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The Great Players Thread! |
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Jul 4 2008, 11:56 AM
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Prima Squadra
Group: Helpers
Posts: 30,192
Joined: 11-March 07
From: Birmingham, England
Member No.: 3,660
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Paul McGrath(IMG: http://dynimg.rte.ie/00002b8c0c8r.jpg) (IMG: http://www.cerebis.com/mcgrath/images/famous/paul.jpg) One of my personal favourite ever players. Paul McGrath, born in England but played for Ireland made over 250 appearances for Villa between '89 and '96. After a fall out with Fergie at United, we signed him on the cheap and he became one of the best defenders in the leagues history. Took us to two 2nd place finishes in the league, as well as winning the league Cup with us in '94 and '96. In terms of awards, he is one of the few defenders to win the PFA Player of the Year award ('9-'93 season) and only John Terry has won it since, as a defender. He was also voted as Irelands greatest ever players - joint with Roy Keane and Liam Brady. His most notable International game was during the 1994 World Cup when he marked then World Player of the Year, Roberto Baggio, out of the game in an historic 1-0 win for Ireland. A legend amongst Villa fans has earned him the nickname 'God', but not just for his ability on the field. He is one of the few modern day players that did not act like a celebrity and he had 'real life' problems. He could barely train due to his knee troubles and had a drinking problem, but still made time for his fans. After home games he'd usually go into the local pub and sit down and talk with the fans and just generally act like one of the lads. An absoloute legend in my eyes!
This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Jul 4 2008, 12:00 PM
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Jul 4 2008, 01:20 PM
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Prima Squadra
Group: Helpers
Posts: 30,192
Joined: 11-March 07
From: Birmingham, England
Member No.: 3,660
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QUOTE (KillerMax @ Jul 4 2008, 11:19 AM) No ****... He was Irish after all... (IMG: http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) So what kind of a defender was he? He looks the Terry type... Aggressive and physical... BTW, has there ever been any real technical defenders in England? Like the Nesta, Maldini, Costacurta types? (IMG: http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I think Terry is a good comparison. He didn't really have any pace, but he read the game suprberly, so he wouldn't often get owned by pacey players, great with the slide tackle as well. He was a big, strong, physicall guy, but I think most defenders were in England back in the early 90s since the game was mainly about strength and speed rather than any World class ability on the ball. Rio Ferdinand likes to think he is. (IMG: http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) But seriously I can't think of any. English CBs often try to get rid of it ASAP, they don't like the ball at their feet. Thomas Habler.. I recall the name, did he play for anybody else, or just Dortmund?
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Jul 4 2008, 01:25 PM
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Loves Greek Women esp Fay
Group: Moderators
Posts: 14,924
Joined: 19-May 06
From: Bangalore,India
Member No.: 1,865
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QUOTE (kurtsimonw @ Jul 4 2008, 05:50 PM) (IMG: http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I think Terry is a good comparison. He didn't really have any pace, but he read the game suprberly, so he wouldn't often get owned by pacey players, great with the slide tackle as well. He was a big, strong, physicall guy, but I think most defenders were in England back in the early 90s since the game was mainly about strength and speed rather than any World class ability on the ball. Rio Ferdinand likes to think he is. (IMG: http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) But seriously I can't think of any. English CBs often try to get rid of it ASAP, they don't like the ball at their feet. Thomas Habler.. I recall the name, did he play for anybody else, or just Dortmund? Hassler. In German, the beta symbol supposedly represents the 'ss' sound. I was informed of this, by a very nice girl from Liechtenstein. He's also done stints at Cologne, Roma and Juve.
This post has been edited by Jack Sparrow: Jul 4 2008, 01:27 PM
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Jul 6 2008, 11:13 AM
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Insert cool title here<--
Group: Moderators
Posts: 4,121
Joined: 7-May 06
From: Berlin, Germany
Member No.: 1,792
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Fritz Walter (IMG: http://www.betzenberg.de/images/Fritz-Walter-Stiftung_02-Leipziger-Jahrhundertor.jpg) and Helmut "Boss" Rahn (on the left) (IMG: http://www.glaubeaktuell.net/media/Nachrichten_Sport/schweden_2.jpg) Every kid in Germany knows them as they were the key players in what is known as "The wonder of Bern". The 1954 WC final in which Germany won against Hungaries dream. Walter captained the side while Boss Rahn scored the decisive goal in the final against Hungary. Walter was already 34 during that World Cup but he's known as one of the best midfielders to ever play for Germany. He spent his entire career playing for Kaiserslautern despite having offers from italian and spanish clubs n front of the war who wanted to pay half a million D-Mark for him. After he was released from war captivity Walter started playing again and ended his international career in 1958. To honor their greatest player ever Kaiserslautern gave their stadium his name - Fritz Walter Stadion. He died in 2002. Rahn had his best time at Rot-Weiss Essen. But there is no doubt he'll always be remembered for the 3-2 he scored in the 1954 WC final - The most known goal in German football history. He had huge problems with his famousness and it is rumored he had huge problems with alcohol. He died 2003.
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Jul 7 2008, 12:11 AM
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Insert cool title here<--
Group: Moderators
Posts: 4,121
Joined: 7-May 06
From: Berlin, Germany
Member No.: 1,792
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Almost forgot...the guy from my sig. Ansgar Brinkmann: (IMG: http://www.11freunde.de/img/artikel/108374_big.jpg) I'd say no player wasted his talent better than the "white brazilian". A legend albeit he never won anything. He played for at least two dozen clubs amongst them Preußen Münster (the city I live in...when PReußen still palyed in the 2nd Bundesliga...in the early 90ies. And then at the end of his career 2 years ago). He is was and will always be arrogant and overconfident but he was an amazing player. In one game he told a defender of the team he was playing against "You won't get a touch at the ball" before the kick-off. And so it happened. And he was a funny guy...whether it was on purpose or not. Announcement on his answering machine "You can call me at my favorite bar till five in the morning. The number is..."
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