Deadbat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
- Messages
- 6,708
- Reaction score
- 40,282
Defenders
Jack O’Connell Our most consistent defender over the last 2 seasons. He has made mistakes and had poor games but he for the most part is the defender you can rely on. I was not sure with the step up if he would have the pace or athletic ability to cope but he has been fine. He started season a bit slowly but then grew into it and as we surged up the table was excellent. His lung bursting runs forward carried on but he also defended well and won most of his battles. Decent on the ball and not as slow as you think, he is also fearless in the tackle and a real battler. He had a bit of a down spell around Xmas (as others did) but got back to form. I love his appetite for the game and the fact he battles so hard. Quietly effective. He surprised me skill wise with some of the things he did and some of his passing and touch and move was very good when supplementing the attack. He played some really good balls or crosses when he went forward but also at times; like some of the other centre backs and wing backs could do better with his final ball.
One of main critics of him is that he has not scored this season which is ridiculous as he missed so many good headed chances and some with his feet too. He should have had at least 4 or 5 goals but did not score any after having scored 6 goals the season before. He has switched off once or twice but not made lots of errors and overall he has been a steady to decent player most games. He has played every game I believe and every minute which a great achievement in is the hurly burly of modern day football where players get knocks, get rested or get suspensions
Cannot recall too many bad games he had. He looked a bit tired at the end of the season but played every game. At 24; he is entering his prime and he has been an excellent signing for us and one of players that has coped with step up comfortably. Indeed, if he keeps progressing there is no reason why he cannot play higher. I look at likes of Mawson, Tarkowski, Cook (Bournemouth centre back) and a few others that have moved up the leagues and can see no reason why he cannot do what they are doing.
Grade B+ (Last season A-)
Chris Basham Seems to have been here forever now but this is only his fourth season. He has had 3 managers in that time and every one played him in one position or another. He is a steady eddy that never seems to let the team down. He puts 100% in every game. Yes, he makes mistakes now and again and going forward does not always make the right choices but what effort he puts in every game. He leaves it all out on the field. He started the season not great with some errors in away games at Middlesbrough and also at Cardiff but slowly he got used to the step up. Mainly played at right centre back, he did have a few games at right wing back (not quite as successful – Fulham game for instance) and then also some in midfield where he also did fine (Wednesday away)but the position in the back three seemed to suit him.
He could still get forward, still run with the ball and still show his boundless energy. He reads the game very well and make lots of interceptions and then is off to the races. Played his part in some surging attacks this season and been inspirational in many home games. Felt he got better and better as the season went on. Sure, he still made the odd error and some were crucial and as I say he panics a bit when in the last third but he never stops. His passing, control and skill seems to have improved and even though final product often poor when in last part of field, in other areas of the field he seems to keep it better than he used to and uses it well. Seen many mazy dribbles too when he bursts forward. Become an ever present pretty much and one of those names, that if fit, will start. Coped with step up comfortably and should be a big part of what we do going forward. I think if we bring better players in, he may have to up his game even more but at the moment he has been one of our more consistent performers. A bit of a cult hero and a really underrated player in this side.
Grade B+ (Last season A-)
Richard Stearman A signing that was a little underwhelming but Wilder needed some Championship experience. He had tried to sign Ryan Bennett but he went to Wolves and could not get Lenighan from Blackburn so Stearman came in. He had played at this level much of his career for Leicester, Wolves and Fulham but he was not a player that I also thought was that secure and felt he always had a mistake in him. Tall but not that dominant but a decent ball player I remembered. He started the season and was very edgy in the early games and then got injured pulling his hamstring at Cardiff and then he missed 16 straight games. He had not started the season that well and was one of weaker players and Carter Vickers came in, Wright played and we did well and he was not missed.
By the time he came back in, we had gone top but had lost Coutts and had a few tricky home results and a few defenders had started to drop off. He played in three straight defeats but was one of our better players. He gave a penalty away at Villa but then slowly he got better and became very consistent. Even though our form was patchy and we gave goals away; I felt Stearman was one of our most consistent players in the second half of the season. Many games I went away and felt he was largely faultless. Some fans still cried out for Jake Wright citing our defeats down to him not playing. I think that was nonsense. There was an argument of Wright’s organisational skills but we have to play much deeper when he plays. With Stearman we can play higher up. When he went off against Cardiff we dropped deeper and conceded and then let in some poor goals against Barnsley when he did not play. He went off against Millwall and we conceded again but I felt he was poor himself on the first goal at Birmingham. Overall, he proved to be a decent signing and was quite steady and one of our better players in the second half of the season. He does not maybe dominate enough but that is not how he plays but with 3 players of a similar ilk, it means from corners, set plays and balls into the box we could be concede daft goals and that has happened at times. I would not be averse to us upgrading in this area in terms of trying to stop us being too soft in this area but with lack of funds you feel the back three that played most of the games may start the opening to the season.
