Opposition teams of the year 07/08

The title says it all really. Here are the best players we faced last season as picked by our old pal Che

1. Dorus DE VRIES (Swansea City)
27 year-old Dutch goalkeeper who possesses a safe pair of hands between the sticks. Made two incredible saves in the JPT from Reuben Reid. Has kept 17 clean sheets this season helping the Swans to promotion from League One.


2. Jamie LOWRY (Chesterfield)
21 year-old right back, Lowry has come through the ranks at Saltergate and has notched an impressive 6 times from the full-back berth. Provides excellent support going forward with a great delivery.

3. Michael ROSE (Stockport County)
25 year-old left-back, Rose shone in the stubborn County defence that held the Blues to a goal-less draw in March and set up one of County's goals in that horror-fest back in December. The former Manchester United trainee showed great touch and composure in the Hatters back-line.

4. Kristian O'LEARY (Swansea City)
The 30 year-old Welshman has made 19 appearances for the Swans this season. Equally comfortable in defence or midfield, O'Leary stood out in the JPT tie earlier this season.

5. Krisztián TIMAR (Plymouth Argyle)
28 year-old Hungarian central-defender, Timár is the proverbial rock at the centre of the Pilgrims defence. Timár oozed class equally adept in th air as on the floor and is a great distributor of the ball.


6. Andrew PROCTER (Accrington Stanley)
25 year-old central midfielder, who has helped steer Stanley to two promotions and retain their football league status. Procter has an impressive goal-scoring record with 11 goals this season from central midfield.

7. Luke SUMMERFIELD (Plymouth Argyle)
20 year-old Summerfield has come through the ranks at Home Park and was a focal point in the Carling Cup victory back in August. Much of the play went through the young central midfielder, who also showed he had an excellent shot on him with several long-range efforts.

8. Paul ANDERSON (Swansea City)
The 20 year-old right midfielder looked a real class act, scoring the second goal in the Swans 2-0 JPT win back in October. On-loan from Liverpool the youngster has excelled in the Welshmen's League One title charge this season.

9. Liam HATCH (Peterborough United)
26 year-old striker, Hatch has an annoying habit of scoring against the Blues, notching in each of the last four meetings. A powerful front man, Hatch can give any defender a torrid time, as the Blues defence will testify.


10. George BOYD (Peterborough United)
22 year-old winger signed from Stevenage Borough, where he built-up a reputation as a pacy winger who can score goals. Proved it this season, scoring in both matches against the Blues and generally looking like a right menace.

11. Barry CORR (Swindon Town)
23-year old striker, Corr showed his talent in Swindon's F.A. Cup win at Adams Park, not least in setting up Billy Painter for the Robins' second goal. Signed from Sheffield Wednesday, Corr has scored 5 goals in just 9 starts this season.



2nd XI
1. John RUDDY (Stockport County)
21 year-old goalkeeper is currently on loan from Everton however the former Cambridge United man oozed a calmness and authority that no doubt contributes much to the mean and miserly Hatters defence.


2. Claude GNAKPA (Peterborough United)
24 year-old French right-back only played 40 minutes against the Blues back in October but certainly impressed. Built like a tank but with lightening speed, Gnakpa showed strength and skill defensively and going forward. Can also play in midfield.

3. Scott LAIRD (Stevenage Borough)
19 year-old defender who made his debut against the Blues in the Carling Cup. Has a wonderful left-foot as shown by a number of dangerous corners that severely tested Scott Shearer. Capable of playing at left-back, centre back and in central midfielder, the youngster has since joined Stevenage Borough on a permanent two-year deal.

4. Robert WILLIAMS (Accrington Stanley)
29 year-old central defender, Williams has been an integral part of the Stanley side that has won promotion to and then from the Conference and has maintained a place in the Football League.

5. Chris WESTWOOD (Peterborough United)
31 year-old central defender, Westwood is set to win his second promotion in as many years from League Two. Clearly capable of playing at a higher level, he has great pace and is equally as good on the ground as he is in the air.


6. Neil BISHOP (Barnet)
26 year-old midfielder, Bishop joined the Bees from York City, where he was selected for the England National Game XI. Bishop showed his skill when setting up Barnet's winning goal for Jason Puncheon back in October.

7. Lee FRECKLINGTON (Lincoln City)
22 year-old central midfielder, Frecklington is a local boy who has successfully made the leap into the first team with some excellent performances, culminating in his selection in last season's PFA League Two Team of the Year.

8. Jason PUNCHEON (Barnet)
21 year-old winger, who having scored 10 goals before Christmas, was subject of a £250,000 bid from Leeds United. One of those goals was the winner against the Blues back in October, a game in which he posed a constant threat.

9. Craig MACKAIL-SMITH (Peterborough United)
24 year-old striker who is destined for greater things. Showed great skill in the game at London Road with his all-round play, hitting the post early on before setting up the first goal.


10. Francis GREEN (Macclesfield Town)
27 year-old striker who notched for the Silkmen at Adams Park in December. He also gave the Blues defence a torrid time back in September and could have notched a hat-trick had it not been for some excellent goalkeeping from Jamie Young and some dubious officiating.

11. Sam AISTON (Wrexham)
31 year-old left-winger who was reportedly once a target of John Gorman whilst he was Blues boss and finally got his man at Northampton Town. Coming on as a substitute for the Red Dragons in March, Aiston proceeded to give Stockley a torrid time as he showed great touch and pace down the wing.

22.06.2008. 21:39

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