| Mike Phelan, a solid and dependable midfield player, earned his dream move to Manchester United and a sudden catapulting into the England set-up after earning numerous friends as captain of a Norwich team which nearly won everything and ultimately won nothing in 1989. With World Cup qualification secure, he was called up by Bobby Robson for a friendly with Italy in November that year (the photo above is during the game), coming on as a sub for captain Bryan Robson at half time, and responding by completely fooling Walter Zenga with a 40 yard lob midway through the half which dropped just a yard wide of the post. It was almost the perfect debut and could have been the perfect end too, as, with Robson, Webb, McMahon and the emerging Gascoigne and Platt in his way, he wasn't asked back. (Matthew Rudd) |