Grade B- (Last season NA)
Jake Wright Wright had been a revelation the previous year as he came in and never lost a game that he started. He was unflappable and reliable. An organiser who talked, read the game and kept the defence together. You did fear the step up might be a bit much. He lacked pace and also had played all his career at League Two and non-league before joining United’s rise. I felt he would still play a part though and so it proved. He was never a regular this year and played a lot less games which I expected but had spells in the side and never really let us down. Sure, he had a few games where you could see his lack of pace and he did make a few mistakes but overall he was a steady 7/10 most games when he did play. Wilder preferred Stearman and Carter Vickers and many fans felt he was better (granted Stearman did well 2nd half of the season) and that Wright should have played.
He ended up only starting 12 league games and the bulk came in August, Sept and October. After Xmas he stated a couple of cup games but then only played at Barnsley as a start and the defence made some poor mistakes. Hard for him when he had been out of the side and may feel harshly treated but then Wilder seemed to want more pace a defence that could play a bit higher up. He is a useful lad to have around and would like him to remain. At 32 and the fact pace was never a factor; he is a great lad to have around as cover and to play the odd game. Whether he is happy doing this is another story. He is out of contract. I would give him another one-year deal – even though I feel we need another centre back and he has proven he can do ok which Heneghan; another alternative option has not yet done that.
Grade C+ (Last season A-)
Daniel Lafferty Had been steady in League One and a regular but a few difficult defensive moments against quick wingers always made you feel Wilder may bring in some competition. Enda Stevens came in but you were not certain who would start but the newcomer got the gig and never looked back; at least early on. Lafferty played in the cup games but was not quite convincing and I recall him then being used in midfield against Preston and at Leicester in the cup but was quite poor and gave the ball away a lot and looked very slow. He came on more earlier in the season to plug the left-hand side if teams attacked down there but his appearances became less and less and he was not even on the bench very much as the games went on.
He then got back on the bench and was used in a game against Millwall but despite Stevens form dropping off; he was never considered. Many said he should be playing but I think that is more around we had no other options than him to replace Stevens. I think most realised he was not better than him but maybe just deserved a go as Stevens had been poor for a run of games. The fact Wilder did not play him says a lot and I am not sure he is someone Wilder sees as playing more than the odd fill in game or sub appearance. I would not be totally surprised if we got some better competition for Stevens if he moved on. Is a solid player at League One level but not sure he is quite good enough for the level we are at or aspire to now.
Grade D+ (Last season B-)
Jack O’Connell Our most consistent defender over the last 2 seasons. He has made mistakes and had poor games but he for the most part is the defender you can rely on. I was not sure with the step up if he would have the pace or athletic ability to cope but he has been fine. He started season a bit slowly but then grew into it and as we surged up the table was excellent. His lung bursting runs forward carried on but he also defended well and won most of his battles. Decent on the ball and not as slow as you think, he is also fearless in the tackle and a real battler. He had a bit of a down spell around Xmas (as others did) but got back to form. I love his appetite for the game and the fact he battles so hard. Quietly effective. He surprised me skill wise with some of the things he did and some of his passing and touch and move was very good when supplementing the attack. He played some really good balls or crosses when he went forward but also at times; like some of the other centre backs and wing backs could do better with his final ball.
One of main critics of him is that he has not scored this season which is ridiculous as he missed so many good headed chances and some with his feet too. He should have had at least 4 or 5 goals but did not score any after having scored 6 goals the season before. He has switched off once or twice but not made lots of errors and overall he has been a steady to decent player most games. He has played every game I believe and every minute which a great achievement in is the hurly burly of modern day football where players get knocks, get rested or get suspensions
Cannot recall too many bad games he had. He looked a bit tired at the end of the season but played every game. At 24; he is entering his prime and he has been an excellent signing for us and one of players that has coped with step up comfortably. Indeed, if he keeps progressing there is no reason why he cannot play higher. I look at likes of Mawson, Tarkowski, Cook (Bournemouth centre back) and a few others that have moved up the leagues and can see no reason why he cannot do what they are doing.
Grade B+ (Last season A-)
Chris Basham Seems to have been here forever now but this is only his fourth season. He has had 3 managers in that time and every one played him in one position or another. He is a steady eddy that never seems to let the team down. He puts 100% in every game. Yes, he makes mistakes now and again and going forward does not always make the right choices but what effort he puts in every game. He leaves it all out on the field. He started the season not great with some errors in away games at Middlesbrough and also at Cardiff but slowly he got used to the step up. Mainly played at right centre back, he did have a few games at right wing back (not quite as successful – Fulham game for instance) and then also some in midfield where he also did fine (Wednesday away)but the position in the back three seemed to suit him.
