Always like Roker Report, decent Article, Agree or Disagree, your choice entirely. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// http://www.rokerreport.com/2012/5/2...fc-end-of-season-player-ratings-part-one-2012 The 2011/12 season is well and truly over now, so we can sit back and take a good look at it from every angle, which is exactly what we're going to be doing on Roker Report, and part of that is our end of season grades for every single player in the squad. Whether they played or not, so long as they had a squad number then they've been given a grade on how we feel they did this season, and perhaps what the future holds in the case of some of the younger or lesser played players. We're starting now by running through everyone from Craig Gordon to Ji Dong-Won, and tomorrow we'll be back with all those from David Meyler to Nicklas Bendtner. We've also included the mark we gave them at the half-way stage for comparison too. Now, come have look... 1. Craig Gordon At the halfway stage of the season we did these cards too, and back then we hoped Gordon had something in the tank to show he has a future at the club. Having suffered minor set-backs and simply not being picked at all, means that there would seemingly be absolutely no chance of Gordon staying at the club. A few appearances at the end of the season won't have made that much of a difference I don't think, although I could be shocked. Never mind, we wish you all the best for the future Craig. Grade: D (Previous: N/A) 2. Phil Bardsley Was this a "Player Of The Year" type season for Bardsley? No, not really. Just as it wasn't the previous year either. Once again, Bardo has been fine, adequate and never anything more. If anything, you'd say he had more bad games than good games, but there was a hell of a lot of average ones in there too. Thankfully, the right-back spot looks like being John O'Shea's to lose for the foreseeable. Grade: D (Previous: D) 3. Asamoah Gyan Do we even still regard him as our player? Well technically he is, and he's played a few terrible games for us early on in the year. I'm sure we'd be welcoming if he came back in a better frame of mind and more motivated, but having recently turned down the opportunity to come back, he can go to the highest bidder. Grade: F (Previous: F) 3. Wayne Bridge I was happy when Bridge arrived. So he might not have the best of reputations over the last few years having wallowed in Man City's reserves, but still, he's done alright for himself since arriving on Wearside. A few initial jitters, but once he got himself up to speed he proved to be exactly what we needed, a competent fullback. Unfortunately his wage isn't representative of his skills, so unless he's ready for a huge pay cut, we won't be seeing him back at the club. Grade: C (Previous: N/A) 4. Michael Turner Turner was coming on strong at the half-way point of the season after a nightmare start, after what we put down as "The Wes Brown Effect" but since Brown went down injured, it's been John O'Shea who rubbed off on Turner and continued the good form. Now Turner's turned teacher for Matt Kilgallon, and seems back to his better form. Grade: B (Previous: C) 5. Wes Brown Damn us! We were all very surprised that early on in the season Brown wasn't the injury prone lump we thought he'd be, and rejoiced over the fact. Sadly, the injury bug got to him again in the latter part of the season, and he was rarely seen despite reportedly being ‘on the verge' of a comeback on several occasions. Over all though, Brown made several solid contributions, and at our lowest ebb, he did marvellously. We hope he bounces back into full fitness next season for us. Grade: B (Previous: B) 6. Lee Cattermole Two very differing Lee Cattermole's were seen this season I feel. At the start, you could kind of see what he was supposed to be doing, but it wasn't until Martin O'Neill came in where he became a much, much improved player. There's still been the odd flashpoint where ‘Old Lee' returned such as Newcastle away, but overall, you have to say that his second half of the season, like many others, has been great. More consistency required however. Grade: B (Previous: D) 7. Sebastian Larsson Despite a tail off towards the end of the season, which we later found out was because he was playing through injury, Larsson has had an excellent season, and a solid contributor to the team. Ending the season with 7 goals, and 2 assists, is very good, although he would have been brought in last summer to possibly reverse those numbers, the production has been excellent. Overall though, very impressed. Grade: A (Previous: A) 8. Craig Gardner Up and down season for Gardner, which has ended ultimately being quite middling. The homesickness rumours didn't help him particularly, nor did a brief appearance on Twitter, and although he has had some solid games, he's also had his fair share of games where you wonder just what he does. He's committed himself to next season, so hopefully this season was just him settling in and not a true reflection of his skills. Actually, I felt he played at his best as an emergency right-back. Grade: C (Previous: C) 9. Fraizer Campbell Campbell made his long, long awaited return from injury in the second half of the season, and was an immediate contributor and a breath of fresh air. Highlighted by his superb goal at home to Norwich City. Since then, a lack of games (through O'Neill's choice) has seen him sort of fall away a little. We'll see him back to his best next year though. Grade: C (Previous: N/A) 10. Connor Wickham Connor had a few good games this season, notably early on where he was fantastic against Bolton and Aston Villa, but since then there's just been too many injuries, and not enough time on the pitch for Wickham. There's been a lot of criticism of Wickham, and sure he hasn't come anywhere near to justifying the £8m price tag, but there's still time and some raw materials there. Hopefully O'Neill can release his full potential next season. Grade: D (Previous: B) 11. Kieran Richardson I feel after he finally settled at the left-back position, Richardson had an excellent year for us. He now looks the part in the position, has improved his defensive abilities