Neil Harvey the bitter old fool

[rod_rooster]

What a sad man Neil Harvey is. He was by all reports a wonderful cricketer. His record shows as such. What a shame such a player feels the need to continually show what a bitter old man he has become. He is worse than Grandpa Simpson. His latest target is Matthew Hayden. Sure Hayden is not playing well. It can be argued that he should lose his spot in the side. Harvey goes a step further though with his comments:

FORMER Test great Neil Harvey joined the chorus calling for Matthew Hayden's scalp, saying the beleaguered opener is "a pain in the bum".

"He has been a good player, but he hasn't been a great player in my opinion."

Neil Harvey just go away and stop letting yourself down. If you want to be remembered as the great cricketer you were stop your comments about modern cricket otherwise all you will be remembered for is being a bitter old fool.

Just as an aside as good a player as Harvey was his record does not compare to Haydens. Sure stats don't tell the whole story but Harvey really must have a very high opinion of himself to make the comments he does. It is no wonder the vast majority of modern day players have no time for him and what a shame it is. He only has himself to blame though.

[spell_check]

Funny I was thinking of Harvey when looking at that Hall of Fame list and wondering about the possible outcry if he wasn't in there. (Which he was, and thankfully it's on cricket merit and not opinion merit)

[hearts on fire]

Neil Harvey is an old man and i could be kicked off this site if i dont watch what i type

edited by the mods

[brod]

Neil Harvey is an old man

Did you say that Harvey was close to taking the spot of Ben Cosusins as youre HERO?

[gadj1976]

Personally, I have no problem with old timers having opinions on current players however, Neil Harvey has the attitude that no-one was as good as him and his era. That undermines what constructive criticism he could possibly have and therefore in my mind means his opinions count for squat.

[smithy]

Steve Waugh once said 10 years ago that if the journo's need to write something controversial on a slow news week they call Neil Harvey.
He's had a habit of opening his gob for years now.

[RoosterMarty]

At least Grandpa Simpson was funny.

[colliver69]

Thought his comments were spot on actually -- get rid of him

[RoosterMarty]

Thought his comments were spot on actually -- get rid of him

So you're saying Hayden hasn't been a great player?

[Punk Rooster]

Thought his comments were spot on actually -- get rid of him

you only get rid of someone when you can replace them with someone better- who do you propose?
We don't have another option at the moment.

[bayman]

well everytime the media ask harvey a question he says what he thinks (whether he's right or wrong) but why does the media ask him ? because they know they'll get a 'headline' response


i agree with rr for those that never saw him play (including me) he is going to be remembered as that bloke that only ever criticised players playing after he'd finished playing

[colliver69]

Replace him with any one of (Preferred order)

Hughes (NSW)
Rogers (Vic)
or Klinger (SA)

no brainer -- get any of them in...............Hayden's been great but his time is up

Don't let emotion get in the way

[LaughingKookaburra]

In my Australian all time XI Matthew Hayden would most definatly be in that side. Magnificent player and imho the premier opener in world cricket over the past 15 years. Also played in the greatest Australian cricket side of all time, that being Steve Waughs Dominators 1999-2003

[colliver69]

Again --- does that give him automatic selection for the next two (vital) series?

[rod_rooster]

Again --- does that give him automatic selection for the next two (vital) series?

That is not the point of this thread. Whether or not Hayden should be in the side is not relevant. Neil Harvey being a bitter cranky old goose is what this is about.

[colliver69]

Fair point, but at least Harvs doesn't sit on the fence. Right or wrong he has an opinion. Too many just sit on the fence and get a sore arse

[LaughingKookaburra]

He may have an opinion but it helps no one. In fact any ex player who comes out in the media and bags current teams should be shot. They would be better served by ringing up the people in question and seeing if they can offer any assistance rather than making people feel worse about their situation.

[NFC]

Harvey strikes again.

Man what an old, bitter man he has become. Sad really, he hates everyone.

[spell_check]

Fair point, but at least Harvs doesn't sit on the fence. Right or wrong he has an opinion. Too many just sit on the fence and get a sore arse

Can't argue there, but the trouble with Harvey is that's it is never positive; it's always out to criticise players. Apart from his "back in my day" statements, when has he ever made a positive comment?

[bayman]

Replace him with any one of (Preferred order)

Hughes (NSW)
Rogers (Vic)
or Klinger (SA)

no brainer -- get any of them in...............Hayden's been great but his time is up

Don't let emotion get in the way

hughes, yes young & would gain invaluable experience, almost a certainty to go to england & may even go to south africa first

rogers, getting the runs but why pick a bloke that is over 30

klinger, with the amount of runs he's scored in 3 months you'd think he's an outside chance but does 3 months form give you the chance to go up or should he have to keep going in this vein of form for a longer period of time

of those 3 players

hughes 1/5 (playing for nsw doesn't hurt either)
rogers 12/1
klinger 3/1