Player Ratings 2022/23

Indeed - the comments under the sky clip on twitter probably give a better insight into how the incident was viewed by most fans, mostly incredulity as to the state of the game that something so harmless is now deemed worthy of a sending off.

The report was probably written for the local newspaper by a younger reporter who is more than likely a fan as well, I'd say.

Scathing on Collins, and I wouldn't disagree.

Nice to read that about Azaz, Obafemi and O'Dowda.

Thanks YTM.

Seems Brady might not have the creativity to play centrally for us, or maybe had an off day.

Molumby also playing poorly, and Knight I believe is injured.

16/10/22

Premier League

Gavin Bazunu (Southampton) 6

Had very little to do in terms of making saves in the first half as West Ham didn't manage to put any of their ten efforts on target. Could also do very little about Declan Rice's equaliser as it flew past him into the bottom corner. The wait for a clean sheet goes on.

Championship

Cyrus Christie (Hull) 6

Flashed an effort wide just before the break. Again, some decent stuff from him when called upon.

Scott Hogan (Birmingham) 7

It was hard for him to make an impression in the opening 45 but to his credit he battled for the ball when it came near him. He continued doing that in the second half and kept the Tigers' back-line busy all afternoon. It would have been nice for the ball to have dropped to him in the area.

Scottish Premiership

Liam Scales (Aberdeen) 7

Was the busier of the Dons defenders, oozes class at times and looked comfortable at playing the ball out from the back. More signs why Goodwin would love to secure the on-loan Celtic defender permanently.

18/10/22

Premier League 

Nathan Collins (Wolves) 6

Collins’ return to the XI didn’t go as planned. He sprayed some lovely passes around in the first half, but Wolves left their composure in the dressing room at half-time. Collins was partly to blame for Zaha’s winner.

Joe Hodge (Wolves) 6

Hodge had half a chance at the end after a ball ricocheted into his path inside the box, but he couldn’t get it out of his feet quickly enough and Palace’s defenders smothered him.

Championship

Greg Cunningham (Preston) 8

Surprised to see him play in the middle of PNE's back three but he got through the first half unscathed, though the Irishman did play rather deep. Headed home the opener five minutes after the restart - the Irishman attacking the ball well at the back post and steering his effort into the bottom corner.

Robbie Brady (Preston) 6

Off the bench and slotted in pretty straightforwardly for the remaining 20 minutes. Picked his passes and his experience was valuable at that stage of the game.

Sean Maguire (Preston) 6

Came on in injury time, looked after the ball in the corner at the end and retained possession.

Michael Obafemi (Swansea) 7

Drew a fine save from Joe Lumley early on and played a key role in Swansea's press. Some decent flashes but couldn't get that crucial end product, despite some promising moments.

Armstrong Oko-Flex (Swansea) 7

Gave Swansea a much-needed threat out wide, with his pace causing the Reading defence problems.

Jeff Hendrick (Reading) 5.5

Tended to be a passenger in the midfield, getting overrun at times and wasteful with the ball.

Sam Szmodics (Blackburn) 7 

Looks far more at home in an advanced number eight role than stuck playing as a flase nine. Showed good energy in the centre of midfield and never shirks the defensive side of the game.

Dara O'Shea (West Brom) 4

Nervy moment when he took a gamble with a back pass that initially left goalkeeper Palmer concerned. His passing was off it all night and he was booked for good measure at the end. His ugly slice over the bar from a short corner routine summed up Albion's night.

Max O’Leary (Bristol City) 7

Little to do in the way of saves but showed good distribution. Clean sheet.

Mark Sykes (Bristol City) 7

Got about defensive work well and was full of running. 

19/10/22

Premier League

Gavin Bazunu (Southampton) 7

Expertly denied Dominic Solanke from close range before the No. 9 was called offside. Made some good stops thereafter and commanded his box well from set-pieces and corners.

Seamus Coleman (Everton) 7

Other than a solitary misjudgement over a bounce in the area early in the second half that resulted in Almiron being played into space again, he was strong and assured and kept out a goalscoring chance with an acrobatic clearance.

Matt Doherty (Tottenham) 5

Curled a left-footed shot past the far post after a wonderful ball from Kane into his path. Struggled to make the same impact as his past two starts.

Championship

Scott Hogan (Birmingham) 7.5

Ran his heart out again but virtually nothing dropped for him in the box. It was yet another selfless performance. But when he had to be clincal - he was.

Josh Cullen (Burnley) 7

Probably the pick of the midfield in the first 45 and retained the ball well all night.

CJ Hamilton (Blackpool) 6

Forced to finish the game at left-back, which sums up Blackpool’s position at this moment in time.

Cyrus Christie (Hull) 8

Was good going forward in the first half putting in a couple of fine crosses that had no takers. Solid all night, showed his experience when needed. 

John Egan (Sheffield United) 6

Solid and unlucky with a header in the second half that brought a save from Wilson.

Sinclair Armstrong (QPR) 8

An excellent first senior start for the teenager. Cardiff struggled to deal with his pace and power in the first half and he won the penalty after being caught in the box by Jack Simpson. Tired in the second half and deserved his standing ovation from the crowd as he left the field.

Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff) 6

Saw very little of him, but when we did he was typically tidy enough. Doesn't let you down on the ball.

