Quote from: Gregorys Boy on August 01, 2014, 11:03:22 AMThis for me. If you think about an manageral example, like Brian Little. Villa have likely had much better managers than Little over the years who didn't produce as much. Something just clicked with him. Brian Little isn't just remembered at Villa Park for managing us, though, is he?
This for me. If you think about an manageral example, like Brian Little. Villa have likely had much better managers than Little over the years who didn't produce as much. Something just clicked with him.
Alan McInally got a leg up the legendary ladder above better players like Gerry Hitchens or Cyrille Regis by having a six syllable name which fitted our song.
That's not a dig at Mellberg, far from it, I like the bloke too, it's more a comment on how that bond between players and fans is totally different nowadays compared to, say, the 1970s.
Quote from: pauliewalnuts on August 01, 2014, 11:13:06 AMThat's not a dig at Mellberg, far from it, I like the bloke too, it's more a comment on how that bond between players and fans is totally different nowadays compared to, say, the 1970s.The world's a smaller place now though, I guess. Even in the 1970s leaving a football club must have represented a fairly major upheaval for a player. Certainly, the opportunity to move abroad (let alone to a different continent) wouldn't have crossed to many players' minds.If some of them had been around now, maybe the likes of Charlie Aitken would have gone to the MLS to see out his playing days, or Pongo doing an 'Emile' and jetting off to Oz...!
Quote from: RussellC on August 01, 2014, 11:46:36 AMQuote from: pauliewalnuts on August 01, 2014, 11:13:06 AMThat's not a dig at Mellberg, far from it, I like the bloke too, it's more a comment on how that bond between players and fans is totally different nowadays compared to, say, the 1970s.The world's a smaller place now though, I guess. Even in the 1970s leaving a football club must have represented a fairly major upheaval for a player. Certainly, the opportunity to move abroad (let alone to a different continent) wouldn't have crossed to many players' minds.If some of them had been around now, maybe the likes of Charlie Aitken would have gone to the MLS to see out his playing days, or Pongo doing an 'Emile' and jetting off to Oz...!Charlie did though Russell, he played for New York Cosmos, not the MLS I grant you.
Would people class him as a Villa legend? It's a tough one for me, but I think I would.Anyway, I miss him loads. Probably my favourite player whilst he was here.
Olof is absolutely a legend and was a superb defender. It's a shame he spent far too long at right back.Zlatan has given him plenty of love on his Facebook page. Zlatan and Olof love is pretty much my homoerotic dream, if I had such a thing. *cough* Right, who likes boxing and other manly heterosexual things. BOOBS.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic2 hours ago · EditedThe day Olof Mellberg decided to quit the national team it was a great loss to Swedish football and the team. But to me personally it was an even greater loss. When I had him on the team I never had to look back because I knew he was behind me and I could concentrate on what was going on up ahead.Olof was the person that trigged and challenged me. This drove me to want to do more on the pitch.Olof had a winner mentality like no other. He simply refused to lose, not only in football but in practically everything. And when he did lose, which rarely happened, he refused to admit it. I think this mentality was what took him a long way in his carreer.I’ve been doubly lucky when it comes to Olof. Firstly because I got to play with him, and secondly because I got know the person Olof Mellberg, not only the player.If Olof in my opinion is the best Swedish defender of all times, I think the person Olof is even better.It is sad that Olof now chooses to end his career because I’m sure he has much more to give.I wish Olof Mellberg and his family all happiness and love in the future.Thank you my friend.Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Quote from: RussellC on August 01, 2014, 10:59:04 AMI don't think a 'legend' necessarily has to have been a world class player, or have won a trophy for the club. I think when it's obvious that someone has a complete affinity for the club (and in particular the supporters) and clearly gave their all whilst wearing the shirt, along with gestures like the shirts at West Ham away, i think they can be considered a club legend.I'd certainly rather think of Mellberg in that sense than someone like David Platt.I think you can judge a club by the stature of its legends. For me the word "legend" implies more than the things you've outlined above, but ultimately, I guess it's all subjective.I just think it gets bandied about far too often these days.
I don't think a 'legend' necessarily has to have been a world class player, or have won a trophy for the club. I think when it's obvious that someone has a complete affinity for the club (and in particular the supporters) and clearly gave their all whilst wearing the shirt, along with gestures like the shirts at West Ham away, i think they can be considered a club legend.I'd certainly rather think of Mellberg in that sense than someone like David Platt.