George Long (5) Had a lot of shots to save last season in front of a leaky defence – didn’t save that many of them though. Not had much look in after Ingrams solid start. Done ok in his few outings. Lewie Coyle (5) Thought this was an exceptional bit of business for the club. Hull-born, natural leader and a very solid and effective right back. Emmanuel’s form and injury have limited his opportunities. Callum Elder (5.5) Sometimes looks calamitous and a real week link in our defence. His delivery is exceptional, and we will score many more from set pieces due to his inclusion in the team. Jordy de Wijs (4) Poor positioning, poor reading of the game and terrible distribution of the ball. Looks every inch a footballer but unfortunately doesn’t play like one. Reece Burke (7) Started to really step up in recent weeks. Strong, calm and assured he could be up there for Player of the Season now McCann has realised he needs another decent centre-back alongside him. Richie Smallwood (7) He is everything the Blackburn supporters said he would be. We needed a strong, steady leader in the middle of the pitch and Smallwood brings all of this. He’s not spectacular but doesn’t need to be – makes the players around him look better. Mallik Wilks (9) His early appearances for us didn’t look positive and you could see why he hadn’t got much game time at Barnsley. Came back after lockdown a different player and has continued to grow this season. Sometimes looks a class above and if he can add even more consistency he will even succeed at the level above. Daniel Batty (6) Not had many opportunities. Doesn’t ever let the team down but in the games, he has had he has not particularly stood out either. Tom Eaves (5) Hopes were pinned on both him and Magennis being a lot more effective this season due to the drop-in division. This hasn’t really been the case for Eaves – he has occasionally made a difference from the bench but doesn’t look like a player that will score 20+ as he did at Gillingham. George Honeyman (9) I always liked him, even last season he seemed like one of the few players who cared. Always keen to be on the ball he has dictated the tempo of the game several times this season. He has also added assists and goals to his game. James Scott (5.5) Still waiting for him to ‘take off’ – I’m not sure if its just a run of games he needs but there is a good player in there but he doesn’t come out too often or for large enough periods in the game. Looks like a great sub at the moment but I’m guessing that’s not where he wants to be. Josh Emmanuel (9) An astute back up signing for Coyle. Got his chance in the first few games due to Coyle’s suspension and hasn’t looked back. Reminds me of Odubajo in his one season pomp! Hopefully he keeps fit and he will be one to fly with us – or someone else in the Championship! Matt Ingram (6.5) Has kept a host of clean sheets and has been very solid. A dependable, mistake free keeper is more than sufficient in this league and Ingram is just that. Martin Samuelson (5.5) Has shown a bit more in recent weeks – particularly in the midweek cup game. He should be a real impact player at this level but isn’t there yet – perhaps starting to settle. Alfie Jones (6.5) Performed well in the games he has played. Unfortunate to be down the pecking order but players in front of him just playing very well at the moment, will have to be patient. Hakeeb Adelakun (5.5) Games can completely pass him by but can also have a few moments of brilliance. You can’t carry a luxury player at this level and right now you can understand why he hasn’t been given more game time. Sean McLoughlin (6) Similar to Alfie Jones – solid in his starts. Defends well and would be ahead of deWijs in my eyes but still behind Greaves and Alfie Jones. Regan Slater (6) Must be getting nearer to getting a starting place. A good loan signing that gives more than ample cover in the middle of the pitch. Great goal in the Bristol Rovers Game. Keane Lewis-Potter (9) I’m glad someone photocopied Jarrod Bowen before he left! Great close control, always takes up great positions and a fine finisher – also surprisingly strong in the air. Would have won goal of the season if his effort at Fleetwood wasn’t ruled out. Brandon Fleming (5) Not had much of a look in. Perhaps better defensively than Elder but doesn’t offer as much attacking threat. Thomas Mayer (5) Started with a bang…now a bit of a whimper. Hasn’t taken his recent opportunities. Jacob Greaves (8.5) …and that’s 8.5 and rising. Unbelievable assured for one so young. Reads the game well, attacks the ball well at set pieces and must be only games away from opening his account as he seems to have a good effort each game. Reminds me of Harry McGuire in his ability to stride forward with the ball and split the lines with his forward passing. Should now be an ever-present. Josh Magennis (6) Holds the ball up well, good focal point but needs to offer more of a goal threat. Greg Docherty (6) I had high hopes with this signing. Had done well on loan at Shrewsbury at this level scoring 7 goals from 41. He does have something about him but hasn’t yet hit the heights. With Regan Slater just behind him he will need to step up performances. Thoughts??
And Burke, docherty, Alfie Jones and even de wijs does We’re second in the league ffs And greaves less Ffs just cos his dad played for us.
All just about opinions. Burke has got better as the games have gone on. Alfie Jones would be much higher if he’d played more games. I was maybe a bit harsh on Elder and Ingram - but my comments are largely positive. I stand by de Wijs and Greaves comments - and nothing to do with his dad. I think in a season or two bigger clubs will come sniffing - he’s a class act.
Burke’s been excellent all season Greaves has played four games ffs and was dropped after been at fault for the goals in one of those games. he may go on to do very well but you’re way over egging it
Also with Doherty I did say he had something about him but not quite hit the heights yet. He got 7 goals and 8 assists for Shrewsbury in the same league and currently has 0 goals or assists with us as yet. I think he’ll come good but don’t think 6 is too far off his seasons performance so far.
You're right about Doc. He has a lot of energy but there’s more to his game than being an engine room and he hasn’t shown that as of yet. His quality will shine through eventually.
Have to agree with you there. Greaves is looking a real talent as does KLP but let's not get too carried away. I'd downgrade Nora and the big centre forward, Ronnie Carroll.
Agree with most of those but Ingram (not put a foot wrong) and Elder (his Fleetwood nightmare was more due to McCann's tactical incompetence than his own play). Both deserve 7's IMO, while Burke should be an 8. On the downside I'd expected a lot more from Docherty and he's been a big disappointment and doesn't deserve to be in the starting line up.
Elder & Ingram would be higher IMO, but overall pretty fair. Greaves has done well so far, but maybe 7.5 for me. De Wijs & Docherty not at the races so far, but Doc does a lot of off the ball work. If JDW was sold in January, I don’t think he’d be missed. However, he was a better player under Adkins, so maybe the manager needs to see why he’s losing out to a kid.
