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In all competitions, Jansen leads the goalscorers with 20, Krawiec topped the assists with 10 and Martin the average rating.
GOALKEEPERS:
Daniel Martin - My main number 1 keeper in the league and although this season hasn’t been his best - down on clean sheets, up on goals conceded and down with player of the match awards, he is a key reason we are able to be consistently mid-table.
David McFarlane - My ‘cup’ goalkeeper, although he’s smuggled in some appearances in the league. He’s always been happy to be back-up, but has played his last game for the club as we look to promote one of the U23 keepers to the first team. For the £55k he cost - a bargain.
LEFT-BACKS:
Geraldao - Considering he was signed on a free with the specific intention of selling on, the Brazilian left back - now worth £20m - has forced his way to first choice player. Only 19 and will be club-grown in a couple of years, he will be kept around.
Louie Gard - He is seriously injury-prone, mostly with minor knocks, and this has meant that Geraldao has gone ahead of him in the pecking order although the 28 year old is a useful rotation option. Inter are interested in him and were they to offer much above his £33m value, it might be tough to turn down.
CENTRE-BACKS:
Alex Calatayud - First choice centre-back and set-piece threat. Easily the most important £20m I’ve spent and, at just 26, plenty of gametime ahead of him. Huge player in the dressing room and in the mentoring groups, so it is a concern he thinks he should be looking to play at a higher level, although there are no clubs interested...yet.
Cesar Lopez - The second centre-back spot has been up for grabs, but it’s Lopez who has performed best when selected. He’s good in the air and should score more from set-pieces but is also usually the master of the last-ditch tackle. Considering he was picked up on a free, he’s worked his way into contention.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis - Another player who has been plagued by injuries when, really, at 32 should be in his defensive prime. He made fewer appearances this season in the league than any of his previous 3 and has been inconsistent, but will be kept around for the duration of his contract - another 2 years.
Friedrich Mulenda - Regardless of how many games he’s played this season, the £5.75m signing has proved inspired since signing. In total, it’s 125 league games and he’s still 28, if he’s willing to be a rotation option, he is a strong rotation option and very much worth keeping around.
RIGHT BACKS:
Jose Antonio - Right-back is a position where we are very well catered for with both Antonio & Gudbartsson young and talented. The £1.9m spent on Antonio looks like an absolute bargain when you consider he’s now played almost 100 premier league games.
Trausti Gudbartsson - The other right-back, also 24 and Icelandic International and another player that was picked up for a pittance £150k. He is probably the slightly better defensively of the two, meaning that his stats aren’t quite as good...particularly in relation to assists...he has had more in every other previous season.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS:
Matias Sarue - The Argentine International has typically played on the left of the middle three as a Carrilero or, more latterly, a Mezzala. Another who has benefitted from the fine youth recruitment programme we have in place - signed at the age of 19 for £10m, now 22 and worth £45m and one of our best players. There are questions about his versatility though.
Hamidou Owolabi - Is exclusively one of the defensive central midfielders, rotating with Manneh. Another who has been with us for 3 seasons and looks very much at home. His stamina, strength, work-rate and defensive nous make him an ideal choice.
Joshua - The Spanish born (hence singularly monikered ‘Joshua’) player has been slightly disappointing this season and we haven’t got the output I would have liked. He is one of, if not the best passers in the team and has good composure levels, but at the age of 21, he is only going to get better. The £45m spent on him does not look a waste...yet but he could do with scoring more.
Ousmane Manneh - Mennah has rotated the defensive role with Owolabi, but has been disappointing as he was signed as a world-class player...and paid accordingly. I’m hoping this was just a lull of a first season, but as he’s only got 1 year left on his contract anyway he needs to improve to stay.
Paul Curtis - Curtis is one of our best advanced playmakers, but has not been able to play there as we’ve looked to solidify the team generally, so the left-footed player has been swapping with Sarue. This is a key summer window as he doesn’t really fit into our tactics and were his £55m value to be met, it would be tough to turn down.
Lazarus Psarianos - The German was bought into the first team as a 19 year old, having gained club-grown status. Unfortunately, other than the sporadic very good game here and there, he’s not really been consistent enough. His ‘tries killer balls’ and ‘hits first time passes’ traits are not utilised enough. Unlikely to be here next season.
Ibon Sangalli - Another player with a long list of injuries, but could be the natural heir to Manneh when he leaves. Very high teamwork, work rate and stamina are perfect for the central midfield role. At 23 he has plenty of seasons to give us yet. He should be playing more for us.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS:
Ian Stewart - The attacking midfielder is the second highest scorer in the team and his knack of arriving late in the box contributes significantly to this. Scottish International, very good player and definitely worth keeping around.
Aaron Wilson - Wilson is the player who has most frequently rotated with Stewart to be the AM behind the lone striker. He’s got a lot of games under his belt - 221 league - for us and although not the most prolific, is a very good stand in option. Is, however, prolific at International level for Northern Ireland.
Barrington Parker - It was only in the second half of the season when the tactic was tweaked to allow Parker a role that gave him more freedom and we started to see the better of him. His stats don’t really reflect that, but I’m confident he can grow into this - he is only 19 after all. Our only England International.
Maciej Krawiec - Krawiec is one of 3 players trying to fit into the AML inside forward role, but he has had a good season, particularly on the assists front. He’s taken set-pieces, from which we’re always a threat, and his delivery is usually good. Is unlikely to be going anywhere, unless we have a too goood to refuse offer.
Stefan Drzaic - Drzaic is the player who is most at risk as 3 players don’t fit into the two roles - first choice and back-up - but he is capable of doing a job and, if he was playing regularly, could probably produce better numbers. Valued at £25m...if a decent bid comes in…
STRIKERS:
Jens Jansen - Usually first choice in the league and reached double figures for his 5th season in 6. He didn’t anywhere near the 31 league goals he got last time round, but has led the line admirably and can usually be relied on to be clinical...if his morale is up. Going nowhere.
Guillermo Alvarez - Another player signed on a free with the intention of selling on, but was so prolific in his cup games has been kept around. Has spent more time on the physios bench this season, so hasn’t had the gametime, but can be clinical in front of goal. Another player who seems happy to be back-up, so is ideal, but I need to be careful he doesn’t block any youngsters progress.
Also...honourable mention to Niils Schulz who came in from the under 18’s for a few games while Alvarez was injured and scored twice on his debut.