Things have been tough for Ipswich Town this season. Without a win since promotion, the Tractor Boys fell to a late defeat at Brentford this weekend.
It was an afternoon to forget for poor Harry Clarke. The defender became just the second Premier League player in history to score an own goal, conceded a penalty, and be sent off in the same fixture. It was a nightmare full debut in the top flight for the 23-year-old, but he’s not alone in struggling on his first Premier League appearances.
We look back at five of the worst Premier League debuts.
Five of the worst debuts in Premier League history:
Rio Ferdinand
Debuts always bring a sense of expectation and anticipation, but those feelings were heightened following Rio Ferdinand’s record-breaking move to Leeds in 2000. The centre-back set a new British transfer record and became world football’s most expensive defender upon his £18m move to Elland Road from West Ham, but was part of a defence ruthlessly cut apart against Leicester on his first appearance.
David O’Leary had altered his side’s tactics in a bid to get the best from the marquee arrival, but his plans backfired in spectacular fashion as Leicester raced into a three-goal lead inside 28 minutes.
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Ferdinand was one of a number of Leeds players who struggled as goals from Robbie Savage, Ade Akinbiyi, and Gerry Taggart gave Leicester a commanding first-half lead, one the Foxes would not relinquish as Ferdinand’...