Everton duo benched for Scotland friendly

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A good old fashioned grudge match was expected as two old foes went head to head in Glasgow this evening but Steven Naismith was the only Everton player who featured from the start of what ended as a 3-1 win for England.

Roy Hodgson used the occasion to play some of his under-used players in the friendly but there was no place for Ross Barkley who was again on the substitutes' bench and was only given a few minutes at the end.

He was joined by his club captain Phil Jagielka who made way for Chris Smalling. Leighton Baines was withdrawn from the squad last week after picking up a minor hamstring strain.

Naismith was selected by Gordon Strachan again after leading the line against Ireland on Friday night in the 1-0 Euro2016 qualifying win.

A frenetic opening yielded few chances for either side but it was England who took the lead with half an hour gone, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ghosting onto Jack Wilshere's floated ball over the top and glancing past David Marshall.

Jagielka was introduced in place of Gary Cahill at half time, just before Wayne Rooney headed home after an errant touch by Andrew Robertson to double the visitors' lead.

England were cruising until the last eight minutes when Robertson popped up to prod a shot inside the post to make it 2-1 and give Celtic Park its voice but Rooney quickly restored the two-goal cushion, finishing an incisive move from eight yards out.

Barkley came on for the final five minutes and, unfortunately gave Hodgson something to bellow about from the sideline by giving the ball away with his first touch and had no time to make his mark on the occasion.

Naismith was left to reflect on a night of tireless industry but very little service.

Elsewhere, Aiden McGeady came on after an hour of the Republic of Ireland's 4-1 hammering of the United States while Seamus Coleman was an unused sub in the friendly.

 

Reader Comments (60)

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Kieran Riding
1 Posted 17/11/2014 at 20:34:04
An absolutely pointless game, in which I hope very few Everton players get a game.

This game will give the dead ’ard hooligans from no-mark lower league clubs the chance to make a name for themselves though.

Harold Matthews
2 Posted 18/11/2014 at 06:05:41
Our qualifying group is far too easy and this young England squad will need as many tough games as possible before the Euros.
Jamie Barlow
3 Posted 18/11/2014 at 07:33:01
I fear for Barkley tonight. I can’t see this being a "friendly".
Col Wills
4 Posted 18/11/2014 at 11:46:53
I hope Barkley plays. I’ve a feeling we might draw Celtic if/when we get thru the Europa Group, so it’ll be vital experience for the lad to sample the atmosphere up there. The problem will be Scott Brown flying in, but I reckon Barkley is too clever for him.

Because the England group has been so easy, this will be the sternest test this young England team will face.

I hope Jags is rested tho, we can’t afford another centre-half injury.

Tony J Williams
5 Posted 18/11/2014 at 11:57:38
Fucking stupid pointless money grabbing knobheady friendly.

No need to play if not playing a qualifier, just have some sabotage the pitch and send the players home.

Shitty games with no point.

Tony J Williams
6 Posted 18/11/2014 at 11:59:53
I apologise for my swearing, seems the older I get, the less my filter works.
Dave Lynch
7 Posted 18/11/2014 at 12:31:22
Any injuries to the top players in the squad will cause outrage.

Saying that, I hope they kick the overated Sterling off the fucking park.

Andrew Ellams
8 Posted 18/11/2014 at 12:56:44
Not an England fanatic by any means, but there is part of me looking forward to this game way more than a game against the likes of Estonia or Slovenia who don’t even try to win when they come up against teams like England. I miss the old England v Scotland end-of-season games.

Jon Bentley
9 Posted 18/11/2014 at 17:21:08
Nailed on that Barkley will play and with his style of play (trying to glide past players) & the fact that he is young and the press praise him as a key part of England’s future, he will be targeted by some grock jock!!!

I genuinely fear for him & if you could place a bet on a player getting injured, I would be straight down the bookies....

Will be watching from behind a pillow tonight.

