Goalkeeper
Jack Butland – Barnsley (on loan from Stoke)
It is great to play with someone who is obviously a safe pair of hands behind you. For such a young lad he is very mature – if you didn’t know him you would probably think he is 30.
Right Back
Neal Eardley – Birmingham City
I was with him at Oldham – he was in a struggling team and managed to stand out enough to get a move to Blackpool and then play in the Premier League. He is down-to-earth and a hard worker. That is a theme around this team – all the players are very hard working.
Left Back
Tom Kennedy – Barnsley
It was my relationship and partnership with him that allowed me to do so well at Rochdale. That season we won promotion and that allowed us both to go on and be where we are right now. You have to get on and trust each other and he gave me good service. It is nice to have him at Barnsley now.
Centre Back
Craig Dawson – West Brom
I played with him at Rochdale and he was exceptionally dedicated and that is the reason he is where he is right now – he works harder than anyone. To go to the Premier League from where we were is a great achievement.
Centre Back
Rob Jones – Doncaster Rovers
He was the captain at Sheffield Wednesday when we got promoted from League One. He was a good defender and a strong captain and leader – just the sort of captain you want. And he scored a few goals as well, which is always useful.
Midfield
Gary Jones – Bradford City
He was at Rochdale for ten-plus years and was a legend . Then he kind of fell out of favour. You felt that his career might be winding down but what he has done at Bradford speaks for itself. He was the kind of captain you want and led by example.
Midfield
David Prutton – Sheffield Wednesday
I was with him at Wednesday in the League One-promotion team and in the following season in the Championship. We were struggling for quite a bit but when he came back into the team we managed to steady the ship and we put together a bit of a run. He is down-to-earth and quite intelligent as well.
Midfield
Andy Liddell – Retired
He is basically the type of winger that every striker would want. He got the ball and his first and only thought was to put it into the box. He didn’t need to beat anyone – as soon as he got an inch he would put the ball in the box, which is perfect for any striker.
Striker
Paul Dickov – Retired
I played against him when he was at Leicester. I was probably 17 or 18 at the time and he was someone I looked up to. I got my work ethic and attitude from him. He was quiet – not too quiet but not like your typical manager.
Striker
Chris Dagnall – Barnsley
We contributed over 40 goals in a season a couple of years ago. It is those sort of partnerships that are needed to have the success we did at Rochdale. He reminds me of Paul Dickov as well, the same type of player. I never got to play with Paul but it was nice to play with Chris.
Striker
Dion Dublin – Retired
He was good for me in terms of being a similar build to myself and he is someone who inspired me. He was still doing the business late in his career and that showed me that if you work hard and do the right things, you can be successful.
