Trending
Celtic News Now
Celtic Quick News on News Now
Celtic Quick News
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.

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

1,974 Comments
  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 6
  6. 7
  7. 8
  8. 9
  9. 10
  10. 11
  11. 12
  12. ...
  13. 52

  3. glendalystonsils on

    If Winning Captains is hinting that Sevco are going down the tubes and it comes to pass…….there will be CQNr’s queueing up to marry him and have his babies.

     

     

    Ach, alright then……maybe just queueing up to buy him a pint……………_:))

  7. What is the Stars on

    Doc

     

     

    Thanks and glad for all who made a few bob today

     

     

    Good friend of mine recommends Jarob as a good each way bet for the Irish National on monday

     

    He knows connections and told me this was the plan for this horse months ago.

     

    However its the National and it will be tough but the horse is 33/1 so a shilling each way as me aul granny used to say wouldnt do any harm

     

    At the other end of the betting scale I have been told that Asum is highly regarded by the Skeltons

     

    its 6/4 fav however and its having its first race course experience….so you know yourself

     

     

    Anyhow today I had the pleasure of the company of Thomthethim,Jamesgang,Cowie,Almore,Clogher,BMCUWP,Delaneys

     

    All smashing lads,good company with plenty of intelligent things to say about celtic and life in general.

     

    This can be a crazy place sometimes but as has often been said…….I have yet to meet a CQNer I didnt like

  13. hebcelt on

    Jobo @ 9:23 I think you are mistaking standard for quantity!!!. Nothing wrong with quality of your posts. H H Hebcelt

  15. winning captains on

    Hamiltontim

     

     

    Not that I know – wouldn’t rule it out but not what I’m annoying you all about. You missed a great game last night CRC still moaning about our controversial one goal victory.

     

     

    Doc – you have mail.

  16. Lennybhoy on

    I am bored with all that goes about prophesying that they will enviably got the wall…that’s why I have stopped putting my tuppence worth in. It really is tedious now.

     

    The time for action was in 2012/2013 when they were on their knees, really on their knees. The Rebels should have stood up and fought then like they did 100 years ago.

     

    The chance has got now…or could it be that Easter 2116 bring another Easter Rising celebration.

     

    The opportunity has gone.

     

    Oh and for the record, I only want to support the Team that plays in the green and white Hoop.

     

    As ever…

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

    Hail Hail!

  20. Doc on

    Winning Captains

     

    :-0

     

    :-)

     

    :-)

     

    :-)

     

     

    WiTS, a shilling each way for me:-)

     

    On Monday and tomorrow.

     

     

    And as for never meeting a CQN’r I didn’t like, very true.

     

    Even ones with a sh.te sense of humour:-)

  22. glendalystonsils on

    Generation of domination?

     

     

    Generation of frustration?

     

     

    Generation of obfuscation?

     

     

    Generation of subjugation?

  25. What is the Stars on

    Roy Croppie

     

     

    I probably wont make the do tomorrow…long story,family commitments etc

     

     

    However I will be in the Gravediggers Pub,Kavanaghs Glasnevin tomorrow at approx 4.30

     

     

    If you can get there you can sample the best guinness in Dublin

  27. angelgabriel on

    WITS.

     

    Thanks for the tip today , perfect timing after nothing in first 3 at Lingfield.

     

    Latest info noted. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. HH

  32. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    I will say this…i might not be superior and cultivated like some of the Gods of CQN.

     

    But when it comes to the crunch…i will be in at the deep end, fighting till the last ,with blood and guts.

     

    The superior ones can then look the other way….while the bad, uncultivated Celtic fans are still fighting.

     

    As per usual

  34. Lennybhoy on

    WHAT IS THE STARS on 25TH MARCH 2016 9:51 PM

     

    Missed your tip as I have not really lurked or indeed posted these last few days

     

    In fact I have yet to get my ne of your tips, even when I do back them, so I will give Jarob a miss.

     

    If you see Jamesgang, Cowiebhoy, BMCUWP and Delaney’s Dunky my best, not saw them for a while.

     

    I agree with you, not met a CQNer I haven’t liked.

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

    Hail Hail!

  40. What is the Stars on

    Lads

     

     

    Just let me say this

     

    Apropos of nothing in particular

     

    This morning around 9 am I met a lovely man from Glasgow who has lived many a year in Donegal.

     

    A decent man with a great love of Celtic,wonderful intelligent conversation.

     

     

    Around lunchtime early afternoon I had a look on here,weeping wailing and gnashing of teeth,

     

    accusations and angst..

     

     

    Jesus is everyone who posts on here mad ..I though

     

     

    An hour or 2 later I was in the company of several wonderful lads who contribute regularly

     

    erudite,witty,sensible people with a great love of Celtic.

     

     

    Feck all the stupid fighting

  41. sid on

    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.

  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 6
  6. 7
  7. 8
  8. 9
  9. 10
  10. 11
  11. 12
  12. ...
  13. 52