Patrick Murphy
10 Posted 18/11/2014 at 18:50:47
Only Steven Naismith of the Everton contingent is chosen in the starting line-ups according to the Echo.
Gavin Ramejkis
11 Posted 18/11/2014 at 19:14:26
Downing starts... oh the absolute joy and epitomy of why Engerland are and always will be utter shite.
Colin Glassar
12 Posted 18/11/2014 at 19:16:37
Look after yerself, Nessie, I hope our other lads don’t even play.
Jim Bennings
13 Posted 18/11/2014 at 22:05:42
I didn’t think I’d ever hear myself say this but I wish I could see Everton play like England did tonight.

That’s the way good teams become even better teams... By working your tits off when your team has NOT got the ball. I have said for a long time that you only need to look at all the successful sides over the years, from the great United sides to the Barcelona under Guardiola.

The one thing they all had in common was a major hunger to press and harass their opponents when they need to win the ball back... I haven’t seen England play with that kind of hunger for years.

I wish Everton would do that more often rather than play the game at such a slow pace, almost so slow that at times it resembles a chess match not a football game. The greatest teams are defined not just by their ability with the ball but their work without it.

Peter Murray
14 Posted 18/11/2014 at 22:10:34
Hodgson obviously does not rate Ross.

The England manager spent most of the game hunched on the bench in his normal position. Fine. No problem...

But as soon as Ross (2 minutes play in the last 2 games) makes a minor mistake, Hodgson is suddenly on the touch line screaming foul-mouthed abuse at him.

Something unsettling here.

Jim Bennings
15 Posted 18/11/2014 at 23:00:48
Well we have to be honest, great talent that Ross is, and we have seen it first hand, he has the other side of his game where he needs to calm down a bit more when he’s in possession of the ball, he does lose it too often by hogging the ball.

It’s going to be a long road with getting Ross where we need him to be, like we know he can do great things but it doesn’t always have to be great, sometimes it just needs to be of good use to the team such as finding the right passes or learning to become better at assists and not holding on to the ball too long.

Andrew Presly
16 Posted 18/11/2014 at 23:03:37
Peter (14) - Yep it’s the granny with the smart phone thing with Roy & Ross. No on form and young Berahino either yet we suffer the likes of Lambert and Downing yet again. Clueless.

We never ever ever ever learn.

On to Saturday anyway.

Patrick Murphy
17 Posted 18/11/2014 at 23:11:16
Jim if Everton or England want to see the best of Ross, they need to allow him the freedom to express himself – Roy and possibly Martinez at times have pointed out where he needs to improve, ie, defensive positioning etc, but like Lukaku too much information could end up ruining both players. It happened to Rooney in his formative years and he very nearly gave the game up until Colin Harvey told him that he was a very very good player.

Letting Ross off the leash in the next few weeks may allow him to display his talent but it might also lead to unwanted results for Everton and in these days of everybody wanting everything right here and right now there doesn’t seem to be any room for mistakes or learning your trade in the Premier League – which is why we see so much robotic football from most teams in most games.

Peter Murray
18 Posted 18/11/2014 at 23:41:46
Andrew (#16),

Could be and I agree with your comment on the selections.

I have a gut feeling that his aversion to Ross has nothing to do with football ability or potential. Hodgson is a self-styled cultured man of the world, lover of fine wines, all things Swiss etc.

Ross is a root working-class kid still with a strong Scouse accent. Maybe Hodgson finds this "uncouth"or is reminded of the type of Liverpool fan who never accepted him when he was at Anfield.

Admittedly he has also worked with the likes of Gerrard and Rooney. But these were already multi-millionaires in their Cheshire mansions before he came into serious contact with them.

Yes for me, sheer snobbery. But as you say, roll on Saturday.

