As good as Fergie was, he did indeed certainly have his flops. Anyone remember Bebe, they signed Bellion from us, and did a South American ever do it there..... They tried a lot!
Took Fergie 6 years to replace Schmeichel properly with van der Sar. When he got his transfers right they were excellent but he signed some major duds
26 years in charge. Entitled to a few duds. Some just coulnt cope in English football. Veron was one of the best midfielders in the world, but never adapted. I think I see a couple of players in our squad who are similar in that they may never adapt to the football here. Sometimes you dont know until you take the plunge.
Everyone is, my point was that Ferguson v Speakman would see our man come out on top. I'm sick of seeing people batter Speakman because the likes of Aouchiche 'hasn't made an impact' or wasn't ready to step into a top end Championship team ... if they were they wouldn't be coming to Sunderland and waiting their chance would they. It doesn't make them duds because internet experts write them off after half a dozen games. No offence to any internet experts btw.
The biggest compliment I can give Fergie is that his failed transfers almost never majorly damaged the team as his good signings were so good they made up for any downfalls. Always loved how he got the most out of players that wouldn't get in most other top end squads.
I cant get on board with the idea Speakman has a better record than Fergie mind. Way too early for that. Maybe one day Speakman can be compared, but there simply is not the body of work yet.
I'm talking about the percentage of flops. Ferguson had loads but signed so many players he could easily hide the bodies. I remember Clarke being written off after a few games, now it's Styles ... ... as you say, way too early.
When I think back to players Fergie signed that were fantastic it blows my mind. Vidic Schmeichal Keane Cantona Ronaldo Ferdinand Irwin Van Nistelrooy Sheringham Bruce Cole Evra Barthez Just off the top of my head. He had an eye for a player. Of course there were failures they all make them, but generally he moved on and made up for it. Then of course his ability to bring the youngsters through. One of the best we have seen for me.
The team that won his last title was nowhere near what we expect from a title winning squad but he squeezed everything out of it. The best to ever do it.
To be honest most of those players were well known, hardly hidden gems. He also signed loads like Veron who he lost about £20m on after a season. It's easy to forget those when there's always another big name coming along to replace them.
It was an art form how Fergie had a clear out and refreshed the squad at just the right times. Barely missed a beat, season after season. My dad reckoned he was a bully, mind, which was probably true.
Here’s all 105 of Fergie's signings. Quite an entertaining list: https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...ry/sir-alex-fergusons-105-manchester-3867349#
