Cannon was the best.

Hardest Micky Droy/Roy Barry (for a while i think).

Palace 13th 2017/18.

I left UK in '66 & the 2 toughest c defenders I saw were Alan Stephenson & Brian Wood.

Also Sydney FC Supporter - Frank Farina Now In Charge & Still Bottom Of The League (1.1.13)

I would probably say Thorn and Ninja. McCormick and Blyth deserve a mention on this thread; they took no prisoners and Blyth was harder than he looked. Although not particularly hard, Richard Shaw and Cookie didn't let a lot get past them. Cannon (whom I most fondly remember as a left back in his early days) and Billy the Knife were, to my memory, more "cynical" than hard. They would do what was necessary more than they would look to put it about. BTW although it's early days yet, I think DD and Dann could be highlighted in this thread in years to come.

Edited by sydtheeagle (24 Apr 2014 12.03pm)

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

Just supplementary details about a player mentioned in this 'Thread'. Nothing wrong in that as far as I can see but clearly we are on the "Opposite sides of the house" on this matter.

Edited by Willo (24 Apr 2014 9.08pm)

I didn't see Cannon and Gilbert so I can't talk too much about them. I have seen videos of Mel Blythe and he was no slouch in the "sort 'em out" department. Gary O'Reilly was a sneaky one, a smiling assassin if you will. For me, the combination of Thorn and Eric the Ninja took us to another level defensively. Along with Richard Shaw and John Humphrey, they conceded only 41 goals in the 90-91 league season and captured the ZDS with an absolutely uncompromising style that asked no quarter and gave none. I still remember Martin Keown trying to crash the 18 on a corner and getting a broken nose for his troubles due to an "accidental" elbow from the Ninj. Thorny was no slouch and the muscle department, often dealing with some of the beefier strikers with his unique brand of steel edged humour. The two we have right now, Dann and Delaney, have the ability to surpass them, given their steel plus a bit more mobility. But right now, it's Andy Thorn and Eric Young.

Divorced...And LOVING it!
VJRAM Rev.
CPFC since Boxing Day 1989 CPFC 2-2 CFC
Gregg Berhalter, US International & USMNT Head Coach
Jill Ellis, England International & Retired USWNT Head Coach
Trevor Francis, International PRAT

Claude Davis & Claude Davis