Max O’ Collins: My end of season ratings
By Ryan G • Jun 3rd, 2008 • Category: Opinion |This is a mailbag entry, and therefore this is not written by FollowEverton.com.
Having had a few week and to take in the highs and lows of what has been an
immense season from the blue boys, with a notable achievement of the 17 game
run where we only lost to United and Arsenal, I have drawn up a player
rating system for the team over the season.
Howard – 8 – I felt after his first season at Goodison Park he hadn’t shown
his full potential. The American number 1 most definitely displayed a lot
more of what I had expected of him in 07/08. He Mr.Consistent and was a very
valuable last line of defence, thwarting many world-class strikers.
Highlight – a marvellous double save away to Birmingham, which kept the
score at 1-0.
Phil Neville – 6.5 – O.K, it hasn’t been the best of seasons for the Mr.
Versatile defender, but two valuable goals in games against Bolton and Aston
Villa have contributed to a decent rating. Highlight – the goal against
Villa, which in effect assured our European status for next season so late
on in the season.
Tony Hibbert – 7 – sharing the right back role with Neville, and he has
proved to be the better of the two over the season. Hibbert, still
relatively consistent, just lacks the pace and quality in distributing the
ball to be a top wing back. Highlight – keeping Martin Petrov out of both
games against City when he was looking his most lethal. In the second game,
frustrating the Bulgarian enough to get him needlessly sent off.
Joseph Yobo – 7.5 – He has been Mr. Average this season. The Nigerian was
away for a month for the African cup of nations, but Jagielka managed to
provide immense cover. He hasn’t been exceptional or pathetic. A good solid
defender, who has become a vital part of the spine of the team. Highlight –
The Placed finish against Villa, which put us back in the lead.
Phil Jagielka – 8.5 – After having a rather torrid time at the start of the
season with his preferred position and role in the team not really being
understood, he cemented a place at centre back whilst Joseph Yobo was at the
African Cup of Nations. Once Yobo returned, Lescott had to be deployed at
left back, that’s how immense he had been. For 3 million pounds he was a
bargain buy by Moyes. Highlight – the looping header to beat Haehnemann in
what was a rather drab affair against Reading at Goodison Park to get the 3
points.
Joleon Lescott – 9.5 – STAR MAN – An awesome season for the centre come
left back. His power, pace, prowess and add to that clinical touch within
the oppositions penalty area have earned the Englishman a national call up.
He was touted as a Real Madrid target at one stage and with seasons like the
one he has just produced it is apparent why. Highlight – The opener away to
Spurs, which hasn’t been a happy hunting ground in recent years. The final
game against Newcastle to seal UEFA cup football by bagging his 10th goal of
the season.
Leighton Baines – 7 – A season plagued by injury, Leighton has not been
able to cement a first team place, but on the rare occasions when he has
played he hasn’t looked out of his depth. Expect a prolonged first team
spell next season. Highlight – the pinpoint cross to Yakubu in the game
against Derby, which resulted in one of the misses of the century.
Steven Pienaar – 8.5 – Despite the last quarter of the season being cut
short by injury and fatigue, overall the South African winger has shown some
signs of brilliance. He has been a menace, getting in behind defenders on
either flank and for 2 million pounds is another bargain signing by David
Moyes. Over the summer hopefully he will work on the physical aspect of his
game because I feel at times he is easily pushed aside by, not exactly the
most towering wingbacks. Highlight – the cross onto Cahill’s head to
equalise against United. His goal against Sunderland to cap a brilliant team
move.
Mikel Arteta – 7.5 – When you set such high standards as Mikel did in his
first two seasons it is difficult to keep it up. He has had a bit of a
torrid time since Christmas with an abdominal problem and that has seriously
affected his performances this season. He hasn’t been the playmaker as he
has for the past few seasons but none the less he has scored some vital
goals. Highlight – The penalty against Nuremberg to send the travelling
Toffees into raptures. The 25-yard drive against Fiorentina, which got us
level pegging in the tie.
Tim Cahill – 8 – The metatarsal strikes back. Just as Tim was getting into
his stride he goes and gets injured again! For the middle part of the season
he looked lethal, he and Yakubu just couldn’t stop scoring, but when he got
injured again in the West Ham game we failed to perform to the same high
standards. Highlight – The overhead kick in the dying minutes away to
Chelsea-that really got the prawn sandwich-eating fans annoyed!
Lee Carsley – 8 – I just can’t see why Moyes let him go. He had one of his
best seasons this year by far and like wine, with age he has got better. I
can see why he’s moved on, at his age you don’t want to be offered one-year
deals. He will be remembered for ‘that goal’ against Liverpool in 2004.
Highlight – the goal against Birmingham in the last few minutes to grab a
valuable win. The terrier like defending to keep 6’4 John Carew quiet in the
air.
Leon Osman – 8.5 – again his season has had its injury blip coming in the
form of a slight break of the metatarsal. He performed like a soldier
despite this fracture, trooping on against West Ham to lead the team to a
2-0 win in the league game at Upton Park. He has become a real fans
favourite this season and has cemented a first team space when fit.
Highlight – the equaliser in the quarter final against West Ham. The finish
against Larissa to cap a wonderfully crafted team move from defence to
attack.
Manuel Fernandes – 7 – Not been a great return from the Portuguese wonder
kid, but none the less he has proved his worth. He has looked class at
times, especially against Chelsea, and has been valuable back up since his
loan move in January. Highlight – the assists on the last day of the season
against Newcastle.
Andy Johnson – 7.5 – Again, after having such a good first season it was
going to be difficult for AJ to reproduce the goods. He has been in Yakubu’s
shadow for most of the season, but when he has started games he’s looked
good. The English international has managed to bag himself 10 goals for the
season, which is a good return for someone who has mainly been used from the
bench. Highlight – The 30 yard pearler against SK Brann to seal a memorable
victory.
Yakubu – 9 – He has had a great debut season. 22 was the Yaks target for
the season goals wise, and he came 1 short. With a brace in the final game
against Newcastle he got to 21 to cap a brilliant campaign for the Nigerian.
Highlight – his hat trick against Fulham, the first of two in the season to
single-handily win the game.
Victor Anichebe – 7.5 – Some vital goals like AJ, more often in Europe,
only scoring one all season within the league. Highlight – the strength to
muscle out the German centre back before sealing the win in Germany against
Nuremberg.
Others that have played: Gravesen 5, Vaughan 5.5, Valente 5, Viardasson
n/a, Wessels 5, Stubbs 6, McFadden 6
Mailbag submission sent in by Max O’ Collins – Kent
Nice article Max, nice to see you’ve gone into detail.
Personally I think Tim Howard was the star of last season.
Not sure about some of your ratings Max. Do you seriously think Pienaar had a better season then Howard? I don’t.
I think you’ve been quite generous there:
For example I’d give the Yak 8.5, Hibbo and Neville 6, Fernandes 6.5, Osman 7, Baines 6.5.
Personally i felt he did. Putting into context the fact that he hadn’t played a game the season before and was low on confidence, he had a point to prove and sparked some class attacking moves.
Spot on with Joleen Lescott’s rating but I think your a bit harsh on Neville’s rating. I thought he had a better season then Tony Hibbert.
OJL-Yak scored 21 in the whole season, first to do so in a long time. Hibbo got a seven and manny wasn’t too good. 7 was kind of a mediocre/decent mark. We came 5th and had the best points tally in the premiership, the whole team on average played very well.
Howard was our star man, 9.5 I would of given him with Lescott closely behind with Jags.