Peter Reid believes the front four of Kevin Phillips, Niall Quinn, Daniele Dichio and Michael Bridges had a similar impact on Sunderland's season to Manchester United. The front four of Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would go down in history as one of the most feared front lines the Premier League has ever seen.
Although Reid does not claim that the Black Cats strikers were on par with the Manchester United quartet, he believes the Wearsiders were at their best when all four were at the club. The former Sunderland boss was also full of praise for Phillips, who remains the last Englishman to win the European golden boot.
Speaking to Kammy and Ben's Proper Football Podcast, Reid said: "Unbelievable isn't it. Incredible. You know when you're playing against a team - I was at Sunderland and we played Watford. I think we drew 1-1 and it was a night game.
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"We had a bevvy afterwards and Glen Roeder was manager. I've gone to Glen 'I like your little [striker]' and he's gone 'I'm not sure.' My great pal was his assistant - Kenny Sansom. I've gone to Kenny 'I like your little fella there [Kevin Phillips].
"He went 'What a player.' As soon as he said that I thought I'm having a go at him. The pre-season George Burley was at Ipswich, and we were both vying for him. I just nicked him and took him up to Sunderland.
"He signed for us and him and the big man up front [Niall Quinn]. When we were at our best; Quinn, Phillips, Dichio, Bridges, that's not a bad four. Alex [Ferguson] when he had his great side; Teddy Sheringham, Cole, Yorke, Solskjaer, I'm not saying [they were as good] but I had four I could [trust].
"It was great. If you've got someone who can get you a goal and then can keep it tight at the back, you've got a chance."
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