Luther And Deeney

Discussion in 'The Hornets' Nest - Watford Chat' started by pleaseenterthenamebywh, Jan 18, 2021.

  1. pleaseenterthenamebywh

    pleaseenterthenamebywh Academy Graduate

    As we've all now come round to the realisation that Deeney's been a complete waste of time, space, money and oxygen since 2016 I was wondering how was Luther Blissett viewed back in the day? He had retired from playing by time I started watching Watford so I'm not able to relate to his record. Was he a top player season after season or average for most of his time here like Troy?
     
  2. No comparison. Luther was a complete forward who could play target man or run in behind, bags of pace, good with his feet or head. If he was playing now he'd come with a £50m price tag. Biggest difference though between them is attitude. Luther always humble always hard working.
     
  3. davisp2

    davisp2 Reservist

    Luther was better forward than Deeney and scored a lot of goals. He always seems to miss the easy ones, and score the harder ones - at least that was my impression. Like any striker his powers did decline and he scored 10 in 42 games, when we were in the old 2nd division - in this 3rd spell. I don’t remember Luther getting any abuse when the goals started to dry up
     
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  4. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Luther scored goals at the top level and for England so was the better scorer/player I suspect.
     
    Rozerhorn likes this.
  5. Ybotcoombes

    Ybotcoombes Justworkedouthowtochange

    I’m surprise the mods haven’t closed you down for mentioning the two in the same sentence :)

    Luther is a legend

     
  6. Ybotcoombes

    Ybotcoombes Justworkedouthowtochange

    Just for balance (and a good reason to show the goal again)



    why Troy, why don’t you do this now

    that has to be in the top 10 Watford goals of all time
     
  7. Relegation Certs

    Relegation Certs Squad Player

    Luther wins BUT troy scored some absolute crackers for us, and at his peak was sensational.

    Both club legends for me.
     
  8. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    It's only a matter of time. This poster is another WUM. You only need take a look at the avatar.

    Luther did not shout his mouth off. Was humble and hard working and definitely a better striker than Deeney. Cliff Holton given his record as well and he also played well in the top division for Woolwich in a number of roles. Luther was also the golden boot in the top division something Deeney has never ever been remotely near.
     
  9. WatfordTalk

    WatfordTalk First Team

    Troy in the 13/14 was unreal. Scored 20 plus goals for a mostly ***** team. Proved himself in the PL, probably deserved an England cap or two. Shame he's probably stayed here too long now and is tarnishing his legacy on and off the pitch.

    20 years from now though I suspect people will look back on the goals against Leicester, Wolves etc rather than a couple of misjudged comments on talksport
     
  10. pleaseenterthenamebywh

    pleaseenterthenamebywh Academy Graduate

    I wasn't comparing the two of them, was just interested to hear how Watford fans felt about Luther while he played for us as obviously give Troy a lot of (deserved) stick. I wouldn't want future Watford fans looking at the records and thinking Deeney is an all time great for us.
     
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  11. pleaseenterthenamebywh

    pleaseenterthenamebywh Academy Graduate

    What's wrong with my avatar? It's a tribute to 2 of our best ever board members.
     
  12. davisp2

    davisp2 Reservist

    Luther did have the advantage of having digger and Nige in the side, so we used to create an inordinate amount of chances per game
     
  13. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    And a decent striker partner to help.

    Bit like Deeney with Vydra and Ighalo.
     
  14. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    As a supporter, Luther was all you could possibly want from a Watford player.
    And that’s all that needs to be said.
     
  15. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    Luther.
    Troy has been tremendous for us but every passing day his legacy is diminished a little bit more.
    Knowing when to leave or stop is an art for any athlete or any boss come to that.
     
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  16. Diamond

    Diamond First Team

    It's all about attitude and Luthers was spot on. As soon as Troy turned up a few seasons back from close season and wasn't ready to go I worried. However, in the fullness of time everyone will appreciate Troys part in our history.
     
  17. Hornpete

    Hornpete Squad Player

    Troy is a great WFC legend, but in an all time wfc XI he might not make the bench. Luther's first name on the teamsheet for me.

    I dont altogether remember him (through being about 1 when he arrived). But I recall him running the channels better than any forward we've had since (aside Moralee of course). Played against him at beavers once and he was amazing, but we were all about 7 years old so didn't win much in the air.

    I'd say he was a complete forward. Phillips was a better finisher, Deeney is a stronger target man, Helguson probably better in the air, Sarr quicker. But Blissett was a wrap of those qualities in one package.
     
  18. Keighley

    Keighley First Team

    MoJo was the best finisher the club has ever had, with Phillips a close second.
     
  19. Carpster

    Carpster Squad Player

    DeeKnee in his prime was excellent but Luther wins hands down. Luckily I saw his rise from 4th to 1st resulting in top scorer in the first that season.
    I've met both outside of football on many occasions and both of them are always happy and willing to openly chat.
     
  20. Moosegasm

    Moosegasm Reservist

    'Average' is not a word u would ever use to describe Luther Blissett in a Watford shirt. I think he was 34 when he played his last game for us and still scored 10 goals that season. Luther is also a great human being. As a footballer he lit up my childhood. Although John Barnes was a better player and scored amazing goals, Luther was always known as Watford's favourite son. His technical quality was high and he was a powerful player. His main weakness was his conversion %, he made up for this by repeatedly getting into goal scoring positions which was why he scored so many. Fans understood this and 'unlucky Luther' was a typical response to him missing a good chance. I never saw fans get on his back, to me it would feel like blasphemy. It's hard to really put into words what it was like watching Luther play for Watford, his relentlessness was astounding. His commitment to attacking the opposition was something to behold. It seemed to mean so much to him and to us. There was just something very very special about him. With Luther on the pitch we were always in with a chance. I would go as far as to say he's genuinely revered by fans of my generation.
    Troy's delusional grandiose narcissism is the polar opposite of Luther's warm hearted humility. However, it's undeniable Troy was one of the best signings we ever made at 500k and he really did shine for us in the championship. In 5 seasons in the prem he had good games but he never performed consistantly well for us and his PL goal record is abysmal without including his penalties. Would we have got promoted without Troy - yes! Would we have avoided relegation without Troy - probably. Is Troy the biggest threat to us getting promoted this season - almost certainly!!
     
