Top 5 & Worst 5

Top 5- Townsend, Amond, Bogle, Nolan, N’siala

Worst 5- Straker, Ridley, Spencer, Makofo, Soares

Quoted from Poojah

Townsend during his second spell here is pound for pound (in the context of the level we were at at the time) the best player I have seen in a Town shirt. I've laboured the point before, but we wouldn't have made the play-offs that season without Townsend - we only scraped in by two points.

You can make the same case for Amond and others of course, the primary difference being that Townsend only played nine league games, of which we won eight. That's how good he was. Let's not forget he was filling in for the more than capable Gregor Robertson as well.

There were so many key moments. That free-kick against Welling, the cross for Amond in the 1-0 against Kidderminster, the last minute penalty he won in the 1-0 against Dover. He was just absolute class, and it's no surprise he's found himself playing in the Premier League.

Totally agree. Townsend was head and shoulders above our level. It’s worth pointing out that he had Andy Monkhouse in midfield on the left, but still got forward more and put more crosses in.

Quoted from Nutsy

Scott Neilson, for me, was our Mahrez to Hearn's Vardy when he was a ON LOAN.

When he signed permanently he just didn't seem to perform quite so regularly.

Just my opinion though.

In the same vein as Ross Hannah etc

We've had so many players over the years who excelled or were decent on loan, but really didn't live up to the expectations when they signed

When Newell brought in Adam Proudlock and Peter Sweeney they were decent on loan and we all know what happened when they eventually got contracts.

Like Neilson, Marcus Marshall was one. He was class in the first part of the season we had him on loan I remember us fighting tooth and nail trying to keep hold of both of them, Luton offered Bury some cash for Marshall if I call correctly, he went back but didn't want to go so refused to go down there and he ended up back on loan with us a few weeks later and was never the same.

Likewise when we signed Marshall permanently a couple of years later he just didn't seem the same player and only played 16 or 17 games all season.

Quoted from Poojah

Townsend during his second spell here is pound for pound (in the context of the level we were at at the time) the best player I have seen in a Town shirt. I've laboured the point before, but we wouldn't have made the play-offs that season without Townsend - we only scraped in by two points.

You can make the same case for Amond and others of course, the primary difference being that Townsend only played nine league games, of which we won eight. That's how good he was. Let's not forget he was filling in for the more than capable Gregor Robertson as well.

There were so many key moments. That free-kick against Welling, the cross for Amond in the 1-0 against Kidderminster, the last minute penalty he won in the 1-0 against Dover. He was just absolute class, and it's no surprise he's found himself playing in the Premier League.

I'd go further on that and say had he stayed for a few more months or indeed the season, we would have won the league.  He was that good.

I actually thought his impact was better in his first loan spell, probably because that side in 11-12 wasn't as good as the 15-16 one so he stood out more.  Him and Jamie Green inter-changing down that left wing against Stockport was poetry in motion, I've never seen a game go down one flank so much.  Town were actively just seeking them out with every pass and Stockport could do nothing to stop it.   I think the fact Townsend was only 18 at that point and having his first spell of proper football is even more impressive.

The only competition for the pound-for-pound prize is John Oster in his first loan spell back here.  Townsend was in decent to good sides and made them both better.  Oster was in a dog excrement side and made it competitive.   Oh for both of those in any side!

Quoted from moss_side_mariner

Totally agree. Townsend was head and shoulders above our level. It’s worth pointing out that he had Andy Monkhouse in midfield on the left, but still got forward more and put more crosses in.

I was never really a Monkhouse fan but in his defence and for his flaws, he was key in what Townsend brought to the game during that spell.  He covered quite a lot for Townsend's run and/or took players away from that flank by drifting infield.  

Quoted from Gainsbro_Mariner

We've had so many players over the years who excelled or were decent, on loan but really didn't live up to the expectations they had built whilst on loan.

When Newell brought in Adam Proudlock and Peter Sweeney they were decent on loan and we all know what happened when they eventually got contracts.

Like Neilson, Marcus Marshall was one. He was class in the first part of the season we had him on loan I remember us fighting tooth and nail trying to keep hold of both of them, Luton offered Bury some cash for Marshall if I call correctly, he went back but didn't want to go so refused to go down there and he ended up back on loan with us a few weeks later and was never the same.

Likewise when we signed Marshall permanently a couple of years later he just didn't seem the same player and only played 16 or 17 games all season.

Funnily enough, without MM we wouldn't of gone up because I fully believe if he didn't come on against Braintree we'd of lost that game, he changed the game for us.

No mention for Henderson? In the same way Townsend oozed class, I thought Henderson did the same. And the confidence he had in himself at such a young age was incredible - and justified.

Quoted from diehardmariner

I was never really a Monkhouse fan but in his defence and for his flaws, he was key in what Townsend brought to the game during that spell.  He covered quite a lot for Townsend's run and/or took players away from that flank by drifting infield.  

Agree completely with that. No ego with Monkhouse and he was happy to dovetail with Townsend and drop in to let Townsend bomb on. They were a good pairing and Townsend's class absolutely shone through.

Quoted from cardiffmariner

No mention for Henderson? In the same way Townsend oozed class, I thought Henderson did the same. And the confidence he had in himself at such a young age was incredible - and justified.

Not disagreeing with your assessment of Dean Henderson, but he didn’t play for us in non-league. Signed by Hurst in League Two, eventually handed his debut by Bignot before it all ended with that unfortunate incident with the bus.

Surprised no one has mentioned Michael Leary in the worst list yet. Dreadful midfielder.

Contenders for Top 5 list must be Henderson, Townsend, Connell (mk 1), Pond, Hearn, Amond, Disley, Bogle. I always like Scotty Neilsen also and Pearson as would have run through a brick wall for this club