Vieira, Souness and Keane: Jamie Redknapp remembers a dying breed...

09 January 2010 01:30
It is a dying art; the role of the midfield warrior, the destroyer whose job it was to break up the play and stop the danger man on the other side.[LNB] The game has changed with the change in rules. The days when you could hit someone like a juggernaut and take out the opposition's star turn are gone. Strange to think now that an opposition player would have the job of doing that![LNB] Head to head: Viera and Keane clash at Highbury in 1999[LNB] The hatchet man would leave his calling card - we all remember VinnieJones squeezing Gazza in a sensitive area - and it was like a message:'I'm here, remember that the next time you try to get tricky, son.'[LNB]I grew up watching players like Graeme Souness and, later, SteveMcMahon for Liverpool. We've all seen footage of players like RonHarris and Billy Bremner. That Leeds team of the late 1960s and 1970scould play, but they would batter opponents, too.[LNB]When I played, Arsenal were a big, strong team, with Patrick Vieira andEmmanuel Petit as their enforcers in front of the back four. United, ofcourse, had Roy Keane. And I've also got to mention Paul Scholes.[LNB] The daddy of them all: Dave Mackay (Tottenham) Who can forget the irate Mackay grabbing Leeds' Billy Bremner by the shirt at White Hart Lane in 1966? Back from a broken leg, Mackay had taken exception to a late challenge. Warrior rating: 10[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] REMEMBER THE GAME'S          PAST MASTERS?                         Billy Bremner (Leeds United)Barely 5ft 6in tall, but nobody took liberties with him. Led Leeds intoa 1970 FA Cup final replay against Chelsea which should, according toreferee David Elleray in a review, have led to six red cards and 20yellows.Warrior rating: 9[LNB]Bryan Robson (Manchester United)Original Captain Marvel and ultimate box-to-box athlete. His fearlessstyle in the 1980s and early 90s cost him a catalogue of injuries yethe never flinched. All-action hero who timed his runs into the area toperfection.Warrior rating: 8[LNB]Graeme Souness (Liverpool)Moustachioed like a Mexican bandit and twice as menacing. Footage ofsome of the Scot's challenges is unsuitable for sensitive eyes.Inspirational at the heart of Liverpool's midfield from 1978-84.Warrior rating: 8[LNB]I remember talking to Keane about Scholes. I've always had a theorythat it's a myth when people talk about his mistimed tackles, so Iasked Roy: 'Does Scholes really mistime his tackles?' He looked at meand said: 'Yeah, right. Do me a favour! Scholesy is worse than me.'[LNB]Scholes has an edge and nastiness to his game. He wasn't aleg-breaker, but he would come after you. If you caught him late orleft something on him, he would get you back.[LNB]He was - and stillis - a midfield general, like a Souness or a Bryan Robson. Morerecently, we had Keane, Paul Ince and Vieira. I wonder how differentthe Premier League will seem to him when he returns to Manchester City?Let's try and see how he keeps up with a Cesc Fabregas.[LNB] Now teams are made up of quick midfielders, who cover the groundand can also intercept the ball. It is considered a disadvantage to goto ground.[LNB]Counter-attacking football is the name ofthe game, midfielders are encouraged to spot the pass, read it quickly,intercept and then start their own advance.[LNB]I grew up watching players like Graeme Souness and, later, SteveMcMahon for Liverpool. We've all seen footage of players like RonHarris and Billy Bremner. That Leeds team of the late 1960s and 1970scould play, but they would batter opponents, too.[LNB]The game is losing traditional centre forwards; old-fashionedplaymakers, such as Glenn Hoddle, are few and far between and so, too,is the playmaker's adversary, the hatchet man. Glenn would love to haveplayed now, with the freedom of the park and without a Souness barkingat him.[LNB] [LNB]THAT RIVALRY WITH KEANE    Sportsmail columnist Graham Poll recalls refereeing two 'Vieira v Keane' bouts:[LNB]'In the meeting of the 'big two' in 1999, Arsenal had been 1-0 up at Highbury but Keane equalised and then clashed with Vieira late on in the game (above).'I decided to take no action but noticed the determined look on the United players' faces as I told them to calm it for the last few minutes. Keane then scored the winner he always seemed able to turn an adverse situation to his team's advantage.'The next time I had them was in February 2005, their first meeting after 'pizzagate'. In the tunnel Vieira threatened Gary Neville and Keane sprang to his rescue.'I separated them and demanded they do their talking on the pitch. Vieira opened the scoring but Keane again came out on top, inspiring his team to a 4-2 victory.'[LNB]Look at the Barcelona midfield of Xavi and Iniesta, who are small, quick, can pass with both feet, read the game and counter at pace. That is a typical modern midfield.[LNB]Arsenal have that type, too, in Fabregas. Liverpool have a different type of player at the point of their midfield in Steven Gerrard. They are more match-winners than old-style central midfielders.[LNB] In years gone by, anyone skinny was sent out to the wing. Now we are seeing players such as Ryan Giggs and James Milner coming inside, so they can get on the ball more.[LNB] Gerrard could have been another Souness and when he first came into the Liverpool team, he was renowned for some painful challenges, but he has adapted his game. [LNB]There are still powerhouses lurking. Michael Essien of Chelsea is aplayer who could have played 20 years ago, while Wilson Palacios lovesa tackle. He's like a bear and enjoys being in the thick of the flyingboots. Arsenal have Alex Song, who characterises the athleticism of themodern midfielder.[LNB]One final plea is that tackling should not be lost to the game. A fullstadium, noisy supporters and the crunching sound of a 50-50 challengeis still one of the great pleasures of our sport.[LNB]Watch the video - Vieira v Keane A clever midfielder hitting a 30-yard diagonal ball will get supporters excited, drawing a ripple of applause, but hear their roar when two fully committed players dive in to try and win the ball. It's part of the game we should not lose. [LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People:Ryan Giggs, Wilson Palacios, Gary Neville, Michael Essien, Roy Keane, Graham Poll, BRYAN ROBSON, Vinnie Jones, Paul Scholes, Steve McMahon, Glenn Hoddle, Paul Ince, James Milner, GRAEME SOUNESS, Xavi, Alex Song, Jamie Redknapp, Patrick VieiraPlaces:Liverpool, Leeds, Barcelona

Source: Daily_Mail