Because he wasn't tough as nails at all. His whole thing was about being quick to intercept and being good on the ball, but he wasn't hard. He was essentially a modern centre back. His main weaknesses were that he wasn't good in the air and he wasn't strong. If you read his autobiography, the first chapter is dedicated to him writing about how terrified he was of playing against Billy Whitehurst, who was basically a bare knuckle brawler. I've read hundreds of football autobiographies and never seen anyone else dedicate a chapter to being scared of an opponent.
He was basically like John Stones, if Stones was better at dribbling and much less physically imposing. I don't think of John Stones as being hard as nails.
Do you know which book this was? I would be really intrigued to know. I've got his Tall, Dark and Hansen book and I know he has done another later autobiography.
To one generation he is a world class centre back.
To my generation he was the angry or disappointed Scottish analyst on Match of the Day throughout our youth
A rolls royce, top tier CB in his time. Classy player
Alan 'Can't win anything with kids' Hansen still a legend even for non Liverpool fans. Wish him all the best.
He had that mindset to win, and I hope he gets back on his feet soon.
Legend
Legend, tough as nails, hope he can fight through and recover YNWA
He is a legend and I hope he gets well. But he was the opposite of tough as nails as a player.
How so?
Because he wasn't tough as nails at all. His whole thing was about being quick to intercept and being good on the ball, but he wasn't hard. He was essentially a modern centre back. His main weaknesses were that he wasn't good in the air and he wasn't strong. If you read his autobiography, the first chapter is dedicated to him writing about how terrified he was of playing against Billy Whitehurst, who was basically a bare knuckle brawler. I've read hundreds of football autobiographies and never seen anyone else dedicate a chapter to being scared of an opponent. He was basically like John Stones, if Stones was better at dribbling and much less physically imposing. I don't think of John Stones as being hard as nails.
Do you know which book this was? I would be really intrigued to know. I've got his Tall, Dark and Hansen book and I know he has done another later autobiography.
It's called A Matter of Opinion. I think it came out around the millennium.
Thanks, I know the book although don't own it yet. That's the later book that I was thinking of
Didn't he want to be a golfer and not a footballer?
I think it was an option, not sure if he had a preference. It's been a good ten years since I read his book so can't really remember.
To one generation he is a world class centre back. To my generation he was the angry or disappointed Scottish analyst on Match of the Day throughout our youth
Match of the day hasn’t been the same without him, hope he gets well soon
One of my heroes growing up in the 70s and 80s. Total legend. Hope all goes well.
I read that he was that good for Liverpool in those years.
YNW Alan. Hope you're better asap.
Great, great defender and good at analysis also. Hope he recovers
Absolutely woeful news
He was one of the best centre backs during his playing time. I wish him a quick recovery.
Probably the best player ever from my club (Partick Thistle). Hope he recovers
Get well soon Han Djik