Player Ratings vs Exeter

[richoseagull]

Brezovan 6 - All this talk of not being able to rate him is daft. His kicking was good, he took a touch when he had to and stayed calm, which I know is very important for him. One dodgy moment from a corner at the start of the second half, where he got nowhere the cross and took Murray's head off (which Murray rightly had a word with him about!).
Calderon 8 - When defending, he's between the defence and midfield, looking to intercept a pass rather than track the winger which could be dangerous, but when he's on song then he knows where to be and he's looking CLASS. Fans favourite already!
Painter 8 - Someone didn't notice him! Seriously. Defensively he won everything, he set up a few attacks with intelligent passing. Nothing got through him, he was absolutely magnificent.
Elphick 9 - Yeah, that's right, he gets a 9. Headed everything. Tackled everyone. Got everything bar one or two long passes right and his distribution was very literally the best I've seen from him. Short little passes to Navarro and El-Abd next to him show he is still maturing.
El-Abd 7 - Defensively absolutely brilliant. He let Elphick go and challenge for everything in the air, which is his strength, and covered in behind. Got in to good positions and put in a few brilliant tackles. El-Abd with confidence, and without much pressure from the opponents, is a very able defender but for me, still not good enough to be a regular first pick.
Navarro 6/7 - I thought he did alot of things very well, but alot of other things very badly. Some of his passing was crap, some of it was sublime. Whatever you think of his individual performance today, being left to play in the deep lying central midfield role is getting the best from him because he has the space to do what he does and doesn't have Dicker and Crofts to battle with. 4-5-1 gets the best from Navarro who is an important player in this system.
Dicker 8 - I've always liked him, he can pass a ball, he can dribble, he can tackle. He is the complete central midfielder and Poyet is spot on for changing the system to incorporate his 3 excellent central midfielders. Quality goal, and hopefully he'll get a few more now.
Crofts 7 - Did little which mattered, he let others grab the spotlight and the attention whilst doing what he is best at, putting in tackles and getting involved all over the pitch. Seems to be playing deeper than when Poyet first got here and he was scoring so many goals, which is a shame because I'd love to see him bombing on from midfield with EVERY attack, not like today where he occaisonally got into the box but wasn't found with the delivery.
Bennett 6 - I thought he was a little bit off today. A few moments of skill and, obviously, a brilliant delivery from the corner. But in general, he wasn't in the game and didn't offer much of a threat.
LuaLua 8 - Loved the stupidity of Exeter, 3-5-2 against a team with 2 good wingers?! Suicide stuipidty. Brilliant in the first half, Tully had no answer. How many times did Tully get raped and then stare at the ground shaking his head?! Brilliant to watch, but his end product wasn't brilliant. Though, you can't expect perfection from the chap, as Poyet said, that's why he's at Brighton. With any luck, we'll snap him up in the summer and then we'll have one hell of a player on our hands!
Murray 8 - Genius. Shame he didn't score at Withdean, again, but did pretty much everything else. Real class, and he'll be critical in our promotion push next season.

Subs;
Hart 6 - Great to see him getting games, he is more than worth it and he's still got alot to offer us. Better player than some people think, and I'm glad he's still here and still getting games. Shame his shot toward the end got blocked, if he could score then he'd be off again.
Holroyd 6 - I think he looks good, and I can understand why Forster is so annoyed at the moment. I think we've found ourselves a player potentially capable of doing for us what Forster has done. He's got a decent touch, he's got the pace and if he can get scoring, he'll be a cracking player.

Thoroughly enjoyed the game.

about right to me

 

[FLOG GNAW]

That is pretty much spot on i would say.

Agreed.

Dickers back heel pass in the first half was BRILLIANT.

 

[SittingbourneSeagull]

You're right, and it's also common in every paper. Andy Naylor is the worst offender - does he have ANYTHING other than a 6 or a 7 on his keyboard?

I just think it's really pathetic that people feel they have to choose from either 6 (bad), 7 (ok) or 8 (good). Open your minds people!

Really thought/hoped that you had gone away, should have known better.

