The worst signings of '06-'07

[Springbok FC]

Just putting this out there for fodder...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=428526&root=england&cc=5901

It's an interesting, if not enjoyable, list. Paletta actually makes an appearance at #7 and, frankly, I'd have to say that up and down he's been our worst player when he's been on the pitch. But he's young yet and will grow with experience.

Shocking that our old friend Traore wasn't tops on this list (he's #5), but check out who #1 and #2 are :D

[el-capitano]

At least we only spent $2 million to get one player on the list.

Jose spent $38 million on three players on the list, which included a free Ballack (but it must be added he's on $325,000 Australian dollars a week)

note to self- must tell mum & dad off for not pushing me into playing soccer earlier- $300,000 thousand a week- thats ridiculous- how about I just become a squad player for $5,000 a week- that'd do me :D !!

[ForeverRed]

Thats a dumb list.

Ballack plays in a system that pretty much disables him. I'm surprised he even made himself effective in it. He has had some vital performances for them in the second half of the season.

Huth has been injured most of the season as well, can't really call that a bad transfer. Who can predict injuries?

Paletta is a youngster for the future, it's not like we expected him to step in for Carra in big European games.

[AussieLFCfan]

I bet Mascherano would be the only playr to feature in the best and worst 10 signings of the year!

I'd say top 3 ( as an LFC signing )

:D

[ForeverRed]

Is there a best signings list?

If not, here is mine.

1. Berbatov - can't really argue against 20+ goals in all competitions. On top of that he brings a totally new dimension to their game and does a lot more than score goals. In one season he's become one of the best strikers in Europe.

2. Mascherano - What a story, from cellar dwellers to European hero! Masch hasn't had one bad game for us since he's come over. He is as solid as solid can get.

3. Carrick - he's been important to Manchester and allowed a more free flowing attacking style thats gotten them the title and to the semi final.

4. McCarthey - who would have thought? I'd never think theyd get a better replacement for Bellamy than that but he's adapted perfectly to the league and has scored a ton of goals for Rovers.

5. Kuyt - that type of workrate is priceless. He's not a massive goalscorer but he does so much work off the ball and runs non stop for 90 minutes.

6. Anelka - Bolton's top goalscorer, Big Sam revitalized his career.

7. Martens - the task of replacing Alan Shearer is impossible but I think Newcastle have found the best option out there. He's been one of their best players and a terrific goalscorer. He's got pace, strength and loads of ability.

8. Johnson - He had a fantastic first half of the season for Everton, a bit more quiet in the second half but I never thought Johnson would continue to perform after Crystal Palace's stint in the Premier League

9. Pennant - ok so he's had a very slow start but he's really gotten going and has been one of our best players since that 2-0 against Chelsea. He seems to be growing in confidence and getting better and better with every game.

10. Woodgate - even though he was taken on loan, he's signed with Boro now and really has had a fantastic season. After his horrific time in Spain, he's really gotten back to his old form.

Others:

- Tevez: much like Mascherano if West Ham are able to avoid the drop

I would have also mentioned Vidic and Agger because they're both having great seasons but they were both signed in the January transfer window last year but didn't get to play much until this season.

[Samarkand]

Just putting this out there for fodder...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=428526&root=england&cc=5901

It's an interesting, if not enjoyable, list. Paletta actually makes an appearance at #7 and, frankly, I'd have to say that up and down he's been our worst player when he's been on the pitch. But he's young yet and will grow with experience.

Shocking that our old friend Traore wasn't tops on this list (he's #5), but check out who #1 and #2 are :DFWIW, I met Phil Neal this season and he said he doesn't think Paletta has what it takes. Now whether that means Paletta is one of the 10 worst signings of the season is another story......

[Springbok FC]

Thats a dumb list.

Ballack plays in a system that pretty much disables him. I'm surprised he even made himself effective in it.

You're positive that wasn't a bad signing?

Its easy to pick on Paletta because he is, well, not very good at all. But for a team such as ourselves that was expected to contend for the title, we could have done better. Just sayin'...

[Springbok FC]

FWIW, I met Phil Neal this season and he said he doesn't think Paletta has what it takes.

That was an excellent podcast, by the way.

