End of year report 2016/17

[49er]

We are almost at the end of the 2016/17 season, so time to give our gradess from A to E(taking into account the previous season's performance as a yardstick):

 

A-Excellent

B-Good

C-Average

D-Below average

E- Poor

 

Here are my marks:

 

A - Ndidi (a major impact on our change in fortunes, at such a young age and in so short a period)

 

B - Schmeichel (had more to do this season, as the defence was considerably weaker than last year)

   - Shakespeare (credit for the turnaround in our form, and for leading us to safety, but is he the real deal?)

 

 C - Vardy (poor under Ranieri, but came back to something like his old self under Shakespeare)

 

   - Simpson (overall, fairly solid and reliable without doing anything spectacular)

   - Huth (struggled playing in Ranieri's system, but much improved. Reads the game well)

   - Chilwell (only had a few appearances, so difficult to give an accurate grading, but there is obvious potential and he was excellent against Madrid)

   - Albrighton (would have been a 'D' in the early part of the season, but had some good games under Shakespeare)

   - Benalouane (did well to finally force his way into the starting line up, and showed signs of his abilities in the Champions League. However, doubts remain about his overall quality)

   - Vichai/Top (should have given  Ranieri his marching orders earlier)

   

D - Morgan (age and injury are catching up on him. Glimpses in the Shakespeare era of what he was capable of last season, but he is on the wain

    - Mahrez (so disappointing after the heights of last season. He is probably on the way out)

    - Fuchs (dreadful under Ranieri, but improved under Shakespeare. Chilwell will be a threat to him next season)

    - Drinkwater (different player since Kante has departed. Also struggled in view of injuries and suspension)

    - Gray (signs that he could become a really good player, but too inconsistent. If he is to make it, we need to see evidence early next season)

    - Slimani (so  much paid in the transfer fee, so much expected, and yet relatively little delivered. Can score goals with his head, but not as quick/skilful as we had expected)

    - Okazaki (tries his best, but quite frankly, apart from the goal against Man City, is not a real goal threat. We need a much better replacement)

 

   E - King (offers very little as a Premier League player. Take away the fact that he came through the ranks, and has been with us for years, and he would be plying his trade in the Championship)

      - Ulloa (does not have the technique or speed to make a meaningful contribution at this level. Wanted a move, and said he would never play for us again. Time to go Leo)

      - Musa (sadly, no evidence, apart from a couple of games, that he brings anything to the team. Back to CSKA we go)

      - Mendy (difficult to accurately assess based on the few games he played, but he looks out of his depth and is the wrong sort of player for the system that worked so wonderfully well for us last year)  

      - Kaputska (little opportunity, but the fact that he struggled to even make it onto the sub's bench says it all)

      - Ranieri (how on earth did he manage to turn the Premier League Champions into relegation candidates, poor signings, a huge opportunity missed to challenge the top four again. Went from being Martin O'Neill to Peter Taylor .)

 

[Jimothy]

I'm going to give an 'N' then you can use it where you've missed one in the thread title.  

 

EDIT: You edited it 

[Countryfox]

That quick respelling of the topic has moved you up 2 grades ...   

[49er]

Come on guys, let's have your thoughts

 

[Happy Fox]

Rudkin - F 

[filbertstreet]

I'd give Mendy an A & E

[Matt]

I'm not gonna grade individuals i'm just going to do it as a collective as a view of the season.

 

I'll grade it somewhere between a C or a D.

 

Barr the Champions League i've really not enjoyed this season at all.

 

Champions League was something else, amazing and we can be so proud of that, memories that like last season will last a lifetime - I'll blank the league out of this season and remember this season for the Champions League.

 

As for the league, can't wait for tomorrows game to come and go, I just want it over, draw a line and start again, i've been quite disappointed and in some ways embarrassed. Thursday has alot to do with that and has clouded my judgement though, but even before Thursday i've been quite disappointed with the league, the last few months we turned it around but taking the season as a whole we've been poor, at times barr Palace i'd claim we were the worst in the league, I know Sunderland have been bottom a large chunk  of the season but we were awful, so bad!

 

Here's what I waffled on about yesterday, basically saying the same thing.

 

21 hours ago, Matt said:

I'll be so glad when this game has come and gone, I just want this season over.

 

I'll be bored over the summer but I just wanna draw a line under this season and move on.

