I know the season still has two games to go, but nothing major is going to change here, so here goes. A score of 5 is satisfactory.
Nicholls - 5. A shadow of a player that he was two years ago. Mostly competent keeper at this level and has improved from mistakes earlier in the season. Seems to have got worse since Clements left. Doubtful if any Championship side will come in for him now, other than as a back-up.
Headley - 5. Has done OK in what is his proper breakthrough season at this level. However, like Jackson who I'll come on to, he's now really anxious... you can tell just by looking at him. I think he'll get better, but so many seem to break through at Town and then regress and find themselves in League 2 (only to then become world-beaters when they get picked up by a Championship club).
Jackson - 3. Just not the same player following his return from injury... he looks absolutely terrified when he plays. Needs a loan next season to get his confidence back.
Lees - 5. A solid defender and never lets the team down. Has had an OK season with blips occasionally, but should be solid in League 1 (is he out of contract ?).
Helik - 6. Perhaps I'm being harsh here after all his goals, but an above average season as compared with other players. Some good games. But... I've noticed recently that seems to be lacking pace when he gets in the wrong position. Because of this, we may still have him next season. We'd be nowhere without his goals.
Pearson - 5. Has had good games and games where his lack of pace has been found out. Fine for League 1.
Spencer - 8. Half a season and he would be my player of the season. So much ability and technical skill. Amazing to think that he's the youngest player in the side. Don't think he will be with us next season.
Kasumu - 5. Had a real purple patch just before Christmas, then got injured and hasn't looked the same player. Fewer runs on the break now, so I think he is tired physically and/or mentally. I was expecting him to progress from last season, but he hasn't.
Wiles - 3. Spent quite a bit of money on a ghost who was a professional footballer in a previous life. I honestly don't know what to do with him next season.
Hogg - 4. Now getting found out for pace as he gets older. Opposition often just seem to run past him. Need a replacement next season in the same mould, but quicker and younger.
Rudoni - 6. Along with Spencer our brightest prospect. Lacking in confidence, especially in front of goal when he panics. I thought NW had sorted this out, but obviously not.
Matos - 4. Got off to a tremendous start in the cup against Man City and for the games following, but suddenly has changed into Ben Wiles. I think he just wants the season to end so that he can go back to Chelsea and play with proper footballers.
Burgzorg - 4. How can he not see that he's not the only one playing. Get your head up and pass the ball FFS. Enough said about him on other threads. Perhaps there is a really good player in there and we should take him next season... I really don't know - he's an enigma. His failure to cross to Rudoni/Koroma on Saturday to put us 1-0 up will remain with me for a while*
* Note: if he had have crossed to Koroma, he'd have probably blasted it into row VV and pulled his shirt over his head. If he'd have passed it to Rudoni, he'd probably have let off a powder-puff shot that trickled wide and sunk to his knees and put his hands over his face like he usually does.
Thomas - 7. A very good season which is amazing considering that he has risen from the depths of despair under the Scottish manager and abuse from the Morlocks. I can see why he is in the running for player of the season. He'd have got an 8 except for his half-hearted attempts to track back sometimes and his wayward passing when in good positions.
Koroma - 5. Purple patch, poor, purple patch, poor... you know what you're gonna get with Josh. Should be a good League 1 player.
Ward - 4. I think he is still suffering from his injury... is it chronic? Along with Koroma the best finisher, but that's not saying a lot.
Healey/Radulovic - 3. Must wonder why they've been signed. Injured for most of their time, but bit part players.
Breitenreiter. I'm not going to score him as he's only had 12 games. His predecessor who has moved on and showed again what an average manager he is would only get a 4. I wonder if AB has a get out clause in his contract if we go down. We need to see the best of him, but scars from previous relegations seem to have affected his judgement.
Cartwright - 3. The only thing he's got right is sending Spencer to Motherwell and then bringing him back. Healy and Radulovic may prove to be good signings.
Kevin Nagle - sorry chairman/owner - 4. He looks to have made some really poor appointments at the start and the sacking of NW... enough said. I don't think we would be in the position we are now if NW had had 15 more games. Further, he needs to rein in this politician hyperbole of looking to get to the PL in three years. No. First of all try and get together a squad that can compete and possess a style of play, such as Swansea, Norwich, Hull, Coventry and Preston. This will then be the launchpad for a good cup run or a chance in the play offs. What is the overall ambition? Very difficult to survive in the PL now, that countries own football teams. Mind you... where would we be without him.
Finally, all is not lost. There are the makings of a really good League 1 side, with some well thought out additions. But... this side needs to be not only capable of promotion back to the Championship, but the ability to compete there.
