West Ham Player Ratings: First 12 Games

[John Simkin]

I have been using the ratings out of ten from twelve newspapers and websites to assess the form of the West Ham squad. This is the average ratings in rank order over the first 12 games.

1. Rob Green (12 games) 6.9

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHgreen.htm

2. Dean Ashton (7 games) 6.6

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHashton.htm

3= Matthew Etherington (11 games) 6.5

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHetherington.htm

3= Mark Noble (10 games) 6.5

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHnoble.htm

3= Craig Bellamy (7 games) 6.5

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHbellamy.htm

3= Nolberto Solano (4 games) 6.5

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHsolano.htm

3= Kieron Dyer (2 games) 6.5

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHdyer.htm

8= Matthew Upson (12 games) 6.4

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHupton.htm

8= Lee Bowyer (10 games) 6.4

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHbowyer.htm

10= Carlton Cole (8 games) 6.2

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHcole.htm

10= Hayden Mullins (11 games) 6.2

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHmullins.htm

10= George McCartney (11 games) 6.2

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHmccartney.htm

10= James Collins (2 games) 6.2

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHcollins.htm

14. Lucas Neill (10 games) 6.1

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHneill.htm

15. Daniel Gabbidon (6 games) 6.0

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHgabbidon.htm

16= Anton Ferdinand (7 games) 5.8

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHferdinand.htm

16= Jonathan Spector (5 games) 5.8

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHspector.htm

16= Fredrik Ljungberg (4 games) 5.8

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHljungberg.htm

19. Luis Boa Morte (8 games) 5.7

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHmorte.htm

20. Bobby Zamora (3 games) 5.5

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/07WHzamora.htm

Overall, the signs look good for the rest of the season. Several of the high-ranking players have played very few games (Ashton, Bellamy, Dyer, Solarno). Others, who had low ratings after the first few games, have improved their ratings considerably (Bowyer, Cole and McCartney). This is a lot to do with confidence and suggests that this improvement will continue. The most worrying aspects of the overall ratings is the poor form of Lucas Neill and Anton Ferdinand.

It is often said that the quality of a team is illustrated by the abilities of the players on the bench. After the international break, with some of our best players returning from injury, the quality of the men on the bench will be one of the best in the division.

Gary, who would you rank in the top five? How different is it from the ratings above?

[Guest Gary Loughran]

Overall, the signs look good for the rest of the season. Several of the high-ranking players have played very few games (Ashton, Bellamy, Dyer, Solarno). Others, who had low ratings after the first few games, have improved their ratings considerably (Bowyer, Cole and McCartney). This is a lot to do with confidence and suggests that this improvement will continue. The most worrying aspects of the overall ratings is the poor form of Lucas Neill and Anton Ferdinand.

It is often said that the quality of a team is illustrated by the abilities of the players on the bench. After the international break, with some of our best players returning from injury, the quality of the men on the bench will be one of the best in the division.

Gary, who would you rank in the top five? How different is it from the ratings above?

First things first - it's amazing how low Green's score is. He has easily been our best and most consistent performer and, for me, one of the best 'keepers in the league. I can't believe McClaren is overlooking him.

Secondly - Tough here - I would go for Matty Upson. I really hope I don't scud him, but he's been injury free and played every game. This has helped give the centre of defence a consistency. He hasn't really done anything wrong and on the downside he maybe doesn't win enough in the air - but that would be harsh.

Third - Dean Ashton. Remarkable recovery from injury and back to goal scoring form. We look a different proposition with Ashton in the team. I would love to see him fit. I don't believe he's ever

been truly fit for us. Great linkman - target man the perfect Shearer/Sheringham hybrid.

Fourth - Bowyer. Playing more than everyone expected and playing well. Timing runs well again, scoring goals and playing generally well for the team. During our current injury problems Bowyer has improved greatly and assumed greater responsibility befitting his senior status.

Fifth - Mark Noble - Has showed the effects of the consistently high demands of the Premiership. Has coped well and provided class and energy - the injury crisis means he has played more than perhaps was good for him. A talent.

I've tended to go for those players who have played more often. They have provided the consistency, team spirit and strength through the current injury crisis. I think they've all played well and our defence is noticeably sound lately. Neill/McCartney have both come on leaps and bounds recently. Upson has played with a quiet confidence and rarely makes glaring mistakes or is found out of position. For me he's went under the radar because he's just gets the job done without any fuss.

