Who would you say is the Best "Hard Man" you've ever seen in English Football? Graeme Souness is my choice, great all around footballer and Hard as Nails.
Everyone knows you have to have a 'tache if you truly want to count amongst the great hard men. Souness had nothing on the Anfield Iron though.
We are talking 'best hard men', as in best at football and being hard? That discounts Vinnie Jones then, he was crap. Each era has its great players; Bremner and Dave Mackay. Chopper Harris and 'Bites your legs' Hunter Souness and Tommy Smith Roy Keane and Patrick Veira Steffan Freund...hahahaha. Of all of them I'd say that Keane and Veira are the best because they can actually play football and kick the crap out of the opposition. Saying that, Dennis Wise was pretty good in his heyday.
Giles because he was harder, smarter and better at footie then anyone around now and most that have come before now.
Frankly I hate the so called hard men of football. They're usually talentless fcukwits who wouldn't get a game if the referee was doing his job properly. Vinny Jones is quite a character I'll agree but he hardly raises the level of skill when he's on the pitch. It's all just a throwback to those awful games in the 70's with punchups every 20 minutes. It's not a part of the game that I enjoy watching. I do admire a few players that have a strong physical presense though. Someone like Steve McMahon or David Batty were good tacklers and could pass the ball aswell. I suppose Keane and Viera fall into that category but spitting at other players is for girls and breaking someones leg on purpose should see you banned from the game for life.
Nah...the lads today got nothing on the old timers-look at this photo of Nat Lofthouse. The scar, the smoke, the pint...ahhh They don't make 'em like that anymore. And he could score a few you know. http://www.geocities.com/castmind/lofthouse.html
Good point. There was one bloke in the old first division, I think he played for Millwall. He made a point of breaking legs. I think he finished his career having broken around 14 players legs. Keane just gets fired up and sent off. His Haaland incident didn't help. And didn't Veira get sent off 3 times in 4 games or something ridiculous? Alan Smith is a dirty so and so.
Terry thingy bob , Horlock? Thats the man you mean? Anyone remember Martin Kuhl at Derby and Pompey? Tommy Smith is probably the hardest, he now has arthritis in his elbow and hip on the one side cos he did so many slide tackles he landed on that same side everytime, messing him up.
Stuart Pearce Stuart Pearce was one bloke I wouldn't have fancied facing, extremely hard man, you knew when you had been tackled by him.
norbert norbert stiles no doubt about it , tho john mc.grath of southampton comes close. but stiles could play as well hence world cup winners medal.
Nobby Stiles and Souness are probably the two best hard men; however, i would love to have Vinny Jones covering my back as a teamate.