23 Jan 2023 11:28:17
Just watching a re run of the Bournemouth game. Boly looks a huge unit with a huge head (not being rude Wily), very intimidating. At one point he puts his head directly onto a fierce shot and it rebounds like it's hit a wall. He never even blinked.
Got me thinking of intimidating, hard as nails defenders over the years. Our own Burnsy and Big Larry are top of the tree, with Paul Hart. But I'm reminded of the likes of Tommy Smith and Ron Yeats of Liverpool, Denis Smith at Stoke, Tony Mowbray at Middlesbrough, John McGrath at Southampton and Jack Charlton at Leeds. I wouldn't include Norman Hunter, he was just a master of the dark arts and cheating. Terry Butcher at Ipswich, Tony Adams at Arsenal. Any others come to mind over the years comrades?

{Ed001's Note - Jack Charlton? I met him many times as a kid and he was terrifying.}

1.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 12:29:52
I read a story, not sure how valid, that our own left back Mr Pearce when playing late in his career broke a leg during a game and carried on! If true then I think he should join the list, just for doing that!

2.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 12:45:42
Yes Pyscho would be on my list. I remember so called hard man Vinnie Jones being dumped on his backside by a typical Pearce tackle, jumping up to take retribution then realising it was Pearce and deciding to run off instead. Stuart just stood his ground and looked through him. I was in duty onthe dirt track next to the pitch and saw ( and heard ( it all from about 4 yards away. Stuart didn’t say a word .

3.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 12:46:42
Colin cooper - didn’t look imposing but was tough.

4.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 12:47:02
We where playing Wimbledon at City Ground, it was a freezing day, talk before the game was, Vinnie Jones was going to show he was the hardest on the pitch. Five minutes into the game psycho did a sliding tackle on Jones, left him in a pile, Stuart just got up and got on with game, a massive cheer went up from Forest supporters.

5.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 12:48:29
I remember that story Norfolk. I think it was at half time whilst playing for West Ham and he’d taken a knock. He said he would just go out for the second half and run it off but when he stood up his leg broke under him.

6.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 13:18:41
Yes norfolk red Pearce was playing for the hammers then and while on the treatment table wanted to carry on in the second half but was told he probably fractured his leg which later showed he had. Also remember when he played for England against Brazil, Brazilian lad put his studs into pearceys shin, the lad got injured himself and Pearce carried on. Cameras showed later with his sock rolled down, 3 holes in his leg where the studs had gone in. Also he didn't roll around in agony, got straight up over to the lad and just eye balled him, scary stuff.

7.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 13:39:57
Mr. Kenneth Burns, intimidation personified. He and Big Larry were the rock on which the glory days were built.

8.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 13:41:02
I was there at the Jones game. It was about 5 mins in and Pearce put him in row Z. It was because Jones was asked about the game at the weekend and he quoted " They'll only be one Psycho on the pitch Saturday and that's me ", ??? silly boy ?.

9.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 14:50:09
Sammy chapman anyone? ?.

10.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 18:15:14
I've never rated Pearce he was a good servant to the club but over rated as a player.

11.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 23:05:26
????.