Green was an easy first place. I'm a little biased for Ashton and against Etherington (who is just too flaky for my liking). Carlton Cole could easily be there. The last 4-5 games he's been awesome, has carried the frontline and is now the top of the Premier League assists chart.

Noble/Bowyer/Mullins/McCartney were hard to separate.

When all the 'stars' return, Curbs will be tested in the man and team management stakes. I just hope that he puts West Ham first and manages to always get the 11 on the field who offer the best chance of success for the club. But it's nice to be in a position where we have real competition for places, all being well of course.

What about your own top 5??

[John Simkin]

What about your own top 5??

Shrewd boxing trainers always tell their fighters to do their best work in the last minute of each round. The theory being that the judges are always more influenced by what they saw at the end, rather than the beginning of the round.

Therefore, I, like most fans, are more likely to be influenced by recent performances than those games played at the beginning of the season. I am therefore tempted to put Bowyer and Cole in my top three.

Green has clearly been a consistent top performer this season and definitely deserves top spot. I don’t agree with Dean Ashton being placed second. He has had some good games but in my opinion he never reached full fitness in the seven games he played. Bellamy has had a couple of outstanding games but again he has only played seven games. Hopefully they will come good in the second-half of the season and score plenty of goals in our charge up the table.

Other than Green, the two players that have really impressed me this season are George McCartney and Matthew Etherington. This is saying something as they would not have been in my starting line-up at the beginning of the season. Therefore, my top three are:

1. Rob Green

2. George McCartney

3. Matthew Etherington

[John Simkin]

Gary, given the ratings above, what West Ham team would you pick if all the players were fit?

[Guest Gary Loughran]

Gary, given the ratings above, what West Ham team would you pick if all the players were fit?

Hi John,

Sorry for delay, was golfing in Algarve last 4 days

From the 20 rated above, I'd go for

1. Rob Green

2. Lucas Neill

3. George McCartney

4. Hayden Mullins

5. Danny Gabbidon

6. Matty Upson

7. Nolberto Solano

8. Mark Noble

9. Craig Bellamy

10. Dean Ashton

11. Lee Bowyer

There are cases for Boa Morte, Cole, Etherington, Ferdinand. Not seen enough of Ljunberg, Zamora, Dyer, Collins and Spector.

I'm trying to base the team on those that have played and looked best this season. Ideally I'd like fit Faubert, Dyer and the like in the team

Gary

[John Simkin]

From the 20 rated above, I'd go for

1. Rob Green

2. Lucas Neill

3. George McCartney

4. Hayden Mullins

5. Danny Gabbidon

6. Matty Upson

7. Nolberto Solano

8. Mark Noble

9. Craig Bellamy

10. Dean Ashton

11. Lee Bowyer

There are cases for Boa Morte, Cole, Etherington, Ferdinand. Not seen enough of Ljunberg, Zamora, Dyer, Collins and Spector.

I'm trying to base the team on those that have played and looked best this season. Ideally I'd like fit Faubert, Dyer and the like in the team

Very close to my team. I saw the Wales v Ireland game on television and thought Collins looked better than a poor Gabbidon. I would also like to find a place for Etherington but he would make a good substitute. So would Cole. Overall, things are looking fairly good for West Ham and hoping for a victory over Everton in the Carling Cup. I am looking forward to the game on Sunday against Spurs. Unlike most West Ham fans I do not hate Spurs. For many, it is the most important game of the season.

[Guest Gary Loughran]

Very close to my team. I saw the Wales v Ireland game on television and thought Collins looked better than a poor Gabbidon. I would also like to find a place for Etherington but he would make a good substitute. So would Cole. Overall, things are looking fairly good for West Ham and hoping for a victory over Everton in the Carling Cup. I am looking forward to the game on Sunday against Spurs. Unlike most West Ham fans I do not hate Spurs. For many, it is the most important game of the season.

Didn't see the Wales v Ireland game. Tried to watch the Welsh u21s last night but fell asleep during the delayed start. I wanted to see our reserve team captain Collison playing. Whilst English, Bellamy, Gabbidon and Collins thought highly enough of him to recommend to Wales' Flynn. Not really sure if that's a ringing endorsement though.

Collins is a better player than Gabbidon. His injuries have prevented him getting a run in the team.

I agree, the future looks good for West Ham. Not being from London, it's difficult for me to get into the whole derby hatred/excitement; for that reason Spurs are just another fixture. I'm not really fussy where the points come from.

Disappointed to read rumours that Hogan Ephraim is on the verge of a £500K tranfer to Colchester - another youth product farmed out.

Edited November 21, 2007 by Gary Loughran