1 - Russell Hoult
Appearances: 44 (L), 5 (CC), 1 (FAC)
Clean Sheets: 21
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.84
MOMs: 1
It was always hoped, if not expected, that Russell would have a
quieter season in Division One and that was the case. But he still
managed to perform well although there remains a question mark of
the consistency of his kicking, although there were signs of improvement
late on. An injury scare that saw him miss two games in February
appears to have been resolved although he did struggle in one or
two games later on, forcing a substitution in the match at Portman
Road. Assuming he starts the new season fighting fit, and can keep
his kicking consistent, his excellent shot stopping and command
of the area, coupled with the lack of an outstanding candidate,
could push him to the fringe of an international call up once again.
^ Back to Top
2
- Bernt Haas
Appearances: 36 (L), 5 (CC) 1 (FAC)
Goals: 3
Yellow Cards: 9
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.77
MOMs: 2
Bernt Haas joined Albion from Sunderland in the close season having
spent last year on loan at Basle in his native Switzerland. With
experience as a right full back, there were signs that he wasn't
a natural wing back but he proceeded to make the right wing/full
back position his own for much of the season. The highlight was
his performance against Manchester United in the Carling Cup which
he capped with a fine goal, but he consistently offered an excellent
outlet on the right wing that Koumas was able to exploit. His crossing
was not always brilliant and he did tend to get caught now and again,
but that was more often due to whoever was on the right side of
midfield not covering. His overall level of performance did drop
a little during January and he ended up losing his place to James
Chambers for much of the run in. All in all, a good signing and,
with Premiership and Champions League experience, I'm sure he'll
figure next season.
^ Back to Top
3
- Neil Clement
Appearances: 25+10 (L), 4+1 (CC), 1 (FAC)
Goals: 3
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.43
MOMs: 2
Another mixed season for Clem who continues to offer moments when
you think he can be a really good player, but too often lets himself
down. He was involved in 41 of Albion's 52 games this season which
obviously makes him a key member of the squad, but following the
arrival of Paul Robinson in October, he appeared more often as a
midfielder than a defender. The fact that his two Man of the Match
performances were in the cup games we lost maybe says something,
but the highlight was probably his match-changing introduction at
Hartlepool when he scored the equaliser having put Dobie through
for the foul - unfortunately, I missed that game. I'd be surprised
if he'll be much more than a squad player next season given that
Robbo will be ahead of him for the left back position and he is
not good enough to play midfield in the top flight.
^ Back to Top
4
- James O'Connor
Appearances: 27+3 (L), 5 (CC), 1 (FAC)
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 6
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.53
MOMs: 2
Another new signing in the close season, from Megson's former club
Stoke City, he was the subject of a transfer fee debate as he was
under 23 and out of contract. Stoke were obviously keen to keep
him, but I'm not sure who got the better deal - Albion probably.
The diminutive tough-tackling midfielder started the season like
a train getting his two Man of the Match Awards in games three and
four of the season. He continued to perform reasonably consistently
until he had a stinker against the Blades in October and never really
recovered. He seemed to lose the ability to pass the ball - whether
he became over-confident and tried the difficult ball too often,
I'm not sure, but he eventually lost his place at the turn of the
year and made just one sub appearance before a surprise recall at
Millwall in April. Megson had seen enough by half time and replaced
him. He did reappear for the game at Reading, but I'd be surprised
to see James feature in the Premiership next season. He's a decent
Division One player, but wasn't quite good enough for the Baggies.
^ Back to Top
5
- Darren Moore
Appearances: 20+2 (L), 1 (FAC)
Goals: 2
Yellow Cards: 3
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 7.00
MOMs: 1
Thanks to his injury in the match against Chelsea last season, Big
Dave didn't see any action until the end of November when he came
on as sub in the game at Forest. He made his first start at Bradford
before regaining a more permanent starting place at the turn of
the year. Darren then proceeded to give us everything we expect
of him - aerial prowess, total commitment and the odd mistake. He
managed two crucial goals against Sheffield United and Crystal Palace,
but he formed an excellent partnership with the Great Dane in the
last third of the season as Megson opted for 4-4-2 more often than
not. If the Albion are serious about staying up, Big Dave may find
himself on the fringes rather than in the thick of the Premiership
action this time around, but he's played a big part in getting us
back there.
