2001 team V 2009 team

[Keita]

Just finished reading the Carra book and it was a fantastic read but one point which stood out was Carra stating the 2001 side is still the best side he has played in, which made me think what a statement that is. Considering where we are now and the quality of Torres, Masc, Alonso, Agger, plus Gerrard and Carra at the peak I wasn't sure, but when you look at that team he has a point. Up front we had 3 from a Owen, Fowler and Heskey who had the season of his life, in the midfield we had Gary Mac, Gerrard and Didi. The back four was a rock plus Babbel would walk into today's side, plus Barmby, Murphy and Berger who where always goal threats from midfield. It definitely got me thinking. Thoughts?

[Benzo-13]

Had that teams wide players & Babbel married with this team's central strength and we'd be awesome.

Oh, none of those forwards touches Torres.

[Sion]

Not even close I reckon. The only player from 2001 would get in our strongest XI is Babbel. Hamann and Macca would be decent back up, Owen obviously was good, but Torres edges it.

[surf]

Hamann was ace in 2001 as were Owen and Babbel. Was it Staunton at LB? Arguably better than what we have now.

[Maldini]

I think that team got up a lot of momentum and went on a run of games playing well and full of confidence. This team hasn't done that yet. I think this team is a lot better though. We scored some amount of goals from set pieces that season though, imagine how far ahead we'd be if we could add that to our team now.

[Keita]

Hamann was ace in 2001 as were Owen and Babbel. Was it Staunton at LB? Arguably better than what we have now.

 

Think Carra was left back, I agree with benzo about the wide players, if we had say Berger now on the left. Plus Babbel we would have a hell of a side now.

[surf]

Ah, that's right. It was around the time many thought Carra was a utility player and would be replaced as soon as we got a proper left back. I think it was Houllier that said there would always be room for Jamie in the team, how right he was.

[Jonesy]

Think Carra was left back, I agree with benzo about the wide players, if we had say Berger now on the left. Plus Babbel we would have a hell of a side now.

 

 

ze little german pock marked Chriatian Ziege, no? wasn't here for too long in 2001 but certianly here he was.

 

edit: scrap that....he only played 32 games in total Zthat is Hall CLOP!!

Edited February 18, 2009 by Jonesy

[gns]

ze little german pock marked Chriatian Ziege, no? wasn't here for too long in 2001 but certianly here he was.

 

edit: scrap that....he only played 32 games in total Zthat is Hall CLOP!!

 

 

[Jonesy]

[madaboutlfc]

that team was physically stronger and had a strong spine.. the football we played was good at the time but id take watching this anyday of the week..

[Chili Palmer]

As much joy as that 2001 team gave me, I think this team would beat them 9 times out of 10.

[Walrus]

As much joy as that 2001 team gave me, I think this team would beat them 9 times out of 10.

Agreed.

[Molby]

that team would beat this team 6 out of 10 times at least

 

do I really need to explain why? maybe someone else could do it

 

if not I'll be back to explain it later

[Billy Dane]

2001 team had a stronger cutting edge than this season's team.

[Walrus]

There would be 7 0-0 draws.

[Molby]

first of all, that team went through a period of being able to keep a clean sheet at will

 

when we messed with that priority we sometimes came unstuck eg vs Arsenal for much of the FA cup final when we got the runaround

 

if that team employed it against this team, they wouldn't score in a 1000 minutes, Torres or no Torres

 

meanwhile Heskey in his pomp would give any of our defenders serious problems - nobody was immune and Skrtel and Hyypia and yes, Carra would be in for a torrid time

 

meantime any scraps around - Michael Owen, as good as it gets for that, or if a High line got played, both could get behind it

[Chili Palmer]

2009 have a much much much better keeper, 2001 had a slightly better defence but 2009 are organised better and (I think) keep more clean sheets, 2009 have a better midfield and the front 2 of Gerrard and Torres are a better pairing than Owen and Heskey.

[Jim D]

2001 team had a stronger cutting edge than this season's team.

 

Agree, that 2001 side scored 127 goals in 63 matches that season including thrashing Stoke City 8-0

Edited February 18, 2009 by Jim D

[Chili Palmer]

Agree, that 2001 side scored 127 goals in 63 matches that season including thrashing Stoke City 8-0

 

 

they also lost 9 league games, I don't think 2009 will do that. not that I'm bothered, I love both of them.

[psl]

Molby is right. We struggle to break down teams that can defend and that 2001 team certainly could do that.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

current team is far better.

 

01 - 69 pts, GD 32

02 - 80 pts, GD 37

03 - 64 pts, GD 20

04 - 60 pts, GD 18

 

 

05 - 58 pts, GD 11

06 - 82 pts, GD 32

07 - 68 pts, GD 30

08 - 76 pts, GD 39

 

 

we may be comparing one season against one season but Rafa has achieved more points in 2 of his 4 seasons than we got in 01 & on one other occassion was 1 point off.

 

We concede fewer at the these days too

[surf]

an average of 2 points a season better is hardly 'far' better...

 

i'm more optimistic at the moment than in 2004 though

[Earl Hafler]

2009 have a much much much better keeper, 2001 had a slightly better defence but 2009 are organised better and (I think) keep more clean sheets, 2009 have a better midfield and the front 2 of Gerrard and Torres are a better pairing than Owen and Heskey.

 

That side / first team squad had more creativity and a better pool of forwards whereas i think this side is tougher. The treble side was improved upon in attack with Jari and Anelka and some of the football we played on that run in the 2001 / 2002 season was better than we've played this last couple of years.

 

The one player in that side who would walk into this side is Babbel - that's indisputable - and the other player we need is Owen.

Benayoun is more creative than Murphy but hasn't been given the playing time that Danny had.

[Molby]

That side / first team squad had more creativity and a better pool of forwards whereas i think this side is tougher. The treble side was improved upon in attack with Jari and Anelka and some of the football we played on that run in the 2001 / 2002 season was better than we've played this last couple of years.

 

The one player in that side who would walk into this side is Babbel - that's indisputable - and the other player we need is Owen.

Benayoun is more creative than Murphy but hasn't been given the playing time that Danny had.

 

Hamman and Berger and Smicer, all at their best then

 

and Heskey, who Rafa wanted even this season