  21. Since63

    Since63 Squad Player

    Luther by a country mile....and let's not forget he sometimes played in midfield if the team required it, so his goal record is even more laudable. He must cringe inside when he sees how modern players go down so easily under challenge as he regularly used to just plough through "tackles" that would now be treated akin to red-card assaults, and often still get a shot away. Being honest, could anyone imagine TD scoring those 2 headers at Man Utd?
    There is also no way he'd WANT to be the "media-darling" TD seems to enjoy, even if it had been allowed.
     
    iamofwfc likes this.
  22. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    It's more than the talksport thing, but yeah you're right.

    2 years ago he was of a status that had he moved on, we would've named a stand after him one day.

    Now he's been here, stinking the place up for too long, giving it the big man schtick in his interviews and not even doing the bare basics, such as getting into shape and running into position, it will take a decade after he finally leaves to air the place out before people start to focus on his numerous, historical positive contributions for us.
     
  23. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    Priskin was the best finisher the club has ever had, followed by Lee Nogan, then Peter Beadle, Dominic Foley and then the two that you mention.
     
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  24. Keighley

    Keighley First Team

    Actually, Priskin crossed my mind...

    Better than what we have now!
     
  25. Clive_ofthe_Kremlin

    Clive_ofthe_Kremlin Squad Player

    I always thought from having watched Luther throughout, that a good part of his success came from his determination and chasing of 'lost causes' in the style of Cleverly's goal on Saturday. He chased after everything and I'd love to see more of that from the current bunch.

    If I pictured Luther now, it's him charging down an overhit through ball towards the main stand side of the Vic Road end and the opposition keeper increasingly panicking as he gets closed down.
     
  26. Moosegasm

    Moosegasm Reservist

    Yes, that's very much the Luther we knew and loved.
     
  27. Abdi

    Abdi Academy Graduate

    Why not? He's shiit now obviously but he will definitely be remembered as a legend.
     
  28. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    Troy will be a Watford legend, his record pretty much guarantees that. Gone on a bit too long but you can't argue with somebody that has scored 130 goals for our club. Luther however is probably Watford's favourite son. Not a bad word ever said of him by anybody, at any club. Fully committed to the club and still is. Him and GT were just a pleasure to meet and talk to.
    Luther tops everybody
     
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  29. pleaseenterthenamebywh

    pleaseenterthenamebywh Academy Graduate

    Good player - but not better than the likes of Mooney, Helguson, King, Henderson, Graham a few others. The difference is Troy's played for Watford at a time where we no longer sell our best players for spare change, and it's given him the opportunity to stack up the numbers unlike previous strikers we had when we were tinpot
     
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  30. Relegation Certs

    Relegation Certs Squad Player

    Angella was the best finisher we've ever had. Fact!
     
  31. For fans under 30 it will be like comparing Luther and Cliff Holton.
     
  32. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    That young Tommy Barnett was mustard!
     
  33. Moosegasm

    Moosegasm Reservist

    Ranking our 8 best performing strikers in the top flight based on ability:
    #1 John Barnes (197 games 52 goals, league only)
    #2 Mo Johnstone (38/23 league & cup)
    #3 Luther Blissett (165/70 league)
    #4 Mark Falco (33/14 league and cup)
    #5 Colin West (45/20 league & cup)
    #6 Odion Ighalo (55/16 league)
    #7 Del boy (65/15 league)
    #8 Troy Deeney (163/47 league)

    I don't think Troy even scored 30 premier league goal from open play in 163 games!!!

    Players who scored mainly outside the top flight:
    Barnett 431/160
    Blissett 503/186
    Deeney 412/138
    Devan 95/34
    Dunderdale 81/36
    Edmunds 112/60
    Endean 93/37
    Evans 96/32
    Foster 59/30
    Furlong 91/41
    D Graham 98/41
    L Graham 94/32
    Hare 55/35
    Harris 178/60
    Helguson 228/75
    Hodinott 54/32
    Holton 163/104
    Ighalo 99/39
    G James 94/76
    Jenkins 398/142
    King 87/37
    Lane 127/68
    Lugg 130/47
    McNee 52/27
    McPherson 102/75
    Mercer 154/53
    Pagnam 157/74
    Phillips 65/25
    Poskett 80/31
    Shepherd 95/39
    Sordell 81/27
    Swann 59/31
    Thomas 111/43
    Thompson 83/41
    Uphill 58/36
    Vydra 92/38
    Walters 59/29
    Ward 66/32
    Wilkinson 159/55

    In my view Blissett, Barnes, Jenkins, Holton, Barnett, Ighalo, Johnston, Helguson Edmunds, Pagnam, McPherson, Lane, James, Hodinott and Hare are all way more legendary than Troy, his big mouth and his penalties.
     
  34. Happy bunny

    Happy bunny Cheered up a bit

    Yes. No opposition defender could ever have time on the ball when Luther was on the pitch.
     
  35. EB Hornet

    EB Hornet Reservist

    Enjoying this thread.

    Luckily got to see him in his last spell - think he scored 2 (may have just been 1) v Bristol City in a 5-2 home win last game of season. They had 2 sent off.

    why did we sell him to Bournemouth at the time by the way?
     

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