Big Nev

[Raino85]

Only world class player we've had in that time, imo (obviously players like Gazza were world class in their pomp but were certainly not whilst with us).

Thats my point, im not doubting how great he was for 3 years and i take what people have said from that based on what everyone says.
But......is 3-4 years enough to be classed world class?

 

[Raino85]

Particularly from 84-89. Gutted when mimms was in goal 86 final. Would have won with big Nev. Younger people just remember a large above average keeper. But he was outstanding and truly world class. Can't think of any other players I'd say that about in my lifetime that played for us

 

[Drico]

Thats my point, im not doubting how great he was for 3 years and i take what people have said from that based on what everyone says.
But......is 3-4 years enough to be classed world class?

He was world class from 1985 to 1992.

 

[Raino85]

We will never see his like agin, he deffo stands alongside Dean and Ball as Everton legends. I think the difference between Nev and the other great keepers you mentioned is that when European football was denied him, he stayed. The others would have jumped ship most likely. When the team in front of him went into terminal decline, he stayed loyal to us. The others mentioned almost certainly would have moved on to better performing clubs.

Really good post

 

[Raino85]

I think the answer at it's most basic level is if you bothered to watch season reviews of any of the other keepers named from when they were in their mid 30s you'd probably find exactly the same thing from them too.

Not with Buffon

 

[Drico]

Dixie Dean: was he just a flat track bully?

He only did have that one season of 60 goals, really...

 

[matty1878]

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

you talk sport you

 

[matty1878]

He only did have that one season of 60 goals, really...

ye in todays terms is 20 per season

 

[Drico]

Not with Buffon

Buffon played decades later. It's like comparing Cristiano Ronaldo to Paolo Rossi.

 

[Loadsofchemistry]

Must be Big Nevs daughters account, only reasonable explanation.

Did southall never make it up with his daughter?

 

[witchdoc187]

That's 1985 though mate

 

[Drico]

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.

I live in Germany. Oliver Kahn was a force of nature. For about three years. He was good - but not the best in the world in 2000, went up a level in 2001 when he won the Champions League, hit incredible heights at the 2002 World Cup...and fell off a cliff in the second half of that final never to scale the same heights again. He had an affair, his marriage collapsed, and he made howlers at a such a regular rate that as ordinary a goalkeeper by comparison in Jens Lehmann pushed him out of the national team by 2006.

Neuer was marvelous from his breakthrough at Schalke to when he won the World Cup in 2014. Never been the same since. Utterly hopeless by 2018 and overstayed his welcome where, for bizarre reasons, he stayed ahead of the by-now superior Ter Stegen for about six years too long.

Schmeichel's "longevity" is overstated. He won Eurp 92 with Denmark and the Champions League with United in 1999. He had fallen off a cliff by that point - and was at fault for the Bayern goal in the final. So, he had about seven years too - similar to Nev.

 

[Hawkadinho]

He came to my hometown clubs 150th anniversary event last Saturday. What a top man he is

 

[Ollie d]

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

Alright Adrian Durham, nice to see your multi account...

 

[Bilko]

Ah this is a wind up.