Hero or Zero # 15 - Ronny Rosenthal

[Red Astaire]

Ronny Rosenthal - Played 66 games for the reds and scored 16 goals over 3 years most of them I seem to recall were in his first 5-6 games. He will always be known for that miss I suppose but he was a grafter and I think helped with lots of assists to Rushie.

A weird fact I just found out was that he was the first overseas player to sign for a British club for a over 1 Million.

So then Hero or Zero?

 

[gkmacca]

It was an inspired move to sign him when we did - the team was getting sluggish and tired just when we faced a tough run-in, and suddenly this really fast and unpredictable player was added and it pretty much clinched the title. He was a bit like a pinch hitter in cricket - short term and specialised but he did the job he was there to do. For that reason I'd say he's a hit because his role, though brief, was crucial for our success at the time. No great player, though, and of course that miss at Villa was painful, but he was a good signing at the time.

 

[Modo]

neither

 

[Red Astaire]

It was an inspired move to sign him when we did - the team was getting sluggish and tired just when we faced a tough run-in, and suddenly this really fast and unpredictable player was added and it pretty much clinched the title. He was a bit like a pinch hitter in cricket - short term and specialised but he did the job he was there to do. For that reason I'd say he's a hit because his role, though brief, was crucial for our success at the time. No great player, though, and of course that miss at Villa was painful, but he was a good signing at the time.

Didn't we get him on loan at first - He came in like breath of fresh air and scored a few in his first few games. I think he even played so well Beardsley was benched. I might be getting him mixed up with Speedie though.

 

[gkmacca]

That's right. We were flagging with about ten games to go, brought him in on loan until the end of the season and he caused chaos in every game, making defenders panic and scoring a few goals. I doubt we would have won the title without him.

 

[Hansern]

The loan move was very successfull, I think he had 7 goals in 8 games and as Macca said really contributed to winning the title.
When he signed permanently he didnt live up to the early form. Could be something with Kenny leaving aswell.

Hero for me because of those 7 goals in 1990.

 

[gkmacca]

Imagine if someone had done that for us in the run-in last season. Oh, so close.

 

[Red Astaire]

Imagine if someone had done that for us in the run-in last season. Oh, so close.

Don't do it to yourself Macca. If, buts and maybe's. I know full well what you mean though 🙁

 

[Khalido]

This is a tough one because although he made a significant impact in helping us clinch the title, he lingered on too long getting games he wouldn't usually get due to a declining team, culminating in that dreadful miss. If he'd just remained our impact sub in a successful team he'd be a definite hit.

 

[Portly]

The perception of Ronny Rosenthal that stays with me, is that when he got hold of the ball, he would charge towards the goal in an unerringly straight line and unleash a shot. Although this tactic was predictable, it was difficult for defenders to cope with it.

I think too much has been made of Ronny's famous miss. Every season we see misses that are just as bad.

 

[Lippy]

Scored a last minute winner in a derby once. Loved that goal.

 

[nealmac]

He was meh. Had his moments, but not exactly a hero.

 

[gkmacca]

This is the problem with either/or choices. Players who play a key part in winning the title aren't zeroes.

 

[Red Astaire]

Well it's not really meant to be an either/or choice - More to chat about a certain borderline player that could divide opinions. With some of the choices I've made and the comments that some have made I think it's been a nice education for me and I hope to others.

 

[localny]

 

[Richey]

Overall, he did his job.

Obviously he was crucial when he first arrived, but I would say even after that he wasn't dreadful. He was a back up striker who offered something a little different.

He spent most of his time for us in a struggling side, which wasn't really down to him. It was down to some dodgy transfers and a horrible run of injuries. That miss against Villa was unfortunate in that he was only a starter at that point because we sold Saunders and Rush was injured. And of course it was the main match on Motd because Saunders was playing for Villa!

Not the best player we have had by any means, but decent enough.

 

[jimmy]

He scored a hatrick on his debut at Charlton. I was so excited I could barely sleep (imagine Kristian if Agger scored a hatrick on his debut for us...)