Which is the better team?

---------Given
Griffin Dabizas Bramble Bernard
Solano Dyer Speed Robert
-----Bellamy Shearer

----------Krul
Simpson Coloccini Taylor Santon
Ben Arfa Cabaye Tiote Jonas
-----Cisse Ba


The team above was the team we were using in the champions league back in 2002/3

10 years on what do you think?

Defensively we have improved massively but anything is an improvement once you rid of bramble

I still feel our attack was more devastating back then, on the break we were unstoppable

 

If you moved Santon to RB and got that era Bernard into todays team then we would have an outstanding first 11. But then I suppose if you could get Bramble and Dyer to concentrate and stay fit respectively for 95 minutes in a row then we would have had an outstanding team then.

 

Potentially the 2nd team is better, but plenty of the players in our new team are still developing.

 

with a fit woodgate the 1st team would dis-mantle the team of today!

Edit: i just remembered woodgate was signed the season after (i think?!?)

 

Exactly what I was about to post! With Woodgate yelling at him Bramble was top, only vaguely weak link there is Griff, but he's still far better than Simpson.

 

I think the all round balance of ten years ago makes it a better team. We from the midfield up we had everything. Speedo was a tank, dyer when fit was devastating at times, Robert added the flair plus a tremendous passing range (and shot!!) nobby could cross as well as anyone then the little man big man combo up front. Defensively we were suspect back then but I can't remember a time when we weren't. The boys today have the potential to be even better IMO, but They're not there yet. great bit of nostalgia to fire us up before the game though HTL

 

The first one is the better team IMO, but it's subjective really.

 

---------Given
Simpson Taylor Coloccini Bernard
Solano Ben Arfa Tiote Jonas
-----Shearer Ba

I know Krul is good, but Given was proven over many years, and his head never went down after we concede - plus he rarely had good CB's to play behind.

Griffin / Simpson - debatable, but I do rate Simpsons clearances off the line.

Bernard was a great left-back, often without support from the winger in front of him. With Jonas helping him out, would have been solid.

Solano is my favourite ever player for the Toon. Tiote pips Speed, but only just.

Shearer for obvious reasons. Cisse is looking good but havent seen enough of him to choose in front of Ba.

 

where is Andreas Anderson

 

1st team would win for me, Never mind the back four, no one could beat given in his prime

 

Krul's far better than Given, IMO. The fact he actually comes for crosses already means he's better. I've always said that it's no coincidence that any defender, when put in front of Given look worse. Villa have conceded most from corners and free-kicks this season. Why? Collins and Dunne have to deal with the strikers and the ball. If you have a keeper that deals with the ball, it's a lot easier. I love Given but he's vastly overrated

 

I Agree

 

Right now the first team but this time next season I expect that to change

 

I'm not sure about this one, however one things that's true that the older side didn't stay together for long and neither will todays side.

 

Aaarghhh! All this negativity Tiote!

 

Woodgate in my eyes had the potential to be one of the best ever centre backs England has had and when we signed him I thought it was as good a signing as Shearer but for different reasons. such I shame he had his injuries problems

 

he was a flop that was around in late 90s think 1999

another flop was daniel cordone and carl cort

 

I'm fully aware of that man

By the way just so you know I'm usually right about everthing and watch out for Corton!!!!!

 

missed the sarci looool