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Anders Svensson

georgeweahscousin

By georgeweahscousin,
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Big_Bald_Si

Big_Bald_Si

Posted
Posted

Didn't help that for most of the time here, he was under managers that demanded a good work ethic of players all over the pitch. He didn't have that good work ethich, which is why he never flourished under any manager here.

 

Good players need the right environment to flourish in (e.g. Ibrahimovic wasn't too great at Barca, but impresses in Italy), and his clearly wasn't here. He's spent all of his career in Sweden, apart from his stint here - probably homesick or very unsettled here.

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rooney

rooney

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Posted

We bought him because he was supposed to be a goal scoring midfielder, but he did not score any goals. Not MOM very often in fact, I can only remember him having a really good game at Craven Cottage and Wigley pulled him off to a chorus of "You dont know what your doing"

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St Chalet

St Chalet

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I thought he was ok for us, but lacked the fight we really needed in the relegation season, hence his limited opportunities under Redknapp. I know we offered him an extension to his contract but he wanted to return to Sweeden even if we had stayed up.

 

As someone above noted he was very very good against Spurs in the 4-0 game which I still mark down as the best team performance I have seen from a Saints side.

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Colinjb

Colinjb

Posted
Posted (edited)

A talented, talented player who needed just a little bit too much time on the ball to be effective in the premiership. His key attribute seems to have been his fitness which is probably key to his longevity at international level.... that and his decision to spend most of his career at a less demanding level.

Edited by Colinjb
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Saint Martini

Saint Martini

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Great player, mainly let down by the dross he was playing with most of the time...

 

That and he was played out wide most of the time. In his earlier years in Sweden he was an offensive minded central midfielder but after his period at Saints he changed his play to be more of a holding midfielder that dictates the tempo of play. I wonder is he would have been been suitable for that role at Saints.

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svetigpung

svetigpung

Posted
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Welöl done Anders. 125's not too bad.

Really good player with quick feet and vision; would have been perfect in the side as were playing nowdays - ball on the ground, quick passes. Unfortunately was never one of WGS favourites. Dont forget he was here doing one of our better periods (8th and cup final) so he couldn't have been too bad for saints.

He actually still plays really well as a holding midfielder in the national side. When he performs , Sweden normally do.

Have met him and had a good talk about Saints - genuinely a nice guy. He told me loads about Harry's unproffessional style of running the team.

 

PS:Cracking misses!

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dinger

dinger

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The player that got the most votes was Chris Marsden, but as Sam Dobson pointed out and I am inclined to agree, Marsden is actually pretty highly regarded amongst Saints fans.

 

So... you had a vote on who was the most underrated player and concluded that the winner of the vote was actually highly regarded ;)

 

FWIW I agree, Anders often seemed to be out of his element because he was being asked to play to a system that didn't suit. English football is often shy of that free role behind the striker. Le Tiss is one of the few that have 'got away with it'.

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SNSUN

SNSUN

Posted
Posted

He was worth £7.5 million on CM2003, so I always sold him at the start of the game to generate income. (He was always wanted by big clubs too.) To this day, I don't think I ever started the season with him in my team.

 

I remember his performance against Spurs in the cup, that was something special.

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david in sweden

david in sweden

Posted
Posted (edited)
Heading for his 122nd and 123rd caps over the weekend/early next week.

Was underrated here for me as I explain here:- http://wp.me/p1mFFL-dL

What does everyone else think? Unfulfilled potential? Misuse by managers?

 

 

 

Swedes were well-acquainted with Anders long before he moved to Saints. His on-field performances and off pitch romances always got headlines.

Some journo' likened him to a "Swedish Beckham" when young and his club performances with Elfsborg were always top quality.

His final game was marked by a solo run from the left wing, and a 35 yard shot that the keeper never saw. Hej då Anders. Goodbye in Swedish

Then came the now legendary freekick against the Argies in the World Cup, and I for one, was very happy to see him move to SMS.

However, it has never ceases to amaze me that managers buy in a class player ...then proceed to try and change them to fit in with an unfamiliar style.

 

People only judge by the performances they see, and it's fair to say that successive managers tried to see if HCDJAFU by playing him in different roles.

Anders' best place... is /and always has been ...playing "in the hole" and normally serving the two strikers up top. A free role that he excels in and his set-pieces are also well-known. Strachan in particular got some good games out of him, then tried to move him around and then complained that he wasn't defence-minded enough. We see him in his very best with the solo run (and goal)v.Spurs in the FA Cup at SMS. Often he wasn't given the chance.

 

Interesting interview showed up on Swedish TV some while ago, and Anders was asked about his time with Saints, he said;

 

" Strachan was a very fair man, and he liked him as a manager and a person. WGS had told both him (and Fernandes).. that they were both good players..but that he couldn't play them both in the same team as they were too much alike..."

