Taylor

[SheepdipBlade]

For traditional full backs you'd have to go some to top Len Badger and Ted Hemsley. (I met an ex ManUre player in an indian in Dronfield over Christmas who was saying that Ted would just crunch you, but with Len you got a few verbal niggles thrown in too )

And for attacking "wing backs" - we've had few better than Vas and Quinny.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Chris Armstrong was a good full back. Rated him highly and dont know why we sold him.

Heard many tales of Ted Hemsley. It is widely stated by Blades fans of that era that George Best would have never scored that famous goal against us had Ted not been subbed off with injury minutes earlier.

Much like every time we played Man U at that time - apparently Hemsley put Best in his pocket for most of the game but was taken off and replaced by a winger; hence Best having the freedom of the pitch to round our defence.

 

[Grecian2000]

Chris Armstrong was a good full back. Rated him highly and dont know why we sold him.

Heard many tales of Ted Hemsley. It is widely stated by Blades fans of that era that George Best would have never scored that famous goal against us had Ted not been subbed off with injury minutes earlier.

Much like every time we played Man U at that time - apparently Hemsley put Best in his pocket for most of the game but was taken off and replaced by a winger; hence Best having the freedom of the pitch to round our defence.

The real amazing thing about "that goal" is that Trevor Hockey was within whacking distance of Best and didn't do it!

I used to "punt" quite regularly at Ted's bookies in Dronfield and would often discuss the mighty Blades with the great man. He did say that given the chance he liked to give his man a good kick early doors. Funnily enough this tactic is frowned upon these days.

 

[SheepdipBlade]

Tony Currie puts "that bloody goal" down to John Hope coming off his line - though why the Wolfman didn't but Best into orbit - or at least into the cricket pavillion - is a bloody good point.

 

[brackleyblades]

Got to say i thought Taylor was learning and turning in some good performances a month or so ago but after watching him recently i am in agreement with everyone.Not good enough.
The two Kyles positioning were/are not great but there pace got them out of a lot of trouble.Taylor,i am afraid has is lacking pace and positioning.
Look at Paul Mcgrath he lacked pace but jesus did he make up for it by reading the game.
I am all for supporting Blades players but even Taylor is trying my patience big time.

 

[Rustyblade]

Tony Currie puts "that bloody goal" down to John Hope coming off his line - though why the Wolfman didn't but Best into orbit - or at least into the cricket pavillion - is a bloody good point.

Would have been a bloody good punt from Old Trafford.

 

[beightonblade]

I watched that goal from the Stretford End...... if Ted had been on the park Best wudn't have scored..... mindyer if granny gert had ccok she'd be mi grandad.

 

[sitwell]

It was Gil Reece (my favourite Blade of all time) who had to fill in for Hemsley I think. I was there, saw very little but had a good night out in Blackpool after with my Mum and Dad.

 

[Latters]

I watched that goal from the Stretford End...... if Ted had been on the park Best wudn't have scored..... mindyer if granny gert had ccok she'd be mi grandad.

Do all the men in your family have the same name as well? 'Cos so far that's your Mrs, your auntie and your gran that's called Gert.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Don't forget the daughter....

 

[Grecian2000]

'Cos so far that's your Mrs, your auntie and your gran that's called Gert.

They're all the same person (He's from Beighton you know!).

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

They're all the same person (He's from Beighton you know!).

She started off as his grandad until he stepped on a mine in doubleya doubleya Two. After that it was Gert all the way!

Oh how the squaddies loved her

 

[Ollessendro]

Len Badger was head and shoulders above anything I've seen and Jags sits at number two with Kyle N and Wilder a joint third. Cec Coldwell completes the top 5.

Vas was great but in a wing back sort of role rather than a conventional RB (and I would say exactly the same for Quinny across the other side). Great going forward but not up to being a "proper" full back defensively.
I like Bradders and Gagey but Bradders was a bit headstrong for me and Gagey was a little way past his best by the time we landed him (now there is a list to be considered!).

Interesting.

Of course Vas was a crap defender and he was lazy as hell, but talk about cross a ball. And with both feet as well. He was unplayable against (when he could be arsed).

Surprised you put Naughton ahead of Bradshaw. We're talking about a young lad who played around only 40 games in the Champiopnship. He looked fantastic in some of them, but had an off spell part way through the season. Bradders played almost 150 games for us in the top flight. he was a solid right back and was great at getting forward. Him leaving definately contributed towards us going down).

