Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2
Vinny 1:15 Sat May 26

Other articles by Vinny ...

Player Reviews 2011/12 – Part 2

To view last season’s go to:

http://web.archive.org/web/20110702011839/http://westhamonline.net/article.php?5527064

Midfielders

Julien Faubert

At the end of last season I was looking forward to seeing the back of Faubert given another poor season from a player who has never really repaid the transfer fee laid out for him in 2007.

The start of the season came and he was still at the club on his nice big contract given to him in those silly years under the Icelandic regime.

For a player who had played Champions League football and also represented his country France at full international level playing in the Championship should be easy for him but as we saw through the campaign it didn’t make too much difference to his performances.

His early season for was quite good and he was no longer player at right back and instead was playing in a more advanced midfield role which is where we had brought him to play in the first place.

He made a few sub appearances early on in the season and looked sharp when he came on. He started away at Nottingham Forest and put in a really good shift and in a team that was looking quite slow Faubert offered us pace.

During his time at the club he had taken a lot of stick and when he got his first and only goal of the season at home to Leicester City he instantly ran to the other end of the pitch to a section where some supporters had been giving him stick.

As the season wore on his form dipped and he was in and out of the side due to this. His crossing was at times woeful and whilst one in fifty crosses would be out of this world the majority would be too high, too long and never near a team mate.

I am not a big fan of him as a player but I will give him his dues for the effort and desire he did put in at times. I think he knew he had to do this to try and win people over but his ambition far exceeded his talent.

His five year contract expires shortly and the club have announced that he will be leaving. I can’t say I’m sad to see him go because having signed for £6.1m in 2007 he for me has been an expensive flop.

But his crosses for Illan at Everton and Junior Stanislas against Millwall will for me be his greatest contribution.

Apps: League 27 + 8 Sub Cup 1
Goals: 1
Bookings: 7
Verdict: The injury he picked up in his first season did a lot more damage than maybe we first realise because he never really got going in his five years at the club.

David Bentley

Brought in on loan from Tottenham Hotspur on August transfer deadline day and would hopefully be the player to give us a creative spark in midfield.

He made his debut against Portsmouth in the 4-3 win at Upton Park and played over 25 minutes as he looked to get some match fitness back. He again came on as sub in the next home against Peterborough and played a similar amount of time but looked much better and I predicted that it would not be long until he was in the starting line-up.

And he was in the starting eleven for the home defeat against Ipswich and then away at Crystal Palace. Just as it seemed that he was cementing a place in the side he suffered a knee injury which would rule him out for the next six months.
He subsequently returned to Spurs having only started two games.

If available for a good price Allardyce might go back for him.

Apps: League 2 + 3 Sub

Jack Collison

Having missed most of last season with injury Collison was clearly going to take some time to get in the swing of things and his recovery looked promising when he scored his first goal of the season against Blackpool in the 4-0 win.

But then his form dipped and there were many months where the question of what he brought to the team was being asked by many.

My issue with Collison is that he just wasn’t getting involved in the game enough. He would go missing for large chunks and when played on the right or left he didn’t have the necessary attributes to beat a man as he has no great skill or pace.

For a player over 6 foot he is reluctant to win headers although as the season came to an end I was seeing an improvement in this area and Robert Green was happy to play the ball long towards him.

Even through his average form he did strike me as a goal threat as he has a natural tendency to get into the area and I was surprised he didn’t score more goals. Going over my reports I have noticed Collison popping up for attempts at goal and half chances quite frequently.

He was sent off once during the season away at Reading when frustration and a disrespectful Jimmy Kebe saw Collison take him out which in fairness I don’t really blame him for doing.

The positive we can take from his season is the form he picked up toward the end with a brilliant display away at Cardiff City in the Play Off Semi Final First Leg where he scored two goals which all but fired us into the final.

The jury is still out on Collison as I’ve not seen much consistency from him and it seems a long time since that good season under Gianfranco Zola. Injury hasn’t helped him but he needs to find his best position in the midfield and hopefully he can make a positive impact next season.

