Interestingly, it was because of me that Mark Bowen became a left back! Seriously, though, he was a great player. Watching him I realised so many things I should have done in that position all those years ago. I voted for Martin Peters, it was a close call with Ron Davies. My 'most favouritest' player ever though was and always will be Kevin Keelan.
I have a really good feeling about this guy, but I think we all know he's unlikely to make 673 first team appearances for City like the great man!
Nothing wrong with that! I just remember KK making his debut for City on my eleventh birthday! So many great memories from that day on.
I agree that Kevin Keelan should have been on the list. Probably the most immaculate keeper I have seen, with all the attributes to go with it (shot stopper, reflex saves, commanding his area, etc.). My choice would still be Martin Peters though.
I have to go left-field and say... Chris Martin!! As a striker he had the most raw finishing ability I've seen at the club, if only he'd put in the effort he'd have been an all-time-great. You may laugh (rightly so) but at times he was so good you could see him going straight to the top; he's squandered that chance now though.
I can't believe you are serious. Never performed well above Div 1 level, couldn't run, couldn't control a ball, had the turning circle of a battleship - need I go on? What natural talent is that? Come on - somebody completely amaze me by suggesting Cody McDonald or Ian Henderson!! Genuine contenders for me over the years - Jimmy Hill, Tommy Bryceland, Ron Davies, Colin Suggett, Kevin Keelan, Darren Huckaby, Wes Hoolahan and the best of the lot - Martin Peters. Never made a mistake and he could find time and space in a straightjacket.
I think Chris Martin does have more natural talent than he is given credit for. I wouldn't put him up there with Wes, Huckerby, Ashton etc. (Incidentally as I was born in 1994, I can't really make judgement on Peters, Keelan, Crook etc. hence why I sort of talk about 2000 onwards.) but I would say his first touch is good and he is a natural finisher. Lambert said he was the best finisher at the club some point when we were in the Championship, and I agree. He doesn't have the best intelligence when he plays and I think that's his downfall. He could have improved on that when he was younger by watching top strikers and how they find space but it's too late for him now to be any more than a Championship striker.
chris martin had far more natural talent than 1950 is giving him credit for but come on, 'most talented player in our history'??? absolutely no chance!!! he wouldn't even make the top 200.
Don't get me wrong I don't think CM is the best player in our history, but I reckon at one point he had the potential to be.
For natural talent, I think Darren Eadie is a good call. Most of the norwich legends found their level excelling for Norwich. When he left Norwich I was convinced Eadie would quickly prove his talent and excel for England and a top top club. Turns out that injury ruined his chances in his early to mid twenties, but the talent was there.
I think we have one of our most talented players in the squad at present and we have yet to see the best out of him: Elliott Bennett
The question of potential is very subjective. In the late 60's/early 70's we had a young midfielder called Neil O'Donnell. The tales coming from the training ground said that in training and in practice matches nobody could get the ball off him because his ball control and dribbling skills were so good. Unfortunately on match days and in front of a crowd he just froze and was absolutely useless. After many unsuccessful attempts over several years we let him go and although a couple of other clubs tried he just drifted into security. I'm afraid that you can only judge players on the end result.
hard call Hucks had it all but have gone for Crooky as he was the first guy I watched who really stood out on a consistent basis
