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Everyone now focuses on the younger players coming up through the youth ranks of top Brittish clubs, and what kind of impact they'll be able to make for club and country in the near future. But not many people seem to notice those players close to retirement, playing aswell as ever, helping their club stake a claim for some silverware. I think that we should stop critisising the 'older generation', and put as much support and faith behind them as we do with the 'newer generation'!
These are examples of players who are still playing aswell as ever, even though they're into their 30's:
Gary McAllister - I think we were all surprised when he made his 'surprise' free transfer from Coventry to Liverpool last summer. No-one really understood why Houllier would go for a player of his age, untill we saw him play! I was also very surprised to see him go to Anfield, and my first reactions were that he'd sign as a player/coach, using his experience to help the youngsters progress through the ranks. I never thought he'd be capable of producing the quality he showed all throuh last season, especially being over 35!!
Gary Mac showed us all he can still mess with the 'young ones', with brilliant ste pieces. I remember one free kick he scored towards the end of the season. It was live on sky, the last kick of the game, in stoppage time, in a derby match against Everton aswell!! The pressure must have been intense, as Liverpool didn't want the match to finnish as a defeat, especially against Everton!! He was the only man brave enough, and capable to take this preesure, and he only went and scored it!! So accurate it took the 'toffee's' keeper by surprise, right in the bottom corner, from almost 30 yards!
He scored goal-after-goal from set pieces, just like one against Coventry. Right in the top corner from 20 yards! Beating England U-21 star (and future Liverpool goalkeeper) Chris Kirkland, making it look simple.
He's a player that's calm and precise under pressre, and especially with set pieces. Watch him take a free-kick and you'll see him calmly jog upto the ball, at his own steady pace. He doesn't rush into it and goes for accuracy, rather than blasting it through the wall, Shearer style.
His star performances last season caught the attention of Scotland manager Craig Brown, who was almost begging McAllister to come out of international retirement! But Gary turned down the oppurtunity, staying focused to his job as a Liverpool midfielder and set-piece expert, helping Liverpool finnish the campaign with 3 top trophies in the bag! Would they have been so successfull if McAllister hadn't joined, and stayed at Coventry or gone elsewhere?? I think it's possible they wouldn't have won all 3 without him!
Peter Schmeichel - Every football fan world-wide knows of 'the great dane', especially after a great career with Manchester United, and becoming a legendary star in goal for Denmark. You may have also noticed how the Premiership hasn't been the same since he left, but now he's back!! With Aston Villa! John Gregory knew he had to find a 'top-class' keeper to replace David James, after his departure to West Ham this summer. So he went out and found the very best in the 37 Schmeichel.
When he left United for Sporting in Portugal, he was sadly missed. Neither Bosnich, Taibi or van der Gouw could even come close to Schmeichel's standards! In his first season at Sporting, he helped them challenge hard for the Portuguese title, as they finally beat off all competition (including Porto) to be crowned champions!! During his second year in Portugal, they weren't as successfull this ime around. And Schmeichel became unhappy towards the end of the campaign, losing his place to a younger keeper. And at the end of that season (2000-01) he decided he wanted to leave over the summer, turning down offers of a new contract.
During the summer he didn't recieve many enqiuries for his signature, with Villa being one of the bigger clubs. He looked at their other summer signings, saw their ambition and decided to sign on the dotted line. Since his arrival, Villa have made one of their best ever stars to a new season. And they've also been nominated as surprise challengers for the title!! Mainly due to Man United's poor start. He's already scored his first goal for Villa! A back-post volley from a dangerous corner gave the keeper no chance!! That was his first Premiership goal, and second for a Premiership team (after scoring for Utd in Europe, several years ago).
Schmeichel has already shown this season, at the age of 37, that he is still worthy to be a Premiership no.1 keeper, even if he's not at United! He is a goalkeeper that demands respect and barely makes a big mistake. With a huge reputation in Europe, should another club like Chelsea mad ea move for him, to help their title challenge??
I'll be very dissapointed if he leaves Villa at the end of the season, as he only signed for one year. And it'll be even worse if he retires! He's a player that could possibly go on for another 10 years!! His son Kasper has been rated very highly, and targeted by Manchester United. What would you expect when you look at his father!! Maybe if Peter keeps playing, he'll be fighting for his place, against with his son!!
