Players who took a while to settle...

[Moomin]

Southall.

Was going to say him.

 

[blueblueskies]

Think he joined a game before didn’t he

I was going to say the same. No transfer window in those days

 

[Librarian]

Think he joined a game before didn’t he

No, played 6 without scoring and got arrested for drink driving

 

[BlueStevie35]

Fellainis game against man city where he did the priolette stands out as one of the best performances I’ve seen in a blue shirt

His performance against United the opening game of 2011/12 was even better, capped by the bullet header he scored at the Street End to win it

 

[Drico]

The problem with the concept of "taking a while to settle" is that a huge proportion of players in that category go on to graduate into the "never managed to settle" category.

If there is one thing this club needs more than all else, it's a player who comes in and is an instant hit. Call it the Duncan Ferguson effect, if you like. But we so badly need somebody to grab us by the collar and drag us up the table pronto.

It's so rare that we sign a player that hits the ground running and, sadly, all too common that those who struggle at the start never really turn into anything that was worth buying in the first place.

 

[Librarian]

His loan only started in October though.

Played against Portsmouth, Coventry, Palace, Arsenal, West Ham, Norwich scored nothing and was pretty ineffective before getting arrested for Drunk Driving.

… then scores against Liverpool which changed everything.

 

[Trublue12]

Sharp looked nothing much till Eastoe played with him, different player afterwards.

He wasn't first choice for the 84 cup final. But injuries, meant Kendall played him with Heath and Gray. The rest is history.

 

[Aberblue]

Craig Short had a terrible debut but became a good solid centre back.

 

[trueblue84]

Per Kroldrup

 

[peteblue]

Staggering isn’t it. Players taking time to settle, who’d have thought it…..

 

[irishtony1878]

Southall.
We sent him out on loan.

 

[IrishBlue2022]

Wasn't it more that Lescott was doing quite well in the LB role?

Possibly. I think Moyes had a tendency to ease fullbacks in on the wing if he could. If i am correct, may not be, he did this with Seamus and Baines to a lesser degree.

 

[Tony’s Carp]

I think unless you’re signing veteran guys who know their craft inside out like Tarkowski or Coady most guys are going to take a good while to settle. It’s why Chelsea and United are splashing mega money at guys like Koulibaly and Casemiro the wrong side of 30 in positions they just need sorting right away.

Looking at some of the great names in this thread that took a while to get going it’s always been the case, and we’ve generally been quite good at being patient. What’s probably changed now is that we are so desperate for this squad to improve that we’re praying for someone like McNeill or Onana to come in and turn things round instantly.

It sometimes works that way but it’s certainly not the norm and if we have another poor season it will be the fault of a lot of others on and off the pitch more than the fault of the new guys, so (wishful thinking) hopefully we won’t be on any new player’s back too quickly. We’ve seen what a bit of support and confidence has done for Iwobi.

 

[bluesb1970]

Staggering isn’t it. Players taking time to settle, who’d have thought it…..

I know! No patience whatsoever. There were even fans shouting at Cottee to get a wriggle on….

 

[flibbyflob]

Rideout stank the place out for ages before becoming an acceptable player.