Hayles Picks His Best Team

Plymouth Argyle striker Barry Hayles picks his best 11 players, made up entirely from the players he’s played with during his career.

Hayles, now 34, started his career at non-league Stevenage Borough before being signed for Bristol Rovers by the present Argyle manager Ian Holloway. Hayles then went on to play in the Premiership with Fulham and then moving on to Sheffield United, Millwall and now Plymouth Argyle.

Speaking to the League Paper, Hayles chooses is all time best team from the players he has played with.

Goalkeeper.
Edwin van der Sar – Manchester United.
Edwin was a model professional when I played with him at Fulham and always a reassuring presence between the posts. His shot-stopping was second to none.

Right-back.
Steve Finnan – Liverpool.
Steve had a lot of composure on the ball, it was very rare for him to give the ball away. Steve created quite a few chances for me at Fulham so I’m delighted to see he’s gone from strength to strength since joining Liverpool.

Centre-back.
Andy Tilson – Retired.
Andy was one of the best captains I played under and I’ve picked him to captain my team. Andy was a good leader and the type of player you needed in your team.

Centre-back.
Chris Coleman – Retired. Now manager at Fulham.
My former Fulham team-mate was another very good leader and a very good player. Not many strikers got much change out of him, it was a real shame that injury brought his career to a premature end.

Left-back.
Luke Basford – Non-League.
This is a selection that might surprise a few people, but Luke was a young player I rated very highly when I was at Bristol Rovers. I’m not sure what happened to him after I left to join Fulham but I think he’s playing Non-League football now.

Right midfield.
Bjarne Goldbaek – Retired.
Bjarne had a hell of a passing range and could certainly pick a pass. He was a Denmark international when he came to Fulham from Chelsea and he and Steve Finnan became a strong combination down the right.

Centre midfield.
Sean Davis – Portsmouth.
Sean was another of my former team-mates and a very influential player for us. Sean came up through the ranks at Fulham and was a chirpy character with a string of decent one-liners. I still keep in touch with him these days.

Centre midfield.
Dennis Wise – Swindon Town.
Dennis was in his mid-to-late 30’s when I played with him at Millwall, but he could still get on the ball and dictate a game. Dennis never shirked a challenge and that rubbed off on the people around him. He successfully made the transition from being a player to player-manager at Millwall.

Left midfield.
Luis Boa Morte – Fulham.
Luis sometimes played up front when I was at Fulham but I’m picking him in his more usual left-wing role. One of his big assets is his pace – he can beat people and then surge on away from them.

Forward.
Louis Saha – Manchester United.
It was a pleasure to play up front with Louis at Fulham or even just to watch him in action. In my opinion, he’s the complete striker. He has pace, skill, two good feet, is good in the air and can finish.

Forward.
Gary Penrice – Retired. Coach at Argyle.
Gary wasn’t the quickest of strikers, but his movement was exceptional when I played alongside him at Bristol Rovers. He knew how to find space in a crowded penalty area. Gary always has a joke to tell and is the funniest player in the team I have chosen. He’s now joined us at Plymouth.



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