Apps: League 28 + 5 Sub Cup 1
Goals: 5
Bookings: 1
Sent Off: 1 (vs Reading away)
Verdict: His end of season form has certainly made me consider him more as a player who can still offer something but he needs to find consistency.

Junior Stanislas

I thought he was going to have an impact on this season and be in and around the first team. My reasoning for this is that he was being used more frequently by the club in the Premiership so naturally I thought like Winston Reid that this would be his time to shine and develop.

But because of the system Allardyce likes to employ and that with Kevin Nolan always the first name on the team sheet we were not going to be a side who played with natural width which put Stanislas in a bad position.

I am not advocating that Stanislas was an amazing player but I did think there was something about his game which was good and could get better. I thought he had got a lot stronger and had a knack for popping up with the odd goal.

I believe that Stanislas should have been used as a striker and not a winger as his ability to beat a man is not great but he has pace, strength and a good finish.

In his only start of the season he played in the centre of midfield and scored a terrific goal against Aldershot Town in the league cup. It is a bit of a forgotten goal but he seized on a misplaced pass and curled an excellent shot past the keeper from outside the area.

Allardyce clearly didn’t rate him and on transfer deadline day he signed a 3 year contract with Burnley.

I always thought there was more to come from Junior Stanislas but clearly it won’t be at West Ham.

Apps: League 0+1Sub Cup 1
Goals: 1

Gary O’Neil

Having suffered an injury last season at home to Aston Villa we would not see Gary O’Neil until late December when he made his first start of the season away at Derby County in a 2-1 defeat. He lasted an hour in this game and he would take a while to regain his match fitness and form.

He came back into the fold at a time where we were about to go on a poor run at Upton Park. He came on as a 58th minute sub for Ricardo Vaz Te against Crystal Palace in a surprising substitution from Sam Alladryce and one of a number of strange tactical decisions from the manager around this time.

With the team not performing O’Neil was not exactly the most inspiring of players to bring on.

O’Neil was again brought on against Doncaster after only 56 minutes for Henri Lansbury who I had deemed to be having a good game so when O’Neil came on and offered nothing and we only managed to draw 1-1 he bore the brunt of criticism from myself considering we had an attacking midfielder in Morrison and striker Nicky Maynard on the bench.

It was away at Burnley where I noticed a big improvement as he was given a place in the starting eleven and I was pleased at how effective he was on the ball and he got an assist for Kevin Nolan’s goal.

He took this good display in to the game at Peterborough a few days later and not only played well but opened his account for the club as he hit a shot from 25 yards out which put us 2-0 up.

The whole team struggled at home to Reading in a crushing 4-2 defeat but O’Neil was difficult to find fault with and played the full 90 minutes.

He started the final eight games and of course was in the starting line-up for the Play Off Final and this inclusion marked a fine comeback from O’Neil who broke into a side already cluttered with midfielders, worked hard, and had a big part to play in us getting promotion.

Where Collison and Lansbury were failing O’Neil did not and considering how low key a signing O’Neil was he has been nothing but solid and professional in his time at the club. Because of this I expect him to get a number of games next season because football clubs need players like O’Neil.

Apps: League 12+7 Sub Cup: 1
Goals: 2
Bookings: 3
Verdict: Took a while to find his form but when he did he was a starter in the team and his energy allowed Noble and Nolan to flourish.

Scott Parker

To have begun the season with Scott Parker in our midfield was a surprise to many including myself who had thought he would have been long gone following our relegation and the fact he was voted the Premiership’s best player last season.

He did leave on the August transfer deadline day after much speculation and joined Tottenham Hotspur for a fee believed to be around £5.5m.

He started four games at the beginning of the season and despite sections of the support claiming that his heart was not in it and even owner David Sullivan saying the same he was still one of our best players.

In fact I cannot disagree with the claim that he was not playing as well as he could enough. Parker for me was fantastic away at Watford and although the entire team played well he was dominant in the centre of midfield and scored a goal in the second half with a cracking finish.

