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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. What is the Stars on

    HT

     

     

    A few of the boys from today are doing the Glasnevin Cemetary tour around 2.30 so I said I would see them in the Gravediggers at 4.30

     

    Great if you can make it

     

     

    Enjoyed watching the young bhoys today,they werent too good against St Kevins ( 1 all draw) but put up a good show against Barca ( lost 3-2 but great effort)

  4. Lennybhoy on

    WHAT IS THE STARS on 25TH MARCH 2016 10:20 PM

     

    Will get your number from one of the Bhoys.

     

    Races sounds good, one of my mates that is coming likes a punt and a day out at the Races.

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

    Hail Hail!

  10. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Wits

     

    Just sent HT and Lennybhoy your number

     

    Don’t call me BT for nothing

     

     

    I knew those days in GSHQ would come in handy at some point

  15. sipsini on

    TET…

     

     

    Hope you and your good lady are well.

     

     

    As of late, due to the inaction of our board on res12 or collusion with thems, I too find myself in a quandary.

     

     

    Still, I will stick with where my heart is and battle on.

     

     

    As I’m sure you will. HH

     

     

    On another note… We may not realise what is on our own doorstep, Mr Ahmed the shopkeeper was killed by two Muslims, maybe due to him posting best wishes on Facebook to his customers and friends to have a good Easter according to the news.

     

     

    Then again that is the press.

  18. PJBhoynyc on

    The Exiled Tim

     

     

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

     

     

    – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/resist-of-wither-like-miss-havisham/comment-page-10/#comments

     

    ———————————–

     

     

    Just my opinion but the answer to your conundrum is in all simplicity = complicity.

     

     

    Personally I await the next few weeks with intense interest.

     

     

    As I posted earlier the hints about End Games and Bismarck directly relate to Brogans post on the SFM 3 years ago, which suggested a rigorous administration after root and branch clearance of the SFA. Thing is it involves people like Banks, and Knights of the Realm etc etc…. As I said, curious as to how it all unfolds.

  19. What is the Stars on

    Lennybhoy

     

     

    Saturday the 30th of April is the last day of the Punchestown Festival,myself and the wife usually go

     

    We can squeeze a couple more into the car

  21. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    HT

     

     

    I dont think i could restrain myself…I dont attend, because i will end up losing the plot.

     

    Having watched Celtic all over for 40 years solid…to be treated like a half-wit…no, not for me.

     

    Kills me not seeing the Bhoys run onto Celtic Park.

     

    But i honestly believe, if we do not challenge the whole corrupt structure of Scottish Football, then we are finished.

     

    PL and the board are being ridiculed by huns, because they know the PLC are idiots.

     

    Even the hun journos have got PL’s number.

     

    And what makes it even more astounding, is that more than a few posters on CQN have witnessed PL in his younger days giving it laldy on supporters buses.

     

    What the feck happened to him?

     

     

     

    HH

  26. bournesouprecipe on

    The Green Man

     

     

    You have it bad. Man you have it bad,……….. I feel you’re pain.

     

     

    This very small blog is at an all time low, with division and overall disenchantment,

     

    now that Ronny is winning again.

     

     

    Res 12 is a CQN thing, and to a lesser extent so is perceived ‘Celtic silence’

     

     

    What would you like Celtic to do on your behalf? – which Celtic do you still support?

     

     

    Genuinely? CSC

  34. petec on

    Bobby Sands

     

     

    An avid Ornothologist just like a lot of my family. I must be Thankful for what I have, JJ is definitely keeping me on the right track. A Legend.

     

     

    Bravest of the Brave.

  41. Hamiltontim on

    PJBHOYNYC on 25TH MARCH 2016 10:42 PM

     

     

     

    What is your expected outcome?

     

     

    TGM

     

     

    I post very little on here of what I actually know regarding the board. My distrust is well founded but that’s a separate issue from the team on the park.

  42. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    BSR

     

     

    For me its all about Celtic….the team.

     

    Not some mob of cowardly millionaire cretins.

     

    Very simply….I want PL to challenge the SFA and their cheating.

     

    If the Celtic board are unable or unwilling to challenge the corrupt system….they need to go asap.

     

    They are not Celtic…We are.

     

     

    HH

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