Season Ratings

I refuse to entertain the thought of us going down. To make me feel a bit better, I have done my season review with a view to what we will need next year (in the EPL).

In a nutshell, I reckon we need a LB (Rose or other), RB, CB (x3), CM (x3, including one almighty rock and a hot young prospect), LM/RM/Winger (x2) and Striker (x2).

Holy smokes, that’s 12 signings (more if Mig and Rose can’t be retained). It would probably be easier to buy and relocate one of the other mid-table teams lol. I know this can't all happen in one transfer window - but it's the sad reality of what I think we need.

Keep (if we can in some cases):

Mignolet (8) – Our player of the season in my opinion. Keeping him would be great, but we’ll probably have to give him up for $10m sooner rather than later.

Westwood (6) – Not enough sample size as Mig was just too good. It’s no shame having him as our keeper if Mig goes.

O’Shea (7.5) – our best CB in my view. Slow and occasionally error prone (but who isn’t), but has a fantastic attitude and positional awareness. A great influence for the rest of the squad. We would have been a shambles without him. He’s getting on a bit and we’ll need some fresh blood. Keep and re-assess in a year.

Rose (8) – our best outfield player by a mile. If someone said he was our best player overall this season, I wouldn’t disagree too hard (I think Mig edged it). Defends well. Gets caught out of position a bit, but has the natural athletic ability to make up for it. Works hard and has a great attitude and will keep getting better. We’d be very lucky to keep him. At the rumoured $8m, it would be an absolute bargain, given the scarcity of good LBs.

Colback (6.5) – he’s making good progress. Will never be a good CM in my view as he just can’t impose himself on the game and will never be great at heading the ball given his small stature. However, as a deputy RB or LB, he does very well. He’ll get a few more shades better, but will never be a world beater. Keep as cover and see what we have in a another year or two.

Johnson (6.5) – didn’t give us anywhere near enough, but showed some very good glimpses. His quality is undeniable. We just need him to put it all together next season. Fingers crossed or else this won’t be pretty this time next year. Could become a scapegoat if we don’t perform well next season.

N’Diaye (6.5) – great engine, good movement and an absolute physical specimen. Surprisingly good with the ball at his feet. Can’t shoot to save his life at the moment. Needs more seasoning and to impose himself a bit more, but he’s headed in the right direction.

Fletcher (8) – the only complaint I have is that he got injured! Worth the money and has the ability to make goals out of almost nothing at times. We need to feed him more than fresh air next season and partner him with someone worthy.

Sessegnon (7) – didn’t deserve this rating for most of the year, but did pull his finger out at a critical time for us. We would have been chopped liver at times without his creativity and ability to hold up the ball (and timely goals). At times it seemed like he was the only one who wasn’t afraid to be in possession. I would give him until January to show that he can be consistent with our team performing well. Otherwise, we need to put him in the too hard basket as far as integrating our team around him goes (and move in a another direction). If Di Canio decided that this moment is now, then I could understand too: CAMs can be almost almost impossible to build into slow and mediocre teams like ours. Concerning that he only has been at his best when a new manager comes in.

Wickham (6) – gets another year’s grace. Not enough sample size (yet again) to fairly judge. He’s young and has shown the right attitude. Plays very well for the U21’s too. Concerned as to whether his style can co-exist with Fletcher. Will also need to carefully monitor his injury/fitness record. Too good to simply let go for 50 cents in the dollar at this stage.


Let go:

Bramble (5) – simply not a premier league CB for any team other than those battling relegation. This year, that kind of team has included us. To rub it in, his attitude is also suspect. No action needed, simply let him go as his contract is up (if I understand right).

Kilgallon (6) – never really given a fair go and we didn’t pay too much for him. Hasn't done too badly on the pitch either when he's played. However, 3 managers in a row have deemed him as not being up to scratch. Get whatever we can for him.

Cuellar (6) – gives no-nonsense defending a whole new meaning to the point of nonsense at time. Senselessly heads balls out and concedes set pieces when he has time to control the ball and retain possession. Yes we got him on a free and yes, he could have been worse, but we need better. Keep only until 2 new and decent CBs have been found and move him on.

Bardsley (5) – looks past his best and injury has taken its toll. Tough call here. If healthy and fit, he could still be handy. It will really depend on whether we can get a decent RB in the market. If we can get a decent RB in, then the sad reality is that we will have no need for him as Colback is more than good enough as a deputy RB.

Larsen (6) – I don’t see a decent premier league midfielder here. I’m a bit worried that Di Canio labelled him as one of the best. We’ll see what Di Canio really thinks over the summer. He’s too slow for the RW and doesn’t impose himself on the game or retain possession in any decent way for CM. Can’t head the ball either. His calling card (set-pieces) was nowhere near good enough to make up for his other deficiencies. Stays on the pitch and looks like he’s trying hard, but we need better. Move him on.

Gardiner (6) – not worth anywhere near the 5-6 million we paid. No future in CM, but possibly a future as cover for RB. Not what we had in mind when shelling out that kind of money. Time to move him on if we can.

Cattermole (6.5) – plays well and we’re a much better team with him... when he plays. It’s time to cut ties and move in a new direction and give our team a new identity, heart and soul. It’s a little bit sad, but has to be done. We cannot live with the injuries and suspension any more.

McLean (6) – simply not a premier league winger and never will be in my view. He’s no good with the ball at his feet, which is kind of critical to be a winger. Seems to have also lost all ability to cross the ball - again, a critical flaw. Gives up possession far too easily and too often. Attitude is a real concern. Not just off the field, but with the way he acts on the field to his teammates.

