Graham Taylor

Quoted from Maringer

Wasn't there also some sort of statistic that showed goals were rarely scored if they came after the end of a move containing more than X number of passes? Hence the idea of whacking the ball forward ASAP and avoiding too much of that pesky passing lark.

Anti-Buckleyball, in effect.

Yes, that's what started this conversation. Fast breaks mean fewer defenders. Graham used this theory at Lincoln but more so at Watford. The ball was knocked up to Ross Jenkins who was about 6'6" and he would nod/play it on to Luther Blissett who no-one could catch. This was copied by Wimbledon with John Fashanu in the Ross Jenkins role.

Remember getting his autograph at BP years ago. Lovely chap.

Sad news...RIP

I do remember seeing Watford play against us at BP some years back (after Taylor, I think, possibly Buckley Mk. II era?) and had to laugh at a bald bloke in midfield (Page?) who just whacked the ball up and under every time it came to him. They obviously remained pretty direct after Taylor had left. Don't recall the result of the game, however, just thought it must be rubbish to watch them play.

I don't really recall too much about Taylor but for his ill-fated tenure as England manager. Many pretty disappointing performances back then, to be sure, but certainly not much worse than we've had to endure in recent years!

Allardyce gets a lot of press because of his use of statistical analysis but Taylor was doing it before he was. Watford also made use of good wingers like Barnes and Callaghan. Clever man and it seems a very nice man.

Rip Graham.

some really insightful, educational and genuine, kindly appreciative posts on this thread. RIP

Quoted from acko338

My cousin played in the same reserves side as Graham Taylor many years ago, and it was the same cousin who started my love of Grimsby Town by taking a wooden stool and propping me up in the Main Stand against the fence.

Very sad loss of a true gentleman.

What was your cousins name, I have a photo of one of the reserves sides that had my dad and Graham in.

Sad news indeed, always sad to see a former Mariner pass, RIP Graham and condolences to friends and family.

Very sad news a true gentleman so dignified as Englands coach when the gutter press insulted him personally and ruthlessly made fun of him must have been terrible for him and his family.

The man was bigger than all those tossers put together.

RIP Graham former mariner and all round nice guy not many of them in football these days.

Sorry to hear the news. Was always chipping in with GTFC remarks when he used to doing the punditry work. RIP

Quoted from Maringer

I do remember seeing Watford play against us at BP some years back (after Taylor, I think, possibly Buckley Mk. II era?) and had to laugh at a bald bloke in midfield (Page?) who just whacked the ball up and under every time it came to him. They obviously remained pretty direct after Taylor had left. Don't recall the result of the game, however, just thought it must be rubbish to watch them play.

I don't really recall too much about Taylor but for his ill-fated tenure as England manager. Many pretty disappointing performances back then, to be sure, but certainly not much worse than we've had to endure in recent years!

The England team he inherited was on the way out. He picked some turkeys like Keith Curle and he made some catastrophic errors but he wasn't helped by the attitudes of people like "nice guy" Lineker. Many of the same players went on to perform well for Venables.

I'm sure Graham Taylor hated the disappointing performances more than anyone. He was more than just a manager, he was a football fan and an England fan. You could tell that from his commentaries and interviews. He certainly didn't deserve that turnip rubbish and insults that upset his family. His character came through when he went back into club management and had great success again.