Zero the Hero

[CountryRoyal]

He was pretty anonymous on his debut, but we then went on a nice unbeaten run iirc.

Not having a great debut doesn't constitute being a "zero", as who would judge anyone on one game?

Oh...

[Pepe the Horseman]

I know. You said you didn't remember his debut. So I reminded you.

[CountryRoyal]

:| I know. You said you didn't remember his debut. So I reminded you.

I wasn't making a dig at you Pepe! My mistake for quoting confusion. As you said yourself we went on a very good run afterwards.

[Nameless]

He was pretty anonymous on his debut, but we then went on a nice unbeaten run iirc.

Isn't there an old legend that says Reading will never be defeated while Leighterwood sleeps under The Dome, or something ?
Or is it until Whitley Wood comes to Shinfield.

[Pepe the Horseman]

:| I know. You said you didn't remember his debut. So I reminded you.

I wasn't making a dig at you Pepe! My mistake for quoting confusion. As you said yourself we went on a very good run afterwards.

I'm just a bit sensitive after the whole Nick Blackman thing.

[ladida_gunner_graham]

Glen Little wasn't amazing on loan, but was outstanding when we signed him permanently

Norwood and Ferdinand, neither were that great until this season.

Hal Robson-Kanu, to a lesser extent - he's actually playing much better this season.

None have really been in the same zero to hero as Blackman. Just goes to show what having the right manager and a run in the side can do for you.

I'd suggest that Shane Long really was in the same category as Blackman. Equally as crap for about the same length of time, and if Blackman continues current form for another couple of months, then fcuks off for a sh1t ton of cash, it's virtually Dave ja vu all over again....

[AbovetheI]

Peter Maté

[paultheroyal]

Agree with all the comments around Murty - he is the headliner linked to thread title.

Not because he was hated, he just was not very good at the start. Some of his play, touches, decisions were atrocious....he then just got it!!

[Ian Royal]

He was pretty anonymous on his debut, but we then went on a nice unbeaten run iirc.

First game or three he looked completely off the pace. We certainly did go on the run and after his warm up games he was immense until he ended up above his level in the PL.

[Whore Jackie]

Not sure many people would grant him hero status, but Mikele Leigertwood's first game was absolutely woeful. Struggling to think of a poorer debut since the halcyon days of Burns et al.

Completely disagree with that. I can't remember his debut when he came in on loan, but he was solid and key to us getting to the play off final in 10/11, and then subsequently promotion in 11/12. He was one of the weaker players in a pretty shit team in the prem but he was immense for one and a half seasons we had him. That'd definitely be in a hero to zero category for me.

Not sure you understand the OP. I'm not questioning Leigertwood's integral part in our promotion. His first game, however, was a shocker and it took him a few more games after that to find his feet. Pepe's anonymous r8ing for his debut is being kind.

[CountryRoyal]

Not sure you understand the OP. I'm not questioning Leigertwood's integral part in our promotion. His first game, however, was a shocker and it took him a few more games after that to find his feet. Pepe's anonymous r8ing for his debut is being kind.

Given the way Mr Blackman's season is unfolding and the fact he is now getting all the plaudits he deserves, and even a chant, it started me thinking have there been any other players on our books who have gone from zero/bit of a scapegoat after a full season or so to being a bit of idol.

No, I think I did.

[72 bus]

Bobby Convey - High fee, absent first season, exceptional second season.

Shane Long - Went a bit shit and fat before McDermott came in and got him playing.

Shaun Cummings - Everyone's scapegoat for a while. Turned it round under Brian

What game was that ?

[harry]

He was pretty anonymous on his debut, but we then went on a nice unbeaten run iirc.

First game or three he looked completely off the pace. We certainly did go on the run and after his warm up games he was immense until he ended up above his level in the PL.

Served him right for his performance against West Ham just before Christmas that kick-started that season then finishing it off with the promotion winning goal versus Forest.

[harry]

Glen Little wasn't amazing on loan, but was outstanding when we signed him permanently

Norwood and Ferdinand, neither were that great until this season.

Hal Robson-Kanu, to a lesser extent - he's actually playing much better this season.

None have really been in the same zero to hero as Blackman. Just goes to show what having the right manager and a run in the side can do for you.

I'd suggest that Shane Long really was in the same category as Blackman. Equally as crap for about the same length of time, and if Blackman continues current form for another couple of months, then fcuks off for a sh1t ton of cash, it's virtually Dave ja vu all over again....

Shane Long wasn't crap. Just another scapegoat.

[harry]

Agree with all the comments around Murty - he is the headliner linked to thread title.

Not because he was hated, he just was not very good at the start. Some of his play, touches, decisions were atrocious....he then just got it!!

Probably around the time they figured out his legs were different lengths and that was knackering his back. Those orthopaedic Predators worked wonders

[harry]

Bobby Convey - High fee, absent first season, exceptional second season.

Shane Long - Went a bit shit and fat before McDermott came in and got him playing.

Shaun Cummings - Everyone's scapegoat for a while. Turned it round under Brian

What game was that ?

How about one of the 34 he played in the last promotion-winning season?

[CountryRoyal]

Cummings was awesome in the second leg of the playoff semi against Cardiff in 10/11 as well.

[MoorgateRoyal]

I think Cummings is a good example.

He looked terrified of the ball under Rodgers, although I thought he had a couple of OK moments in the early games. He was the forgotten man until that great win at Leicester the season after, then he came into the team whenever he was needed and performed superbly.

I thought he was a little bit unfortunate to lose his position to Gunter at the start of the Prem season, and he looked like he could be alright if given a run in the team, which never materialised.

As pointed out before, he was excellent in the win at Cardiff in the play-offs.

[Vision]

Agree with all the comments around Murty - he is the headliner linked to thread title.

Not because he was hated, he just was not very good at the start. Some of his play, touches, decisions were atrocious....he then just got it!!

Probably around the time they figured out his legs were different lengths and that was knackering his back. Those orthopaedic Predators worked wonders

The "wonder" was more of a case that things started to look good for us so he stopped hiding in the physio room with non existent injuries and decided to join the party.

It'll take a lot more than captaining the 106 team and our best ever league position to make up for forcing me to watch Andy Gurney at right back for a season and a half .

[ladida_gunner_graham]

Glen Little wasn't amazing on loan, but was outstanding when we signed him permanently

Norwood and Ferdinand, neither were that great until this season.

Hal Robson-Kanu, to a lesser extent - he's actually playing much better this season.

None have really been in the same zero to hero as Blackman. Just goes to show what having the right manager and a run in the side can do for you.

I'd suggest that Shane Long really was in the same category as Blackman. Equally as crap for about the same length of time, and if Blackman continues current form for another couple of months, then fcuks off for a sh1t ton of cash, it's virtually Dave ja vu all over again....

Shane Long wasn't crap. Just another scapegoat.

It's nothing to do with scapegoating, Long is not being blamed for anything (that's what a scapegoat is). But he take a long time to find his feet, and only had one season in which could be described as effective, after which we sold him. Before that season (2010-11) he'd scored 23 goals in 130. His effort on the pitch bought him a lot of goodwill and time, but his performances were largely not memorable or effective until 2010-11. That's why I compare his time with us to Blackman.