Des Walker article - 'why is he a forgotten great?'

He's not forgotten, I'll never forget that own goal in the play-offs Des lol
 
Nice piece :). Largely agree, although this bit:

Over the next five years, Walker established himself as arguably the best and most popular player in Forest's history. A defensive colossus who would utilise his gazelle-like pace and astonishing athleticism to maximum effect as Forest enjoyed a welcome renaissance as a top four club.
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Most popular player in our history? Doubt he's even top five to be honest - although he was brilliant.
 
Also you are doing Colin Cooper a huge injustice in suggesting he wasn't worthy of an England call-up.
 
Winnits said:
Nice piece :). Largely agree, although this bit:



Most popular player in our history? Doubt he's even top five to be honest - although he was brilliant.
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Not necessarily saying your wrong, but not in the top five?

Care to provide five other names?
 
He was never the most popular player ever! Stuart Pearce and John Robertson anyone? :dunno:
 
pwilky said:
Not necessarily saying your wrong, but not in the top five?

Care to provide five other names?
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John Robertson
Stuart Pearce
John McGovern
Kenny Burns
Viv Anderson
Larry Lloyd
Martin O'Neill
Johnny Metgod (current job aside)
Stan Collymore
Ian Storey-Moore

... in no particular order... I could go on...
 
Pearce
Collymore
Earnie
Crossley
Dawson
Chettle
Stone
Cooper
Woan

And that's just fairly 'recent' ones...
 
pwilky said:
I take your point, but was he really worthy of a call-up above even the 'Sheffield Wednesday' Des Walker?
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I wasn't watching Des week in week out, but was watching Coops - he was certainly not in the mould of Scales and Ruddock... certainly room for him in the England team irrespective of what was occurring for Walker, as you rightly note there were some godawful centrebacks getting call-ups!
 
adam09 said:
Pearce
Collymore
Earnie
Crossley
Dawson
Chettle
Stone
Cooper
Woan

And that's just fairly 'recent' ones...
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I'd only rank Pearce and Collymore higher than Des on that list...
 
Gary Crosby?

Why is it that the likes of Roy Keane and Teddy Sheringham aren't mentioned in these sorts of lists :D
 
It's a strange hybrid of ability and regard with which players have with fans - as such it is hugely subjective...

... but I feel supremely confident in stating that Robbo and Psycho vie over the top spot for Forest fans in my experience.
 
Agent Nigel?

Again despite his job at the moment. Top goalscorer for us ever

(except for someone from the very early 20th century I think)
 
DeanWinfield said:
Agent Nigel?

Again despite his job at the moment. Top goalscorer for us ever

(except for someone from the very early 20th century I think)
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Grenville Morris! Doesn't matter when, Agent Clough is our 2nd highest goalscorer... although a worthy consideration in being on a list...
 
Forget the 'popular' bit.

Just how good was Walker in his prime?

Back on topic, Just how good was Walker in his prime?

And why is he largely 'forgotten' (outside of his clubs) compared to other England centre backs of lesser ability like Adams, Butcher, Campbell etc.
 
He was the best of his generation, that's for sure. Just a matter of timing, football didn't enjoy the media spotlight it does now when Des emerged, plus he shunned it.

He never played for a 'big' club, Sampdoria aside who - as you noted - almost ruined him.
 
Great article. Particularly enjoyed the ending, referencing John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. They couldn't clean his boots in terms of skill, humility and personality.
 
pwilky said:
Forget the 'popular' bit.

Just how good was Walker in his prime?

Back on topic, Just how good was Walker in his prime?

And why is he largely 'forgotten' (outside of his clubs) compared to other England centre backs of lesser ability like Adams, Butcher, Campbell etc.
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I think you already covered the reason in the article; the media are obsessed with certain clubs - we all know who they are - Des didn't play for any of those clubs and hence never got the recognition he deserved.
 
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