 

The CL has been a great, fun, exciting experience and something to be very proud of, something that won't be forgotten, as for the league campaign, very forgettable (Or we will try) yeah we've turned it around and could finish midtable, more down to how poor the league is rather than anything else - we should have been dead and buried, obviously i'm glad it turned out the way it did though but taking the league campaign as a whole it's been pretty disappointing and depressing, the last few months have been enjoyable but last night ruined alot of that and i'm ready for it to end now.

 

Anyone who wants to go, just go, quickly, see what we're left with regards players and management, recruit , recruit well and move on, start a fresh, hopefully a positive one.

 

[49er]

2 minutes ago, Matt said:

 

As for the league, can't wait for tomorrows game to come and go, I just want it over, draw a line and start again, i've been quite disappointed and in some ways embarrassed.

 

I totally agree. 

 

So many embarrassing performances, given that we were Champions last season:

 

Man U: 4-0 down at half-time

Spurs: 1-6

Millwall : 0-1

Porto: 0-5

Hull: 1-2

Sunderland: 1-2

Swansea: 0-2

Middlesbrough: 2-2

Middlesbrough: 0-0

Burnley: 0-1

Watford: 1-2

 

Such a poor Premier League. Despite our, overall, dreadful season we are going to finish mid table! Imagine, where we could have been with some half decent performances and signings!

[Callabinho]

Domestic - E - The league campaign has been nothing short of a disaster. Failure to acquire adequate players, with the exception of N'didi. Too early to tell with Mendy due to his injury plagued season. A pitiful attempt at retaining the title (which was always going to be difficult) however we've really let ourselves down in the league this season....and our lack of strength in depth highlighted on Thursday.

 

A - Champions league we can be proud of, a bit more of a risk taken against Atleti in the first half of leg two, we could have faced off against their big brother. 

 

Overall domestically we've been a disaster, blushes spared by Shakey's a revival mission.

 

this would be the "he's a nice lad, but" conversation at parents evening! 

 

[Fox92]

All the usual starting 11 can have a C apart from Kasper, Simpson and N'Didi who have been consistently good so I'll give them a B.

 

Musa E - Poor first touch and inability to run with the ball without leaving it behind. Cheers for the scenes at White Hart Lane though as I was right next to the home end so enjoyed that one.

 

Mendy E - Waste of time with his injury record.

 

The club in the summer E - This was our chance to progress but somehow stood still/went backwards. 

 

Ranieri E - What went wrong. Why did he change it. What happened. We made Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Hull, WBA etc look way better than they were somehow. Even went to Bournemouth and didn't score. Embarrassing title defence - I've done about 15 away games this season and we won about 3.

 

Shakespeare C - Average. Hasn't changed that much, hasn't changed our style of play. Basically picked the team that won the league. Too defensive during big games.

[brucey]

A - Owners, Schmeichel

B - Shakespeare, Vardy, Albrighton, Simpson, Slimani, Ndidi

C - Morgan, Huth, Benny, Gray, Fuchs, Chilwell

D - Mahrez, Drinkwater, Musa, Ulloa, King, Amartey

E - Ranieri

[AKCJ]

I'll do the current first teamers because it'll take forever.

 

Schmeichel - A-

A bit of a shining light in a dull season. Some mistakes earlier on in the season but in the second half, especially in the Champions League, he's been nothing short of world class. A truly magnificent goalkeeper.

 

Simpson - C+

I think he's been the most consistent. Never exceptional, never shite. He's a very good player at this level.

 

Morgan - C

Took him too long to get going again after winning the Premier League. Some stellar performances in the Champions League.

 

Huth - C+

I'd give him a slightly better rating than Morgan because he's had less injury troubles and has scored some vital goals. 

 

Fuchs - C

I didn't think he was too bad earlier in the season but he's still not got back to the player he was.

 

Albrighton - B- (D first half, A second half)

Since Shakespeare has come in he's been ****ing ridiculous but earlier in the season he was so poor.

 

Drinkwater - D-

Been a terrible season for him. He makes us tick and he's just not been on it.

 

Ndidi - B+ 

Looks a player and a half. Took him a few weeks to settle but right now I'd say he's got the potential to be our best player next season. Just hope we get someone in to compliment him.

 

Mahrez - C-

Scored a lot of goals but he's not had the season we know he's capable of. I think tomorrow will be the last time he wears a City shirt.

 

Okazaki - C

Not scored enough but he's worked his bollocks off. I think we need to upgrade this position in the summer.

 

Vardy - B

Must have one of the best goals per chance ratios in the world. He's had **** all service all year yet he'll still probably finish with a goal/assist every other game ratio.

