Saturday Spotlight: The best and worst of the decade

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SUNDERLAND’S TEAM OF THE DECADE . . .

Goalkeeper

THOMAS SORENSEN

The club’s most reliable keeper since Jimmy Montgomery became a legendary figure following his penalty save that denied Alan Shearer at St James’ in 2001.

Right-back

CHRIS MAKIN

Even mercurial talents like Ryan Giggs or Robert Pires feared for their lives when Makin’s blood was up.

Centre-back

JONNY EVANS

Spent only couple of loan spells on Wearside but the showed greater authority and composure than players ten years his senior.

Centre-back

DANNY COLLINS

You’d be hard-pressed to name a player who gave the club better value for money.

Proved his character by convincing Roy Keane that he was worth keeping.

Left-back JULIO ARCA Almost 20 years after Sunderland had their fingers burned with the signing of Argentine Claudio Marangoni they struck gold with a player equally at home as a marauding full-back or left midfielder.

Right-midfield

DEAN WHITEHEAD

Tireless displays rarely caught the eye but they persuaded successive managers that the workhorse was worthy of wearing the captain’s armband.

Centre-midfield

GAVIN McCANN

It is hoped that Cattermole and Cana will offer the quality presence in the centre of the park they have lacked since McCann.

He was the archetypal modern grafter.

Centre-midfield

CLAUDIO REYNA

If he hadn’t sustained ankle damage in Oct 2002, Sunderland would probably have survived the drop. Injuries prevented him from fully showcasing his talent but on his day he could run a midfield.

Left-midfield

ANDY REID

The most naturally talented Sunderland player this decade. His penchant for a late night sing-song may have scuppered his international career but his skills as an entertainer on the field have made him the Cats’ most exciting creative talent.

Forward

KEVIN PHILLIPS

Continues to be the benchmark against which all Sunderland strikers are measured. The club should have bent over backwards to prevent Super Kev from leaving.

Forward

NIALL QUINN

His days were drawing to a close when the decade started but his influence off the pitch makes him arguably the most important figure in the club’s history.

When he steps down as chairman he’ll be as irreplaceable as he was to Peter Reid’s team.

. . . AND THE WORST

GK . . Kevin Davis . . . . .Couldn’t handle the pressure of top-flight football

RB . .Greg Halford . . . . .Built like a brick outhouse but soft as clarts

CB . .Darren Williams . . . . .Always applauded the fans but they rarely reciprocated

CB . .Phil Babb . . . . .Spread panic through the ranks like a fire alarm

LB . . .Ian Harte . . . .His namesake, the Liverpool-born actor, would have done better

RM . .David Bellion . . . . His £2m sale to Man Utd was one of the deals of the decade

CM . .Jeff Whitley . . . . Imagine Steve Gerrard without the tackling, passing or shooting ability

CM . .Arnau Riera . . . . One appearance, one red card, one big mistake

LM . .Andy Welsh . . . . Billed as a poor man’s Ryan Giggs – a very poor man’s

F . . . .Tore-Andre Flo . . . . The most expensive flop of the Peter Reid era

F . . . .Rade Prica . . . . There can’t have been a worse striker in Premier League history

MIDDLESBROUGH’S TEAM OF THE DECADE . . .

Goalkeeper

MARK SCHWARZER

He had his ups and downs, but the Australian’s value has only really been discovered since his departure to Fulham. Occasional errors were outnumbered by a huge number of fantastic saves. Right-back

LUKE YOUNG

May only have spent one season on Teesside but his performances earned him the respect of the Premier League. He was bought for £3.5m and departed for £6m 13 months later, not bad business. Centre-back

GARETH SOUTHGATE

He might have struggled to make the grade as a manager but the former England defender is arguably the most polished and consistent defender in the club’s history. Also became Boro’s first captain to lift major silverware in 2004. Centre-back

UGO EHIOGU

Struggled with injuries but his partnership with Southgate was regarded as one of the tightest in the Premier League at the time. Boro have never since found the same levels of defensive consistency. Left-back

