Oppostion Players That Have Impressed

Was talking to my old man the other day about Town affairs etc, and we got talking about opposition players that have caught your eye.  My dad says one player that caught his eye was the Wycombe winger (cant remember his name) who terrorised towns defence, he was fast, skilful and always looking to run at the defence.  He looked like Ryan Babbel.

His name was Kevin Betsy

Jermaine Jenas - vs Forest (15/09/01)

0-0 but Jenas controlled the match from the base of midfield. Still only 18, it looked like Jenas was going to mature into a Busquets style metronomic passing bunny.

Like most English midfielders, once he hit the PL, he developed into more of a generic Platt/Gerrard/Robson box-to-box beagler.

We still struggle to develop deep midfielders who can also play, so we are left with Dier, Rice and Chalobah.

Kenny Irons / Jason Koumas - Tranmere Rovers


Inter should have replaced an ageing Aron Winter with Sir Paul Groves at the start of 98/99, to form a midfield partnership with Diego Simeone and Pirlo, allowing Ronaldo de Lima to run riot up front and win lo Scudetto.

The huge hole in Town’s midfield would have been replaced with a £6.5m transfer fee and a double swoop on the Plastic Scousers for Irons and Koumas.

Irons was like a smaller Groves, less aerial threat but with long range shooting that would guarantee to replace Groves’ 10-15 goals per season.

Koumas would have prospered on the East Coast riviera but his form would dip post-Christmas after being caught feeding ponies in JD’s or Pier 39.

Also the game where Jonny Rowan managed to put one over the bar from an inch!

Off the top of my head:
Andy Lonergan (probably in the same game as Betsy)
Steve Bull (hat-trick in the opening game of 96-97)
Nathan Pond
Aaron Lennon

Oh, and Sam Russell (winner of the best timed contract extension in history), obvs.

Robert Prosinecki, Portsmouth c. 2001/02. He absolutely ran the show at Blundell Park

Muzzy Izzet- it’s often mentioned but what a goal!

Charlie Nicholas for Arsenal in The FA Cup

Town 1 - 5 West Ham (1981)

David Cross and West Ham were awesome, Cross scored 4 that day.

Clive Walker had trick for Chelsea when we drew 3_3 at home.

We bossed the game but he stood out and kept bloody scoring.

David Peach. When Southampton whacked us 4-1 in the FA Cup third round 2nd replay at Filbert Street. Would’ve been 1978.

Jon Nolan when he played for Stockport against us at their place.

https://youtu.be/crSuAMI5CO0

Fast forward to 57:30 for the reference. I remember a young Adam Proudlock doing this against us for Wolves and thinking “Wow, this kid’s gonna be big”.

I wasn’t wrong.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/qUrmR51.jpg[/img]

Ray Houghton for Fulham. They played us off the pitch and he ran the show.

Super Clive Mendonca when he returned to Blundell Park with Charlton in 1999. Scored one and wiped himself off Mark Lever’s jacuzzi party list.

Steve McNulty (Luton CB). Looked like a pub football reject but there was no way through him, round him or over him.

Mark Gall - Maidstone striker who destroyed us in a home 2-3 loss in 1989. He went on to sign for Brighton before retiring prematurely with a nagging knee injury and the knowledge that he gave a then 7 year old Grimsby fan nightmares with his vicious shooting.

Peter Taylor for Palace, think they beat us 2-0 at BP midweek back in the 70s and Terry Curran always played well for Wendies..Shite for us though.. And a young Michael Owen in the League Cup at Anfield..

Ruud Gullit and Gary Lineker looked ok for Chelsea and Spurs when we played them.

On the other side of the coin - I remember an away game at Cambridge where the Town fans slaughtered a slight, nervous looking full back who had a stinker. We all walked away saying how sh@t he had been.

Oh how we laughed when Tom Newey signed for us.

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

Ruud Gullit and Gary Lineker looked ok for Chelsea and Spurs when we played them.

On the other side of the coin - I remember an away game at Cambridge where the Town fans slaughtered a slight, nervous looking full back who had a stinker. We all walked away saying how sh@t he had been.

Oh how we laughed when Tom Newey signed for us.

Gullit was massive. You forget how tall he was watching him on Gazzetta Football Italia. A team of eleven Gullit’s would beat a team of eleven Gerrard’s / Groves’ / Livingstone’s or anyone else.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

Steve McNulty (Luton CB). Looked like a pub football reject but there was no way through him, round him or over him.

I first remember laying eyes on Steve McNulty in his Fleetwood days, all the way back in 2010 - early in our first season in non-league. I remember thinking “Just how bad can this league get when teams are having to field clinically obese, silver haired 45 year olds just to make up the numbers?”.

Fleetwood won 2-1, McNulty running the show. After the game, I googled him. He was 26.

