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Lucas Neill

davebirch

davebirch

Senior Member
Just been reading up on Lucas's post Rovers career.
Shit couldn't we use someone like that now.
I know a lot of people were pissed off with him leaving the way he did, but I've got to admit, I'd have done it that way too.
The only thing he's guilty of, in that move, is maximizing his income. No brainer for me.

If I met him in the street, I'd shake his hand and say, "Thanks", then, if the pubs were open, I'd buy him a beer.
 
Robin

Robin

Senior Member
A great player for us back in the day. I recall he was trying to get a transfer to Liverpool but ended up in West Ham and after that his career went downhill. I also remember his tackle on Carragher which was not so nice.
 
Drog

Drog

Administrator
Staff member
Neill went in strongly on Carragher and vice versa too. Neill led with his right foot and had his left foot tucked under his right leg and both caught Carragher's leg. It wasn't a tackle on Carragher either as Carragher wasn't in possession, it was a 50:50 ball and there to be won. Both went in fully committed with Carragher foolishly attempting to put the ball in row Z rather than 'nick it away'. They both had to go for it and if Neill had been a split second earlier he'd have won the ball in a very dangerous position, if Carragher had got their a split second sooner the ball would have been in the stands. If either had pulled out they'd have had a bollocking from their Manager at HT. It was not a two footed tackle either. Houllier (I think) made an almighty meal of it because Baros also broke a leg in that match in a freak injury when Henning Berg was over a yard away from him. Of course the press lapped up every word from Houllier.

Watch this on full screen and slo mo and tell me what you think. Two committed players and Carragher came off worst. In hindsight if Neill had played the game by writhing around before going off on a stretcher it would have got off more lightly.
(461) Lucas Neill tackles Jamie Carragher, 13th Sep 2003 - YouTube
 
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Robin

Robin

Senior Member
Drog said:
I don't think you have a good memory of that tackle Robin. Neill went in strongly on Carragher as he usually did. He led with his right foot and had his left foot tucked under his right leg. The damage to Carragher's tibia was from being caught by what was effectively Lucas's trailing foot. It was not a two footed tackle and nor was it a studs up one. Houllier (I think) made an almighty meal of it because Baros also broke a leg in that match in a freak injury when Henning Berg was over a yard away from him. Of course the press lapped up every word from Houllier.

Watch this on full screen and slo mo and tell me what you think.
(461) Lucas Neill tackles Jamie Carragher, 13th Sep 2003 - YouTube
Click to expand...
It’s a red card Drog. He totally misses the ball he might be aiming for.
 
Drog

Drog

Administrator
Staff member
Sorry I re-wrote that after watching in slo mo. It was still there to be won in what I see as a 50:50. No doubt a sending off these days but back then it was harsh..... imo
 
blueandwhitehalves

blueandwhitehalves

Senior Member
Huge fan of Neill, thought he was a fantastic right-back and absolutely crucial to our success back then in terms of backbone and leadership. Would get in my best Rovers 11 in the time I've watched them.

Also think the fan reaction to him leaving was a bit ridiculous. Footballers are paid professionals, mercenaries. The vast, vast majority have little allegiance to one particular club and why should they?

As for that Carragher tackle, well I think Carragher is a complete prat and has no doubt done a few of them himself in his career (by sheer luck not the same outcome), but I think you have to say that was a nasty challenge.
 
Dunnfc

Dunnfc

Senior Member
Lives back in Lancashire, coaches cricket I think these days? Totally ignores the football world and think he had bankruptcy issues.

One of my favourite players for us, symbolised everything in a rovers player.
 
davebirch

davebirch

Senior Member
DFC, his mum and dad are from NI, so he'd have a UK passport. They live (d) on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
He did ignore football for quite sometime, after a spat with the FFA (Australia). I think he might have pissed off a few of his ex team mates (Or vica versa,they pissed him off).
He was approached to introduce the new coach of the Australian Woman's team. It was done in London at Australia House.
He has had problems with bankruptcy.
He was one of my favourite players too, always gave it his best. We could use some of his passion on the park.
 
steve w

steve w

Senior Member
davebirch said:
DFC, his mum and dad are from NI, so he'd have a UK passport. They live (d) on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
He did ignore football for quite sometime, after a spat with the FFA (Australia). I think he might have pissed off a few of his ex team mates (Or vica versa,they pissed him off).
He was approached to introduce the new coach of the Australian Woman's team. It was done in London at Australia House.
He has had problems with bankruptcy.
He was one of my favourite players too, always gave it his best. We could use some of his passion on the park.
Click to expand...
Similar stories at Ewood - quite a few rumours of large debts to team mates
 
davebirch

davebirch

Senior Member
All that said about his team mates, a few here in Aus have tried to connect with him.
There are stories that he'd been seen in Northern Sydney by ex team mates, but he's tried to avoid them.
Shame, to me he's missing out on great friendships. Just wish he'd connect with those that want to connect with him.
Maybe, in time, he will.
 
Dunnfc

Dunnfc

Senior Member
Wasn’t the issue he fell out after Mark viduka (always a player I wanted at rovers) got his NT captaincy, then in Japan he wasn’t picked by Postecoglu for the World Cup which is when he went radio silent?
 
Drog

Drog

Administrator
Staff member
I wonder if his lad will make it at Liverpool? Might be another nearly man than we might regenerate.
 
Drog

Drog

Administrator
Staff member
Really? His choice or ours?
 
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