Which is the better side 06/07 or 09/10 ?

Much debate has been held on the website as to which was/is the better side.

That which narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the season beating Sheffield United 2-1 or the side we currently have battling again against the spectre of relegation.
In a purely subjective article , here is my comparison based on what I believe was/is the best starting eleven of the season`s squad

Keeper.

06/07 Chris Kirkland
09/10 Chris Kirkland

Is the 09/10 version better than the 06/07 one. In my opinion they are about the same. Chris ‘ long term injuries are well documented and he seems to be able to manage them as well now as he has in the past.

Result?.a draw

Right Back

06/07 Emerson Boyce
09/10 Mario Melchiot

In 06/07 Boyce was one of several right backs used alongside Ryan Taylor and David Wright. Up until this season I would have said Mario by a mile but the captain has been off form this season and appears to have slowed measurably. On this premise I have gone for Boyce

Result?one point for 06/07

Left Back

06/07 Leighton Baines
09/10 Maynor Figueroa

A close call, both on their day exceptional full backs but Baines has the edge on consistency

Result?one point for 06/07


Centre Half !
06/07 De Zeeuw
09/10 Caldwell

Aryan had been a class act for Wigan but whilst he could still read the game well his pace was deserting him. Caldwell is a similar kind of player and since his signing has been a pivotal player for the Latics whilst also displaying excellent leadership skills.

Result?one point for 09/10

Centre Half 2

06/07 Matt Jackson
09/10 Titus Bramble

Two great servants for the club but Bramble despite the occasional howler is quicker and more decisive than Jackson was in 06/07


Result?one point for 09/10

Left Wing

06/07Lee Mc Culloch
09/10 Hugo Rodallega

Interestingly the left wing spot is occupied by two converted forwards.

Rodallega has the edge on pace but Mc Culloch was better in the air .

Result?.a draw.

Centre Midfield 1

06/07 Denny Landzaat
09/10Momo Diame

Landzaat was probably the last creative midfielder that Latics have had whilst Momo is more of a defensive player. Momo`s worrying lack of fitness in the last 20 minutes of a game is a concern.

Result?one point for 06/07

Centre Midfield 2

06/07 Josip Skoko
09/10 James McCarthy

Skoko was a steady influence in midfield but never fulfilled the expectations that the club had for him and rarely completed 90 minutes.
McCarthy is an exciting young talent who has blossomed since being given a starting role in centre midfield.

Result ?one point for 09/10

Right Wing
06/07 Luis Antonio Valencia
09/10 Charles N`Zogbia

N`Zogbia is the best player at the Latics this season by a mile and his assists coupled with his goals are a major reason that we aren`t in the bottom three.
Valencia at that time was very much a raw talent although there were glimpses of what he would become.

Result ?one point for 09/10

Forward 1

06/07 Caleb Folan
09/10 Jason Scotland

Folan had great aerial prowess and would chase balls all day but wasn`t good enough for the Premier League.

Scotland has no aerial prowess but provides good links to the centre forward but again not premier league standard.

Result? a draw

Striekr 2

06/07 Emile Ivanhoe Heskey
09/10 Marcelo”Moreno” Martins

Big strong and powerful, Heskey was a great target man and whilst he didn`t score enough goals he did get a few.
Moreno is quicker than Heskey but is easily knocked off the ball and doesn`t look like scoring .

Result ?one point for 06/07

The benches

06/07?Mike Pollitt, Ryan Taylor, Paul Scharner, Kevin Kilbane, Henri Camara, Andreas Johannson, David Unsworth

09/10 ? Vladimir Stojkovic, Hendry Thomas, Jordi Gomez, Victor Moses, Emerson Boyce, Scott Sinclair, Paul Scharner

Neither bench fills me with optimism but 06.07 just has the edge with a younger more dependable Polliit as back up for Kirkland, an impact striker in Henri Camara , a utility player in Ryan Taylor and a more focussed Paul Scharner.
09/10 Has the exciting talent of Victor Moses and the ever dependable Emerson Boyce

Result ?one point for 06/07

Manager
06/07 Paul Jewell
09/10 Roberto Martinez

A close call, Jewell would change his tactics whilst Martinez is very rigid in his ideas but both struggled to get the best out of their players.

Result?a draw

Final score

06/07?. 5 points
09/10 ? 4 points

A close run thing. Both sides have flaws as well as strengths . Hopefully it will not come down to the last game of the season away at Chelsea but if it does then can Martinez invoke the spirit of 06/07 amongst the current crop of players ? Here`s hoping.