Paul Holden
19 Posted 19/11/2014 at 00:16:57
Excellent game, England played at Premier League pace instead of La Liga pace! Jags and Naismith looked at the top of their games. Just relieved they came through okay for Saturday! It just shows you how much better we are without that shithouse Gerrard.
Steve Carse
20 Posted 19/11/2014 at 00:19:19
For every time Barkley holds the ball too long, he also doesn’t hold it long enough. Since his first public bollocking by Hodgson, I’ve noticed his tendency now to knock lots of pointless 5-yard passes rather than hold the ball and drive forward. RM needs to give him his head now, or else risk his wasting yet another season of his development.
Kieran Riding
21 Posted 19/11/2014 at 02:54:36
Now I’ve just watched Peru play Paraguay.
Proper game of footy that.
Jim Bennings
22 Posted 19/11/2014 at 07:21:41
Scotland for me look as shit as ever, I know people are saying they are improving, perhaps they are working harder but you saw last night a limited team on the ball.

It was a good game and I believe the way England approached the match surprised Scotland, think the Scots thought England wouldn’t look too arsed but the hunger and controlled aggression was there to see.

I actually didn’t think Naismith had his best game, granted he was playing in a bog standard side with players that wouldn’t get into many Premier League top clubs.

The one I did like the look of a bit was the left-back we were supposedly close to signing before he went to Hull.

Andrew Ellams
23 Posted 19/11/2014 at 09:32:29
If Ross wants to make that next step, the player he should be watching is Oxlade-Chamberlain. For me, he should be first name on England’s teamsheet every time.
Mike Oates
24 Posted 19/11/2014 at 09:24:10
I think Hodgson is only picking him to appease the hype that surrounds Ross, which I think is a real hindrance to the lad. Martinez only has himself to blame with his continual over-the-top statements about his ability. I think everyone knows that Barkley on top form can absolutely destroy teams but, if we are honest, it’s about 1 game in about 5 he manages to get close, the rest he struggles to make an impact.

The problem is that his game is either on or not; if not, he loses the ball regularly in dangerous positions, he becomes totally ineffective and a liability. Hodgson won’t stand for it; Martinez encourages risk, Hodgson won’t.

Barkley is clearly not showing anything in training with England otherwise he will be given a serious chance to show them in games. I think personally that Barkley has to learn how to play again with Everton, he has to learn how to impose himself in games, not necessarily by mind blowing dribbles, shots, but just by assisting, contributing. He should be left out of future England squads until he’s a proven PL player. He and the likes of Lukaku have just wasted 10 days away with England / Belgium when both are clearly not playing well, and valuable time could have been spent at Finch Farm, with the likes of Eto’o and other non-internationals .

I hope to god Barkley doesn’t end up like another "world class" flop we had with Duncan McKenzie back in the ’70s, who turned it on once in half-a-dozen games, he was shown the door by Gordon Lee who, for those that don’t know him, was the ’70s Roy Hodgson.

Max Wilson
25 Posted 19/11/2014 at 09:43:51
I’ve never been excited at the prospect of Scots playing football – it’s Championship level at best, in my opinion, and every so often it really shows – like 1-3 against an injury-hit side.
Adam Carey
26 Posted 19/11/2014 at 09:44:04
I’m in agreement with Peter Murray, Roy clearly doesn’t rate Ross for his team. I’m not jumping on the ’World Class Barkley’ hype here either.

Having watched the last two games, it’s clear that Roy has favourite players. How Lambert played instead of the in-form Berahino, (nothing against Lambert but he’s barely played this season and the West Brom lad is scoring for fun). Sterling reminds me of a quicker Townsend, and I have Spurs mates who prefer Lennon to Townsend! The number of counter-attacks started against us when Sterling looses the ball is startling, but he has one good run with a percentage ball cross and the pundits gush.

Don’t get me started on Milner... (Showing my age but that is like Carlton Palmer keeping Gascoigne out of the team back in the 90’s!) The only two players that stood out for me were Clyne and Lallana. I’m quite envious that Liverpool have him as his close control and ability to keep the ball under pressure would fit perfectly into our team (in the place of Osman).