[img]https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/home-team-captain-steve-mcnulty-in-action-during-the-first-half-as-picture-id583663966?s=2048x2048[/img]

I thought a few of the Liverpool players were half decent when we lost 5-0 at Anfield  

1     Ray Clemence     
2     Phil Neal     
3     Alan Kennedy     
4     Phil Thompson     
5     Ray Kennedy     
6     Alan Hansen     
7     Kenny Dalglish     
8     Jimmy Case     
9     David Johnson     
10     Terry McDermott     
11     Graeme Souness     

Quoted from Poojah

I first remember laying eyes on Steve McNulty in his Fleetwood days, all the way back in 2010 - early in our first season in non-league. I remember thinking “Just how bad can this league get when teams are having to field clinically obese, silver haired, 45 year olds just to make up the numbers?”.

Fleetwood won 2-1, McNulty running the show. After the game, I googled him. He was 26.

[img]https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/home-team-captain-steve-mcnulty-in-action-during-the-first-half-as-picture-id583663966?s=2048x2048[/img]

I forgot we first encountered him in a wet, windy 2010. The biggest Fleetwood Mac since Rumours.

Dougie Freedman used to fill his boots against Town. Freedman starred for Palace in the 5-0 thrashing in 1996 and then again in the 5-0 in 2001.

The 96 game included a freaky eleven minute Freedman hat-trick. Ray Houghton also haunted us in that match too. Dean Gordon was at left back, Nigel Martyn in goal and the ever dangerous George Ndah up front.

For the Liverpool players don’t forget Kenny Dogfish and Jimmy Plaice!  😁😏

Quoted from Poojah

I first remember laying eyes on Steve McNulty in his Fleetwood days, all the way back in 2010 - early in our first season in non-league. I remember thinking “Just how bad can this league get when teams are having to field clinically obese, silver haired 45 year olds just to make up the numbers?”.

Fleetwood won 2-1, McNulty running the show. After the game, I googled him. He was 26.

[img]https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/home-team-captain-steve-mcnulty-in-action-during-the-first-half-as-picture-id583663966?s=2048x2048[/img]

That was the game he punched Rob Atkinson ! Welcome to non league !

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

Kenny Irons / Jason Koumas - Tranmere Rovers


Inter should have replaced an ageing Aron Winter with Sir Paul Groves at the start of 98/99, to form a midfield partnership with Diego Simeone and Pirlo, allowing Ronaldo de Lima to run riot up front and win lo Scudetto.

The huge hole in Town’s midfield would have been replaced with a £6.5m transfer fee and a double swoop on the Plastic Scousers for Irons and Koumas.

Irons was like a smaller Groves, less aerial threat but with long range shooting that would guarantee to replace Groves’ 10-15 goals per season.

Koumas would have prospered on the East Coast riviera but his form would dip post-Christmas after being caught feeding ponies in JD’s or Pier 39.

Ah actually I remember when we played Tranmere and McNab controlled the midfield.

Podge. Unfortunately

Tommy Mooney at Watford

David James at Watford

David Lee at Bury/Bolton

Simon Garner at Blackburn

Edgar Davids at Barnet....how the fck did he play for Barnet !?!?!

Danny Whitaker at Macclesfield, always has time on the ball regardless of how well he was marked.

Have tried to avoid the big names from cup games as you would expect something from them.

Quoted from Meza

Ah actually I remember when we played Tranmere and McNab controlled the midfield.

He certainly stood out

[img]https://i.redd.it/qi79y1att8801.jpg[/img]

Quoted from Abdul19

He certainly stood out

[img]https://i.redd.it/qi79y1att8801.jpg[/img]

Bit of a Gulf in class

Quoted from Meza

Ah actually I remember when we played Tranmere and McNab controlled the midfield.

Irons, Koumas, McNab...then Alan Mahon.

Mahon had a left foot so educated it didn’t snigger at the thought of doing a French Oral exam.

Joe Hart for Shrewsbury looked amazing despite being about 13.

Oh and as for throwbacks Gordon Durie (Spurs) and dalian Atkinson (villa) looked a bit too good for us to be on the same pitch as.

Kevin Ellison. For always scoring against us. Always

Ah the Ellison myth! (he's scored once in his last seven games against us)

But yes, the sight of Matt Heywood seemingly running in treacle behind him is something that haunts me to this day.

Remember a coloured lad playing for orient on the wing totally ripped us apart at their place think he went onto Notts county in div one late 70s

Richard Wright for Ipswich 1998/99. First game back in Division 1. Live on telly. 0-0 draw entirely due to his heroics

Quoted from blundellpork

Robert Prosinecki, Portsmouth c. 2001/02. He absolutely ran the show at Blundell Park

I think we played them at frattan park august bank holiday and got walloped. Open terrace and burning hot sun. Prosinecki and Peter crouch running the show

All of these already mentioned but Kevin Ellison certainly, didn't he score a hat trick to get Buckley the sack? Danny Whittaker for Macclesfield always looked good, Edgar David's, Ollie Watkins for Exeter (now at Brentford)

Stan Bowles when he played for Crewe in 71/72 season scoring a fantastic winning goal and. I remember Bobby Ham scoring 4 at BP in a 5-1 win in the late 60’s.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Stan Bowles when he played for Crewe in 71/72 season scoring a fantastic winning goal and. I remember Bobby Ham scoring 4 at BP in a 5-1 win in the late 60’s.