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Brezovan - 6 - didn't do anything wrong
Painter - 6 - solid defensively
Elphick - 8 - brilliant in the absence of Virgo
El-abd - 7 - didn't do anything wrong
Calderon - 6 - not his best game, but positive going forward
Bennett - 7 - lively
Crofts - 6 - quiet again, not a bad performance though
Dicker - 7 - great hit, tidy
Navarro - 7 - decent game breaking up play
Lua Lua - 7 - threatened early on, looked knackered though
Murray - 6 - lots of running, no service

Holroyd and Hart- 6 - did a job!

 

[Ninja Elephant]

I'm glad people agree with my ratings, I felt they were accurate and fair.

How the f*** have you managed to come up with at least an 8 for six of our starting eleven? That wasn't even our best performance this week! We were decent in the first half, mediocre in the second, and that was easily enough to beat a very poor team. Great, a nice clap, a pat on the back and we move on with everyone happy, but 8 out of 10? What the hell can you give when we beat a good team?

Unfortunately, I had to work on tuesday night and missed the monumentous win at Charlton so I won't comment on how they played, though I know from my reading around on here and on the site that it was a brilliant performance collectively and individually.

And so was today. If you disagree with any of my ratings, please feel free to point out which. Don't speak in general terms, be specific. Because I think the individuals I praised in my post deserved everything I said, if not more in some cases. They were brilliant today and did nothing wrong, literally nothing wrong. I don't feel the need to criticise constantly at the worst of times, let alone when they've played extremely well individually and collectively aswell. It was a brilliant team performance and the ineptitude of Exeter was compounded by the competance and intelligence of our performance as a team. They got on top right at the start of the second half, granted, but that wasn't us playing badly or letting them back in, on the contrary it was them getting the ball down and showing why they beat Leeds and had done well up to that match aswell. Them getting on top only served to prove how improved we are as a team, because they couldn't get through us, once again.

Brilliant day.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

We need the Observer adjudicator for scores. We thrash an opponent and some players still get four or fives.

 

[Mowgli]

Bit surprised with some of these ratings. I'd agree with Ninja Elephant if you were talking about the first half, but in the second I thought we were poor, just content to try and see the game out, let Exeter come on to us way too much and let them create chances to score, and were quite wasteful with possession at times. Could easily tone some of those 8's and 9's down to 7's. Must have been watching a different game to everyone else.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Pretty much agree with Ninja Elephant (and am considering using the ignore button for The Complete Todger).

Only changes I would make - Elphick still prone to lumping the ball aimlessly forward, though far better than he was. It just stands out a bit more now because he is in a predominantly passing team. But MASSIVE improvement.

Painter was brilliant - composed and his positioning is flawless. Sadly, don't think he'll be joining us next season.

Lua Lua didn't tire in the second half - we didn't give him the ball and in the end Gus took him off for that reason.

Navarro only player to have abetter second half than first - passes going astray throughout the first 45 mins, but second half he stepped up his game.

Very pleased with the result and the style of play - allowing myself to feel optimistic for the first time in ages.

[And thanks to the chap in G block Row P from Bracknell - intelligent company today]

 

[Ninja Elephant]

I'm not criticising our players, I'm just saying giving over half the team at least 8/10 when we've beaten a VERY poor Exeter team is a bit over the top. I'm not disagreeing so much with your praise, more the marks. Also, what you're forgetting is that we were very average for pretty much the whole second half. In fact, the last 20 minutes was pretty much all Exeter. Ok, it didn't at any point matter because we had already won the game and Exeter were never going to score, but this wasn't some sort of display of total football. You may not have gone, but we were much better at Charlton. Indeed, if you're going to dish out 8's for beating Exeter then you must presumably think our previous two results were worthy of 10's?

As you've asked me to be specific I will be. For starters, Exeter did NOTHING going forward. Especially in the first half when they were the limpest team you'll ever see. So how have you given our back four a 7, 8, 8 and 9? They probably spent a total of about 3 minutes defending in the whole game!! The defence was excellent on Tuesday and I'd have no problem with those marks after a win away at Charlton, but for keeping out that lanky twat from Exeter? No way.

Up until the cheap shot at the end of that first paragraph, I was pretty much in agreement with what you were saying. Well, more seeing your point of view than agreeing, because I still think you're being very harsh. I've no doubts the performances against Charlton and Leeds were better than today, but I can only rate the gents' on their performances today and I was mightily impressed with the performance as a team.

