Rob Jones – The Doncaster defender chooses his favourite XI, made up from players he has played with or against in his football career.
GOALKEEPER
Nicky Weaver – Aberdeen
I played with him at Sheffield Wednesday and he fills you with confidence. He’s a great guy and a pleasure to play with, but he’s had some rotten luck with injuries over the years. I could tell you stories about him but none that you’d be able to print!
RIGHT BACK
Steven Whittaker – Norwich City
It’s for his pace and fitness levels up and down the right wing. He never, ever looks tired and he’s progressed an awful lot since I played with him at Hibs. Plus he’s nearly as bald as me so he deserves a break.
LEFT BACK
David Murphy – Birmingham City
He’s another one who is going bald. David is just the same as Steven on the other side. But in defence and attack he makes it look effortless with his ability to bomb up and down all day.
CENTRE BACK
Joleon Lescott – Manchester City
I played against him in the Carling Cup four years ago. He’s the epitome of the English centre half, he’s big and strong and running into him is like running into a brick wall. He’s had a superb career with Everton, City and England. I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves sometimes.
CENTRE BACK
Ledley King – Retired
Moving on from Joleon, who beats people up for fun, Ledley was a more cultured centre half and they would work together quite well. He’s more of a reader of the game and is someone that younger professionals, myself included, like to look up to.
RIGHT MIDFIELD
Aaron Lennon – Tottenham Hotspur
I played against him at the same time as Ledley, in the League Cup in 2005-06, and his pace is absolutely terrifying. He’s got pure speed. There used to be a bit of speed but no end product about him but he’s progressed into a very good footballer nowadays.
LEFT MIDFIELD
Lionel Messi – Barcelona
What more can I say? I played against him in a pre-season friendly when he was bursting onto the scene. He’s not the tallest but he’s as strong as an ox and the things he can do with a football are genius. Obviously I marked him out of the game though.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD
Scott Brown – Celtic
I played with him at Hibs and he epitomises the youthfulness among footballers. He’s married with children now but he’s still one of those players who chases the ball around like a kid in the playground.
FORWARD
Steven Fletcher – Sunderland
Another one I was with at Hibs and he is the most technically gifted footballer I ever played with. It was everything about him – his touch, his finishing, his ability to find space and his awareness. I always thought he was going to go to the top level.
FORWARD
Alan Shearer – Retired
The toughest player I ever played against. He’s the good old fashioned English centre forward: good in the air, terrific with his feet and was just an all-round winner. He scored the winner against us in the League Cup for Newcastle when I was at Grimsby the year we knocked out Tottenham.
FORWARD
Thierry Henry – New York Red Bulls
It’s not often you see a striker drift out wide and cut in but that was his trademark – he was a different breed. His pace, touch, awareness and ability to find his own space – it’s hard to get your head round how much he did.
