Players who didn't live up to their potential.

[Crewe313]

Watching AJ play now and thinking back to his form pre the injury at portsmouth, he is definitely a player that hasn't lived up to what we thought he could have been and is definitely not a league one player.

It got me thinking about the big "could have been players" who we have given several seasons to help nurture them yet they never delivered.

One that always sticks out is Steve Jones. Partnered with Ashton they were an unstoppable partnership, then Ashton was sold he became a scared rabbit in front of head lights. Fortuitous to get the move to Burnley and on his return was never the same player.

Others Lee Bell and Michael Higdon jump to mind.

I was wondering who else would be on the list. They have to be academy players rather than players we have bought in.

[AstonAlex]

Ben Rix would be near the top of my list. Top player in the FA Youth Cup in his time didn't quite make it. You could probably add Fran Tierney - what a pity Liverpool hadn't handed over the rumoured £700k before they found out!

Incidentally Jonah wasn't one of ours through the Academy system but signed from Leigh RMI, one of many successes through a similar route (Little, Macaulay and Shaun Smith to but three). Sorry, I am known for being a pedant!

[alexbarmy]

Agree with those listed, plus in the way of forwards:

Peter Smith
John Grant
Paul Edwards

Just off the top of my head.

On the flip side, Kenny Lunt came from nowhere, Seth Johnson was under the radar as was Nicky Maynard.

[chinaalex]

Steve Walters ?

[somersetcrewe]

Been mentioned already but it's Ben Rix for me.
Seemed to have everything, even the Cruyff turn, and I will never forget his curler at Griffin Park in a 4-0 victory that saw Leroy Rosenior dismissed post-match, and ultimately confined to FLS duty!
A natural talent wasted, I just don't know how or why?!! Attitude I guess!

[thnhouse]

Didn't Dario describe Ben Rix as ther most talented player he'd produced?

I quite liked James Collins when he was playing, always neat and tidy, good passer of the ball.

Gary Roberts has got to be the best example of not living up to potential, Which pub is he playing for now?

[alexbarmy]

Been mentioned already but it's Ben Rix for me.
Seemed to have everything, even the Cruyff turn, and I will never forget his curler at Griffin Park in a 4-0 victory that saw Leroy Rosenior dismissed post-match, and ultimately confined to FLS duty!
A natural talent wasted, I just don't know how or why?!! Attitude I guess!

I don't think there was ever an attitude problem. I think it was because he wasn't physically strong enough for a central midfielder and not quick enough for a winger. I think in the current game where wingers tend not to be all about beating the full backs he would flourish.

[OgerAlex]

Been mentioned already but it's Ben Rix for me.
Seemed to have everything, even the Cruyff turn, and I will never forget his curler at Griffin Park in a 4-0 victory that saw Leroy Rosenior dismissed post-match, and ultimately confined to FLS duty!
A natural talent wasted, I just don't know how or why?!! Attitude I guess!

I don't think there was ever an attitude problem. I think it was because he wasn't physically strong enough for a central midfielder and not quick enough for a winger. I think in the current game where wingers tend not to be all about beating the full backs he would flourish.[/quote]

From what I was told Rix perhaps wasent as dedicated to football as is needed to make it to the top. Didnt he move down to Cornwall or something as he'd had enough of the game?
His choice at the end of the day.
I always think that David Wright could/should have been a premier league

[AlexLeicester]

Gary Roberts is the prime example of falling below potential. Such a total waste, but I am surprised that more do not follow that path: from very little to a decent wage (far in excess of many others at that age), overblown self belief, head turned by those who succeed (jealousy?), and then the weakness to become addicted to an unsustainable lifestyle.

In many different ways lots of us have been on or near that brink in our own careers and lifestyles.

- that sounds so sanctimonious - apologies, but I mean Gary was a wasted talent.

[fatfakir]

Gary "Garylad" Roberts has recently signed for Connah's Quay, having returned from his Maltese adventures...

Lee Bell was unfortunate in that he came back into the team after going out on loan, looked good, and then broke his ankle in a pre-season game (at Southport IIRC) and never really got back to the same level. Plus he did a good job for us when he came back till he was overtaken by Westwood, who's now playing in the Prem of course...

First time I saw Steve Walters play I thought he'd be the best midfielder the Alex had ever produced. Seem to remember that after a while most teams just tried to kick him out of the game and eventually succeeded.