I understood the Downing inclusion because he’s having a great season for West Ham but he plays in Rooney’s position, as does Ross, which is why Barkley won’t get any major game time for England under Hodgson.

Roy also likes his team to press and quickly win the ball back and Ross isn’t that kind of player yet.

Jim Bennings
27 Posted 19/11/2014 at 10:03:17
I agree that Lallana is a good player, not for the money they paid but then again I suppose that’s football in 2014 sadly... £28 million for Lukaku?? £13 million Shane Long??

Lallana would have been perfect for the way Everton aspire to play, he has quick feet and a good football brain, he moves similar to the way Teddy Sheringham used to in his day.

Peter Roberts
28 Posted 19/11/2014 at 10:10:08
Hodgson = failed youth player. Moyes = journeyman yard dog

Martinez = average player who had flair, played the right way

Barkley = ridiculously talented young player.

Two managers likely resent the ease with which the lad finds the game and can’t tolerate his occasional scattiness – "Get rid" is their motto. So therefore pick on him.

One manager identifies the player he wishes he had the talent to become and wants to get him to be a great.

Phil Walling
29 Posted 19/11/2014 at 11:09:19
Mourinho – never played at all.

So if he doesn’t bid for Barkley it’s because he envies his talent. Do me a favour!

Trevor Lynes
30 Posted 19/11/2014 at 11:09:28
I said that Lallana was well worth buying and so is Delph. We missed the boat with Lallana who would have played lots for us and progressed his career quickly.

Delph is another sure fire top player who would be perfect played alongside McCarthy. This would provide both attacking and defensive abilities in midfield. Delph also pops goals in and provides assists.

I also hope we go for the Arsenal lad up front as I see him playing the Pienaar role in front of Baines, plus he would score more often than Pienaar.

Andrew Ellams
31 Posted 19/11/2014 at 11:17:59
Peter Roberts @ 28, with that theory, Messi and Ronaldo would never get picked for anything.
Tony J Williams
32 Posted 19/11/2014 at 11:36:49
Touché, Phil!
Peter Roberts
33 Posted 19/11/2014 at 13:06:38
Ah Mourinho – great example of a man who loves players to express themselves and not worry about risks, thoroughly encourages them to just focus on how they can hurt the opponent and not worry about running back the whole length of the pitch and help out with defending... or was that Guardiola? Yeah, sorry.

Mourinho himself is very well known to obliterate players with mega talent if they lose the ball by expressing themselves – but loves a good midfiled spoiler.

Bill Gall
34 Posted 19/11/2014 at 13:29:56
If Barkley played for a team who play in red shirts, he would be an automatic choice for England. Just glad he plays for us and allows our manager to take care of his progress.
Tony Abrahams
35 Posted 19/11/2014 at 13:47:26
Hopefully Everton will benefit on Saturday, with a frustrated Barkley, ready to show everyone what he can do.

I just hope the manager has refreshed himself during the international break to finally get over his World Cup hangover because he hasn’t seemed the same since he got that pass took off him!

Tom Bowers
36 Posted 19/11/2014 at 14:07:22
Just as well Ross didn’t really play at all in the two England games. I’m also glad some of the others didn’t play much except Naismith and Jags. who played a game and a half.

Having said that, Hodgson sure loves his Redshite players. Hopefully McCarthy will be fit for Sunday but RM won’t rush him if Gibson is fit.

Phil Walling
37 Posted 19/11/2014 at 14:10:32
Bill, that’s bollocks and you know it. Nothing Ross has done this season makes him entitled to an automatic place at Everton let alone England.

It grieves me to say it but both Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain are way ahead of him in development and both have had their share of injuries as he has.

God forbid he had chosen ’the other colour’ but had he done so, he would be in the same place developmentally as he is today. Perhaps.

