Stefan Schwarz - your memories

[SteveO 35]

I should point out I'm not an Arsenal fan, I'm actually a Hammer. Feel free to abuse me for this!

schwarz was a decent player, more technically gifted than the other plums running about our midfield back in the day. scored a quality goal v sampdoria, which isn't remembered as much as it should be, because it's one of our best goals in europe.

but at the end of the day, he was nothing special really. not that comparable to vladdy, because vladdy was a more attacking player, but a lightweight on the ball who would disapear for games, after producing the odd masterclass performance. stefan was more of a steady eddie bloke. a bit of an arteta if you will

That's how I remember him - better than the assembly of midfield robots that GG seemed hellbent on acquiring at the time with a decent left peg, but paceless and limited. He would up there with Ian Allinson in my memories - distinctly average but scored the odd very important goal

[VoiceOfReason]

Always thought he was the 90s version of Arshavin. Very skilful and talented player, but only seemed to turn up when he fancied it and his workrate was very questionable.

As others have already said, he was definitely a step-up from the existing midfield at the time, and will most likely be remembered for his last-ditch goal at Sampdoria that helped us get through to the ECWC Final in 1995.

I got the sense that he felt he was too big for the club, and the majority of his performances towards the end of the season were so blasé that I wasn't remotely bothered when he left. Especially given the fact that we finished 12th, and that we signed Bergkamp and Platt shortly after his departure.

Overall, I still liked him, but the fact that he ended up at Sunderland shortly after he left us proved that he wasn't quite as good as he thought he was.

[QuartzGooner]

Started really well, excellent work rate and hard tackler.

But faded after a few months.

His end of season form meant I was not bothered when he left.

[StuartL]

Always thought he was the 90s version of Arshavin. Very skilful and talented player, but only seemed to turn up when he fancied it and his workrate was very questionable.

As others have already said, he was definitely a step-up from the existing midfield at the time, and will most likely be remembered for his last-ditch goal at Sampdoria that helped us get through to the ECWC Final in 1995.

I got the sense that he felt he was too big for the club, and the majority of his performances towards the end of the season were so blasé that I wasn't remotely bothered when he left. Especially given the fact that we finished 12th, and that we signed Bergkamp and Platt shortly after his departure.

Overall, I still liked him, but the fact that he ended up at Sunderland shortly after he left us proved that he wasn't quite as good as he thought he was.

A very good assessment VofR.

[Clash]

Schwarz's one season (94/95) is probably my least favourite of the Highbury years so I don't have particularly fond memories of him. Probably a better player than he showed us he was but its a season I try to forget.

I do remember Schwarz' hitting the post with a cracking shot in his first appearance in the Makita tournament at Highbury but in terms of what it lead to, it turned out to be almost as misleading at John Jensen's goal for Denmark in Euro 92.

[Herd]

I liked him and was sorry when he left , I was in Genoa when scored and we nearly scaled the fences over to him , he came right to us to celebrate .
As DB said a large eyebrow raised when he went to Italy then Sunderland because of the reason given !

That trip to Genoa was a magical week which was topped off on the Saturday night when we saw Dave Platt in the restaurent in Quintero just outside Genoa .
My mate asked him if he would ever consider playing for Arsenal and he said you must be Joking !

Next season he was with us !

[safcftm]

Stefan Schwarz, legend. Fucking mint player and still to this day the only player I have ever known to require a contract which forbid him from going into space (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/footba ... 410156.stm)

[Theoperator]

Stefan Schwarz, legend. Fucking mint player and still to this day the only player I have ever known to require a contract which forbid him from going into space (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/footba ... 410156.stm)

As opposed to some of our present team who are it could be argued a waste of space

[safcftm]

Stefan Schwarz, legend. Fucking mint player and still to this day the only player I have ever known to require a contract which forbid him from going into space (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/footba ... 410156.stm)

As opposed to some of our present team who are it could be argued a waste of space

don't know you're born mate, it's nearly October and sunderland have currently, all season in the league, spent 3 minutes in the lead. That was at villa. In those 3 minutes we spent a minute celebrating and running back to our half of the pitch, then the game kicked off, we gave away a penalty after another minute and a further minute later they equalised, Carlsberg don't do shite, we've already sown up the market

[DB10GOONER]

Stefan Schwarz, legend. Fucking mint player and still to this day the only player I have ever known to require a contract which forbid him from going into space (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/footba ... 410156.stm)

As opposed to some of our present team who are it could be argued a waste of space

don't know you're born mate, it's nearly October and sunderland have currently, all season in the league, spent 3 minutes in the lead. That was at villa. In those 3 minutes we spent a minute celebrating and running back to our half of the pitch, then the game kicked off, we gave away a penalty after another minute and a further minute later they equalised, Carlsberg don't do shite, we've already sown up the market

That's because you are a shit small club, mate. ONLY KIDDING!

I think if we were charged your ticket prices and our manager and players earned something more in line with what your lads earn then most of us could accept (not like, but accept) our current malaise. But (I think) top ticket prices entitle our fans to have aspirations and expect better than we've received. Particularly if you've been moved out of your beautiful traditional home and dumped into a generic soulless LEGO bowl stadium on the promise it would lead to competing with Europe's elite.

