Man Utd Fans View On Joe Riley

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I've always thought over the years that we've never had a left back that has truly become a fans favourite

Perhaps more cult hero in the style of Bob Booker than 'fan's favourite', but what about 'JOE' (Bolton)?

Viewed as a solid, no-nonsense defender during his time at the club, he helped United to promotion as they finished third in Division Three in his first season.[1] After making 130 appearances for the club in three years injuries began to take their toll and he was released in May 1986.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Bolton_(footballer)

Namechecked on the Housemartins' first album, surely that is evidence enough of his Bladeness?

If you need more definitive proof, then I'm sure Pinchy will be along soon to accuse him of being a 'hoofer' and 'a favourite of the S2 peasants'.
 
Personally I always loved David Barnes and that perm! Back in the days when full backs never crossed the half way line and they took the man first, then ball!

I've always thought over the years that we've never had a left back that has truly become a fans favourite or a left back that has been of outstanding quality. Its probably the only position I would say that about as I can name many good right backs, centre backs, goal keepers etc etc. Roger Nilsen had his moments but in my view ultimately wasn't consistent, Dave Barnes as I say was a favourite of mine but can't say he is a cult hero or especially good. Tom Cowan was reasonable but I wouldn't say a fans favourite like we've had in other positions such as on the right. I know Del played on the left at times and is definitely a cult hero but I still see him as a right back.

In recent seasons I thought David Unsworth was quality in the season we got promoted but in my eyes ruined that when he slid on his knees scoring the pen that relegates us a year later! I think not many would have him in their favourite 11 after that! I certainly don't!


Joe Bolton?
 
Personally I always loved David Barnes and that perm! Back in the days when full backs never crossed the half way line and they took the man first, then ball!

I've always thought over the years that we've never had a left back that has truly become a fans favourite or a left back that has been of outstanding quality. Its probably the only position I would say that about as I can name many good right backs, centre backs, goal keepers etc etc. Roger Nilsen had his moments but in my view ultimately wasn't consistent, Dave Barnes as I say was a favourite of mine but can't say he is a cult hero or especially good. Tom Cowan was reasonable but I wouldn't say a fans favourite like we've had in other positions such as on the right. I know Del played on the left at times and is definitely a cult hero but I still see him as a right back.

In recent seasons I thought David Unsworth was quality in the season we got promoted but in my eyes ruined that when he slid on his knees scoring the pen that relegates us a year later! I think not many would have him in their favourite 11 after that! I certainly don't!


Don't forget Joe Bolton ....... he was a popular lad ....... used to get loads of cheering on from the John St Terrace when I was younger .. :)

Edit .... oops ..... already mentioned !!

UTB & FTP
 
On the scale of ex/loan Man Utd signings will he be a Michael Twiss or a Paul McGrath? Keith Gillespie is the other decent one that springs to mind. Notable mentions for wankness also to Lee Martin, John Cofie and most of all Bryan Robson. Alex Notman was ok I think from memory, do we have any more in recent history?


Phil Bardsley
 
Richie De Laet - did okay in a crap side.

Our first ever player manager; serial quitter Steve 'I-don't-quit' Bruce - grandma lookalike wanker
 
Personally I always loved David Barnes and that perm! Back in the days when full backs never crossed the half way line and they took the man first, then ball!

I've always thought over the years that we've never had a left back that has truly become a fans favourite or a left back that has been of outstanding quality. Its probably the only position I would say that about as I can name many good right backs, centre backs, goal keepers etc etc. Roger Nilsen had his moments but in my view ultimately wasn't consistent, Dave Barnes as I say was a favourite of mine but can't say he is a cult hero or especially good. Tom Cowan was reasonable but I wouldn't say a fans favourite like we've had in other positions such as on the right. I know Del played on the left at times and is definitely a cult hero but I still see him as a right back.

In recent seasons I thought David Unsworth was quality in the season we got promoted but in my eyes ruined that when he slid on his knees scoring the pen that relegates us a year later! I think not many would have him in their favourite 11 after that! I certainly don't!

Martin Pike was a bit of a cult hero if i remember rightly. Not much cop admittedly but liked a tackle did Martin. I fondly remember Pikey jumpin in the crowd away v Wolves in 89 to celebrate promotion...only to realise thay the game hadnt finished. Luckily we got away with that one. Wayne Quinn was another who was well liked especally as he had come through the ranks, before he turned shit and we offloaded him to the Geordies and then back to obscurity in deepest Cornwall.