FRANCK QUEUDRUE

The fans loved him, Steve McClaren raved about him, but Southgate opted to sell him. The Frenchman was a revelation when he arrived on loan from Lens and spent four years in the North-East before leaving in July 2006. Right-midfield

GAIZKA MENDIETA

In his first season after arriving on an initial loan from Lazio he was fantastic. Was also sporadically brilliant in his second. Centre-midfield

GEORGE BOATENG

One of McClaren’s best signings and value for money having been lured from Aston Villa from £4.5m in 2002. Didn’t want to leave, but Southgate decided his wages would be better suited elsewhere. Centre-midfield

PAUL INCE

Spent the first two years of the ‘Noughties’ at Boro in the twilight of his career, yet deserves his place ahead of the likes of Juninho. Left-midfield

STEWART DOWNING

The only local talent in this XI. Has competition from Bolo Zenden, but Downing was consistent over time. Forward

MARK VIDUKA

There is an argument for Hasselbaink, but the Australian’s goals to game ratio was terrific. Had he stayed fit longer then Middlesbrough could have performed even better during his time at the club. Forward

AYEGBENI YAKUBU

Hit 35 goals in his two years having moved from Portsmouth for £7.5m in 2005. His sell on fee of £11.25m indicates how well he did for Boro.

. . . AND THE WORST

GK . .Brad Jones . . . .Has failed to prove himself as No 1

RB . .Michael Reiziger . . .Fans never witnessed the best from a player with a glorious CV

CB . .Tony Vidmar . . . . A better left-back than he was in the middle

CB . .Jason Gavin . . . .Failed at Boro and Bradford before leaving the pro game at just 25

LB . . .Alan Wright . . . .Wasn’t around for long but around for long enough

RM . .Luke Wilkshire . . . . Only young during his days at Boro but never looked like succeeding

CM . .Mark Wilson . . . . . Never looked like becoming one Man United’s successful exports

CM . .Mohamed Shawky . . . . . Two decent performances outnumbered by a number of poor ones

LM . .Allan Johnston . . . . Former Sunderland winger failed to hit the heights on Teesside

F . . . .Dong-Gook Lee . . . . A South Korean who never looked like adapting to the English game

F . . . .Afonso Alves . . . . Could have been Euell, Ricketts or a few others, but £12.7m says it all

NEWCASTLE’S TEAM OF THE DECADE . . .

Goalkeeper

Shay Given

Made more than 300 appearances and established himself as one of the best keepers in the Premier League despite the standard of defending in front of him. Right-back

Aaron Hughes

Played in all four defensive positions, Graeme Souness dropped a clanger when he sold Hughes to Villa in 2005. Centre-back

JONATHAN WOODGATE

Spent 18 months on Tyneside, but still remembered as Newcastle’s best defender of the ‘Noughties’. Was sorely missed after leaving for Real Madrid. Centre-back

STEVEN TAYLOR

Prone to the occasional rush of blood, but has developed into a top defender since graduating from the Academy in 2004. A committed approach endears him to fans. Left-back

OLIVIER BERNARD

Arrived on a free and his pace and energy made him effective at both ends. But the less said about an unsuccessful return in 2006 the better. Right-midfield

NOLBERTO SOLANO

Became a firm fans’ favourite during two spells. His ability from set pieces ensured Newcastle always carried a threat in the opposition half, and in more than 250 appearances, he set up countless goals. Centre-midfield

GARY SPEED

One of the club’s best acquisitions during the Premier League era. Signed for £5.5m in 1998, he played in almost 300 games during which he never gave less than 100 per cent. Centre-midfield

KIERON DYER

Infuriatingly inconsistent and plagued by injuries, but on his day was as good a midfielder as anyone in the league. His ability with the ball at his feet could be spell-binding. Left-midfield

LAURENT ROBERT

Another who couldn’t count consistency as his forte, Robert patrolled the flank for five seasons with superb dribbling. A longrange strike against Spurs in 2003 was arguably Newcastle’s Goal of the Decade. Forward

ALAN SHEARER

The club’s all-time record scorer towered above his team-mates in terms of contribution during first half of the decade. Scored more than 20 goals for four seasons in a row, and was skipper with a combination of dedication and pride. Forward

CRAIG BELLAMY

Could test the patience of team-mates and supporters, but regularly terrorised defenders during his four seasons as a Magpie. His late winner in a Champions League tie at Feyenoord was the greatest moment of Newcastle’s decade.