Y'know, I never had a problem back in the 80's and 90's with our often underperforming seasons. But of course in those days I could just write to the box office, enclose a PO for a few quid and a list of games and they'd post me the tickets. Also there were no underperforming mercenary millionaires in pink boots on the pitch to annoy me.

Great days.

[Clash]

I think if we were charged your ticket prices and our manager and players earned something more in line with what your lads earn then most of us could accept (not like, but accept) our current malaise. But (I think) top ticket prices entitle our fans to have aspirations and expect better than we've received. Particularly if you've been moved out of your beautiful traditional home and dumped into a generic soulless LEGO bowl stadium on the promise it would lead to competing with Europe's elite.

Y'know, I never had a problem back in the 80's and 90's with our often underperforming seasons. But of course in those days I could just write to the box office, enclose a PO for a few quid and a list of games and they'd post me the tickets. Also there were no underperforming mercenary millionaires in pink boots on the pitch to annoy me.

Great days.

Yep great days ... and great post !

[safcftm]

Stefan Schwarz, legend. Fucking mint player and still to this day the only player I have ever known to require a contract which forbid him from going into space (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/footba ... 410156.stm)

As opposed to some of our present team who are it could be argued a waste of space

don't know you're born mate, it's nearly October and sunderland have currently, all season in the league, spent 3 minutes in the lead. That was at villa. In those 3 minutes we spent a minute celebrating and running back to our half of the pitch, then the game kicked off, we gave away a penalty after another minute and a further minute later they equalised, Carlsberg don't do shite, we've already sown up the market

That's because you are a shit small club, mate. ONLY KIDDING!

I think if we were charged your ticket prices and our manager and players earned something more in line with what your lads earn then most of us could accept (not like, but accept) our current malaise. But (I think) top ticket prices entitle our fans to have aspirations and expect better than we've received. Particularly if you've been moved out of your beautiful traditional home and dumped into a generic soulless LEGO bowl stadium on the promise it would lead to competing with Europe's elite.

Y'know, I never had a problem back in the 80's and 90's with our often underperforming seasons. But of course in those days I could just write to the box office, enclose a PO for a few quid and a list of games and they'd post me the tickets. Also there were no underperforming mercenary millionaires in pink boots on the pitch to annoy me.

Great days.

Oh aye, I'm only playing! I agree that the arsenal fans have every right to feel short changed, when clubs want to charge a fortune for tickets people naturally expect a return, with arsenal charging the highest prices going it's a disgrace that so little is invested. Mind you mention wages, as of July 2014 sunderland had the 8th highest wage bill in the premier league http://www.theguardian.com/football/201 ... ub-by-club So I think we're also entitled to feel that our gutless twats are streaming a very good living. 8th highest wage bill ffs, we're constantly shite and only seven squads get paid more!

[safcftm]

Double post! Arsenal are 4th on the wage bill list apparently

[arseofacrow]

Generally liked him as a player.

If I remember rightly, he played for Befica against us in 91 European Cup. Even though we had some great chances, they pulled us apart at pace and won with a couple of quality goals in the end.

Was at the aformentioned Everton game and loved that goal - although from the bottom tier of the everton away end it always difficult to tell exactly what's going on

Very good player who didn't strain himself very much but at the wrong time for us.

[DB10GOONER]

Stefan Schwarz, legend. Fucking mint player and still to this day the only player I have ever known to require a contract which forbid him from going into space (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/footba ... 410156.stm)

As opposed to some of our present team who are it could be argued a waste of space

don't know you're born mate, it's nearly October and sunderland have currently, all season in the league, spent 3 minutes in the lead. That was at villa. In those 3 minutes we spent a minute celebrating and running back to our half of the pitch, then the game kicked off, we gave away a penalty after another minute and a further minute later they equalised, Carlsberg don't do shite, we've already sown up the market

That's because you are a shit small club, mate. ONLY KIDDING!

I think if we were charged your ticket prices and our manager and players earned something more in line with what your lads earn then most of us could accept (not like, but accept) our current malaise. But (I think) top ticket prices entitle our fans to have aspirations and expect better than we've received. Particularly if you've been moved out of your beautiful traditional home and dumped into a generic soulless LEGO bowl stadium on the promise it would lead to competing with Europe's elite.

Y'know, I never had a problem back in the 80's and 90's with our often underperforming seasons. But of course in those days I could just write to the box office, enclose a PO for a few quid and a list of games and they'd post me the tickets. Also there were no underperforming mercenary millionaires in pink boots on the pitch to annoy me.

Great days.

Oh aye, I'm only playing! I agree that the arsenal fans have every right to feel short changed, when clubs want to charge a fortune for tickets people naturally expect a return, with arsenal charging the highest prices going it's a disgrace that so little is invested. Mind you mention wages, as of July 2014 sunderland had the 8th highest wage bill in the premier league http://www.theguardian.com/football/201 ... ub-by-club So I think we're also entitled to feel that our gutless twats are streaming a very good living. 8th highest wage bill ffs, we're constantly shite and only seven squads get paid more!

I know, mate!

Interesting that the Mackem wage bill is so high. Is it a big squad or just over-paid players?