21 hours ago, Elite_pie said:

Wow!  I'm amazed to see Richard Butcher being described as a 'workhorse style' player, because he was the exact opposite.  His main quality was arriving in the box late and applying the finish, he had the ability to time his run and pick his spot.  Tackling was something he wasn't good at, in fact one of McParland's regular quotes back then was "Butch couldn't tackle a square meal"!  Neal Bishop along with Ryan Yates were the best in that role, while Ricky Ravenhill  deserves a mention.  I do agree it's an area where we are currently found wanting, it makes us too easy to play against.

Yep, Butcher would be missing all game then pop up in the last minute with a great strike. 

Ravenhill was definitely the 'bruiser' when we had him and Bish in the middle. Bish could tackle and put a shift in, but always had a bit more technical ability than Ricky, which is why he went on to play at a higher level I suppose. 

If you look at our midfield, who is that ball winning midfielder? I can't see one. You can tell that O'Brien played as a winger because he can't defend and jumps in constantly, Doyle is often too slow to play that role now (if he could ever), which leaves Reeves, who doesn't fit exactly that type, but seems to be the best we have at doing it. 

There was a very good reason why Doyle and O'Brien were constantly overran playing together - no legs, can't defend. 

1 hour ago, Super_Danny_Allsopp said:

Yep, Butcher would be missing all game then pop up in the last minute with a great strike.

That's the Richard Butcher I remember, skillful and offered a goal threat, but lightweight and often anonymous.

Strange how we can see players so differently!

We need 2 players in midfield with the 2 right ingredients.... PACE AND POWER.......... 

On 12/11/2020 at 16:35, Elite_pie said:

That's the Richard Butcher I remember, skillful and offered a goal threat, but lightweight and often anonymous.

Strange how we can see players so differently!

I don't think he ever played that bad but I was young back then, not sure how he would go anonymous because I believe he was one of our best players in those days. Not the most brilliant player but workhorse nonetheless.

Sorry @JoshuaI am with @Elite_pieon this. Richard Butcher had a talent to time his run into the box and score but in terms of midfield duties, he did little else. No way could he be described as a "workhorse".

The game has moved on. Witness the Harrogate games, younger players with pace closing down our players. "Experienced" + "old legs" did not serve us well. One only has to look at Ruben's contribution at Chesterfield... an ability to deliver a quality ball  and to hit the target ranks far higher than a run of the mill workhorse