And those examples you gave bar Carragher don't show the type of fight I meant. Mascherano is the best example imo.
I mean getting stuck in, never giving up and letting the opposition know they're not going to have it easy. The bulldog spirit if you like; plenty of running, work hard, be brave, be a team player and be prepared to run through the proverbial brick wall for the badge.
so then alonso and kuyt are excellent examples to hold up. like i said. yours have also got well.. they also are a bit liable to go over board. irrespective going the days work for the days pay can be chasing every lost cause, turning an easy kick out to a rushed slice, getting a throw in rather than a goal kick, forcing defenders to hurry the clearance, continuing to make the right run even if nobody is able to make the pass... its about stepping into the CB or full back slot when they run off down the pitch, its about spirtingn back not standing and watching (moreno still)..... after that.... its not about smashing lads left and right being gobby with the ref etc. Its about working even harder when things are going badly and not just playing your bit and ignoring what you could do to help others. As i said we've maybe 3 of that type at the club right now. perhaps ings might have been but he's injured. we've a lot of lads like coutinho who've stood hand on hips while we struggle or giving up the running if they think no pass is coming.
Kuyt I'll give you. The reason I won't accept Alonso in that category is because he was never the most mobile. Sure, he'd put the effort in and never give up but he'd always appear to be in the right place at the right time. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, in fact that is it's brilliant. However, that doesn't drive your team mates on to push that extra few percentage. Seeing someone make a dash across the ground and make a crunching tackle before starting an attack not only gets the players going, it gets the crowd going too.
ehhh sorry but you are way off. he always topped our opta stats for kms covered. the fact is when players like CBs or risse ran forward he'd be the guy moving itno their place and ensure there was no gaps. the point is if you have faith in him doing that then you can go give that extra run or make the extra man as CB moving forward. Hyppia absolutely loved him.... he coudl play way up the park as his legs went winning header sknowing he had not only his buddy carra but also alonso. this is why real said there was no other player on the planet who could do the job
All true but we're not talking about ground covered, we're talking about showing fight. I should have included the word 'appeared' - "he never appeared the most mobile" I love Alonso, he and Mascherano formed a superb partnership, especially with Gerrard in front of them. That trio is something we're unlikely to match any time soon if at all. I tend to favour the Mascherano type though because it gets the blood pumping. I love a good strong challenge that shows heart, desire and passion.
and that really is for show.. a guy for me in the 85 minute chasing down back passes and making sure the opposition don't get an easy time ever is what i like. ITs like this gerrard v utd. 30 seocnds... yeah that showed "passion" but it hurt his team badly. completely he wrong kind of thing.
True fight in a player is shown when you are 3-0 down with 2 mins to go and there attitude is "we will get a goal back here and make it respectable, if there is 3 mins injury time maybe 2 goals and make a fight of it". Or, if under severe pressure "we might be 3 down but i am ****ed if it's going to be 4" Those are the type of players who are fighting (for the team, the club, the supporters, or maybe just for pride), they are worth there weight in gold and are very rare these days.
Which is exactly what alonso Kurt etc had. Mascherano would have been sent off and Gerrard would be off standing in the opportunity half shaking his head.
