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Unfullfilled potential

hallamblue said:
Barkley doesn't have a "football brain", that's why he never fulfilled his potential. Makes the wrong decision in the final third too often.
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Exactly. The lad has nothing upstairs. At this level, it's what's between the ears in a football sense - and partially in the wider sense - that separates the good from the great. They can all play, but the better decision-makers tend to be the great players.
 
Eggs said:
….in the 90’s we had an Academy player called Jon O’Connor that was expected to be the next big thing. It was a time when the country’s most talented youngsters travelled and trained with the full England squad but sadly it never happened for this lad.

I suppose Kieran Dowell never truly fulfilled his potential after winning the World Cup with England youth. Saying that, he’s made a very decent living out of the game, I notice him coming on as sub for Rangers recently. Ryan Ledson in a similar category, captaining his country at youth level but has had a decent career in the Championship.
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Gary Jones is one I can remember from way back.
 

Rodwell and Barkley legitimately had the tools to be top players and didn't get close, at least Barkley kept going and found some for of success, he was terrific last season and should have gone to the euros.

Don't remember Kenny, but everyone of that era seems to suggest the same.
 
Eggs said:
….in the 90’s we had an Academy player called Jon O’Connor that was expected to be the next big thing. It was a time when the country’s most talented youngsters travelled and trained with the full England squad but sadly it never happened for this lad.

I suppose Kieran Dowell never truly fulfilled his potential after winning the World Cup with England youth. Saying that, he’s made a very decent living out of the game, I notice him coming on as sub for Rangers recently. Ryan Ledson in a similar category, captaining his country at youth level but has had a decent career in the Championship.
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I remember O'Connor coming through and thought he'd be class.

Did John O'Kane come in after him? Another one who could have been a player. Was diagnosed autistic later in life.

Danny Cad and James Vaughan could have been something else. Franny Jeffers as well before it all went to his head.
 
COYBL25 said:
James Vaughan should be nowhere that list.

Due to his fearless, one hundred miles an hour style of play, injuries did him.

He`d have gone onto be a legend, if his knees hadn`t gone at such a young age.
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A player universally loved I reckon, he had a 5 or 6 game spell up top and just bullied he hell out of prem teams, in that run I think he sliced an artery or something crazy.

Probably spent most of his senior career not being able to train between games
 

Drico said:
Exactly. The lad has nothing upstairs. At this level, it's what's between the ears in a football sense - and partially in the wider sense - that separates the good from the great. They can all play, but the better decision-makers tend to be the great players.
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He does have a football brain, his instincts aren't behind a striker though where he gets lost and drifts. The ball playing number 6 role at Luton was perfect for him and you need a brain to play there.

I think a lot of prem managers want ultra defensive players there and he played in the wrong position, was also a daft tit off the pitch by all accounts
 

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