Enda Stevens What a season. He had good first season and started the 17/18 season in good form and you could see why Pompey did not want to lose him. He looked good defensively and going forward as hit the top of the league but after we faded away, his form suffered and he ended the season with some mistakes and not having the same impact attacking wise. Many actually wanted us to upgrade here and some were even talking about giving Lafferty another go as the season went on which was ridiculous. He came back and began this season a bit so-so and the questions over this position persisted even though I felt after the whole team were edgy the opening games, he hit good form relatively early and then just got better and better. Marvin Johnson came in and although this provided good competition but you saw the drop off when Marvin started the odd game.
Stevens showed good touch on the ball, some lovely pieces of skill to drag it back and create space and underrated pace when he went forward. His touch and passing really improved as did his link play and where to run. His throw in routine continued to catch teams out also. His crossing which had been a weakness also improved and whilst he can still do better at times with this area, he is now quite competent and a threat when going forward and delivering the cross/final ball as he thinks about it more.
The telepathic understanding, he has with the likes of Fleck, O’Connell and Duffy was clear to see when we were successful and he was remarkably consistent. His defending was good with blocks, tackles and interceptions and he got better and better going forward. The only real knock was a few daft bookings and some moments of uncertainty for late goals at Rotherham and Villa (others made mistakes too of course) but overall, he was man of the match of us in a number of games and as the season went on. Not only did he play well at left wing back but he also ended up having a spell of games at centre back and thought he was superb at West Brom for example in this position and showed that he can play here and do well as he reads the game really well.
Along with McGoldrick became our most consistent performer in the run in. Made goals with some surging runs all season (recall Preston at home being an important one) and then also weighed in with three big goals in the Easter games and scored in the final game too (scoring 4/6 games) and three very different goals with a long ranger powered in, a surging run and finish and then a header on the run and then a similar goal to the one v Forest at Stoke. He is now one of the first names on the team sheets and his stats bear out what the naked eye sees. A great player and now has ended up being first choice for Ireland and will surely keep this place if he is playing at the top level. Seems a really nice lad and seeing him and Egan celebrating was superb to see as you could see the connection those two have. A player that has just got better and better. He will start next season and be given the chance to carry on his progression but we have no real cover in this area and will need to bring in a player who can compete/cover in this position.
Grade A (Last season B-)
Marvin Johnson A player Wilder seemed to chase a few times and despite him being at a promotion rival, Wilder got him in on loan. The idea was he could provide some competition for Enda Stevens and a pacey option down the left that could be used as an attacking winger type too. He was used in a few early sub games and did not impress and whenever he came on, we seemed to lose our shape. Maybe it was just coincidence. He did not look the most intelligent footballer and at times he would stand in the wrong position or be slow to react to things despite his foot speed. He looked a bit of a liability defensively but did put a few decent crosses in. He started against Birmingham but was definitely a downgrade from Stevens and then went back to the bench. Made a real error against Rotherham when he came on that led to the late equaliser (two errors from Stevens and Norwood after that though!) and got hammered on social media which was ridiculous as we had been garbage in that game long before he came on. After this he was mostly back on the bench but did come in and had a decent game at West Brom and at home to Reading where he set up a goal and was a threat attacking wise and nearly scored two goals.
He was back out of the team and even the subs bench as we had more options but then came on at home to Bristol City and was in the area where they scored two late goals with an inability to react on one and an apology of a tackle on the winner. He once again got a lot of criticism. Was a bit of a scapegoat at times but sadly he was quite poor when he did play and often, we got worse in games he came on in. In the games he started he did not too bad but when pressed to come on we struggled with him on the left side and opponents’ eyes seemed to light up.
A big lad but one who evades physical contact. His touch is very poor and often his first piece of control comes off him. Can whip a decent cross but all too often he sent balls too high or wide and over the goal. One of the signings that did not quite work. I am sure he will go back to Boro this summer and Wilder will look at other options. I think for the lad; he is more of a lower league player and at 28 will probably eventually go back down the pyramid after his final year of his contract expires at the Riverside next season. Due to his pace and running can see why teams higher up looked at him but he lacks touch, awareness, heart and sadly a football brain to make it at this level.
Ironically the final memories of him at United may have been him throwing up outside the South Stand after maybe overdoing the celebrations somewhat after we sealed promotion.
Grade D (Last season NA)