I think that second paragraph shows a vast lack of understanding of football. Yes, they didn't get to attack us much but why was that? Was it because every long ball forward was dealt with by Elphick? They lumped it forward more often than you seem to be recalling, and our defence very comfortably dealt with the "threat" with style and class. How many times did their number 7 (Harley) run at Painter with no joy, in the first half especially? He couldn't get past because Painter stopped him time after time after time, hence my rating of him. El-Abd was pretty much redundant, as seemed to be the game plan to deal with Haber, have Elphick crawl all over him. Which he did, perfectly. Haber being withdrawn pretty much confirmed that he'd been dominated by Elphick from start, to his premature finish. I don't need to explain my rating for Calderon, you like a bit of flair, afterall.

For the record, Mr Badger, unlike alot of folk on here I actually think you add something to this forum with your opinions and your passion for the team. I just think you channel it in a more negative way than is neccessary.

Pretty much agree with Ninja Elephant (and am considering using the ignore button for The Complete Todger).

Only changes I would make - Elphick still prone to lumping the ball aimlessly forward, though far better than he was. It just stands out a bit more now because he is in a predominantly passing team. But MASSIVE improvement.

Painter was brilliant - composed and his positioning is flawless. Sadly, don't think he'll be joining us next season.

Lua Lua didn't tire in the second half - we didn't give him the ball and in the end Gus took him off for that reason.

Navarro only player to have abetter second half than first - passes going astray throughout the first 45 mins, but second half he stepped up his game.

Very pleased with the result and the style of play - allowing myself to feel optimistic for the first time in ages.

[And thanks to the chap in G block Row P from Bracknell - intelligent company today]

With regards to Elphick, I think the fact he looked to play it short and simple into Navarro is testament to him maturing as a player and being more well rounded, and also a testament to Poyet's tactics. Having Navarro in the space just in front of Elphick gives him the easy outball. We all know he's not the best on the ball, technically speaking, but playing this system gives him more options for the short simple pass, which he looked to play more often than not. At other times he swept the ball out to Bennett on the right, and LuaLua on the left, brilliantly. Though, that was more first half than second.

Funnily enough, I too graced Block G today and I was less impressed by some of the folk in there. The woman in front of me was pleading with anyone who would listen for Gary Hart to NOT be thrown on (quite WHY, is beyond me) and the chaps behind me were wondering why Tunnicliffe wasn't around. One of them thought he was out on loan, but the other shot the theory down. Injury, probably. Apparently. Noone wanted to put them right, I think everyone was in agreement they were just making prats of themselves. Jake Wright, our natural right back, IS out on loan, they agreed with that. Hawkins, however, is just not in favour. Nothing to do with his achilles injury at all. Oh, and just who IS that at left back?

 

[algie]

Some great posting by NE.Makes a refreshing read with which i'm in agreement with.I look forward to more of the same intelligent input.

 

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

I'm not criticising our players, I'm just saying giving over half the team at least 8/10 when we've beaten a VERY poor Exeter team is a bit over the top. I'm not disagreeing so much with your praise, more the marks. Also, what you're forgetting is that we were very average for pretty much the whole second half. In fact, the last 20 minutes was pretty much all Exeter. Ok, it didn't at any point matter because we had already won the game and Exeter were never going to score, but this wasn't some sort of display of total football. You may not have gone, but we were much better at Charlton. Indeed, if you're going to dish out 8's for beating Exeter then you must presumably think our previous two results were worthy of 10's?

As you've asked me to be specific I will be. For starters, Exeter did NOTHING going forward. Especially in the first half when they were the limpest team you'll ever see. So how have you given our back four a 7, 8, 8 and 9? They probably spent a total of about 3 minutes defending in the whole game!! The defence was excellent on Tuesday and I'd have no problem with those marks after a win away at Charlton, but for keeping out that lanky twat from Exeter? No way.

Thanks to the stress of the last six weeks of pregnanacy and keeping a little monster amused while my wife has a breakdown, I could only half listen to yesterdays game so cant give ratings. However, I would just suggest that maybe the reason why Exeter was so ineffectual was because we didn't let them play. It may have been because our midfield just harrased them so much and our defenders got to every 50-50 ball first. Sometimes it's not flair and entertainment that wins games but the things we dont say. Im not saying TCB is wrong... Im just saying that EXeter have beaten better teams than us and as soon as they went all out they started to overwhelm us, which suggests that they werent playign that badly, they just werent being ALLOWED to play

Just a thought based on no evidence.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Why is 5 not the standard rate? It's the middle mark. For me, ratings should start at 5. If a player has a totally average game he should get a 5. And that shouldn't be looked at as a particularly BAD thing. Yet if you give a 5 on here people think you're being negative.

