⚽Match Thread vs. Bromley FC 04.03.23 [NL]

[upthemaggies]

No way of knowing of course, but I reckon a decent national league side from the present day would hammer a first division team at the peak of their powers from the 70s or possibly even the 80s.
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Depends on which era's rules/pitch you play to. On a typical 70s non-league pitch with a 70s ref, 70s ball, 70s crowd, Man City would walk off crying playing against a 1976 Wimbledon side on the verge of going into the FL, a modern day City, Liverpool Man U or whoever would be literally destroyed in those conditions, no question about it. Same goes for any era, 1880s Notts would absolutely pulverise modern day Notts playing to 19th century rules. Playing to today's rules the game would be abandoned due to too many players being sent off.

70s were better than 80s, the game went downhill fast during that decade with the continental gamesmanship creeping in together with the money aspect resulting in win at all costs as clubs became desperate to survive and something HAD to be done, hence the radical back pass rule which changed everything, not overnight but the game we see today is largely a result of that law. Overall, the whole experience with standing, the rough element etc, I much prefer it how it was circa 1966-1980 though accept most would disagree.

[matt_magpie]

No doubt that fitness levels now are way above those required in the 70s, but much of the reduced mileage was about tactics. In those days, defenders defended and attackers attacked. Unless it was a corner, seeing any of the back four in the opposing half rarely happened, same as seeing attacking players in your own half. All sports have made massive advances, not just football.

Natural ability is still priceless, and for what it's worth I'm convinced that if Don Masson had been born 50 years later he would still have starred at the very top level.

I always wonder how George best would fare now, my gut says not very well. He had undoubted supreme talent, but with his lifestyle playing against now total athletes I don’t think he would have been half the player.

[upthemaggies]

I always wonder how George best would fair now , my gut says not very well. He had undoubted supreme talent, but with his lifestyle playing against now total athletes I don’t think he would have been half the player.

Modern training methods and far greater protection from referees would have suited him much better today, whilst some of the greats from the 60s/70s wouldn't have got anywhere in todays game and vice versa, different attributes are required but players like Best, Cruyff, Maradona, Pele and Masson had abilities that would shine in any era. Attitude is also a big factor, again Best would likely have been looked after better in today's game and been more focussed on his game mentally, I think he would have been a bigger star now and had a much longer career at the top. For the sake of World Cup apps though, it's a pity he wasn't in his mid 20s in 1982.

[Elite_Pie]

I always wonder how George best would fair now , my gut says not very well. He had undoubted supreme talent, but with his lifestyle playing against now total athletes I don’t think he would have been half the player.

100% disagree. George Best would be brilliant today, his natural talent would far outweigh any lifestyle deficiencies.

I'm basing this on the only time I ever saw him in person on November 20th 1976 at Craven Cottage, and it's a game I'll never forget not just because we stuffed them 1-5. They had something of a 'celebrity' line up with Bobby Moore and Rodney Marsh joining Best in the Fulham team. Moore was one of the best defenders I've ever seen, but he was poor in that game. Marsh was a waste of a shirt, a few fancy flicks but zero effort. Best was a stone or two overweight, probably had a skinful the night before, but his talent was breathtaking. A drop of the shoulder still left defenders for dead, and his effort couldn't be faulted even though the body wasn't up to it any more.

I'll never tire of watching the highlights, and remember getting back to St Pancras station in enough time to sink four pints in 40 minutes and sneak a couple of bottles for the train journey home. One of the few privileges of being old, watch and enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egdiijeJWsg

[laddo]

Depends on which era's rules/pitch you play to. On a typical 70s non-league pitch with a 70s ref, 70s ball, 70s crowd, Man City would walk off crying playing against a 1976 Wimbledon side on the verge of going into the FL, a modern day City, Liverpool Man U or whoever would be literally destroyed in those conditions, no question about it. Same goes for any era, 1880s Notts would absolutely pulverise modern day Notts playing to 19th century rules. Playing to today's rules the game would be abandoned due to too many players being sent off.

70s were better than 80s, the game went downhill fast during that decade with the continental gamesmanship creeping in together with the money aspect resulting in win at all costs as clubs became desperate to survive and something HAD to be done, hence the radical back pass rule which changed everything, not overnight but the game we see today is largely a result of that law. Overall, the whole experience with standing, the rough element etc, I much prefer it how it was circa 1966-1980 though accept most would disagree.

I don't think the hard men and hatchet men of those eras would be able to lay a stud on a fast flowing Liverpool of recent years, or a pass you to death Man Citeh. Chelsea under Jose would overpower them with ease and run them into the ground and an SAF United would be far too much for the best over 40/50 years. None of that is surprising, football has evolved. I suspect the only ones crying would be the lot that couldn't get a kick of the ball.

Still I'm sure they would still enjoy their usual cigarette and pint in the communal bath afterwards.

As in boxing, speed kills.

[upthemaggies]

I don't think the hard men and hatchet men of those eras would be able to lay a stud on a fast flowing Liverpool of recent years, or a pass you to death Man Citeh.