Andrew Ellams
38 Posted 19/11/2014 at 14:26:21
Agree about Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain Phil, but how do you explain Shaw, Smalling, Jones, Chambers, Lambert or Henderson?
Patrick Murphy
39 Posted 19/11/2014 at 15:15:52
The lad has only played 3 league games and another as substitute; like a lot of the team, he has yet to get into his stride – give the lad a chance to prove himself this season.

If BK was thinking about cashing in, he would it seems have plenty of support on these boards but to me it would be a mistake. It was bad enough watching Rooney scoring for Manchester United... watching Barkley strutting his stuff in any other shirt than Everton blue would be very painful.

Helen Mallon
40 Posted 19/11/2014 at 15:28:17
Look boys, the simple answer is play him all the time in his best position. That’s playing just behind a loan striker with the freedom to exspress himself and not have to track back past the halfway line. But this weekend if injuries are bad play him next to Besic in centre midfield, Eto behind Lukaku with Pienar left mc geady right a back four of Coleman Hibbert Jags Distin and Howard in goal.
Phil Walling
41 Posted 19/11/2014 at 15:22:08
Patrick; I was responding directly to Bill’s claim that were Ross a red, he would be an automatic choice for England which is clearly nonsense.

Few of us has any doubt that Ross is blessed with great talent and physique and SHOULD have a great future .But thanks to the outpourings of his manager and most Evertonians he is in danger of drowning in a sea of over-expectation.

Let’s cut the kid some slack, let him learn his craft and judge him in 18 months time. If he’s not ’a star’ by the time he’s had a couple of seasons as a regular in our side then he’s going to have to face life as just a bloody good player !

James Stewart
42 Posted 19/11/2014 at 15:52:03
England are a terrible side and will be embarrassed once again against the first decent opposition they face. Red Roy was out of his depth at the World Cup and beating an awful Scottish side managed by another clown makes no difference to that whatsoever.

Pointless friendly – just like all the other pointless wins against minnows in the qualifiers. As soon as Italy or similar crop up, it will be the same old story.

Peter Roberts
43 Posted 19/11/2014 at 16:33:41
The problem isn’t the expectation, the likes of Gerrard, Gazza, Scholes, Beckham all had this – and it never impacted their game. Barkley has the ability to be mentioned in the same breath. Its the fact that his national coach has decided to slate him publically twice with the space of 4 or 5 games that he’s been involved in. No one else – not Wilshere, not Sterling.... but yes Ross Barkley.

He doesn’t like him and it’s as clear as day.

Peter Gorman
44 Posted 19/11/2014 at 17:28:29
Phil #37

You do realise that his assist last night has been Wilshere’s sum total contribution to England in 26 games. Unless of course you include falling over on his arse whilst pulling a face that is just asking to be slapped.

Bill Gall
45 Posted 19/11/2014 at 17:47:13
Phil – Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain are different types of player and Barkley is competing against the likes of Henderson and Lallana and the lest said the better about Downing. And talking about league performances how does Lambert get in an England team or even Smalling.

Going on league performances only Downing has been getting good reviews and he was exposed last night in an international game. Barkley has been called up for England before and has always put in a good performance and if like you suggest going on league performances he should not have been called up even though you say he is blessed with great talent and physique.

Andy Walker
46 Posted 19/11/2014 at 18:21:25
Barkley has not been playing well since his return, other than his first 45 mins back against Villa. He’s not commanding a regular start with us and he’s not pushed on so far this season. His summer injury may explain it but we don’t know yet.

I found it refreshing that Hodgson had a go at him, he deserved it having run around chasing the ball like a 10-year-old (and so easily getting passed around) when he came on. It’s no bad thing to have some stick thrown at a player by the manager occasionally, all the top managers do it.

Of course Martinez never does as he has a one dimensional approach to managing from the touch line, that is, always being positive. The manager’s skill is to find the right balance of stick/carrot, good guy/bad guy and not to simply try to make sure your players like you all the time.

