twofootedtackle.com

What better on a Sunday morning than poring over a new MFXI? James Griffiths, Twitter’s imperious TheMatlockFan, has put together a side that embraces the Premier League, Football League and Non-League, with more than a few Gladiators from the Evo-Stik League side. You can read more from James at The Matlock Fan.

Previous Favourite XI: Freddie Shires

Goalkeeper: Shaka Hislop (Retired)

To kick us off, in as first choice goalkeeper would be the legend that is Shaka Hislop. If you follow me on Twitter then you will know how big of a fan I am of this guy. Now retired but still in football and seen on ESPN covering a wide range of leagues from different countries, Hislop is the first and only member of the Trinidad and Tobago national team to be inducted into the country’s hall of fame, and his 105 appearances for West Ham along with the 93 that he made for Portsmouth are a big indiction that in his prime there were not many better keepers.

Right Back: Adam Yates (Matlock Town)

Young, quick and strong are only a few of the words that you could use to describe Adam Yates, who after signing for Matlock Town did not start many games. As he progressed myself along with many other Matlock fans begged for the manager to give him a chance, and when that chance was handed to Yates he grabbed it with both hands and became not only a fan favourite but one of the best defenders in non-league football.

Centre Back: James Lukic (Matlock Town)

He is known as Mr. Matlock and I believe that if you cut James Lukic open then he would bleed blue. He’s a hard-working and no-nonsense centre back who frightens strikers. Nobody in non-league likes playing against him.

Centre Back: Gabriel Zakuani (Peterborough United)

There are not many guys in today’s football who do as much for charity as Gabriel Zakuani does, and even after dislocating his shoulder in the League One Playoff semi-final first leg earlier this month against the MK Dons, the big-hearted defender decided that he would have an injection to play in the second leg. Not only did he play, he put in a great performance and was a rock at the back for Posh as they marched on into the final.

Left Back: Patrice Evra (Manchester United)

For me there is not a better left-sided defender in the world than Patrice Evra when he is at his best, which these days I think would be 99% of the time. Using his pace and strength to get up the wing, he can also put in a great cross to the players waiting in the middle.

Right Midfield: George Best (Retired)

Words cannot describe how much of an amazing player George Best was and it saddens me that I was not alive to witness the things he was able to do with a football when he was at his best. I can only be thankful that television managed to capture not only some of the most amazing skills I’ve ever seen, but some of the most amazing goals as well.

Central Midfield: Charlie Adam (Blackpool)

As a dead ball specialist I believe there are few better and, along with the determination that he shows, we have seen Charlie Adam become a big fish in the big pond that is Premier League football. It’s no wonder the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are after this Scottish superstar.

Central Midfield: Paul Scholes (Manchester United)

One of the breakout stars of a young team that included the likes of Ryan Giggs and David Beckham, Paul Scholes has a lethal shot that he can pull at any time, from anywhere. He is also not afraid to throw himself into a crunching tackle, which has often got him into trouble with referees, but for me there has been no better central midfielder in the last ten years than Paul Scholes.

Left Midfield: Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur)

A surprise star of the 2010/2011 Premier League season, Gareth Bale has had the football plaudits singing his praises and after making a good Inter Milan side look like they were a Sunday league football side it’s no wonder that many see big things in Bale’s future.

Striker: Ross Hannah (Bradford City)

52-goal-hero Ross Hannah is a man who I’ve seen hit the net time and time again this past season for Matlock Town, and now that he has moved on to Bradford I am sure we will see more of the same from the man dubbed “Goal Machine” by the Gladiator fans.

Striker: Magno Vieira (Fleetwood Town)

When playing the popular Football Manager series, Magno Vieira was always a must-have, and because of this I’ve always had a soft spot for Fleetwood’s resident Brazilian, who has proven that he can hit the net at any club.

Substitutes:

Nick Buxton (Matlock Town)

Reliable and experienced, what more can you ask for when it comes to a back up keeper? That’s exactly what Nick Buxton gives you; always ready to step in, and on his day I have seen him pull off some outstanding saves.

James Vardy (FC Halifax)

I have not had the pleasure of watching James Vardy in person but have seen him on videos, and if he is half as good as that in person then what a player FC Halifax have got. I’m sure he will make more than a few league teams envious.

Anthony Wilson (Alfreton Town)

Anthony Wilson is a severely under-used talent at Alfreton Town, and someone who I hope will move on during pre-season to show off his talents elsewhere. He has the tools to go far in football, using his strength to hold up the ball and playing precision short passes that would make a few Premier League players envious, Wilson became a favourite of mine during his short loan stay at Matlock.

John O’Shea (Manchester United)

If I said John O’Shea to people, the word they would associate with him would be versatile. O’Shea can play all over the back four and therefore makes a perfect substitute.

Rocky White (Retired)

Rocky White is just one of those footballers that I, for some reason, really like and I honestly have no idea why. Maybe it’s the name, or the fact that White could hit a thunderbolt of a shot.

Tags: Adam Yates, Anthony Wilson, Charlie Adam, Gabriel Zakuani, Gareth Bale, George Best, James Lukic, James Vardy, John O'Shea, Magno Vieira, Nick Buxton, Patrice Evra, Paul Scholes, Rocky White, Ross Hannah, Shaka Hislop