Comments on: A Kieron Dying Breed?

By: Harry Squirrels

Harry Squirrels — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:04:58 +0000

Writing critique: Disjointed, too conversational and poor choices of words (pussy fags?). Structurally sound with the establishment of the premise early on, clearly presented arguments and cleanly delivered conclusion.

Football critique: Your point was an interesting one but your examples were suspect. I think there are and have been teams that fit the bill for both sides of the argument. Cruyff’s Holland was technical and played against many physical teams. Italy has played the catenaccio for years but these teams are usually tough and good on the ball. Many times style of play can mask players physicality or technical ability.
The world of football is very large and to make the argument that there is a global style prevalence seems a little narrow minded.

By: BD Condell

BD Condell — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:54:03 +0000

I don’t think the article establishes that any of these ‘trends’ existed and I don’t believe that they did.

By: MDH

MDH — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:55:42 +0000

Cant say that I agree with this article. Theres always been a requirement for both throughout a team, just some teams styles and tactics may place slightly more emphasis on one. This balance however has no impact on a players usefulness or ability, the very best ones have ALWAYS been extremely gifted on both counts. Rivaldo, Ronaldinho Figo and Zidane while being skillful are also great athletes and likewise Henry, big Ronaldo, Samuel Eto’o and George Weah) who may be seen as predominantly physical players are hugely technically gifted. This is being seen now with Kaka Messi and C Ronaldo the percieved best players at the moment.

The only changes come from the evolution of tactics. At present most top teams tend to use or require attacking fullbacks, a holding player and a mobile striker who can win the ball up field, which has obviously lead to an increase in demand for these types of players but also lead to the demise ofother types of player such as the classic number 10. However teams will always find room for the most talented players, whether technically or physically

By: Ardi

Ardi — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:16:27 +0000

Koewert, I think the article has some nic epoints but is a little off with the time scale of the so called “attribute movements” so im nto arguing that….and as for beckham, i wasnt saying the best player in the world but nearly their in terms of his passing, ball control etc..

By: Koewart

Koewart — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:29:04 +0000

Andrei, I do like United, I just don’t think Scholes is skillful in the same way as Totti, Zidane or other great attacking minded players. And for Ardi, I think Beckham is a little bit one sided to be named there, he just isn’t very complete for a attacking midfielder/winger.

Maybe I was a bit harsh by claiming this submission was not very good, it could very well be this author’s first attempt for a article here. If this is the case, the author certainly has potential I think, but I can’t agree with his opinion, his observations and (some of) his jokes, so this article is far from my favourite for the competition.

By: Enoch Powell

Enoch Powell — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:35:43 +0000

If anyone is going to misappropriate the phrase ’swarm’…that’ll be me!
Your comment about ‘many Nigerian based clones swarming ‘our’ league’ was the type of offense I would have welcomed by in the 1960s…but perhaps it’s a little past it’s sell by date today!
Dearest Regards
Enoch

By: Ardi 488

Ardi 488 — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:36:50 +0000

Koewart, Scholes will be known as one of the most technically gifted players of his generation if not all time. IMO, in his prime their was not another player in the world as good at retaining possesion and distributing. Del Piero or anyone in the Italian league altogether in that time save for Pirlo even come CLOSE to him. He inspired a whole new generation of players. As for Becks, while not the best ever, his range of passing and skill on the ball without a doubt puts him up their with the best of the crop in recent times, their can be no doubting that.

By: Karl

Karl — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:22:42 +0000

I think the author is talking through his ass…but I also agree with him. I believe that we will be in for a treat over the next few years, and then a Mourinho/Drogba approach will take over again.
Referring to United:
United always relied on 1, maybe 2 players in a team to bring about creativity/spark. (Beckham/Scholes defo wasn’t creative, Giggs was…before that it was Cantona, before that Robson,etc.). The rest of the squad were basically just bloody hardworking. Today they have about half a squad to provide that creativity/spark. So, I can see what the author is getting at.

By: Manny

Manny — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:00:57 +0000

i think football has always been cyclical. the real madrid superteam frm the 1950s or the magical magyars were full of technical skill nd creativity. then came d italians with the catenaccio and importance of strength nd physical attributes went up. and then again came times in which creativity was valued more. cryuff’s holland nd d south american teams followed by the germans with beckenbauer , netzer nd breitner. they dominated for most of the 70s. and the trend has continued. every world cup has been different and the wanted qualities in footballers change with every generation. but quality will always prosper. messi , kaka nd the like would have flourished even in the physical era.

By: Andrei

Andrei — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:08:45 +0000

Scholes and Beckham were considered to be among the best players in the world at the time, Koewart. I understand your dislike for United, but please do not discount an article just because you do not think that Scholes is a skilled player.
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I think that if we look back on these past five years or so, the player which have thrived the most are those ‘complete’ attacking midfielders like Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Deco, Ballack and so on. You know, the ones who can shoot to perfection, pass brilliantly and dribble around a dog’s wiggle tail… they are the ones… that is where the game is going…