[Doreets]

Is it finally time to accept Liam Mandeville as a club legend? I don't think there's many arguments against and that last ditch tackle yesterday was up there with Nathan Smith's for me.

Never lets us down no matter which position he gets put in, got a good connection with the fans and just pure longevity.

Maybe I'm just having some recency bias so I'm interested to hear others thoughts on it.

[rodney]

100% agree. That tackle was superb and saved Palmer from his only mistake in the last 8-10 games.
His overall attitude, ability and commitment is second to none.

[Osborne again]

Doreets, on 04 May 2025 - 12:36 PM, said:

Is it finally time to accept Liam Mandeville as a club legend? I don't think there's many arguments against and that last ditch tackle yesterday was up there with Nathan Smith's for me.

Never lets us down no matter which position he gets put in, got a good connection with the fans and just pure longevity.

Maybe I'm just having some recency bias so I'm interested to hear others thoughts on it.

I voted for him as my player of the season, so I'm probably biased but yes, he's becoming a player who you just can't leave out for long and wherever Cook sticks him, he just gets on with it.
Mandy will be here next season whether we're in this league or the one above and scouts may miss some of the good stuff he does. He may not have vast pace but he has speed of thought and that more than makes up for it. For me, every player who helped us out of the National League is a legend, because it was that important that we got back to the EFL. So yes, a town legend definitely.

[Blue5]

Doreets, on 04 May 2025 - 12:36 PM, said:

Is it finally time to accept Liam Mandeville as a club legend? I don't think there's many arguments against and that last ditch tackle yesterday was up there with Nathan Smith's for me.

Never lets us down no matter which position he gets put in, got a good connection with the fans and just pure longevity.

Maybe I'm just having some recency bias so I'm interested to hear others thoughts on it.

It took Liam a bit of time to get going at the start of the campaign (I put that down to his new rug!) but he's had another superb season despite him being asked to do a job all over the place.

Since Cookie came back to the club, Mandy has grown as a player and so has his personality. Create the right environment and players like Mandy thrive.

Paul Cook has a habit of building squads where all the players get it. Liam gets it. We're lucky to have him, but he'll be the first to tell you that his fortunes changed for the good when Cookie walked back through the door.

To answer your question, he is a club legend because it's rare in the modern game to see players like Mandy clock up so many appearances for one club. The pleasing thing is the vast majority of those appearances have contributed towards a hugely successful period for the club. At 28, you get the feeling he'll be writing a lot more in the CFC history book.

This post has been edited by Blue5: 04 May 2025 - 01:17 PM

[lindo-spireite]

Yes, him and Jamie grimes.

[Lincs Spireite]

Without doubt. Mandy always gives his all. He never hides loves to tackle and is so accurate with his passing rarely gives the ball away, which is a pet topic of mine and rattles my cage. He also contributes with goals which is hard to do from being a right back. He is the most relaxed player in media interviews too. My POTY but also pleased for Dobs.

[dim view]

Blue5, on 04 May 2025 - 01:16 PM, said:

Since Cookie came back to the club, Mandy has grown as a player and so has his personality. Create the right environment and players like Mandy thrive......

....I can't remember whether Rowe got him playing to his full potential as well. Can anybody?

[Spireiteranger]

dim view, on 04 May 2025 - 01:55 PM, said:

....I can't remember whether Rowe got him playing to his full potential as well. Can anybody?

Not really. If you look at his career statistically he underperformed until the playoff season under cookie. Another plus for cook. Got the best out of a player we always knew was there

[Looker-on]

To get on to the "Legends" wall in the Memorial Garden you need (a) to have made 250 league appearances and (b) died.

Liam is nine games short of the first target.

[Johnnyspireite7]

Looker-on, on 04 May 2025 - 02:44 PM, said:

To get on to the "Legends" wall in the Memorial Garden you need (a) to have made 250 league appearances and (b) died.Liam is nine games short of the first target.

The way he got so wankered after the title last season he's lucky it wasn't (b)

This post has been edited by Johnnyspireite7: 04 May 2025 - 02:49 PM

[Zigsuk]

Mandy is a fantastic player at this level and as I’ve said before he was the most comfortable town player against Chelsea. Along with Dobra, and possibly Grigg, he’s our most important player.
However whatever happens in the play offs it’s vital we get a right back (or 2!) next season to release Mandy. The sky commentator acknowledged he wasn’t playing in his natural position but called him a winger which he isn’t, he doesn’t have the pace and rarely goes past people. Although he’s perhaps the best crosser of the ball in the squad I’d like to see him more central on the right where he can be the superb playmaker he is and could get more goals. With Dobra in a similar role on the left we need to build a team around these two, although Dobbs is perhaps more of the wide player. Even at right back Mandy is involved in nearly every positive move, he would be even more effective in his best position.

[Zigsuk]

Lincs Spireite, on 04 May 2025 - 01:44 PM, said:

Without doubt. Mandy always gives his all. He never hides loves to tackle and is so accurate with his passing rarely gives the ball away, which is a pet topic of mine and rattles my cage. He also contributes with goals which is hard to do from being a right back. He is the most relaxed player in media interviews too. My POTY but also pleased for Dobs.

The fact that he rarely gives the ball away will certainly endear him to Cookie. It’s probably the most important attribute he looks for in a player.

[1978blue]

Fantastic all round player is Mandy. Always gives 100% and never lets us down , definitely a Spireite legend for me.

[BeastMode]

100% legend. Undoubtedly in the same bracket as the likes of Drew, Davies, Blathers etc

[Wooden Spoon]

dim view, on 04 May 2025 - 01:55 PM, said:

....I can't remember whether Rowe got him playing to his full potential as well. Can anybody?

He came on as sub against Chelsea and was easily our player most comfortable on the ball. Under Rowe. He was starting to improve as a player even back then.

Zigsuk, on 04 May 2025 - 03:00 PM, said:

The fact that he rarely gives the ball away will certainly endear him to Cookie. It’s probably the most important attribute he looks for in a player.

That and attitude/temperament.

[tomjoad]

Liam takes on the role of "General" held by the vastly underrated Mark Allot.
Top top player is Liam

[Goku]

Yep, CFC legend confirmed. Loving him in the inverted fullback role too, very tactically aware.

[Bonnyman]

I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet , he needs to be in the middle he could run the show

[Jud]

Mandy is the new and improved Drew, and I don't say that lightly.

[Osborne again]

Liam Mandeville plays some roles better than others, but up to now, none poorly. I hope we never need to see him wearing the goalie's gloves, but he'd probably play a blinder.
Mandy would be the first player I gave a contract extension to, as he's worth another four players on top of the twenty two man squad. Right full back, right sided midfielder, left sided midfielder, and the man behind the striker. What a talent to have in the squad.