In praise of ... Paul Telfer. (4 Viewers)

[Colonel Mustard]

While we're reminiscing about the 90s, I'll put on my helmet and say that Telfer was the most unfairly maligned player in City's history.

The defence:

1. over 200 appearances
2. utter commitment and effort every game
3. legendary fitness - he never faded
4. played wherever he was needed: right wing, right-back, wing-back, centre midfield
5. never complained or got into trouble off the pitch
6. very good at pinging in set pieces (until McAllister arrived to take the role)
7. was never played regularly in his most effective position (centre midfield)

Anyone agree?

 

---

[WestEndAgro]

No.................

 

[Grendel]

You are a brave man.

 

[skybluehugh]

While we're reminiscing about the 90s, I'll put on my helmet and say that Telfer was the most unfairly maligned player in City's history.

The defence:

1. over 200 appearances
2. utter commitment and effort every game
3. legendary fitness - he never faded
4. played wherever he was needed: right wing, right-back, wing-back, centre midfield
5. never complained or got into trouble off the pitch
6. very good at pinging in set pieces (until McAllister arrived to take the role)
7. was never played regularly in his most effective position (centre midfield)

Anyone agree?

Yes I would

 

[play_in_skyblue_stripes]

Yes you have some decent points here. Not the most gifted player, and had some bad games occasionally, but a committed honest player that successful teams need.

 

[ryb1983ccfc]

Good player allways liked him

 

[1nilandwe...]

When he got injured and had to go off that day at Villa Park, we were 2-0 up...




...just saying.

 

[richtom]

and pretty sure he set up the 2 goals against villa - very underated

 

[ccfctommy]

Champions League player!

 

[NINOOVCOV]

While we're reminiscing about the 90s, I'll put on my helmet and say that Telfer was the most unfairly maligned player in City's history.

The defence:

1. over 200 appearances
2. utter commitment and effort every game
3. legendary fitness - he never faded
4. played wherever he was needed: right wing, right-back, wing-back, centre midfield
5. never complained or got into trouble off the pitch
6. very good at pinging in set pieces (until McAllister arrived to take the role)
7. was never played regularly in his most effective position (centre midfield)

Anyone agree?

Totally agree, he was the perfect professional that gave 100% every game.

 

[Lamptey]

He preferred playing golf didn't he....seemed to do better when be left us. Probably should taken that Blackburn offer when it came in. I remember also he seemed to be able to recover from injury stupidly quick.

Was OK but frustrating!

 

[johnniericoh]

While we're reminiscing about the 90s, I'll put on my helmet and say that Telfer was the most unfairly maligned player in City's history.

The defence:

1. over 200 appearances
2. utter commitment and effort every game
3. legendary fitness - he never faded
4. played wherever he was needed: right wing, right-back, wing-back, centre midfield
5. never complained or got into trouble off the pitch
6. very good at pinging in set pieces (until McAllister arrived to take the role)
7. was never played regularly in his most effective position (centre midfield)

Anyone agree?

Absolutely 100% agree- utterly tireless, box to box grafter.

A thoroughly nice bloke and a brilliant golfer (a 2 handicap I believe) - a credit to the game

 

[TheParsonsHose]

I agree. Easy target though surrounded by the other heroes in his squad.

 

[rob9872]

He hated football and for me that's enough reason to dislike him.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

Some interesting bits and pieces from an interview with Telfer.

'AS HE lined up in the tunnel before Celtic faced Manchester United in the Champions League the other week, Paul Telfer could not resist reflecting on the scene with Gordon Strachan. "I said to him it was just like when we were at Coventry," the 35-year-old recalls.'

"We had some fantastic times at Coventry and Southampton. But it is an extreme to go from scrapping by from relegation for three years at Coventry to the heights of the Champions League at this time in my career."

'An affable, uncomplicated sort, Telfer treats football as a job that demands his best but owes him nothing. On breaking his leg when going out of contract at Coventry, he refused to accept a wage until he had returned to fitness five months later.'

 

[devonrich]

I agree = put in solid performances over a lengthy time - good pro

 

[Covstu]

nope he was shite, hard working but lacked talent. Should have let him go to Blackburn when they offered £3M!!!

 

[Colonel Mustard]

nope he was shite, hard working but lacked talent.

Harsh. Surely exceptional footballing fitness is a talent. He was also good at putting in the set pieces, and was a pretty good ball-winner when he played in centre-midfield. But ultimately, I'd say his biggest contributions aren't really quantifiable. I mean, I wonder how many goals he prevented by his constant scurrying, harrying, and boxing-in of the opposition. It wasn't sexy, he didn't make perfectly-timed tackles, but he must have taken the tempo out of loads of attacks.

 

[SkyBlueScottie]

He hated football and for me that's enough reason to dislike him.

Do you know what, you are totally wrong. He didnt hate Football, quite the opposite in fact. He was like any other kid who loved the game. He was also extremely gifted with the ball. His outlook on life changed when his best friend died. From then on it was a means tho an end for him.

nope he was shite, hard working but lacked talent. Should have let him go to Blackburn when they offered £3M!!!

I saw a brilliant piece of skill from him once, he was covering the right back a long ball was played over the top. Telf was running towards our goal the ball dropped over his shoulder he controlled it on the volley, flicked it back over his head and played a volleyed pass 40 yards forward.

 

[rob9872]

Do you know what, you are totally wrong. He didnt hate Football, quite the opposite in fact. He was like any other kid who loved the game. He was also extremely gifted with the balil. His outlook on life changed when his best friend died. From then on it was a means tho an end for him.


I saw a brilliant piece of skill from him once, he was covering the right back a long ball was played over the top. Telf was running towards our goal the ball dropped over his shoulder he controlled it on the volley, flicked it back over his head and played a volleyed pass 40 yards forward.

Do you know what I'm right since I HEARD HIM SAY IT.!

 

[deanocity3]

He scored some cracking goals.late goals at 'pool and leicester in the cup are two

 

[Jack Griffin]

One of the band of the much maligned defensive midfielders that City have had & without which on the pitch they lost far more often than with.

 

[RedSalmon]

Remember seeing him put Bellamy on his arse when the two met up after they had left the City. The look on Bellamy's face was priceless.