. . . AND THE WORST

GK . .Pavel Srnicek . . . . Returned for an ill-fated two-game spell in the 2006-07 season

RB . .Stephen Carr . . . . Failed to hit the heights he is currently scaling for Birmingham

CB . .Marcelino . . . . Spent most of his three-and-a-half year spell on the treatment table

CB . .Jean-Alain Boumsong . . . Souness’ blue-eyed boy was an £8m flop from Rangers

LB . .Craig Moore . . . . Was way past his best by the time he signed for the Magpies

RM . .Xisco . . . . The Spaniard’s controversial arrival hastened Keegan’s departure

CM .Hugo Viana . . . . Was probably the softest player to play for Newcastle in the Noughties

CM .Amdy Faye . . . . One-paced and one-dimensional, summed up the dark days under Souness

LM . .Albert Luque . . . . Staggeringly, his six Premier League starts cost more than £1.5m each

F . . Michael Owen . . . . Club record signing turned into a record disappointment

F . . Patrick Kluivert . . . . Overweight, overpaid and over here, the Dutchman milked Newcastle

HARTLEPOOL’S TEAM OF THE DECADE . . .

Goalkeeper

DIMI KONSTANTOPOULOS

During Pools’ finest seasons, he was an immovable object at the back. A huge physical presence behind two solid central defenders in 2006/7 saw him keep a club record 25 clean sheets in 53 games. Right-back

MICKY BARRON

The only man to skipper Pools to two promotions. Moved from centre half to right back to great affect and it’s only with this season’s capture of Neil Austin that he has finally been properly replaced. Centre-back

CHRIS WESTWOOD

Ridiculed when he first signed, he soon became Mr Consistent. His swansong after seven seasons was being sent off in the biggest game in Pools’ history, but best remembered for his sterling service. Centre-back

GRAEME LEE

When Chris Turner took over in 1999, Lee’s career could have went either way. He ended up as the best central defender in the division and left after securing promotion in 2003. Left-back

HUGH ROBERTSON

Could cream a deadball at goal from any distance or angle. Quiet and unassuming off the field, he possessed a rocket of a left foot on it. His blast from 25 yards against Luton in 2004 would still be travelling now if it hadn’t found the net. Right-midfield

JAMES BROWN

Could play up front, but his best work has been on the right. A natural talent, but has been hampered by knee problems. When he overcomes them he will go far. Centre-midfield

TOMMY MILLER

Free-scoring home-grown midfielder helped Pools to successive play-off campaigns with 36 goals in two seasons before a £750,000 move to Ipswich. Centre-midfield

MARK TINKLER

Probably the best £40,000 the club has spent. A rock in midfield, a real driving force with an eye for goal and an integral part of Pools’ promotion successes. Left-midfield

RITCHIE HUMPHREYS

Mr Hartlepool United and the club’s player of the century. Second in the all-time club appearance list, his 429 games – including a run of 234 consecutive – came in the 90s Forward

GORDON WATSON

Chris Turner’s best signing, a character who made such an impact in a short space of time. Spectacular goals and classy finishes were his forte. Forward

ADAM BOYD

Looked washed up when sent on loan to Boston in 2004 but came back and fired Pools into the play-offs. His hat-trick against Sheff. Wednesday is the stuff of legend.

