5. Darren Ambrose
Tony Marshall/EMPICS SportDarren Ambrose spent 3 years at Crystal Palace from 2009-2012 and during this time established himself as one of the clubs finest players. The importance of Darren Ambrose is made all the more significant by the fact that the club was going through so much financial turmoil and unrest during these years indeed, Ambrose ended the season with a goal against Sheffield Wednesday that saved the Eagles form relegation as well as from financial liquidation and possible extinction. The 2009/10 season opened with a career-best record of 12 goals in 20 games which earned him the Player of the Month award for November. The attacking midfielders howitzer of a long shot combined with his fine passing game sharpened Palaces offensive edge immensely. This ability to strike the ball from range was shown in 2012 with the 35-yard banger he scored at Old Trafford which allowed the Eagles to pull off the upset against Manchester United in the League Cup quarter finals. Gary Neville would describe this blinder as the best goals scored by an away side ever at Old Trafford. After another good season with Palace it came as a great surprise that Ambrose signed with Birmingham City in July 2012. In his two seasons for the Midlands club Darren has mustered only 7 league appearances and is currently out on loan to Greek Superleague side Apollon Smyrni.