Very nearly a Roeder masterstroke, Hodge was an ageing ex-England midfielder looking for a club to keep him occupied. He signed a month-to-month contract and made his debut in a 3-0 win over Tranmere, showing that he'd lost none of his energy or quality. As is the way with these things, he was injured in the next game and we never saw him again. His contract wasn't renewed until he could prove himself fit and, when Taylor took over from Roeder, he lost contact with the club. Had he stayed, he might well have ended up doing the same job for us that Ray Houghton has for Palace - he was too good for the First Division but dedicated enough not to rest on his laurels.