Call it fixing a hole if you want, but when I’ve had the chance recently I’ve been watching a lot of old football videos online. Due to my age I never got to see any football on television before around 1989, or in person before 1994. So that means I’ve missed my fair share of important players and moments – don’t blame me; blame my parents I suppose.
I don’t have the patience to watch entire 90-minute matches from decades ago as a routine, but thankfully many other people do. And what’s more, these beautiful bastards cut the videos down to include only individual performances by certain players.
Obviously these videos aren’t the perfect way of sizing up a player, since they don’t capture off-ball movement, and record only his touches – usually in grainy, primitive footage. But they’re bite-sized and ideal for people with short attention spans.
Anyway, what was I talking about?…Oh yeah
So, watching these performances 30, 40 or 50 years after they happened doesn’t suddenly give me licence to talk about people like Pélé or Johan Cruyff with any authority; really, I just feel I’m doing my duty as a fan of the game to check out these players at their peak – so I can pretend to talk about them with authority!
But often without realising I’ve forgiven the greats every time I’ve watched them. If there’s something that looks somehow gauche or unathletic I’d accept automatically that I’m watching a match from a different time, with different standards of skill and physical preparation.
That’s before we talk about tactics. On one of my timid visits to the football pantheon I happened across Franz Beckenbauer, facing England in the momentous encounter during the 1970 World Cup. The man they called the Kaiser would pick up the ball from the ‘keeper and stride forward in his trademark style time and again, riding challenges and threading passes for the attackers.
Something wasn’t right, and it was only when I read the comments underneath the video that I realised what it was; none of the England players were closing him down. Yeah, I learned something from a Youtube comment!
Granted they were playing in searing heat, at an elevation of almost 2,000 metres above sea level, but there seemed to be no interest in halting the progress of one of the best players in the world before he got to around ten yards from the penalty area.
Well of course. I’m a novice at tactics, but, for what I know, pressing wasn’t widely adopted as part of a team strategy at this point. But it’s not like England are standing off him and hoping to clog the area in front of the box either; Beckenbauer’s being given the freedom to lope past an attacker and a couple of midfielders before anyone wondering whether this bloke who’s not half bad at football has gone far enough.
Afforded so much space, it’s not surprising to see Beckenbauer find his teammates so often. One player who seems only to find his teammates a few times during an entire match is the Brazilian winger, Garrincha. In the 1962 World Cup he carried a winning international team to success in a way that no other player has done since, apart from Maradona in 1986.
And such was his popularity that he was known as “The Joy of the People”. In a sport of emperors, princes and galloping majors, Garrincha’s epithet is endearing for its sense of humanity, and the love for the game that it expresses – that a footballer should be a source of gladness for people under an authoritarian regime.
When he’s got the ball you can see how he earned the tag. There can’t have been many more unpredictable players around at the time. By most accounts he made more additions to the dribbling lexicon than any other footballer to have played the game. You probably know this, but his spine was crooked, and one of his knees pointed the wrong way from birth. This is partly what allowed him to change direction in such bewildering ways.
I can remember talking to someone who said he was a football scout in the pub a few years ago. That’s the level of insight you’ve come to expect from one of my posts!
He said that among the first things they assess in a kid are his or her knees and gait. By today’s recruitment standards, Garrincha wouldn’t have got past a minute of assessment. And, if you didn’t already know, his knees did give in, but not until he’d changed the way people thought about how an individual can express himself on a football pitch.
But even in his great performances he gives the ball away far too much for the taste of fans living in the era of possession-obsessed teams.
So I suppose the point – banal as it may be – is that we’ve got to admire these guys for clearing the path for future generations. As late as the 80s, the greats played with leather footballs that would get saturated by water when it rained, toiled on poorly maintained pitches, in matches officiated by referees who often didn’t just overlook but encouraged violence. As I mentioned, these footballers changed what people thought was possible.
