I reckon the current squad is the best in terms of quality in depth that we have ever fielded in the top flight. Certainly the standard of football in England has increased markedly over that played by Steve Coppell’s team of 1990, when the long ball was successfully knocking Liverpool off their “f*cking perch” (Ferguson reckons it was United – I say it was Wimbledon, Leeds, Palace, etc. along with a little help from Souness). So as I lay in bed last night I idly wondered how few of the Villa Park heroes would hold down a spot in today’s team (Emma Watson was unavailable for my “fifty shades of red ‘n’ blue” fantasies last night – some talk of a mythical restraining order apparently:rolleyes:) – and I was surprised by what I reckon the result would be.
Those Palace fans who were not around in 1990 will not understand the pull of that match in the memories of those of us lucky enough to experience it in person, on the telly or via the radio. Simply put, Palace did not win those sorts of matches. For us it was the equivalent of Wembley ’66; to United fans Benfica in ’68, or Rome / Istanbul for the Scousers. On the coach home there was no celebration; everyone was simply too stunned to talk. Yet most of us look at that team as fighters where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. Surely the era of Pulis & Pardew would simply swamp Coppell’s doughty fighters? But I reckon six or seven of Steve’s squad from 25 years ago would walk into Supa Al’s side these days.:eek:
Nigel Martyn or Julian Speroni? If it was Julian on last season’s form then I’d plump for him, but overall I’d just go with Big Nige.
Left back has been a problem for us. Richard Shaw was pretty much filling in as Ward & Kelly have done, but I’d definitely have Richard just ahead.
Andy Thorn as defensive partner to Scott Dann; underrated & better than either Delaney or Hangeland.
What we do miss at the moment is a box-to-box midfielder who can run all day, can cover defensively and has a good scoring record. Geoff Thomas may not have the same level of McArthur’s skills or Jedinak’s steel, but he has enough of both and the ingredients mentioned above. I’d have a central midfield pairing of Geoff & McArthur.
Salako would certainly be one of the two best wingers out of Zaha, Puncheon or Bolasie. On his best form Wilf is a certainty, but John could play equally as well on either flank, work hard defensively and had a decent scoring record.
Finally – and I’m going to cheat as I know one didn’t actually play at Villa Park – there is no manager who is going to leave either Wright or Bright on the bench, and certainly none brave enough to drop them completely! The current strikers have a problem with both weighing in with over 100 goals each for Palace. Of course, we’d have to switch to 4-4-2 to accommodate the deadly duo...
So no place for some of my favourite players – Mr. 110% Phil Barber or Pembo – limited but such tryers, and Supa Al would have to be Sir Steve’s assistant, but that 1990 team had a core of players who would improve any Palace side in any era. It lacked real depth (Rudi Hedman as sub in a FA Cup Final!) but was far more talented than we give it credit for.
So, the delusions of a tired old man? What do you think?
Those Palace fans who were not around in 1990 will not understand the pull of that match in the memories of those of us lucky enough to experience it in person, on the telly or via the radio. Simply put, Palace did not win those sorts of matches. For us it was the equivalent of Wembley ’66; to United fans Benfica in ’68, or Rome / Istanbul for the Scousers. On the coach home there was no celebration; everyone was simply too stunned to talk. Yet most of us look at that team as fighters where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. Surely the era of Pulis & Pardew would simply swamp Coppell’s doughty fighters? But I reckon six or seven of Steve’s squad from 25 years ago would walk into Supa Al’s side these days.:eek:
Nigel Martyn or Julian Speroni? If it was Julian on last season’s form then I’d plump for him, but overall I’d just go with Big Nige.
Left back has been a problem for us. Richard Shaw was pretty much filling in as Ward & Kelly have done, but I’d definitely have Richard just ahead.
Andy Thorn as defensive partner to Scott Dann; underrated & better than either Delaney or Hangeland.
What we do miss at the moment is a box-to-box midfielder who can run all day, can cover defensively and has a good scoring record. Geoff Thomas may not have the same level of McArthur’s skills or Jedinak’s steel, but he has enough of both and the ingredients mentioned above. I’d have a central midfield pairing of Geoff & McArthur.
Salako would certainly be one of the two best wingers out of Zaha, Puncheon or Bolasie. On his best form Wilf is a certainty, but John could play equally as well on either flank, work hard defensively and had a decent scoring record.
Finally – and I’m going to cheat as I know one didn’t actually play at Villa Park – there is no manager who is going to leave either Wright or Bright on the bench, and certainly none brave enough to drop them completely! The current strikers have a problem with both weighing in with over 100 goals each for Palace. Of course, we’d have to switch to 4-4-2 to accommodate the deadly duo...
So no place for some of my favourite players – Mr. 110% Phil Barber or Pembo – limited but such tryers, and Supa Al would have to be Sir Steve’s assistant, but that 1990 team had a core of players who would improve any Palace side in any era. It lacked real depth (Rudi Hedman as sub in a FA Cup Final!) but was far more talented than we give it credit for.
So, the delusions of a tired old man? What do you think?
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