by chunkygull » 16 Aug 2013, 15:30
ferrarilover wrote:Twas a different game back then and the skillset was very different. Chopper Harris might well have been a brilliant defender (I happen also to know that he's a delightful chap), but he'd be pointless today because he'd be off after 5 minutes and banned for the vast majority of the season. The level of technical ability on show today, combined with the pace and fitness of the modern lads (as well as a fair adjustment for a hefty dose of rose-tinted vision) would likely see today's squad run out comfortable winners against the old boys.
There are a few exceptions. The most obvious is George Best (who I also happen to be able to vouch for, although to a much greater degree than I can with Chopper), he would still be one of the three best players in the world and considerably better than the very ordinary Gareth Bale. Bobby Charlton would probably cope fairly well too, but only for the first half...Matt.
the players i think of when anyone asks who are the best torquay players i have seen would fit into any torquay team over the last 25 years. i appreciate the points of different times, better fitness and different skill sets, but the players i am thinking of are way better than anything we have now at what what they do, whether it be based on physicality or skill.
there might be a touch of the rose tints about it but yes at their peak, loram, caldwell, russell, graham, jack, fowler, holmes, kelly, lloyd, elliott, dobson, gibbs, gurney, mclinchey are way better than any players in their positions in recent times and would fit into the modern, if not any era. in their position they are all way better than anyone we have had in recent times.
we have had so many mediocre at best players, we have had wingers who cant beat a man or cross a ball, yet fans still rave about them or say keep giving them a chance. we have had defenders who make too many mistakes. centre mids who are all huff and puff with bugger all, passing ability or ball skills. dont even get me started on centre forwards - just because certain ones run about a lot like a headless chicken or certain ones are overly physical, tap a few in or score a few penalties they are the best player in the universe.
a lot of players are over hyped and over rated these days, even those in a torquay shirt. many are mediocre at best.
[quote="ferrarilover"]Twas a different game back then and the skillset was very different. Chopper Harris might well have been a brilliant defender (I happen also to know that he's a delightful chap), but he'd be pointless today because he'd be off after 5 minutes and banned for the vast majority of the season. The level of technical ability on show today, combined with the pace and fitness of the modern lads (as well as a fair adjustment for a hefty dose of rose-tinted vision) would likely see today's squad run out comfortable winners against the old boys.
There are a few exceptions. The most obvious is George Best (who I also happen to be able to vouch for, although to a much greater degree than I can with Chopper), he would still be one of the three best players in the world and considerably better than the very ordinary Gareth Bale. Bobby Charlton would probably cope fairly well too, but only for the first half...Matt.[/quote]
the players i think of when anyone asks who are the best torquay players i have seen would fit into any torquay team over the last 25 years. i appreciate the points of different times, better fitness and different skill sets, but the players i am thinking of are way better than anything we have now at what what they do, whether it be based on physicality or skill.
there might be a touch of the rose tints about it but yes at their peak, loram, caldwell, russell, graham, jack, fowler, holmes, kelly, lloyd, elliott, dobson, gibbs, gurney, mclinchey are way better than any players in their positions in recent times and would fit into the modern, if not any era. in their position they are all way better than anyone we have had in recent times.
we have had so many mediocre at best players, we have had wingers who cant beat a man or cross a ball, yet fans still rave about them or say keep giving them a chance. we have had defenders who make too many mistakes. centre mids who are all huff and puff with bugger all, passing ability or ball skills. dont even get me started on centre forwards - just because certain ones run about a lot like a headless chicken or certain ones are overly physical, tap a few in or score a few penalties they are the best player in the universe.
a lot of players are over hyped and over rated these days, even those in a torquay shirt. many are mediocre at best.