Teddy Sherringham - From Spurs, to Man United, back to Spurs again. Wherever he's been, he's proven he can score goals and help his team achieve the best! Just look at the Champion's League final, when United completed the treble. He got the first of 2 goals deep into stoppage time! And the FA Cup final against Newcastle, Sheringham scored the first again!! He also played a big part in Untied's Premiership title challenge of the same year. Putting these 3 areas together shows how he helped United win: 'The Treble'!!
This season, Teddy's back at White Hart Lane, scoring goals, after a bosman move from United over the summer. England fans will also be pleased to see the 35 year old's back in the England squad, working hard to earn a place in the 2002 Word Cup squad. You wouldn't have expected to see his name in contention for a place 2/3 years ago, but he's proved critics wrong after brilliant match winning performances for his country!
His age doesn't matter any more. Against mexico he scored a 'scorcher' of a free kick, something you may not even see from David Beckham! And with his first touch of the ball against Greece, flicking a Beckham corner into the back of the net, with his head, helping England to secure a place in next year's world-cup!! Where would England be now without his services?? Maybe not even the play-offs!
He's already scored a couple in the league this season, also keeping an unhappy Sergei Rebrov out of the first 11. After scoring becoming top scorer in the Premiership last season, expectations are high, and so is his confidence! Can reproduce that kind of form this season, and in 'South Korea and Japan'?? Only time will tell.
How much time does Teddy have left? He looks as if he could keep playing till his 40's, and possibly keep that natural goal-scoring charm with him! If he doesn't make the World Cup squad, then i'll be very surprised, and wonder if Mr. Eriksson knows exactly what he's doing, leaving out a top goal-scoring genious!!
We shouldn't take 'older players' for granted, and we should give them the time and patience they deserve to unleash their full potential. Maybe if we give Laurent Blanc more time and support him, he may become one of the Premiership's top defenders, and appear in the 'Select XI'!! We never thought Sherringham or McAllister would be capable of performing aswell as they did last season. We should definitley have more faith and confidence in the 'older generation'. With their experience, you never know what they could be capable of!!
These are examples of players who are still playing aswell as ever, even though they're into their 30's:
Gary McAllister - I think we were all surprised when he made his 'surprise' free transfer from Coventry to Liverpool last summer. No-one really understood why Houllier would go for a player of his age, untill we saw him play! I was also very surprised to see him go to Anfield, and my first reactions were that he'd sign as a player/coach, using his experience to help the youngsters progress through the ranks. I never thought he'd be capable of producing the quality he showed all throuh last season, especially being over 35!!
Gary Mac showed us all he can still mess with the 'young ones', with brilliant ste pieces. I remember one free kick he scored towards the end of the season. It was live on sky, the last kick of the game, in stoppage time, in a derby match against Everton aswell!! The pressure must have been intense, as Liverpool didn't want the match to finnish as a defeat, especially against Everton!! He was the only man brave enough, and capable to take this preesure, and he only went and scored it!! So accurate it took the 'toffee's' keeper by surprise, right in the bottom corner, from almost 30 yards!
He scored goal-after-goal from set pieces, just like one against Coventry. Right in the top corner from 20 yards! Beating England U-21 star (and future Liverpool goalkeeper) Chris Kirkland, making it look simple.
He's a player that's calm and precise under pressre, and especially with set pieces. Watch him take a free-kick and you'll see him calmly jog upto the ball, at his own steady pace. He doesn't rush into it and goes for accuracy, rather than blasting it through the wall, Shearer style.
His star performances last season caught the attention of Scotland manager Craig Brown, who was almost begging McAllister to come out of international retirement! But Gary turned down the oppurtunity, staying focused to his job as a Liverpool midfielder and set-piece expert, helping Liverpool finnish the campaign with 3 top trophies in the bag! Would they have been so successfull if McAllister hadn't joined, and stayed at Coventry or gone elsewhere?? I think it's possible they wouldn't have won all 3 without him!
