River Allen Interview

[Pogleswoody]

Darren Bastow #2?

Kevin Hodges the player is THE Argyle legend. :nworthy:

Yes indeed. :nworthy:

But Kevin had something of the other Kevin (Keegan) about him. Driven to succeed and to make sacrifices, work hard and take knockbacks to get there.
I am sure criticism of his methods are that he tried to instil those characteristics into young guys who just didn't have that same view of football as a career. (No shame in that).

So Bastow and Allen were maybe 'better' players than Hodgie? But skill and talent just ain't enough.

River Allen is obviously a thoughtful individual.

Individual people make their life choices. I hope that they find happiness and fulfilment in whatever they do.

 

[Brixton 'ill Pilgrim]

Darren Bastow #2?

Kevin Hodges the player is THE Argyle legend. :nworthy:

It's easy to sneer at Darren Bastow, but he was a 17 year old boy when he left Argyle.

Whatever his faults as a young man, the club should also have reflected on how they created a culture that resulted in a potentially world class player walking away from the game.

You're talking about teenage kids going into a changing room full of seasoned pros, with big egos/characters, in a very hierarchical environment where "banter" (ie ritual mockery and humiliation) is rife.

Most of these young lads will not be from especially worldly or privileged backgrounds, and will have largely forsaken education to concentrate on football. So they're not going to be super self assured personalities.

Creating a welcoming atmosphere where they can feel confident and enjoy football is as much a part of successful youth development as scouting, coaching, facilities etc. From the River Allen interview, it seems that (until recently?) we haven't been doing well in this respect.

 

[Devizes Green]

That was an enjoyable read and clearly there were some issues at Argyle when he was a young pro

However,River has had a number of clubs and seems to have differences with a few managers.He comes across as someone who gets most enjoyment from playing football with his mates and having a few beers afterwards and there is nothing wrong with that

 

[Herts Green]

He comes across as someone who gets most enjoyment from playing football with his mates and having a few beers afterwards and there is nothing wrong with that

True but there are millions of people out there who would have dearly loved to have been a professional footballer but never had the talent. It’s pretty annoying when you see people who have the talent but just can’t be bothered.

 

[IJN]

Darren Bastow #2?

Kevin Hodges the player is THE Argyle legend. :nworthy:

It's easy to sneer at Darren Bastow, but he was a 17 year old boy when he left Argyle.

I wasn't sneering, and I happen to agree with you.

As others have said though, it's annoying to those of us that have two left feet and would have DIED to have played in the green shirt.

 

[Rush Goalie]

Thought Allen came across quite well. He knows himself well enough to understand that being treated like a 2nd class citizen by lower league pros wasn’t right for him. It’s not as if he is a waster - he’s loving his football now, whilst carving out a career for himself. Old head on young shoulders, I reckon.

As for Hodges, he isn’t the greatest talent i’ve seen in an Argyle shirt but he’ll always be my favourite player.

 

[gaspargomez]

As for Hodges, he isn’t the greatest talent i’ve seen in an Argyle shirt but he’ll always be my favourite player.

He's played more games at higher level than the likes of Mayor and scored a lot more goals. Without checking, I think he was a regular in the Argyle team that finished in one of the club's highest ever league positions- 6th or 7th in what is now the Championship. He was also a key part in winning promotion to that division (16 goals from the wing).

That's a good enough player for me.

 

[Biggs]

Not too keen on judging what went before, and certainly not a club legend.

But now having someone who was in charge of Everton’s academy producing the likes of Wayne Rooney, and overseeing England youth World Cup success... that’s quite something and has to be an improvement on any youth set up we’ve ever had.

 

[Keepitgreen]

Not too keen on judging what went before, and certainly not a club legend.

But now having someone who was in charge of Everton’s academy producing the likes of Wayne Rooney, and overseeing England youth World Cup success... that’s quite something and has to be an improvement on any youth set up we’ve ever had.

I don't know if you're actually saying that he's not a club legend or you're not keen on deciding what makes a legend.

14 years as a player, record appearances at 620 scoring 87 goals, and then to go on and manage the club.

He's a club legend in my book.

The less said about his departure the better. I'll just remember what he did for our club.

 

[HC Green]

Not too keen on judging what went before, and certainly not a club legend.

But now having someone who was in charge of Everton’s academy producing the likes of Wayne Rooney, and overseeing England youth World Cup success... that’s quite something and has to be an improvement on any youth set up we’ve ever had.

It is going to take a lot to improve on the youth set up that existed just prior to administration that produced the likes Dan Gosling, Jack Stephens and Christian Walton.

 

[GreenThing]

Not too keen on judging what went before, and certainly not a club legend.

But now having someone who was in charge of Everton’s academy producing the likes of Wayne Rooney, and overseeing England youth World Cup success... that’s quite something and has to be an improvement on any youth set up we’ve ever had.

I don't know if you're actually saying that he's not a club legend or you're not keen on deciding what makes a legend.

14 years as a player, record appearances at 620 scoring 87 goals, and then to go on and manage the club.

He's a club legend in my book.

The less said about his departure the better. I'll just remember what he did for our club.

He’s not keen on judging someone who is a club legend, which Hodges certainly is? That’s how I read it.

 

[Keepitgreen]

Not too keen on judging what went before, and certainly not a club legend.

But now having someone who was in charge of Everton’s academy producing the likes of Wayne Rooney, and overseeing England youth World Cup success... that’s quite something and has to be an improvement on any youth set up we’ve ever had.

I don't know if you're actually saying that he's not a club legend or you're not keen on deciding what makes a legend.

14 years as a player, record appearances at 620 scoring 87 goals, and then to go on and manage the club.

He's a club legend in my book.

The less said about his departure the better. I'll just remember what he did for our club.

He’s not keen on judging someone who is a club legend, which Hodges certainly is? That’s how I read it.

Yes, I see it now. Ta.

 

[Biggs]

Yes it was that :lol:

 

[Rush Goalie]

As for Hodges, he isn’t the greatest talent i’ve seen in an Argyle shirt but he’ll always be my favourite player.

He's played more games at higher level than the likes of Mayor and scored a lot more goals. Without checking, I think he was a regular in the Argyle team that finished in one of the club's highest ever league positions- 6th or 7th in what is now the Championship. He was also a key part in winning promotion to that division (16 goals from the wing).

That's a good enough player for me.

Not sure what your point is? I loved Hodges as a player and he was a great pro. As I say, my all time Argyle favourite.

Have there been better players to pull on the green in my time? Yes.