Football Mavericks

[Herbert Anchovy]

I've been reading a book recently about so called football mavericks, and a really enjoyable read it is too. It seems that the 1970's was a golden period for the production of highly skilled, yet fairly tempestuous English footballers. During a half decade period the country produced players such as Rodney Marsh, Peter Osgood, Alan Hudson, Charlie George and Frank Worthington. Players who could turn a match with one bit of individual brilliance but who could also be a little challenging to say the least.

What they also had in common was that, despite their individual brilliance, none of them had much of an international career to match their talent. The England Managers of the period seemed to be very suspicious of this type of player, instead preferring solid team players rather than individual talent. They would often select these players and play them out of position or substitute them early in the match. With such talent at our disposal England should have been a major force in world football during the 70's, instead you could argue that we were even worse than we are now.

It seems that we no longer produce players of that ilk anymore, Gazza was probably the last one. However, judging by history, even if we did they'd be mis-managed or have that flair coached out of them.

[Nudga]

The FA have recognised this and are driving towards more street style football training where kids are more or less left to work things out for themselves in a chaotic game situation. They certainly want grassroots coaches to go away from the robotic straight line drills.
It's an absolute breath of fresh air and hopefully we'll start seeing the fruits of this process in the not too distant future.

[not on facebook]

The fact that England have not had anyone as close to gazzas talents since he left the international scene is one reason why England will never reach the top

[BobG]

Who was that one who played for Reading? Another stunningly talented 70's bloke who threw it all away. I think he committed suicide in the end?

And who was the one who could jump over a Mini from a standing start? He went to Leeds for a while. Got it! Duncan Mackenzie!

BobG

[DonnyOsmond]

The fact that England have not had anyone as close to gazzas talents since he left the international scene is one reason why England will never reach the top

What? Because we've not had a player between 98 and 2017 means we'll never have one 2018 onwards? How the f*ck does that work out? We could have the English Messi in 2020.

[roversdude]

Robin Friday Bob
Great read his book

[Herbert Anchovy]

Who was that one who played for Reading? Another stunningly talented 70's bloke who threw it all away. I think he committed suicide in the end?

And who was the one who could jump over a Mini from a standing start? He went to Leeds for a while. Got it! Duncan Mackenzie!

BobG

I think it's Robin Friday you're referring to Bob. There was a fabulous book written about him a few years ago by Paul Mcguigan who was the bass player in Oasis.

[not on facebook]

The fact that England have not had anyone as close to gazzas talents since he left the international scene is one reason why England will never reach the top

What? Because we've not had a player between 98 and 2017 means we'll never have one 2018 onwards? How the f*ck does that work out? We could have the English Messi in 2020.

Since gazza left can you name one English player that could turn a game on his own with a single bit of out of this world skill .

[Herbert Anchovy]

The FA have recognised this and are driving towards more street style football training where kids are more or less left to work things out for themselves in a chaotic game situation. They certainly want grassroots coaches to go away from the robotic straight line drills.
It's an absolute breath of fresh air and hopefully we'll start seeing the fruits of this process in the not too distant future.

That's interesting Nudga. Sounds promising for the future if that's the case.

[DonnyOsmond]

The fact that England have not had anyone as close to gazzas talents since he left the international scene is one reason why England will never reach the top

What? Because we've not had a player between 98 and 2017 means we'll never have one 2018 onwards? How the f*ck does that work out? We could have the English Messi in 2020.

Since gazza left can you name one English player that could turn a game on his own with a single bit of out of this world skill .

What does that have to do with the future?

[not on facebook]

The fact that England have not had anyone as close to gazzas talents since he left the international scene is one reason why England will never reach the top

What? Because we've not had a player between 98 and 2017 means we'll never have one 2018 onwards? How the f*ck does that work out? We could have the English Messi in 2020.

Since gazza left can you name one English player that could turn a game on his own with a single bit of out of this world skill .

What does that have to do with the future?

Ok I will re write what I think

Only way England will have a chance of hitting the top is if they can bring through a player of gazzas talents who can change a single game .