 

Ranieri - F

Utter disaster. He gambled on trying to alter our way of playing and it backfired spectacularly.

 

Shakespeare - A

Thank **** the owners stuck by him. He was the man we needed at the time we needed him. Now sign him up.

[Kitchandro]

The majority of the players have been so vastly different in seperate periods.

 

Drinkwater would have been an A until December, he was carrying the midfield by himself, but for the second half of the season he's an F. Most of the other players have been quite the opposite, dreadful until Ranieri got sacked and then much more like themselves. Vardy, Fuchs, Morgan, Huth and Albrighton would all go into that category.

 

Benalouane has to get a B for me, he's had a couple of shocking games, which people remember, but on the whole I think he's been brilliant since he came into the team. He's got such natural ability as a defender but makes occassional brainless decision which costs him. But if he can iron those out he's got great potential.

 

There's no way Gray should be getting below a C, he's been shockingly underused and has always had a go and looked capable of something in the little time he has had. As I keep saying, he's not the finished article but he never will be without game time and he's as talented as almost anyone in the squad.

 

Schmeichel should also get an A. I think he's been a lot more consistent this season and an easy decision for player of the year.

 

You have to split the season into 2: The Champions League and the rest.

 

In Europe, considering it was our debut season, you'd have to give us an A, despite the blip against Porto. But the league performance was a D at best. Even though we may still finish in the top half, we have hugely underachieved in my eyes. Even without Kante we had got ourselves into a position where the top 6 should have been a realistic possibility and aim. To go from winning the league by 10 points to struggling against relegation for several months, well we've massively mismanaged the situation. This team has far more to offer.

 

We have clearly improved since the Ranieri sacking, which sadly had to happen, but I'm still far from convinced about us going forward, for 2 reasons. 1 is that I see no reason to believe the recruitment will be any better than it was in the summer. And 2; it looks rather likely we will end up settling for Shakespeare, who to me clearly does not have the tactical nous we require in order to make the most out of the considerable potential that we have. He's almost an Allardyce-lite, a cautious, 'hold what you have' manager, which is not suited to the players and philosophy we built our success on. Playing the way Shakespeare wants to play will only have very limited potential unless you have superior players to most, which will never be the case for a club like us.

 

I fear a period of stagnation akin to Sunderland over the last few years, or West Brom in the seasons preceding this one. We need to be progressive now, both tactically and in the transfer market.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

54 minutes ago, Fox92 said:

Mendy E - Waste of time with his injury record.

 

What injury record? The bloke had played no end of games and was fit as a fiddle before joining us, seems harsh to rank him so poorly when he's been crippled for most of the season.

 

I must also be missing something when people are saying Simpson has been "consistently good" or "never shite" over the course of this season. Absolutely no doubt he's picked up under Shakespeare and he's a handy player, but he was just as bad as the rest of the defence when our ineptitude reached its nadir under Claudio.

[Fox92]

7 minutes ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

What injury record? The bloke had played no end of games and was fit as a fiddle before joining us, seems harsh to rank him so poorly when he's been crippled for most of the season.

 

I must also be missing something when people are saying Simpson has been "consistently good" or "never shite" over the course of this season. Absolutely no doubt he's picked up under Shakespeare and he's a handy player, but he was just as bad as the rest of the defence when our ineptitude reached its nadir under Claudio.

His injury record here. In then out. Waste of time that's why I gave him so low.

 

Simpson has been consistent this season, constant 7 out of 10, just like Kasper has. Drinkwater too prior to the WBA game he practically carried the midfield. Simpson was always the better defender when we struggled early on in the season.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

27 minutes ago, Fox92 said:

His injury record here. In then out. Waste of time that's why I gave him so low.

 

Simpson has been consistent this season, constant 7 out of 10, just like Kasper has. Drinkwater too prior to the WBA game he practically carried the midfield. Simpson was always the better defender when we struggled early on in the season.

 

That's hardly his fault though 

 

Simpson really, really hasn't been a constant, consistent 7/10 throughout the entirety of the season. He was as atrocious as the rest of our defence from December to February.

[Fox92]

2 minutes ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

That's hardly his fault though 

 

Simpson really, really hasn't been a constant, consistent 7/10 throughout the entirety of the season. He was as atrocious as the rest of our defence from December to February.

I know. But this is rating as a whole isn't it. Like I said, the club in general get an E as does the signing of Mendy.