^ Back to Top
6
- Phil Gilchrist
Appearances: 16+1 (L), 3+1 (CC)
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 2
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.25
MOMs: -
It's ironic that Big Dave's return to fitness probably marked the
end of his former partner's Albion career - the two men who formed
the spine of the defence for the previous two seasons only appeared
on the pitch together once this season, at Bradford in December.
Joost Volmer's arrival seemed to have put paid to Gilly's first
team chances, but he fought his way back into the side at Palace
in September and played in eighteen consecutive games until being
replaced once more by Volmer for the game against Crewe in December.
Personally, I feel he had a few very poor games, against Sheffield
United, Wimbledon and in his one game return on Boxing Day, but
did OK in the rest without really looking as solid as he has done
in previous seasons. His loan move to Rotherham signalled the fact
that he would be released. He has been a great servant to the Albion,
and I wish him all the best for the future.
^ Back to Top
7
- Ronnie Wallwork
Appearances: 4+1 (L), 1+1 (CC)
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 5.33
MOMs: -
I said at the end of last season that Ronnie had promise but as
yet it was unfulfilled. He showed absolutely nothing in his seven
appearances for Albion this season, although he appeared to have
done much better on loan at Bradford scoring 4 goals. I'd be surprised
to see him figure at all next season, even if he's still at the
club after the summer. Not much more I can say about Ronnie.
^ Back to Top
8
- Michael Appleton
Appearances: 0
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 0
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: -
MOMs: -
It was a very sad day when Appy was forced into retirement - I wish
him well for the future and hope that he can find a job in the world
of football.
^ Back to Top
9
- Daniele Dichio
Appearances: 5+6 (L), 2+1 (CC)
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 5.90
MOMs: -
It was ironic that Dichio's last three appearances in an Albion
shirt were probably his best of the season - against Reading, Man
Utd and West Ham - but he will be remembered by most Albion fans
for his outburst following his transfer to Millwall. I tried hard
to feel sorry for him when he was suspended for the Cup Final, but
maybe it was retribution for the comments he made. Gary Megson resurrected
his career which was floundering at Sunderland, gave him another
shot at the Premiership, but when he fell out of favour he showed
no loyalty whatsoever. Whatever his personal feelings towards Megson,
he should've kept his mouth shut - at least Jason Roberts managed
to retain that much dignity following his acrimonious departure.
Good riddance Deech.
^ Back to Top
10
- Andy Johnson
Appearances: 33+5 (L), 4+1 (CC)
Goals: 2
Yellow Cards: 4
Red Cards: 1
Average Rating: 6.97
MOMs: 2
This was another fine season from AJ. Kept on the bench for a while
when O'Connor was on form early on in the season, he established
his place in the side towards the end of September. He was sent
off in a bizarre incident in the match against Stoke, and it wasn't
until he served his three match suspension, that his worth to the
team was reaffirmed. He has been the real driving force in midfield
from that moment on, working tirelessly and even notching up a couple
of goals. He was playing with an injury in the run in, which made
his efforts even more impressive - it's a shame because when Megson
decided to rest him for the last three games, he may have been the
one who could have pushed the boys on for that last run for the
title. There is a question mark over his place next season, but
only if GM can find someone with his drive and determination coupled
with a little more quality.
^ Back to Top
11
- Mark Kinsella
Appearances: 15+3 (L)
Goals: 1
Yellow Cards: 2
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.88
MOMs: 1
Kinsella was the one surprise in the players to be released at the
end of the season, as I felt he had done a good job and would've
been a good squad player for next season. However, I can understand
that Kinsella would not want to be a squad player, and that maybe
his wages could be a little high for a squad player. He offered
a little quality and composure on the ball when it was needed, and
his distribution was normally excellent - I won't forget that it
was his header to Dyer that started the move that resulted in the
winner at Sunderland. It was an astute signing from Megson, and
we should thank the Irishman for a notable contribution to the promotion
run-in.
^ Back to Top
12
- Scott Dobie
Appearances: 14+17 (L), 2+3 (CC), 0+1 (FAC)
Goals: 7
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.27
MOMs: 1
It was a mixed season for Scott which is really a reflection on
the fact that he is a real confidence player. He puts far too much
pressure on himself and, therefore, when he gets his chance in the
starting line up, he often doesn't perform. Nonetheless, seven goals
is a decent return given that he rarely played the full ninety minutes.
