Best Everton Centre Back pairing and best individual Centre Back

[Street end man]

I agree with your opinion of Tarkowski but glad he's not been picked for the squad and although Branthwaite is there and the experience will improve him even more,I hope he doesn't get a minute on the pitch.

Very true mate in reality. Keep 'em safe for August

 

[Bluebonic]

Labby and Hurst as a pairing without a doubt, but I would lean towards Ratcliffe (just) as the best individually, with his pace he could have excelled in any decade. But Labby was the best leader by a million miles.

 

[blindbert]

Thought for a while now that Stones and Branthwaite could make a very decent pairing for England in the years to come. Hopefully not both as ex Everton players. As for the question, Hurst and Labone.

 

[Exeter_Gently]

Gough and Weir deserve a honourable mention.

Gough was absolutely sensational.

 

[Joey66]

Hurst Labone, definitely.

Labby Labone Captained himself by example, only booked twice in 12 years with the Blues - Bally used to rage I'm getting kicked to bits up there Labby just smiled & pointed him over to our no 11 go & ask him he can dish it out we play football

 

[Dixieslaces]

An honourable mention to Dave Watson and his many partners.

 

[Yarrgh]

….i’m old and have pretty much seen them all since 1960 and I declared some time ago that John Stones was the best individual I’d seen but I’d actually put Branthwaite ahead at this stage. I think Branthwaite edges it on attitude and application.

As for partnerships, Ratcliffe/Mountfield, Ratcliffe/Watson were terrific but I’d probably go with Labone/Hurst as much for the quality of striker they were consistently up against in their era. Like Mountfield, Hurst contributed vital goals in a title winning side and had the pedigree of being striker in the ‘65 FA Youth Cup winning team.

I agree with all that. Stones and Branthwaite if we could have kept them both would've been something to savour... alas not to be.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Of the PL Era I always thought Lescott and Jagielka were great on their day

 

[PSB1]

Labby and Hurst.

 

[Azza]

Distin and Alcaraz

 

[Yorkiebars89]

We've had loads over the years. Jags and Distan was good.

I was just about to say that they were class and distan was hard as nails with pace. Especially when you think weir and stubbs were slow as but also solid enough jags and distan edge both for me based on the compliment of pace from distan but also being hard as nails. That being said tarks and young jarred are similar

 

[Kevsleftpeg]

Labby Labone Captained himself by example, only booked twice in 12 years with the Blues - Bally used to rage I'm getting kicked to bits up there Labby just smiled & pointed him over to our no 11 go & ask him he can dish it out we play football

Who was 11? Morrissey?

 

[Kevsleftpeg]

Of the PL Era I always thought Lescott and Jagielka were great on their day

Both were phenomenal athletes but lacked a bit of class on the ball for me. Having said that Jags pre injury was an absolute beast defensively. Never saw any player get the better of him physically. Post injury I think he lost a yard.

 

[PSB1]

Who was 11? Morrissey?

Yes.

 

[monkeyandy]

It’s amazing to think that some of the best partnerships we’ve had cost so little
Mountfield and Ratcliffe - £35k the pair
Jags and lescott - £12.5 million the two
Tarks and Branthwaite - £1 million for both
With honourable mentions for Weir £300k, Gough £free??, Stones £3.5 million, Stubbs £free

Makes you cry to think Keane cost £25 million!