Football: Allardyce opts for All Whites pair

Ryan Nelsen and Winston Reid formed a solid combination in the All Whites defence. Photo / Richard Robinson

After 15 years spent managing in the English Premier League, Sam Allardyce had plenty of players to chose from when selecting his best XI.

And, when picking a pair for the heart of his defence, the coach known affectionately as Big Sam looked no further than a couple of Kiwis.

Both Ryan Nelsen and Winston Reid received nods when Allardyce revealed to premierleague.com his best XI of players he had managed from 437 matches in England's top flight.

Nelsen earned selection after captaining Blackburn Rover during Allardyce's time in charge, while Reid impressed enough at West Ham to be picked alongside his former All Whites skipper.

"I've had a few good ones," Allardyce said when selecting centre-backs. "Gudni Bergsson at Bolton, Chris Samba at Blackburn, but I am going for Ryan Nelsen at Blackburn, who was a really good captain. Mr Dependable."

And of Reid, Allardyce said: "I chose Ryan's partner at New Zealand, Winston Reid. He was what everybody seems to forget - the same with Ryan Nelsen - that central defenders are there to defend. They're not there to be ball players. They're there to be out and out defenders and these two are outstanding defenders.

"They could certainly handle the ball, but the main priority was that they were able to cope with the quality of the Premier League, read dangerous situations, nullify top players from around the world, and they're a good combination."

Allardyce's best XI:

Goalkeeper: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton)
Defenders: Habib Beye (Newcastle), Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn), Winston Reid (West Ham), Ricardo Gardner (Bolton).
Midfielders: Fernando Hierro (Bolton), Jay Jay Okocha (Bolton), Gary Speed (Bolton).
Attackers: Stewart Downing (West Ham), Nicolas Anelka (Bolton), Youri Djorkaeff (Bolton)