Flicking through some of the posts of other clubs, i noticed one on the Sunderland board which caught my eye. Who are the hardest Ipswich players?? Obviously, Hunter and Butcher are usually top of the list, but who, in the modern era has been regarded as a tough guy?? I genuinely can't think of anyone in the last 30 years or so. I do vaguely remember Ian Cranson, but wasn't too sure if he just "looked" tough. Anyone?
Ian Marshall could put it about a bit(despite the poodle perm),Ian Atkins?Alex Bruce could be a bit dirty, Delaney always struck me as a bit of a thug and Garner liked to think he was a hard man but just fell over a lot! I’m sure I’ll remember more.
I was thinking more of players that when opponents looked at them at them and thought..."f**k that, i'm not getting in a challenge with him" Bruce, Delaney and Garner?..is that the best we can do
There's a big difference between being Hard and Dirty! Derek "Chopper" Jefferson Billy Baxter Andy Nelson Jason De Vos Tony Mowbray Manuel Thetis
I would also add Naylor for a notable mention. Chambers believes that he is hard as ‘no more nails’ but I’m not convinced.
Off the top of my head, I'd say that Tony Mowbray and Jason De Vos are the two stand-out 'hard men' over the past decade or two at Portman Road. Football has undoubtedly moved away from that type of player, particularly in the wider European game and in the top two domestic divisions. Technical ability and speed are far more valuable attributes than somebody who is intimidating and willing to get stuck in. Having said that, we've been relegated from a league where many teams had the playing ability to put goals past us and keep us at arms length. Next season, we'll be in a league that is typically viewed as being more physical and combative than the level we've been accustomed and I do wonder if we've currently got the players to adapt to that general style of opponent.
I can always remember when we had Unsworth on loan and we used to put the ball in the corner at the end of the match if we were winning he just used to stand there pushing players around. Naylor deserves a mention, Thatcher also. Not necessarily a hard man but Bramble was pretty strong and some of his tackles would make opponents wince. The Herminator anyone? Elbows flailing everywhere
In the true sense, none of them - we've never had a Vinnie Jones type character. Yes we have had strong, commanding, battling centre backs but that's the job of every centre back. The fact Ian Marshall and Richard Naylor get mentions says it all. We've had some ugly players over the years - Lee Bowyer springs to mind - but they've never been key players because it's never been the Ipswich way.
I think it was an FA rule back then that every side had to include at least one “enforcer”.The rule was changed when dirty Leeds took it to the extreme!
Indeed it was just Warky. However, I read that happily he has now found God. So I think there’s your answer stretchy! I never got the impression Billy Baxter was really that type of player but also before my time. My Grandad and uncles never talked about Andy Nelson and there is scant video footage of that side so any insights into the unsung heroes of that title winning team would be most welcome.
talking about tough guys, there are dirty players in this division as we found out to our cost, the tackles go flying in, Wycombe are one team. and the refs send off our players !.