At home to Leeds United in the 2-2 draw I gave him my ‘Man Of The Match’. I said in my report:

“I know we all like Scott Parker and I don’t want people to think I’m just saying it because of what he has done at the club but again I thought Scott Parker was superb. The accusation that he has not been fully committed in terms of making challenges and putting his foot in surely were dispelled with this display. The man put his foot in, worked hard, passed well and in the second half he made us tick.”

Three times’ Hammer Of The Year’ Parker certainly had an impact on the club and gave his all which saw him break into the England side but sadly it is only since his move to Spurs that he has cemented a place in the England starting line-up and even Captained the side at one point.

He has been excellent for Spurs this season which saw them finish 4th in the Premiership.

I know it may not be rational but his move to Spurs does taint things a little despite me telling myself that it would not do so. Why can I just accept that he was excellent at West Ham and has now moved on in what was a good move for him and a good career decision? I can’t because supporting West Ham is not rational and maybe one day I will look back and discuss how excellent he was for the club but until then he is just another Tottenham player.

Apps: League 4
Goals: 1

Mark Noble

Voted the official Hammer Of The Year and whilst it was Tomkins who got my vote, Noble was not far behind as our longest serving player put in another excellent season and continues to be heartbeat of our midfield.

Although I was disappointed that Noble did not get the captains armband at the beginning of the season he still applied himself as if he was the captain with some dominating displays as he sat the centre of midfield and spread passes around the pitch.

His penalty taking has been nothing short of breath-taking in a season which saw him score seven penalties out of a possible seven. It got to the point that when we were awarded a penalty it was almost as good as a goal given his conversion rate.

It is disappointing that he did not manage to score more goals from outfield play but this is something he has never found much joy in over the years and he scored just the one this season with an excellent finish in the 4-0 away win at Barnsley.

Whenever Noble was available for selection he would be in the starting line-up. There would be no second thought about it as Mark Noble is one of the best players we have at the club. He has been playing for West Ham for quite some time now and has seen so much happen and he is still only 24 years old.

My favourite performance of the season came at home to Millwall where with only ten men for the majority, Noble really stepped up and took the game by the scruff of the net and drove us on to victory.

Mark Noble is West Ham, he is everything we want in a home grown player and I am delighted that he was part of the side who went to Wembley and won promotion because if any player deserves it then it is Mark Noble.

Next season I expect him to be one of the first names on the team sheet.

League: 45+2 Sub
Goals: 8
Bookings: 7
Verdict: Strong all season, his penalties have been fantastic and Noble has had a very good season.

Papa Bouba Diop

34 year old Diop signed for the club on 30th August 2011 on a free transfer having been released by AEK Athens.

The former Fulham man signed a one year contract and due to injury did not make his debut until October in the game at Crystal Palace.

Allardyce wanted a strong holding midfielder and in Diop this is exactly what he got. He is certainly a man mountain and it was comical watching players trying to go past him at times as he would simply block them off.

He scored his first and only goal for the club against Barnsley at Upton Park with a header which proved to be the winner.

I felt that he was doing well and this system seemed to be proving a winner with a number of positive results. Allardyce was so desperate to keep the same system that when Diop got injured he was playing centre half James Tomkins in the same role although not with the same effectiveness which is credit to Diop.

He failed to win his place back when returning from injury as we had altered our style to accommodate new signings and other players who had found some form.

The last time he started a game for the club was way back in Janaury in the home game against Nottingham Forest. He did come on as a 79th minute substitute in April at Barnsley but he would never regain his place in the starting line-up.

The club have announced that his contract will not be renewed and that he will be leaving upon it’s expiry.

Apps: League 14+2Sub
Goals: 1
Bookings: 1
Verdict: Did a job and was doing it well but injury stopped his season and it never started again.

Ravel Morrison

19 year old Morrison signed for the club from Manchester United in the Janaury transfer window on a three year contract.

Morrison had been hailed as the next wonderkid to break into the Manchester United team but due to hesitance on renewing his contract with them and some off the field problems he was allowed to leave for a small fee.

