Thursday, November 14, 2002 :
Darren Anderton?
Whilst browsing a football website (to check the review of the Newcastle game last night), I came across a schoolboy-type debate as to "Who is the hardest player ever to play in the Premier Legaue?" Amongst the usual culprits of Keane, Dicks, Schmeichel, Jones etc., were arguments for Batty ("eccentric in the extreme, drives a transit van rather than a sports car, used to get up and help his dad on bin round, even when he was a pro player") and Cantona ("even Keano wasn't interested when Eric wanted to go and mix it with the Turkish coppers"). Interestingly enough though, two of the most favoured candidates were forwards - Mick Harford and Duncan Ferguson - whereas traditionally, it always seemed that the hardmen were central defenders and midfielders (like Harris, Hunter, Bremner etc). Am sure Banderama can suggest some obscure candidates...
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