 

...(Anders) said he was often played out of position, and when asked (in interview) about those who complained about his play, he replied.

" I was supposed to be in midfield, yet they played the long ball so much, all I could do was stand and watch it sailing over my head ! " QUOTE.

 

It must be said that not all players find their ideal position when young, and there is even a record of that at Saints. Two readily come to mind...

Frannie Benali was a schoolboy international STRIKER !..and Kevin Phillips was regarded as too small to continue in the full back role he had as a junior.

Recent articles are praising NA for giving Chaplow a new place on the right, and Guly as a striker. ..when he didn't always seem to the "right fit" in the earlier role...and it works, but it's also obvious that when you have an international you should use him in his best role... with Anders - Strachan didn't.

 

I'm never convinced by people who say .." a professional footballer should be able to play anywhere ", BUT it's obvious you should play them where they perform best...and sadly Anders wasn't utilised nearly enough in his best role. IF.. he longed back to Sweden, it was because of that.

 

Back in Sweden, he returned to Elfsborg "his spiritual home" (to borrow a phrase)..and has been their captain for several seasons. He's won 100 more caps since the time he first joined Saints, got married some years ago and last year became a father for the first time. Now aged 35, he is still an international regular and (like Beckham) shows no signs of even discussing retirement and is still loving football as much as ever.

Edited by david in sweden
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The9

The9

Posted
Posted
Svensson to me was like Nilsson, experianced international who couldnt get to grips with the pace of the premier league.

 

Svensson had the talent just didnt really show it enough at Saints...whether thats due to tactics maybe?

 

Harsh, given how shart Nilsson was for the one season he deigned to wear a Saints kit and not try.

 

Anders was a class above, if a tad one-paced and forever getting caught from behind in possession. Created a ton of goals, scored a few and I have no idea why people think he wasn't a hard worker.

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captain sensible

captain sensible

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Posted
Swedes were well-acquainted with Anders long before he moved to Saints. His on-field performances and off pitch romances always got headlines.

Some journo' likened him to a "Swedish Beckham" when young and his club performances with Elfsborg were always top quality.

His final game was marked by a solo run from the left wing, and a 35 yard shot that the keeper never saw. Hej då Anders. Goodbye in Swedish

Then came the now legendary freekick against the Argies in the World Cup, and I for one, was very happy to see him move to SMS.

However, it has never ceases to amaze me that managers buy in a class player ...then proceed to try and change them to fit in with an unfamiliar style.

 

People only judge by the performances they see, and it's fair to say that successive managers tried to see if HCDJAFU by playing him in different roles.

Anders' best place... is /and always has been ...playing "in the hole" and normally serving the two strikers up top. A free role that he excels in and his set-pieces are also well-known. Strachan in particular got some good games out of him, then tried to move him around and then complained that he wasn't defence-minded enough. We see him in his very best with the solo run (and goal)v.Spurs in the FA Cup at SMS. Often he wasn't given the chance.

 

Interesting interview showed up on Swedish TV some while ago, and Anders was asked about his time with Saints, he said;

 

" Strachan was a very fair man, and he liked him as a manager and a person. WGS had told both him (and Fernandes).. that they were both good players..but that he couldn't play them both in the same team as they were too much alike..."

 

...(Anders) said he was often played out of position, and when asked (in interview) about those who complained about his play, he replied.

" I was supposed to be in midfield, yet they played the long ball so much, all I could do was stand and watch it sailing over my head ! " QUOTE.

 

It must be said that not all players find their ideal position when young, and there is even a record of that at Saints. Two readily come to mind...

Frannie Benali was a schoolboy international STRIKER !..and Kevin Phillips was regarded as too small to continue in the full back role he had as a junior.

Recent articles are praising NA for giving Chaplow a new place on the right, and Guly as a striker. ..when he didn't always seem to the "right fit" in the earlier role...and it works, but it's also obvious that when you have an international you should use him in his best role... with Anders - Strachan didn't.

 

I'm never convinced by people who say .." a professional footballer should be able to play anywhere ", BUT it's obvious you should play them where they perform best...and sadly Anders wasn't utilised nearly enough in his best role. IF.. he longed back to Sweden, it was because of that.

 

Back in Sweden, he returned to Elfsborg "his spiritual home" (to borrow a phrase)..and has been their captain for several seasons. He's won 100 more caps since the time he first joined Saints, got married some years ago and last year became a father for the first time. Now aged 35, he is still an international regular and (like Beckham) shows no signs of even discussing retirement and is still loving football as much as ever.

 

 

 

Sorry David, I'm not having that!

