Oh Nicky! What went wrong??

[Dark Savante]

So I'm sitting here watching Manchester United Vs. Juventus 1997-1998 season in the group game. Keane is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury and Nicky is filling in for him.. not only is Nicky filling in - he's the best player on the pitch!!

I'm quite shocked to see how skilful he actually was back then, his footwork, passing and spatial awareness are so much better then they are now.. what went wrong with Nicky?? :confused:

It's so clear to see he was one of the golden crop with scholes et al back then.. how could he drop off like he has??

[Dark Savante]

Ditto for Gary Neville!!

Euro 96 - 1998 he really did look like something special!! what happened?

[prk166]

Maybe it was the guiding light from PS' red nose? :D

[johno]

Well.. I cant explain Gary other than youthful exuberance? but for Butt I can explain... playing time... there can be no substitute... and of course confidence... which is why he plays for England so well... he knows he is capable and that there is no Keane to overshaddow him and that Gerrard wont be used as the anchor so he is secure... but tbh although I had never thought the world of him... I respected Butt very much... putting up with what he has put up with for so long and not getting the consistent chances to play its ruined him... of course he will still turn out the occasional good performance but they are much more likely to come when he has more time to play.. say when u are playing every game u can turn out a blinder 2 out of 6 games and play decently in 2 games and suck in 2 what happens when u dont get to play often? u probably just play decent 2 out of every 7 chances and a blinder is very rare... that's what made OGS so special, he had blinders off the bench! and decent games virtually every game out... its all mental for him... he feels no different off the pitch than on it seems.. or maybe he feels better off the pitch than on?

[Dark Savante]

Ak, Butt off in the 35th minute. Concusion :(

Giggs cross SHERINGHAM header GOAL 37th minute. 1-1 :D

[Dark Savante]

Well.. I cant explain Gary other than youthful exuberance? but for Butt I can explain... playing time... there can be no substitute... and of course confidence... which is why he plays for England so well... he knows he is capable and that there is no Keane to overshaddow him and that Gerrard wont be used as the anchor so he is secure... but tbh although I had never thought the world of him... I respected Butt very much... putting up with what he has put up with for so long and not getting the consistent chances to play its ruined him... of course he will still turn out the occasional good performance but they are much more likely to come when he has more time to play.. say when u are playing every game u can turn out a blinder 2 out of 6 games and play decently in 2 games and suck in 2 what happens when u dont get to play often? u probably just play decent 2 out of every 7 chances and a blinder is very rare... that's what made OGS so special, he had blinders off the bench! and decent games virtually every game out... its all mental for him... he feels no different off the pitch than on it seems.. or maybe he feels better off the pitch than on?

Very true, the curse of being a golden child when the best CM since Souness was in his pomp has blighted Butt's career. His loyalty has robbed him of a bigger status in the game then he has.

Another interesting thing about the game I'm watching is that since Scholes came on for Butt he's been tackling precisely!!! biggest revelation yet, lol.

It really is weird watching a 7yr old United game. Giggs is like a firecracker down the wing and Beckham is a hungry right midfielder with no dye in his hair!! Del Piero is the best support striker in the world and Sheringham is..well.. young :D

[johno]

I believe the word is......

Vintage!

[Dark Savante]

I believe the word is......

Vintage!

First time I've watched this game in over 5 years. A true classic. Juve were truly monsterous then.

[Father Ted]

Shouldnt there be an [R] in this thread title...I don't think I've gotten around to watching it yet.... :D

[Dark Savante]

Shouldnt there be an [R] in this thread title...I don't think I've gotten around to watching it yet....
Oh man! what a game!!

Scholes 68'
Giggs wonder goal 90'

Zidane FK 90'

3-2 Utd \o/ :D

In fact this entire tape is Utd vs. Juve Fergie vs. Lippi, throughout the 90's!! lol culminating in the San Siro 1999...

Whoops sorry for the spoilers. :)

[Achtung]

Oh man! what a game!!

Scholes 68'
Giggs wonder goal 90'

Zidane FK 90'

3-2 Utd \o/

In fact this entire tape is Utd vs. Juve Fergie vs. Lippi, throughout the 90's!! lol culminating in the San Siro 1999...

Whoops sorry for the spoilers. :)

Yellow card, yellow card!!! Motterman where are you????


















:D