Big Nev

[Benicetoourboys]

One good season, 21 goals the year before and 26 the year after

Oh mate.

 

[Marcus Kendall]

Oh dear... Nev was the best in his pomp. End of.

Certainly better than Pfaff who was universally rated number 1 goalkeeper at the time

 

[blue61]

The last couple of weeks i've been watching season reviews of the early 90s teams (91/92, 92/93, 93/94, 94/95)

All 3 seasons there are at least 5 or 6 times were Big Nev gets completely done and you would expect even a standard level goalkeeper to save.

It got me thinking, i was pretty much a fan from 94 and my memory's of Southall were obviously the Cup Final, but after that nothing hugely memorable.

And judging by my small snippets I've got from the season reviews, he's either not great, not bothered or at least on the decline in the early 90s

So without obviously seeing the mid 80s Southall (84-88) was he only good for a small amount of his Everton career and possibly below par the rest?

I have my shield and hat ready for the insults and fear i may get accused of going a bit Talksport, but its a genuine question

 

[The Binman]

Absolutely incredible keeper and if we look at it dispassionately I think he’s the greatest most talented footballer I’ve ever seen .

I’ve got a mate who’s a rabid RS and played at a decent level , he also considers southall the best player he’s ever watched . RS season ticket and asked me for a signed southall glove , tells you everything about the ability of Nev .

He was just mega.. i cannot fathom why he is not more revered...

 

[Liam-EFC]

He was world class. In 1995 he was past his best and we won the FA cup because of him,

 

[Taifi gorm]

One good season, 21 goals the year before and 26 the year after

What is it 5 seasons with 30+ goals pfft

 

[tommye]

The last couple of weeks i've been watching season reviews of the early 90s teams (91/92, 92/93, 93/94, 94/95)

All 3 seasons there are at least 5 or 6 times were Big Nev gets completely done and you would expect even a standard level goalkeeper to save.

It got me thinking, i was pretty much a fan from 94 and my memory's of Southall were obviously the Cup Final, but after that nothing hugely memorable.

And judging by my small snippets I've got from the season reviews, he's either not great, not bothered or at least on the decline in the early 90s

So without obviously seeing the mid 80s Southall (84-88) was he only good for a small amount of his Everton career and possibly below par the rest?

I have my shield and hat ready for the insults and fear i may get accused of going a bit Talksport, but its a genuine question

 

[blue to the bone]

 

[Kevsleftpeg]

Dixie Dean: was he just a flat track bully?

Alan Ball: was he talented but lazy?

 

[Gilbert..]

Obviously i can't judge to much and its just an off the cuff comment in terms of what i see from a few clips etc.

But you look at the longevity of other goalkeepers such as Schmeichel, Buffon, Neuer, Casillas, Khan and you here 'Neville was the best ever', that comment can be considered a bit of a stretch.

You can obviously look at caveating factors, Neville was at us, and we got kicked out of Europe, and we spiraled, eventually being behind a defense of Matt Jackson, Dave Watson, David Unsworth & David Burrows.
Did he just give up and we were just that poorly ran we just accepted it, or even scared to question his attitude etc?

You've answered your own question there about longevity. Schmeichel was at united from 91 to 99. His peak. Mostly under fergusons best and most successful years. Kendalls team from 83/4 to 87/88 were that and it broke up due to being banned from europe. Southall was no longer playing in the same sides schmiechel had for that longer spell.
Both at their peak with sides that were challenging Southall gets chosen over Schmeichel.
Do a bit of searching and you'll find a quote from Ruud gullit in 1988 when holland played wales and it was basically 90 minutes of Holland against southall. Gullits after match comments were ive never seen a keeper like that in my life.

 

[Charles Hawtrey]

Sometimes the hype is bigger than the reality but just spend a few minutes watching. A lot of his big saves are very Pickford but better.

 

[maccavennie]

Southall was 37 years of age when we won the FA Cup, so definitely at the tail end of his career. Still won the motm award though I don't think that was anywhere near one of his best ever games. He done everything I'd expect him to do with minimum of fuss.

I'd say between 91-95 his mistakes would have increased far more just due to the absolute garbage (Watson aside) that was in front of him. But even in this time he made some incredible saves and incredible performances.

He was at the very VERY top of his game between 84/85 through to 89/90. But to sustain that level, be that good for that period of time was incredible.

Nothing to do with Everton tinted glasses on, he was world class and even when he wasn't world class he was still miles better than most

 

[Rollo Tomassi]

The fourth one there which looks like it might be against Coventry at Highfield Road is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[maccavennie]

You've answered your own question there about longevity. Schmeichel was at united from 91 to 99. His peak. Mostly under fergusons best and most successful years. Kendalls team from 83/4 to 87/88 were that and it broke up due to being banned from europe. Southall was no longer playing in the same sides schmiechel had for that longer spell.
Both at their peak with sides that were challenging Southall gets chosen over Schmeichel.
Do a bit of searching and you'll find a quote from Ruud gullit in 1988 when holland played wales and it was basically 90 minutes of Holland against southall. Gullits after match comments were ive never seen a keeper like that in my life.

I think there was a Holland game in 95 or 96 which Holland won 7 or 8 nil and I remember there were quotes even then from Holland players saying it should have been about 15 goals if it wasn't for Southall who produced a string of saves to keep the scores down.

 

[maccavennie]

The fourth one there which looks like it might be against Coventry at Highfield Road is absolutely ridiculous.

I think he saves a pen that game as well which their centre half absolutely blammos in about 120mph