DREAM TEAM

Jonathan Hogg picks out the best XI he has played with and against

GOALKEEPERI

Brad Friedel – Tottenham Hotspur The experience he brought to a team and the knowledge he has about football was just fantastic for the younger lads like us. I always remember how he helped me on my debut for Aston Villa at 20, in a big game against Manchester United.

CENTRE BACKI

Richard Dunne – Queens Park Rangers He is so passionate about the game and is always an underrated defender – quick, powerful and a leader. Playing against him in the Championship has just reminded me of that. He may not be at his peak, but he’s still a great player.

CENTRE BACKI

James Collins – West Ham United He puts his body on the line in training, not just in matches. He really leads by example and shows how much effort it takes to be a top professional footballer. He’d be in just on his will to forge a career.

CENTRE BACKI

Marco Cassetti – Watford I need a ball-playing centre-half and Marco is definitely one of those, he is so calm and relaxed in everything he does – a little bit different to my other two I think it’s fair to say!

RIGHTI WING-BACKI

Ikechi Anya – Watford He is a little whippet. He gets forward, crosses the ball well, and has so much energy. It’s amazing to see how far he’s come, from the Glenn Hoddle Academy to being an international player in the Championship.

LEFTI WING-BACKI

Stewart Downing – West Ham United He is a close friend of mine and what people don’t realise is that he’s got pace and would do well at wing-back. He has had some big money moves and you don’t get them for not being a good player, he’s one of the best I’ve played with.

CENTRALI MIDFIELDI

Gareth Barry – Everton (on loan from Manchester City) My God, he’s just fantastic. People question his pace too but you don’t see many people getting away from him and I’m not surprised how well he’s doing at Everton. He is class on the ball and has got character in the dressing room which is vital to any team.

CENTRALI MIDFIELDI

Almen Abdi – Watford We used to call him ‘The Professor’ at Watford because he could create a chance out of anything – smash it into the top corner or play a perfect through ball. He can play at the highest level and Watford have done well to tie him down.

CENTRALI MIDFIELDI

Nathaniel Chalobah – Middlesbrough (on loan from Chelsea) He had a great year at Watford when I was there last season. He’s still only a baby, but he doesn’t let anything bother him. He tries things in areas where you think ‘what if he loses the ball there?’ and he pulls it off. He has so much potential.

STRIKERI

Troy Deeney – Watford He is a leader on the pitch and works his socks off, which is why he gets so many goals. He is a nice guy off the pitch and is not a ‘yes’ man – he puts his opinion across if he doesn’t think things are right and I respect that.

STRIKERI

James Vaughan – Huddersfield Town He’s played in the Premier League and, unfortunately, has had a lot of injuries this year. But when he started off for Huddersfield he was going at more than a goal a game. Every chance he gets he tucks away. He’ll be huge next year for us.