Week 2: Who is the greatest right-back to ever play for Southampton? Right, first off, if this has been done before and people get annoyed about it, I am really sorry. This may not work, but I came up with this idea from another forum and thought about giving it a go here. There has been many, many threads about the best Saints XI and everyone has posted their 11 players that they think deserve to be in that special team - it get's a bit boring after a while. However, how about if we ask everybody who they think the best player is for each of the 11 positions and then create a diplomatic team that everybody has decided on. I'll post a different position each week and so far we've had goalkeeper - this week it's right-back
no need to apologise for starting threads....too may @nal people on here lately! Tommy Forecast. / Shilton. (Closely followed by Niemi).
In your third paragraph you say 'how about if we ask everybody who their favourite player is for each 11 positions'. Then at the end you say 'who is the best goalkeeper to ever play for Southampton Football Club'. So which do you want?
Peter Shilton, closely followed by Niemi, though anyone saying Niemi first is under 25 and didn't see Shilts play. 125 caps for England and only playing every other game in the 70's with Clemence getting 63 caps..... me thinks you should have started with right back position. If you had said "favourite" people may have had a choice. Right Back?
OK in that case I have to agree with fatletiss. There can only be one choice - Shilton. Absolutely phenomenal keeper. We have been blessed with many very good keepers though. I would rate Flowers and Niemi very highly. Perhaps we should have a nightmare Saints XI and pick the worst in each position too.
I would pick Niemi. It was great getting to finally meet him at that legends match, in my top 3 favourite Southampton players with Le Tissier and James Beattie (in no particular order).
I wasn't around when Shilton was playing for us, so for me it has to be Niemi. Absolute legend he was, and I doubt we'll come across another GK like him for some time at St.Marys. He also ripped Pompey for something like half a million when he never actually played a single game for them
We're only 9 posts in and it's already proving to be split by generation, which is always the problem with these things. If we are genuinely looking for the BEST in a position, fans must look back and really not think about who they enjoyed watching. For example, when we get to forwards, how many youngsters will put Kevin Keegan? A bit like Shilts, he has to be in as he came to us immediately having been named European Player of The Year for 2 years running. I bet he doesn't get the most votes though. It's all about opinions though.
Same as you,the only real classy keeper i can think of in my time following the saints is Niemi,liked him when he was interviewed as well,always seemed down to earth.
As I said in the thread post: Right, first off, if this has been done before and people get annoyed about it, I am really sorry
I consider Keegan and Channon to be two of our best forwards ever actually, you can't deny that no matter what your age. My Dad and Uncles brought me up a Saints fan and always made sure I was aware of our history and the players who were considered legends because they're an important part of Southampton Football Club. I've seen so many videos of Channon and Keegan that I know each of their goals almost off by heart. I've always admired Shilton and I understand why people say he's our best goalkeeper ever but for me, Niemi was a legend - being a forward myself I didn't neccesserily take an interest in Shilton like I did Channon/Keegan/Le Tiss, whereas Niemi became an idol for me even though he wasn't an outfield player.
Didn't ever get the chance to see Shilton play but after reading through 'In That Number' and various autobiographies of anyone to play with him or against him, I'd have to have him as our top goalkeeper. Niemi definitely comes a close second though, still remember 'that' triple save against Arsenal.
Week 2 of the Ultimate Southampton XI and it's Right-back. Who's the best to ever play for Southampton?