He came with a big reputation but it was clear from very early on that Allardyce had no intention of using him as someone to aid our promotion campaign. I would go as far to say that I doubt he was even on the radar of Allardyce and that it was David Sullivan who instigated the whole deal.

The decision to sign him seems a no lose situation for the club. Like most young players, either he makes it or he doesn’t but there did seem to certainly be a lot of hype around him.

He made his debut away at Leeds United in the 1-1 as he came on for Jack Collison for the final nine minutes.

Many supporters were crying out for his inclusion especially when we were looking for something different in some of the home games where a creative spark was needed. Trouble is as none of us have seen him play it is difficult to criticise the manager for not including him and Allardyce is not a manager to take risks.

Will we see him this season? I’m not quite sure.

Apps: League: 0+1 Sub

Henri Lansbury

Signed on loan from Arsenal in the January transfer window to boost our midfield numbers with the departute of Scott Parker.

He had been on loan at Norwich City the previous season in the Championship and they had won promotion so he was certainly a player who could bring that experience to the club despite being just 21 years old.

Lansbury made his debut in the 4-3 win over Portsmouth at Upton Park in a game which he would score the second goal and get the man of the match award from most quarters including myself who thought his display was full of energy.

He continued his solid displays for the following few games but began to be more anonymous and after a three game winless run he was dropped to bench although did return to a much changed starting eleven for the new year’s eve game at Derby which resulted in a loss.

He didn’t start another league game till the end of January as he came back into the side that lost 5-1 at Ipswich so back out of the team he went again and was dropped completely for the midweek game against Southampton at Upton Park.

And then he didn’t start another game for over two months and that came in April in the 6-0 win over Brighton.

Lansbury never held down a regular place in our team and when O’Neil found match fitness he was ahead of him and that was the story of his season – there was always another player ahead of him in better form be it Collison, O’Neil or Diop.

I think I had expected him to be better than those players and that he would be a name you would have down on your team sheet most weeks but he never really had much impact and therefore I’m not sure I would want him back at the club next season.

He has gone back to Arsenal where I cannot see him breaking into their first team but maybe he will surprise me.

Apps: League 13+10Sub Cup 1
Goals: 1
Bookings: 4
Verdict: Very hit and miss. Showed quality at times but never enough and there were always other players ahead of him.

Kevin Nolan

When Newcastle United only offered Kevin Nolan a 2 year contract he went looking for a better deal and West Ham under his former boss Sam Allardyce were more than happy to give him it.

Allardyce had managed Nolan at both Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle so it was a player who he knew a lot about.

He was instantly made club captain and this was despite Scott Parker still being at the club. It makes me wonder how Parker would have felt regarding this if Spurs hadn’t had come in for him.

Nolan came with a big reputation and had dropped down a level to play for the club. We all knew what he was about and that was a goal scoring midfielder who gets stuck in and winds up the oppositions fans and players.

This is largely what we have got although the first half of the season I cannot deny I was wholeheartedly underwhelmed by his nonchalant displays and clever disappearing act.

He scored his first goal for the club just two games in with a good finish against Doncaster Rovers and one which proved to be the winner.

Nolan would score again three games later at the City Ground in a 4-1 win at Nottingham Forest and the goals would keep coming as he scored at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace.

Throughout the season he would pop up with the odd goal and his tally of 13 goals is as good as any West Ham midfielder I can remember for a long time, possibly since Frank Lampard Junior.

He was causing much debate amongst the West Ham fans and certain sections did like to slag him. Behind where I sit at home games he was always receiving stick although the comment of ‘Nolan you’re shit’ just as he met the ball on the volley to score against Derby County was comical give that it was said literally a second before he scored.

His worst moment of the season came at home to Millwall when a rash challenge saw him sent off early on. This for me a turning point in his season because when he came back from suspension he was excellent and I really think his form from then to the end of the season was as good as it could be.

Leading up to the play offs he was immense and it has made me forget the poor form earlier in the season because he turned it on when it matter and led the team to glory in the play off’s.

Apps: League 44 Cup 1
Goals: 13
Bookings: 11
Sent Off: 1 (vs Millwall home)
Verdict: He was brought into score goals and show leadership and despite what you think of him, this he has done.

