It hasn't escaped everyone's attention that Ian Sampson perhaps enjoyed his finest ever season in the claret and white last year. Derided in the past for his lack of pace (albeit in the shadow of the now-legendary Ray Warburton), the player often referred to as "Sammo the Wonder Horse", grew from a Shetland pony into a champion thoroughbred.

At the top level in football, it is now common for players to play right into their late thirties, as the evergreen performances of Gary McAllister and Teddy Sheringham have proved recently. This can in part be attributed to the influence the foreign coaches have had over dietary specifications. Simplistic, but true, if a player eats and drinks well, he should be able to extend his career by a good few seasons. The days of the Bryan Robson school of "a bottle of Guinness a day" now seem beyond us. Mind you, even with a team of nutritionists at his every beck and call, Mr. Robson could not have helped the long term damage brought about by his myriad injuries.

It has been acknowledged for some time that golkeepers improve with age. This is never more relevant than now, with Nigel Martyn (35) of Leeds and David Seaman (38) of Arsenal, guiding their clubs to top five finishes. Of the other clubs in that section, Manchester United's Fabien Barthez could be described as a novelty; but his talent is in part a result of years of experience in the French leagues. Liverpool's Sander Westerveld has been noted as Liverpool's weakest link, only a sturdy defence sparing him too much embarrasment and over-exposure. One gets the impression Gerard Houllier would much prefer the unflappable Mr. Welch as his regular netminder.

At the other end of the scale, look no further than Manchester City's Nicky Weaver to prove that young goalkeepers simply don't work. They are too rash, too eager, too zealous. Much better to leave it to an elderly gent, who likes a good round of golf or morning on the riverbank as much as an hour and a half of shot stopping. It seems that where there's a rule, however, their is always an exception. Rene Higuita was long into his thirties when he was disposessed by a Cameroon striker in that now-classic group game at the Italy 1990 World Cup.

The theory being proposed within this argument is thus. Players now can extend their careers through eating better food, drinking less Guinness, and training properly. Goalkeepers, the last line of defence, are now becoming more valuable to their teams because of their experience and "cool heads". It should therefore follow that central defenders are now rated in terms of their experience in the same way as goalkeepers. Rio Ferdinand is a fantastic player, but give me Tony Adams any day.

So this is where our old friend Ian Sampson comes in. Playing his best football ever, he could be seen as the living embodiment of this fine theory. He has become more considered, more skilfull and more willing to pass the ball out along the floor. He has aged well. Like a fine wine.