Simon Davey was appointed the Caretaker Manager of Barnsley FC on November 21st, 2006 after Andy Ritchie was sacked. Little did us mere fans know what sort of recruitment this unknown Welshman would undertake. Here is a look at all the signings Davey has made.
Ronnie Wallwork - Midfielder (West Brom) Loan
Was signed probably by Gordon Shepherd and didn't really impress in the two games he played. His spell at the Reds came to a catastrophic end after news broke that he was stabbed in a Manchester night-club.
Appearances: 2
Goals: 0
Kyel Reid - Midfielder (West Ham) Loan
A breath of fresh air for the Reds. His skill and pace on the left wing brought smiles to the faces of Barnsley fans. He made the odd few assists and scored two goals, both fortuitously, and both against Southend!
Appearances: 26
Goals: 2
Grant McCann - Midfielder (Cheltenham) Loan - Later to be £100,000
Originally signed on loan and would go on to sign permanently for £100,000. He buried a 90th minute winner on his debut in Davey's first Caretaker game against Ipswich and has established himself since at Oakwell.
Appearances (inc. loan spell): 27
Goals: 3
Leon Knight - Striker (Swansea) Loan
A long time target signed on loan with a view to a permanent move. Which he subsequently did not get due to a string of poor performances, made a nuisance of himself on odd occasions but ultimately a bit of a flop.
Appearances: 9
Goals: 0
David Lucas - Goalkeeper (Unattached)
Former Fowl Lucas was signed on a free and signed a month-to-month contract that was not renewed in the summer and he was let go. Played against Hull, Derby and West Brom. He subsequently joined Leeds United last week.
Appearances: 3
Goals: 0
Adam Eckersley - Defender (Man United) Loan
Young left-back signed on loan for the rest of the season in January. He failed to raise any eyebrows but was sound and looked OK most of the time he played. Injury curtailed his spell with the Reds.
Appearances: 6
Goals: 0
Dwayne Mattis - Midfielder (Bury) £50,000
Bury midfielder Mattis signed for £50k, to raise to £75k if the Reds avoided relegation. Became number two hate victim after Davey in February after two disappointing performances and even booed off the field against Colchester in the 3-0 defeat. Remains in the Reds squad but is more of a reserve player.
Appearances (to present): 4
Goals: 0
Peter Rajczi - Striker (Ujpest Dozsa) Loan
The Hungarian revolution began with the loan signing of Rajczi. His pace and skill struck fear into defences and although he only scored the one goal, that being against relegationm rivals Hull, he made a lot of admirers at Oakwell and some were sad to see him go.
Appearances: 15
Goals: 1
Istvan Ferenczi - Striker (Zalaegerszeg) £250,000
The second Hungarian of the week arrived at Oakwell. Davey lashed out a quarter of a million to land the giant striker and he didn't disappoint. He showed a massive amount of work rate and scored goals to go with it. He was a brilliant find and a great signing.
Appearances (to present): 22
Goals: 7
Ritchie Jones - Midfielder (Man United) Loan
Midfielder Jones was signed on a short-term loan. He failed to impress at Oakwell and despite making 4 appearances, didn't impress Davey significantly enough to earn him an extended deal.
Appearances: 4
Goals: 0
Lewin Nyatanga - Defender (Derby County) Loan
Hot prospect Nyatanga was signed in February of 2007 and made his debut in the 5-2 defeat at Southampton. Despite this baptism of fire, Nyatanga was a key factor in the Reds survival and earnt himself a deal back at Oakwell this season until January 2008.
Kayode Odejayi - Striker (Cheltenham) £200,000
Big Nigerian striker Kayode began the summer influx when he signed for £200,000. He has made a good start to his Oakwell career, his strength and pace has delighted fans so far and he looks to be a good acquisition. Scored his first and only goal so far against Scunthorpe.
Appearances (to present): 7
Goals: 1
Miguel Mostto - Striker (Cienciano del Cuzco) Undisclosed
After finally gaining a work permit and arriving with the Reds, Peruvian international Mostto scored on his debut in the friendly with Buxton. He started on the first day against Coventry and played in the Carling Cup against Darlington and Newcastle and flattered to decieve in all. Has been an unused sub since his start on Day 1. Worth £400,000? Is it the culture shock? Who knows...?
Appearances (to present): 1
Goals: 0
Andy Johnson - Midfielder (Leicester City) Free
Signed after leaving Leicester. Much maligned by me in particular but started pretty well with a couple of good performances. Very experienced, probably what we need in our midfield.
Appearances (to present): 4
Goals: 0
Marciano Bruma - Defender (Sparta Rotterdam) Free
Dutch right-back Bruma signed on a free from Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam. Yet to make a league apperance due to a broken hand picked up in pre-season. Was required to change his name to Marciano van Homoet due to birth certificate complications.
Appearances (to present): None
Goals: N/A
Robert Kozluk - Defender (Sheffield United) Free
A signing very much celebrated in July when he signed from rivals Sheff United. Kozluk rejected Leeds to sign for the Reds and has made an average start. Was injured at Stoke so will miss the next couple of weeks.
Appearances (to present): 6
Goals: 0
Dominik Werling - Defender/Midfielder (Sakaryaspor) Free
German wingback Werling signed on a free the same day as Kozluk. Has shown glimpses of Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos both in appearance and in his ability to strike the ball, his free kick against Plymouth is evidence of that. Looks a good signing so far. Sent off at Southampton.
Appearances (to present): 7
Goals: 1
Rohan Ricketts - Midfielder (Wolves) Free
Winger Ricketts signed on a free. Former Arsenal and Spurs winger showed glimpses of Premiership class against Coventry on the opening day but hasn't played since the Plymouth victory.
Apperances (to present): 4
Goals: 0
Dennis Souza - Defender (Charleroi) Free
Two words needed. Absolute Bargain. Souza has showed he is Brazilian quality with a string of awesome performances in the Reds back-line. Looks set for Premiership in the future. The New De Zeeuw, an absolute steal on a free transfer.
Apperances (to present): 7
Goals: 0
Heinz Muller - Goalkeeper (Lillestrom) Undisclosed
Giant German keeper Muller signed from Norweigan football. Came in for Colgan in the Carling Cup game with Darlington and hasn't looked back so far. Punches a lot but the fans seem to like him so far.
Appearances (to present): 6
Goals: 0
Kim Christensen - Striker (Odense Blodklub) Undisclosed
Big striker Christensen signed from OB. Made his debut at Colchester and won the penalty to make it 2-2. Has been restricted to just sub appearances so far.
Appearances (to present): 4
Goals: 0
Anderson de Silva - Midfielder (Everton) Loan
Brazilian midfielder Anderson joined on a month's loan and has so far impressed. His loan deal is up on the date of writing but Davey is looking to extend it, according to the Yorkshire Post.
Appearances (to present): 4
Goals: 0
Stephen Foster - Defender (Burnley) £100,000
Joined on the same day as Anderson and has so far impressed at centre-back and is keeping former skipper Paul Reid out of the team. Long may his form continue.
Appearances (to present): 4
Goals: 0
Jamal Campbell-Ryce - Midfielder (Southend) Undisclosed
Diminutive winger JCR signed from Southend late on deadline day. He has been impressive so far, against Scunthorpe and he tore the Stoke City defence to shreds last week. Looks a good signing.
Appearances (to present): 3
Goals: 0
So, Davey's recruitment drive has been massive. His reign has also seen players such as Antony Kay, Neil Austin, Tommy Wright, Paul Heckingbottom and Marc Richards leave, and a cosmopolitan look to the side this season, most people are impressed with Davey's activity in the transfer market.