His finish against Man Utd in the Carling Cup was sublime and shows
that, because he is still young, he has the potential to be come
a good goalscorer, but maybe not at Premiership level.
^ Back to Top
14
- Sean Gregan
Appearances: 40+3 (L), 4 (CC)
Goals: 1
Yellow Cards: 7
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.79
MOMs: 6
For the first half of the season, my player of the season for last
year was largely out of sorts, largely being the operative word
as he looked to have put on a few extra pounds. This was so apparent
that we began to call him the Fat Controller (given that he was
alongside Thomas the Tank!). He looked sluggish and his distribution
was often erratic. Ultimately, it led to a move that many of us
thought nigh on impossible - Lord Gary dropped his favourite son!
He spent three games coming on from the bench - his first two were
pretty good, but in the third he matched the rest of the side in
the dismal defeat against Rotherham. But his spell on the sidelines
did the trick as he returned a different player picking up five
of the remaining thirteen Man of the Match Awards. He was back to
the player we knew from last season and was the only player really
trying in the post-promotion period of apathy. The highlight was
probably his awesome display at Sunderland in the decisive game
of the season when he seemed to be everywhere on the pitch. If he
can produce the sort of form he did in the last third of the season,
he should figure significantly in the Premiership campaign.
^ Back to Top
15
- Rob Hulse
Appearances: 29+4 (L), 5 (CC), 1 (FAC)
Goals: 13
Yellow Cards: 3
Red Cards: 1
Average Rating: 6.48
MOMs: 3
Rob Hulse joined in the summer after a number of excellent seasons
for Crewe, and proceeded to quickly endear himself to the Albion
fans. In all honesty, he never looked as lively or dangerous as
Hughes and Horsfield did at their best, but you couldn't fault his
goalscoring record for the first four months of the season - he
seemed to know where the goal was. With eight goals in his first
nine starts, Albion's search for a regular goalscorer seemed to
have been over. But he then had a little dip in the scoring stakes
but his link up play was still good. He returned to the scoresheet
with a brace at Rotherham and followed it up with another in an
extremely influential contribution in THAT game at Upton Park. And
then it stopped. His form dropped along with his confidence, and
it coincided with a dip in Albion's fortunes in the run up to the
New Year. He became increasingly frustrating to watch, and finally
lost his record of being involved in every game after he was sent
off inside the first half hour at Burnley in January. He did manage
one more goal before the end of the season, but his form never really
returned and there are serious question marks over how much involvement
he can expect next season. He does have potential as his early season
form showed, but he still has a fair bit to learn.
^ Back to Top
16
- Lee Marshall
Appearances: 0
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 0
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: -
MOMs: -
My prediction at the end of last season was that Lee Marshall would
not wear an Albion shirt again - in terms of competitive first team
action, I have been proved right so far, although there was a doubt
in the pre-season trip to Denmark. Jeremy Peace expressed concern
that such a "quality" player was being overlooked and, in a completely
un-Megson-like move, Lord Gary supposedly gave him another chance.
Apparently, Marshall threw it back in his face and that was that.
All this is not much more that rumour and hearsay, but it fits what
has been in the public domain. And given that only Hull City were
prepared to take him on loan, should we be too concerned? I think
not. Having said all that, he has my sympathy for the terrible injury
that he received and I wish him a speedy recovery.
^ Back to Top
17
- Larus Sigurdsson
Appearances: 5 (L)
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 2
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.00
MOMs: -
This is another season that Siggy will want to forget. I maintain
that he is one of the best and most natural defenders that Albion
have, and he looked to be developing a decent partnership with Gaardsoe
when he was suffered a cartilage injury at Crystal Palace in September.
Working to get back to fitness, he was injured once again in March,
a repeat of the injury to the cruciate ligament he suffered four
years ago. His time at Albion has been plagued by injuries and I
just hope he gets another chance - but at the age of 30, it may
be tough to come back again. Good luck Siggy.
