| Alan Brazil and football 1980s 00:06 - Nov 17 with 4553 views | FrimleyBlue |
Question for all who were able to enjoy the town football of those times. But interested to hear views on how does football compare between the eras?
I watched earlier on itv4 a 1982 match between man city and town at main road. And for me and my son watching it just looked so far away from the speed and technical abilities of players today.
That is just one game of course but I just wanted to ask those who watched a lot lot more of it. What was the football actually like? Would a Brazil for example be picked ahead of a delap? |  |
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| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 14:21 - Nov 17 with 621 views | monty_radio |
| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 07:40 - Nov 17 by oldburian |
Brazil was not brilliant in the air but I saw him score a hat trick of headers. It was at an end of season reserve game and Robson felt he needed an addition up front so he gave Don Martin a trial and played him alongside the young up and coming Brazil. Needless to say Don Martin was not given a contract.
However, I always felt Brazil was overrated. He scored some eye catching goals but not consistent enough. David Johnson the second was also, in my opinion, the same. Just my opinion. |
Brazil was not a rounded player, but what he did he did unerringly. 5 goals in one game against potentially table topping Southampton proved the point - and while I have never really been able to recall games in too much detail, that game I do remember! [Post edited 17 Dec 2024 15:57]
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| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 15:02 - Nov 17 with 575 views | MK1 |
| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 12:48 - Nov 17 by Churchman |
Osman was totally two footed. Very rare. Great athlete, good on the ground and in the air. Wasn’t to be messed with either unless you fancied a Monday trip to the dentist.
Mills would have been fine too. Two footed, equally good either side and could play in midfield. Top player. In fact the only players I can think of that would struggle in the modern game from that era are Cooper (too small) and Osborne, who is the first to admit he struggled a bit in that Ipswich side. Two others that’d be good in the modern game - the late T Whymark and D Johnson Mk1. |
Thank you. |  |
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| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 15:04 - Nov 17 with 569 views | MK1 |
| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 13:34 - Nov 17 by LA_Tractor_Boy |
It's an interesting point, but I wouldn't call it ridiculous that the current team would beat the 1981 team.
Player for player I think you're probably right, but as a collective I think the current team's greater athleticism would see them win.
Just my opinion, but my other points still stand |
Under 1980's rules and ref, not a chance. | |
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| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 15:41 - Nov 17 with 537 views | norfsufblue |
| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 13:34 - Nov 17 by LA_Tractor_Boy |
It's an interesting point, but I wouldn't call it ridiculous that the current team would beat the 1981 team.
Player for player I think you're probably right, but as a collective I think the current team's greater athleticism would see them win.
Just my opinion, but my other points still stand |
The current team would struggle with 70/80s playing conditions and physical batteries and the old boys would struggle with today's technique based tactics and pace but overall the vintage team have more scope to be advanced whereas the modern day guys are pretty much playing to their peak condition.... Conclusion, Mills team wins overall |  | | |
| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 15:58 - Nov 17 with 519 views | monty_radio |
| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 15:41 - Nov 17 by norfsufblue |
The current team would struggle with 70/80s playing conditions and physical batteries and the old boys would struggle with today's technique based tactics and pace but overall the vintage team have more scope to be advanced whereas the modern day guys are pretty much playing to their peak condition.... Conclusion, Mills team wins overall |
The one factor that stands out as an indisputable measure of class is ball-control. So, setting aside training differences, diet etc take a look at early 80s Town in some of their memorable games, and watch the interplay as they attack. Hard then to maintain that the current side approaches them in that vital respect. | |
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| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 16:30 - Nov 17 with 502 views | PhilTWTD |
| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 12:48 - Nov 17 by Churchman |
Osman was totally two footed. Very rare. Great athlete, good on the ground and in the air. Wasn’t to be messed with either unless you fancied a Monday trip to the dentist.
Mills would have been fine too. Two footed, equally good either side and could play in midfield. Top player. In fact the only players I can think of that would struggle in the modern game from that era are Cooper (too small) and Osborne, who is the first to admit he struggled a bit in that Ipswich side. Two others that’d be good in the modern game - the late T Whymark and D Johnson Mk1. |
Bryan Talbot would have the athleticism required to play in midfield. |  | | |
| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 16:51 - Nov 17 with 463 views | Churchman |
| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 16:30 - Nov 17 by PhilTWTD |
Bryan Talbot would have the athleticism required to play in midfield. |
Ha! You’ve mixed him up with Bryan Hamilton with that first name spelling!
Brian Talbot - yes, definitely could play now. He was up and down that pitch like a Duracell bunny.
B Hamilton? Doubt it. Good player, had a knack of scoring important goals for us, but not enough of anything in particular for the modern game in my view.
Now Derek Chopper Jefferson - he’d be a sight to see in the modern game. A sending off every game and an ambulance standing by for his victims. |  | | |
| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 16:56 - Nov 17 with 455 views | Blue_In_Boston |
| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 13:34 - Nov 17 by LA_Tractor_Boy |
It's an interesting point, but I wouldn't call it ridiculous that the current team would beat the 1981 team.
Player for player I think you're probably right, but as a collective I think the current team's greater athleticism would see them win.
Just my opinion, but my other points still stand |
I do get some of your reasoning. Pace of the game and fitness levels, but these days it's like running on a carpet rather than through a muddy field.
I would turn it around and ask how good would that fantastic team of 81 be on a perfect playing surface of today? | | | |
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| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 22:14 - Nov 17 with 385 views | Radlett_blue |
| Alan Brazil and football 1980s on 12:13 - Nov 17 by You_Bloo_Right |
Ah yes. The collective intake of breath from what seemed like the whole ground if an opposition player had the temerity to foul Hunter ...... everyone knew what was coming, it was just a matter of time. |
And once a game, Hunter would do one of his little runs when he dribbled the ball out of defence, before passing to a better place team mate. My heart was usually in my mouth when Hunter did this, but I don't remember him messing up & he was probably a better footballer than he was given credit for, as well as being a very effective, nasty centre half. |  |
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