The men we couldn't do without - Ken McNaught

[dave.woodhall]

Dave Collett composes another epic.

https://heroesandvillains.info/2023/08/06/the-men-we-couldnt-do-without-3/

[Paul.S]

There are many things Mcnaught did for us but the 2 that always stand out for me for some reason are the clearance off the line at Small Heath and shadow boxing the Barcelona player in the super cup.
A central defensive partnership with Evans that is still my favourite and having met him since a very nice bloke as well.

[Exeter 77]

My Dad tells a great story about having to drive the team coach back from (I think) Heathrow with just Ron Saunders, Sir William Dugdale and Ken McNaught on it so they could get him to complete the paperwork for the transfer at Villa Park. I'll have to ask him about it again.

[WarszaVillan]

One of Barton's major mistakes was breaking up the defense too quickly, which had been the bedrock of the European Cup winning team. He went more slowly in other areas of the pitch, buying seemingly good players like McMahon and Rideout, but trying to integrate them slowly. However, getting rid of Rimmer, Swain (for Mark Jones, who never fulfilled his promise) and McNaught tore the heart out of the team.

[dave.woodhall]

One of Barton's major mistakes was breaking up the defense too quickly, which had been the bedrock of the European Cup winning team. He went more slowly in other areas of the pitch, buying seemingly good players like McMahon and Rideout, but trying to integrate them slowly. However, getting rid of Rimmer, Swain (for Mark Jones, who never fulfilled his promise) and McNaught tore the heart out of the team.

I don't think Barton had much say in the matter.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Great read, DC. Just one point, I was always under the impression we signed Alan Evans from Dunfermline as a striker not defender.

As for Ken, he was superb for us in a brilliant partnership with Evans. One of the most ridiculous football facts is Ken never played for Scotland and Allan only got 4 caps.  My guess was that it was political and the Scottish FA didn't want too many players from the English league. Alex McLeish (77 caps) and Willie Miller (65 caps) better than Ken and Alan? Ridiculous.

[Brazilian Villain]

As for Ken, he was superb for us in a brilliant partnership with Evans. One of the most ridiculous football facts is Ken never played for Scotland and Allan only got 4 caps.  My guess was that it was political and the Scottish FA didn't want too many players from the English league. Alex McLeish (77 caps) and Willie Miller (65 caps) better than Ken and Alan? Ridiculous.

Alan Hansen only got 26 caps, but I think it was more to do with them not wanting to break up that Aberdeen CB partnership.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

As for Ken, he was superb for us in a brilliant partnership with Evans. One of the most ridiculous football facts is Ken never played for Scotland and Allan only got 4 caps.  My guess was that it was political and the Scottish FA didn't want too many players from the English league. Alex McLeish (77 caps) and Willie Miller (65 caps) better than Ken and Alan? Ridiculous.

Alan Hansen only got 26 caps, but I think it was more to do with them not wanting to break up that Aberdeen CB partnership.

Did Scotland not play friendlies? Nah, it was down to quotas in my book.

[WarszaVillan]

As for Ken, he was superb for us in a brilliant partnership with Evans. One of the most ridiculous football facts is Ken never played for Scotland and Allan only got 4 caps.  My guess was that it was political and the Scottish FA didn't want too many players from the English league. Alex McLeish (77 caps) and Willie Miller (65 caps) better than Ken and Alan? Ridiculous.

Alan Hansen only got 26 caps, but I think it was more to do with them not wanting to break up that Aberdeen CB partnership.

Did Scotland not play friendlies? Nah, it was down to quotas in my book.

There weren't so many friendlies then. There were plenty of English-based players at that time playing for Scotland. It shows more the depth of talent Scotland had then. McLeish and Miller were fantastic players and Hansen was behind them. It should also be remembered that Evans won a place in the starting eleven in '82 (he never took part in the civic reception in Brum as he travelled to Scotland for the England game) and started in the first World Cup game against New Zealand. He was at fault for one of the goals (Scotland went out on goal difference as always) and didn't appear again.

[dave.woodhall]

The thing that stories like this remind me of is how good the team of 1985 could have been. Old hands were being replaced, youth was coming through. A couple more signings and we could have been title contenders again.

[dcdavecollett]

RCF, as I recall, you are correct that Evans was indeed regarded as a striker when we signed him. I seem to remember the Daily Mirror lazily referring to him as the 'New Andy Gray'.

My point was that Saunders insisted that he never saw Allan as a striker but as someone who would play at the back.

[steamer]

He took a while to win over the fans, but Dreadnaught was a firm favourite of mine

[WarszaVillan]

The thing that stories like this remind me of is how good the team of 1985 could have been. Old hands were being replaced, youth was coming through. A couple more signings and we could have been title contenders again.

The long-term injuries to Shaw and Cowans also didn't help, although if they had stayed fit I'm sure Ellis would have cashed in on them as soon as he could.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

As for Ken, he was superb for us in a brilliant partnership with Evans. One of the most ridiculous football facts is Ken never played for Scotland and Allan only got 4 caps.  My guess was that it was political and the Scottish FA didn't want too many players from the English league. Alex McLeish (77 caps) and Willie Miller (65 caps) better than Ken and Alan? Ridiculous.

Alan Hansen only got 26 caps, but I think it was more to do with them not wanting to break up that Aberdeen CB partnership.

Did Scotland not play friendlies? Nah, it was down to quotas in my book.

There weren't so many friendlies then. There were plenty of English-based players at that time playing for Scotland. It shows more the depth of talent Scotland had then. McLeish and Miller were fantastic players and Hansen was behind them. It should also be remembered that Evans won a place in the starting eleven in '82 (he never took part in the civic reception in Brum as he travelled to Scotland for the England game) and started in the first World Cup game against New Zealand. He was at fault for one of the goals (Scotland went out on goal difference as always) and didn't appear again.

I've just checked and there were a few friendlies in 81/82 but I guess Big Jock Stein despite his genius couldn't see beyond Windy Miller and McLeish. Hansen was an amazing centre half and experienced yet stubborn old Jock didn't want to break up the Aberdeen partnership. You mention the NZ game, yes Evans did make a mistake, I can still see it but it was the only game Scotland won in their short lived WC campaign.

I remember previously Andy Gray not getting a call up for Scotland for ages despite smashing them in every week, the brutality of Joe Jordan preferred despite his poor-at best average goal record. We've had some brilliant Scottish players over the years, Ken being one of them. At least he has medals to show for his talents in his trophy cabinet.

[steamer]

Andy not being chosen for the Argie world Cup inured a strong anti Scotland sentiment in the fans I associated with.
Key, Villa fans singing and dancing around the White lion and Hole in the wall chanting, Peru, Peru.