Best Everton team of the last 25 years

[Stevie Nicks Bootleg]

Can only judge a player on the time he was playing mate, for their times Wilson was better.

Maybe, but his role had the emphasis was far more on defending and man marking, with only occasional overlapping, so far less demanding in being up and down the pitch. Baines was expected to be a creator of goals, and key attacking moves. Watch Wilson even compared with the likes of Ruud Krol and Paul Brietner less than a decade later, who have far more skill, and you can see already that extra demand on the full back role in football at the very highest level, was taking shape.

Pep Guardiola would likely prefer Baines, Sean Dyche would probably go for Wilson, which probably tells you all you need to know about the evolution of the full back role.

 

[StreetEndBlue]

So anyone who played for us from 1997 onwards.

GK Martyn
RB Coleman
LB Baines
CB Lescott
CB Jagilelka
CM Fellaini
CM Arteta
RW Kanchelskis
LW Pienaar
CF Lukaku
CF Rooney

Martyn over Big Nev may surprise a few but Southall was 39 by 97 and whilst still a fine keeper was comfortably past his best by then, Martyn is the best keeper we've had in my time after Nev. Fellaini played most of his football with us playing just behind the main striker but was signed as a defensive midfielder and did have some top games playing in that position so he gets my nod in the holding role. Kanchelskis was sold early in 97 but no way could I leave him out, Rooney was nowhere near his prime during his first spell with us and was past his best when he returned but he was still better than most forwards we've had in that time. Toss up between Gary Speed or Steven Pienaar for the left wing slot but I've gone with Pienaar because of his excellent link-up with Baines.

Shame I couldn't find a place for the likes of Richarlison, Tim Cahill and Gary Speed but feel I had slightly better options.

 

[DayL08]

James would have to get in it for me. Unbelievable talent despite how fleeting