[DonnyOsmond]

The fact that England have not had anyone as close to gazzas talents since he left the international scene is one reason why England will never reach the top

What? Because we've not had a player between 98 and 2017 means we'll never have one 2018 onwards? How the f*ck does that work out? We could have the English Messi in 2020.

Since gazza left can you name one English player that could turn a game on his own with a single bit of out of this world skill .

What does that have to do with the future?

Ok I will re write what I think

Only way England will have a chance of hitting the top is if they can bring through a player of gazzas talents who can change a single game .

Can't disagree. Players lack creativity and the ability to think for themselves.

[Filo]

I've been reading a book recently about so called football mavericks, and a really enjoyable read it is too. It seems that the 1970's was a golden period for the production of highly skilled, yet fairly tempestuous English footballers. During a half decade period the country produced players such as Rodney Marsh, Peter Osgood, Alan Hudson, Charlie George and Frank Worthington. Players who could turn a match with one bit of individual brilliance but who could also be a little challenging to say the least.

What they also had in common was that, despite their individual brilliance, none of them had much of an international career to match their talent. The England Managers of the period seemed to be very suspicious of this type of player, instead preferring solid team players rather than individual talent. They would often select these players and play them out of position or substitute them early in the match. With such talent at our disposal England should have been a major force in world football during the 70's, instead you could argue that we were even worse than we are now.

It seems that we no longer produce players of that ilk anymore, Gazza was probably the last one. However, judging by history, even if we did they'd be mis-managed or have that flair coached out of them.

Stan Bowles was another one

[not on facebook]

The fact that England have not had anyone as close to gazzas talents since he left the international scene is one reason why England will never reach the top

What? Because we've not had a player between 98 and 2017 means we'll never have one 2018 onwards? How the f*ck does that work out? We could have the English Messi in 2020.

Since gazza left can you name one English player that could turn a game on his own with a single bit of out of this world skill .

What does that have to do with the future?

Ok I will re write what I think

Only way England will have a chance of hitting the top is if they can bring through a player of gazzas talents who can change a single game .

Can't disagree. Players lack creativity and the ability to think for themselves.

It is possible for England to win a cup as likes of Denmark and Greece have done in the euros ,but a different task for them to hit the top .

When both Denmark and Greece won their cups ,that was it they went straight back where they come from on the football ladder .

I can to the conclusion sometime back that england would not win fcuk all in my life time.

For 20 odd years I have been all over Europe 1988 to World Cup in Germany 2006 ,never seen them on English soil .
Said I had enough when I woke up in the hotel one morning in Germany and told all my mates that's me finished .even gave up my sweden v England ticket that I had got on the black market .

Could not even be arsed to watch England in oslo when they was out here about 5 years back,can't even watch a full game on the tv anymore as I might click over for last 5 mins .

[BobG]

Thank you Herbert, Dude. Shameful not remembering Robin's name. And Stan Bowles too - especially as he was my favourite out of all those mega talents. I once saw him at the City Ground in the League Cup when QPR were on the slide after that amazing season they almost won the title. It was the very first match Paul Goddard ever played. It was Stan Bowles versus Forest. He was just awesome that night. Forest won 1-0 but Stan Bowles lit up the entire evening - and Forest were a damn good side back then too with some cracking players. Stan was part of the best midfield I've ever seen: Gerry Francis, Don Masson and Stan Bowles. I was lucky. I was living in White City right at the time they were bossing every other midfield in the league. Saw them take the piss out of West Ham one night to beat them 6-1.

Who was the other genius at QPR? A couple of years after Stan maybe? I think he ended up at Man City?

BobG

[NickDRFC]

Rodney Marsh? Mentioned in the OP.

[Filo]

Rodney Marsh? Mentioned in the OP.

Rodney Marsh was before Bowles, Bowles was brought in to replace Marsh

[NickDRFC]

Rodney Marsh? Mentioned in the OP.

Rodney Marsh was before Bowles, Bowles was brought in to replace Marsh

Way before my time which is why I put the question mark, was just going on the QPR to Man City connection.

[George Carter]

England need a Gazza and a Paul scholes in the team at the same time.  The best two players for talent this country have had  since some kid from Armthorpe got rejected by us..