[revelationx]

The worst signings of this season have to be Tevez and Mascherano for West Ham. These signings have been widely claimed to have caused such disruption to the squad that West Ham have been relegation fodder all season. Plus West Ham were fined £5.5 million due to the rule-breaking nature of the deal and admitted that they deceived the Premiership regarding the nature of the deals. They will likely be sued if they stay up by several clubs. Plus Liverpool paid £1.5 million (and not to West Ham) for an 18 months loan deal for Mascherano who played less than 6 games for the Hammers. West Ham did not really see any benefit from signing Mascherano. Tevez has played well recently but this has perhaps come too late to avoid relegation. If Tevez moves on next season will West Ham get any of the transfer fee? I don't know but perhaps not.

These two signings have to go down as the worst handled signings. Those who made the signings have been shown to be either incompetent and negligent or dishonest. West Ham have been made a laughing stock and have had their good name ruined. By avoiding a points deduction this affair has perhaps permanently soured their relationship with Wigan, Fulham and Sheffield United. West Ham look like a bunch of crooks or idiots due to these two signings. The Premier League look like a bunch of sentimental and impotent fools by not imposing a points deduction for the rule breaking.

Sheva and Ballack may have massively failed to meet expectations but those signings have not made Chelsea look like crooks. :rolleyes:

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

The worst signings of this season have to be Tevez and Mascherano for West Ham. These signings have been widely claimed to have caused such disruption to the squad that West Ham have been relegation fodder all season. Plus West Ham were fined £5.5 million due to the rule-breaking nature of the deal and admitted that they deceived the Premiership regarding the nature of the deals. They will likely be sued if they stay up by several clubs. Plus Liverpool paid £1.5 million (and not to West Ham) for an 18 months loan deal for Mascherano who played less than 6 games for the Hammers. West Ham did not really see any benefit from signing Mascherano. Tevez has played well recently but this has perhaps come too late to avoid relegation. If Tevez moves on next season will West Ham get any of the transfer fee? I don't know but perhaps not.

These two signings have to go down as the worst handled signings. Those who made the signings have been shown to be either incompetent and negligent or dishonest. West Ham have been made a laughing stock and have had their good name ruined. By avoiding a points deduction this affair has perhaps permanently soured their relationship with Wigan, Fulham and Sheffield United. West Ham look like a bunch of crooks or idiots due to these two signings. The Premier League look like a bunch of sentimental and impotent fools by not imposing a points deduction for the rule breaking.

Sheva and Ballack may have massively failed to meet expectations but those signings have not made Chelsea look like crooks. :rolleyes:

I agree with you there, West Ham looks real bad and real stupid after all the transfer dealings are said and done. However, Tevez, like you said, has played well recently. He is the reason they are not relegated already.

[Red Bird]

I agree with you there, West Ham looks real bad and real stupid after all the transfer dealings are said and done.

Especially, given that Quashie was/seemed to be preferred to Mascherano. It has to be a large blemish on the two managers' reputation that they can't (couldn't) handle world-class players.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Author of the ten worst signings just released ten best signings (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=430178&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&cc=5901)...

10. Michael Carrick
9. Jonathan Woodgate
8. Javier Mascherano
7. Kanu
6. David James
5. Christopher Samba
4. Joleon Lescott
3. Carlos Tevez
2. Benni McCarthy
1. Dimitar Berbatov

He talks about Masch as a good signing by us and not by West Ham. But how can Samba and Lescott be ahead of Mascherano as better signings?

[ForeverRed]

Author of the ten worst signings just released ten best signings (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=430178&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&cc=5901)...

10. Michael Carrick
9. Jonathan Woodgate
8. Javier Mascherano
7. Kanu
6. David James
5. Christopher Samba
4. Joleon Lescott
3. Carlos Tevez
2. Benni McCarthy
1. Dimitar Berbatov

He talks about Masch as a good signing by us and not by West Ham. But how can Samba and Lescott be ahead of Mascherano as better signings?

I am no Everton fan but I gotta admit, Lescott has been very big for them this season. Mascherano is probably low on the list because he's only been with us half of the season. I don't know why Samba is ahead of James or Carrick though.

[Springbok FC]

Carrick should probably be in the top five, not only for his contribution to ManUre, but for how devastating a loss it in production it was for Spurs.