Pablo Barrera

Yes, he still is at the club.

He came on as a sub in the opening game against Cardiff and did have one chance with a header but it didn’t have enough power. It was clear from the beginning that he wasn’t going to feature much especially as Freddie Sears was ahead of him in the pecking order.

He started against Aldershot Town in the League Cup and was disappointing. He looked like a player who really wanted to be elsewhere and after this game he went out on load to Read Zaragoza. Barrera started 12 games for them and made a further 8 appearances as sub. He scored one goal away at Villarreal in October.

He hasn't started a game for Zaragoza since 11th December 2011.

Since that date he has come on as sub 5 times and the last one was as recent as 13th May as he entered the field of play in the 87th minute in a 2-0 win over Getafe.

He hasn't taken part in a game for his country since 11th November 2011.

If he has a future in football, I don’t see it being at West Ham.

Apps: League 0+1Sub Cup 1

Matthew Taylor

Taylor signed from Bolton Wanderers in the summer in what was another purchase of a player who could have probably played at a higher level but chose to come to the club to aid our promotion bid.

He has on the whole been a successful signing with his delivery being excellent for the majority of the season and he has contributed 10 assists and 1 goal in 28 games which is not a bad return.

Injury stopped his season from continuing in the positive way it was developing and when he returned from injury he took a while to pick up his form which I felt he never really got back despite putting in some excellent crosses.

His left foot is an asset to the club and if he was a player who got involved in the game more he would have surely been an England player at some point in his career considering the lack of left wingers in the country.

I question his desire at times and feel that he is happy to go through the motions but when he is on his game he is a very good player and I am unsure who we are going to bring in to play on the left who has Premiership experience to replace him.

With this I fully expect him to be a regular in the starting line up next season.

He scored his first goal for the club against Portsmouth (his former club) with a free kick which took a slight deflection. Unfortunately he didn’t build on this and only got the one goal all season although was unlucky with a few long range efforts which were either well saved or hit the woodwork.

When we were short at left back he was called upon to play in this position which he did well enough but I still believe he is better in a more advanced position.

Overall Matty Taylor has been a successful signing and has played his part in our promotion campaign and very much deserves to play a part in the coming Premiership season.

Apps: League 28+2Sub Cup 0+1 Sub
Goals: 1
Bookings: 1
Sent Off – 1 (vs Southampton home)
Verdict: A wand of a left foot and has had a good season.




Part 3 will be up around Wednesday.




Email - vinnywhufc@hotmail.com

Twitter - @vinnywhufc

Second Ball 7:26 Tue May 29
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

I think we have big problems in this area as, like last year, we are too one-paced. I agree Mark has stepped up to the plate though, mucho family pride with that one and also Nolan has done what was required but I 'm still not convinced by him as a captain on the pitch, Noble leads by example and really ought to get the armband. Collison I had such hopes for and maybe he'll come good but I don't really see where that'll be in the Prem as we need at least one midfielder with pace and if we think of four from Noble, Nolan, O'Neil, Collison and someone with pace, I think Collison is the one to benchwarm.

Ant L 12:50 Mon May 28
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

Cheers Vinny.

I'm surprised about Hitzlsperger though - didn't know where he went, only that he got a speeding ticket 'when looking for another employer'. I would've expected him to play more games at his new club after our medical staff took an absolute age to fix him!

Mr Kenzo 12:41 Mon May 28
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

Sam is good mates with SAF, i reckon he had a fair bit to do with it

Vinny 12:39 Mon May 28
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

And perhaps he did, but looking at the David Sullivan interview with Iain Dale I just got the impression that Allardyce didn't have a lot to do with the transfer.

" He wants first team football so that appealed to him. I met him, and I think he had never met the owners of Man United. Maybe that persuaded him to come. Time will tell if it was a good signing or a bad signing."


But then I'm sure Sullivan probably does that with most players on the say so of Allardyce so I could be reading that wrong.

Lee Trundle 12:36 Mon May 28
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

Good read, Vinny. Pretty much agree with all of it.