Peter Schmeichel - Every football fan world-wide knows of 'the great dane', especially after a great career with Manchester United, and becoming a legendary star in goal for Denmark. You may have also noticed how the Premiership hasn't been the same since he left, but now he's back!! With Aston Villa! John Gregory knew he had to find a 'top-class' keeper to replace David James, after his departure to West Ham this summer. So he went out and found the very best in the 37 Schmeichel.
When he left United for Sporting in Portugal, he was sadly missed. Neither Bosnich, Taibi or van der Gouw could even come close to Schmeichel's standards! In his first season at Sporting, he helped them challenge hard for the Portuguese title, as they finally beat off all competition (including Porto) to be crowned champions!! During his second year in Portugal, they weren't as successfull this ime around. And Schmeichel became unhappy towards the end of the campaign, losing his place to a younger keeper. And at the end of that season (2000-01) he decided he wanted to leave over the summer, turning down offers of a new contract.
During the summer he didn't recieve many enqiuries for his signature, with Villa being one of the bigger clubs. He looked at their other summer signings, saw their ambition and decided to sign on the dotted line. Since his arrival, Villa have made one of their best ever stars to a new season. And they've also been nominated as surprise challengers for the title!! Mainly due to Man United's poor start. He's already scored his first goal for Villa! A back-post volley from a dangerous corner gave the keeper no chance!! That was his first Premiership goal, and second for a Premiership team (after scoring for Utd in Europe, several years ago).
Schmeichel has already shown this season, at the age of 37, that he is still worthy to be a Premiership no.1 keeper, even if he's not at United! He is a goalkeeper that demands respect and barely makes a big mistake. With a huge reputation in Europe, should another club like Chelsea mad ea move for him, to help their title challenge??
I'll be very dissapointed if he leaves Villa at the end of the season, as he only signed for one year. And it'll be even worse if he retires! He's a player that could possibly go on for another 10 years!! His son Kasper has been rated very highly, and targeted by Manchester United. What would you expect when you look at his father!! Maybe if Peter keeps playing, he'll be fighting for his place, against with his son!!
Teddy Sherringham - From Spurs, to Man United, back to Spurs again. Wherever he's been, he's proven he can score goals and help his team achieve the best! Just look at the Champion's League final, when United completed the treble. He got the first of 2 goals deep into stoppage time! And the FA Cup final against Newcastle, Sheringham scored the first again!! He also played a big part in Untied's Premiership title challenge of the same year. Putting these 3 areas together shows how he helped United win: 'The Treble'!!
This season, Teddy's back at White Hart Lane, scoring goals, after a bosman move from United over the summer. England fans will also be pleased to see the 35 year old's back in the England squad, working hard to earn a place in the 2002 Word Cup squad. You wouldn't have expected to see his name in contention for a place 2/3 years ago, but he's proved critics wrong after brilliant match winning performances for his country!
His age doesn't matter any more. Against mexico he scored a 'scorcher' of a free kick, something you may not even see from David Beckham! And with his first touch of the ball against Greece, flicking a Beckham corner into the back of the net, with his head, helping England to secure a place in next year's world-cup!! Where would England be now without his services?? Maybe not even the play-offs!
He's already scored a couple in the league this season, also keeping an unhappy Sergei Rebrov out of the first 11. After scoring becoming top scorer in the Premiership last season, expectations are high, and so is his confidence! Can reproduce that kind of form this season, and in 'South Korea and Japan'?? Only time will tell.
How much time does Teddy have left? He looks as if he could keep playing till his 40's, and possibly keep that natural goal-scoring charm with him! If he doesn't make the World Cup squad, then i'll be very surprised, and wonder if Mr. Eriksson knows exactly what he's doing, leaving out a top goal-scoring genious!!
We shouldn't take 'older players' for granted, and we should give them the time and patience they deserve to unleash their full potential. Maybe if we give Laurent Blanc more time and support him, he may become one of the Premiership's top defenders, and appear in the 'Select XI'!! We never thought Sherringham or McAllister would be capable of performing aswell as they did last season. We should definitley have more faith and confidence in the 'older generation'. With their experience, you never know what they could be capable of!!
