Boro's most unappreciated players

anth25

Well-known member
I know that this will have been done before but was watching a video this morning of Boro beating Derby 4-0 in 2001.

Was amazed to see Vickers playing as in my mind he left sometime around 98/99.

Made me think that he is probably one of our more unappreciated players from recent years. Was never outstanding but similarly was with us for 8-yrs and rarely let us down in that period. Played over 250 games for us in that time which is pretty impressive given some of the signings that we were making around that time.

Which other Boro players deserve a bit more recognition for their efforts for the club
 
A couple who spring to mind for me probably have been appreciated, but only really gotten it after they left: Skippy and Dorvia.

I think some saw Skippy as a dodgy keeper until they found out what really dodgy keepers actually looked like.

Dorvia got a lot of stick because it was perceived SMac picked him instead of a second striker. Since, fans have recognised that he was actually pretty good at what he did, and one striker has become more of a tactical norm, and better accepted.
 
Curtis Fleming-solid defender who got nose bleed if he crossed half way line
He was also on the same video and he was the other one that I thought of. Again long term servant who never let us down. Would struggle with the modern full back role tho :ROFLMAO:
 
Made me think that he is probably one of our more unappreciated players from recent years. Was never outstanding but similarly was with us for 8-yrs and rarely let us down in that period. Played over 250 games for us in that time which is pretty impressive given some of the signings that we were making around that time.
Was a good bit of business that. Got him for £700 odd thousand after having Man Citys eyes out selling them Kernaghan for way over the odds. (no disrespect to Kerny there)
 
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From the Riverside era, Steve Vickers was a very decent CB and got pelters for his very occasional rick. "Dave" Doriva was also under appreciated in that he was a Brazilian but not the sort of Brazilian that does the fancy stuff just very good at his job. I'd say that Fabio Rochemback was also unfairly maligned and it wasn't until he left that we noticed him.
 
How about Andy Peake for seldom mentioned players? I'm sure there were rumours at the time that we were interested in bringing Jan Molby in from Liverpool, but instead Lenny went back to Charlton for Peake as he said we needed a midfielder who could put their foot in do the dirty work. I think it's safe to say he was the absolute antithesis of an exciting signing, but he featured heavily in our PL season and afterwards, before retiring in 94.
 
Isn't it strange that none of the promotion team from 2015/16 are deemed to be under appreciated? Was trying to think of one but the best I could come up with would be Nsue but even then he was a bit of a fan favourite.

Alway thought Chris Riggott doesn't get enough praise for our run from 2004/2006. Loved him alongside Southgate.
Riggott is a great shout. The amount of games he played whilst being in competition with Southgate & Ugo is testament to how good he really was
 
Lots, but my first thought was Dean Glover, tough tackler and key member of the promotion winning squad in 1987/88, should never have sold him to Port Vale the following season......might have stayed up with Deano in the side as we shipped goals for fun at home after he left.

Would also put a mention in for Ray Parlour in his first season, key man in getting us back into Europe in 2004/5 and Dean Windass, who worked tirelessly and was more skilful than many gave him credit for.
 
Isn't it strange that none of the promotion team from 2015/16 are deemed to be under appreciated? Was trying to think of one but the best I could come up with would be Nsue but even then he was a bit of a fan favourite.

Alway thought Chris Riggott doesn't get enough praise for our run from 2004/2006. Loved him alongside Southgate.
Of the three deadline day signings we made at the time - Riggott/Christie from Derby and Ricketts from Bolton - you'd have to say Riggott was the only one we got our money's worth from.
 
Of the three deadline day signings we made at the time - Riggott/Christie from Derby and Ricketts from Bolton - you'd have to say Riggott was the only one we got our money's worth from.
Goal in one of the biggest nights in our history as well
 
Isn't it strange that none of the promotion team from 2015/16 are deemed to be under appreciated? Was trying to think of one but the best I could come up with would be Nsue but even then he was a bit of a fan favourite.

Alway thought Chris Riggott doesn't get enough praise for our run from 2004/2006. Loved him alongside Southgate.
Good shout. I think of any players in that squad you could say that at the time Leadbitter was underappreciated. A lot of fans commenting on his legs going and that we should drop him for a more progressive midfielder. Was probably a 50/50 split in the fan base I reckon
 
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