What players over the years have you always thought could've been great for us but for whatever reason didn't quite make the grade or left too soon? Mine are:
Rooney - no words needed. probably the most naturally talented player an academy in England has ever produced
Manuel Fernandes - don't think I've ever been so excited by a player here since Rooney. Everyone remembers the showboating but he had it all: deceptively strong and fast (beat Andy Johnson to a rebound), unbelievable technique, great range of passing and a rocket of a shot on him. Shame he ditched us that first time cos he just never really pushed on after that.
James Vaughan - unfortunately what made him such a prospect most likely made him a crock with his relentless dynamism and combatitive. Had all the physical tools. For a lad under 6ft I remember him dominating the likes of Terry, Kolo, Mellberg, Zat Knight, Bolton Allardyce grocks and Wes Brown in the air at the back end of 06/07. Smashed his shoulder that pre season when he looked set to be our main target man and after Moyes brought in Yakubu he never really got a proper run in the team again and wasnt able to develop technically after missing so much development from the age of 16 because of injuries.
Andy Van der Meyde - might be some rosy blue tinted specs but he actually was dangerous on the pitch when our squad was so threadbare Moyes had to play him. Despite being a few stone overweight and high as a kite he still had a better delivery than anyone in the squad and had enough guile to get around his man. Had a great start in 05/06 but 3 months on the bench with a groin injury, a merseyside derby red card on his return and his well documented personal problems put him very far back in Moyes's selection plans.
Rooney - no words needed. probably the most naturally talented player an academy in England has ever produced
Manuel Fernandes - don't think I've ever been so excited by a player here since Rooney. Everyone remembers the showboating but he had it all: deceptively strong and fast (beat Andy Johnson to a rebound), unbelievable technique, great range of passing and a rocket of a shot on him. Shame he ditched us that first time cos he just never really pushed on after that.
James Vaughan - unfortunately what made him such a prospect most likely made him a crock with his relentless dynamism and combatitive. Had all the physical tools. For a lad under 6ft I remember him dominating the likes of Terry, Kolo, Mellberg, Zat Knight, Bolton Allardyce grocks and Wes Brown in the air at the back end of 06/07. Smashed his shoulder that pre season when he looked set to be our main target man and after Moyes brought in Yakubu he never really got a proper run in the team again and wasnt able to develop technically after missing so much development from the age of 16 because of injuries.
Andy Van der Meyde - might be some rosy blue tinted specs but he actually was dangerous on the pitch when our squad was so threadbare Moyes had to play him. Despite being a few stone overweight and high as a kite he still had a better delivery than anyone in the squad and had enough guile to get around his man. Had a great start in 05/06 but 3 months on the bench with a groin injury, a merseyside derby red card on his return and his well documented personal problems put him very far back in Moyes's selection plans.