 

I think, personally, Simpson has been consistent most of the season. And I'll stand by that. His positioning and ability to get our centre backs out of a mess is amazing. Back post defending at it's best.

[LCCFox96]

Schmeichel: A- Has performed well, saved us on multiple occasions and been a pivotal leadership figure for the club. Outstanding vs Sevilla. Dread to think where we'd be without him.

Simpson: B- Solid under Ranieri, Solid under Shakespeare. Spectacular under neither but a good season nonetheless.

Morgan: C- Dodgy start but looked more like himself under Shakespeare. Still think Wes has a big role to play in the season to come.

Huth: C Absolutely woeful for Ranieri, worse than Morgan and appeared to lose the ability to play football. Gets a better mark for playing a bigger role than Wes in Shakey's resurgence.

Fuchs: C Meh, average season 

Albrighton: B Had a stinker but put in some big performances in the run in when it counted. Work rate and commitment never in question.

Drinkwater: D Awful season for Danny, but do sympathise as he may well have been playing through injury. Needs to pick up next season.

Ndidi: A- Thank fvck we picked this kid up. Looks a real talent and his midfield displays and contribution with some important goals have been just the ticket.

Mahrez: C- Glimpses of quality. We know what he can do, just haven't seen it often enough.

Vardy: B Another one I sympathise with - no service, lot of bad press for Ranieri but still delivered respectable numbers in goals/assists and been a key player for us again.

Okazaki: C+ Just like last season, probably the same next year. Commitment, work rate, energy and team spirit in abundance. Flashes of brilliance but not quite there all the time. 

 

Ranieri: F Whatever he tried, he failed. Sadly it has worked out, once the Don, always the Don though.

Shakespeare: B+ Brought us home in relative comfort and looked better for it. Hope he gets the job but loses an A- for the 1-6 defeat to Spurs which was a bit of a blot on his copybook, although not all his fault due to limited squad depth and injuries.

 

[murphy]

1 hour ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

What injury record? The bloke had played no end of games and was fit as a fiddle before joining us, seems harsh to rank him so poorly when he's been crippled for most of the season.

 

I must also be missing something when people are saying Simpson has been "consistently good" or "never shite" over the course of this season. Absolutely no doubt he's picked up under Shakespeare and he's a handy player, but he was just as bad as the rest of the defence when our ineptitude reached its nadir under Claudio.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Just now, murphy said:

 

Point is? He had no injury record before this season...

[49er]

I forgot to include Amartey in my list

 

I would give him a C. Some promise shown in certain games, but then disappointing in others. He's been hear just over a year, so next season will truly define him. Not a central defender at this level.

[murphy]

34 minutes ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

Point is? He had no injury record before this season...

I know, I'm just having some fun with you.  Just looks funny how you've phrased it,

[oxtonfox]

59 minutes ago, LCCFox96 said:

Schmeichel: A- Has performed well, saved us on multiple occasions and been a pivotal leadership figure for the club. Outstanding vs Sevilla. Dread to think where we'd be without him.

Simpson: B- Solid under Ranieri, Solid under Shakespeare. Spectacular under neither but a good season nonetheless.

Morgan: C- Dodgy start but looked more like himself under Shakespeare. Still think Wes has a big role to play in the season to come.

Huth: C Absolutely woeful for Ranieri, worse than Morgan and appeared to lose the ability to play football. Gets a better mark for playing a bigger role than Wes in Shakey's resurgence.

Fuchs: C Meh, average season 

Albrighton: B Had a stinker but put in some big performances in the run in when it counted. Work rate and commitment never in question.

Drinkwater: D Awful season for Danny, but do sympathise as he may well have been playing through injury. Needs to pick up next season.

Ndidi: A- Thank fvck we picked this kid up. Looks a real talent and his midfield displays and contribution with some important goals have been just the ticket.

Mahrez: C- Glimpses of quality. We know what he can do, just haven't seen it often enough.

Vardy: B Another one I sympathise with - no service, lot of bad press for Ranieri but still delivered respectable numbers in goals/assists and been a key player for us again.

Okazaki: C+ Just like last season, probably the same next year. Commitment, work rate, energy and team spirit in abundance. Flashes of brilliance but not quite there all the time. 

 

Ranieri: F Whatever he tried, he failed. Sadly it has worked out, once the Don, always the Don though.

