Andy Morrell - was played most of the time as a winger! Not really given a chance as a striker here but wasn't as prolific over a sustained period like ALF - yes, he scored 34 in only 45 games in the 2002-03 season, BUT only scored two goals the entire previous season
Robbie Simpson - wasn't really the same as he didn't have a record of 80 goals in 180 appearances as ALF has, he was a lot younger & not a league player - played in the conference,
Roy O'Donovan - came from Sunderland not lower league - again, not decent record over a sustained period of time & not really had a chance to show what he can do.
AM didn't get a fair run, but did get his chance. We signed him for goals that he couldn't produce at this level. Not a criticism, not his fault just an example used.
Simpson was no -league but a massive NL reputation and peopel were sure he would step up. He didn't and he hasn't shone since dropping either
ROD we may have signed from Sunderland but we did so on the back of his L1 spell on loan with Hartlepool
No need to look for excuses, they were simply other examples of others who have produced at a lower level and not been able to continue as per the other examples offered in FE and CB.
As I said, let's hope this one is different