^ Back to Top
18
- Jason Koumas
Appearances: 37+5 (L), 3 (CC), 1 (FAC)
Goals: 10
Yellow Cards: 4
Red Cards: 2
Average Rating: 6.90
MOMs: 7
There is no doubt that Jason Koumas is the one player of real star
quality in this Albion side, although I feel it is a little hard
on Thomas Gaardsoe that JK is the only Baggie to make the Division
One Team of the Year. This season was definitely a success for the
Welsh international; a ten goal haul from midfield is good and he
was certainly a match winner on more than one occasion. His free-kicks
against Palace and Ipswich, and the goals against Forest and Norwich
were particularly memorable - the penalty miss against Man Utd was
particularly forgettable! Ironically, it was following that miss,
in the week following his excellent performance at Forest, that
his form dropped. As with Hulse, it coincided with Albion's poor
patch mid-season, but unlike Rob, Koumas regained his form and played
some superb football during the run in. His two red cards late in
the season were borne of frustration and assuming he returns to
the starting line-up after his misses the first four games, it is
something he will need to curb. But he remains the one player that
we currently have that can really turn it on at the highest level.
^ Back to Top
19
- Lee Hughes
Appearances: 21+1 (L), 1+3 (CC)
Goals: 12
Yellow Cards: 4
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 7.16
MOMs: 2
Anyone who has visited jonwant.com over the past two years will
know that I am a Lee Hughes fan, and it is therefore no surprise
that he made my top three this season. I still believe that he has
the ability to score goals in the Premiership, although he lacks
the true quality to be prolific at that level. I think he's had
a great season and a return of 12 goals from 26 appearances is not
bad at all. If you add in his workrate and intelligent use of the
ball, his contribution has been excellent. Of course, we may have
seen the last of Lee Hughes. His court case is in early August and
I'm sure Gary Megson will be planning on the assumption that Lee
will not be available - in his position he can do no different.
While he can rightly be criticised for getting himself into the
situation, he has handled himself very well since his return to
the side and has coped excellently with the pressure he has been
under. Obviously the facts of the case are yet to be established
and justice must be done, but while I fear the opposite may be true,
I hope that he is innocent and that he'll get his second chance
at the big time.
^ Back to Top
20
- Artim Sakiri
Appearances: 6+19 (L), 2+2 (CC), 1 (FAC)
Goals: 1
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.46
MOMs: -
So, the No. 20 shirt passed from one enigma in Jordao to another
in Sakiri - or is he? Megson tried very, very hard to secure the
services of the Macedonian captain, but other than that wonderful
goal early on in his Baggies career, The man whose head looks like
a light bulb has shown little to repay the faith put in him. There
have been flashes of the quality he undoubtedly has, but there remains
the doubt as to whether he is suited to the English game. His lack
of a pre-season must be taken into account - the only 90 minutes
he has completed for Albion was his first start against Brentford
- and without a run in the side, he was always struggling to make
an impact. I have a sneaky feeling that his style of play may be
more suited to the Premiership, and I believe that Megson will give
him ample opportunity to prove it. In short, the jury's still out
but I doubt we've seen the last of Our Tim.
^ Back to Top
21
- Joe Murphy
Appearances: 2+1 (L)
Clean Sheets: 0
Yellow Cards: 0
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.33
MOMs: -
It must have been another frustrating season for Murphy. He appears
to have dropped down the pecking order at international level, no
doubt due to his lack of first team football, and although I'm sure
he wasn't hoping that Hoult would be out for nine months, his Irish
eyes must have been smiling a little when his chance came. Personally,
kicking apart, he is not in Hoult's class based on his performances.
His command of the area is not strong enough, and whereas he is
a good man to have on the bench, I believe he needs a loan move
to improve. I can't see how he can really improve his game by playing
in the reserves. Maybe with Miotto on board, Megson may be tempted.
^ Back to Top
22
- James Chambers
Appearances: 14+3 (L)
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.38
MOMs: 1
After what had been fairly indifferent performances earlier in the
season, James took his chance to impress on TV in one of the biggest
games of the season at Norwich. Megson recognises that James Chambers
is an excellent man-marker, and he did a great job on Huckerby,
even if he was a little fortunate to stay on the field. But having
been dropped again, the twin put in a transfer request. Now, it's
not very often that Megson will put a transfer-listed player into
the starting line-up, but a week later after the window had closed,
he was back in against Palace and he kept Haas out of the starting
line-up with some good defensive performances. Having said that,
he's likely to see his chances limited once again next season should
he remain at the club.
