Who Was Our Best Signing In 08-09?

[BlueSuedeSambas 53,863]

Seen similar topics being discussed on podcasts and on forums and thought I would try it here to give us something to discuss.

Looking through the players that we signed in the Summer of 2008-09 - 7 of them (I included all 9 in the interest of fairness) contributed something during that season or in a future season and made some sort of impact (some long term, some short term) at the club and that might make it the strongest transfer window we have had in a long time (I genuinely wonder if we have had a better one since?)

My vote would be for Bougherra. Plucked from a middling English championship side and tasked with filling Cuellar’s sizeable shoes and did it absolutely seamlessly..dare I say it, but he might have actually been better.

[McEwan's Lager 30,571]

Haven’t thought this through properly but my first reaction is that Miller gave us an edge whereas Bougherra was a replacement. With Miller in the side we didn’t need Cousin or Darcheville, or even Boyd to an extent.

Kenny Miller was genuinely one of the best players I’ve ever seen at leading a line by himself with next to no support. His performances against Italy and Norway in 2005 for Scotland were incredible.

[Essandoh 21,220]

I’ll never forget the night Aaron Niguez scored against Forfar. One to tell the grandchildren.

[Essandoh 21,220]

I’ve went Kenny Miller but there’s little between him, Davis, Mendes and Bougherra. All superb signings.

[BlueSuedeSambas 53,863]

1 minute ago, Essandoh said:

I’ve went Kenny Miller but there’s little between him, Davis, Mendes and Bougherra. All superb signings.

You could make a case for all four of them, that’s why I picked that specific window out. 

Even the likes of Lafferty, Velicka and Edu, while not great overall contributed too. Lafferty was always great in April and May, Edu was solid in Europe and his goal against celtic the following season is a memorable moment and Velicka coming in from nowhere and going on a bit of a run at the business end of the 08-09 season helped get us over the line too.

[BlueKnight87 17,305]

It was between Miller and Bougherra for me. 

I went for Bougherra. Replaced big cuellar not an easy task and formed an even more formidable partnership imo with weir. 

[Essandoh 21,220]

9 minutes ago, DBBTB said:

You could make a case for all four of them, that’s why I picked that specific window out. 

Even the likes of Lafferty, Velicka and Edu, while not great overall contributed too. Lafferty was always great in April and May, Edu was solid in Europe and his goal against celtic the following season is a memorable moment and Velicka coming in from nowhere and going on a bit of a run at the business end of the 08-09 season helped get us over the line too.

Velicka was tremendous against Hibs  

[BridgeIsBlue 66,608]

Bougherra. 

[hammer93 15,057]

I went for Pedro Mendes, what a player wee pedro was, he would moon walk into our midfield today 

[ForeverAndEver 71,604]

Miller.

[Blacky Bear 874]

Kenny Miller, I was against his return as he played for them.

But converted, what a service given over the 3 spells, certainly shafted out the door.

[GOAT 30,449]

Bougherra, Davis or Miller.  I’d say Bougherra just shades it.

Cant believe Davis hasn’t had a vote btw. 

[Gascoigne8 3,378]

I went for Edu. I felt he was an unsung kind of player who did all the digging but got very little credit for what he brought to the team 

[Blacky Bear 874]

I actually have never rated Davis, my mates and my Brother go tonto with me, I thought he was too lightweight and he always gave the ball away, and still.

What is wrong with me?

[GOAT 30,449]

3 minutes ago, Gascoigne8 said:

I went for Edu. I felt he was an unsung kind of player who did all the digging but got very little credit for what he brought to the team 

Edu was pish. 😂

[Clemdog 39,389]

Went for Mendes, transformed our midfield when he came in. 

[GetToTheChoppa 6,873]

Mind Pedro Mendes scored a tap in from about 40 yeards against the paedos.

[TdRFC 29]

Went for Davis. Bougy and Mendes were superb as well to be fair.  Forgot how good a window that was for us. 

[The Sinner 46]

Although a prick it was probably Kenny Miller 

[shaka 1,677]

33 minutes ago, Gascoigne8 said:

I went for Edu. I felt he was an unsung kind of player who did all the digging but got very little credit for what he brought to the team 

I've always rated Edu.  He might not be great technically but he done a power of work in midfield and made the other players look even better by winning the ball back whenever they lost possession, which Davis in particular had a habit of doing.

[jackrfc95 4,255]

Between Davis, Bougherra and Miller.

Went for Davis, for a few years around this time he was the best midfielder in Scotland and wasn't even playing in his position. 

[Colin Traive 22,854]

Went for Bougherra but was tempted to go for Miller for this alone.....

 

[jjbscotty12 3,560]

Miller 

[The Godfather 72,003]

Kenny Miller by some considerable margin.

[TMB 14,167]

It’s between Bougherra and Mendes.  Two wonderfully gifted players.  Bougherra gave us three outstanding years domestically and in Europe so he’s got to get it IMO.  To think, celtic thought they had signed a better defender in Glen Loovens