Best opposition player seen live.

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 9:57 pm

basil6345789 wrote:Agree with Bryan Douglas - played all over the forward line, England too. You couldn't get the ball off him. Great player, despite his employer.

Think they were a bit more than just his employer..

Archie Claret · Post by **Archie Claret** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 10:23 pm

Angel di Maria.....a special treat last year

Slurpy · Post by **Slurpy** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 10:25 pm

Sanchez or Hazard

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 10:42 pm

Paul Peschisolido and Inigo Idiakez

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 10:44 pm

Wade Elliot and Gaz O'Connor against us on the Turf for Bournemouth in a cup game. I'm sure they were signed immediately after based on that game in a triple deal with Spicer.

Greeny · Post by **Greeny** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 10:47 pm

Glenn Hoddle. He played a pass from near the away end corner flag in front of Bob Lord Stand + dropped it straight to a team mate over by the Longside - awesome.

Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 10:48 pm

Not always in opposition to Burnley;

Kenny Dalglish
Bryan Robson
Thierry Henry
Didier Drogba
Alexis Sanchez
David Beckham
Gary Lineker
Ronaldhino
Dennis Bergkamp

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 10:48 pm

Greeny wrote:Glenn Hoddle. He played a pass from near the away end corner flag in front of Bob Lord Stand + dropped it straight to a team mate over by the Longside - awesome.

Long ball merchant..

MrHungry · Post by **MrHungry** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 11:16 pm

Malcolm mc Donald 1974 semi final big joe jordan...yes andy preece and kevin francis were a handful when we were crap along with steve bull and phil stant....

Dy1geo · Post by **Dy1geo** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 11:29 pm

From our dark days Tony Hancock destroyed us and we signed him on the back of it.

Being serious in recent years in our first time in Premier League, I thought Gerrard, Fabregas and Modicum were different class and Fabregas improved on that when we played Chelsea on our last time in the Premier League.

This season it has to be Van Dyck he gave a masterclass in how to defend, he showed how you can deal with Barnes playing fairly unlike the other night when Morgan had to resort to the dirtiest tactics in the book

MrHungry · Post by **MrHungry** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 11:41 pm

Im looking forward to seeing how zlatan and costa cope at the turf .... two outstanding players,will they unpick the defensive lock? Hopefully no.

CharlieinNewMexico · Post by **CharlieinNewMexico** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 7:11 am

Yes. The Et'o game.
Completely dommed us

Claretmatt4 · Post by **Claretmatt4** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 7:18 am

Fabregas on opening night in 2014. His pass for the second (?) goal was delicious.

jlup1980 · Post by **jlup1980** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 7:27 am

Agree on Cesc Fabregas 100%, he was outstanding in both previous games at the Turf in the PL. What a talent that lad is.

A bizarre one would be Bobby Zamora. I think it was when he was Fulham and was being touted for England. He bullied our centre halves and was just a far better footballer than I'd ever given him credit for!

WestMidsClaret · Post by **WestMidsClaret** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 7:32 am

Not the best but I always remember a game when we played Crewe and Rodney Jack, think he got a hat trick against us that day! Got a round of applause off us when he got substituted, not sure if it was because he played brilliantly or we were just glad he got took off.

welsbyswife · Post by **welsbyswife** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 1:19 pm

I remember Robert Prosinecki playing for Portsmouth at the turf. Completely bossed the game and yet hardly seemed to get past walking pace. Got a standing ovation when he was subbed from the whole ground. Absolute masterclass. Also, he gets some stick on here but Merson did a similar thing when he came to Burnley with Portsmouth. He was class that day.

THEWELLERNUT70 · Post by **THEWELLERNUT70** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 1:55 pm

Tevez for city in 2009/10. Astonishingly good

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:10 pm

On a performance basis probably Fabregas each time he's been at TM. His assist two seasons ago

Dublin7Claret · Post by **Dublin7Claret** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:16 pm

Paul Scholes. Carling cup match a good few yrs ago now. Think Fergie played a mainly youth team and game was close, Scholes came on and bossed it completely

quoonbeatz · Post by **quoonbeatz** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 3:26 pm

Claretmatt4 wrote:Fabregas on opening night in 2014. His pass for the second (?) goal was delicious.

