Is Willian better than Les Barrett?

[Barrett487]

Personally i don't think so, but what do you think?

In his time, Les could turn defenders inside out and play the right ball at the right time, to the right guy.

The game has moved on and i reckon that, if Les had been coached the way Willian has, he'd be up there.

[alfie]

Personally i don't think so, but what do you think?

In his time, Les could turn defenders inside out and play the right ball at the right time, to the right guy.

The game has moved on and i reckon that, if Les had been coached the way Willian has, he'd be up there.

Does it matter? Sorry to sound dismissive but different times you can't really compare.

[Barrett487]

Personally i don't think so, but what do you think?

In his time, Les could turn defenders inside out and play the right ball at the right time, to the right guy.

The game has moved on and i reckon that, if Les had been coached the way Willian has, he'd be up there.

Does it matter? Sorry to sound dismissive but different times you can't really compare.

I grew up watching Les, he was brilliant. I don't mind your dismissiveness, each to his own.

I think that the natural gift they share is apparent, the difference being that Les was inhibited by the system and Willian grew up in Brazilian football culture coaching.

[Arthur]

Willian aged 34 is definitely better than Barrett was at any time in his 30s.

[Sting of the North]

Willian aged 34 is definitely better than Barrett was at any time in his 30s.

Perhaps so, but don't think it is comparable from that perspective, and it disregards the spirit of the OP's post in my opinion. All (almost) players are so much more taken care of nowadays regarding how they train, eat, recover etc. can't compare a player in their thirties today with one from decades ago.

[Snibbo]

Very different players.
Les was all about speed.
Willian is more trickery I think

[AJW48361]

Make you right above.

[f bloke]

I know that we have a fondness for our favourites in our formative years but, in my view, Barrett doesn't come close.  He stood out as one of the better players in a middling second tier team but that was probably his level.  YouTube has some reminders of how good he could be at times but his predictably would often frustrate. Willian has played and succeeded at some of Europes top clubs and has won leagues and cups and his play this season has been of that standard. Not knocking Barrett who did have a good career with us at a time when, for the most part, we were fairly ordinary, but in terms of wide players, off the top of my head  I would take Houghton, Boa, Steed, Duff, Dempsey and Willian ahead of Barrett.

[St Eve]

Nobody can win this debate. Barrett was a phenomenal player and so is Willian. Haynes was pretty damn good as well, but didn't play in Europe and didn't win anything, and he will always be the maestro!

[Holders]

They're different types of players. Les would dribble down the touchline send the defender the wrong way and then cross into the box at 90 degrees from the corner flag. Willian plays further infield it seems to me. Love them both.

[Dodgin]

Think I've got to mention Jimmy Conway.

[Andy S]

I different times and different players but I'm happy to have seen them both play.They both had phenominal skill

[gang]

Graham Leggat was better than both.

[Holders]

I only saw Tosh at the very end. Those who saw him more, how did he compare with Les?

[toshes mate]

Graham Leggat was better than both.

GL is my all time favourite Fulham player and although I also idolised Tosh Chamberlain as footballers who fly down the wing Leggat was exceptionally gifted in many ways Tosh wasn't, especially ball control.  But Tosh kicked a ball harder than anyone else I have seen including the here and now.   Les Barrett was also a player I idolised during his time because he was fast and had a terrific cross and shot on him but Tosh kicked the ball so much harder than Les.  You'd honestly take cover when Tosh was around but you'd be transfixed by Barrett at times.

Comparisons are awkward when generations are concerned since football goes through subtle change when different methods are applied to reach success.   Willian has skills that few English/British players ever master and so he is different and I think Saturday's goal was something he has been threatening for some time.  All four players have been well worth the price of admission as has Neeskens Kebano who also has some shot in his armoury.  There are others I could mention too as Fulham wide players.  Been so lucky watching Fulham football. 

[ron]

Football boots are a factor in this type of discussion as well. The modern 'running shoe' style makes turning and sprinting easier than the concrete block models of yore.

[Arthur]

Willian aged 34 is definitely better than Barrett was at any time in his 30s.

Perhaps so, but don't think it is comparable from that perspective, and it disregards the spirit of the OP's post in my opinion. All (almost) players are so much more taken care of nowadays regarding how they train, eat, recover etc. can't compare a player in their thirties today with one from decades ago.

The fact that I have given Les Barrett four years' leeway on Willian is surely evidence I have considered the superior fitness of modern-day footballers. Now, it may be that even four years is insufficient to compensate, but 30 seemed, to me, to make the spirit of my point easier to understand than had I put 28 or 29. In actuality, Les was, in my opinion, never quite the same player after his first child was born. However, I can't recall when this was - although I'm sure he was still in his 20s - and I can only speculate, of course, as to whether the two events were connected.

But it is not the case that mine 'disregards the spirit of the O.P.'s post'.

[bill taylors apprentice]

As much as we like to compare, they are almost playing a different game these days.
One thing's for sure, players with talent and hard work in any era would be quality players today, including Les.

[filham]

If we are talking left wingers, or even left sided attacking players, then the best post war players were Tosh, Barret, Leggat, and Boa.
Boa has to be the best by a country mile.
Barrat was very good and served us so well.
Leggat played more as a central striker who could poach goals.
Tosh was Tosh and such a character and the best loved of the bunch.

Willian is very good but has not been with us any time yet and cannot possibly be compared to those magnificent four men of Fulham.

[Mince n Tatties]

Graham Leggat was better than both.

The kind of forgotten legend.
He was a brilliant player,didn't get the praise that others got over the years.