| A combative yet cultured midfielder who was recruited by Everton as they began to threaten Liverpool's national and local domination, the oft-underrated Paul Bracewell looked a decent bet as a long-term replacement for Bryan Robson when he helped run the midfield which took his new club to the 1985 title with grit, style and grace. This brought him an England debut as a substitute during the summer tour of Mexico, a year before he hoped to be back there for the 1986 World Cup. Two more appearances followed, including a World Cup qualifier with Northern Ireland at Wembley, but he was then dealt a double blow when an awful training injury to his knee not only kept him out of the squad for Mexico, but out of action entirely for two whole years. After that, he was never the same player and Bobby Robson couldn't find room for a sentimental recall once he re-established himself. (Matthew Rudd) |