Mad Men

There are some players who are irksome, who like to 'wind up' opponents with the view to getting them sent off and wallow in the infamy and publicity this gets them. Dennis Wise was a good example of such a player but there are, and have been, many more.

Then there is a category of player who continuously converse with the referee, assist him to run the game to their advantage and encourage opponents to be carded. These are usually more skilful players such as Giggs or Fabregas.

We then have the players who are universally recognised by their peers as 'hard men'. They do not know the meaning of fear and will sometimes take the law into their own hands if they feel it is necessary.

These are the type of players in Jack Charlton's little 'black book' as warranting his retribution for previous wrongs done unto him.
Quote :- I have a little black book with two players in it, and if I get a chance to do them I will. I will make them suffer before I pack this game in. If I can kick them four years over the touch line, I will. ( One of these was allegedly Johnny Morrissey )
Gattuso recently confronted such a 'hard man who, had it happened on the pitch in his prime, may have handled the situation in a slightly different manner.

Looking back over the years, I would offer the following as the most fearsome team to have played in the English League?

Playing a 4-4-2 formation

Gary Sprake (Leeds)
www.givemefootball.com/blast-from-the-past/blast-from-the-past-gary-sprake-leeds

Ron Harris ( Chelsea)
www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/mike-walters/Exclusive-interview-with-former-Chelsea-captain-Ron-Chopper-Harris-The-Mike-Walters-column-article426189.html


Norman Hunter ( Leeds )
www.hubpages.com/hub/Norman-Hunter

Peter Storey ( Arsenal)

www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/King-of-the-hard-men-Peter-Storey-has-warned-Arsene-Wenger-he-can-t-win-the-title-again-without-curing-Arsenal-s-soft-centre-article600863.html


Pat Van Den Hauwe ( Everton )

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2010/11/25/pat-van-den-hauwe-s-links-with-the-krays-and-the-best-boozer-in-toxteth-100252-27713081/

Johnny Morrissey ( Everton )

www.football.co.uk/everton/mersey_hard_men-_johnny_morrissey_was_everton_fcs_winger_with_bite_rss306154.shtml

Dave McKay (Tottenham & Derby County)

www.davemackayclubties.co.uk/history.htm

Graeme Souness ( Liverpool )

www.sport.stv.tv/greatest-team/players-managers/163997-graeme-souness


Jimmy Case ( Liverpool )

www.footballfancast.com/2011/02/football-blogs/no-place-for-the-hard-man-in-the-modern-game

Mick Harford ( Luton Town )

www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_international.asp?HeroID=36926

Joe Jordan ( Leeds )

www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/16/joe-jordan-gennaro-gattuso


Substitutes: Jans Lehman ( Arsenal ), Vinny Jones ( Watford ) Neil Ruddock ( Liverpool ) Julian Dicks ( West Ham ) Tommy Smith ( Liverpool ) Kevin Nolan ( Bolton ) Duncan Ferguson ( Everton )