But let’s not kid ourselves. Football is evolving, and each innovation is assimilated then eventually countered. The rules have been changed to allow skill and enterprise to flourish – raised boots and tackles from behind earn straight reds and backpasses are illegal. We have better guidelines for developing youngsters, technically and physically. We know the importance of mental and tactical preparation. Garrincha would step onto the pitch without knowing who his opponent would be!
They also face teams that are better drilled, and systems that are more detailed. Coaches now spend hours poring over video footage. Arsenal employ people fulltime to compile videos. Personified, its culture might be morbidly obese and on life-support, but on-pitch, standards are higher than they’ve ever been. But then that’s just natural.
Videos by: http://www.youtube.com/user/zouzinho5 and http://www.youtube.com/user/digiprez77
Johnny, I will go with Ian Wooldridge, a real journalist , as told 31st May 2003.
The Australians coach driver Peter X……., spotted the odds and collected £15 to lay on at Ladbrokes, for Australia to lose. The coach driver collected the winnings of £7,500. Needless to say. Lillee and March bought Peter X , a new set of golf clubs, return tickets to Australia and also paid Peter’s hotel accommodation.
Mike Brearley in an article, the Independent (?), said the Australian bowling was too wayward!
I have the DVD and I have not watched cricket since!
Bill.Bollocks
B-A-N-A-N-A-S everyone!!!
i saw the shit storm he caused george
everyone went after eachother on here, if it was in the pub it would have kicked off the police would have to come sort it… it was obvious everyone was hurt, i beleive my first comment was something like ‘sell the cunt’
but seeing as though im one of the few on here who constantly decalres open season on the suits and the boots at the club, then i think it would make me a hypocrite to slam rvp like yourself and others
not that im against slamming players, ive been known to throw my rattle out and kick off with many a player over the years, so im not actually condemning anyone in that sense..
its entirely your opinion..
but i will say, i think im in the minority maybe, who read his statement differently..
he specifically states that out of respect to the manager and the fans he wasnt prepared to go into details.the nitty gritty shit that we all discuss on here.
he was mouthing off at the suits and boots..thats the way i saw it..so i cant condemn..
also, he never states he wants to leave, he just states hes not prepared to renew his contract. and states a reason for it..
i was prepared to see how it played out at the time and im still prepared to see how it plays out until the fat lady sings, so to speak, or when the old lady shows her money..whichever ‘side’ your on
George
AW was always going to have to answer questions to the Press. He answered thousands when Henry, Nasri, Cesc et al were about to move. Don’t know if answering more of the same is damage. The press would have still been asking questions about why or if RvP was signing. He can handle a Press conference. Fans arguing with fans? Well that doesn’t damage the club, maybe the fans. The Board and management were planning on talking with RvP so resolving his contract were already part of next season’s preparations. If anything his statement provided clarity to them. They know where he stands. The club already had purchased Giroud in anticipation of RvP not signing so the statement really wasn’t unexpected. It was business as usual and with less uncertainty. Necessity is the mother of invention. So possibly the statement may have been the impetus for us to go balls in for Cazorla. Who knows?
I’m glad he made the announcement rather than waste the team’s resources trying to negotiate a new deal that he wouldn’t accept in the end. It also got the RvP auction started and because we knew so early now we have cover for him. We can hold out for a better price or if Wenger feels it will be beneficial, use him nest year. The cards are all in our hands now thanks to the clarity of his statement. It’s only us emotional fans who worshiped him that are damaged. The club seems to have gotten on with their business incredibly well. Incredibly well. If Cazorla is indeed signed we will, as I predicted a few weeks ago, look upon his web announcement as a good thing.
well well…our man Murray beats the dour serb.
B-O-L-L-O-X aman
Yes Philmar.The club is doing well despite RVP’s best efforts to derail them.
did both podolski and jiroo come in before the statement rv made?
George:
What do you think he meant?
