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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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  1. the_huddle on

    setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox on 25th March 2016 8:59 pm

     

     

    The Huddle

     

     

    “I think it was due to drop some holidaymakers off in Monaco when it was hit”

     

     

    Probably heading for one of those topless beaches.

     

    ——————————————————-

     

    I’ve always went to the the sandy beaches I assumed the topless ones meant they were devoid of sand?

  2. corkcelt on

    Academy Bhoys beaten 3-2 by Barca. Ireland leading Switzerland 1 nil 30 minutes left. Lot of fringe players playing for Ireland,

  3. angelgabriel on

    Winning Captains.

     

    My gut feeling is that , whatever causes your cryptic optimism , it won’t be the guys at the top table looking after the customer base that fuels it.

     

    Patience is certainly a virtue.

     

    Selling your soul to the devils blue pound ain’t on the menu for plenty on CQN.

     

    FTSFA.

  4. Doc on

    Clunks, I wanted to see the evidence, I have, it’s there.

     

    But LNS was given a narrow reference, had evidence with held and came to conclusions he may not have with all the information and freedom to investigate all avenues.

     

     

    FTSFA

     

     

    And lets not overstate what a good guy WC is, he is also a very naughty Bhoy:-)

  9. Doc on

    Watching GoggleBox, I like it, what can I say.

     

     

    Steph ask for diamonds, a holiday and then laser treatment for her eyes for her 50th.

     

    Dom says sure, you can cut your head of for all I care!

     

    Steph retorts “can I have a divorce too” a little annoyed with the answer.

     

    “I wasn’t planning spending that much money!” replies Dom.

     

     

    Brilliant.

  13. sid on

    By you’re city halls

     

    Or you’re derry walls

     

    Have you got the balls?

     

     

    Ok it’s not at the finalised stage.

  14. Jobo Baldie on

    Sometimes I wish I could contribute much more to this fine site than I actually do. Generally I’m about 95% lurker, 5% poster. Wish I had a much wider repertoire than some of the guys on here. For example, on the first 2 pages of the current article there were 41 seperate posts (that’s 54%) from just 4 (at most…) individuals – Big Peat of Islay, The Green Man Says Sack The Board, Y Not67 and Mr Pastry.

     

     

    Wonder if I’ll ever reach that standard of output……. ;-)

  15. bankiebhoy1 on

    GG

     

     

    ………..way earlier………….

     

     

    Re fish’n’chips in the great Garden State………

     

     

    Have you tried Keyport Fishery?

     

     

    HH

  16. Tontine Tim on

    Aiden Bhoy on 25th March 2016 8:54 pm

     

    Doc,

     

     

    I won’t turn my back on Celtic either, but when honest mistakes are made and decisions are made to benefit one club we should hold our tongue.

     

     

    We had the chance to change it and our club and support said nothing

     

     

    *mibbees naw, could be that we are willing to allow them to proceed to the top league but when here nae merr honest mistakes.

     

     

    Or mibbees I’m just too gullible on this the holiest day in the Christian calendar.

  18. winning captains on

    Clunks

     

     

    The Resolutioners deserve all or any credit for the smoking gun. Personally I thought along similar lines to Hamiltontim and never ever commented on it on here. I didn’t state my reservations as two of the guys are good friends of mine.

     

     

    My own efforts have always been on the new club same club status and foolishly I championed the entirely misguided campaign to place a newspaper advertisement in front of a global audience.

     

     

    Just a silly Bhoy!

     

     

    However misguided it had an achievable objective. Not sure what else you could possibly be referring to.

     

     

    Win the battle and subsequently win the war. And there’s nothing decided on any other front.

     

     

    Been trying to say all night Keep The Faith.

  23. Doc on

    Winning Captains, just checking, did I email you to reserve a ticket for the Tommy Gemmell night?

     

     

    I think I did, if not is there a seat at the table available?

  25. corkcelt on

    Jobo better keep your mouth shut and appear a fool then to open it and prove you are one.

  26. glendalystonsils on

    Jobo Baldie on 25th March 2016 9:23 pm

     

     

    Know what you mean, Jobo. I thought I was fairly well educated and had a good level of general knowledge,

     

    but reading the blog makes me feel pretty thick at times!

  29. bankiebhoy1 on

    I don’t know what’s worse………

     

    …the Sleekit(s)

     

     

    ……….the binge bloggers or the whinge bloggers.

  30. Hamiltontim on

    Jobo

     

     

    I had a long journey but eventually I realised that sometimes it’s better saying less on here! :-)

  32. Hamiltontim on

    WC

     

     

    Obviously, I’m only guessing but from your posts I reckon that the smoking gun is that the monkeys are going down the tubes.

  35. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    The superior and the high and mighty eh.

     

    Good Celtic fans like all you….and bad ones like me.

     

    Pathetic

  37. Aiden Bhoy on

    Tontine Tim

     

     

    No offence think your too gullible.

     

     

    Sid

     

     

    Your not a singer.

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