Dean Ashton

[FiNeRaIn]

We've never replaced alan shearer and he was the msot similar striker to that England has seen since shearer retired. Had big hopes for ashton and its a real shame.

[(.)Boobies(.)]

We've never replaced alan shearer and he was the msot similar striker to that England has seen since shearer retired. Had big hopes for ashton and its a real shame.

Not even in the same league. Shearer was as natural a goal scorer you'll ever find; Ashton was not. Ashton though was a strong player, could hold the ball up, and weigh in with 10-15 a season if he remained fit. Shearer, double that

[Thomas L'Heureux]

We've never replaced alan shearer and he was the msot similar striker to that England has seen since shearer retired. Had big hopes for ashton and its a real shame.

Not even in the same league. Shearer was as natural a goal scorer you'll ever find; Ashton was not. Ashton though was a strong player, could hold the ball up, and weigh in with 10-15 a season if he remained fit. Shearer, double that

Agree wholeheartedly. Shearer is one of the best forwards England have ever produced, and whilst Ashton is (or was) an undoubtedly talented player, he's got nothing on big Al, the elbow-wielding geordie.

It will be a long, long time before another Alan Shearer comes along. Natutal goalscorers like that are so few and far between and I think it's a bit narrow-minded to declare that Ashton could've filled even one of Shearer's boots, let alone both of them.

[rhroyal]

I always thought Ashton had more in common with Sheringham than Shearer. The intelligence, the ability to drop deep and play other players in.

[FiNeRaIn]

I said he was the most similar to shearer, not that he was in the same class. Less prolific, but we'll never know how that ratio would have ended up, he was 23 when he started getting his injuries.

[Big Foot]

Yep, more along the lines of powerful.

Which Peter Crouch is?!

He looks twiggy due to his height but how often do you see Crouch shoved off the ball easily? Crouch is a vastly under-rated player.

[Arnie_Pie]

Yep, more along the lines of powerful.

Which Peter Crouch is?!

He looks twiggy due to his height but how often do you see Crouch shoved off the ball easily? Crouch is a vastly under-rated player.

I agree with that. Very much underrated player. For someone of his stature he is pretty solid.

[Big Foot]

Ashton's adjustment to score that scissor kick at OT the other year shows you he did have that natural goalscoring attribute. Think his game was similar to Shearer's but goes without saying to say he was nowhere near his class.

[FiNeRaIn]

Ashton's adjustment to score that scissor kick at OT the other year shows you he did have that natural goalscoring attribute. Think his game was similar to Shearer's but goes without saying to say he was nowhere near his class.

+1

He never played for a top club in any division, considering that his scoring record was quality.

[Thomas L'Heureux]

Ashton's adjustment to score that scissor kick at OT the other year shows you he did have that natural goalscoring attribute.

Completely agree with this and won't fault Ashton at all, but to suggest he could've been a possible replacement for Shearer is still extremely wide of the mark.

You don't replace players like Shearer at international level full stop. He was one of the elite in my opinion.

[Big Foot]

Ashton's adjustment to score that scissor kick at OT the other year shows you he did have that natural goalscoring attribute.

Completely agree with this and won't fault Ashton at all, but to suggest he could've been a possible replacement for Shearer is still extremely wide of the mark.

You don't replace players like Shearer at international level full stop. He was one of the elite in my opinion.

Agree with that. After talking about this yesterday, I looked up on youtube footage of all England's games from Euro 96. Shearer won the Golden Boot with 5 goals IIRC? (1 vs Switzerland, 1 vs Scotland, 2 vs Holland, 1 vs Germany) either way he was a phenonemal striker.

[cmonurz]

That said, '96 was his real breakthrough (aged 26), he only had a handful of England goals before that season.

[FiNeRaIn]

but to suggest he could've been a possible replacement for Shearer is still extremely wide of the mark.

Not IMO. He obviously wouldn't have been as good as shearer, but his hold up play, consistent aerial ability and general physical harassment of opposition defenders in very alike - as well as his ability to bring others in to play. We have not had anyone close to this since shearer retired. Ashton/Rooney would have been a great partnership.

[Ian Royal]

Gutted for Ashton, he was terrific at Crewe, was just coming very good at West Ham, and was a genuine World Cup prospect.

Was just reading a story on BBC, is that the one about perhaps suing Shaun Wright-Philips and Chelsea?

Some precedent by the looks it for a pay-off re career ending injuries, and Ashton is set to receive at least £3m salary from West Ham.

Did Chris Casper get anything re the Richard Carpenter tackle?

Always thought Kitson was better when he was playing with Crewe. Both could have been potential major international tournament squad players without the injury problems IMO.

[Row Z Royal]

Gutted for Ashton, he was terrific at Crewe, was just coming very good at West Ham, and was a genuine World Cup prospect.

Was just reading a story on BBC, is that the one about perhaps suing Shaun Wright-Philips and Chelsea?

Some precedent by the looks it for a pay-off re career ending injuries, and Ashton is set to receive at least £3m salary from West Ham.

Did Chris Casper get anything re the Richard Carpenter tackle?

Always thought Kitson was better when he was playing with Crewe. Both could have been potential major international tournament squad players without the injury problems IMO.

Did I miss something?