Paul Ferry
47 Posted 19/11/2014 at 18:40:53
I’m sorry, I can’t let this piece of ’revisionism’ go.

Mile Oates - 24: ’I hope to god Barkley doesn’t end up like another "world class" flop we had with Duncan McKenzie back in the ’70s, who turned it on once in half-a-dozen games, he was shown the door by Gordon Lee who, for those that don’t know him, was the ’70s Roy Hodgson’.

Well Mike you ask about others knowledge of the 70s but I think that you might want to do a little bit of homework yourself!

McKenzie, a flop! Not only was he adored by us – although apparently not by you – he could change a game in the twinkling of an eye and worked much harder ’for the team’ than your words imply.

He was, quite simply, a breath of fresh air and to say that Lee ’showed him the door’ because he had one-in-six-good-games (and that’s bollocks) is forgetting (distorting?) and false revision of the highest order.

Lee hated McKenzie. Not because he was lazy or half-arsed or put in the odd good performance, but because he was McKenzie and represented all that Dracula did not like about the way that footie ought to be played.

It was highly unfortunate for us and for Duncan that Lee took over the reigns from Bingham a month after magic Duncan signed on the dotted line.

We all agreed that Duncan McKenzie was magic. Lee fecking hated him and that was why much to the horror of us he was shown the door.

Andy Meighan
48 Posted 19/11/2014 at 21:22:32
So Andy (#46), you think it’s refreshing for an ex-shite manager to have a go at Barkley? FFS, he gave him 3 minutes and as soon as he gave the ball away, his veins nearly popped out of his turkey neck.

I’m sure Steve Gerrard, Raheem Sterling Henderson, Downing or Adam have never played a stray pass in their lives, have they? It’s not the first time he’s had a go at Ross and rather begs the question who picks the side – turkey neck or the rag press? Me, I’d go for the latter

Bill Gall
49 Posted 19/11/2014 at 22:32:53
Paul, I agree with you on Duncan McKenzie’s ability and entertainment value. I may be wrong but was he not supposed to be able to jump over a car and also be able to throw a golf ball way past the half-way line.

Regarding Lee, myself and quite a number of season ticket holders signed a petition and sent it to the club to try and get him out. Our opinion of Lee, that he set up the team to play the game in that a draw was a point well earned, a win was a bonus and a defeat was, as they say these days, just collateral damage.

Needless to say, we just got a reply from one of the club’s spin doctors to say they are pleased with the manager’s efforts.
,

Colin Glassar
50 Posted 19/11/2014 at 22:54:54
Not only was Duncan McKenzie magic he, literally, walked on water. He could jump over a mini cooper from a standing position and he held the world record for throwing a golf ball (3/4 of a mile if I remember right).

Duncan was worshipped by the Goodison faithful (even in those days there were a few morons who didn’t appreciate his genius) and I still shed a tear on the anniversary of his leaving us. I’ve never forgiven that fucking dope Lee for breaking up that team it was. IMO, one of the greatest fuck-ups in Everton’s history.

We love you Duncan, we do
We love you Duncan, we do
Ohhhhh Duncan we love you.

Brent Stephens
51 Posted 19/11/2014 at 23:03:47
Colin, I thought the golf ball was the full length of GP??
Colin Glassar
52 Posted 19/11/2014 at 23:08:26
Brent, I remember him throwing a golf ball across Stanley Park and hitting Emlyn Hughes right in the gob. That’s how great our Duncan was. He was phenomenal in every sense of the word.
Patrick Murphy
53 Posted 20/11/2014 at 00:00:53
I don’t think he ever threw a golf ball at Goodison but he certainly did at Elland Road - Long Throw

Here’s another more conventional memory of Duncan - McKenzie v Stoke

Finally Colin here are highlights of Andrew Brand’s debut for Everton at Elland Road with McKenzie playing for Leeds - Not a good watch for Blues though.
Brand-ed

James Joseph
54 Posted 19/11/2014 at 23:44:38
Bill (49), what year did you send that petition? Couldn’t have been 77-78 surely when we were top scorers with 76 goals and finished 3rd. The following season we went 19 games unbeaten from the start of the season, beat the Shite for the first time since 1971 with THAT Andy King goal, so I suspect it wasn’t then either.

