Neil Critchley...

[jamesdad]

I must agree with Mike SB that coaches are not helping the naturally gifted players but taking it out of them to play system style football. When was the last time we saw a player doing some thing like Stan Bowles, Frank Worthington , George Best and many more from that era who were exciting players and did unexpected things. Our young players play well as a unit but individually they lack the skills of past players but this is the modern game and if we want to sell they have to fit into the system or no club will buy them.

[Zeco]

When was the last time we saw a player doing some thing like Stan Bowles, Frank Worthington , George Best and many more from that era who were exciting players and did unexpected things.

Well you have Messi, and Ronaldo who certainly produce special moments, and you could potentially add quite a few others to that list such as Hazzard, Bale (not so much in the last 2 seasons). Going back further you have Gerrard in the 2005 champions league for Liverpool, Zola at Chelsea. The AC Milan side featuring Marco van Basten, Maradona at Napoli

Each decade has it's own special group of players, your just not afforded the same time as space now with the fashionable high pressing game that a lot more teams now use. Also the game has moved on with the advancements in the atheism of the players thanks to sports science and nutrition.

Now I wouldn't say our current crop lack any of the skill of the past players, in fact generally think they are a lot better in some ways in terms of their first touch, receiving the ball under pressure, passing etc on average. I just wouldn't put them in the same league as some of our past outstanding players such as Ashton, Murphy, Lennon, Hulse etc (I know there are probably better players that have graced Gresty road down the years, but I can only judge them against those who I have seen play).


In short coaching benefits all players, of all abilities, it is system/tactics that restrict what they do to a certain extent on the pitch.