West Ham will hope Bowen’s goals can save
them (Getty)But when Stead first walked into Ewood Park, it was something of a basket case. His signing was a change of
tact from Souness who had focused on bringing in already established players who he believed should get
them out of a rut. Issues arose, perhaps expectedly, when those egos clashed. Stead remembers it well, if
not fondly, especially as he was already overawed at signing for the 1994/95 champions.
“It was a strange atmosphere if I am honest,” he tells The Independent. “It was obviously new surroundings
and a bit overwhelming for me walking into a dressing room with Brad Friedel, Andy Cole and Dwight
Yorke. But the tension between the gaffer and Cole and Yorke was very noticeable and I could tell there was
some sort of issue between them. That was made clear when that following weekend away at
Middlesbrough me and Paul Gallagher started as strikers.”
Stead scored the only goal in that game and continued on, trying to avoid the internal politics and just get
on with the day job. Though alien to the rigours of Premiership football, not playing at a higher level before
had a peculiar advantage.
“I’d never struggled to score during the first half of that season [he had 18 for Huddersfield before he
moved] and I honestly felt like I could never fail. I hadn’t yet tasted difficult scoring droughts or lacked any
confidence. That first game and goal really helped as it enforced my belief I could compete at this level.”
The big one was the goal against Manchester United. A match and a moment he looks back on as when it all
clicked.
“I was on the same pitch as Manchester United players! It was a huge boost for me and then to go and score
the winner was one of the best feelings and moments of my life. I felt like I had arrived and that nothing
could stop me.”
Of course, things did come to an end for Stead. After just two goals the following season, he was sold to
Sunderland and gradually made his way down the leagues.
Things were not much better for Saha. Persistent injuries plagued his next five seasons at Manchester
United before the club cut their losses and offloaded him in September 2008.
Campbell, as evidenced by the 137 more games he played after his first half-season – 36 goals among them –
was the longer-term success story of the trio. That, ultimately, was because Everton lucked out. In different
market conditions, like the start of the season, they might not have been able to afford Campbell and may
have faced competition from better-off clubs. They were also helped by the forward’s sense of loyalty to
Goodison Park.
For Ighalo and Bowen more goals may be forthcoming before the season is out, but they bring no