downunder Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 ROBBIE FOWLER Q&AWho was the best player you played with? "I've played with many, many great players. Paul Gascoigne was fantastic and I could sit here all day and talk about Liverpool players - John Barnes, Ian Rush, Jan Molby, Ronnie Whelan and Steven Gerrard, who is an unbelievable player. "He would probably be my number two. The best player I've ever played with is Steve McManaman. He was unreal." Whelan was a class player but I would never have him in the same bracket as the others.
Kahnee Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Whelan was a class player but I would never have him in the same bracket as the others. They didn't ask you, they asked Robbie
Molby Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 ROBBIE FOWLER Q&AWho was the best player you played with? "I've played with many, many great players. Paul Gascoigne was fantastic and I could sit here all day and talk about Liverpool players - John Barnes, Ian Rush, Jan Molby, Ronnie Whelan and Steven Gerrard, who is an unbelievable player. "He would probably be my number two. The best player I've ever played with is Steve McManaman. He was unreal." Whelan was a class player but I would never have him in the same bracket as the others. his role was not properly understood by most fans in those days unless they knew loads about football would have been the same with Xabi
downunder Posted September 21, 2012 Author Posted September 21, 2012 They didn't ask you, they asked Robbie Very true, but would you rate him so highly? his role was not properly understood by most fans in those days unless they knew loads about football would have been the same with Xabi What was his role when Robbie played? To me Whelan's peak was prior to Robbie playing.
Chili Palmer Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 ROBBIE FOWLER Q&AWho was the best player you played with? "I've played with many, many great players. Paul Gascoigne was fantastic and I could sit here all day and talk about Liverpool players - John Barnes, Ian Rush, Jan Molby, Ronnie Whelan and Steven Gerrard, who is an unbelievable player. "He would probably be my number two. The best player I've ever played with is Steve McManaman. He was unreal." Whelan was a class player but I would never have him in the same bracket as the others. Whelan was great as a player, definately in the same bracket as Molby and massivly underrated. Barnes, Rush and Gerrard are a class above.
downunder Posted September 21, 2012 Author Posted September 21, 2012 (edited) Whelan was great as a player, definately in the same bracket as Molby and massivly underrated. Barnes, Rush and Gerrard are a class above. Molby was a real favourite of mine, so biased I admit, but I think he was more dominant in games than Whelan. Edited September 21, 2012 by downunder
Chili Palmer Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Molby was a real favourite of mine, so biased I admit, but I thuink he was more dominant in games than Whelan. Molby was undoubtedly more skillful than Whelan but Whelan could dominate the tempo of a game better than most in that era. Maybe not dominate in terms of possession or assists and goals but dominated the speed and tempo which was important to how we played. Tough b*****d as well.
Ed the Wool Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Molby was a real favourite of mine, so biased I admit, but I think he was more dominant in games than Whelan. Molby was a fantastic player with an awesome touch, but Whelan was a powerhouse, did it year in year out, steady as you like. The memory is hazy but Big Jan was always in and out with injuries (etc!) It's a shame he's gone from powerhouse to s***house.
Benzo-13 Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 When Whelan started getting the big injuries when Souness arrived we really missed him.He was a big influence on our ball retention and at reading the game to get it back.
Woodsyla Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 When Whelan started getting the big injuries when Souness arrived we really missed him.He was a big influence on our ball retention and at reading the game to get it back.Watched a legends game a few years back and what struck me most about Whelan was he had the ability to be in the right place at the right time defensively. I know it was only the legends but he seemed to be able to get to the ball before intendee, i.e. he knew what pass was coming and stepped in. He just did it the whole time he was on the pitch.
Benzo-13 Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Whelan is an unbearable c**kHe is. It's definitely a case of all his brains being in his feet but he was a very good player.
kop205 Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 ROBBIE FOWLER Q&AWho was the best player you played with? "I've played with many, many great players. Paul Gascoigne was fantastic and I could sit here all day and talk about Liverpool players - John Barnes, Ian Rush, Jan Molby, Ronnie Whelan and Steven Gerrard, who is an unbelievable player. "He would probably be my number two. The best player I've ever played with is Steve McManaman. He was unreal." Whelan was a class player but I would never have him in the same bracket as the others. He said Steve McManaman was better than Steven Gerrard and yet you pick out his mention of Whelan as being the strangest part of that comment? Kinell.
fred milne Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 FWIW, Mark Wright got to play with the likes of Rush, Barnes, Molby, Fowler and McManaman but had Whelan down as the best of all. Who was the best player you played with at Liverpool? Ronnie Whelan. I never used to know what he did. I apologise for saying that but when I came to the club I didn't know what he did. But as soon as you get into the side and play with him then you realise. As a centre half he screened you, he had a ruthless streak, he scored goals, his range of passing was brilliant, he was always working hard and always influential. If I was picking the team he would be the first name on it. I loved everything about him. He was a winner who had that real never say die attitude that every player should have.
muleskinner Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Whelan was f***ing brilliant for us, anyone disputing it wants their head testing.
fred milne Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Whelan was f***ing brilliant for us, anyone disputing it wants their head testing.Correct. As ever, its important to distinguish the player from the media pundit. Even as a player though, I think his contribution was undervalued compared with someone like Molby due to the unshowy, selfless role he played at his peak.
kop205 Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Whelan was a great player in two entirely different roles for us as well. Can't be that many have done that. Gerrard has obviously been boss in a few positions. Callaghan? Hughes?
_00_deathscar Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 He said Steve McManaman was better than Steven Gerrard and yet you pick out his mention of Whelan as being the strangest part of that comment? Kinell. Didn't play with Gerrard at his peak though.
Gomez Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Correct. As ever, its important to distinguish the player from the media pundit. Even as a player though, I think his contribution was undervalued compared with someone like Molby due to the unshowy, selfless role he played at his peak. This is all true, but it has to be said Rush, Barnes and Gerrard are possibly three of our best four players ever, which is why Robbie's remark is a but odd. Specially given the stage Whelan was in his career by the time Robbie played with him. Didn't play with Gerrard at his peak though. Yes he did.
_00_deathscar Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 This is all true, but it has to be said Rush, Barnes and Gerrard are possibly three of our best four players ever, which is why Robbie's remark is a but odd. Specially given the stage Whelan was in his career by the time Robbie played with him. Yes he did. Ah, s***! Forgot about that. He did indeed. Which then makes it very odd. I didn't see Barnes or Rush in their primes, but Gerrard at his peak is the stuff of football legend - streets ahead of Macca, who himself was obviously a very good player.
Murphman Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Correct. As ever, its important to distinguish the player from the media pundit. Even as a player though, I think his contribution was undervalued compared with someone like Molby due to the unshowy, selfless role he played at his peak. Whelan was absolute class for years, intelligent, a great passer, hard as f*ck, amazed anybody is surprised really.
Billy Dane Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Mcmanaman was carrying the team in the early 90's. great player but not the best Robbie played with, his best mate though.
stressederic Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 I think it might be more that Robbie was at his peak with McManaman so he got the best out of him. Gerrard was at his peak when Robbie came back but he himself was not.
Case Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Hmmmm I'm not sure I agree with Robbie on this one. The Hillsborough (and Munich) tragedies have nothing at all to do with the type of dispute Suarez and Evra were involved in. I DO think the two players should shake hands before the match, but the Hillsborough tribute in whatever form should take it's own course IMO.
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