He could still get forward, still run with the ball and still show his boundless energy. He reads the game very well and make lots of interceptions and then is off to the races. Played his part in some surging attacks this season and been inspirational in many home games. Felt he got better and better as the season went on. Sure, he still made the odd error and some were crucial and as I say he panics a bit when in the last third but he never stops. His passing, control and skill seems to have improved and even though final product often poor when in last part of field, in other areas of the field he seems to keep it better than he used to and uses it well. Seen many mazy dribbles too when he bursts forward. Become an ever present pretty much and one of those names, that if fit, will start. Coped with step up comfortably and should be a big part of what we do going forward. I think if we bring better players in, he may have to up his game even more but at the moment he has been one of our more consistent performers. A bit of a cult hero and a really underrated player in this side.
Grade B+ (Last season A-)
Richard Stearman A signing that was a little underwhelming but Wilder needed some Championship experience. He had tried to sign Ryan Bennett but he went to Wolves and could not get Lenighan from Blackburn so Stearman came in. He had played at this level much of his career for Leicester, Wolves and Fulham but he was not a player that I also thought was that secure and felt he always had a mistake in him. Tall but not that dominant but a decent ball player I remembered. He started the season and was very edgy in the early games and then got injured pulling his hamstring at Cardiff and then he missed 16 straight games. He had not started the season that well and was one of weaker players and Carter Vickers came in, Wright played and we did well and he was not missed.
By the time he came back in, we had gone top but had lost Coutts and had a few tricky home results and a few defenders had started to drop off. He played in three straight defeats but was one of our better players. He gave a penalty away at Villa but then slowly he got better and became very consistent. Even though our form was patchy and we gave goals away; I felt Stearman was one of our most consistent players in the second half of the season. Many games I went away and felt he was largely faultless. Some fans still cried out for Jake Wright citing our defeats down to him not playing. I think that was nonsense. There was an argument of Wright’s organisational skills but we have to play much deeper when he plays. With Stearman we can play higher up. When he went off against Cardiff we dropped deeper and conceded and then let in some poor goals against Barnsley when he did not play. He went off against Millwall and we conceded again but I felt he was poor himself on the first goal at Birmingham. Overall, he proved to be a decent signing and was quite steady and one of our better players in the second half of the season. He does not maybe dominate enough but that is not how he plays but with 3 players of a similar ilk, it means from corners, set plays and balls into the box we could be concede daft goals and that has happened at times. I would not be averse to us upgrading in this area in terms of trying to stop us being too soft in this area but with lack of funds you feel the back three that played most of the games may start the opening to the season.
Grade B- (Last season NA)
Jake Wright Wright had been a revelation the previous year as he came in and never lost a game that he started. He was unflappable and reliable. An organiser who talked, read the game and kept the defence together. You did fear the step up might be a bit much. He lacked pace and also had played all his career at League Two and non-league before joining United’s rise. I felt he would still play a part though and so it proved. He was never a regular this year and played a lot less games which I expected but had spells in the side and never really let us down. Sure, he had a few games where you could see his lack of pace and he did make a few mistakes but overall he was a steady 7/10 most games when he did play. Wilder preferred Stearman and Carter Vickers and many fans felt he was better (granted Stearman did well 2nd half of the season) and that Wright should have played.
He ended up only starting 12 league games and the bulk came in August, Sept and October. After Xmas he stated a couple of cup games but then only played at Barnsley as a start and the defence made some poor mistakes. Hard for him when he had been out of the side and may feel harshly treated but then Wilder seemed to want more pace a defence that could play a bit higher up. He is a useful lad to have around and would like him to remain. At 32 and the fact pace was never a factor; he is a great lad to have around as cover and to play the odd game. Whether he is happy doing this is another story. He is out of contract. I would give him another one-year deal – even though I feel we need another centre back and he has proven he can do ok which Heneghan; another alternative option has not yet done that.
Grade C+ (Last season A-)
Daniel Lafferty Had been steady in League One and a regular but a few difficult defensive moments against quick wingers always made you feel Wilder may bring in some competition. Enda Stevens came in but you were not certain who would start but the newcomer got the gig and never looked back; at least early on. Lafferty played in the cup games but was not quite convincing and I recall him then being used in midfield against Preston and at Leicester in the cup but was quite poor and gave the ball away a lot and looked very slow. He came on more earlier in the season to plug the left-hand side if teams attacked down there but his appearances became less and less and he was not even on the bench very much as the games went on.
He then got back on the bench and was used in a game against Millwall but despite Stevens form dropping off; he was never considered. Many said he should be playing but I think that is more around we had no other options than him to replace Stevens. I think most realised he was not better than him but maybe just deserved a go as Stevens had been poor for a run of games. The fact Wilder did not play him says a lot and I am not sure he is someone Wilder sees as playing more than the odd fill in game or sub appearance. I would not be totally surprised if we got some better competition for Stevens if he moved on. Is a solid player at League One level but not sure he is quite good enough for the level we are at or aspire to now.
Grade D+ (Last season B-)
i simply can't agree with Stevens mark DB.. he is totally gash.. in fact i'd say he was the weak point of the team