 

I don't care whether its Anders, Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha or Frida......when the requirement is to close down, I expect everybody withe the exception of the No7, to close down......and promptly! If the ball is sailing over his head, he either needs to jump or chase after it!

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Super_Uwe

Super_Uwe

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Posted
Swedes were well-acquainted with Anders long before he moved to Saints. His on-field performances and off pitch romances always got headlines.

Some journo' likened him to a "Swedish Beckham" when young and his club performances with Elfsborg were always top quality.

His final game was marked by a solo run from the left wing, and a 35 yard shot that the keeper never saw. Hej då Anders. Goodbye in Swedish

Then came the now legendary freekick against the Argies in the World Cup, and I for one, was very happy to see him move to SMS.

However, it has never ceases to amaze me that managers buy in a class player ...then proceed to try and change them to fit in with an unfamiliar style.

 

People only judge by the performances they see, and it's fair to say that successive managers tried to see if HCDJAFU by playing him in different roles.

Anders' best place... is /and always has been ...playing "in the hole" and normally serving the two strikers up top. A free role that he excels in and his set-pieces are also well-known. Strachan in particular got some good games out of him, then tried to move him around and then complained that he wasn't defence-minded enough. We see him in his very best with the solo run (and goal)v.Spurs in the FA Cup at SMS. Often he wasn't given the chance.

 

Interesting interview showed up on Swedish TV some while ago, and Anders was asked about his time with Saints, he said;

 

" Strachan was a very fair man, and he liked him as a manager and a person. WGS had told both him (and Fernandes).. that they were both good players..but that he couldn't play them both in the same team as they were too much alike..."

 

...(Anders) said he was often played out of position, and when asked (in interview) about those who complained about his play, he replied.

" I was supposed to be in midfield, yet they played the long ball so much, all I could do was stand and watch it sailing over my head ! " QUOTE.

 

It must be said that not all players find their ideal position when young, and there is even a record of that at Saints. Two readily come to mind...

Frannie Benali was a schoolboy international STRIKER !..and Kevin Phillips was regarded as too small to continue in the full back role he had as a junior.

Recent articles are praising NA for giving Chaplow a new place on the right, and Guly as a striker. ..when he didn't always seem to the "right fit" in the earlier role...and it works, but it's also obvious that when you have an international you should use him in his best role... with Anders - Strachan didn't.

 

I'm never convinced by people who say .." a professional footballer should be able to play anywhere ", BUT it's obvious you should play them where they perform best...and sadly Anders wasn't utilised nearly enough in his best role. IF.. he longed back to Sweden, it was because of that.

 

Back in Sweden, he returned to Elfsborg "his spiritual home" (to borrow a phrase)..and has been their captain for several seasons. He's won 100 more caps since the time he first joined Saints, got married some years ago and last year became a father for the first time. Now aged 35, he is still an international regular and (like Beckham) shows no signs of even discussing retirement and is still loving football as much as ever.

 

The bit in bold is IMO why he never shone with us. His style of play didn't fit in with the way we played at the time - remember it was all about getting the ball wide ready to swing the ball in for Beattie, which is what Telfer/Fernandes and Bridge/Marsden did so well.

 

I do agree that he would probably fit in a treat with our current setup. However I do recall him playing "in the hole" when we played against Steaua Bucharest at home; sadly the only reason I remember it is because he was utter gash! I remember thinking that WGS had given him the opportunity to play there as it was a UEFA Cup tie (and so he should have been in his element), but sadly it was not to be.

 

Nevertheless he is still a top player and the fact he has played for Sweden for so long tells you all you need to know about him as a player.

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krissyboy31

krissyboy31

Posted
Posted
What is all this lightweight stuff? He's not as lightweight as David Silva is he. Messi isn't the biggest. If you have the talent it shouldn't matter, it isn't rugby.
But he didn't have the talent of a Silva or a Messi and compared to him had pretty average players around him. Messi by the way is probably smaller but (using your rugby analogy) would probably need a prop forward to knock him off his feet, whereas a scrum-half would probably do for Svensson.
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Wadge

Wadge

Posted
Posted

Saw him at Hollywood studios in florida in 2004 with the fittest bird, I really couldn't believe it was him so didn't dare speak to him, shame as would have like to get a closer look at his bird.

 

Really was a good player technically, if he could have been given a free role behind the front 2, I think he could have run games for us, work ethic doesn't always win games.

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david in sweden

david in sweden

Posted
Posted
[

 

I do agree that he would probably fit in a treat with our current setup. However I do recall him playing "in the hole" when we played against Steaua Bucharest at home; sadly the only reason I remember it is because he was utter gash!

