VIV Anderson still believes Sheffield United made a big mistake by parting company with Bryan Robson.
He also insists that Brian Clough was a better manager than Sir Alex Ferguson - and has recalled the days when Mark Robins used to shine his shoes!
The former Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, Manchester United and England defender handed out some forthright views in a video interview on thestar.co.uk website.
Anderson remains a fan of Robson after being head-hunted by the ex-England skipper in 1994 for a position as his assistant manager at Middlesbrough.
Anderson feels Kevin Blackwell's predecessor deserved better than such a short term at Bramall Lane.
"Eight months is a short period and I don't think any management can turn it round in such a short space of time," he said.
"You want your own players in. He bought (James) Beattie and that was a great coup for them; he scored a few goals.
"I think maybe he didn't get on with the chairman for whatever reason. It's a shame, he was a decent manager."
Anderson, who attended a McDonald's-sponsored football festival for kids in Dronfield last week, said he had fond memories of captaining Wednesday.
"I had a great time there, we played some good football ... went to Europe," he recalled.
He said it was only after he left Hillsborough that he fully recognised the quality of players that he had played with.
Now he hopes a Hills-borough takeover can be speeded up off the pitch, adding: "It's a fantastic club. And If I had a few bob I'd buy it."
Anderson's short career as player-manager at Barnsley also left him with great memories.
He said the only reason he left was that Robson and Boro chairman Steve Gibson had wanted him to be a part of a new footballing dynasty.
He said the Barnsley experience "started badly, ended up mid-table, and I was looking forward to the next year.
"Then they (Robson and Gibson) came along with something for the future," he added.
Anderson was Ferguson's first signing at Old Trafford, but he rates two-time Nottingham Forest European Cup winner the late Brian Clough as the top boss he's played for.
"Cloughie was a better manager,, his man-management was second to none," he said. "Cloughie? He was God."
Anderson also recalled his time with Rotherham boss Robins, a one-time teammate at Man United.
"He roomed with me once; he had to get my smoking jacket out and clean my shoes," he said.
"He will remember me!"
CLICK ON THE GREEN PLAY BUTTON ABOVE TO SEE THE VIV ANDERSON INTERVIEWWhat do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Blades Watch 08-09 - The Season So FarOwls Watch 08-09 - The Season So FarWatch Premiership highlights, international football, golf, tennis, darts and much moreFootball headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 514 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
