I know there have been many such threads in the past, but a quick forum search didn't yield any of them. I think this subject is worth reviewing following one of the greatest seasons in Watford's history. Do any of the current crop force their way into your all time XI? I have to caveat that I only started attending Watford games in the mid 1990s. For me.... Subs: Foster, Galli, Bazeley, Eustace, Johnson, Ighalo, Vydra
Didn't GT use Mooney as a left back at some point? Or somewhere else in defence - might have been early 97-98? We were definitely in Division 3 / League 1 or whatever it was then.
I would say the team displayed in the photo caption in Corky's profile (above) is a pretty good shout for best team that played together, and 4-5 of them would walk into any all time top 11. So I'd start with that.
Not sure what you mean by the whoosh smiley but the OP stated he didn't attend games until the mid-1990s, agree with you though that it's surprising Young isn't even on the bench.
Over my head was the feeling I was trying to get through with that smiley. My first game was in 1999 but I've heard some stories. It's a strange team either way. Very odd.
He played in central defence for a season and did alright but not as well as when Gayle switched position
I agree, that side that played against Arsenal in the 87 FA Cup QF was a very good team. As well as Bardsley played that day, no Watford all time great side should omit Nigel Callaghan. I might drop Bardsley into the RB position instead of Gibbs as well, but that's a tough call. I know he'll never be classed as a Watford legend, but Mark Falco was on fire for us that season, even more so as he was signed in October, so didn't even have a full season.
Yes. If talking best ever then we you have to look at those who proved it in the top flight of their era (so, no King of 05/06, for example). So Coton, McClelland, Bardsley, Falco, Richardson and Barnes would all have to be contenders for an all-time XI. Such a shame that side never had a chance to compete in the semi. It was a great Spurs team that we met, but fate effectively settled the outcome before the game started. Its a toss-up of whether that, or the League cup QF of 85 is the great missed opportunity of the 80s.
Coton Gibbs Rostron McLelland Cathcart Johnson (my controversial entry, but at his peak he was capable of thunder) Capoue Barnes Callaghan Blissett Deeney Leaving out Phillips, Furlong, Mo Jo, Mooney, Heidar etc is really tough, and most of all no SteviePalmer!
