We haven't been signing players on a downward trajectory from those leagues in the main though, certainly not in recent years.
Bassey, Sterling, Cantwell, Dowell, Kent, Barker were all a good age with regards potential to improve when we signed them. Goldson was signed from a Premiership club and has undoubtedly been a success, regardless of his recent dip in form.
Lundstram was 27/28, so not terrible in that regard either.
Defoe and McCauley obviously were on a downward trajectory, but very few of us would consider the former to have been a poor signing.
I've not included loans or players like McGregor and Davis who knew the club.
Our hit rate there is probably favourable in the last 5 or 6 seasons.