Lucas Neill
Lucas Neill was one of the key reasons for West Ham’s dramatic survival story in 2007 – sure, the acquisition of a certain Carlos Tevez certainly helped, but Neill was no less crucial than the Argentinian hitman.
A dogged defender, Neill knew every trick in the book and when to use them. He was unceremoniously selected as Hammers captain after the departure of Nigel Reo-coker, but he took the mantle with vigour.
He wasn’t necessarily the right man at the right time – but he made it work. A nomadic player, Neill spent time at a host of other clubs, such as Millwall, Everton and Doncaster Rovers.