Top performers of the season so far

[the_anticlough]

It's very, very tight I think - this was easier to do last season. There are the week-in-week out stalwarts on the one hand and the star turns who have missed a few on the other. Comparing those 2 groups is really difficult, but in the end I go with

1) Platt - Nobody's contributed more across the first 12 games, he's even thrown in a couple of goals! (pace of 8 for season!)
2) Crowley - a couple of duds, but let's not forget he's been stellar in 8 games, by my count
3) McGoldrick - he's been a match winner for us, 5 of his 7 starts were fantastic
4) Bass - best keeper we've had in years, but we can't say he's had a lot to do across the 12 games
5) Jatta - If it wasn't for the concussion there's no doubt he's v.high on the list, so it'd be unfair to mark him down for that

Honourable mentions, in no particular order

Bedeau - been incredibly consistent, not a bad game yet
Jones - played half our games and would clearly be TOP of the list if it was a straight average
Macari - played every league game, started like a train but then dropped off a notch

The half-way mark of the season is a good time to look which players are leading the way. I dug out what I put at the quarter mark. Some changes, as you'd expect

1) Platt - Aden who? Even an AB fan like myself can see that Platt is a clear upgrade, especially in terms of reliability. A great defender who is also an underrated footballer. Chips in with goals too

2) Bedeau - If others fall off any, the metronomic Bedeau is going to overtake them with his constant 7/10s. He's improving as a footballer too as the season goes, maybe he hasn't had the chance to play in a team like this before. If that continues to come on, he isn't a L2 player. Almost neck-and-neck with Platt now I'd say.

3) Jatta - have to give him his due, and another who won't be a L2 player for long the way it's going. 2nd top scorer in L2 despite gaps in his appearances. An absolute nightmare for defenders on his day

4) Crowley - we have to see what scouts for the two leagues above will see, a game changer with rare talents for ball retention and goal creation. He's one of our main difference makers, who can turn 1pt into 3. You always need that

5) McGoldrick - still a class act. I wish him and SM could solve the game time question to ensure that when a guy in his 38th year is on the pitch he is only showing his best. Feel that would be achieved by missing the odd game, occasional impact-sub role and and being ready to come off at the 70min mark a little more.


I think the only others seriously threatening the above, and getting shout-outs by others would be Bass and Abbott. Abbott's on a trend to do so without doubt, but to resist recency bias and look at the whole 23 games, not yet. Bass has been great but when we're off form he hasn't shown that he can turn losses into draws, or draws into wins. Hopefully he will.

Wonder what others think...

[nw6pie]

The half-way mark of the season is a good time to look which players are leading the way. I dug out what I put at the quarter mark. Some changes, as you'd expect

1) Platt - Aden who? Even an AB fan like myself can see that Platt is a clear upgrade, especially in terms of reliability. A great defender who is also an underrated footballer. Chips in with goals too

2) Bedeau - If others fall off any, the metronomic Bedeau is going to overtake them with his constant 7/10s. He's improving as a footballer too as the season goes, maybe he hasn't had the chance to play in a team like this before. If that continues to come on, he isn't a L2 player. Almost neck-and-neck with Platt now I'd say.

3) Jatta - have to give him his due, and another who won't be a L2 player for long the way it's going. 2nd top scorer in L2 despite gaps in his appearances. An absolute nightmare for defenders on his day

4) Crowley - we have to see what scouts for the two leagues above will see, a game changer with rare talents for ball retention and goal creation. He's one of our main difference makers, who can turn 1pt into 3. You always need that

5) McGoldrick - still a class act. I wish him and SM could solve the game time question to ensure that when a guy in his 38th year is on the pitch he is only showing his best. Feel that would be achieved by missing the odd game, occasional impact-sub role and and being ready to come off at the 70min mark a little more.


I think the only others seriously threatening the above, and getting shout-outs by others would be Bass and Abbott. Abbott's on a trend to do so without doubt, but to resist recency bias and look at the whole 23 games, not yet. Bass has been great but when we're off form he hasn't shown that he can turn losses into draws, or draws into wins. Hopefully he will.

Wonder what others think...

I would agree with your first three choices, but would put Abbott in at 4 and Bass at 5. The latter would be higher except for a few sloppy performances a few weeks ago.

Abbott has been the pick of the midfield for me - the most reliable, and now chipping in with goals too. Just hope we can keep him for the rest of the season and that he isn’t sent to a L1 club to continue his education.