Very happy for Murray. If anyone deserves a guaranteed medal, it will be him. Will be in two minds who to support on Sunday. On one hand it would be just fantastic to see Federer get the gold, but on the other hand I don’t think there is a player in the world I’d begrudge winning it less than Murray. I guess for me personally when it comes to sympathies Fed just about edges it because Murray has time on his side.
lol…
pg,
Robin’s not going to get what he wants when he wants it.
AW’s put his foot down and i love the way he’s gone about re-tooling the shed.
..who the f**k does RvP think he is..especially after the big picture’s probably been painted for him over & over as captain.
Arsene clearly “loves” the guy, Robin & Cesc were like his sons, but this time Le Boss has decided to flex his cajones for “all of football” to lap up…
..Podolski, Giroud, Carzola & Sahin..without selling anyone besides Vela & Almunia.
WTF happened to predictable Arsenal?
there’s NO BUS big enough to trample Arsene’s NUTS right now..fuckit, we’re even going to LIFT tHE DAMN THINGS DRESSED IN PURPLE!!!
unf**kingbelievable….Robin better go suck up & apologize to our Yoda & the whole organization via a letter or an “i’m-really-sorry-to all gooners” video in 3-D or else!
I love ARSENAL!
if jiroo came in first then going from grimandis comments we signed our replacement before rvp mouthed off..
so really, hes de-railed nothing since his statement..
he’d been replaced already, and we are still going after other targets..
so other than you and frank going to war and usmanov trying to make a wally out of stan, rvp aint really done all that much….
Bill ,do you not see the contradiction of Him and Cesc asking for experienced players to be brought in when neither of them had any experience when THEY came,
Also “market level” is just you looking for conflict,I suspect!
He caused a shit storm BUT I can report that we’re all better for it.
Its made us all STRONGER and CLEARER about the role of players in our gooner lives.
..at least until the games begin…
Not in the greater order of things mayue, JJ.
He just joined the ranks of Ashley, Waybe and their ilk.
He kicked the club that nurtured him for his own enrichment.
Well done that man.
Oh dont be stupid JJ,
And if we have signed a replacement ,then all this is academic .He is going .So what you are saying is he is going one way or the other.Good.
Aman .Stay strong my man.
Dont waver like some of the others seem to be doing.
oh snap,
August 6..boomer’s deadline day of destiny = RvP’s 29th birthday.
coincidence?
…i think not. The 29th year is pretty much the most important transition year in a man’s life. Your “hardest/most poignant” life lesson usually happens then.
“..boomer you’ve got some explaining to do!”
(3 days to go)
always pg
i know ppl like to think wenger gets hurt by this player disloyalty..
i think that too sometimes..but then i think that we have a manager who wont give players over 30 a new deal, even though theyve given a decade or near enough to the club..
and this was a manager who broke up the invincibles quicker than quicky mcquick who was so quick he ran across quick sand..
the guys fucking ruthless and he gets 30 mil a pop..
hes one of the greats..
hes built a training ground and bought the best striker the clubs seen with one of the players that ‘hurt’ him
hes helped pay for a stadium by developing world class players that have hurt him
hes had three great teams, 08 should have been four..
i dont really think he gives all that much of a shit to be honest..
RVP cyrrent contract will state as in English Premier League Form 13A
“3.2.5 knowingly or recklessly do write or say anything or omit to do anything which
is likely to bring the Club or the game of football into disrepute cause the Player
or the Club to be in breach of the Rules or cause damage to the Club or its
officers or employees or any match official. Whenever circumstances permit the
Player shall give to the Club reasonable notice of his intention to make any
contributions to the public media in order to allow representations to be made
to him on behalf of the Club if it so desires”
RVP will have signed all the forms.
Those who “despise” RVP, have every right and might to do so!
I understand your point of view and you have every reason to express it.
Sorry, did not check!
RVP xurrent….
Sorry, sorry, current, current, current (100 times)
George
I am not defending RVP for making that statement. I think it was done as a negotiating ploy. However, i don’t see a contradiction. Both players wanted to win and the best way to do that is to bring in experienced players to supplement the squad.
