atypical_boro
Well-known member
I think this HAS to be down to lack of crowds/pressure surely? This season is a huge outlier on that graph.
Who was best, Viduka, Boksic or Ravanelli?
- Thread starter Ironops
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Frozen Horse
Well-known member
That graph was made much earlier in the season; the goals/game has now subsided to a more normal 2.76
Such are the dangers of a small sample.
My point wasn't really about this season though; it was more that the number of goals hasn't fallen since 1 up front became popular. If there is a trend, it's slightly upwards.
"It is considered normal now but even until as recently as Karanka our fans used to persistently ask for two. I think its accepted that 1 plays upfront now as long as they have wingers either side and/or a number 10."
I think there has been an element of re-education amongst the fans. I think SMac's reputation for negativity rests on his role as a moderniser. Any other manager trying to introduce us to one up front would have gained a reputation as being negative.
Jonny_Rondos_Disco_pants
Well-known member
Look at the supply line.....
Ravanelli had Juninho (Our greatest creative midfielder ever)
Viduka had the best Boro team ever around him
Boksic was surrounded by mainly mediocre players not fit to lace his boots.
Rav was more of a striker, Viduka more of an all round player who bought others into the game, Boksic was a bit of both.
If Boksic was fit and committed for the duration of his stay I think he would walk this. Viduka probably offered more to the team than any other forward we've ever had. Rav was a monumental signing superstar that did take us to another level.
How do you split them?
Ravanelli had Juninho (Our greatest creative midfielder ever)
Viduka had the best Boro team ever around him
Boksic was surrounded by mainly mediocre players not fit to lace his boots.
Rav was more of a striker, Viduka more of an all round player who bought others into the game, Boksic was a bit of both.
If Boksic was fit and committed for the duration of his stay I think he would walk this. Viduka probably offered more to the team than any other forward we've ever had. Rav was a monumental signing superstar that did take us to another level.
How do you split them?
Erimus74
Well-known member
We'll bear that was a great shout but one out, Bernie converted 5 penalties, not counting the freight rover penalty he scored at Rochdale, which me & my brother went to
Bernie is the 55th Boro player to score a penalty
All my records though that I've checked since the Boro became a football league club in 1899
Sorry I know this is a tad late, been waiting for my account to be verified. I’m not sure if he’s been mentioned but Marco Branca was a hell of a player, admittedly we never saw him long enough due to his injury. But that boy could finish. So could Superl Alun as well. Fantastic finisher. I’m not necessarily putting them in the same bracket as Vids. Jimmy and Boksic but worth a mention I think. I’ll never forget his debut against Liverpool when Merson played a cracking ball over the top and Branca megged David James. Get in!! For what it’s worth Viduka is the best Iv seen grace our riverside but all of them were top draw and worth the gate ticket every time.
indeedido
Well-known member
Branca was a very good finisher, it was such a shame we didn't get to see much of him.
League winner at Samp but bit part behind Vialli and Mancini, UEFA Cup winner at Parma (Zola main man), then a cracking personal season at Inter.
Undoubtedly a very good player.
Duffman
Well-known member
Viduka was probably the most gifted player I seen in a Boro shirt. Absolute quality on the ball and genuinely world class. Could bring a ball out of the air as good as I’ve seen and his passing and finishing was fantastic. Boksic was a quality striker but passed his best by the time he got to us, like most we signed in the glory days,but obviously had been top draw. Rav was an interesting bloke to watch and knew where the net was but a fraction in skill level of both Viduka and Boksic in my humble opinion.
festa5
Well-known member
Good little read on Boksic this. Talent was undeniable, but if you can't deliver it consistently then that detracts a lot from from how good you actually are surely?
www.planetfootball.com
A tribute to Alen Boksic, sometimes wonderful & football's Rubik's Cube
If Erno Rubik, creator of the famous Rubik’s Cube, had ever branched out and sculpted a footballer, he’d have surely created Alen Boksic.
www.planetfootball.com
FatCat
Well-known member
Viduka for me - not to mention what he did for us but I always remember him lining up for Leeds vs Liverpool in about 2000. Literally did very little - - had about four touches scored 4 goals - just knows where the net is.
strangeey out of all the strikers mentioned I have fonder memories of say Ricard than boksic. Don’t know why maybe it’s just the games that I saw at the time.
strangeey out of all the strikers mentioned I have fonder memories of say Ricard than boksic. Don’t know why maybe it’s just the games that I saw at the time.
S7DiscoDown
Well-known member
Imagine what you'd pay today for a 26 - 28 year old Boksic or Viduka? Bang on form and injury free.
I Remember going to Charlton away and watching Viduka swing his boot and hammer in a dipping half volley from 25yrds like it was a tap in
He has a very interesting 'Boro icons' interview that's worth a listen on YouTube. He says people think he was lazy but says his first season was hampered by injuries and at times could hardly run. The 2nd season (the better one) was some of this best.
I think he was then slightly tarnished due to contract running down and joining the mags. That said reading this thread it seems the majority appreciate what he did for us and how good he was. I actually appreciated him as a player in that Leeds side. Just watch his 4 against Liverpool
I Remember going to Charlton away and watching Viduka swing his boot and hammer in a dipping half volley from 25yrds like it was a tap in
He has a very interesting 'Boro icons' interview that's worth a listen on YouTube. He says people think he was lazy but says his first season was hampered by injuries and at times could hardly run. The 2nd season (the better one) was some of this best.
