| Top Town XI Written by tcolley93 on Sunday, 22nd Jun 2014 17:22 If you ask any Town fan, young or old to pick their all-time Town team, there will inevitably be a swing towards the UEFA Cup winning squad of '81. The likes of John Wark, Mick Mills, Kevin Beattie and the Dutch duo of Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen have gone down in Suffolk folklore, and for good reason. The reality is, however, that as time rolls on many Town fans are not old enough to have seen the '81 side play. As for myself, I was taken to my first Ipswich game in 1999 and I saw a deadly trio of Naylor, Johnson and Scowcroft demolish Nottingham Forest 3-1. As a five-year-old watching on from behind the dugouts, this was the big time; I was watching the best in the world and in David Johnson I found an idol. Nowadays, when my heart rules my head slightly less, I can honestly tell you that Richard Wright was not as good as Oliver Kahn (sounds silly but it's true). It didn't occur to me at that age, but older generations had Ipswich heroes of their own. Despite being Ipswich's most decorated side, the '81 UEFA Cup-winning team cannot really feature in my top XI Tractor Boys. I have been brought up around Ipswich fans who have drummed it into me that they were the best there's been, but having not seen them week-in, week-out, I am not one to comment. My all time Ipswich team would therefore quite simply consist of players from 1999-00 to the present day. As a season ticket holder of 14 seasons, it's the only era in which Ipswich Town has been a huge part of my life. So, this is purely my opinion but I am curious to see how the eras compare, and who makes it into different fans' teams: Matteo Sereni - Town's keeper during the UEFA Cup heroics against Inter Milan. Still our most expensive goalkeeper and a luxury buy. Closely followed by Asmir Begovic who has kicked on to greater things but wasn't at Portman Road for long enough to make it into my team. Fabian Wilnis - An Ipswich legend in my eyes. Perhaps not the most technically gifted right-back I have seen over at Portman Road (David Wright perhaps), but showed more heart than anyone in the years I have watched the Blues. Who can forget his celebration in the 1-1 draw against Man Utd?! Jason De Vos - The rock at the back. Could read the game a mile off, could tackle hard yet elegantly and always headed a clearance past the half way line. The vice-captain of my team. Christophe Berra - The only current player that makes it into my team. He seems to have all the attributes of a Premiership centre-back and is only held back by his pace. At Championship level, however, he reads the game more quickly than any striker, and has been at the heart of the most solid defence Town have had in years. So impressed by him that he has held off Titus Bramble, Mark Venus and Tony Mowbray from my team. Hermann Hreidarsson - One of the heroes of the 2000-01 Premiership season, he was an inspired investment and could also put in a shift at centre-back. Very good with his feet and no slouch for pace either. Martijn Reuser - Was a super sub during 1999-00 season and established himself as a first team player in the Premier League. With fantastic ball control and flair, he brought something to the team that I don't think we've seen since. Scored 'that goal' to make it 4-2 in the 2000 play-off final and so will forever be the player who gave me my best football experience. Matt Holland - No reason to explain this one. Could play defence, midfield or attack. He was assured on the ball and dictated the game, especially with Jim Magilton alongside him. The skipper of my team without a doubt. Jim Magilton - Formed a formidable partnership with Matt Holland and pitched in with more than his fair share of goals. Stayed at the club when Holland was snapped up by Charlton and took the position as Town's playmaker for a long period. Arguably the most important cog in Joe Royle's machine throughout the noughties. Also became a manager with Ipswich but perhaps showed that his best talent was on the pitch. Arguably could be replaced in my team by Jimmy Bullard while he was on loan, but when he was bought permanently, Bullard just didn't quite do it. Jon Walters - Plucked out of obscurity from Chester and blossomed into a Premiership standard winger/striker. Never missed a header and was top scorer in his first full season as an Ipswich player. The interest from Premier League clubs was no coincidence and he has gone on to prove his talent with Stoke and also at international level. Marcus Stewart - The best player I have seen in an Ipswich shirt. Full Stop. An outstanding finisher and the reason we finished fifth in the Premiership. Darren Bent - Although David Johnson was my Town hero growing up, Darren Bent had everything, pace, power and could finish. Every shot he took seemed to hit the back of the net, whether it was with a rocket, a header or a fluke deflection off the knee. Doesn't matter how they go in, every goal counts. Would be interested to hear from others with their top Town XI. Hopefully the Class of 2015 will give us reason to rethink these in a year's time! Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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