Is your judgement of Jags at full back impaired by how successful a centre half he was? And what he has gone onto do after. I remember him looking good as a full back, but not playing there all that much. He really excelled at CB of course and didn't do bad in our promotion season in CM.

 

[SwissBlade]

My Top full backs of my lifetime

1= Bradders
2= Roger Nilsen
2= Walker
2= Naughton
2= Jags
3 Gage
4 Del
5 Borbokis
6 Naysmith
7 Pembo

Can't pick between the 'No 2'

But Bradders was my clear winner for taking on Stuart "psycho" Pearce in front of the John St West and hammering him and also for the Shearer incident.

For me Bradders is my all time hero and the epitomy of the Blades Spirit. However, I'm begining to think Morgs will become my all time hero

 

[Darren]

Interesting.

Of course Vas was a crap defender and he was lazy as hell, but talk about cross a ball. And with both feet as well. He was unplayable against (when he could be arsed).

Surprised you put Naughton ahead of Bradshaw. We're talking about a young lad who played around only 40 games in the Champiopnship. He looked fantastic in some of them, but had an off spell part way through the season. Bradders played almost 150 games for us in the top flight. he was a solid right back and was great at getting forward. Him leaving definately contributed towards us going down).

Is your judgement of Jags at full back impaired by how successful a centre half he was? And what he has gone onto do after. I remember him looking good as a full back, but not playing there all that much. He really excelled at CB of course and didn't do bad in our promotion season in CM.

Bradshaw left after we went down.

 

[LouTheBlade]

First of all I would like to reiterate that Taylor is shite

Secondly here are my top 5 lifetime (i.e. mine) Blades full backs;

1 - Vas Borbokis (dont care if he couldnt defend, Gave us so much going forward)
2 - Chris Armstrong (severely under-rated)
3 - Roger Nilsen (If only he could have scored that elusive goal)
4 - David Unsworth (prior to breaking my heart he was a big reason we went up)
5 - Kevin Gage (good servant to the club, again very under-rated)

I have missed two or three off the list that I feel bad for not mentioning but there we go.

Please critique at your leisure :thumbup:

 

[beightonblade]

Len Badger

 

[LouTheBlade]

Len Badger

Apparently very good yes but not in my lifetime sadly. I was a twinkle in Daddy's eye when he was watching Len

 

[Grecian2000]

Interesting.

Of course Vas was a crap defender and he was lazy as hell, but talk about cross a ball. And with both feet as well. He was unplayable against (when he could be arsed).

Surprised you put Naughton ahead of Bradshaw. We're talking about a young lad who played around only 40 games in the Champiopnship. He looked fantastic in some of them, but had an off spell part way through the season. Bradders played almost 150 games for us in the top flight. he was a solid right back and was great at getting forward. Him leaving definately contributed towards us going down).

Is your judgement of Jags at full back impaired by how successful a centre half he was? And what he has gone onto do after. I remember him looking good as a full back, but not playing there all that much. He really excelled at CB of course and didn't do bad in our promotion season in CM.

Don't get me wrong. I loved watching Vas and if we were talking about the best footballers to play for United he would probably be in my top 10. He just filled a bit of a specialist role and wasn't a great "full back".
If Blackie read yours (and Lou's) comments about getting in because he offered more going forward he'd have a fucking heart attack. He only picks wingers who defend never mind full backs!

My impression of Jags at RB stems primarily from 02/03 when he was moved out there from midfield (where I didn't much rate him) and featured for much of the season in a back five of Kenny,Jags,Murphy,Page and Harley/Quinn/Kozzy. He was outstanding all season but only moved to CB when Murph went back to Aus. and Curtis (ugh!) came in at RB.

As for Bradders. Liked his effort, his commitment and his strength but thought he was better further forward (which is why we signed him) and that Naughton is just a better player. We said after seeing KN for about 10 minutes that this kid could be as good as Badger and I think with the right development he still might.

PS. How the hell did we end up talking about great full backs in a thread entitled Taylor?

 

[SwissBlade]

When you read though this thread you realise that we've had some fantastic fullbacks over the years.

But i haven't seen any mention of Guuuuuuus ......

 

[Ollessendro]

PS. How the hell did we end up talking about great full backs in a thread entitled Taylor?

I think it was because Lou likened taylor to Maldini!!??

 

[LouTheBlade]

I think it was because Lou likened taylor to Maldini!!??

No :lol: I likened Paul Beesley to Maldini in comparison to Andy Taylor.

But yes does seem a little odd where this thread has gone.

 

[SwissBlade]

One of the best threads for ages!