[Archived] Who's The Best Player We've Ever Had On Loan?

[Bendrover]

Due to the understandably negative tone on the here recently I thought it would be worth trying to lighten the mood with some quality reminiscing of better times.

With that in mind, who is the best player you've seen at Ewood that we've had on loan?

Not ones like Santa Cruz that came back and was a shadow of his former self, but players who stood out during their loan spell.

For instance, Jermaine Jones was a rare positive note from the K**n era, with his energy in midfield being largely responsible for one more year of Premiership football.

Other honorable mentions for me go to Vratislav Gresko's loan stint where he looked like the answer to our left back troubles, although he never really continued that form when made permanent. Also I always thought Eyal Berkovic's contribution to our promotion push made big difference.

Any more suggestions of particular players we've had on loan who left a positive impression and the one who you'd consider the best?

[Jock]

Phil Starbuck 😂

[Dunnfc]

Shabani Nonda for me.

[davulsukur]

Shabani Nonda for me.

Shabba Nonda, what a legend.

Great shout

[MCMC1875]

Ossie Ardiles/Steve Archibald

[LDRover]

Mark Grew in the late 80s was a quality loan keeper.

However, as stated in the OP, Berkovic was a class act and the signing that ensured we were promoted in 2001.

[tomphil]

David Bentley

[oldjamfan1]

Didn't Henning Berg start out on loan (second time around)?

I do think as mentioned above that the Archibald/Ardiles loans were incredible, particularly Archibald. He was head and shoulders better than any other player in the second tier at the time. Ardiles was injured most of the time but what a coup it was!

Totally agree about Berkovic. Final piece in the jigsaw that season.

[tomphil]

Agree on Mark Grew as well because we had lost Gennoe who was so steady and reliable it left a big void in a struggling team. Grew was a legend at Port Vale so it was odd he'd ended up benched there but it was a shrewd move getting him here it could have been an even worse season without him.

Had a bit of a bond with the fans in BBE as well and seemed a bit of a character.

[TBTF]

Didn't Henning Berg start out on loan (second time around)?

I do think as mentioned above that the Archibald/Ardiles loans were incredible, particularly Archibald. He was head and shoulders better than any other player in the second tier at the time. Ardiles was injured most of the time but what a coup it was!

Totally agree about Berkovic. Final piece in the jigsaw that season.

the Bundesligas leading scorer ......Anthony Modeste!!!

[Bendrover]

Was always a big fan of Givet as well, great piece of business by Sam.

[Crimpshrine]

Kevin Arnott

[Exiled in Toronto]

70s - Keith Fear, only four games I think, but a goal in THE Boxing Day game.

80s - Archibald

90s - Berkovic

00s - Bentley

[Jock]

Archibald away at Leeds was fantastic.

[Mike E]

Was Nelsen on loan originally? Or was he on trial?

[G Somerset Rover]

Dino Baggio or Dario Marcolin for me...

In all seriousness, either Berkovic or Bentley 1st time round.

[chaddyrovers]

Was Nelsen on loan originally? Or was he on trial?

On trial then signed 18 months contract..

[1arC]

Was Ardiles on Loan? What a player he was in his prime and I never thought I would see him in a Rovers shirt.

[Glosrover]

Due to the understandably negative tone on the here recently I thought it would be worth trying to lighten the mood with some quality reminiscing of better times.

With that in mind, who is the best player you've seen at Ewood that we've had on loan?

Not ones like Santa Cruz that came back and was a shadow of his former self, but players who stood out during their loan spell.

For instance, Jermaine Jones was a rare positive note from the K**n era, with his energy in midfield being largely responsible for one more year of Premiership football.

Other honorable mentions for me go to Vratislav Gresko's loan stint where he looked like the answer to our left back troubles, although he never really continued that form when made permanent. Also I always thought Eyal Berkovic's contribution to our promotion push made big difference.

Any more suggestions of particular players we've had on loan who left a positive impression and the one who you'd consider the best?

I can well remember being in shock and awe to see the legendary Steve Archibald turn out for my team, with not long after Osvaldo Ardiles [until Nicky Marker nobbled him at Plymouth away...........]

70s - Keith Fear, only four games I think, but a goal in THE Boxing Day game.

80s - Archibald

90s - Berkovic

00s - Bentley

Keith Fear a hat trick wasn't it? remember arriving late to the ground on the coach from Chorley and 4 of us being sent into the Burnley end by the Plod. - never heard of Fear before and wasnt really able to celebrate his impact!

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Berkovic for me. If we could sign a player like that now we'd have a chance of staying up. I thought Bentley was poor when he came on loan but improved immensely after we signed him. I thought Gresko was poor full stop . Was Hakan Sukur on loan ? He was top drawer.

One for the old timers like me - David Gregory. He came on loan and made a massive difference up front. We couldn't afford to sign him permanently so he signed for Bury ! That's how hard up we were in the early 1970's. Those days will be coming back under the Chicken Chokers.

[Bendrover]

Berkovic for me. If we could sign a player like that now we'd have a chance of staying up. I thought Bentley was poor when he came on loan but improved immensely after we signed him. I thought Gresko was poor full stop . Was Hakan Sukur on loan ? He was top drawer.

One for the old timers like me - David Gregory. He came on loan and made a massive difference up front. We couldn't afford to sign him permanently so he signed for Bury ! That's how hard up we were in the early 1970's. Those days will be coming back under the Chicken Chokers.

Think Sukur was signed on a free, clearly had quality though despite the lack time he actually spent on the pitch.

[donnermeat]

Was always a big fan of Givet as well, great piece of business by Sam.

Great piece of business FOR Sam too, so it would seem.

(Do I need to put allegedly?)

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Think Sukur was signed on a free, clearly had quality though despite the lack time he actually spent on the pitch.

I remember him giving a master class in how to play centre forward in one game, I think it was Fulham away. He had it all in spades, you don't get that many international caps without being a top player. Another one badly miss managed by Souey.

[Baz]

Bentley was a good loan signing, but didn't really do it until he signed permanently.

I think Berkovic and Berg are both good shouts - both made a huge impact in their loan spells.

[funny-old-game]

70s - Keith Fear, only four games I think, but a goal in THE Boxing Day game.

80s - Archibald

90s - Berkovic

00s - Bentley

Keith Fear missed a pen just into the second half and after we won I remember fans stopping at the side of the road clapping and cheering as the team bus came past.

Great day.