice before playing us.

I regret to say this... hence my enduring anger towards charlatan Kenwright.

Martyn
Coleman
Lescott
Gough
Baines
Barry
Dacourt
Arteta
Kanchelskis
Rooney
Saha

I was always quite a critic of Moyes. I hated his glass ceiling mentality, but seeing the players he brought in listed down like this makes me realise he'd have made the greatest ever contestant on Bargain Hunt.

Man united broke Moyes. Before he made the foolish mistake of trying to follow Sirralex, he was a decent manager. You only have to look at what has happened to us since to realise that.
I look at some of these players he persuaded to come and I cant help thinking; With a little more devilment. He could have been a proper, proper manager.

GK Southall

RB Coleman CB Gough CB Materazzi LB Baines

RM Kanchelskis CM Gascoigne CM Arteta LM Ginola

Attack Eto'o and Mark Hughes

Subs: Nigel Martyn, Slaven Bilic, Gareth Barry, Anders Limpar, Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha

This team could go toe to toe with almost any team in history, I honestly think.

Pickford
Coleman
Keane
Mina
Digne
Gbamin
Delph
Gomes
Richarlison
Bernard
Kean

Premier League champions 2019-20

As I said – hopeless optimism...

Thank you, COYB.

Heitinga had one good season then spent the rest of his time talking about who else he was going to sign for.

Eto'o was past his best and I can only remember one goal against Burnley away.