^ Back to Top
23
- Adam Chambers
Appearances: 0+1 (CC)
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 0
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.00
MOMs: -
My prediction on Adam's fortunes were well wide of the mark as I
thought he would figure in the squad frequently this year. His one
appearance was on TV against Man Utd, and he eventually went on
loan to Sheffield Wednesday in February until the end of the season.
It remains to be seen where is future lies, but it is unlikely to
be in the Albion first team.
^ Back to Top
24
- Thomas Gaardsoe
Appearances: 45 (L), 5 (CC), 1 (FAC)
Goals: 4
Yellow Cards: 5
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 7.39
MOMs: 7
The Great Dane was a clear winner of my Player of the Season after
making a superb impact since joining from Ipswich. The Tractor Boys'
fans were lamenting on his departure and rightly so - he is, in
my opinion, Megson's best signing to date when you consider the
money we paid for him. Since making his debut in the second game
of the season against Brentford, the only Albion first team action
Tommy missed was the last knockings of injury time against Millwall
when he was wrongly sent off. His leading of the defensive line
has all but dwarfed the efforts of even Big Dave, and coupled with
his composure and ability with the ball at his feet, he has been
awesome all season. Not only had his defensive prowess been outstanding,
but after opening his Albion account against his old club in September,
he popped up with three important late goals winning a crucial point
against Derby and two vital wins against Sheffield United and Wigan.
It is always dangerous to predict that a player will do well in
his first Premiership season, but I really believe that Gaardsoe
has everything he needs to make it at the highest level. He was
unlucky not to get another chance for Denmark after his debut against
England, but I'm sure his time will come. And how many other players
could've provoked the sort of fans' admiration we saw at Reading?
Rock on, Tommy!
^ Back to Top
25
- Joost Volmer
Appearances: 10+5 (L), 2+1 (CC)
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 2
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.60
MOMs: -
Another new signing in the close season, the Dutchman started with
a run of eight games in the starting line-up keeping former favourite
Gilly on the bench. He looked solid without being spectacular and
I'm not aware of anything he did spectacularly wrong to lose his
place, but then I missed the game at Wigan that saw the end of his
run. Gilly replaced him in the side but when he too lost out, Big
Dave was back and Joost remained a bit-part player for the rest
of the season, although he produced a notable display when on as
sub at Bramall Lane. It was no real surprise when he was released
- he cost nothing and he was a useful squad player.
^ Back to Top
26
- Sekou Berthe
Appearances: 2+1 (L), 1 (CC)
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 7.67
MOMs: 1
Despite have the honour of the top average rating (although based
on only three scores), Berthe failed to impress the manager this
season. Personally, I thought he did well with an excellent performance
against Millwall when he came on for JK after ten minutes and won
my MOM award. He probably was at fault for one of the goals against
Sheffield United, but I thought he did OK otherwise. Lord Gary obviously
disagreed and the big man was not seen again. Language was apparently
a problem, but surely one that could be overcome, so it's a mystery
as to what really went on. He's been released, so that's that.
^ Back to Top
29
- Lloyd Dyer
Appearances: 2+15 (L), 0+1 (FAC)
Goals: 2
Yellow Cards: 0
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 7.00
MOMs: -
Lloyd Dyer is the sort of player that fans love. Young, raw, from
the local area and with the ability to make things happen. He was
first brought to our attention in the Worthington Cup tie at Wigan
last season, but didn't get his chance in a "proper" first team
game until the FA Cup tie at Forest in January. Earlier in the season,
he went on loan to Kidderminster and impressed enough for GM to
give him his chance - and how he took it! On his league debut at
home to Walsall, he made a dramatic impact in helping to set up
the clinching goal and he went on to do it time and time again from
the bench. He got his first goal against Palace in late March and
quickly got his second at Ipswich a week later. He still has a lot
to learn, although it is difficult to judge him on his first league
starts at the end of the season when the team didn't perform. He's
got a new contract, and I'm sure he'll get the chance to impress
on a bigger stage next year - this guy could go far!
