Darren Huckerby reckons the title-winning class of 2003/4 would have beaten this season’s Norwich City vintage.
We will never know if he is right. But STEVEN DOWNES has had a go at rating a starting 11 and three subs from both seasons Who wins the head-to-head? If you don’t agree, have a go at our poll below.
2003/4
GOALKEEPER
Robert Green - 9
Dominant and a tremendous shot-stopper.
LEFT BACK
Adam Drury - 9
Barry Fry said he was the “best left-back outside the Premier League”. He was right.
CENTRE BACKS
Malky Mackay - 8
Not the quickest, but a defensive rock who grabbed goals.
Craig Fleming - 8
A brilliant man-marker whose style complemented Mackay’s.
RIGHT BACK
Marc Edworthy - 8
Consistently consistent.
LEFT MIDFIELD
Darren Huckerby - 10
The catalyst, talisman, top scorer: the man who made defenders’ blood twist.
CENTRE MIDFIELD
Gary Holt - 9
Three lungs and one huge heart.
Damien Francis - 9
Box-to-box, with a great goals ratio.
RIGHT MIDFIELD
Paul McVeigh - 7
Reliable and good for a goal or an assist.
STRIKERS
Mathias Svensson - 8
A wrecking ball with a great touch, he provided New Year impetus.
Leon McKenzie - 9
He scored against the....he scored anaother one.
SUBS
Iwan Roberts - 8
Still a big threat.
Philip Mulryne - 8
Classy. His goal at Reading was a turning point.
Jim Brennan - 6
Didn’t get many chances to make his mark.
2018/19
GOALKEEPER
Tim Krul - 7
Getting better, but has had some shaky moments.
LEFT BACK
Jamal Lewis - 8
Quick, sharp and intelligent.
CENTRE BACKS
Christoph Zimmermann - 9
A giant - physically and as a leader.
Ben Godfrey - 8
Strong and assured - has a great future.
RIGHT BACK
Max Aarons - 9
Only 19, but looks like a seasoned pro. Goals, assists, defensively strong.
LEFT MIDFIELD
Onel Hernandez - 8
Getting better with every game. Gets defenders on the back foot.
CENTRE MIDFIELD
Marco Stiepermann - 8
Who knew? Turns out Stiepermann can dribble, pass and score.
Mario Vrancic - 8
Has grabbed the Leitner spot and become the midfield metronome.
Tom Trybull - 7
Snaps into tackles and gets the ball to the playmakers.
RIGHT MIDFIELD
Emiliano Buendia - 9
A joy to watch. His touch, vision, passing and goals make him one of the best players in the league.
STRIKER
Teemu Pukki - 10
If strikers are judged on goals, he has to be the perfect 10.
SUBS
Jordan Rhodes - 7
Good for a goal off the bench.
Moritz Leitner - 8
What a man to have as a sub.
Timm Klose - 8
The fact the he’s on the bench shows the impact of Godfrey.
TOTAL SCORES
2003/4 - 116 out of 140
2018/19 - 114 out of 140
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