In my time 81-2 onwards(I was too young to appreciate back then) Shipperley, Ward, OGrady all in that mould(ish) for me Dyer, Aylott, Cooper, Rammell all good aswell. Not same types like but i just like reminiscing
For me - and in no particular order - fjortoft (as you say) was class with back to goal. Ward. Dyer. Shipperly. Wilkinson. To be honest, if I was going to say he was the best with his back to goal, that I'd seen in a reds shirt, he'd probably have to make my best XI - but he's nowhere near that. I think he's worth a million - but a lot of that is to do with the inflated and outrageous values that are put on players. Today what would Steve Agnew or David Currie be worth? Derek Parker? Dare I say it - Ronnie Glavin. Whether he's worth a million - or two million - we won't have got anywhere near either figure, and we've been mugged off, yet again, as little old Barnsley. Just like you've said.
He's OK when played to his strengths, which means not on the wing but don't expect any sort of loyalty from him.
A player is only worth as much as someone else is willing to pay for him. As he is in his last year of his contract, we were never going to get anywhere near £2million for him, I'd have been surprised if we got anymore than £750k for him.
You'll be surprised if you've never seen him play before or at least don't remember him, as it is a popular misconception that he is white. To be honest, he didn't get much service last season, was often made to play on the wing or as a lone striker, and yet he still managed to score 15 goals in a relegated team. It's better to play O'Grady in a front 2. He seems to be able to play alongside any type of striker. He can hold a ball up as he is pretty strong, his work rate for the best part is pretty good however you sometimes feel that he reads many a situation as a lost cause when it isn't. He's a penalty taker and a fine finisher. You've got a bargain really. He doesn't have a particularly weak side to his game, he's more a jack of all trades type.
Value is all relative though isn't it? Like house prices. Scott hogan has just been sold for 750 k , grabban went for 3m. Comparatively, it is clear that we have negotiated badly. This was caused by making it obvious we were desperate so sell as soon as we went down. I must say I was surprised at this approach given that Mansford claims to be such a good negotiator. Not getting value for players will be the death of us and was largely to blame for our relegation.
You have picked up a very good player who with the right service will get you 20 goals. Enjoy him whilst you have him.