I was just wondering how much of a difference there was between this current side and the side that Pulis got promoted up to this league, and again the team that Taylor took up to the championship? Unfortunately this was slightly before my time as young Gills fan but I have heard many of you say that under Mad Dog we played very similarly to how we did under Pulis. I've seen Pulis' teams and he likes the more physical aspect of the game which Mad Dog clearly craved aswell but how do the current sides match up? Was Bartram better than Nelson? Was it the midfield at the time that made the difference? Is Bayo better than Super Bob? Let me know guys
Not much in it for the keepers. Nelson has a better kick and distribution but cant really split them on much else Im afraid its the midfield and up front where todays XI are well behind the class of 99-2000. Certainly none of todays team are any better in their position..... a few are close i would say Gk Bartram CB Butters CB Pennock CB Ashby LWB Edge RWB Southall CM Smith CM Hessy CM Lewis/Ty Gooden/Saunders CF Iffy/Asaba/SBT/Thommo/Buttler
There is a thread on another forum that has done a really good assessment of the merits of the 2 teams, it's main conclusion is that most area's are much the same apart from midfield where the 99/2000 team were far better, I would have to agree.
Agree the midfield is not as strong but i wouldn't say the strikeforce is either. Kedwell and SBT are in the same mould but miles apart. I suppose on his day and in a run of scoring (which we are yet to see on his return) you could compare Cody and Thommo. Iffy would be well ahead of Bayo but very difficult to compare as all strikers have different styles. However as a complete unit todays group of forwards are nowhere near that of 99-2000 in my opinion. I really hope they prove me wrong starting tomorrow night COYG
Really? I can't think of a current player who would squeeze in the 1999/2000, I don't even think Nelson holds a candle to Bartram. But it isn't really a fair comparison though, in 99 Taylor inherited a squad that had found their feet in the league already and were unfortunate losers in the Play-offs and now he has inherited a team yet to comes to terms to the step up. One of the main differences in up front, in 1999 we have two natural goal scorers in Taylor and Saabs, something we are crying out for this season
Nelson and Barrett might have been good enough. None of the midfield are good enough to make the starting 11, if Payne was still at the club he would have got in. we paid over1 millon for Taylor and Asaba so Cody and Kedwell not the same bracket. Looking at the current team, we really are very average and will do well to stay up.
