Although Chris Solly isn't strictly a signing, having seen him a few times last season I never thought he was going to be the player he is today. I get the feeling Arsenal could have picked the wrong right back when they took Jenkinson instead of Solly (although I say this in praise of Solly rather than detract from Jenkinson)
My mate shouted at him from South Stand as he dribbled the ball out for a goal kick - 'you are not good enough to wear white boots' He was back in black boots a couple of games later and became a massive player for us.
I thought that bwp was going to be trouble too, injury prone and nicking people's pocket watches etc. But I don't know what on earth we would do without him now
When we were at West Ham Garry Nelson seemed to miss loads of 'sitters' and I used to wish he wasn't in the team but went on to be a very solid player for us.
Of the current team, like MortimerwasGod says, Wiggins lacked confidence at first and I wondered if he was over-rated. Now he is our star.
Lawrie Madden and Mark Aizelwood (late '70s and early/mid '80s respectiveley). I wasn't alone in thinking they weren't for us and they both took a good deal of stick from the crowd. But both of them got their heads down and worked at their game and became respected members of the teams they played in.
I really felt Ok with every one of SCP's signings. didnt know much about some of them but they felt 'right' whereas most of Dowie's for example and a lot of Pardew's felt dead wrong.
When I saw them live for the first time this season against Sheff wed, I though Wiggins looked the weakest of the newbies, but having watched the Carlisle highlights - bloody hell, he's a player.
I'd seen Graham Stuart play for Sheff Utd and thought he was well past it, think I labelled him a Dinosaur online somewhere when we signed him. Naturally he turned out to be one of Curbs best signings - Andy Todd was another one I had doubts about, he was great for us until he set about Deano in training.
At least Djimi Traore was a self fulfilling prophecy :-)
Mike Flanagan was pretty pony when he first joined us. After a couple of dozen games he just started getting better, and as they say the rest is history
Must say, wasn't particularly impressed by Kermorgant's siding but I trusted SCP genius. And right I was to do so too! Other than that, i've barely worried about any of the signings. I feel this is the best built Charlton side i have ever seen (Remember im only 18 and have a terrible memory :P )
Darren Bent, went to the Welling friendly in 2005 with a West Ham fan who had seen Bent in the play offs at Ipswich, he said Bent was lazy and unimpressive. Bent missed a couple of chances at Welling and stupidly I believed him.
Matt Holland - I just thought that there was no way that Mr Ipswich would do it for us. I rated him but I thought he was coming to us just to get back into the Prem. How wrong was I - an absolute pro for us.
Harry Cripps. Old, slow, a Millwall legend, injuries catching up with him, what possible use could he be to us? Well, his inspirational handful of appearances and goals made promotion back to the second division in '74/'75 not only possible but certain in that great last game of the season v. Preston. Sorry I ever doubted you, 'Arry.
If we are going back a long way - Terry Naylor and Don McAllister turned out to be a lot better than I expected. Paul Miller too later down the line, keeping with the Totenham connection.
Matt Holland - I just thought that there was no way that Mr Ipswich would do it for us. I rated him but I thought he was coming to us just to get back into the Prem. How wrong was I - an absolute pro for us.
Comments
Gosh, this pie is good!
Jason Euell - first half dozen games were woeful.
My mate shouted at him from South Stand as he dribbled the ball out for a goal kick - 'you are not good enough to wear white boots' He was back in black boots a couple of games later and became a massive player for us.
Then I read Gary Nelson's book and realised that Gritty is slightly bonkers. (In the most loveable and endearing way, I hasten to add!)
BWP, Luke Young, Deon Burton, Kermogant.
At least Djimi Traore was a self fulfilling prophecy :-)
After watching this i thought great, another striker who is incapable of putting the ball in the back of the net.
http://youtu.be/Iad3gV-9C1U
Darren Bent, went to the Welling friendly in 2005 with a West Ham fan who had seen Bent in the play offs at Ipswich, he said Bent was lazy and unimpressive. Bent missed a couple of chances at Welling and stupidly I believed him.
Very happy to be proved wrong.
Nicky Bailey: Thought he was very average. By the end of his time here, absolutely loved him and I'm shocked he's not ripped up the Championship.