"I would go as far to say that I doubt he (Ravel Morrison) was even on the radar of Allardyce and that it was David Sullivan who instigated the whole deal"

I thought one of Allardyce's demands when he joined was that he had total say in the transfer market?


Also Orlando Pirates are a South African team. Boa Morte was playing there with fatty McCarthy ;-)

Vinny 12:15 Mon May 28
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

Midfielders from last season's review and how they have fared since leaving:

Kieron Dyer

Joined QPR and made his debut on the first day of the season against Bolton but lasted just three minutes as he came off injured.

He never played again through the season though amazingly QPR have offered him a new one year contract.

Valon Behrami

Went to Fiorentina and has played 32 league games.

Thomas Hitzlsperger

Signed for German club Wolfsburg but has only started 2 games all season. His contract as recently been terminated.

Radoslav Kovac

Has played around 11 games for his new club FC Basel but has finished the season winning the double with the club winning the league and the Swiss Cup.

Jonathan Spector

Joined fellow championship club Birmingham City on a free transfer. Has started 45 games in all competitions.

Was playing in a centre midfield role but has moved to right back as Birmingham missed out on promotion.

Anthony Edgar

Released by the club in the summer he joined League One club Yeovil Town.

Has struggled with form and injury and only started 5 games all season, scoring one goal.

Luis Boa Morte

Joined Greek club Larrisa but left the club in January due to their d financial problems.

In January he joined American club Orlando Pirates, played two games and left the club on 14th May.

Alex V 1:11 Sun May 27
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

I think if Faubert had been a free transfer at the start of the season, without the baggage of transfer fee, injury or previous form, we would have been mostly delighted with him.

Nolan definitely the star performer for me in midfield areas - yes he lumbers about at times, and he's not genuinely great at any one thing, but he has positive intent at all times, has been a good leader and a goal-getter.

penners28 9:39 Sat May 26
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

100% true about faubert. I remember the father in law (spits) saying its an awful injury and players are never the same again as they lose at least a yard of pace.

Josh 8:37 Sat May 26
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

thing*

Josh 8:37 Sat May 26
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

Excellent as usual Vinny and agree with all that. The only think I did see which was incorrect is this.

"Signed on loan from Arsenal in the January transfer window"


We signed him at the start of the season.

inconsistant fc 8:24 Sat May 26
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

Thanks again Vinny.

Only one issue. I never got and still odn't get the hype around Stanislas and I think the fact he has ended up at an anonymous Burnley team proves that Allardyce was right.

mallard 4:46 Sat May 26
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

Mark Noble is West Ham, he is everything we want in a home grown player and I am delighted that he was part of the side who went to Wembley and won promotion because if any player deserves it then it is Mark Noble





Great statement Vinny, I got all emotional when I read that!!

ATHammer 12:32 Sat May 26
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

A fair reflection which shouts WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN!
Nobles decision making was far too slow and in the premier league, just like last time, he won't get that time.

Texas Iron 6:16 Sat May 26
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

Very detailed...and mostly agree...
Disagree on Parker...he didn't go full out in all his games...waiting for his extorted move...

Wonder what he would have done if Sullivan had not allowed im to gto...

Number of Assists would be useful in evaluatin overall performance ...

Cheers...

SDKFZ 222 4:18 Sat May 26
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

Nolan has had his critics in the West Lower as well. However, his goals alone have been the difference between promotion and staying down for at least another year. He's been a big 'plus' in my opinion.

Sir Alf 2:54 Sat May 26
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

For me, only Noble and Nolan are up to it based on this season. Collison? Maybe but needs to step up and find consistency as you say.

This is the key area for investment and strengthening. Width and pace needed.

Fat Man gets that right and we should have enough next season in the promised land.

fraser 2:39 Sat May 26
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

I have to disagree about Taylor a few good games at the beginning and a couple at the end, Think he was poor to average reat of the season

keddy 2:28 Sat May 26
Re: Player Reviews 2011/12 - Part 2

Thanks Vinny. It'll be interesting to see how many of these midfielders can cope next season.