'twas the first, a one-touch half volleyed floating curler right into the path of schurrle.

one of the most beautiful things i've seen on a football pitch.

fabregas wins it by a mile in terms of who i've seen against burnley. looking forward to seeing him again next week.

one of the best i ever saw live was tony yeboah. wasn't playing us obviously though.

Pearcey · Post by **Pearcey** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 3:28 pm

Sanchez when they beat us 3-0 at the Emirates.

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 3:32 pm

Saw Zidane a few times for Madrid. Majestic with the ball at his feet, could have watched him all day.

Cooperclaret · Post by **Cooperclaret** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 3:38 pm

Samuel Eto'o for Everton last prem season - unplayable even at that age.

Cooperclaret · Post by **Cooperclaret** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 3:42 pm

Special mention for "Dougie" Bryan Douglas also. I was with him New Years Eve and one of the nicest guys you would ever which to meet along with Mick McGrath. Both said that Jimmy Mac was the best they played against. But both pointed out they never lost against us!!!

ten bellies · Post by **ten bellies** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 3:48 pm

Andre Schurrle and Oscar, and Eto last prem season.

Morgan · Post by **Morgan** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 5:30 pm

Because of my age and because we were in Div 1, I've been fortunate enough to see nearly all of the greatest British footballers in the last 50yrs+.
All the 66 and 70 World Cup squads and most of the Scots, Irish and Welsh. So, the "greats" include in no particular order : Charlton(s), Law, Crerand, Baxter, Moore, Hurst, Peters, Banks, Blanchflower, Greaves, Law, Dalglish, Hansen, Souness, Brady, Shilton, Bowles, Currie, Hoddle, and a load of others. But the stand- out for me will always be the one and only George Best. My abiding memory of him is at the Turf, probably 1968, wearing a white shirt and playing centre-forward (he did sometimes, could play anywhere). Stepney punted the ball out from goal and Best, on the half-way line, took it out of the air, killed it in an instant and in one movement, swivelled and played a 40 yard pinpoint pass to the wing in front of the old enclosure. So good I can see it like it was yesterday. Best had it all - he was two-footed, could dribble, shoot, score goals, was a great header and boy, could he tackle. Pity his career was so brief.

Westyorkclaret · Post by **Westyorkclaret** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 5:37 pm

A one game wonder (or half a game) against us - Tony Hancock - ran absolute riot.

Total pants when he played for us though

TsarBomba · Post by **TsarBomba** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 5:51 pm

Darren Bent destroyed us at home when he was a young lad at Ipswich. Scored a hat trick if I remember rightly.

Michael Ricketts likewise in a night game against Bolton at the Turf. Bullied the back line all night and got (at least) a goal.

Michael Carrick gave a very accomplished performance for a young lad with West Ham too, early to mid 2000's. Again, if I remember, it was another home defeat and he strolled around the pitch and barely got out of second gear.

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 6:46 pm

Dennis Bergkamp was still at Ajax when we played them at The Turf in a end of season friendly to celebrate winning the 4th division.
He is listed in the squad on the back of the programme but I don't recall him making an appearance.

expoultryboy · Post by **expoultryboy** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 7:31 pm

john Gregory for derby and alan Devonshire for west ham .

Ric_C · Post by **Ric_C** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 8:09 pm

I remember watching Huddersfield v Bradford with my Dad years ago. Bradford had a little magician number 10 playing for them pulling all the strings. Bradford won 4-0. Think we signed him a year later and I was over the moon

superdimitri · Post by **superdimitri** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 8:14 pm

Don't understand why Chelsea sold Schürrle, loved seeing him play, an absolute menace.

Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 9:49 pm

Dazzler wrote:Dennis Bergkamp was still at Ajax when we played them at The Turf in a end of season friendly to celebrate winning the 4th division.
He is listed in the squad on the back of the programme but I don't recall him making an appearance.

Bergkamp didn't play. He was at the Euro 92 finals with the Dutch squad. Van de Sar and Davids were 2 who did play, VDS in a fluorescent pink outfit. The line up that day was posted on our former home - i found my program from the game and asked for the team, which someone provided.

Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 9:57 pm

The Ajax line up: Edwin Van der Sar, Marciano Vink, Sonny Silooy, Dan Peterson, John Hansen, Michel Kreek. Front row: Rob Alflen, Edgar Davids, Martin Reiziger, Alfons Groeneddijk, Ron Willems.