Vaughan (6) – some cracking goals and ok with the ball at his feet, but yet another mini-CM who can’t impose himself on the game. Pretty slow too for a little guy. Not terrible overall, but not particularly good either. Goes missing far too often. Time to move him on.

Graham (6) – he’s just not up to it. I’m very surprised as I thought he’d be a no-frills 1 in 3 kind of player (what we would have given for that!). Perhaps it’s the Newcastle ties that have crocked him mentally. Either way, his confidence is shot beyond repair and we simply need better up front in any event. To his defence, he's looked like he's tried his hardest and given his all. I have no doubt he’s a genuine 1 in 3 striker, but it’s just never going to be with us. Every second he stays is a time bomb ticking. This was the risk in signing him and it's come to fruition right away. If it wasn't for the Newcastle/mental thing, I probably would give him another season or keep him as cover on the bench.

El Mohamady – no real controversy here.

Everyone else not mentioned.

 

How does Killgallon score higher than Bramble? Bramble has played 16 times in the league and has been solid bar one bad back pass against WBA when he had Lukaku breathing down his neck after osheas calamity defending on the half way line.

 

I look at this team and think how are we still with a chance for survival. I doubt this team would be good enough to get out of the championship. A major overhaul is required. My huge worry is who will be doing the overhaul. While everyone is jumping on the PDC bandwagon, I have some major concerns. He seems full of energy and passion, but that gets you only so far, I hope and pray, we put in a senior figure that can guide PDC, if he is left to his own devices, this guy could be a lose cannon. Just my opinion tho'
As for you marks for the season. Mine would be.
Mig..........9
O'Shea.....7
Rose........9
Colback....5
Johnson...6
N'Daiye....6
Fletcher...7
Sess.......7.5
Whickham 5 (hasn't played enough)


Bramble.......4
Killgallon......4
Cuellar.........3
Bardsley.......4
larsen..........4
Gardiner......5
Catts...........5 (we have missed him big time)
McClean.......3 (one season wonder)
Vaughan......5
Graham.......4 (Waste of 5m)

 

You're probably right Parker. I was being extra harsh because it's Bramble lol. Shall we agree on a standard mediocre score of 6? We still need to ditch him in my view.

 

I would agree with 6 but only Rose would score higher in the defence for me

 

No Clattermole?

 

If I'm honest lads I can't rate any players from that shower of ****e the poor players look good and the **** players just look ****ter. Will try again next season if we get some quality in to judge them against.

 

Or Brown.

 

I give a 9 to Mig for saving our season single handedly (and again yesterday) and 2 to the rest of them all for being 4th bottom waiting for Wigan to save our arses by being worse than us.

Utter ****e end to an utterly ****e season from the 1st day onwards.

 

Mig..........9 Best player by a country mile.
O'Shea.....7 Last season as first choice surely. Best CB who Organises well. too slow, Defence needs complete overhaul.
Rose........8 Giving a 9 would have left little room for improvement but this lad is going to get better and better.
Colback....6 Never settled in one position for long, still our best passer of the ball and rarely gives it away. Consistently improving each year. keeper.
Johnson...7 Show glimpses of class, underperformed massively. Top assists and important goals
N'Daiye....6/7 very unfit when he arrived, fitter he's got the better he's getting and I like what I see
Fletcher...8 Did nothing wrong all season, scored goals with little service, no real reason to mark him low
Sess......6 Can't forget how bad he was in the first two thirds of the season, if not for his fine form at the end of the season I would have marked him a lot lower.
Whickham 5 It's our fault his development has slowed. failing him at the moment.


Bramble.......3 get shot
Killgallon......4 better than bramble, get shot
Cuellar.........5 can only play with O'shea, both to slow to play together.
Bardsley.......3 we'll be forced to keep him with so little fullback cover.
larsson..........4 not fast enough to play out wide, not enough composure to play in the middle. We'd get a decent price for him.
Gardener......5 important goals, decent at right back but dreadful in the middle
Catts...........5 played with injuries until he broke down. Blatant disregard to player care on the part of the club
McClean.......3 hard working but to stupid to read the game, agressive to encouragement, not a premership player
Vaughan......4 Good passer, extremely inconsitant
Graham.......4 Would like to know the odd of him not being a sunderland player next season cause I'll take that bet.

 

Pretty easy to rate tbh. Mig has been outstanding, Rose very good, Fletcher looks like he can do the biz, Sess flatters to decieve, O' Shea, just above average and the rest (over a whole season) have been ****E..

 

sorry to use your posting but I don't know any other way to post other than rewrite the whole thing again sorry for my opinion but they heve really been a pile of ****e what would the ratings been if we had performed

 

I was over generous Vincent, you probably have much more accurate ratings. I have never felt so let down by this club than I have this season. Everything is in place to make this a successful club...we have squandered millions of pounds on average players who basically couldn't give a stuff. My biggest disappointment was O'Neill, really thought we struck gold with him. What is it about Sunderland AFC...anyone gets employed by this club seems to sink to a level never seen before....totally gutted with this season.

 

that's exactly my point we were supposed to consolidate our position in the league with great expectations now look what's happened.lets hope the gunners do there bit and we will all start again next season.its sad but that's what happens been a Sunderland supporter.we have seen it all year after year

 

At least we can finally draw a line under this debacle so a season on move on with hope for next season. We couldn't say that 6 weeks ago.