Fatletis' thread about your first Saints match got me reminiscing about the great players I've seen over the years at The Dell and St Mary's. The one that stands out for me (maybe because I was young) was George Best in his Fulham days. I know probably his best days were maybe behind him but I can remember Fulham coming to the Dell and I just stood and watched him for virtually the whole game. So much so that I can't remember much else about the game. Many years later, seeing Berbatov reminded me of him. Who are the best players you've seen come to Saints?
When I saw Best at the Dell he managed to get himself and Rodney Marsh sent off! Think we've seen some great ones over the years but for me its goal scorers and the two that stand out are Rush and Fowler.
George Best is the obvious one but I'm going to add Patrick Vieira who was unstoppable with Arsenal in one of their visits.
When West Ham came to the Dell in Feb 1967 I was agog to see their World Cup stars playing live. As it happened, I think Martin Peters was injured so only Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst were in the team. Oh, and Saints won 6-2. Apart from that, it has to be George Best getting a hat-trick for Man Utd. Magnificent player.
Crikey, I'll have to think. I missed George Best. I can just about recall from this season and I'd have to say 90 minutes = Fellaini; he was incredible that night v Everton and for 20 minutes, Paul Scholes; he just sauntered on to the pitch got hold of the ball and said "right, I'm in charge."
The best performance I saw from an opposing player was by Ralph Coates of Burnley back in the sixties.He completely dominated the game and was head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch and there were some good players on both sides. To me this was an example of a player who never really fulfilled his potential. Tottenham signed him and shoved him out on the left wing where he bacame a bit of a periphery figure. This was a man who should have been given complete freedom to roam and to run the game the way he thought fit - he really was that good.
at the dell giggs was always on fire against us best player to play against us this season i think was tom huddlestone (seriously)
Ronnie Eklund for me. He was head and shoulders above anyone else I've seen. His vision, touch, movement and passing were amazing and his link up with Le Tiss looked unplayable at times. Such a shame he got injured, it's not every day we get to sign someone from Barcelona!
Been watching Saints since the 60's and the best player for me has to be George Best, think it was his 2nd or 3rd game for United and he tore us apart every time he collected the ball. We had more than our share of 'cloggers' in those days [Hollywood, Gabriel, O'neil etc. etc.] and none of our defenders could get anywhere near him. Never seen such domination by a single player in any game since.
I was scrolling down to write GEORGE BEST in capitals, and saw this. Absolutely the best player I have ever seen, and he played in some awful United teams (the decline after 1968 was startling). He is the only player I have ever seen who could play other teams on his own. Saw Moore a few times and he was mighty impressive as a defender, and more recently so too was Hansen. But as someone said it's attackers you notice. Keegan and Toshack were awesome as a pair; Henry has an honourable mention as he seemed to glide; ditto Giggs; Fowler and Rush were terrifying. This season Lukaku was very impressive at SMS and clearly worried our defenders. Sadly, despite the good times we've enjoyed in the last 3 seasons, there is no one player from the Championship or Division One who stands out. Anyone got a name?
