Alex

Maradona was pretty anonymous in the only two games against top sides at the '86 World Cup. A 1-1 draw against Italy and the final against West Germany. He still got the equaliser in the former and played a great ball for the winner in the latter though. I do think it's slightly inaccurate to say he carried that Argentina side. He scored fantastic goals against Belgium and England though. But that side won the final without him having much of a say in it. I assume you mean two world cup finals as well, since he 'only' won the one. And I would disagree he carried that side to the 1990 final. Argentina were a cynical side who limped through the group stage of what was essentially a shit tournament which England fans understandably tend to view through rose-tinted geps. They were dead lucky against Brazil then won their next two games on penalties (Maradona missed his against Yugoslavia). The final was fucking awful too and he did fuck all in that game as well. Cannigia had as much, if not more, of an influence on that side's progress in the tournament. The point about Zidane is similar too since he played in a brilliant team, albeit with him as its fulcrum. You could say the same about Pele. Discounting him is probably the funniest thing I'd read on here as well. That Santos side was the best in the world for a while and he had a much greater influence at world level at a far younger age than Maradona. Even when his legs had gone 12 years after winning the World Cup and being the best player (aged FUCKING 17), he was still the best player in the best side ever. FWIW I'd put Maradona and Pele at a level above anyone else in the 20th century. With the likes of Best, Cruyff and Ronaldo in the chasing pack.

Ronaldo's finishing was fucking brilliant.

That's a relief, I thought you were going to post that photo from Euro '88

Yeah, I thought I'd play it deadpan Btw, this is what it must be like when Fish and KCG get together.

Allowing for hyperbole I tend to agree in terms of how good they were for us.

Almost appended it with an apology of some sort as it happens.

Remember an FA Cup tie at home (might've been Sheff Utd) on a bit of a pudding of a pitch where his touch just set him apart from everyone else on both sides.

Without a doubt

Used to love that and the eternal line : James Joyce is fucking my sister

Since he had the metal plate put into his head he's become quite attached to them.

It was from a mackem at work

Saw him at Tynemouth yesterday. Tying in with the film theme he looked, as I told Tooj, like an extra off Pusher.

That's Dummett away then. To be teamed up with Danny Simpson.

It was just an excuse to post a picture of DK really

I was just stated the obvious to take the piss. Saying he won't win it with Man City isn't exactly a bold prediction though, is it?

Not this year, anyway

Just done it and got the same score.

Think the fact that Shearer was 75% of the player he had been after the injury at Everton makes his achievements even greater. Although I would have to go with Pedro as a personal preference. As Tooj says it's difficult to compare different types of player.

Has to be

Any relation to Ned?

Could see them going for him actually

With Nigel Pearson

Aye, it's getting silly now like.

I hope that sentimentality extends to Boro taking back McClaren.