Irwin vs Evra

Who was our best left back in the Premier League era?


  • Total voters
    308
  • Poll closed .

DanClancy

Full Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2015
Messages
1,360
Evra.
I know Irwin was Mr. Consistent, can strike good freekick, and solid defensively. But Evra was a much better attacking full back, a good tackler and great link up with Ronaldo at that time.
Not even close, Irwin miles better going forward.
 

Champagne Football

New Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2015
Messages
4,187
Location
El Beatle
It's a bit like comparing Bryan Robson and N'Golo Kante. Players from different eras. Robson more of a warrior than Kante and much more of a goal threat, but Kante possibly slightly quicker, more tenacious and schooled in modern tactics.
 

MadDogg

Full Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
15,812
Location
Manchester Utd never lose, just run out of time
Not even close, Irwin miles better going forward.
Irwin's end-product was obviously better, but Evra was better at actually getting forward. He was able to completely dominate the entire flank, both offensively and defensively, more than Irwin ever did (Irwin relied a bit more on his teammates to create the space). It's just that his lack of a final ball meant that all those opportunities often got wasted.

It's bloody close between them. I'm tempted to say Irwin, but the one thing holding me back is that he was mostly doing it during a time that the Premier League was quite a bit behind the other top leagues, whereas Evra was at his peak during the period where it was the strongest in the world.
 

UpWithRivers

Full Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2013
Messages
3,620
This is like friends when Joey was asked to choose between sex and food. Which makes Evra the sex and Irwin the food? Damn.....Ill go for Irwin then
 

youngrell

Full Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2016
Messages
3,545
Location
South Wales
Evra's greatest attribute over Irwin was his fantastic ball-carrying ability. He'd get us up the pitch in seconds and do it regularly with great energy. The opportunities he created for himself were often wasted though, sadly. Bad crosses were quite normal. But he was very fun to watch, a wonderful player.

Ultimately though, you'd get more out of Irwin's attack, even if he did it 50% less than Evra, because his accuracy was much more dependable. He wasn't one for lung-bursting runs like Pat, but he did time his runs to perfection most of the time. Even now, in legends matches he arrives at the right time to help the winger and his delivery is nearly always great. Super dependable with terrific technique.