They wouldn't be able to do that in 70s conditions. You can't play fast flowing football on a mud bath with a heavy soaked leather ball and not expect to get hacked down if you try and be a fancy Dan when the ref will wave play on. It would literally be men against boys, or like a women's international side getting destroyed by an under 15s boys team.

It's a totally different game now for better or worse. People always make these comparisons as if the only way to do it would be to magically bring a team from an old era into today's world with no modern day prep whatsoever, which is of course no more or less viable than doing the exact same thing the other way around.

What if the 70s Leeds team had all grown up in the 2000s with lifelong modern day training and diets, how could we even begin to imagine what that team would play like? Or you took Notts of today and had them grow up in the 50s smoking, drinking, getting into proper fist fights at school on a regular basis, knowing how to look after themselves, how would they get on then against the likes of Peter Russell?

Every era likes to pat itself on the back and congratulate themselves on arriving at the station at the end of the tracks at an all-knowing all-modern day town with hindsight and a sense of moral superiority that overlooks the entire landscape of the past and a future that does not yet exist, until the tracks are extended and a new era is built and the same old arguments play out.

[matt_magpie]

100% disagree. George Best would be brilliant today, his natural talent would far outweigh any lifestyle deficiencies.

I'm basing this on the only time I ever saw him in person on November 20th 1976 at Craven Cottage, and it's a game I'll never forget not just because we stuffed them 1-5. They had something of a 'celebrity' line up with Bobby Moore and Rodney Marsh joining Best in the Fulham team. Moore was one of the best defenders I've ever seen, but he was poor in that game. Marsh was a waste of a shirt, a few fancy flicks but zero effort. Best was a stone or two overweight, probably had a skinful the night before, but his talent was breathtaking. A drop of the shoulder still left defenders for dead, and his effort couldn't be faulted even though the body wasn't up to it any more.

I'll never tire of watching the highlights, and remember getting back to St Pancras station in enough time to sink four pints in 40 minutes and sneak a couple of bottles for the train journey home. One of the few privileges of being old, watch and enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egdiijeJWsg

Yes you’re probably right Elite, I’ve seen quite a bit of him. Can’t dispute his natural talent, he would definitely shine but can’t help think might not have had such a big impact as he did then, obviously one we will never know. That said Maradona managed to be the best player in the world in the late 80s when football had progressed physically and he was up to all sorts.

[laddo]

They wouldn't be able to do that in 70s conditions. You can't play fast flowing football on a mud bath with a heavy soaked leather ball and not expect to get hacked down if you try and be a fancy Dan when the ref will wave play on. It would literally be men against boys, or like a women's international side getting destroyed by an under 15s boys team.

It's a totally different game now for better or worse. People always make these comparisons as if the only way to do it would be to magically bring a team from an old era into today's world with no modern day prep whatsoever, which is of course no more or less viable than doing the exact same thing the other way around.

What if the 70s Leeds team had all grown up in the 2000s with lifelong modern day training and diets, how could we even begin to imagine what that team would play like? Or you took Notts of today and had them grow up in the 50s smoking, drinking, getting into proper fist fights at school on a regular basis, knowing how to look after themselves, how would they get on then against the likes of Peter Russell?

Every era likes to pat itself on the back and congratulate themselves on arriving at the station at the end of the tracks at an all-knowing all-modern day town with hindsight and a sense of moral superiority that overlooks the entire landscape of the past and a future that does not yet exist, until the tracks are extended and a new era is built and the same old arguments play out.

Even on a poor pitch they would be chasing shadows IMO. The tactical side of the modern day teams game would have Don Revie et al scratching their heads in bewilderment. Not even the black board and chalk at half time would save him. The players pre match chicken and chips certainly wouldn't help matters even on a mud bath.

Like you say you need a magical time machine, often used in boxing comparing the greats of different eras. Ultimately unprovable and pointless but fun nevertheless.

Imagine if the best side of the 60s or 70s were transported to Anfield or the Etihad to play those incredible sides on an absolute carpet of a pitch? It would be a cricket score

[uysapie]

Even on a poor pitch they would be chasing shadows IMO. The tactical side of the modern day teams game would have Don Revie et al scratching their heads in bewilderment. Not even the black board and chalk at half time would save him. The players pre match chicken and chips certainly wouldn't help matters even on a mud bath.

Like you say you need a magical time machine, often used in boxing comparing the greats of different eras. Ultimately unprovable and pointless but fun nevertheless.

Imagine if the best side of the 60s or 70s were transported to Anfield or the Etihad to play those incredible sides on an absolute carpet of a pitch? It would be a cricket score

The converse could equally apply. Transport todays' prima donnas back to the 60's and they wouldn't stand up to the physical challenge on heavy pitches and a leather ball.

[i961pie]

The converse could equally apply. Transport todays' prima donnas back to the 60's and they wouldn't stand up to the physical challenge on heavy pitches and a leather ball.

Could you imagine the likes of Tommy Smith, Norman Hunter, Ron Harris and Dave McKay being allowed to tackle these prima donnas of today? They roll around now when hardly touched, they would sh@t themselves facing them.