He certainly brought home the bacon that day!

Quoted from Les Brechin

He certainly brought home the bacon that day!

He was certainly a cut above the others!!! Should have said he was playing for Bradford City. The black winger for Notts County could have been John Chidoze (not sure of the spelling) who I think went on to join Spurs but like many others never fulfilled his potential.

Toto Nsiala playing for Southport when we drew 0-0 at home with them in Feb 2014.

He was absolutely immense and that game was perhaps why we signed him in the summer.

Aswad Thomas playing for Braintree in March 2012, the occasion when there was the woman who was supposed to have racially abused him and who too became our player in the summer.

Quoted from Mallyner

Toto Nsiala playing for Southport when we drew 0-0 at home with them in Feb 2014.

He was absolutely immense and that game was perhaps why we signed him in the summer.

Aswad Thomas playing for Braintree in March 2012, the occasion when there was the woman who was supposed to have racially abused him and who too became our player in the summer.

Hurst had a bit of a penchant for signing players who had stormers against us. You can add the likes of Jack Mackreth, Christian Jolley and Dominic Vose to that list. I guess that’s what you do when you have little in the way of a scouting network in place.

Quoted from Abdul19

He certainly stood out

[img]https://i.redd.it/qi79y1att8801.jpg[/img]

Bravo ........



Two ..Zero        

Other than those already mentioned in here, I think it was Glen Little at Wrexham a couple of years before we got promoted that ran the midfield and our players didn't get near him for the whole game despite him being about 40!

Sam Russell stood out for years. McNulty has always been class every time I've seen him, despite his frame.

Aside from obvious ones, I always liked Labadie from Newport too.

There was a couple of players I wished played for Town during the late 80's early 90's, Southends Brett Angel and Dion Dublin when at Cambridge, and in more recent times that forward that played for Oldham Sturridge I think his name was and the forward for Swindon who scored against us (rang rings around us) Woolery.

I remember Bobby Ham playing against us.  Also Stan Bowles for Crewe at BP on a wet Tues night.  He just waltzed round our players, not affected by the race n and mud. Great balance and skills.

This is going back a long, long way, but I do remember watching Town play Bournemouth in the early 70's when they had a young winger called Harry Redknapp playing for them who I thought looked useful. Don't know what happened to him!Also in the 70's, Oldham had a winger called Alan Groves who looked good against us. Sadly, he died of a heart attack at 29.

September 1991 League Cup v Villa - Paul McGrath. Anyone who was there will know what I mean - we would have walked that tie if it wasn’t for a knackered Irishman with bad knees and a great footballing brain. We were a really good side playing good football but everything, literally everything we created McGrath would pop up, spoil it and play it simple out of defence.

The Icelandic lad for Bolton just before he went to Chelsea, Eidur Gugjohnson, ran the game and even earlier Mick McCarthy for Barnsley, proper centre half, think he went to Man City next.

David Cross the season West Ham murdered us at home, made it look easy.

Good call on McGrath - he was like a magnet - the ball just seemed to always end up at his feet or on his head.

I remember David James when he was at Watford (I think they beat us 0-1) but he was just immense for such a young goalkeeper.

That Bergkamp chap wasn't too shabby for Arsenal in 2001.  I bet he couldn't believe he had to stand on the same pitch as most of those players.

Micheal Owen scoring his first hat trick for Liverpool against us at Anfield a few years before we beat them. He was absolutely electric, only 17 or 18 at the time and it was obvious then what he’d go on to achieve.

First game of the season away to Cheltenham we were 1-0 at half time thanks to Barry Clonlon goal  Barry Hayles came on a sub for them,he was at the end of his career then, absolutely slaughtered us and the Cheets won 2-1.

Quoted from grimsby pete

Clive Walker had trick for Chelsea when we drew 3_3 at home.

We bossed the game but he stood out and kept bloody scoring.

I was at that game, I was quite young, and can't remember much about it though. but I do remember walking with my dad to the car after the game, and someone asked us for the score. When told he replied "who to?" It wasn't even funny then to a 7 year old!

Quoted from HertsGTFC

David Cross the season West Ham murdered us at home, made it look easy.

Cross was excellent but that hammers team pass and move game was the nearest thing I’d seen to total football Dutch style , they were just superb and that considering we weren’t a bad team

Quoted from dapperz fun pub

Cross was excellent but that hammers team pass and move game was the nearest thing I’d seen to total football Dutch style , they were just superb and that considering we weren’t a bad team

I think that West Ham game was the 2nd to last home game of the season. In all the previous home league games that season we had conceded a total of only 4 goals!