1/2 - shocking performance
3 - noticeably very poor
4 - below par
5 - exactly standard
6 - good but not brilliant
7 - significantly above average performance
8 - pretty special
9 - should be given out no more than a few times a season
10 - unbelievable, only recent example would be something like Murray's 4 goals in a game

Interesting and valid points. I disucssed this with an ex-pro did about 20 years ago and apparently in his team the manager rated them out of 5 for the first half and second half. Which for example with Lua-Lua yesterday IMO would have only yielded a 6 for him (4 and 2).

 

[MORTY]

TCB, were you going to offer your own player ratings or just criticise everyone elses?? I've never seen anything like it. Barrating everyone else buy not offering your own opinion!! Honestly!

 

[Acker79]

Because I am really sad, i have put all of the ratings given for every game into a spreadsheet, so i can work out roughly who is playing the best (As i am exiled and can't get to many games)

You think that's sad? Have you seen any of my stats threads!?

Why is 5 not the standard rate? It's the middle mark. For me, ratings should start at 5. If a player has a totally average game he should get a 5. And that shouldn't be looked at as a particularly BAD thing. Yet if you give a 5 on here people think you're being negative.

1/2 - shocking performance
3 - noticeably very poor
4 - below par
5 - exactly standard
6 - good but not brilliant
7 - significantly above average performance
8 - pretty special
9 - should be given out no more than a few times a season
10 - unbelievable, only recent example would be something like Murray's 4 goals in a game

But that's a completely arbitrary definition for the ratings. As would anyone's definition. There's a regular debate on IMDb about how people can give 10 to a film that isn't absolutely flawless, yet IMDb itself defines 10 as "excellent" not perfect or flawless, since perfection in a film is impossible it would be like making the range of ratings have a top rating that is impossible to achieve.

You've decided 10 is unbelievable, for others 10 might just be "excellent", for others it might be "really good". For some people the definition of their 1-10 rating comes from realistically achievable performances, and it may change, a performance rated 8 in lague one, may only garner a 7 in the championship where expectations for performances increase.

Even if we do go by your rating system there would still be disagreement. I think the first half at wycombe means you can't give anyone a 10, even four goal murray. What about consistently great players. Can we not give them a nine because we gave them three over the course of August?

 

[dougdeep]

Perhaps we should consult Mr Badger before all our posts.

 

[the hitman]

Brezovan - 6 - Nothing to do
Painter - 8 - very solid
Elphick - 8 - a much better game from him, well taken goal
El-abd - 7 - solid, much improvement.
Calderon - 7.5 - really like him
Bennett - 7 - did well, always looks promising with the ball
Crofts - 6.5 - quite game, did what he needed to do
Dicker - 9 - 10 for the goal! and a very good performance to go with it MOM
Navarro - 6 - looked ok first half, second half gave the ball away too often
Lua Lua - 7.5 - great speed, gets past the defender every time
Murray - 5 - shit, never looked like scoring. Stay onside FFS, also, when playing with one upfront, it is inportant to stay in the middle, too often when the ball was geting played through the midfield he would run off to one of the wings.. leaving no one in the middle. Look at Nathan Delfouneso at Villa

Holroyd - 6.5 - looks very promising, did what a striker should do when Murray came off. I would start him in the loan striker role

Hart - 6 - did ok down the left

 

[kingstn seagull]

The Complete Badger's attempt at negativity this week - 4 (below par)

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

1. Dicker 6.56
2. Kuipers 6.37
3. Bennett 6.34
4. Murray 6.33
5. Forster 6.27
6. Virgo 6.22
7. Tunnicliffe 6.19
8. Crofts 6.17
9. Elphick 5.98
10.Dickinson 5.96
11.El Abd 5.85
12.Navarro 5.66
13.Cox 5.65

Now that I do find interesting .....

all those calling for Cox to be in the squad - look away now.
when Brez gets to meet inclusion criteria, will his ave be better than FDM's?