Tottenham Hotspur's Best XI Of The Decade: Left Midfield

Only a few more positions left before we finally complete our Tottenham Hotspur Best XI of the last Decade. Surprisingly, there's very few nominees for this left midfield position and to be honest including anyone other than Gareth Bale on this list is going to be superfluous, but it's important to have the vote.

The biggest quandary I came across while creating this list was what to do about Luka Modric. For the better part of two seasons, prior to the emergence of a certain Welsh winger, Modric played left midfield. I think we all identify him more as a central midfielder and thus he will be listed with the players at that position.

Honestly, I feel like this list isn't very good, despite the fact that we know who's going to win. If I've missed anyone leave them in the comments. Remember the qualifications: played for Spurs between today and the start of the 2001-2002 season (that means David Ginola and Ricky Villa can't be included) and they have to play the left midfield position.

Nominees and voting are after the jump.

Simon Davies: Tottenham certainly like Welsh Left Wingers. Davies joined Spurs from Peterborough United in 2000 and went on to make 147 appearances scoring 18 goals for the Club. Davies was voted club Player of the Year in 2002. Davies is most often identified as a right midfielder, but during his time with Spurs that position was occupied by Darren Anderton. Anderton was often injured, so Davies deputized for him rather frequently, but when both were healthy Davies played on the left. Let's be honest, I wasn't going to include Matthew Etherington on this list.

Steed Malbranque: You know you're reaching a little bit when Steed is included in the best XI list. The Frenchman joined Spurs from Fulham in 2006 and went on to make 86 appearances in two season and scored ten goals to boot. He wasn't overly skillful and really didn't have much in the way of pace, but Malbranque worked hard and that quickly endeared him to Tottenham fans. My most vivid memory of Steed is his ridiculous own goal from the UEFA Cup tie against Sevilla, which for some reason I can't find video of. It was bad.

Gareth Bale: Normally, I would be against a player making it into the Best XI based solely upon a season and a half of good play, but this may be the exception. In his three seasons at Spurs Bale has made 119 appearances in all competitions and scored 17 goals (11 last season). Bale has ridiculous pace and stamina and his ability to get to the end line and get in a cross is the best on the team. Last season he improved his ability to cut inside and score and as a result he handed in some absolutely massive performances. For his performances Bale won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for 2011. Some call Bale the best left midfielder in the world, I'm not sure about that tag, but he is very very good. Probably the best left winger Spurs have had in this decade.