Incognito Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Have the rule changes made it harder to become a top defender? Just 10 years ago, I could think of a dozen top class CB's. Today, i'm not so sure. Of course they have. It was a far more physical game then. 10 years ago? Even 5. John Terry's probably higher up the best CB lists in the PL now than in his prime. Every foul these days seems to be a yellow. I know I am exaggerating somewhat but years ago you'd get away with far more. And I guess it didn't happen overnight and as such was a gradual change. So even the last 10 there's probably been a stricter policy by refs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 There are definitely too many bookings IMO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dazzanufc1892 Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Have the rule changes made it harder to become a top defender? Just 10 years ago, I could think of a dozen top class CB's. Today, i'm not so sure. Of course they have. It was a far more physical game then. 10 years ago? Even 5. John Terry's probably higher up the best CB lists in the PL now than in his prime. Every foul these days seems to be a yellow. I know I am exaggerating somewhat but years ago you'd get away with far more. And I guess it didn't happen overnight and as such was a gradual change. So even the last 10 there's probably been a stricter policy by refs. I would say thats its not so much the rule changes, but the expectation of what a centre back is to be. There has been a massive shift change in the way that centre backs are viewed and expected to be. Its not so much about size and strength these days as it is about pace, being nimble, having a good brain and being good on the deck. This has invariably changed the look and feel of the centre back. The start of this in England i would say began with Rio Ferdinand, with the last of his era being John Terry. Rio relied on his pace and technical ability which meant that throwing himself in front of balls and bashing players out of the way was never his style. Also, the influx of foreign, technical defenders has limited the view that one would have on the "good old fashioned" defender. Colo is a prime example, when he came here, he was what a continental centre back now is, however his game has adapted slightly to fit with modern demands. Strikers are now no longer 6ft 4, 14 stone and going to have elbows around your temples all game. Those days are gone, and it sky opinion that until that paradigm shift happens in our minds, we will still expect defenders to remain how they were in the old days. The first time i noticed the shift was Ivan Cordoba v Alan Shearer in the inter v toon game, the process of this change has definitely sped up in the last few years however. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Have the rule changes made it harder to become a top defender? Just 10 years ago, I could think of a dozen top class CB's. Today, i'm not so sure. Of course they have. It was a far more physical game then. 10 years ago? Even 5. John Terry's probably higher up the best CB lists in the PL now than in his prime. Every foul these days seems to be a yellow. I know I am exaggerating somewhat but years ago you'd get away with far more. And I guess it didn't happen overnight and as such was a gradual change. So even the last 10 there's probably been a stricter policy by refs. I would say thats its not so much the rule changes, but the expectation of what a centre back is to be. There has been a massive shift change in the way that centre backs are viewed and expected to be. Its not so much about size and strength these days as it is about pace, being nimble, having a good brain and being good on the deck. This has invariably changed the look and feel of the centre back. The start of this in England i would say began with Rio Ferdinand, with the last of his era being John Terry. Rio relied on his pace and technical ability which meant that throwing himself in front of balls and bashing players out of the way was never his style. Also, the influx of foreign, technical defenders has limited the view that one would have on the "good old fashioned" defender. Colo is a prime example, when he came here, he was what a continental centre back now is, however his game has adapted slightly to fit with modern demands. Strikers are now no longer 6ft 4, 14 stone and going to have elbows around your temples all game. Those days are gone, and it sky opinion that until that paradigm shift happens in our minds, we will still expect defenders to remain how they were in the old days. The first time i noticed the shift was Ivan Cordoba v Alan Shearer in the inter v toon game, the process of this change has definitely sped up in the last few years however. I agree to a certain extent but we've had ball playing centre halves way before Rio. Never two together mind. Mark Wright was selected in Italia 90 purely because of his ball playing skills. And of course the only Englishman to lift the World Cup was probably our greatest footballing defender ever. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole_Toonfan Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Have the rule changes made it harder to become a top defender? Just 10 years ago, I could think of a dozen top class CB's. Today, i'm not so sure. Of course they have. It was a far more physical game then. Changes to the offside rule among other things is a factor too, not to mention the way teams have evolved.... Players like Alba at Barca would have been a winger back even in the 90s. Said this before but i don't think individual defending has gotten worse in particular, but the game has evolved/changed to suit the attacker even more than it already did. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Variance looks a great prospect. A prospect none the less. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorJ_01 Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Variance looks a great prospect. A prospect none the less. You could say he's inconsistent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Have the rule changes made it harder to become a top defender? Just 10 years ago, I could think of a dozen top class CB's. Today, i'm not so sure. Of course they have. It was a far more physical game then. Changes to the offside rule among other things is a factor too, not to mention the way teams have evolved.... Players like Alba at Barca would have been a winger back even in the 90s. Said this before but i don't think individual defending has gotten worse in particular, but the game has evolved/changed to suit the attacker even more than it already did. Definitely. Level used to be off and benefit of any doubt always went with defenders. :thup : Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Think he's pretty much there though tbh, performed in the CL and starting as CB in the WC. He only played in the CL final. He was third choice this season so difficult to say he's better than Pepe or especially Ramos. For such a decorated defender Ramos defensive capabilities are under rated. Performed at the highest level for a long time now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Segun Oluwaniyi Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Italy bring in De Sciglio along with Immobile, to go two upfront. I've thought that Balo was incredibly isolated in the first two matches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyt Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Hope Italy don't go out cos their national anthem is mint Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggs Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Uruguay vs Italy in 91% humidity? Fucking hell Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Hope Italy don't go out cos their national anthem is mint It is superb. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Segun Oluwaniyi Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 This will be a 1-1 draw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Uruguay vs Italy in 91% humidity? Fucking hell hope they all die Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggs Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Hope Italy don't go out cos their national anthem is mint The best there is Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Hope Italy don't go out cos their national anthem is mint Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Uruguay vs Italy in 91% humidity? f***ing hell hope they all die Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimbo Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Not only do we have the worst anthem we are the worst at singing it. They were seconds ahead of the music. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flip Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Hope Italy don't go out cos their national anthem is mint The best there is Russia eats that one IMO. Nothing more powerful than a russian national anthem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leffe186 Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Hope Italy don't go out cos their national anthem is mint The best there is Russia eats that one IMO. Nothing more powerful than a russian national anthem. Russia for me too. Could be a good poll tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Hope Italy don't go out cos their national anthem is mint The best there is Russia eats that one IMO. Nothing more powerful than a russian national anthem. Montenegro. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
midstoon Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Italy for me aswell. everytime i hear Russias anthem i feel like i should be in the shed in the dark eating turnips under candlelight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Gerrard similar to Pirlo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesPaul Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Gerrard similar to Pirlo Who said that? There's nothing even remotely similar to them. Pirlo is class for starters. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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