^ Back to Top
32
- Alassane N'Dour
Appearances: 2 (L), 1 (CC)
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 0
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.50
MOMs: -
Signed as a squad player, N'Dour was certainly never in danger of
being anything more, although he did OK when called upon. He stepped
in particularly well at Bramall Lane when Paul Robinson was suspended.
In the two games I saw him, he looked a competent defender who was
useful on the ball, but it is difficult to judge on so little. Megson
obviously had his own views, and the Senegal international was released
at the end of the season.
^ Back to Top
33
- Paul Robinson
Appearances: 30+1 (L), 1 (FAC)
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 5
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.96
MOMs: -
Robinson was a much needed signing once it was apparent that N'Dour
wasn't providing the competition Neil Clement needed. The man from
Watford made his debut against Norwich in October, and although
he took time settling into the wing back role, his defensive qualities
were obviously better than Clem's. Over time, Robbo has improved
the attacking side of his game although he never looks entirely
comfortable bombing down the wing, but he does all the basics well
and has certainly had an excellent season.
^ Back to Top
34
- Geoff Horsfield
Appearances: 10 (L), 1 (FAC)
Goals: 7
Yellow Cards: 2
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.90
MOMs: -
The Horse has been long admired by Megson, and Albion fans were
glad to sign him if only to stop him scoring against us. He joined
as a straight replacement for Dichio and in his first four games,
he looked to be offering little more. But he did join in Albion's
worst period of the season and was trying to make a difference in
a team low on confidence (if a team in second place can be!). But
he suddenly burst into life with a Man of the Match performance
against Walsall and never really looked back. He grabbed his first
goal that day and followed up with three more in the next two games.
And while his goals didn't continue at that rate, his performances
remained at a high level as he continued to produce strong, determined
and exciting forward play. He was struggling with an injury towards
the end of the season, and his displays suffered as a result. Although
he did turn out for Blues in the Premiership, the former brickie
is yet to prove himself at that level but should get an opportunity
to do so next season.
^ Back to Top
35
- Delroy Facey
Appearances: 2+7 (L)
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.56
MOMs: -
One of two strikers signed in January when Dichio left, Dobie was
injured and Hughes' future in doubt, Facey at least got a fair crack
at the first team. He looked more effective as an impact player
coming on from the bench than in the two games he started. He is
quick and good in the air - two qualities that are rarely combined
- and although he had a hand in one or two goals, he never really
looked like scoring. He filled a gap in the squad, but it was no
surprise to see him released.
^ Back to Top
36
- Morton Skoubo
Appearances: 0+2 (L)
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 0
Red Cards: 0
Average Rating: 6.00
MOMs: -
I can't really say much about Skoubo as I only saw him play for
five minutes in the game against Coventry. He joined Albion with
the hope of first team football and the aim of forcing himself into
the Danish Euro 2004 squad. I cannot give a reason as to why he
was not given more of an opportunity, but I would guess Megson thought
he was either not good enough or not fit enough. Shame really, there
was scope for a great song!
^ Back to Top
Manager
- Gary Megson
Average Rating: 6.98
Megson was at times frustrating, at times inspired, but ultimately
successful. This season was a big test - he had money to spend but
promotion was expected. He achieved his goal but not all his signings
were successful. Volmer, N'Dour and Skoubo were obviously not up
to scratch as far as he was concerned, but at least they were only
signed until the end of the season. On the other hand, Gaardsoe,
Haas, Robinson and Horsfield all did the business and can be classed
as successful cost-effective purchases. There remains a question
mark over Rob Hulse, but he is still young and he has great potential
- in the long term he may turn out to be a good investment, but
I doubt that will be realised next season.
Looking at tactics, which is what the average rating has marked,
Megson has baffled at times but come up with the goods more often
than not. The low point was the three home games in a week in October
when nine points would've opened up a big lead, but the three we
got was unacceptable - he persisted with a below-par Gregan during
this period and for some time afterwards which was probably his
biggest mistake in my opinion. But the positives were apparent in
the second half of the season. He finally gave Gregan the kick up
the backside he needed by dropping him, a move which had a dramatic
effect. His use of Lloyd Dyer has been impeccable all season and
the tactics employed to change the game at Bramall Lane, and win
the game at Sunderland were superb.
But if this season was a test, next season will be even bigger.
It looks like the board will back him with the funds to do the job,
and he will live or die by his signings and how he uses them. Good
luck Gary!
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