Crowley is clearly a ***** player for us, but I think he’s yet to consistently perform to last season’s levels. As for Didzy, I think he should be used solely as a high-impact sub and Martin given a chance in his role. We also need to sign another powerful, pacy forward.

[the_anticlough]

I would agree with your first three choices, but would put Abbott in at 4 and Bass at 5. The latter would be higher except for a few sloppy performances a few weeks ago.

Abbott has been the pick of the midfield for me - the most reliable, and now chipping in with goals too. Just hope we can keep him for the rest of the season and that he isn?t sent to a L1 club to continue his education.

Crowley is clearly a ***** player for us, but I think he?s yet to consistently perform to last season?s levels. As for Didzy, I think he should be used solely as a high-impact sub and Martin given a chance in his role. We also need to sign another powerful, pacy forward.

Good cases for Abbott and Bass (both ales btw ), it's very much in the eye of the beholder...

I think Didzy should play a much bigger role than you say, but surely even he would want quality over quantity pitch time
With his skill, craft, experience and football brain the only reason for not performing to his best has to be physical condition...to do himself justice for the legend he is ,he should only be out there if sharp and not when at all fatigued.

Can any other player still get in the running for player of the season? Only Jones, Tsaroulla and as a real long shot Macari I'd say, but it'd take a freak set of circumstances to overtake the likes of Platt and Bedeau, they're too far ahead.

[Mud Pie]

I would agree with your first three choices, but would put Abbott in at 4 and Bass at 5. The latter would be higher except for a few sloppy performances a few weeks ago.

Abbott has been the pick of the midfield for me - the most reliable, and now chipping in with goals too. Just hope we can keep him for the rest of the season and that he isn?t sent to a L1 club to continue his education.

Crowley is clearly a ***** player for us, but I think he?s yet to consistently perform to last season?s levels. As for Didzy, I think he should be used solely as a high-impact sub and Martin given a chance in his role. We also need to sign another powerful, pacy forward.

Good calls, antiC, but I agree with these tweaks, especially elevating Bass.

SM should squeeze as much out of Didzy as he can though, and Didzy would seem to agree! The problem as I see it, is that we just don't have the strength in depth in attack to limit his minutes and keep him fresh.

[LeftPeg_Pie]

I am not sure I could distinguish too much between Platt and Bedeau based on what I have seen.

I would then probably then have Jatta in behind those two with Macari and Bass together again.

Abbott is really growing into it and I have been impressed with Palmer too.

[Mud Pie]

I am not sure I could distinguish too much between Platt and Bedeau based on what I have seen.

I would then probably then have Jatta in behind those two with Macari and Bass together again.

Abbott is really growing into it and I have been impressed with Palmer too.

yes, I think the second half of the season top performers list will see Jatta much higher up the table, and Abbot too! Crowley is perhaps the one whose spot is in the balance.

[LeftPeg_Pie]

yes, I think the second half of the season top performers list will see Jatta much higher up the table, and Abbot too! Crowley is perhaps the one whose spot is in the balance.

Totally agree on Jatta and Abbott. DC is clearly a fine player and the current system will really suit him over time. He will always split opinion with the way he plays but I for one am ever so grateful he plays for us.

[1955pie]

Good cases for Abbott and Bass (both ales btw ), it's very much in the eye of the beholder...

I think Didzy should play a much bigger role than you say, but surely even he would want quality over quantity pitch time
With his skill, craft, experience and football brain the only reason for not performing to his best has to be physical condition...to do himself justice for the legend he is ,he should only be out there if sharp and not when at all fatigued.

Can any other player still get in the running for player of the season? Only Jones, Tsaroulla and as a real long shot Macari I'd say, but it'd take a freak set of circumstances to overtake the likes of Platt and Bedeau, they're too far ahead.

I would say that Macari is clearly not of the same level as Platt and Bedeau. In fact if Ness is not injured I am quite happy if he plays instead.

[Boomerangpie]

Agree Macari isn?t close to Platt and Bedeau in terms of performances. Not much in it but I?d plump for Ness also.

As for the top 5. Paper thin between Platt and Bedeau, Jatta has been awesome whether in a one or a two and improved on last season. A close 4th is Bass who has been so consistent. 5th has to be Abbott who has got better and better and now one of our most consistent performers

[TSANHO]

Abbott has done well but I?d argue that without Palmer doing what he does then Abbott doesn?t stand out anywhere near as much. Put Palmer with anyone else and Palmer still stands out, that?s why he makes my top 5.