Merson and Parlour

[BoroMart]

Ray, let me get this right. As a senior player you undermined your mate when he was first trying to establish himself as a manager and did so using a schoolyard insult?

Yeah, cool story

Always find it odd he's so pleased with himself about it. Crap joke that makes him come across as a nob.

Agreed and what exactly has parlour done since ending his career with a whimper? Foooook all

 

[viv_andersons_nana]

To be fair Ray Parlour was an absolutely brilliant footballer. He turned himself from a tricky, hard-running wide man in his youth into an aggressive, combative central midfielder who tackled with his whole body. It was like he was made out of stone. And he could definitely play a bit. I was always surprised at just how good he was at tackling. A very underrated player imo.

 

[Corcaigh_the_Cat]

Agreed and what exactly has parlour done since ending his career with a whimper? Foooook all

Ermmm retired?

He was a footballer, what do you expect him to do post career?

 

[El Guapo]

I’ve met Charlie Nich, seemed like a good bloke. I’d rather see him than Merson any day of the week.

 

[BoroMart]

To be fair Ray Parlour was an absolutely brilliant footballer. He turned himself from a tricky, hard-running wide man in his youth into an aggressive, combative central midfielder who tackled with his whole body. It was like he was made out of stone. And he could definitely play a bit. I was always surprised at just how good he was at tackling. A very underrated player imo.

Good player but not great and not the same level as Southgate for me. Which is why Southgate won about 4 or 5 times as many caps

 

[morrissey]

“Hi Paul, even though you didn’t find form until October and weren’t even our best player until Emerson left in the November, do you agree that you got us promoted single-handedly in 1998?”

Ok, maybe pushed it with "single handedly", but he was top scorer that season and a class above nearly every game - his performance at Anfield in the semi was terrific and he was selected for England's 1998 World Cup squad while playing in the Championship for Boro...he was that good.

 

[BoroMart]

Ermmm retired?

He was a footballer, what do you expect him to do post career?

Well there are two parts to that. ******* away the last years of his career, and secondly he didn’t have the cajones to get into coaching or management. Instead became a radio rent a gob, where he gets to talk down every other managers else’s achievements despite being too much of a coward to do it himself.

I despise people like that, school ground bullies but really just cowards

 

[viv_andersons_nana]

Good player but not great and not the same level as Southgate for me. Which is why Southgate won about 4 or 5 times as many caps

He played 466 games for Arsenal. He won 3 Premier Leagues, 4 FA Cups, a League Cup, 2 Charity Shields, a European Cup Winners’ Cup. When Arsenal won the league in 1997/98 he was named their official player of the year.

He was a quality footballer.

 

[BoroMart]

Ok, maybe pushed it with "single handedly", but he was top scorer that season and a class above nearly every game - his performance at Anfield in the semi was terrific and he was selected for England's 1998 World Cup squad while playing in the Championship for Boro...he was that good.

He was the difference maker, certainly would have been play offs without him

 

[parnabyscrosses]

Parlour is definitely underrated for his short time with us, never had a bad game.

 

[Jackieemu]

Ok, maybe pushed it with "single handedly", but he was top scorer that season and a class above nearly every game - his performance at Anfield in the semi was terrific and he was selected for England's 1998 World Cup squad while playing in the Championship for Boro...he was that good.

I seem to remember Beck was top scorer wasn't he? Could be wrong.

 

[BoroMart]

Parlour is definitely underrated for his short time with us, never had a bad game.

Did he have any standout games though? I found him under whelming, and unprofessional in the end.

 

[viv_andersons_nana]

Did he have any standout games though? I found him under whelming, and unprofessional in the end.

He was very good for us in Europe. He helped us establish ourselves as a serious team at the top end of the league. He was a clear step up on what we’d had before.

 

[Osboro]

Parlour was a rock in midfield especially in the European games. Merson wad a very good player, especially in the championship.
But not as Influential as he would have you believe. A liar to himself and so has no problem lying to others.

 

[festa5]

Did he have any standout games though? I found him under whelming, and unprofessional in the end.

He was OK. He played mostly on the right for us after Mendi got injured and put himself about but didn't really offer much going forwards.

Boateng, Zenden and Downing were all far more important components to that midfield.

 

[parnabyscrosses]

Did he have any standout games though? I found him under whelming, and unprofessional in the end.

Not really, was just a solid 7/10 most times he played.

 

[festa5]

I seem to remember Beck was top scorer wasn't he? Could be wrong.

Beck was top scorer in the league (14). Merson scored 12.

Merson was top scorer in all comps though (16).

 

[Glover_elbow]

what time of year is the best for planting a hydrangea thats to you charlie

 

[festa5]

He was the difference maker, certainly would have been play offs without him

Same could be said of Branca or Schwarzer for that matter (who was immense that season).

 

[Cardiffdaffs]

I may have a chance to speak to them both privately tonight. (if they both turn up)

It is an Arsenal Legends night..... however

Any questions and/or statement you would like to me ask them if I get the opportunity?

Cheers
RW

Ask them what they think of the Hereford traffic and whether they now hate tractors.