6 Clubs in the Play-Offs from Next Season 2026/27

[SwanseaBoy123]

I just noticed that you were comparing our current 2026 team with the 1981 Toshack Team. Now maybe there is a more of an argument to be made when referring to the Rodgers 2011 team for comparison.

But I really don't think the 1981 absolute quality team would be comfortably beaten by our CURRENT mid table side. I'm guessing you never saw that team (apologies if you did). But it oozed class and pace and strength. And after all, it wasn't 1881 - and Old Etonians and Royal Engineers stuff.

That team of 1981, apart from class, was strong and fit. Robbie James was an absolute powerhouse for example. Ok they might have enjoyed a few pints now and then ( excusing a pissed Tony Millington on the train back from Leeds cup game in the 1970's ) - but they weren't invalids for goodness sake. Toshack was schooled by Shankly and they were pretty professional. And don't talk to me about better tactical know-how these days, Russell Martin et al. Crap. Too much emphasis, football can be a simple game and quality will shine - so much so that the class team of 81 would be 4-0 up by 60 minutes v our current lot - then I'll concede superior fitness would come into play and max 2 goals conceded.

Fun debate though

Ps - and to even things up a bit, allow only 1 sub like it was then, not like 5 now ! So actually they were pretty fit to be fair, muddy pitches also. And as I said it wasn't 1881 . I'd also love to see Curt on a smooth pitch, he'd be unplayable, even more so than he was then. And my last point..I'm not sure where this "exponentially better football these days " has come from. I've seen 1981, 2011 ( both great) ...but football generally today - Nah, I'm not having it. Certainly less enjoyable also.

Nostalgia bias plays a huge role in these debates aswell. People remember the best moments from older football and compare them to the average games of today. In 10 years time we'll all look back and say how enjoyable this era of football was too.

Part of the reason why that 1981 team looked so strong and fit and full of quality is because they were being compared to the standard of their own era. Even if you take away the physical side where yes the modern era has benefitted from better nutrition and equipment ect. The pure technical side of it has drastically improved aswell.

That doesn’t take anything away from how good those teams were at the time but the baseline level of the sport has just simply improved. Football hasn't stood still for 45 years.