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Everyone now focuses on the younger players coming up through the youth ranks of top Brittish clubs, and what kind of impact they'll be able to make for club and country in the near future. But not many people seem to notice those players close to retirement, playing aswell as ever, helping their club stake a claim for some silverware. I think that we should stop critisising the 'older generation', and put as much support and faith behind them as we do with the 'newer generation'!
These are examples of players who are still playing aswell as ever, even though they're into their 30's:
Gary McAllister - I think we were all surprised when he made his 'surprise' free transfer from Coventry to Liverpool last summer. No-one really understood why Houllier would go for a player of his age, untill we saw him play! I was also very surprised to see him go to Anfield, and my first reactions were that he'd sign as a player/coach, using his experience to help the youngsters progress through the ranks. I never thought he'd be capable of producing the quality he showed all throuh last season, especially being over 35!!
Gary Mac showed us all he can still mess with the 'young ones', with brilliant ste pieces. I remember one free kick he scored towards the end of the season. It was live on sky, the last kick of the game, in stoppage time, in a derby match against Everton aswell!! The pressure must have been intense, as Liverpool didn't want the match to finnish as a defeat, especially against Everton!! He was the only man brave enough, and capable to take this preesure, and he only went and scored it!! So accurate it took the 'toffee's' keeper by surprise, right in the bottom corner, from almost 30 yards!
He scored goal-after-goal from set pieces, just like one against Coventry. Right in the top corner from 20 yards! Beating England U-21 star (and future Liverpool goalkeeper) Chris Kirkland, making it look simple.
He's a player that's calm and precise under pressre, and especially with set pieces. Watch him take a free-kick and you'll see him calmly jog upto the ball, at his own steady pace. He doesn't rush into it and goes for accuracy, rather than blasting it through the wall, Shearer style.
His star performances last season caught the attention of Scotland manager Craig Brown, who was almost begging McAllister to come out of international retirement! But Gary turned down the oppurtunity, staying focused to his job as a Liverpool midfielder and set-piece expert, helping Liverpool finnish the campaign with 3 top trophies in the bag! Would they have been so successfull if McAllister hadn't joined, and stayed at Coventry or gone elsewhere?? I think it's possible they wouldn't have won all 3 without him!
Peter Schmeichel - Every football fan world-wide knows of 'the great dane', especially after a great career with Manchester United, and becoming a legendary star in goal for Denmark. You may have also noticed how the Premiership hasn't been the same since he left, but now he's back!! With Aston Villa! John Gregory knew he had to find a 'top-class' keeper to replace David James, after his departure to West Ham this summer. So he went out and found the very best in the 37 Schmeichel.
When he left United for Sporting in Portugal, he was sadly missed. Neither Bosnich, Taibi or van der Gouw could even come close to Schmeichel's standards! In his first season at Sporting, he helped them challenge hard for the Portuguese title, as they finally beat off all competition (including Porto) to be crowned champions!! During his second year in Portugal, they weren't as successfull this ime around. And Schmeichel became unhappy towards the end of the campaign, losing his place to a younger keeper. And at the end of that season (2000-01) he decided he wanted to leave over the summer, turning down offers of a new contract.
During the summer he didn't recieve many enqiuries for his signature, with Villa being one of the bigger clubs. He looked at their other summer signings, saw their ambition and decided to sign on the dotted line. Since his arrival, Villa have made one of their best ever stars to a new season. And they've also been nominated as surprise challengers for the title!! Mainly due to Man United's poor start. He's already scored his first goal for Villa! A back-post volley from a dangerous corner gave the keeper no chance!! That was his first Premiership goal, and second for a Premiership team (after scoring for Utd in Europe, several years ago).
Schmeichel has already shown this season, at the age of 37, that he is still worthy to be a Premiership no.1 keeper, even if he's not at United! He is a goalkeeper that demands respect and barely makes a big mistake. With a huge reputation in Europe, should another club like Chelsea mad ea move for him, to help their title challenge??
