League Cup/Champions League/Bundesliga/Ligue 1

[O Fenomeno]

Eto'o disappeared to Russia and play as a number 10 nowdays

Villa got killed by injuries

Then you have your pretenders to Ibra's crown

Falcao

Cavani

Lewandowski

Van Persie

Suarez

[darkman]

Lack of top strikers in the game these days.

[O Fenomeno]

Lack of top keepers,defenders,midfielders,wingers in general

[Michel Kane]

Lack of specialists, that's what it is.

The average footballer of today, is better than the average footballer of previous eras.

[O Fenomeno]

There is more quality in previous eras than there is today

It's all about quantity

Well I am speaking about football on the continent

/

By the way Valbuena is small in the flesh I know that but that picture what's going around is silly and is clearly photoshopped

[Michel Kane]

There is more quality in previous eras than there is today

It's all about quantity

Well I am speaking about football on the continent

/

By the way Valbuena is small in the flesh I know that but that picture what's going around is silly and is clearly photoshopped

I don't believe so.

There has been a significant decrease in time & space on the pitch in today's era which requires higher demands in technique, tactical & physical qualities. This for me, is the core reason why today's footballer is better.

[Guest Diddybob]

Cleverley doesn't have normal tek anyways, hes just smart enough to know he isn't all too talented, so he will have high possession stats in a game, but so does Barry.

Smh

Pos'd this by accident instead of negging it. Admin need to add a feature to edit mistakes like that.

 

You shouldn't be negging it in the first place.

[Guest Diddybob]

Defenders are definitely not better for sure, the Serie A defences of the 80's and 90's>>>>>>

[Horatio Caine]

such a shame no PL teams moving for this guy, nice assist for shinjis goal as well

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ioLjE-oel4

dis is wat im saying!.....top prem clubs should be after him

[Michel Kane]

Defenders are definitely not better for sure, the Serie A defences of the 80's and 90's>>>>>>

 

As PURE defenders, maybe. It's definitely arguable.

 

But as footballers? I don't think so.

 

Just a reminder, I did say footballers on average. I don't want to see people naming players like Maldini, Cafu, etc who are the elite & whom are the exception to the rule. LOL.

[O Fenomeno]

There is more quality in previous eras than there is today

It's all about quantity

Well I am speaking about football on the continent

/

By the way Valbuena is small in the flesh I know that but that picture what's going around is silly and is clearly photoshopped

I don't believe so.

There has been a significant decrease in time & space on the pitch in today's era which requires higher demands in technique, tactical & physical qualities. This for me, is the core reason why today's footballer is better.

Pitches are better

Offside rule has no rule

Tackles from behind are outlawed

Another thing

Is there a keeper better than Kahn or Schmeichel(Buffon is from that era)

Is there a RB better than Thuram

Is there a LB better than Maldini

Are there a CB pairing better than Blanc et Desailly

Is there a DM better than Makelele

Is there a attacking midfielder better than Zidane

Is there a winger better than Figo

Is there a CF better than Ronaldo

Quality is better back then

Its like no CF now is touching Batisuta or Shevchenko

97-2002 was the best years for football

[Guest Diddybob]

Defenders are definitely not better for sure, the Serie A defences of the 80's and 90's>>>>>>

 

As PURE defenders, maybe. It's definitely arguable.

 

But as footballers? I don't think so.

 

Just a reminder, I did say footballers on average. I don't want to see people naming players like Maldini, Cafu, etc who are the elite & whom are the exception to the rule. LOL.

 

As defenders its not arguable, the defences of them times were well structured beasts, and they conceded far less goals than the top leagues of this era on average.

[O Fenomeno]

Another thing its harder for man to rate/look up to players that are younger then them.... You man sound like guys when I was growing up going on about 80s players

It's not harder

If your good I don't care for your age I will rate you

[Benicio del Toney]

Lack of specialists, that's what it is.

The average footballer of today, is better than the average footballer of previous eras.

 

Maybe more tactically aware and fitter, better technically, I don't reckon so.

[Horatio Caine]

its known ,the 90s was the best era, for music also

[O Fenomeno]

Lack of specialists, that's what it is.

The average footballer of today, is better than the average footballer of previous eras.

Maybe more tactically aware and fitter, better technically, I don't reckon so.

Fitter maybe because of sports science and the game is swaying towards the athletes

Tactically? No way

The way Di Italians used to set up back in the days is a far cry from today

Technically?

Like I said there are more athletes nowdays

I look at wide players today and I remember Nedved

[Michel Kane]

Porchy, you're reinforcing what I'm saying.

 

You're talking about specialists. The game requires the modern footballer to do more than his primary role. For example, as a pure DM, Makelele is better than Busquets. However, in TODAY'S game, I know who I'd rather have.

 

/

 

You'll find coaches at the elite level all saying the same thing I am. The reduced time & space is factor that overrides tackles from behind; the offside laws; pitch quality.

[Michel Kane]

The dramatically reduced amount of time & space afforded to players today ALONE makes them better technically.

[O Fenomeno]

Maradona would of ran riot in this era

I am talking about 50+ in both goals and assists a season

[Michel Kane]

Maradona would of ran riot in this era

I am talking about 50+ in both goals and assists a season

 

Boy, if you truly believe that, then I'll just leave our discussion where it is.

[O Fenomeno]

Ask around and watch videos

How many games did Maradona have a man marker who could get away with anything they wanted to but he would still find time and space to win the game with a pass or a dribble

[Horatio Caine]

dis forum gimme jokes

[Michel Kane]

 

Defenders are definitely not better for sure, the Serie A defences of the 80's and 90's>>>>>>

 

As PURE defenders, maybe. It's definitely arguable.

 

But as footballers? I don't think so.

 

Just a reminder, I did say footballers on average. I don't want to see people naming players like Maldini, Cafu, etc who are the elite & whom are the exception to the rule. LOL.

 

As defenders its not arguable, the defences of them times were well structured beasts, and they conceded far less goals than the top leagues of this era on average.

 

Of course it's arguable.

 

Firstly, what defences are you talking about? International teams? Club teams? What leagues? Serie A, the Premiership, La Liga, etc?

 

Have you got statistics?

 

Have you taken the quality of opposition into account? Have you taken into account formations, playing styles, tactics, etc?

 

Have you taken into account that that a strong defence doesn't necessarily equate the best individual defenders? For example, the best defence the CL has ever seen consists of a backline of Lehmann, Eboue, Senderos, Kolo Toure & Flamini to help illustrate my point. Spain don't concede goals in the knock-out stages of major competitions, etc.

 

All I'm saying is, it's ARGUABLE. To downright say it ISN'T is a bit ignorant.

 

*kanyeshrug*

[Benicio del Toney]

There is more quality in previous eras than there is today

It's all about quantity

Well I am speaking about football on the continent

/

By the way Valbuena is small in the flesh I know that but that picture what's going around is silly and is clearly photoshopped

I don't believe so.

There has been a significant decrease in time & space on the pitch in today's era which requires higher demands in technique, tactical & physical qualities. This for me, is the core reason why today's footballer is better.

 

The more scientific approach in regards to tactics and fitness is why there have been gains in those departments and why the game has changed.

 

But because of the above there is less emphasis on technique now on a whole.

 

Didn't Jagielka say Moyes hardly does ball work?

 

 

There are great players of 20 years ago who would be considered 3rd tier players in their day, if you compare to equivalent players today the difference in quality is stark.

 

Them 3rd tier guys would be world class today.