Player review so far this season

[Olgrligm]

In order of squad number:

1) Steve Simonsen. The loss of two leaders at the back and an ineffective central defensive partnership in front of him showed up his poor command of his area. For my money, he's still one of the best goalkeepers in the division when it comes to reflexes and shot stopping, but on almost every occasion that the ball was crossed into the 6 yards box we conceded, often with Simonsen flapping. A disappointing season for one of what we would have considered to be one of our better players - 6

2) Andy Griffin. A bit late coming back home and he's not looked too bad playing on the wrong side of defence. Not sure about him as captain material, but he's one of the most experienced players in the squad. Not really back to himself yet - 6

3) Marlon Broomes. What, is he injured? Unrated.

4) John Eustace. This might be the first time in his career that he's finished a season off, but not for the same club. Decent for us but would you take him over Whelan? I wouldn't. Would have been nice to keep him though, a good battler but nowhere near as good as he was before the injury - 6.

5) Leon Cort. A promising start but his goalscoring exploits seemed to mask him not being a great defender. Not a great tackler and gets muscled out of challenges a bit easily. Despite the initial euphoria, I'm pretty disappointed in him. Furthermore, I would have expected that as the older member of the central defensive partnership, he'd have vocalised a bit or at least have taken Ryan under his wing - 5.

6) Glenn Whelan. He looks a good passer and a tidy player, but he doesn't always get involved in the fight. He's got a decent shot on him by the looks of things, too. Still, he looks a decent signing and I hope to see more from him - 7

7) Liam Lawrence. Man of the season I think. An absolute revelation and there had obviously been a lot of work put into his game, especially his set pieces and crossing. 15 assists this season and 13(?) goals. Looking an absolute bargain and our main attacking force - 9.5

8) Jon Parkin. Not what we hoped for at all. The touch is obviously there, that little bit of sparkle and talent, but his body is a cumbersome machine unable to deliver it. I agree to a point that he's naturally 'big', but to be virtually immobile like he is means that he's a passenger for 90% of his time on the field. We can't afford to have that in our team and his attitude seems to have gotten worse lately, turning up late for reserve fixtures - 4

9) Richard Cresswell. A good return in terms of goals from a position he doesn't like playing in. Full of running (if not pace) but desperately limited out there. Good finisher and willing to do work at both ends of the pitch - 6.5

10) Ricardo Fuller. Some games he's won it us on his own or just carried us, others he's not really had a chance to get in and lately he looks downright disinterested. The man's a magician, but he looks a bit unhappy and wound up. On his day, he's the best player in the Championship - 8.

11) Mamady Sidibe. The ultimate conundrum. 2 goals is definitely not a good return for someone who plays in the final third of the pitch for the majority of the game. Goals haven't been a problem though. 14 from Fuller, 13 from Lawrence and 11 from Cresswell, as well as goals from Cort and Shawcross have taken us to the top of the league and made us second highest scorers in the division. We look much better with him on the pitch but since the African affair he's been nowhere near his old self. He doesn't win as much in the air and his touch has got poorer. After much deliberation - 7.

14) Danny Pugh. Not sure about this lad. Obviously versatile, but beaten too easily at the back for me. Folk weren't happy with his performances out wide, either. He's got a decent pass and cross on him though. Seemed at his best in the centre of midfield - 6

16) Dominic Matteo. Played through pain to play for us as captain until it got too much, but he didn't look like the midfielder we needed. A decent squad player, but too slow and old for regular midfield battles - 5

17) Ryan Shawcross. This man has a big future ahead of him. He looks good now and has years of improvement in him. Big, strong, wins tackles and can score goals. I think he's local as well, he certainly resembles someone I knew. His inexperience shows at times, but with a commanding voice nearby, he'll excel - 7.

18) Salif Diao. Oh dear Salif, those 6 months of messing about really haven't done you any favours, have they? You look miles off the pace and can barely pass a ball anymore. Sometimes you can see something in him but he needs a big pre-season before we should consider playing him - 5.

