How Far Have We Come?
Tuesday, 25 November 08, 05:04 AM · Comments(5)
Morning Peeps and Boro fans,
I hope everyone is well and looking forward to the big game on Saturday! I've been rooting through my old Red Roar magazines looking for old match reports for Boro v Newcastle games. I came across a game from the 1995/96 season when the 'little fella' was playing.
The game was back in February 1996 on a mild and dry day. Boro lost the game 2-1, but I'm not too bothered about the result from yesteryear. I wanted to compare the team that played then to the team that are currently playing today.
Boro Team - 1996 Boro Team - 2008
Walsh (7) Turnbull (7)
Cox (8) Hoyte (7)
Morris (6) Taylor (7)
Vickers (7) Wheater (8)
Pearson (8) Pogatetz (8)
Whelan (6) Downing (9)
Stamp (7) Digard (7)
Juninho (10) Tuncay (9)
Pollock (7) O'Neil (8)
Barmby (9) Aliadiere (8)
Wilkinson (7) Alves (8)
SUBS SUBS
Hignett (8) Mido (8)
Fjortoft (8) Johnson (8)
Liddle (6) Arca (7)
I've given each player a mark out of ten so you can compare the players from the old team to the current team. The team of 1996 faced Newcastle at home in February of that year and lost 2-1. The team of 2008 opposite will probably start against Newcastle this Saturday.
I think the team has improved over the years. Look at how many youngsters are in the current side, it's amazing. I would definitely say that we have come a long way since the days of the Robson era. It was a great platform to build on 12 years ago and now Southgate has taken the team to the next level.
What do you make of the comparisons? Do you agree with the marks out of ten for each player?
If I had the chance to select a fantasy team out of both sides I think I would put Barmby, Juninho and Hignett in the current team and take out Aliadiere, O'Neil and Digard.
Would you agree?
Answers on a post card or alternatively post a comment below in the aptly named box.
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As I remember Paul Wilkinson was the forgotten man that season and he somehow got a few games after scoring a couple of goals. Yeah Fjortoft was class. I remember seeing him play for Swindon against Boro one season and thinking 'he would be good in our team'.
I think you should be drug tested! 7/10 for Phil Stamp and Jamie Pollock. These guys were BORO through and through but hand on heart wouldn't get a game in the Premiership these days. The way things are I wouldn't mind betting that Digard is going to be first pick on the team sheet for the next three years, he has a great deal to offer this club. An astute purchase.
I was being nice to them. They were the lovable characters in the side back then. They would struggle to get into a Champoinship team nowadays. Yeah totally agree with you about Digard. He has looked class this season. Has settled in really well considering he hadn't played much in France last season.
5 Comments · Add yours
How on earth did Paul Wilkinson get a game ahead of Fjortoft or Hignett?? On current form I would take out Alves and play Jan Age Fjortoft, he was a great goal scorer!
lol, I've just noticed you have given Neil Cox 8 out of 10. Is that because he was the best looking player in the team at the time??