Friday 13 February 2015 20:38, UK
Former Wimbledon goalkeeper Dave Beasant picks his best eleven from the players he played alongside in his #One2Eleven.
The well-travelled shot-stopper played for a host of clubs in a career which spanned over 20 years, and is most famously known for his involvement in the Dons' 1988 FA Cup triumph over Liverpool.
Speaking about his team, Beasant said: "I think my team is more offensive than defensive and it would be a team people wouldn’t want to face too often."
Beasant opted for a 4-3-3 formation, so let's see who made the cut.
GOALKEEPER - Dave Beasant
Obviously I’ve gone for myself because it’s difficult when you play in a team that, more often than not, you’re the only goalkeeper. There were a few occasions where I had been sent off and replaced by Mark Crosby a couple of times, I’ve played international games with Peter Shilton but I’m sticking with Dave Beasant.
RIGHT BACK - Steve Clarke
Steve was obviously a Scotland international and there were a few at Chelsea at that time and they used to say I was an adopted jock, but I would say I got three of them to become adopted Englishmen and obviously Clarkey was one of them. I enjoyed my time with him on and off the field, he was a good lad despite the fact he scored a few own goals past me.
CENTRE BACK - Des Walker
I only played with Des at international level and he was a lad that never said a word. You wouldn’t see him in the media, newspapers or television. But he can talk. On the pitch, he had that famous chant ‘you’ll never beat Des Walker’ and it got to that stage.
CENTRE BACK - John Terry
We weren’t doing so well at the time towards the end of the season at Forest and suddenly a young John Terry turns up. Straight away you could see he was a quality player, he was always there.
LEFT BACK - Nigel Winterburn
I’ve opted for Nigel who came to Wimbledon on a free transfer from Oxford United. He used to tackle his way down the wing in possession of the ball. He would kick it too far so he could smash a tackle and then he would kick it too far again then go through that one and cross the ball into the box. That was the way Nigel played his game.
CENTRE MIDFIELD - Dennis Wise
I’ve gone for Wisey in the middle. He was the chirpy little cockney boy in midfield. He was like the naught schoolboy, he was always up to something. I don’t know what age he is now but he still looks like a 16-year-old, he still looks a little boy.
CENTRE MIDFIELD - Paul Gascoigne
On the right I’ve gone for Gazza. He was an unbelievable player with unbelievable skill. He was a fantastic lad and that’s the thing about my team, my team has got players who will play with a smile on their face. Gazza was simply a genius.
CENTRE MIDFIELD - Glenn Hoddle
On the other side I’ve gone for Glenn Hoddle. On the pitch he was an unbelievable player, the range of passing probably made other players look better than they were. I remember one of his goals when the ball didn’t touch the ground where there was a header before he volleyed into the top corner, incredible.
RIGHT FORWARD - Matt Le Tissier
Le Tiss used to frustrate the hell out of me. He would be the person I would moan at most of all but he was the person I wanted in the team more than anyone. He was a great lad and he’d always come out but he wasn’t really a big drinker. He was more a Malibu and Coke man. He was an unbelievable player. We’d be doing a basic crossing session and used to tell me to stay on my line by volleying a cross straight into the net when I took a step off my line. He had the ability to do anything.
LEFT FORWARD - John Barnes
In the 80s, John Barnes was probably one of the best players around. When Wimbledon played Liverpool in the FA Cup final we’d always try to double up when John Barnes got the ball and we must have been fairly effective because he wasn’t in the game that much and to keep someone of johns talent out of the cup final was down to our hard work and nothing to do with him failing to live up to his reputation. He was a brilliant player.
STRIKER - Ian Wright
I just loved Wrighty for his character. He was fun, fun to play with, played with a smile, laughed and joked, imitated referee but he was a goalscorer. If people had the ability to create a goal and put the ball in a space you know Wrighty would be on to it and that he could finish it.
