I think the sort of players you're talking about are often overlooked by many customers because they are performing a role for the team rather than being a flair player going out and expressing themselves...see Keith Jones for example.
Nail on head.
Whilst many fans are following the ball and looking out for the flair players, they're rarely going to appreciate those players that hold a team together - and indeed provide the platform that allows those flair players to do their stuff.
The Kishishevs, Keith Jones and Matty Hollands did the dropping back, keeping the team shape, covering and tracking which allowed those more talented to get forward.
Years ago, after underdog Southampton had finished 2nd in the top division, their manager Lawrie McMenemy was asked the secret of his success:
"In every successful team you need 9 virtuoso players", he said, "and 2 roadsweepers".
I think the sort of players you're talking about are often overlooked by many customers because they are performing a role for the team rather than being a flair player going out and expressing themselves...see Keith Jones for example.
Nail on head.
Whilst many fans are following the ball and looking out for the flair players, they're rarely going to appreciate those players that hold a team together - and indeed provide the platform that allows those flair players to do their stuff.
The Kishishevs, Keith Jones and Matty Hollands did the dropping back, keeping the team shape, covering and tracking which allowed those more talented to get forward.
Years ago, after underdog Southampton had finished 2nd in the top division, their manager Lawrie McMenemy was asked the secret of his success:
"In every successful team you need 9 virtuoso players", he said, "and 2 roadsweepers".
Our last three managers got that the wrong way around...
Holland was an interesting one. I think being a great guy helped his profile as a player. Bar the year when he played a lot on the right when we still had Parker and Jensen , I thought he was exceedingly average . As I say, great guy though .
I'll add Jason Euell into this; I couldn't look past his poor ball control but many liked him and in fairness he did score a lot of goals
Dennis was simply used in the wrong way - Curbs did not play attacking teams by this stage. (Bar the first few games of whatever season it was where him, Bent, Murphy and Smertin were unplayable they were so good)
Dennis was simply used in the wrong way - Curbs did not play attacking teams by this stage. (Bar the first few games of whatever season it was where him, Bent, Murphy and Smertin were unplayable they were so good)
Kevin Lisbie Andy Jones Keith Jones Jamie Stuart Phil Chapple Denis Romedahl
Good list, but anyone who thinks Keith Jones was poor knows fuck all about football.
I always felt that he did a job, but I always seemed to be surrounded by people saying he only passed sideways.
Oh and can I add Alan Curbishley (as a player) he always seemed to divide opinion.
Mind you, a midfielder passing sideways surely unleashes wingers in an effort to bypass the opposing team's defences...
I'm sure some of us have been complaining about a lack of decent attacking play this season. A Keith Jones Mk II might be just what we need. Can anyone think of a half-decent Chelsea midfielder being underused at the mo?
Can I add, after his wise words last night, Chris Iwelumo (I always thought he was good but there were some vocally against)?
I seem to remember a lot of people moaning about Andy Hunt, bizarrely.
to be fair i didn't think much of him in his first season with us. Then again i was about 8 years old and thought "strikers were there to score goals".
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Firmly in the Leaburn Camp and the plain fact he did it at a higher level
Ask the pro's who played with Carl and they will tell you how good he was
Ironic that we would like a striker now who hit the back of the net as often as Carl let alone a Killer/Hunt/Whyte/Mendonca.
Might I suggest John Bumstead and Alan Pardew (as a player) ?
Nail on head.
Whilst many fans are following the ball and looking out for the flair players, they're rarely going to appreciate those players that hold a team together - and indeed provide the platform that allows those flair players to do their stuff.
The Kishishevs, Keith Jones and Matty Hollands did the dropping back, keeping the team shape, covering and tracking which allowed those more talented to get forward.
Years ago, after underdog Southampton had finished 2nd in the top division, their manager Lawrie McMenemy was asked the secret of his success:
"In every successful team you need 9 virtuoso players", he said, "and 2 roadsweepers".
Then again, I always rated Leaburn, Kish, Semedo, Lisbie and co. They may not have been Maradona but they were effective and put in a shift.
Seem to remember Morts had his detractors back in the day too, especially as a younger player in his first stint.
I'll add Jason Euell into this; I couldn't look past his poor ball control but many liked him and in fairness he did score a lot of goals
Dennis was simply used in the wrong way - Curbs did not play attacking teams by this stage. (Bar the first few games of whatever season it was where him, Bent, Murphy and Smertin were unplayable they were so good)
Oh and can I add Alan Curbishley (as a player) he always seemed to divide opinion.
I'm sure some of us have been complaining about a lack of decent attacking play this season. A Keith Jones Mk II might be just what we need. Can anyone think of a half-decent Chelsea midfielder being underused at the mo?
Can I add, after his wise words last night, Chris Iwelumo (I always thought he was good but there were some vocally against)?