I'll be very dissapointed if he leaves Villa at the end of the season, as he only signed for one year. And it'll be even worse if he retires! He's a player that could possibly go on for another 10 years!! His son Kasper has been rated very highly, and targeted by Manchester United. What would you expect when you look at his father!! Maybe if Peter keeps playing, he'll be fighting for his place, against with his son!!
Teddy Sherringham - From Spurs, to Man United, back to Spurs again. Wherever he's been, he's proven he can score goals and help his team achieve the best! Just look at the Champion's League final, when United completed the treble. He got the first of 2 goals deep into stoppage time! And the FA Cup final against Newcastle, Sheringham scored the first again!! He also played a big part in Untied's Premiership title challenge of the same year. Putting these 3 areas together shows how he helped United win: 'The Treble'!!
This season, Teddy's back at White Hart Lane, scoring goals, after a bosman move from United over the summer. England fans will also be pleased to see the 35 year old's back in the England squad, working hard to earn a place in the 2002 Word Cup squad. You wouldn't have expected to see his name in contention for a place 2/3 years ago, but he's proved critics wrong after brilliant match winning performances for his country!
His age doesn't matter any more. Against mexico he scored a 'scorcher' of a free kick, something you may not even see from David Beckham! And with his first touch of the ball against Greece, flicking a Beckham corner into the back of the net, with his head, helping England to secure a place in next year's world-cup!! Where would England be now without his services?? Maybe not even the play-offs!
He's already scored a couple in the league this season, also keeping an unhappy Sergei Rebrov out of the first 11. After scoring becoming top scorer in the Premiership last season, expectations are high, and so is his confidence! Can reproduce that kind of form this season, and in 'South Korea and Japan'?? Only time will tell.
How much time does Teddy have left? He looks as if he could keep playing till his 40's, and possibly keep that natural goal-scoring charm with him! If he doesn't make the World Cup squad, then i'll be very surprised, and wonder if Mr. Eriksson knows exactly what he's doing, leaving out a top goal-scoring genious!!
We shouldn't take 'older players' for granted, and we should give them the time and patience they deserve to unleash their full potential. Maybe if we give Laurent Blanc more time and support him, he may become one of the Premiership's top defenders, and appear in the 'Select XI'!! We never thought Sherringham or McAllister would be capable of performing aswell as they did last season. We should definitley have more faith and confidence in the 'older generation'. With their experience, you never know what they could be capable of!!
These are examples of players who are still playing aswell as ever, even though they're into their 30's:
Gary McAllister - I think we were all surprised when he made his 'surprise' free transfer from Coventry to Liverpool last summer. No-one really understood why Houllier would go for a player of his age, untill we saw him play! I was also very surprised to see him go to Anfield, and my first reactions were that he'd sign as a player/coach, using his experience to help the youngsters progress through the ranks. I never thought he'd be capable of producing the quality he showed all throuh last season, especially being over 35!!
Gary Mac showed us all he can still mess with the 'young ones', with brilliant ste pieces. I remember one free kick he scored towards the end of the season. It was live on sky, the last kick of the game, in stoppage time, in a derby match against Everton aswell!! The pressure must have been intense, as Liverpool didn't want the match to finnish as a defeat, especially against Everton!! He was the only man brave enough, and capable to take this preesure, and he only went and scored it!! So accurate it took the 'toffee's' keeper by surprise, right in the bottom corner, from almost 30 yards!
He scored goal-after-goal from set pieces, just like one against Coventry. Right in the top corner from 20 yards! Beating England U-21 star (and future Liverpool goalkeeper) Chris Kirkland, making it look simple.
He's a player that's calm and precise under pressre, and especially with set pieces. Watch him take a free-kick and you'll see him calmly jog upto the ball, at his own steady pace. He doesn't rush into it and goes for accuracy, rather than blasting it through the wall, Shearer style.
His star performances last season caught the attention of Scotland manager Craig Brown, who was almost begging McAllister to come out of international retirement! But Gary turned down the oppurtunity, staying focused to his job as a Liverpool midfielder and set-piece expert, helping Liverpool finnish the campaign with 3 top trophies in the bag! Would they have been so successfull if McAllister hadn't joined, and stayed at Coventry or gone elsewhere?? I think it's possible they wouldn't have won all 3 without him!