I think he was then slightly tarnished due to contract running down and joining the mags. That said reading this thread it seems the majority appreciate what he did for us and how good he was. I actually appreciated him as a player in that Leeds side. Just watch his 4 against Liverpool
festa5
Well-known member
Imagine what you'd pay today for a 26 - 28 year old Boksic or Viduka? Bang on form and injury free.
I Remember going to Charlton away and watching Viduka swing his boot and hammer in a dipping half volley from 25yrds like it was a tap in
He has a very interesting 'Boro icons' interview that's worth a listen on YouTube. He says people think he was lazy but says his first season was hampered by injuries and at times could hardly run. The 2nd season (the better one) was some of this best.
I think he was then slightly tarnished due to contract running down and joining the mags. That said reading this thread it seems the majority appreciate what he did for us and how good he was. I actually appreciated him as a player in that Leeds side. Just watch his 4 against Liverpool
Along with everyone else I was gutted he joined Newcastle. But from reports at the time it sounded like they offered him stupid money. As a 31 year old that's hard to turn down. I've no doubt he'd have happily signed an extension if the Geordies hadn't done that.
I think it prompted us to offer him a far bigger contract than we were happy with too. I'm sure Gibson commented on it at the time. Think he was partly relieved he didn't accept it.
The only consolation was he ended up injured for most of him time there so turned out to be a massive waste of money for them.
Still managed to score against though of course
parnabyscrosses
Well-known member
The Leeds v Liverpool game is one of the all time great Premier League individual performances. The spin and finish on his third goal was a thing of beauty.Imagine what you'd pay today for a 26 - 28 year old Boksic or Viduka? Bang on form and injury free.
I Remember going to Charlton away and watching Viduka swing his boot and hammer in a dipping half volley from 25yrds like it was a tap in
He has a very interesting 'Boro icons' interview that's worth a listen on YouTube. He says people think he was lazy but says his first season was hampered by injuries and at times could hardly run. The 2nd season (the better one) was some of this best.
I think he was then slightly tarnished due to contract running down and joining the mags. That said reading this thread it seems the majority appreciate what he did for us and how good he was. I actually appreciated him as a player in that Leeds side. Just watch his 4 against Liverpool
Frozen Horse
Well-known member
Good little read on Boksic this. Talent was undeniable, but if you can't deliver it consistently then that detracts a lot from from how good you actually are surely?
A tribute to Alen Boksic, sometimes wonderful & football's Rubik's Cube
If Erno Rubik, creator of the famous Rubik’s Cube, had ever branched out and sculpted a footballer, he’d have surely created Alen Boksic.
Absolutely consistency is important; it's the difference between a talented player and a top quality player.
I think our friend Traore is as good an example of this in the modern game. He'll never be top quality until he can be close to his top form week in week out throughout the season.
Viduka for me.
All three of them mardy arsed so and sos though.
All three of them mardy arsed so and sos though.
festa5
Well-known member
Was viduka mardy arsed?
I know he came with that reputation but as far as I can recall he never lived up to it. Always looked like he enjoyed his time here to me. Can't recall him whining or sulking at any point.
The other two, absolutely. Particularly Rav. I just think Boksic couldn't be arsed.
Humpty
Well-known member
Along with everyone else I was gutted he joined Newcastle. But from reports at the time it sounded like they offered him stupid money. As a 31 year old that's hard to turn down. I've no doubt he'd have happily signed an extension if the Geordies hadn't done that.
I think it prompted us to offer him a far bigger contract than we were happy with too. I'm sure Gibson commented on it at the time. Think he was partly relieved he didn't accept it.
The only consolation was he ended up injured for most of him time there so turned out to be a massive waste of money for them.
Still managed to score against though of course
We also ****ed him about. He said we never even discussed the possibility of a new contract until it was just about to run out. Typical Boro.
atypical_boro
Well-known member
Looked a bit lazy on occasion, first two seasons he wasn't all that amazing. By the end he was though.
atypical_boro
Well-known member
I think we thought we had more power then than we did and that he wouldn't leave. In hindsight not keeping him cost us enormously when you look at how we replaced him, although he may have still got injured.
jonny_greenings_sock
Well-known member
I'm going for Boksic.
Google tells me he finished 4th in the Ballon D'Or in 1993. In his prime in a different class to the others, one of the best in the world. Even for us, a bit bored, on the fags and glowering at Noel Whelan, he showed flashes of absolutely everything. Strength, skill, power, quite quick, unreal ability, could score from anywhere. Those chips from outside the area were outrageous. Bit of a Zlatan. What a footballer.
Agree with the above, Viduka and Boksic probably a smidge more talented than Rav for all-round game, but Rav and Boksic both had that superstar swagger. I loved all three.
Google tells me he finished 4th in the Ballon D'Or in 1993. In his prime in a different class to the others, one of the best in the world. Even for us, a bit bored, on the fags and glowering at Noel Whelan, he showed flashes of absolutely everything. Strength, skill, power, quite quick, unreal ability, could score from anywhere. Those chips from outside the area were outrageous. Bit of a Zlatan. What a footballer.
Agree with the above, Viduka and Boksic probably a smidge more talented than Rav for all-round game, but Rav and Boksic both had that superstar swagger. I loved all three.
festa5
Well-known member
Don't know about that. First season he barely played due to injury so fair enough, (but still managed an absolutely sublime brace v Man City).
Second season though, modest return in the league maybe, but cups were the priority and he certainly delivered on that front. 3 goals in the UEFA cup comeback games. That ridiculous goal v Charlton in the FA cup quarter final. Think it was that season he scored that wonder goal away to Birmingham too. I thought he was excellent that year.