Soccer aid 2010

sandy10 · 9 Jun 2010 at 15:15

I have no problem at all with him, just find it strange that people eulogise over him so much when he wasn't, in my opinion, a World Class footballer.

I've seen him play (on TV) on a number of occasions, generally at both international level, or in Europe with Celtic, as well as a fair amount for Barcelona and Manchester United.

Admittedly, I made the concious decision NOT to watch the SPL, as I'd rather watch Joe Calzage bungle the ball over the line from an inch past the hapless Jamie Theakston, than two sides bully all others in a sub-standard league, ranked OFFICIALLY the 16th best in Europe (by UEFA)!

Nor · 9 Jun 2010 at 15:22

sandy10 said:
I have no problem at all with him, just find it strange that people eulogise over him so much when he wasn't, in my opinion, a World Class footballer.

I've seen him play (on TV) on a number of occasions, generally at both international level, or in Europe with Celtic, as well as a fair amount for Barcelona and Manchester United.

Admittedly, I made the concious decision NOT to watch the SPL, as I'd rather watch Joe Calzage bungle the ball over the line from an inch past the hapless Jamie Theakston, than two sides bully all others in a sub-standard league, ranked OFFICIALLY the 16th best in Europe (by UEFA)!

Maybe if you'd seen him play more than the odd game when it happened to be on your telly you'd understand why those who have watched him for years eulogise him. From what you've posted in this thread your disdain for Scottish football (which is your perogative, it isn't very good) has affected your view on someone simply because of where he chose to play for a large part of his career.

Your entitled to your view, but in my opinion it's based on a lack of knowledge about the player and a disdain for the Scottish league rather than any kind of considered footballing insight. Each to their own though, who are your footballing heroes out of interest?

sandy10 · 9 Jun 2010 at 15:26

"Footballing heroes", or the players I'd say have been the best in my time following football?

BaZ87 · 9 Jun 2010 at 15:28

Players like Larsson are always going to split opinion because he spent the majority of his 'best years' outside of a top league.

Nobody can say either way for certain just how good he was or wasn't.

Jock Dodds · 9 Jun 2010 at 16:09

sandy10 said:
ranked OFFICIALLY the 16th best in Europe (by UEFA)!

Where the league is ranked 6 years after Larsson stopped playing in it is irrelevant. When he was playing in Scotland the league was ranked in the top 10, ironically enough this was partly due to Larsson playing in it!

The fact that he played his best years in a sub-standard league will always give a lever to people who doubt the ability of the man but I don't think there's a manager he's worked for who wouldn't describe him as 'world-class'.

Psycho Sonny · 9 Jun 2010 at 17:40

The Short 1 said:
I think everyone needs to calm down just a little bit.

But i do have to agree with Sandy10 on this occassion, Henrik Larsson is far too over-rated.

Also, Psyco Sonny - how can Larsson be one of your all time two favourite players?! There are far better players than him!

i know there are players better than him, but it doesnt stop him from being one of my all time favourites. i was born in scotland, and support celtic. im not a hardcore fan but enough to know what's what. he was a great player on the pitch but more importantly he was a great man off the pitch too. never in trouble or involved in trouble unlike some.