Season Player Ratings: Goalkeepers and Defenders

Long promised, long anticipated.

GOALKEEPERS

Hart (26 League appearances, 0 goals; 6 cup appearances, 0 goals)

The find of the season. Was probably, at least in fans' expectations, third choice at the start of the season. Seized his chance ably, surprising everyone with his quality and his consistency. I don't think I can remember one costly mistake (almost conceded a hilarious own goal in one of his first matches, home to Newcastle in October). Made some wonderful saves. A

Schmeichel (7, 0; 0, 0)

Given the metaphorical Number 1 jersey in August, and did well to concede only two in his first six games. But the three let in at Fulham had, in fact, been waiting to happen for some time and was then dropped. Never looked like getting back in the team: serious question marks over whether he's got what it takes. B-

Isaksson (5, 0; 1, 0)

Like last season, got injured at unfortunate teams and then saw an unrated English 'keeper surprise everyone and keep him out of the team. Impresses whenever called upon, even managed to look competent whilst conceding eight against Middlesboro. B

DEFENDERS

Dunne (36, 0; 6, 0)

Not my Player of the Season. Was probably as good this year as he's ever been, though, in that we got the traditional combination of 60% competence, 20% heroism and 20% Titus Bramble. We do need him to stay, for his leadership qualities and stability, and because of our paucity of defensive cover. But let's not pretend that he's our best or even second best defender. B

Corluka (34(1), 0; 6, 0)

The most consistent of Eriksson's buys, and the most likely to turn into a long term servant of the club. Reminds me of Rio Ferdinand from about 2002: has everything one could want in a defender, whilst also being a genuine footballer. Like Rio, though, he is afflicted by occasional lapses in concentration. The final equaliser in the 3-3 at Craven Cottage and Fulham's first at CoMS seven months later both came from simple errors. Also needs to work out whether he's a centre-back or a full-back. A-

Richards (25, 0; 4, 0)

Had the attention taken from him by the success of the new buys in the first few months of the season. Whilst the press were talking about Elano and Petrov, Micah was forging a centre back pairing with Dunne just as strong as that which the captain had with Distin, which had four years of joint experience behind it. Only when he injured his knee in the Spring did we realise how much we missed him. Signing that new contract was one of the best things to happen this year. A

Garrido (21 (6), 0; 2, 0)

More promise than achievement this year. Was in the side for the most successful period of the season in August and September, before making way for Ball. Like Ireland, he represented Eriksson's preference for those with 'footballing brains' ahead of players with the hard edge needed to do well in the Premier League. His linking up with Petrov is always good, but still has to prove he's tough enought to play full back every week. A measley £1.5m means he still gets the benefit of the doubt though. C+

Ball (19 (9), 0; 6 (1), 0)

Deserves credit for changing Eriksson's mind in late Autumn. Was always solid at left back but never exceptional. Filled in at centre back late in the season when everyone else was injured. Fits the stereotype of a 'player Mark Hughes would like' in my mind; but we'll have to wait and see how much he's involved next year. B-

Onuoha (13 (3), 1; 4 (1), 0)

His best season yet, but still beset by the old problems. In and out of the team for the first few months (the fact that Richards and Corluka are both better right backs and both better centre backs than Nedum didn't help), he was finally settling in before a nasty shoulder injury put him out at the worst possible time. As such, he has still not quite convinced (me, at least) that he ought to be first choice defender for a top half Premier League side. He just seems to get caught out too much. Aston Villa or Newcastle beckon? C

Sun Jihai (7 (7), 0; 2, 0)

My heart sinks every time I see him on the team sheet. It's not just that he's a poor winger, a bad full back and an atrocious holding midfielder (although all of those things are true), but that he's so terribly unlucky. The own goal at Derby, the penalty at St. Andrews: it's almost as if the Gods of Football are punishing us for the sin of picking him. I guess if we sign Ronaldinho then Jihai would cease to be our main source of foreign income, so we could finally send him to Burnley or wherever. D