And to say he broke that team up when Thomas (who left for Wolves!) and Latchford (who after a couple of months mouldering in the reserves decided to stay) both wanted to leave for financial reasons, Dobson decided it was time to go back to his first love, Burnley, and Pejic got crocked – so that was the heart of his team ripped apart.

Now how he rebuilt the team is a different matter!

Paul (47), almost every player that I’ve heard talk about Lee does so with affection – even Duncan says they got on personally so I don’t think you can say Lee hated him. I suspect it was more like incidents such as the semi-final at Bolton – remember the missed penalty when Duncan ran up to take it then for some reason stepped over the ball, walked back to his mark and then tamely pulled his shot wide? Or it could have been tough away games such as City at Maine Road when Latchford and Thomas were injured so we really needed a big performance from him but he was totally ineffective – even George Telfer was more dangerous on that day!

For myself, I agree that Duncan was a breath of fresh air after some of the dull football we’d had to endure under Billy Bingham and he definitely worked harder than some would have you believe, but whether he was a team player in the sense of fitting into a team pattern, which in those days tended to be a rigid 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, is another matter, and Lee simply decided, after about a season and a half of watching him, that he wasn’t the man for him.

David Midgley
55 Posted 20/11/2014 at 00:58:01
Gordon Lee – The crowd dispersal officer at Goodison.
David Ellis
57 Posted 20/11/2014 at 04:05:43
McKenzie also had 10 O-Levels so was considered a bit weird by other pros at the time. Great player but he did not track back too well. Shame the Scots don’t produce players like that anymore – or maybe McFadden was his equal but the game is faster now and they just don’t stand out?
Brian Hill
58 Posted 20/11/2014 at 05:50:48
"Shame the Scots don’t produce players like that any more" – McKenzie is English, born in Grimsby. And, trust me, McFadden was not his equal.
Colin Glassar
59 Posted 20/11/2014 at 08:54:21
Not only 10 O-Levels, David, but he invented the scissor kick, the bicycle kick, the step over, the Cruyff, the keepy uppy and he was fluent in Esperanto.

Don’t talk rot JJ, Lurch Lee hated talented players — that’s why he got rid of them all.

Peter Roberts
60 Posted 20/11/2014 at 13:06:48
Ohhh the joys of football managers who forget how they felt watching the game as a kid – seeing players like Puskas, Pele, Eusebio, Best, Cruyff etc make them go out and try a trick or a type of shot.

What happens to them??? They get a job in the game and turn into the idiot who tells Barkley to get rid. Imagine all those years ago if their heroes never had the flair to do a Cruyff turn or try and lob the keep instead of hitting bottom corner. The game is becoming dull as it is without them trying to give players like Barkley frontal lobotomies.

Funny isn’t it, our next game is against West Ham and if someone said "Name a West Ham player that you thought was great as a kid?" – It wouldn’t be McKavennie, Martin Allen or anyone like that... Alan Devonshire would be the name. I loved the way he would take players on and his skill.

Bill Gall
61 Posted 20/11/2014 at 14:45:20
JJ, Gordon Lee took over from Bingham in January 1977 and in the season of 1977-78, yes, we finished 3rd but he only used mainly players from the squad that Bingham left; I believe he just purchased 3 players from other clubs.

The point that people are talking about is his take on players like McKenzie with one of his statements on flair players: "People talk about stars and flair – as far as I am concerned, you find stars in the sky and flares at the bottom of your trousers."

Lee built his sides on teamwork and hard work rather than individual talent. This showed up in the 1979-80 season when we finished 19th, just above relegation.


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