Shakespeare: B+ Brought us home in relative comfort and looked better for it. Hope he gets the job but loses an A- for the 1-6 defeat to Spurs which was a bit of a blot on his copybook, although not all his fault due to limited squad depth and injuries. Morgan a "C" and Huth "C+"

 

I agree with most of your ratings Sir though would say that Drinkwater though disappointing was carrying the midfield in the first dozen games, went through a bad phase, did well under Shakey initially then faded because of injury. So a "C" for him I think. I would give Schmiechel a straight "A", Mahrez is about right with a "must try harder in capitals!", Shakey an "A-" too and Simpson a solid "B" for his general consistency all season,

[Tuna]

Kasper A - Champions League penalty saves were the stuff of legends.

Zieler D - Not for me, doesn't seem to communicate with the defence.

Simpson B - Our most consistent outfield player, about time he scored a goal though.

Huth B - Best defender, had some rocky moments but overall good.

Wes B - Almost had a C but gets upgraded due to the Sevilla goal.

Benny D - Steady enough to see the season through but I don't trust him as a long term option.

Fuchs C - Looked completely useless up to Claudio's departure.

Chilwell C - Took his limited chances well.

King D - He's not good enough anymore.

Schlupp D - Terrible first half to the season but I would have loved him to stay as he'd have made an impact under Shakey.

Amartey D - Scored against Stoke and looked ok against Man City but he's not good enough...yet.

Mendy E - Maybe unfair but I'm extremely disappointed with this signing.

Drinkwater C - Almost got a D, such a disappointment on last season.

Ndidi B - No surprise we turned our form around when he came in.

Albrighton C - Some great moments in the Champions League but for most of the season he was horrendous.

Gray C - Should have been given more chances and would probably be a B.

Mahrez D - Below average for most of the season, uninterested and lazy too many times.

Slimani C - Scored some important goals but for the price tag I expected better.

Musa E - He's completely useless, pace and nothing else. Expectations raised by stunning performance against Barca, dashed by poor premier league performances.

Shinji C - Needs phasing out next season, still effective but a little less effective if that makes sense!

Vardy - B Claudio ruined him for 6 months, back to his best since Shakey took over.

Hernandez E - Waste of time. Even his much anticipated long throws were rubbish.

 

Claudio E - I'd love to ask him what the heck he was doing for 6 months this season. Crazy tinkerman tactics and blinkered to the problems we had, he was sleepwalking the club to certain relegation.

 

Shakey A - Just call him Pep Bardiola.

 

Owners A - Made the right call to save our season!

[AmarteyAndChill]

6 minutes ago, Tuna said:

Kasper A - Champions League penalty saves were the stuff of legends.

Zieler D - Not for me, doesn't seem to communicate with the defence.

Simpson B - Our most consistent outfield player, about time he scored a goal though.

Huth B - Best defender, had some rocky moments but overall good.

Wes B - Almost had a C but gets upgraded due to the Sevilla goal.

Benny D - Steady enough to see the season through but I don't trust him as a long term option.

Fuchs C - Looked completely useless up to Claudio's departure.

Chilwell C - Took his limited chances well.

King D - He's not good enough anymore.

Schlupp D - Terrible first half to the season but I would have loved him to stay as he'd have made an impact under Shakey.

Amartey D - Scored against Stoke and looked ok against Man City but he's not good enough...yet.

Mendy E - Maybe unfair but I'm extremely disappointed with this signing.

Drinkwater C - Almost got a D, such a disappointment on last season.

Ndidi B - No surprise we turned our form around when he came in.

Albrighton C - Some great moments in the Champions League but for most of the season he was horrendous.

Gray C - Should have been given more chances and would probably be a B.

Mahrez D - Below average for most of the season, uninterested and lazy too many times.

Slimani C - Scored some important goals but for the price tag I expected better.

Musa E - He's completely useless, pace and nothing else. Expectations raised by stunning performance against Barca, dashed by poor premier league performances.

Shinji C - Needs phasing out next season, still effective but a little less effective if that makes sense!

Vardy - B Claudio ruined him for 6 months, back to his best since Shakey took over.

Hernandez E - Waste of time. Even his much anticipated long throws were rubbish.

 

Claudio E - I'd love to ask him what the heck he was doing for 6 months this season. Crazy tinkerman tactics and blinkered to the problems we had, he was sleepwalking the club to certain relegation.

 

Shakey A - Just call him Pep Bardiola.

 

Owners A - Made the right call to save our season!

Wes Morgan was just as bad as Fuchs before shakey got the job, If not worse.