Arsenal are the equal of Leeds here, which surprised me because my understanding was that their 1972 season was poor. Alan Ball, bought from Everton, seems actually perfect for this team, a tireless orchestrator, with the graceful George Graham beside him. Armstrong provides industry on the wings, John Radford is a brave & potent targetman, & Storey provides midfield steel.. At the back, Simpson & McLintock are magnificent, while Rice & McNab are steady. The only weak links here are 1) Charlie George who contributes very little apart from one flash - it's too little too late. In fairness, he was too far up front, & with the 'new' midfield, his free position that he enjoyed the year before just wasn't there anymore. 2) Obviously the stand-in goalkeeper is inadequate, with Bob Wilson injured. But he really doesn't even carry himself like a goalkeeper, more like someone they brought in off the street. It cannot have inspired confidence. With Leeds, neither Bremner or Giles can quite galvanise like Ball, though Giles has those wonderful 'winged' passes, & Bremner is slightly more skillful (than Ball). Reaney is magnificent at the back, Madeley plays well too. Charlton & Hunter do well, though it always amazes me how awkward Hunter looks on the ball, though he clearly has a fine creative brain that's easy to overlook. Lorimer is a superb all-round wide player, & perhaps Eddie Gray is a little past his peak here. The new keeper Harvey does well. Mick Jones is like Radford, an authentic target man, though less dynamic. Allan Clarke is one of the bravest forwards I've ever seen. Constantly getting chopped down, & still giving as good as he gets, which means he'll get chopped down again. An enigmatic player of considerable class & skill. I'm glad he got the goal - he truly deserved it for his courage. I once read that this game was rubbish. It is far from rubbish; it is like watching a great game of chess. Thanks again!
Thank you so much. This is riveting stuff to watch.
Arsenal are the equal of Leeds here, which surprised me because my understanding was that their 1972 season was poor. Alan Ball, bought from Everton, seems actually perfect for this team, a tireless orchestrator, with the graceful George Graham beside him. Armstrong provides industry on the wings, John Radford is a brave & potent targetman, & Storey provides midfield steel.. At the back, Simpson & McLintock are magnificent, while Rice & McNab are steady.
The only weak links here are
1) Charlie George who contributes very little apart from one flash - it's too little too late. In fairness, he was too far up front, & with the 'new' midfield, his free position that he enjoyed the year before just wasn't there anymore.
2) Obviously the stand-in goalkeeper is inadequate, with Bob Wilson injured. But he really doesn't even carry himself like a goalkeeper, more like someone they brought in off the street. It cannot have inspired confidence.
With Leeds, neither Bremner or Giles can quite galvanise like Ball, though Giles has those wonderful 'winged' passes, & Bremner is slightly more skillful (than Ball). Reaney is magnificent at the back, Madeley plays well too. Charlton & Hunter do well, though it always amazes me how awkward Hunter looks on the ball, though he clearly has a fine creative brain that's easy to overlook. Lorimer is a superb all-round wide player, & perhaps Eddie Gray is a little past his peak here. The new keeper Harvey does well. Mick Jones is like Radford, an authentic target man, though less dynamic. Allan Clarke is one of the bravest forwards I've ever seen. Constantly getting chopped down, & still giving as good as he gets, which means he'll get chopped down again. An enigmatic player of considerable class & skill. I'm glad he got the goal - he truly deserved it for his courage.
I once read that this game was rubbish. It is far from rubbish; it is like watching a great game of chess.
Thanks again!