In praise of Viv Anderson

[Yellow Fang]

Was frequently picked for England during the qualifiers, but didn't play a minute in the 82 World Cup where Mick Mills and Phil Neal were preferred, nor the 86 World Cup nor 88 European Cup where Gary Stevens was preferred. Did he ever complain to the media? Did he prematurely announce his retirement from the national side? I don't remember so.

 

[colly]

I read that and my first thought was......................what's so good about a 1960's pools winner??

 

[Hacienda71]

He always was out boozing with Brian Robson in the clubs and bars where I live. It was back in the early nineties when it was all part of the pro football culture Paul Merson and Tony Adams etc. He was a damn good defender though.

 

[Yellow Fang]

He always was out boozing with Brian Robson in the clubs and bars where I live. It was back in the early nineties when it was all part of the pro football culture Paul Merson and Tony Adams etc. He was a damn good defender though.

Bryan Robson seems to have done quite a lot of boozing. I read Alex Ferguson was worried about the fitness of Bryan Robson, Norman Whiteside and Paul McGrath when he arrived there. It makes you wonder how good they might have been, considering they were superb even with the drinking.

 

[Archie_tect]

Has he died?

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Bryan Robson seems to have done quite a lot of boozing. I read Alex Ferguson was worried about the fitness of Bryan Robson, Norman Whiteside and Paul McGrath when he arrived there. It makes you wonder how good they might have been, considering they were superb even with the drinking.

The players they played against were doing the same thing. Whenever I see clips of pre-Premiership matches now I am struck by how slow the game was then and how much time players were given on the ball compared to now. Players from that era would have the natural ability to compete today, but they wouldn't survive leading the lifestyles they did then.

 

[Yellow Fang]

Has he died?

No, I was just thinking about him after reading about the number of players who have made themselves unavailable for England because they don't get picked for the first team, mainly goalies at the moment, but also the likes of Jamie Carragher in the past.

 

[Archie_tect]

My son's a goalie...he'll be available in the January transfer window!

 

[Vapin' Joe]

No, I was just thinking about him after reading about the number of players who have made themselves unavailable for England because they don't get picked for the first team, mainly goalies at the moment, but also the likes of Jamie Carragher in the past.

Players have always done that. Jimmy Greaves and Brian Labone are two I can readily remember.