John Curtis

[Guest]

Now gone to QPR.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/6256578.stm

I remember him when he was still a young kid a manure, he was touted as being destined to a brilliant career. Well, it's gone downhill since then.

[Resu]

I remember watching a U-something tournament years ago. England were doing well, and had three outstanding players, Michael Owen, Danny Murphy and John Curtis. Not all have fullled their potential, but all three of the were over the top before turning 30.

[Guest]

I remember watching a U-something tournament years ago. England were doing well, and had three outstanding players, Michael Owen, Danny Murphy and John Curtis. Not all have fullled their potential, but all three of the were over the top before turning 30.

Curtis never stepped up though. Murphy had a very good career and played for England, as for Mickey, he was European Footballer of the Year in 2002.

Strange that, Curtis was very highly rated by Ferguson himself, and there's been no apparent restlessness in the lad (in his private life or whatever) to explain why his career has nose dived the way it had.

[AFII]

It's more difficult for a young player that comes through a youth system at a top club to take a place. Much better scouting means more players to battle it out with.

[Guest]

It's more difficult for a young player that comes through a youth system at a top club to take a place. Much better scouting means more players to battle it out with.

But the best always prevail and he was touted as amongst the best of his generation for his age, if not the best. I remember clearly that Fergie rated him very highly.

[AFII]

But the best always prevail and he was touted as amongst the best of his generation for his age, if not the best. I remember clearly that Fergie rated him very highly.

He had the golden generation to battle it out with. I doubt that any team will get a generation like that again. A youth team player need to play and he didn't get that chance for them. If you are not a super talent then you won't take a place at a top club. Glen Johnson is one later example.

Our youth team players had Houllier to battle it out with so I guess that even things out a bit, sad but true. Houllier didn't look after our youth team at all.

[Guest]

He had the golden generation to battle it out with. I doubt that any team will get a generation like that again. A youth team player need to play and he didn't get that chance for them. If you are not a super talent then you won't take a place at a top club. Glen Johnson is one later example.

Our youth team players had Houllier to battle it out with so I guess that even things out a bit, sad but true. Houllier didn't look after our youth team at all.

I think Curtis was classed as being one of them in this golden generation of players such as Neville, Giggs etc ... But for one reason or another, he never really pushed on.

[dww]

But the best always prevail and he was touted as amongst the best of his generation for his age, if not the best. I remember clearly that Fergie rated him very highly.

Fergie also said Wes Brown would be the best defender in England. He is much better at picking attacking players IMO. The thing with defenders is that 9 10ths of the progression after about 19/20 is about experience, intelligence and ability/willingness to learn. It is quite possible to have a lot of talent and still never progress (see Titus Bramble for another example).

[Parm]

Curtis never stepped up though. Murphy had a very good career and played for England, as for Mickey, he was European Footballer of the Year in 2002.

Strange that, Curtis was very highly rated by Ferguson himself, and there's been no apparent restlessness in the lad (in his private life or whatever) to explain why his career has nose dived the way it had.

yup, he was very highly rated, i think along with Fletcher and O Shea.

[DannyMan2006]

Curtis was ****ed off to Blackburn and seemed to lose all his motivation. The opposite of a David Platt really who got binned but became even more determined.