Paul McGrath - don't worry

[HertsVilla]

I am working in Ireland at the moment and caught an interview last night with the legendary Paul McGrath on Newstalk’s ‘Off the Ball’ roadshow ahead of Sunday’s All Ireland Final. I made my first visits to Villa Park in the 1995/1996 season as a youngster and my only memory of McGrath is a hazy recollection of the 1996 League Cup victory against Leeds. Sadly, YouTube doesn’t do him justice so I thought I’d start my first ever topic by asking what, in your opinion, made McGrath such a special player and what are your endearing memories of him as a player?

For those interested the interview is available to listen here: http://www.newstalk.ie/paul-mcgrath-off-the-ball-roadshow

[Villan For Life]

Two words sum him up for me. Anticipation and timing.

He wasn't the quickest on the pitch but what he lacked in pace he made up for with a wonderful footballing brain and an ability to anticipate what the opposition forwards would do next.

One of the best players that I've seen in a Villa shirt in over 30 years.

[The Man With A Stick]

The way he read the game better than anyone else, for me.  His knees were shot, but he didn't need to be quick.

[spk]

I thought his genius was down to one thing,100 per cent concentration.

[Simon Ward]

The way he read the game better than anyone else, for me.  His knees were shot, but he didn't need to be quick.

As with all great players it is their reading of the game that sets them apart!

[FrankyH]

Always thinking we will be alright when teams attacked us, even when outnumbered, because we had Lord McGrath.I think the only player that has got anywhere near installing that type of confidence in the team and among the supporters is Laursen, but even he couldn't match him.

[DrGonzo]

I'd always watch McGrath regardless of the action.  He had a presence on the pitch, he seemed bigger than he was.  I would be thinking, "Why are you there?", two passes later the ball would land on his head and disappear back up The Park and you would say, "Ah, that's why".  Could read the game faster than I can read a P.G. Wodehouse.  Genius.

[Legion]

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

His anticipation and ability to read the game was outstanding, truly remarkable. Paul McGrath always looked like he was 6 inches bigger, 2 yards quicker and a weight division more than his opponent.
Having coached a lot of kids, the only analogy I could give was Paul looked like a 16 year old playing against 12 year olds. Head and shoulders he was better than everyone.

[Navin R Johnson]

All of the above plus immense modesty and charm.

I remember once when he was in his prime with us our defence was all at sixes and sevens, scattered to the four winds (ring a bell?) and the opposition centre forward cruised through and side footed the ball towards our empty net.   Paul ghosted out of nowhere and cleared our line.   Now this for me is the special bit.

He stood up, looked up at the Holte and smiled at us.

[Percy McCarthy]

The YouTube clip of Him v Italy in the 94 World Cup is the best thing ever on the Internet. FACT.

Others have summed it up well.

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, some have greatness thrust upon them.

McGrath is all three.

[Legion]

[Legion]

[olaftab]

I never ever noticed Paul doing anything during a match. Can't say more than that!

[silhillvilla]

The game in NYC when they beat Italy 1-0 is the finest CB performance I have ever seen. Colossall.