Taking sides: Michael Ricketts vs Francis Jeffers

There's an article on Jason Lee and Skinner and Baddiel ruining his career on the BBC Sport website at the moment.

(LEE HENDRIE)

ricketts seems to me to be proof of the value of attitude and of confidence. not just in football, but in general, once it is gone, what is to distinguish, much of the time?

jeffers is more interesting. you could argue the same for him, perhaps, and maybe that is true, i don't know. but the expectation of jeffers seemed higher. the thing with ricketts seemed to be more a 'regular guy punching above weight' kind of deal (maybe arguable of kevin phillips in a way). dunno how much of that is due to perception of working way up, rather than coming through young at big club and dropping down

Yeah Ricketts was more of a Marlon Harewood type player - average footballer who suddenly hit form. I wonder if Theo Walcott could be the next Fran Jeffers.

Is this the thread to talk about Michael Bridges as well?

Bridges is kind of different because of being blighted by injury. Perhaps we will never know, in regard to him

Ricketts never dived for Rangers, so he wins

Jeffers has been pretty injury-prone as well though?

Not prone to scoring goals tho is he?

I still remember when CARLTON COLE had the highest 'goals per minutes on the pitch' ratio in the whole world. Then he played more than four or five games and that plummeted to the extent he might actually become the most transferred player ever in the Premiership.