TRO Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 13 minutes ago, alreadyexists said: Alan Wright used to be a feisty one despite his size. its well documented, with me and size, but yes you are right, pardon the pun. Trippier is not at all big....but he has the heart of a lion and an assertive attitude, I will be the first to admit that compensates for size....unless its aerial balls. Our full backs are great going forward, but defending a bit questionable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alreadyexists Posted December 4, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted December 4, 2023 2 minutes ago, TRO said: its well documented, with me and size, but yes you are right, pardon the pun. Trippier is not at all big....but he has the heart of a lion and an assertive attitude, I will be the first to admit that compensates for size....unless its aerial balls. Our full backs are great going forward, but defending a bit questionable. Absolutely agree. Plus there is always a need to be measured and sensible with the physicality… you don’t want a player losing their head and just getting constant yellows and red cards 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 10 minutes ago, alreadyexists said: Absolutely agree. Plus there is always a need to be measured and sensible with the physicality… you don’t want a player losing their head and just getting constant yellows and red cards just getting close, and engaging can have the desired effect......that leaning in, can disrupt their rhythm. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fun Factory Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 Frank Barson is always the answer to this question. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 5 minutes ago, The Fun Factory said: Frank Barson is always the answer to this question. George Curtis....Loved him.......Shaun Teale was no slouch. Stanley Matthews always tried to avoid George Cummings too.....George screwed his studs to his feet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjw63 Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 2 hours ago, TRO said: Shaun Teale was no slouch. Shaun Teale Man Of Steel! Peter Withe could look after himself as well and it wasn't detrimental to his footballing skills. On the subject of feisty little 'uns did you ever see Eamonn Deacy flying into a tackle? Superb stuff. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 (edited) 43 minutes ago, rjw63 said: Shaun Teale Man Of Steel! Peter Withe could look after himself as well and it wasn't detrimental to his footballing skills. On the subject of feisty little 'uns did you ever see Eamonn Deacy flying into a tackle? Superb stuff. our "Psycho" The thing was he was played, for what he did best.....not for what we wanted him to do. He played in 9 games in the title winning season.....amazing how Saunders saw his worth, to the team function. These players, give the "talent" the platform and freedom to play, they negate the muggers who try to stop us playing. The game still has them in a more stealthy guise. Edited December 4, 2023 by TRO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HKP90 Posted December 4, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted December 4, 2023 You only realise how physial Dublin when you saw him in person. Never intimidated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xela Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 Alan Hutton 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChesterDad Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 I’m surprised Alex Cropley has not got a mention here. Terrific player, who could also dig a bit, when needed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinRichardsonsMoustache Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 I’ll second big Dion. Man was/is a unit. Leader on and off the pitch, on the scene to help team mates and could deal with a lot of punishment from defenders. To come back from that neck injury and play the way he did - for as long as he did - is bonkers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 Zat Knight was tall at least. Harewood was strong. Both were a bit pants thou. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyeddie Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 On Undr the Cosh, ex Blues centre forward Mick Harford (seen as an old school hard footballer) was asked who was the physically toughest opponent he ever faced. He said Paul McGrath. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugeley Villa Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 Fashanu was a handful although past his best when he came to Villa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avfc1982am Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 Ugo. The one and only Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talldarkandransome Posted December 5, 2023 Share Posted December 5, 2023 21 hours ago, TRO said: its well documented, with me and size, but yes you are right, pardon the pun. Trippier is not at all big....but he has the heart of a lion and an assertive attitude, I will be the first to admit that compensates for size....unless its aerial balls. Our full backs are great going forward, but defending a bit questionable. Come on @sidcow there's half a dozen Kenneth's there 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidcow Posted December 5, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted December 5, 2023 50 minutes ago, Talldarkandransome said: Come on @sidcow there's half a dozen Kenneth's there 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Risso Posted December 5, 2023 Share Posted December 5, 2023 Paul McGrath could more than handle himself, despite having the exquisite skills of a brain surgeon. Ugo was as strong as an ox, I remember one (fair) tackle on a Sheffield United player in the FA Cup when he absolutely marmalised the Blades player. My favourite ever tackle though was Marv in the League Cup final, absolutely superb and went through the City player at 100mph, great stuff. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinebro Posted December 5, 2023 Share Posted December 5, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teale's 'tache Posted December 5, 2023 Share Posted December 5, 2023 I think when you talk about physicality in football, players tend to fall into three main categories. 1. Those who want to dominate their opposition using physicality as their primary weapon. 2. Those who will use physicality when it is required, but primarily look to dominate in other ways. 3. Those who actively try to avoid physical battles on the pitch and use other skills to impact a game. Most of our players fall into the second category I'd say, and I think Watkins is a very good example of this. He's capable of engaging with defenders in physical battles when the situation is beneficial, but he doesn't spend the whole game on his marker's toes like say Shearer or Duncan Ferguson would back in the day, or Carew or Benteke would for us. Even Mings who's not shy of a physical tussle would try to be involved only when the situation suited us, as he had other responsibilities. I think tactically nowadays you can't just go and have a physical battle with your opposite number all game anymore, formations are so fluid and situations change so rapidly that you end up engaging with multiple different players at any one time. As a forward if you get sucked into scrapping with a center half all game then you run the risk of being easily contained, and a defender who does the same is no longer covering for their fellow defenders. Tactically every player is needed. Really, every player at the top level now is an athlete and will look to use whatever physical attributes they have to their advantage in any given situation. Most players are strong enough to hold off another player, but it's not just strength, often being balanced is just as important. So when people say 'he's easily knocked off the ball' it's not always down to how 'strong' they are, but more they keep finding themselves off balance and unable to use their strength. When we talk about reading the game, the advantage that can give you is a split second more to get yourself balanced and in the correct position to engage in a physical battle. I think you need a certain mentality to read the game in this way, to have this particular kind of anticipation, this is what I believe @TRO wants more of in our team, for us to become more robust. I think all of our players are capable, some more than others, but a little more certainly wouldn't hurt. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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