Both lads were good lads though and gave their all for Utd. Fondly remembered.
 
Don't forget Joe Bolton ....... he was a popular lad ....... used to get loads of cheering on from the John St Terrace when I was younger .. :)

Edit .... oops ..... already mentioned !!

UTB & FTP

I was stood in the John Street terrace near the away end in the 80's.
Agree he was popular. Always remember the monotone chant "Joe..Joe..Joe..Joe..Joe..Joe"
 
Martin Pike was a bit of a cult hero if i remember rightly. Not much cop admittedly but liked a tackle did Martin. I fondly remember Pikey jumpin in the crowd away v Wolves in 89 to celebrate promotion...only to realise thay the game hadnt finished. Luckily we got away with that one. Wayne Quinn was another who was well liked especally as he had come through the ranks, before he turned shit and we offloaded him to the Geordies and then back to obscurity in deepest Cornwall.

Both lads were good lads though and gave their all for Utd. Fondly remembered.

Seen videos of Pike and he was part of the 88 - 89 promotion team of course, but he was just before my time. I love his celebration (of Marco Tardelli proportions!) running towards the South Stand as if he'd just scored the winner in a World CupI Heroic!

I should say post 1990 I don't recall a quality consistent left back or a cult hero there. Now Quinn was someone I saw a lot but as you say he went off the ball and left without much fuss to Newcastle which, along with Nilsen, are two of the most surprising moves I can remember given they weren't doing much at the Lane and then got themselves moves to Newcastle and Spurs respectively!
 

De Laet was okay. Do you think PB was? He came across as totally uninterested as if the division was beneath him.

When he left us he became good, he actually looked a liability for us and wasn't interested in my view, blatantly had the ability though. He became a "solid" full back at Sunderland and went on to show afterwards that he was an average PL player, something we can only dream about at the moment.
 
When he left us he became good, he actually looked a liability for us and wasn't interested in my view, blatantly had the ability though. He became a "solid" full back at Sunderland and went on to show afterwards that he was an average PL player, something we can only dream about at the moment.


I could have posted exactly the same about him. Of he'd put a shift in for us like I've seen him do for Sunderland and Stoke... X
 
I could have posted exactly the same about him. Of he'd put a shift in for us like I've seen him do for Sunderland and Stoke... X


My recollection of Bardsley was one of a real trier but limited ability. We know our full backs in S2 and he was ordinary at best. His career has proved average. He's a lucky man to have the Man Utd brand label on him.
 
Seems there's more to come from his ability as a winger.
It's what I said we'd signed him for. At Man Utd his best chance of making the first team may be as full back. Otherwise he has to displace the likes of Pogba to get a game in the forward line.

But here it's different.

We need pace up front. A winger. And that's why he's been signed - to play as a winger not a full back!

Matty Done fans are going to hurt over this but now you'll see why this is necessary.

He won't run around like crazy without the ball though!
 
It's what I said we'd signed him for. At Man Utd his best chance of making the first team may be as full back. Otherwise he has to displace the likes of Pogba to get a game in the forward line.

But here it's different.

We need pace up front. A winger. And that's why he's been signed - to play as a winger not a full back!

Matty Done fans are going to hurt over this but now you'll see why this is necessary.

He won't run around like crazy without the ball though!

It's unfair to judge a player on clips alone, but as that's all I've seen he does appear a little bit useful. Would appear an ideal Wilder type, good skill, awareness, and has scoring potential, what's not to like? All the young man has to do now is impress the Blade's very own 'special one', a piece of cake this management lark.
 
The Life of Riley (aka MOTD Goal of the Month music)

...Is that Gordon McQueen knocking 7 bells out of the keeper at the start of the video?
 
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Where is this lad going to play? Bit harsh on lafferty if he's ousted.
 
Maybe they did. Maybe Riley and Man Utd wanted him to go to a club like ours chasing promotion. A promotion from league 1 will look better than a possible relegation from a league above on any CV.
And a manager that wants to play with attacking full-backs
 
I cant see this guy not starting for us somehow.... given how highly rated he is at Man U, I would have expected man u to have had some conversations with us regarding how much first team ation he would be getting here.
 

I cant see this guy not starting for us somehow.... given how highly rated he is at Man U, I would have expected man u to have had some conversations with us regarding how much first team ation he would be getting here.

I disagree. No way is CW going to have his selction decided elsewhere.

There may be an 'understanding' that the lad will make the match day squad but nothing beyond that. We are not desperate enough to take a daft risk and then be stuck with having to play some 'wonder kid'.
 

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