without compromising his attacking prowess, as he's still chipped in with goals and assists this season. Clearly he's not on a par with the likes of Ashley Cole, Patrice Evra or Leighton Baines, but I genuinely think he's right in the mix with the second rung of left-backs in the league. Very good season, I just hope that he resists temptation in the summer and stays with the club. Grade: A (Previous: B) 12. Matt Kilgallon Kilgallon was virtually dead I think prior to O'Neill giving him a chance during a massive defensive crisis, and to his credit, Kilgallon has in the large been an excellent and assured performer that doesn't provide fans with any particularly nervy moments. I'd have him finishing the season as our 4th best central defender, and one to keep around next season for such emergency again. Grade: B (Previous: N/A) 14. Jack Colback Wow. That's pretty much it for Colback. He's had such a brilliant, brilliant season at the heart of our midfield, and for me would be one of the first names on the team sheet. We've said it a million times, but Colback plays with a maturity beyond his years, rarely loses possession and works his little ginger backside off. Colback's rapidly developing into a fan favourite, and a personal favourite of mine, he's been brilliant. Grade: A (Previous: B) 15. David Vaughan Vaughan started the season very well, looked good in possession and provided a great range of passing, but since then there's been injuries and illness which have kept him away from having a regular starting position. I said at the halfway stage that he was almost a mentor to Colback as they have a similar style, but now Colback has surpassed the Welshman, leaving Vaughan as a very capable rotation player with Cattermole. Good to have a round for next year after an ok 2011/12 season. Grade: C (Previous: B) 16. John O'Shea I don't think O'Shea had the best of starts at the club, and by the halfway stage in the season was yet to really stand out. Since then however he has become a rock in defence (when fit) alongside Michael Turner, and notable standout performances in February, particularly against Newcastle, showed what a class act O'Shea has been for us. Overall, John's had a very good season for us. Grade: B (Previous: C) 17. Ji Dong-Won I can't help but feel that while the South Korean has been reasonably unimpressive, it's also because he's still acclimatising to English football, and has been asked to play much more than we would have liked this season. Despite the "Roy Of The Rovers" moment against Manchester City, it's been a so-so season for Ji, but as he matures and gets used to the game here, he'll get better. There's definitely a good player there. Grade: D (Previous: D)
I'm rarely outspoken or controversial... But... That's utter ****ing ****. Bardo D? Yeah he wasn't as good as last season but that's no surprise, last season he played like the hulk (green one not the midget Brazil) Gardner and Campbell above him? Campbell had maybe four good games (Not his fault I know) Gardner was stupidly hit and miss. Richardson A??? Did they watch all of our games or just a select few, again hit and miss. Colback A? I like the lad but he does nothing to merit that grade. B perhaps, must add goals.
Bardsley a fuc*ing D!! What a heap shi*e this article is! Richardson A?? WTF! Worst article I have seen in a long time (obviously aimed at Roker Report, not the poster)
Obviously the author of this pile of dogshit didn't even go to the games, Bardsley has had his best season for us and gets another D FFS what does he have to do score 20 more goals or what? or maybe he's popping the authors lasses clogs for her.
Disagree with that mind, think he was better last season. That may just be me remembering him playing brilliantly when everyone else was ****e in our horror run under though.
You will see a lot of names missing Mignolet for one because this is Part 1 of a 2 part article. So I guess the 'missing' players will be in Part 2.
Safc83 If WTF in this instance stands for 'Well That's Fair' I agree with you. Bardsley is a great defender, sadly in the Prem you need more than just being able to outmuscle the ball off the opposition and 'SHOOOOOOT!' a couple of lucky goals, two is it he has got? Think what chances a proper rightback could have created for every wayward Bardsley blast. KR how he helps JM shine drawing players away on the overlap, a great season. However you were correct with purely for this "Thankfully, the right-back spot looks like being John O'Shea's to lose for the foreseeable." O'shea can get away with as poor distribution as the Greek postal service in the centre but fails for the same reason as PB out right. You need attacking flair just like, oh lets think, err, hey like KR
And what about the rest of the time when ricco forgets who hes playing for and keeps passing it to the other side? Yeah he's great going forward for a left back, because he's not a left back.
KR has always had a problem with wayward passes regardless of position and at leat he's actually trying for a killer pass as opposed to a hoof!. However on the balance of things IMO he's the best Fullback at the club, he needs retaining. If every position in the squad was of the same standard as him the top 6 would be achievable.
If rumour is correct Moyes fancies him too http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/7771676/Toffees-sweet-on-Richardson
Fair enough mate. Bear in mind chelsea finished sixth and won the champions league. I dont think 11 Kieran Richardson's would be anywhere near that but everyones entitled to an opinion.
Bardsley a D utter rubbish if it wasn't for Sess would have won my player of the season, Richardson an A , 1decent game in 10 does not warrant this sort of praise, will not be bothered if he moved on. And Bridge Even getting a grade is strange did nothing in his short spell, missed too much football in the past 4 years
****in hell the old Danny Collins scenario. When we get a Right Back this window you will realise how astronomically far wide of the mark this is(unless skill and the ability to work a football in not included in the selection criteria and it's purely based on physicality and commitment ) IMO lyke! Disco#2
