Thought they'd be the best but weren't!

[Grecian2000]

As Lee Hendrie has reared his ugly head on another thread, here's a related question for anyone who can be bothered.

Which signing have you looked at and thought "This is the one" but it turned into the biggest dissapointment? Go back as far as you like.

It was Hendrie that brought this to mind because that's the last one that I really got excited about only to have it crash and burn but my all time let down:

Jimmy Johnstone.
The Scottish George Best and a European Cup Winner (when it meant something) who was as close to World Class as Scotland has ever produced.
He was getting on when we signed him but anything like his form for Celtic and he would have been a tremendous signing.
Sadly he was truly awful and didn't show anything at all. Oh, what might have been.

 

[FleaPitBlade]

I remember the signing of Barry Hayles being touted as the catalyst for certain promotion....

 

[sheffielder]

There was a lad who was the next Michael Brown. Well Michael's replacement was already at the club.. What was his name again

 

[SotonBlade]

I remember the signing of Barry Hayles being touted as the catalyst for certain promotion....

that was my first thought as well, before he sodded off just after pre-season

 

[raul]

I was going with Hayles Tickler, but as you've got in first I'll go with Bruno Ribeiro.

Jimmy Johnstone.
The Scottish George Best and a European Cup Winner (when it meant something) who was as close to World Class as Scotland has ever produced.
He was getting on when we signed him but anything like his form for Celtic and he would have been a tremendous signing.
Sadly he was truly awful and didn't show anything at all. Oh, what might have been.

Not Fordy then?

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

John Ebbrell

 

[Sothall_Blade]

As Lee Hendrie has reared his ugly head on another thread, here's a related question for anyone who can be bothered.

Which signing have you looked at and thought "This is the one" but it turned into the biggest dissapointment? Go back as far as you like.

It was Hendrie that brought this to mind because that's the last one that I really got excited about only to have it crash and burn but my all time let down:

Jimmy Johnstone.
The Scottish George Best and a European Cup Winner (when it meant something) who was as close to World Class as Scotland has ever produced.
He was getting on when we signed him but anything like his form for Celtic and he would have been a tremendous signing.
Sadly he was truly awful and didn't show anything at all. Oh, what might have been.

Good idea for a thread Grecian. I remember being thrilled that we'd spent relatively "big" money on Richard Cadette and then him being clearly out of his depth in the higher league. Also Alan Young, Phil Thompson, Peter Withe, Ian Rush, John Ebbrell, Clive Mendonca (twice), Wille Falconer, Axel Smeets, Billy Sharp, Jean Calve.

 

[BladeInThatcham]

Leon Britton, Kevin Harper.................................Luke Beckett ;-)

 

[Maidenhead]

Good idea for a thread Grecian. I remember being thrilled that we'd spent relatively "big" money on Richard Cadette and then him being clearly out of his depth in the higher league. Also Alan Young, Phil Thompson, Peter Withe, Ian Rush, John Ebbrell, Clive Mendonca (twice), Wille Falconer, Axel Smeets, Billy Sharp, Jean Calve.

Spot on but I would probably add Steve Finnieston to the list

 

[JohnDenver]

Jostein Flo. The alleged Deane replacement.

 

[broomhillblade]

Jostein Flo. The alleged Deane replacement.

I thought there was something odd when Bassett admitted "He's not a natural goalscorer" (although he did ok for Norway). He was apparently a lumberjack before becoming a pro footballer.

I met him a few times. Nice bloke.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I thought there was something odd when Bassett admitted "He's not a natural goalscorer" (although he did ok for Norway). He was apparently a lumberjack before becoming a pro footballer.

I met him a few times. Nice bloke.

One of the few players to have a football tactic named after him?

 

[JohnDenver]

I thought there was something odd when Bassett admitted "He's not a natural goalscorer" (although he did ok for Norway). He was apparently a lumberjack before becoming a pro footballer.

I met him a few times. Nice bloke.

Nothing against Flo - it's just that we all knew the sort of player we need to stay up sans Deano. He didn't stand a chance.

I'd add another name... Steve Simmonsen. We'd be in considerably less trouble if he'd met expectations.

 

[Guesty]

One of the few players to have a football tactic named after him?

I've often thought that about Flo. There's not many players who can claim that!

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Chris Guthrie

Peter Heatherston (The new TC)

Len De Gooey

Ian Hamilton

Willie Falconer

Now I'm getting depressed so I'll stop!

 

[Mad Mick]

Martin Peters

 

[TAMUS]

Peter Dornan

 

[JJ Sefton]

Brian Howard.

 

[Wobbly Blade]

Richard Cadette
Ched

 

[TAMUS]

Give over Cheds been MOM last 4 games .

 

[Pinchy]

Don Hutchison
Brian Howard
James Harper

 

[Silverware]

David White
Mike Lake
Sun Jihai

We seem to have developed a bit of a tradition with ex man city players. Hope its changing

 

[Revolution]

Clive Mendonca 2nd time round, Billy Sharp 2nd time round - both for obvious reasons

Vinnie Jones - 700 grand for a long throw and a lot of standing around.

 

[raul]

Clive Mendonca 2nd time round, Billy Sharp 2nd time round - both for obvious reasons

.

We didn't play to their strengths?

 

[beightonblade]

McHe'sTheBestWe'veHad wins hands down !

 

[Revolution]

We didn't play to their strengths?

Sharp's strengths when he played for us appeared to consist of falling over and running offside. I accept the system may not have been ideal for him, but even taking that into account his record in United colours was pathetic.

Mendonca didn't get much of a chance either time, but the second time he looked overmatched, which was disappointing, because he had looked the part in a bad side in 1988.

 

[Sensiblade]

Laurent D'jaffo

 

[CG Blade]

Terry Garbutt (sp)

 

[Grecian2000]

Can't believe we've got half way down page 2 and Ian Rush hasn't got a mention.

Terry Garbutt???? Surely that's a name for the "Thought they'd be shit and they more than lived up to expectation" thread next time we have a gameless week-end.
PS. To be fair to Terry he is the only player I've ever seen booked before the game has even started so he isn't all bad. Anyone else remember that?

 

[Revolution]

Can't believe we've got half way down page 2 and Ian Rush hasn't got a mention.

What possible reason would anyone have had to think he'd be any good by that point in his career?

(Having said that, some people seem to rate the Marcus Bent signing...)