So here’s is Lakey’s dream team…
Formation: 4-3-3
Keeper: Joe Hart
“It has to be Joe Hart with Joe Corrigan a very close second. He’s a modern goalkeeper and his overall game, consistency and leadership at the back edges him ahead – I can’t find any flaws to his game at all.
Right-back: Pablo Zabaleta
“Again I’m going for one of our current players, Pablo Zabaleta. When Zaba first came to City he was raw but over the first couple of seasons he began to iron out the little flaws to his game and became a polished defender with good feet and a sense of danger. His attacking ability as a modern-day full-back are second to none.”
Left-back: Andy Hinchcliffe
“This is a difficult one because it would be easy to go for every single player we have but my first thoughts were Andy Hinchcliffe and Paul Power. Andy’s left-foot was fantastic as was his athleticism whereas Power’s consistency and bravery was admirable. But Andy’s all-round game wins the day.”
Centre-back right: Dave Watson
“Dave was not a huge presence, but he was hard as nails, consistent and able to be an out and out defender. He was an intelligent guy, very switched on, commanding in the air and capable and while he could be a leader, he could also be led and do exactly what you wanted him to do.”
Centre-back left: Vincent Kompany (captain)
“The best centre-back I’ve seen and when in his absolute pomp he has everything to his game. His leadership, aggression, passing and reading of the game plus his aerial prowess makes him the archetypal centre-back so he was a nailed on choice – and my captain, too.”
Midfield holding: Alan Oakes
“Alan Oakes gets my vote for his reading of the game and passing ability, just ahead of Nigel de Jong. He could put his foot in and had a bit of craft about him, too and he could screen the back four.”
Midfield: Colin Bell
“Colin Bell would be my box-to-box midfielder – he can defend when he needs to and is in many ways the complete midfielder who just edges out Yaya Toure.”
Midfield: Ali Benarbia
“I’m not simply accommodating Al Benarbia, I just feel he could play in this team and stay slightly left of Bell and in front of Oakes. Ali could arrive in his suit and be playing half-an-hour later and for me he just has to be in this team.
Attacking midfield left: David Silva
“David Silva could slot on the left, one of two players behind the striker and he could drift in from the left without playing on the wing and probably have him sit in the pocket.”
Attacking midfield right: Mike Summerbee
“I’m choosing Buzzer for a number of reasons – I’ve chosen really positive players and Mike would put plenty of balls into the middle for Sergio to get on the end of and he’d be just as important as a character on the changing rooms. He’d be different class.”
Striker: Sergio Aguero
“The best striker we’ve had with only Francis Lee his challenger. Sergio’s all-round game and pace makes him the outstanding candidate for this team.”
Bench: “Corrigan, Yaya Toure, Francis Lee, Peter Barnes, Tommy Booth, Paul Power, Carlos Tevez.”
Manager/Coach: Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison
“Imagine what Malcolm could do with this team? The impact he could have had would have been fascinating but it would have to be alongside Joe Mercer as the leader.”
Verdict: “I’m sure people will select better sides but this would be my starting XI and subs and I had to miss some great players out, too such as Kiddo and Joe Royle but I’m happy with this team.”
