Paul McGrath... The Forgotten Genius

[Jonny2J]

I was thinking the otherday it's a disgrace how for whatever reasons Ii can't remember the last time I heard this man's name mentioned anywhere, without doubt for me one of the finest defender's to ever play in this league, it's amazing despite his alcohol problems and his knee's shot to bits when Fergie got rid of him he still clocked up so many games for Villa and maintained these performances to such high levels, I'm sure Akineye will testify what a great player this man was.

Much better in my eyes than any of the current crop around like Terry, Ferdinand and all the rest kicking about on these shores at the moment.

[Bish]

Yeah a very underated defender but not sure when you say much better than Terry, the world cup is his time to prove how good he is

[Jonny2J]

Originally Posted by bishop619

Yeah a very underated defender but not sure when you say much better than Terry, the world cup is his time to prove how good he is

I'd like to see Terry to play to McGrath's levels when being a full blown alcoholic and barely able to walk at times due to pain in his knee's.

[Bish]

Not taking anything away from McGrath but in my eyes, i see Terry as having more ability and potential to become a great

[Akineye]

The Black Pearl of Inchicore.

Never really saw eye to eye with the ivory tower Sir Alex, but was still one hell of a player. Unlucky with injuries and his problems with drink, his career is a fairly tragic story in a lot of ways. Still, there's only been two Irish footballers I would put in the same league as McGrath (Johnny Giles and Roy Keane).

He was also unlucky that when he was signed, we already had McQueen, Moran and Buchan playing for two positions.

His best game for us was undoubtedly in the FA Cup final against Everton when we went down to ten men and he more or less single handedly kept Everton out for the whole of the match.

Still, it was a blow to lose him so cheaply to Aston Villa circa 1990. It would have been a huge mistake, had we not brought Gary Pallister to the club that year.

[Barry]

So what are we talking about - a Bobby Moore like defender?

[Akineye]

Originally Posted by barryvs

So what are we talking about - a Bobby Moore like defender?

A bit, only more skillful.

I think Curtis Davies has been likened to Paul McGrath recently because of his athleticism.

Paul was lightning quick, strong, good in the air but completely two footed and comfortable with the ball too.

[greenegg]

OOOOH AAAAAH Paul McGrath, I really did quite like him and rate him very highly

[raysullivan303]

The greatest Irish defender's stats...

Attack 55
Defence 92
Balance 98
Stamina 82
Top Speed 70
Acceleration 87
Response 82
Agility 78
Dribbles acc 76
Dribbles speed 74
S, Pass acc 85
S. Pass speed 78
L. Pass acc 80
L. Pass speed 78
Shot acc 62
Shot power 94
Shot Technique 60
FK acc 62
Curling 67
Header 92
Jump 95
Technique 84
Aggression 62
Mentality 91
Kepper skills 50
Team work 85
Consistency 8
Condition 5
Weak foot acc 8
Weak foot freq 8
Injury C

Stars
*Post player
*Marking
*Sliding
*D-Line control

Basic Settings
28
R
C
2
1
3
1
67
No
Early/Lasting

Position
Sweeper - Reg
Centre Back
Defensive Midfielder


Appearance

3
-4
-2
-2

30
-3
-3
+1

17
0
-1
-2
-2
1
Dark grey 2

1
-1
+3

6
+3

13
+3
0

5
-3
+1


Curly 2
2
4
1
-

Hair - Pattern 8

Facial Hair - 114 - 8

Physique
188
82
Edit
+2
+7
-7
-3
+1
0
+3
+2
0
+4




I love pes

[Tallulah Belle]

Originally Posted by raysullivan303

I love pes

And PES loves you too

[Jonny2J]

Originally Posted by Akineye

A bit, only more skillful.

I think Curtis Davies has been likened to Paul McGrath recently because of his athleticism.

Paul was lightning quick, strong, good in the air but completely two footed and comfortable with the ball too.

Hard as nails too.

[Krook]

Yeah Paul McGrath is considered a legend for Villa. He was, without a shadow of a doubt, our best ever defender and one of my favourite players of all time.

Like Jonny2J said it's a testiment to his ability, the fact he had problems off the pitch and a problematic knee that many players would have given up and retired from.

An absolute legend, Fergie doesn't make many mistakes but he made a howler with McGrath!

[BarnDoor]

I don't know what drugs you lot are on but i always remembered McGrath as fucking shit and a drunken bastard who is now at this very moment sucking on a cheap bottle of Vodka, rat arsed pissed and living in the gutter.

Much better in my eyes than any of the current crop around like Terry, Ferdinand and all the rest nocking about on these shores at the moment

Mate i admire him for laughter purposes but he was mostly awful and the way you lot are blowing his shit memory is frankly making me ill. Better than Terry? He is not even fit to lick the shit from his footie boots. I want to know what drugs you lot are having and if you are selling can i have some?

Bringing in Curtis Davis into the conversation is insulting to the young lad, we all know he doesn't give two shits about Paul Mcgrath even though he may well be his dad after Curtis mother use to sell herself outside Villa park every saturday and Paul happily paid her the ten pence for the night on regularly perverted sex sessions.

I have based the last point on fuck all so please don't take my word for it

I bet Fergie rues the selling mind especially after he looks at the fucking huge trophy cabinet at Old Trafford.

[Jonny2J]

In an interview with FourFourTwo, McGrath admitted to playing football while still under the influence of alcohol. On one occasion he marked Alan Shearer out of the game.

[Freestyle27]

442 said he almost joined Napoli with Maradona.

Still quite impressed that he managed to play despite not training, having dodgy knees and being an alcoholic.