[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

None of us had a negative comment because we didn't know anything about them! I'm sure the recruitment department must be knowledgeable, but unfortunately, some players do prove flops - it happens at every club - and it seems we've had more than our fair share in the last eighteen months.

Anelka = great player in his day but an attitude problem a mile wide. We took a risk, it went wrong.
Sinclair = had a couple of great seasons, now a lazy arsehole. We took a risk, it went wrong.
Rosenberg = scored goals for fun across Europe and continues to now, but for some reason couldn't make it happen here. We took a risk, it went wrong.
Vydra = great Championship striker, we obviously hoped he'd make the step up. He didn't. We took a risk, it went wrong.
Lugano = AAAAAAARGH. We took a risk, it went wrong.
Amalfitano = blew hot and cold, but he was a game-changer on his day, and he played a huge role in keeping us up. We let West Ham sign him, and we're now playing Dorrans on the right wing. Why? Who have we signed for the right flank that's better than Amalfitano?

When so many calculated risks have gone wrong, questions have to be asked. I'd hoped we'd put these bad buys behind us, and I still hope that the likes of Ideye, Samaras, Blanco and even Davidson can come in and prove themselves, but hand on heart, we've all seen them now via substitute appearances and cup games, and has anyone been bowled over by their effort or raw talent? You can blame Irvine's system for restricting them, but quality can surely flourish in any system?

As I said. Big, big echoes of last season.