Peter Schmeichel - Every football fan world-wide knows of 'the great dane', especially after a great career with Manchester United, and becoming a legendary star in goal for Denmark. You may have also noticed how the Premiership hasn't been the same since he left, but now he's back!! With Aston Villa! John Gregory knew he had to find a 'top-class' keeper to replace David James, after his departure to West Ham this summer. So he went out and found the very best in the 37 Schmeichel.
When he left United for Sporting in Portugal, he was sadly missed. Neither Bosnich, Taibi or van der Gouw could even come close to Schmeichel's standards! In his first season at Sporting, he helped them challenge hard for the Portuguese title, as they finally beat off all competition (including Porto) to be crowned champions!! During his second year in Portugal, they weren't as successfull this ime around. And Schmeichel became unhappy towards the end of the campaign, losing his place to a younger keeper. And at the end of that season (2000-01) he decided he wanted to leave over the summer, turning down offers of a new contract.
During the summer he didn't recieve many enqiuries for his signature, with Villa being one of the bigger clubs. He looked at their other summer signings, saw their ambition and decided to sign on the dotted line. Since his arrival, Villa have made one of their best ever stars to a new season. And they've also been nominated as surprise challengers for the title!! Mainly due to Man United's poor start. He's already scored his first goal for Villa! A back-post volley from a dangerous corner gave the keeper no chance!! That was his first Premiership goal, and second for a Premiership team (after scoring for Utd in Europe, several years ago).
Schmeichel has already shown this season, at the age of 37, that he is still worthy to be a Premiership no.1 keeper, even if he's not at United! He is a goalkeeper that demands respect and barely makes a big mistake. With a huge reputation in Europe, should another club like Chelsea mad ea move for him, to help their title challenge??
I'll be very dissapointed if he leaves Villa at the end of the season, as he only signed for one year. And it'll be even worse if he retires! He's a player that could possibly go on for another 10 years!! His son Kasper has been rated very highly, and targeted by Manchester United. What would you expect when you look at his father!! Maybe if Peter keeps playing, he'll be fighting for his place, against with his son!!
Teddy Sherringham - From Spurs, to Man United, back to Spurs again. Wherever he's been, he's proven he can score goals and help his team achieve the best! Just look at the Champion's League final, when United completed the treble. He got the first of 2 goals deep into stoppage time! And the FA Cup final against Newcastle, Sheringham scored the first again!! He also played a big part in Untied's Premiership title challenge of the same year. Putting these 3 areas together shows how he helped United win: 'The Treble'!!
This season, Teddy's back at White Hart Lane, scoring goals, after a bosman move from United over the summer. England fans will also be pleased to see the 35 year old's back in the England squad, working hard to earn a place in the 2002 Word Cup squad. You wouldn't have expected to see his name in contention for a place 2/3 years ago, but he's proved critics wrong after brilliant match winning performances for his country!
His age doesn't matter any more. Against mexico he scored a 'scorcher' of a free kick, something you may not even see from David Beckham! And with his first touch of the ball against Greece, flicking a Beckham corner into the back of the net, with his head, helping England to secure a place in next year's world-cup!! Where would England be now without his services?? Maybe not even the play-offs!
He's already scored a couple in the league this season, also keeping an unhappy Sergei Rebrov out of the first 11. After scoring becoming top scorer in the Premiership last season, expectations are high, and so is his confidence! Can reproduce that kind of form this season, and in 'South Korea and Japan'?? Only time will tell.
How much time does Teddy have left? He looks as if he could keep playing till his 40's, and possibly keep that natural goal-scoring charm with him! If he doesn't make the World Cup squad, then i'll be very surprised, and wonder if Mr. Eriksson knows exactly what he's doing, leaving out a top goal-scoring genious!!
We shouldn't take 'older players' for granted, and we should give them the time and patience they deserve to unleash their full potential. Maybe if we give Laurent Blanc more time and support him, he may become one of the Premiership's top defenders, and appear in the 'Select XI'!! We never thought Sherringham or McAllister would be capable of performing aswell as they did last season. We should definitley have more faith and confidence in the 'older generation'. With their experience, you never know what they could be capable of!!