It’s guest blog time again, and Chris Sadler is back with a look at the success (or otherwise) City have had in recruiting strikers, specifically those designed to come in and provide competition and/or support to the ‘no 1’.
With City’s recent hit-and-miss experiences of bit-part strikers, such as Dennis Srbeny and Josip Drmic, perhaps it’s time to explore the effectiveness of that elusive beast, the short-distance cameo striker.
Ranked by a simple (some might say ‘crude’ – or even ‘utterly useless’) SEPM (Scoring Effectiveness Percentage Matrix) of my own devising, the following table ranks in ascending order the scoring effectiveness of all the second-string City strikers I can remember over the past few decades or so. 1 goal per game = 100%.
(Obviously, I have taken into account ALL contributory factors such as substitutions, minutes on the pitch, players being played out of position, whether it was raining, etc.. and ignored them all.)
But hopefully, though, there are a few names along the way who provoke a gentle yet pleasant tingle in the memory synapses (or maybe an occasional internal yawn of horror).
Here goes…
So, in summary, do second-stringers work for City? Does that supporting striker provide value and, more importantly, goals? Can they come on late and change the game and tickle the net with a ref-botherer and get Jeff Stelling all excited?
Well, no, by this evidence not often. Not even when you buy THE archetypal ‘super-sub’ himself, David Fairclough!
But, there’s no need to feel down. There’s always hope. There’s always the possibility the next striker who comes along will force himself into NCFC legend-hood with net-breaking prowess. Sometimes a new boy shows up, hangs around a while, and everything works out rather well…
On The Ball, City!
Figures provided are not exhaustive or guaranteed but represent my best efforts at accuracy with no intention to mislead. Please accept my apology for any unintended errors. Information is up to date to 9th Feb 2020 and has been compiled from various sources; including Wikipedia, contemporary press reports, personal recall, and Steve Whitlam’s excellent website Flown From The Nest.
Hi Chris,
Here’s a “teamful” off the top of my head: Gaetano Giallanza, Alan Taylor, David Strihavka, Ade Akinbiyi, Lee Power, Ryan Jarvis, John Hartson, Antoine Sibierski, Ian Henderson, Carlton Morris and Jon Elmander.
Don’t asks me for the stats though:-)
Ha! Great stuff, thanks Martin. Re: compiling the stats, it was one of the benefits of being stuck indoors due to gales!
Hi Chris
Some names that took me on a lovely trip down memory lane (ditto Martin P’s offerings above).
I remember Keith Scott scoring in his first few games and thinking what a player we had! I also remember Sheron going on to be a lethal goal machine for Stoke. Certainly a case of ‘what if’….
David Neilsen was great during his loan spell but that soon faded.
Jamie Cureton to be added to your list?
Some flattered to deceive, but the excitement of a new arrival’s potential is always a thrill. Jamie Cureton, of course! I believe he’s into his eight decade as a player now!
You missed Ron Davies off your list of those who succeeded and he was the best we’ve ever had!
The marvellous Ron Davies. Good call John F.
And of course kevin drinkell what a player
Drinkell (along with Ted MacDougall) was my favourite NCFC striker, Kevin. Paired with the effective (but sadly slightly too slow) Wayne Biggins they scored a lot of goals. I followed Drinkell even after Rangers when he managed Stirling Albion where he did quite well too.
Forgot to mention jimmy bone and viv busby a blast from the past
Two good ‘uns there, ta Kevin.
I always thought Chris Martin was a good striker when paired with Grant Holt. I think the best striker we have had in the last twenty years was Dean Ashton. He could head the ball well and hit it equally well with left and right foot. If he hadn’t been injured I think he would have had a great England career.
How could I have forgotten Cameron Jerome? Scorer of that precious first goal at Wembley
CamJam not quite prolific enough, but had everything else. I think that ‘overhead’ kick goal disallowed at the start of that Premier League season stopped any goal-scoring momentum. Martin still playing – and scoring – for Derby?
Wasn’t the story about “bit part” strikers? Some of the names mentioned above were the Main Men surely. And I agree with the point about Ashton, he seemed to have it all!
Hi Dan. I agree, although some fall into grey areas. Hopefully it was just a discussion piece to bring back some forgotten names from the past. It’s surprising how many there’ve been over the years… Thanks for commenting. Best wishes.
Arturo Lupoli and Luciano Becchio
Thanks Mike D. I remember Becks but Lupoli stumped me for a moment. He did rather well in a staccato spell.
I rated Lupoli but like everyone else, he fell out with Roeder. But looking at the number of clubs he’s been with (still playing) and how many loans he’s had, perhaps Roeder had a point
Agreed. Too many clubs raises the eyebrows. A touch of the Earnshaws.