Much to my surprise Chris Solly seems to be in that category. With some players(eg Rufus or McOxo) fans are unanimous but with some(Kishishev or Llera) there seem to be endless arguments. Why?
You're right, Rufus was rubbish... But seriously, I think it all comes down to expectations. When you pay peanuts to Southend United, you are not going to get world-beaters. However, as professionals, you expect some standards. But how high?
Footballl is all about opinions, and the game would'nt be the same without them. Hw many times have you read a match report in the paper of a game you were at, and thought, blimey you sure this reporter was actually at the same game. I guess its similar with players. I think players who maybe have limited ability but always give 100% are more appreciated than those with greater skill who don't turn up half the time.
Just about word for word what i was going to say. Lovely work mate. Nice to know that someone shares my opinion for a change.
in the case of Solly there is a bias towards him that he came through the ranks, and to some people anyone else but Francis is the answer at right back Solly is ok for this level but he's not good enough for a promotion chasing team
Different people have different preferred playing styles and different things they look for in a player as well. Some are more willing to forgive mistakes if the overall play is excellent, some see this as too much of a liability. Llera is a classic example, on paper he could do it all, but there were so many mistakes and poor games. On form he was the best CB we had last year. Attitude makes a difference in terms of being unanimous... the Oxo incident pretty much finished Macca in everyone's mind, whereas Simon Webster and a bloody head has the opposite effect, or Johnny Robinson shouting at a ref over a throw in.
The one I could never understand was Kishishev. Being pro-Kish myself I could not believe the number of times he was described as a "headless chicken" Carl Leaburn is another. Both players who were regularly picked by Curbs who knew a thing or two about the game.
Leaburn is an easy one to divide. He was more a cult hero than he was ever going to be a great striker, and his 4 goals in his first x,000 games meant he would always be laughed at by some and despaired for! He had one great season when we were playing at Upton Park where he was everything he could be, great in the air, great flick-ons, excellent positioning, a true target man. Then he started taking long throws when the only player we had tall enough to head them was himself, and cult status was secured. And, for the rest, he was pretty poor. Leeeeeeeeeeeea-buuuuuuuuuurrrrrnnn
Carl Leaburn is the most opion dividing play I have ever know at CAFC!!! What was the oxo incident? I had wondered why he was reffered to as Macoxo!
There were two things about McO 1) After a home game when we were complete ****e all he could do was twitter was how nice his meal was at the Oxo Tower, he has every right to take his wife out for a nice meal but DON'T go twittering about it afterwards if you have played so crap earlier in the day!! 2) There was a game towards the end of the season when a cross into our box was headed clear, McO was 80-20 to get to the ball first...... he chickened out and the oppo full back went past him easily and crossed into the box ...... I think we lost the game. Hard tackling midfielder.....my Arsenal.
Rommedahl was a legend... against Palarse! Did get the feeling he could've been so much better, though! When he was on form he was unplayable, when off form he was also unplayable, but in a very different way.
The thing about Rommedahl was after most home games in Legends Bar, he would think he had a terrific match and would stand around smiling like it was ''job done''. It was far from the truth, and I think Curbs later admitted that it irked him. We only saw about 50% of his real talent, he seemed to save that for international games. Kish- I liked Kish, and wanted to love him but there were times when instead of playing the easy ball he would have a Beckham moment and try a 40 yard pass. That said, I could always see why if Curbs went 4-5-1 he would play. He did the breaking up job fantastically well and would run non stop for 90mins. Lisbie- Had all the confidence, just not the composure. Had some classic moments: Chelsea away- 90th minute winner Ipswich away- thunderbolt from about 25-30 yards out Liverpool home- you know the rest
I could never understand why anyone rated Kish. In my opinion he was poor - very slow and plodding. I thought pretty much the same about Neil Redfearn. I hated even him even more so after that penalty miss against Forest.
Leaburn. Charlton legend but should have been playing on blackheath given his ability. Rommedahl. Had it all. Was scared of being on the end of a hard tackle come match day (not a euphism). Kishishev/Lisbie did the best with what they had. Could never understand people having a go at them as they did their best (unlike Rommedahl). Lisbie could run but lacked composure in front of goal. Kish ran his heart out, was ferocious in 50/50 challenges but was limited by lack of pace and passing ability.
Alan Pardew (the player) divided people too, one the one hand he was lightweight and a bit 'clean shorts' on the other he was top scorer one season, and constantly chipped in goals at a time when we had, ahem, Leaburn up front!