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 10:11 pm

George Best.

Genius.

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Sat Feb 04, 2017 11:13 am

Cooperclaret wrote:Special mention for "Dougie" Bryan Douglas also. I was with him New Years Eve and one of the nicest guys you would ever which to meet along with Mick McGrath. Both said that Jimmy Mac was the best they played against. But both pointed out they never lost against us!!!

I'll put that last statement down to advancing years rather than a selective memory. Maybe just wishful thinking.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Sat Feb 04, 2017 11:21 am

Herts Clarets wrote:The Ajax line up: Edwin Van der Sar, Marciano Vink, Sonny Silooy, Dan Peterson, John Hansen, Michel Kreek. Front row: Rob Alflen, Edgar Davids, Martin Reiziger, Alfons Groeneddijk, Ron Willems.

I think we signed David Edgar off his performance in this game.

HiroshimaClaret · Post by **HiroshimaClaret** » Sat Feb 04, 2017 1:55 pm

Steve Bull on the Turf late 80s. He destroyed us, think he scored 2 in around 5 minutes and had another 1 or 2 disallowed. An absolute lethal animal.

minnieclaret · Post by **minnieclaret** » Sat Feb 04, 2017 2:08 pm

joey13 wrote:What a top bloke Kevin Francis , all that abuse and still applauded us

Currently a cop in Calgary.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Francis_(footballer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Suratclaret · Post by **Suratclaret** » Sat Feb 04, 2017 2:09 pm

Tom Finney closely followed by George Best

Burnleyareback2 · Post by **Burnleyareback2** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 8:54 pm

I would have to say Jason Shackell last season. What a return to the turf that was... " give it to Jason"

Joey is no kant · Post by **Joey is no kant** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 9:03 pm

Dave macay

Joey is no kant · Post by **Joey is no kant** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 9:09 pm

Sorry Dave Mackay hard but fair

Funkydrummer · Post by **Funkydrummer** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 9:15 pm

The Schurrle goal for your delectation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrwAfuLHLGM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HelloHiGoodbye · Post by **HelloHiGoodbye** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 10:00 pm

Aaron Lennon for Leeds at the Turf.

PWBFC · Post by **PWBFC** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 10:20 pm

Sanchez was pretty special when we were at The Emirates past time we were in this league.

His low centre of gravity makes it almost impossible to take the ball from him.

MDWat · Post by **MDWat** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 11:27 pm

Best individual performance against us is probably Schurrle in the last Prem season.

Fabregas is probably the best over 3-4 appearances, though.

Claretforever · Post by **Claretforever** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:50 am

Cooperclaret wrote:Special mention for "Dougie" Bryan Douglas also. I was with him New Years Eve and one of the nicest guys you would ever which to meet along with Mick McGrath. Both said that Jimmy Mac was the best they played against. But both pointed out they never lost against us!!!

Douglas:
Rovers 1-2 Burnley (FA Cup, 59)
Burnley 1-0 Rovers (March 60)
Rovers 2-3 Burnley (October 62 - Douglas scored)
Burnley 1-0 Rovers (April 63)
Burnley 3-0 Rovers (October 63)
Rovers 1-2 Burnley (October 63)
Rovers 1-4 Burnley (February 65)

McGrath:
Rovers 1-2 Burnley (FA Cup 59)
Burnley 1-0 Rovers (March 60)
Rovers 1-4 Burnley (October 60)
Rovers 2-3 Burnley (October 62)
Burnley 3-0 Rovers (October 63)
Rovers 1-4 Burnley (February 65 - McGrath scored)

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 8:33 am

The first time we played Arsenal in the league under Judas - the performance by Fabregas in the opening 30 minutes before he went off injured was probably the best performance I have seen of any player at our ground.

Fabregas was everywhere and totally ran the game - he could easily have scored 4 goals.

Tevez was a bit good in the 6-1 mauling and Gerrard scored a couple of nice flukes in the 4-0 lucky win

KippaxFifaHD · Post by **KippaxFifaHD** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 10:42 am

Aaron Ramsey in the 30 minutes he played against us away at Arsenal 2 years ago. He changed that game so much