I remember thinking that WGS had given him the opportunity to play there as it was a UEFA Cup tie (and so he should have been in his element),QUOTE]

 

 

Yes of course, but I don't think he was the only one who had a bad game that night ...!

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david in sweden

david in sweden

Posted
Posted
Sorry David, I'm not having that!

 

I don't care whether its Anders, Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha or Frida......when the requirement is to close down, I expect everybody withe the exception of the No7, to close down......and promptly! If the ball is sailing over his head, he either needs to jump or chase after it!

 

 

well it was his words - not mine, but I know what he means..if a defender punts the ball upfield, I've yet to see any player who could jump

10 feet in the air .. not even Ron Davies!

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Agent Orange

Agent Orange

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Posted

Lazy is probably too harsh but I'd go with inconsistent. He showed flashes of brilliance but to be honest I never thought he looked comfortable on the pitch. He appeared to be rushed - maybe he needed a slower game. Reckon he'd have done well in the Italian league. Probably didn't help he came with the baggage of being labelled "Sweden's Beckham" either.

 

I don't think we ever saw him at his best - bar a single stunning shot and he struck me as a player you just had to let play and the rest of the team carry and cover for which they'd be duly rewarded. I don't want to say like Le Tiss but - well like Le Tiss.....

 

Liked him as a player though and never thought he was at fault for not reaching the heights. Some relationships work and some don't despite the best interests of both parties and I don't think he and Saints quite clicked.

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sambosa75

sambosa75

Posted
Posted
He was worth £7.5 million on CM2003, so I always sold him at the start of the game to generate income. (He was always wanted by big clubs too.) To this day, I don't think I ever started the season with him in my team.

 

I remember his performance against Spurs in the cup, that was something special.

 

True dat. Almost always sold him to Chelsea and bought Kim Kallstrom, Jobi McAnuff and Martin Albrechtsen with the proceeds. Usually still had left overs to fund a youth recruitment drive signing Fabio Paim, Anatoli Todorov, Cherno Samba, Tomi Petrescu and Serge Makofo as well!

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david in sweden

david in sweden

Posted
Posted
Lazy is probably too harsh but I'd go with inconsistent. He showed flashes of brilliance but to be honest I never thought he looked comfortable on the pitch. He appeared to be rushed - maybe he needed a slower game. Reckon he'd have done well in the Italian league. Probably didn't help he came with the baggage of being labelled "Sweden's Beckham" either.

 

I don't think we ever saw him at his best - bar a single stunning shot and he struck me as a player you just had to let play and the rest of the team carry and cover for which they'd be duly rewarded. I don't want to say like Le Tiss but - well like Le Tiss.....

 

Liked him as a player though and never thought he was at fault for not reaching the heights. Some relationships work and some don't despite the best interests of both parties and I don't think he and Saints quite clicked.

 

 

Good assessment! Nice fella' too. Met him a few times, both in Sweden at SMS. Always felt he might have done better had he played in a team that played to his strengths.

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  • 11 months later...
Lighthouse

Lighthouse

Posted
Posted
True dat. Almost always sold him to Chelsea and bought Kim Kallstrom, Jobi McAnuff and Martin Albrechtsen with the proceeds. Usually still had left overs to fund a youth recruitment drive signing Fabio Paim, Anatoli Todorov, Cherno Samba, Tomi Petrescu and Serge Makofo as well!

 

Anatoli Todorov, now there is a CM legend. Signed him aged 18, retired when he was 36 about 600 goals later.

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david in sweden

david in sweden

Posted
Posted

there was a media campaign to replace Anders in the Swedish national side ...in 2006 (!) He was 30 then, and some of the TV hacks wanted to replace him with the inconsistant Kim Källström.

 

Källström is still in the squad but pretty much of a yo-yo player,(now based in Moscow)...whilst Anders has passed 120-something caps for Sweden and after leading Elfsborg to the Swedish League title last week, he looks a cert for the 2014 World Cup providing....of course they qualify....and he stays fit.

 

If he can serve Zlatan Ibrahimovitch with passes like he did last night, I'd fancy the Swedes, but have severe doubts about England's ability to join them in Rio.

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melmacian_saint

melmacian_saint

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Posted

I thought he did well for us. I remember he participated a lot through the Strachan era despite what people say.

 

He was a really good player, but I think his reputation in Sweden made him look better than what he actually was, hence why most at SMS (and maybe English football) always found his performances underwhelming. Good on the ball but certainly not pacey to top world rankings (or European ones). Attacking midfielders need speed with the ball, and while he was a neat dribbler he wasn't too fast at it. Maybe why WGS decided to focus more on the wings.

 

IMHO his career has been successful though, and I rate him for his time with us. He was also a hard-worker, don't know why people suggest otherwise.

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