Last season was quite a disappointment compared to the season before. Many fans say we are just back to where we normally are? The plan to bring in quantity rather than quality, basically to cope with the Europa League, did not work out in our best interests. There were quite a few players that either under performed or struggled with injury last season and not many came out of the season with many plaudits. So, how do you rate the players on last seasons efforts? I have put together my ratings and it will be interesting to see if you agree or disagree. I have not rated players unless they had a fair amount of playing time and I have not included Payet, Tore or Zaza who have all left the club, nor Sakho who was another player with too limited game time.
Adrian 6/10; Even when he was in the flying form of past seasons we all knew he had an erratic side to him that could come back and haunt us. After a few poor performances he was dropped for Randolph but it is staggering that he was not reinstated earlier. His form was solid when his chance came at the end of the season and I would be surprised if we did not start next season with him between the sticks,
Randolph 4.5/10; Had his moments but overall I just don’t think he is a Premier League keeper. What other keeper in the PL was poorer than him?
Byram 5/10; Jury still out on the youngster. He shows promise but also a tendency to get booked quite regularly. Looks better as a wing back when we play three at the back than as a full back with four at the back.
Fonte 5.5/10; I honestly expected more from Jose and he was guilty of being the wrong side of opposition players too often, especially in his earlier games. As he got used to Bilics three at the back he got better and he is normally excellent when in possession.
Collins 7/10; Only really used when injuries to others demanded. But time and time again Ginge gives his all and the blocks and headers he wins are outstanding. No one ever questions this players commitment and nor should they. The downside is his passing.
Reid 7.5/10; Probably our most consistent defender and is another one that wears his heart on his sleeve. Unfortunately he is prone to hamstring injuries.
Ogbonna 6/10; Played with injury for a share of this season and is another player who looks best in a back three. Good on the ball but his blatant holding at corners is a concern.
Cresswell 4/10; I have perhaps controversially marked Aaron very low but for me he has been really poor this past season. His work in tandem with Payet the season before was brilliant but his defensive qualities have never been strong. Normally, the best part of his game, his crossing, has generally been quite poor this season.
Masuaku 7/10; After his horror showing at West Brom I doubted we would ever get see Mas back in a West Ham shirt. However, injury to Cresswell gave him his chance and in the games he played he was outstanding. Not enough games to get more than 7/10 and it will be interesting to see if he is first choice left back next season?
Kouyate 7/10; At his best is an absolute bull but inconsistency plagued his form this season. Playing in central defence and right back probably did not help his form overall but along with Antonio is the only real box to box player in the squad.
Noble 6/10; Is he the glue that holds the side together? Maybe, maybe not? Whatever, his lack of pace is disturbing but his desire to lead his West Ham is not.
Obiang 7/10; Was one player who improved on the previous season and is probably the surprise package of the season. He has developed into a quality PL player and it was sad to see his season end just when he was really starting to impose himself.
Fernandes 6/10; Promising youngster who shows a deal of talent but also a rawness to his game. The defensive side of his game must improve if he wants game time next season, unless of course we are struck with an abundance of injuries again.
Antonio 8/10; The right back experiment didn’t work out this season and neither did the centre forward project. But Antonio is an absolute nightmare for opposition defences who have no idea what he is going to do next, which is not surprising as the lad himself does not know either! Always a danger in the air in the box as well, Antonio was HOTY and must be continued to play wide for best results.
Lanzini 8/10; A very good season for the Argentinian. The exit of Payet allowed Lanzini to come out of the shadows and he certainly did. At times last season he looked the only player we had who was capable of unlocking opposition defences. The downside is he does tend to drift out of games but his work rate is often underestimated.
Feghouli 6/10; Probably the most inconsistent player of the season. Brilliant at times and at others so frustrating. Can see why some want him to stay and perhaps with a PL season under his belt he will improve?
Snodgrass 4/10; A score of four is probably a bit generous? When he came in after Payets departure it was expected he would be our set piece alternative but the Scot has never really got going in claret and blue. The effort seems to be there and noises are we are going to keep him so we really need to see better form from him next season.
Nordtveit 4/10; Played a couple of excellent games for us but also some shockers. I still can’t forgive that penalty he gave away at Spuds and his performance at home to Liverpool was simply dreadful. With several youngsters knocking on the door next season I really see no place for him at West Ham next season. His distinct lack of pace makes him unsuitable for the PL in my opinion.
Carroll 7/10; What can you say? Our best forward and he does score goals when he gets a decent run of games under his belt. The injury plagued player spends far too much time in the treatment room to be considered a first choice striker so it is imperative we bring in at least two strikers before next season. Andy leaves it all on the pitch for the Hammers but surely next season it can only be as an impact sub where his defensive heading in our own box also comes in handy.
Andre Ayew 6/10; Frustrating that we lost Ayew to injury in our first game of the season. It took a while before we saw him back in a Hammers shirt and he did score goals once he got a run in the side. Like Antonio before him, I was really excited when he joined West Ham but unlike Antonio, he has not made the same impact yet. I do see Ayew being an integral part of the team next season but he needs to step up.
Calleri 4/10; Not his style but he struggled to hold the ball up when played as a lone striker. Lacks pace and despite getting himself in good positions, failed to score goals. Has he gone yet? If not he needs to – sorry!
Fletcher 4/10; Like Calleri is just not good enough and whilst he looks like being at the club next season I sincerely hope we are not relying on Fletcher to score goals for us any time soon.
Bilic 6/10; Kept it all together under really difficult circumstances last season. The new stadium teething problems, the Payet saga, the collapse of his Antonio experiment, Sakho missing just about all season, losing Ayew in the first game of the season for the remainder of the year, the ongoing Carroll injury problems, his own hip pain and the misfiring Zaza! After all that for a man who is visibly very passionate about our club I think he deserves another shot next season?