. . . AND THE WORST

GK . .Jan Budtz . . . . A big Dane and a big disappointment in error-strewn two years

RB . .Darren Williams . . . . Played regularly in the Premier League, but failed to impress at Pools

CB . .Gerard Nash . . . . Left utterly shell-shocked in a horror show against Blackpool in 2006

CB . .Scott Walker . . . . His CV includes Ayr, Alloa and Brechin – enough said

LB . .Robbie Elliott . . . . A big disappointment as he ended his long career at Victoria Park

RM . .Ali Gibb . . . . Danny Wilson tracked him for months, but he wasn’t worth the wait

CM . .Chris Llewellyn . . . . Impressed against Pools at times, but not for Pools

LM . .Andy McAvoy . . . . . .Big, strong and quick, but only when he wasn’t in possession

F . . Keigan Parker . . . . A loan signing last season who never looked like scoring

F . . Tim Sperrevik . . . . Arrived from Norway – and no way was he going to make the grade

F . . Jermaine Easter . . . . Raw and never looked up to the job, but has since flourished

DARLINGTON’S TEAM OF THE DECADE . . .

Goalkeeper

ANDY COLLETT

Cemented his hero status by singlehandedly keeping out Hartlepool in a 2001 derby at Feethams that earned a 10 out of 10 rating in The Northern Echo. Right-back

NEIL AUSTIN

A determined right-back who dropped into League Two for the first time when he signed in 2007. Loved a tackle and enjoyed becoming involved in the attack too. Centre-back

CRAIG LIDDLE

Earned hero status by scoring in the 2000 play-off win over Hartlepool, and became a legend by staying with Quakers despite chances to leave. Had a testimonial in 2005. Centre-back

STEVE FOSTER

Arrived in 2007 and immediately formed a formidable defensive partnership with Alan White. As a natural-born leader, it was a mistake to drop him recently. Left-back

PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM

Capable at left-back or in a more central role, the Barnsley-born defender was a mainstay of the 1999-2000 team. Sorely missed after joining Norwich in 2001. Right-midfield

NEAL HEANEY

Enigmatic and mesmerising winger able to play on both flanks. Pivotal during 99- 00, his only season with the club, after which he was sold to Dundee United. Centre-midfield

MARTIN GRAY

The archetypal enforcer. Manager David Hodgson brought in Gray to provide a solid base in the centre of the team and he did just that, breaking up attacks and laying the ball off to the flair players. Centre-midfield

ROB PURDIE

Player of the year last season when he played in just about every position though he preferred centre-midfield. A reliable, energetic and consistent performer. Left-midfield

MARTIN SMITH

A real touch of class. Scored two of the club’s best goals during the ‘Noughties’ and they both came during November 2006. The first was a volley from an angle away to Lewes in the FA Cup, the second a powerful long-range strike at home to Mansfield in the Football League Trophy. Forward

MARCO GABBIADINI

His two-year spell began in 1998, a period in which he was far too good for the division, a point by scoring 52 goals in just two seasons. Makes it into this team despite joining Hartlepool in 2003. Forward

PAWEL ABBOTT

Cruelly injured for too long during his two years at the Arena, but when available displayed a touch and vision lacking in most players at this level. Scored 17 goals in only 42 games – imagine how many he would have scored were it not for injury.

. . . AND THE WORST

GK . .David Knight . . . . Recently released having started the season with a flurry of errors

RB . .Ville Vaisanen . . . . Awarded 2 out of 10 rating in his last game, a 5-0 home defeat

CB . .Rikki Bains . . . . Manager Steve Staunton quickly and wisely loaned him to Blyth

CB . .Clayton Fortune . . . . Now at Western-super-Mare which just about says it all

LB . .John Brackstone . . . . Ex-Pools player looked nervous everytime he had the ball at his feet

RM . .Xavier Barrau . . . . French winger sent off in his only league appearance in 2007

CM . .Phil Stamp . . . . .If you thought he was overweight when he was at Middlesbrough... CM . .Fabian Bossy . . . . Another French player, made little impact during 2003-04 season

LM . .Neale McDermott . . . . Unfortunately did not inherit many skills from his dad, Terry

F . .Clint Marcelle . . . . Earmed infamy with a pathetic half-time crossbar challenge attempt

F . .Dean Windass A huge disappointment. Nowhere near as good as anyone expected.