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You are at:»»Resist or wither like Miss Havisham

Resist or wither like Miss Havisham

1974
By on CQN BLOG & Comments

Defining Cruyff is not easy but there are some objective facts to assist: three times European Champion, three times Ballon d’Or winner, voted Europe’s Player of the Century in 1999, and third place in the World’s Player of the Century at the same time.

On the field, the most damming criticism of him is that he wasn’t Pele or Maradona, both of whom won World Cups, but neither changed the direction of travel in the game as Cruyff did. Pele’s Brazil seemed out of sight as they strutted their stuff at the 1970 World Cup. By 1974 the Dutch, with Cruyff pulling all the strings, had tactically moved the game on a generation. It would be decades before Brazil won the tournament again.

The Dutch know all this and, rightly, place Johan at the pinnacle of the game, but there was more going on in the Netherlands at the time. Feyenoord beat Cruyff and Ajax to the European Cup by 12 months as a generation of players matured together.

While the Netherlands took hosts Argentina to extra time in the 1978 World Cup final, Cruyff was watching on TV. Of course they would have won had he played, but that they came so close without him is a testament to the rest of his Dutch generation, forever in his shadow, but great nonetheless.

So would the Dutch revolution have happened without him? Something would have happened, Luxemburg would not have beaten the Netherlands in the 1970s, as they did in the 60s, but it would have been a revolution you might not have noticed. Ajax’ European Cup adventures may have ended with the 1-3 home defeat to Benfica in the 1969 quarter final. Feyenoord may not have edged extra time in the final the following season.

Allied to his skill, speed and strength, Cruyff opened the eyes of all who played with and against him. After Cruyff, opponents knew the old rules didn’t apply anymore.

Yesterday’s story in the Guardian, citing “sources at a major Premier League club” would signal the end of the last pretence of meritocracy in football, where the most wealthy will only play each other in European competition.

Resist of wither like Miss Havisham.

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  2. Saint Stivs says SACK THE BOARD on

    thats a quite brilliantly evocative picture Roy.

     

     

    who are those around, when and where

  8. Lennybhoy on

    WITS:

     

    Meant to say, not be over this weekend but me and some mates are coming over weekend starting 29th April. Staying in The Gresham.

     

    Jamesgang, Cowiebhoy, BMCUWP and Delaney’s Dunky, Roy Croppie or any of the other Bhoys you may bump in to will give you my Moby No. if you’ll be about and want to catch a Guinness.

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

    Hail Hail!

  9. the_huddle on

    sid on 25th March 2016 10:13 pm

     

     

    So here’s the bit I don’t get.

     

     

    Celtic ask UEFA to investigate res 12

     

     

    They also demand the trophys won during DOS years are stripped and the others stripped if BTC lost at Supreme Court.

     

     

    They also quote the Courts who say they are a new club, and UEFA will decide if the Ibrox club qualify for Europe.

     

    The Celtic fans are delighted, sporting integrity restored, justice done and record season tickets sold.

     

    Why would that be bad for business?

     

     

    Who cares about the Huns, but do you expect the Hun stands to empty, if anything I don’t think it would be bad for their business either.

     

     

    At the end of all that, the by product would be, it was done beause it was the right thing to do.

     

    ——————

     

    I think you are misunderstanding Res12

  11. Hamiltontim on

    TGM

     

     

    From your posts I like the cut of your gib though I don’t agree with your response of turning your back on Celtic.

     

     

    My advice? Pick your fights on here. The trolls and muppets eventually out themselves.

  12. What is the Stars on

    Lennybhoy

     

     

    Defo will meet

     

     

    Jamesgang,cowie etc all have my number,feel free to get in touch,might even go to the races if possible

  20. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    Aye…The Prawn Sandwich Brigade…I wonder if any of them have had a hun mob trying to break down their front door.

     

    I rather doubt it.

     

    Not a nice experience.

     

    Ive lived it for years.

     

    Still here standing proud

  23. Hamiltontim on

    WC

     

     

    Please God I’m wrong but this Celtic board have no appetite for a fight.

     

     

    Sadly, in spite of some sterling efforts, Res12 will amount to nothing and many Tims will have hitched their wagons to a dream that wasn’t shared by those who really could have done something about this.

  26. THE EXILED TIM on

    Been swithering if I would post again, seriously depressed with all the rubbish re the clubs inaction to confront the cheats at the sfa.

     

    Logged on tonight and saw Sid’s post a few mins ago at 10.13.

     

    It makes perfect sense so it does.

     

    When you think about it, the club would in all honesty make more money, and as Sid said they prob would as well as the rivalry would be ramped up, their hate for us wouldn’t be any worse than it already is, it couldn’t get any worse, the club would pacify the support, sell wheans of season books, and the sfa would have nowhere to hide, we may well have the chance of a levelish playing field.

     

    But we get silence, WHY, for what earthly reason are they not asking for fairness and justice and make money into the bargain.

  27. Hamiltontim on

    Wits

     

     

    I’m sorry to hear you won’t make it tomorrow night. If we can the Minx and I will try to get to your suggestion tomorrow afternoon.

  29. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    HT

     

     

    I will never turn my back on Celtic.

     

    I will always support the beautiful Green and White.

     

    The board though…sicken me to the pit of my stomach.

     

    I cannot support those who wont confront cheating and corruption.

     

    They have nothing about them whatsoever.

     

     

    HH

  30. petec on

    An incredible album.

     

     

    Let the People Sing by the Wolf Tones in 1972.

     

     

    1. The Snowy-Breasted Pearl

     

    2. Sean South of Garryowen

     

    3. Twice Daily

     

    4. James Connolly

     

    5. Don’t Stop Me Now

     

    6. Taim in Arrears

     

    7. Come Out Ye Black and Tans (D. Behan)

     

    8. On the One Road

     

    9. The Men Behind the Wire (P. McGuigan)

     

    10. For Ireland, I’d Not Tell Her Name

     

    11. Paddy Lie Back

     

    12. First of May (B, R & M Gibb)

     

    13. Long Kesh

     

    14. A Nation Once Again (T. Davis)

  34. Hamiltontim on

    TGM

     

     

    I’m talking about non attending.

     

     

    Trust me, my opinions on some of our board members will be more negative than your’s!

  40. the_huddle on

    sid on 25th March 2016 10:31 pm

     

     

    The huddle

     

     

    No I understand res 12 perfectly well, i get its a Celtic / SFA issue.

     

    —————-

     

    So why post about trophy stripping?

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