19) Paul Gallagher. Hasn't really played. When he has, there's been some good, some bad. Unrated.

20) Richie De Laet. Super Tone says he needs at least a year before he's ready. Unrated.

21) Gabriel Zakuani. Not really played either, but we haven't seen him in the centre and he's not looked all that great at full back. Decent back up - 6.

22) Lewis Buxton. Came on once, I think, had a decent game. Unrated.

24) Rory Delap - Massive improvement as he recovered from his injury. Excellent at tracking back, his long throws are a massive weapon in our armoury and his stamina is superb. Doesn't shirk from tackles anymore either, well done Rory - 7.5

27) Demar Phillips. Don't think he'll get a look in here. Unrated.

28) Andy Wilikinson. I wish we could see more of him. A clone of Dickinson, almost, full of passion and a good tackler. His only downside now is that his distribution lets him down. I don't know what level he'll play at in the future, but he could do a job at right back for us now if Griffin got injured. The only reason him and Dickinson aren't playing for the U21s like Shawcross is that they haven't come from ManUre - 7.

29) Jay Bothroyd. Unrated.

31) Carl Dickinson. I wish we could see more of him. A clone of Wilkinson, almost, full of passion and a good tackler. His previously poor marking has improved. His only downside now is that his distribution lets him down. I don't know what level he'll play at in the future, but he could do a job at left back for us now if Griffin and Pugh got injured. The only reason him and Wilkinson aren't playing for the U21s like Shawcross is that they haven't come from ManUre - 7.

32) Chris Riggott. Not been with us for long, but looks like what we need heading into this final stage of the season - unrated.

36) Carlo Nash. Again, just what we need. Don't know if he's as good as Simonsen in terms of shot stopping and reflexes, but his command of the box and loud voice is something we've sorely missed - unrated.

38) Nathaniel Wedderburn. Has a cool name and is deemed good enough for a squad number. I know nothing else abut him - unrated.

[Davef]

Where's Pericard's rating?

[Jamo on the wing]

I'd give him (or his agent) a ten for managing to get his useless ass off the payroll for a few months.

[Olgrligm]

I've left out players who we've sent out on loan/ridden ourselves of. Sweeney and Pericard apply to the latter

[Malex]

Karma for taking the time to do this!

Just one minor point though! Agree that if Dickinson was at Manure he'd probably be in the U21's, but the fact that Wilkinson is now 23 might hinder his chances even moreso

[mermaidsal]

Karma from me too when I'm replenished - think you're in a bit of a tough mood though, I agree with the appraisals but would give one or two higher marks, mine are:

Simonsen 6

Griffin 6

Eustace 7 - no I wouldn't choose him ahead of Whelan but his commitment and leadership were worth another mark

Cort 6 - I'm disappointed too but his goals compensate and he seems stronger with Riggott

Whelan 7

Lawrence 9.5, my player of the season too

Parkin 3 - I've really wanted to believe in Beast but feel very let down over the season

Cresswell 6 - he's faded since Xmas

Fuller 8 - you said it perfectly

Mama 6 - wish it was more, I love the guy but he just hasn't played well enough

Pugh 6

Matteo 4 - just not up to the pace, sadly

Shawcross 8 - the extra mark is for pre-Christmas excellence and a vote for the future

Diao 4 - but so far off it you can hardly judge

Gallagher a provisional 6, bit disappointing so far after last time

Zakuani 6

Delap 9 - superb attitude, the surprise package of the season and his long throw's been vital

Wilkinson 8

Dickinson 8 - I just wish these two were playing every week. Griff and Pugh are only adequate playing RB/LB, nowhere near Wilko/Dicko in the first Newcastle game.

Riggott a provisional 8, has hardly put a foot wrong so far.

Nash a provisional 8 too, stronger for the team than Simo and he's the right man at the right time

[CrazyPotter]

Am I the only one thinking MysticalDescent has been a bit harsh giving everyone a minus score

[Olgrligm]

Yeah, I really hate Liam Lawrence. -9.5 ;D