August 6th. Nasa landsthe biggest space rover built on Mars.
what was it called?
“Very happy for Murray. If anyone deserves a guaranteed medal, it will be him. Will be in two minds who to support on Sunday. On one hand it would be just fantastic to see Federer get the gold, but on the other hand I don’t think there is a player in the world I’d begrudge winning it less than Murray. I guess for me personally when it comes to sympathies Fed just about edges it because Murray has time on his side.”
I’m in exactly the same boat Evil.
Great post OOU,
A trip down the lane when football was a respectable,blue collar even in it’s sheer rawness.
Enough with ‘THE CAPTAIN’ posturing…
que sera sera
we are arsenal!
Murray for me…he has more personality then the dour swiss.
No idea, JJ.
“..Podolski, Giroud, Carzola & Sahin..without selling anyone besides Vela & Almunia.
WTF happened to predictable Arsenal?”
We don’t have Cazorla and Sahin yet. And i bet there will still be lots of selling before we are done. I think the team has decided to do it’s buying first, then concentrate on selling the de*dw*od to the panic buyers at the end of the window.
I believe Andrei, Bendtner and Robin are still on their way out. The team can soon concentrate on selling them.
Hell we HAVE to sell somebody. If word gets out that we are no longer a selling team the transfer fees we are charged will start to increase.
JJ the voice of reason logic and moderation who’d have thunk it lol, can’t really argue with some of the points you’ve made but ( you knew it was coming
) RVPs statement is unforgiveable. As a football fan I make no apology for viewing my club in absolute terms, black and white. Anyone who deliberately tarnishes the club can fuck off, to do it to provide cover for leaving was dishonest, disloyal and was completely unecessary.
“arsenalandrew | August 3, 2012 at 6:49 pm
George – do you honestly think one player can destabilise Arsenal Football Club?
If anything, this whole RvP situation, given the positive way in which the club have responded, has enhanced the reputation of those managing it.”
Andrew .Someone deliberately breaks your leg.It heals .You do fitness and strengthening work,your over all health benefits as a result ,Your leg is 100% and you are stronger and fitter..
Now , do we thank the chap that deliberately caused us damage .Because now,due to our hard work we are overall in better shape?
Or do we kick the shit out of him ?
JJ
Its called Curiosity
George, kick the shit out of him.
I feel excited about the coming season, Arsene is going to serve us a treat with this team he’s assembling…..The Arsenal is reloading COYG!!!
Well isn’t it about time this happened!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2183247/Barclays-Premier-League-Under-21-competition-confirmed.html
Well it seems we are almost ready to announce Cazorla’s signing as done and dusted. Sahin seems to be on his way too.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/aug/03/jose-mourinho-nuri-sahin-arsenal
Caen have also confirmed we have put in a bit for Niang but state there is interest from other English clubs as well as an Italian club, so we will have to wait and see. As usual!!
http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/caen-confirm-arsenal-bid-mbaye-niang-3427831?utm_source=main_feed
When we were kids, playing jumpers for goalposts, we would play as Brazil and I always wanted to play as Garrincha. Glad I didn’t have to play the rest of his sad, complicated life.
And I thought Garrincha was known as ‘Little Bird’?
A nice interview with Cazorla -
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/nov/11/santi-cazorla-small-talk-interview?INTCMP=SRCH
Another piece on Cazorla or rather Spanish football, but still worth a read. Notice how he mentions Arsenal specifically in both articles, bodes well for him and us I think.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/nov/09/santi-cazorla-england-spain?INTCMP=SRCH
And credit to the Guardian for both articles, there really is a real lack of sports journalism these days.
And for those of us still hoping RVP will stay (but not I think as Captain) this write up reads a lot more positively than many before-
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/265469/Robin-van-Persie-raises-Arsene-Wenger-s-hopes/
The penultimate post as a WordPress blog is now here:
http://aculturedleftfoot.wordpress.com/2012/08/04/malaga-cant-find-the-santi-clause-sahin-what-more/