Gary Harkins In A Byegone Era

[Abdul Latif]

Never a guy that's been renowned for fitness, but me and a boy in work were just speaking about whether he would have been a better player in the 80's/early 90's before fitness and conditioning was such a big deal.

IMO a player built for a different era. All the skill in the world and great eye for a pass, but it's just not enough to be a top player these days.

[Cobra]

You might have a point. I don't think Chic Charnley was particularly fit or mobile and he totally bossed games.

Edited 10 December 2015 by Cobra

[CC33]

Never a guy that's been renowned for fitness, but me and a boy in work were just speaking about whether he would have been a better player in the 80's/early 90's before fitness and conditioning was such a big deal.

IMO a player built for a different era. All the skill in the world and great eye for a pass, but it's just not enough to be a top player these days.

Never have agreed with the "if he was fit he`d be at a top club"

He never has played at a top club level , he`s never settled at a club or has had season after season being a week in week out starter and im talking about us or killie, stmirren ,Partick maybe but then thats his level imo.

Done well in the Deefiant season but so did everybody

[Deestruction]

Nothing to do with era's, but everything to do with systems.  A team set up to allow creativity can afford him.  We instead are set up as a stuffy team, built to pack the semi circle of our own half, and it goes against our style that we are now playing.

He's a top level SPFL creative ACM, but we don't play with that position in mind.

ETA - next to no one does in this league, which is why their are less goals being scored and less entertainment for the fans.

Edited 10 December 2015 by Deestruction

[CC33]

He's a top level SPFL creative ACM, but we don't play with that position in mind.

He`s not , otherwise he`d be at these teams

Partick,St Mirren , Killie and us are not top level SPL teams

Do agree that he`s best behind strikers but id rather Stewart was there as he`s a better player

Edit to say - all imo , i understand Harkins is marmite with Dundee support

Edited 10 December 2015 by CC33

[BCram]

If he struggles with being fit why isn't he given extra training?

[Abdul Latif]

If he struggles with being fit why isn't he given extra training?

I'm not entirely sure it's the fitness. It's the body shape and build. He's not built like a footballer for the modern game. Gazza would be the same these days.

[Sebastiano Nela]

Play him at Centre half. Its where he started his career

[chomp my root]

I'm not entirely sure it's the fitness. It's the body shape and build. He's not built like a footballer for the modern game. Gazza would be the same these days.

He's not freakishly odd, 

Like a lot of people he's probably going to be a big old unit when he stops training but we've seen him at the start of the season looking all buff so its not a huge stretch to assume he can loose the beef when he tries. His natural fitness might be a bit suspect but I think he's one of those players that plays best when he feels 'loved' and getting a run of games, whether that would make him a big time Charlie is a different matter but its the debate about some players needing a bollocking and some needing the arm round the shoulder. 

[BCram]

He's not freakishly odd, 

Like a lot of people he's probably going to be a big old unit when he stops training but we've seen him at the start of the season looking all buff so its not a huge stretch to assume he can loose the beef when he tries. His natural fitness might be a bit suspect but I think he's one of those players that plays best when he feels 'loved' and getting a run of games, whether that would make him a big time Charlie is a different matter but its the debate about some players needing a bollocking and some needing the arm round the shoulder. 

Good point Chomp. So why isn't he getting the treatment needed to get him firing again. Play him in his best position and make others compromise.

[Gedee]

If he struggles with being fit why isn't he given extra training?

Once more BCram I agree with above.

In a post further on by Chomp he has included, what I was about to add....

Although he is a "Big Lad" he did show the sharpness early season. He would benefit with more training (imo)

[blueboy]

Harkins is class, and it will be a sad day when he leaves the club. Let's hope he's here for a couple of years yet. He may not always start, but don't have a problem with that.