Callum Robinson (Cardiff) 5

Given the nature of the game, he was incredibly quiet. Hardly his fault. Feeding off scraps all night. Off after an hour, saved for Sunday's game no doubt.

Darragh Lenihan (Middlesbrough) 8

Excellent at the back with one superb block in the second half just after Boro's second. Long ball over the top created that goal too.

Scottish League Cup

Liam Scales (Aberdeen) 7

Strolled through the game. Comfortable with the ball at his feet so suits the way his manager wants the team to play. 

8/10/22

League 1

Eiran Cashin - Derby 6

Was unfortunate to lose out in the tackle that led to Vale's second goal which could have been avoided if Derby had just cleared their lines.

Conor Hourihane - Derby 5

Joined the attack when he could and had a header saved in the second half as Derby hunted a second goal before the game got completely turned on its head. 

Jason Knight - Derby 5

Produced one cross that almost led to a goal for Lewis Dobbin and there was plenty of effort. Should have cleared his lines in the build-up to Vale's second goal.

James Collins - Derby 5

His third goal in two games and it was a hell of a finish too. Never easy striking a cross first-time, but technique was there for all to see. Was sent off in the second half. Got sucked in by Nathan Smith and paid for it. Shame because he was excellent until that point.

Paudie O’Connor - Lincoln 6

The Irishman was strong and committed in his challenges – solid game.

Sean Roughan - Lincoln 5

He was caught out a few times down the left of the Imps’ defence.

Danny Mandroiu - Lincoln 6

In his first start of the season, Mandroiu showed glimpses of the player he could be, however he is still a raw talent.

Richard Keogh - Ipswich 7

Making his full league debut for Town, Keogh was vocal in his organisation and was strong in defence. Reads the game so well as you would expect from such an experienced campaigner and was a key player in Town's second half revival.

Jack Taylor - Peterborough 8 (Star Man)

Looked the most impressive of the midfield. Showed his class at both ends of the pitch, stopping a couple of counters in the first half and also driving the side forward. Played a brilliant through ball that led to the goal.

Finn Azaz - Plymouth 6 

Replaced Morgan Whittaker in one of the 'number 10 roles' in the 66th minute and played his part in Argyle's strong finish to the game.

Sean Raggett - Portsmouth 8

Gobbled up everything in the air without fail and also provided some good moments in distribution.

Ronan Curtis - Portsmouth 6

Tried to inject a bit of energy and urgency, yet made little impact.

Jordan Shipley - Shrewsbury 7

Good afternoon’s work for Shipley, got an important goal to double Town’s lead and put in a couple of good crosses which looked really threatening.

Warren O'Hora - MK Dons 5.5

Looked off-colour in the first-half as Dons defence looked frail. Recovered in the second period.

Dawson Devoy - MK Dons 4

Looked as though he was growing into the game in the second-half but his red card cost Dons the chance to get back into it.

Darragh Burns - MK Dons 5

By no means the worst player on the pitch, but was sacrificed at the break to change the system. Gave Dons a threat going forward.

Conor Grant - MK Dons 5.5

Pitched in with a few set-pieces to no avail.

Scottish Premiership

Liam Scales - Aberdeen 6

As a whole, the team struggled defensively in dealing with the likes of Watt. It wasn't a bad showing when shunted out to the left-back area, but not one to remember for the Celtic loanee.

Jonny Hayes - Aberdeen 6

Made a stellar run to try and tee up Miovski for a goal, but after the ending of the first 45 was unable to bring any significant influence into the game.

Jamie McGrath - Dundee United 9 (Star Man)

Arguably the Irishman’s best game for Dundee United so far. McGrath was everywhere in the first half and caused the Aberdeen backline countless problems. He continued to beaver away in the second half and topped off his evening, bagging his first goal for the club from the spot.

James McCarthy - Celtic 5

An often lamented figure was a huge factor in this match in just eight minutes. His unseen run and tackle played in Bernabei for Giakoumakis' cross. There's a player there yet.

9/10/22

Premier League

Seamus Coleman - Everton 6

Had his work cut out trying to shackle Marcus Rashford and found himself going backwards rather than forwards much more than at St Mary’s but this was still a determined Goodison Park return for the captain on a tough night.

Championship

Cyrus Christie - Hull 5

Found it difficult to get into the first half and the second was at right-back after the change. Not an afternoon he'll remember too fondly. 

7/10/22

Championship

Jimmy Dunne - QPR 8

Another strong display. Dovetailed well with Clarke-Salter to deal with Reading’s direct approach and needed to be alert during the opening 20 minutes of the second half when the visitors were on top.

Jeff Hendrick - Reading 7

Unable to repeat his midweek heroics, sadly. Gave the midfield some presence and energy without making any impact on the game.

8/10/22

Premier League

Joe Hodge - Wolves 6

A very comfortable Premier League debut in difficult circumstances for Hodge. He has jumped up the pecking order with a solid performance.

Gavin Bazunu - Southampton 5

Immediately called into action to deny Riyad Mahrez from close range. Could do little to stop the opening goal going in. Made a good stop to deny Phil Foden but was then chipped by the England international moments later for City's second. Pulled off an excellent stop to deny Erling Haaland midway through the second half as the striker tried to knock it round him. His hunt for a first clean sheet in Saints colours continues.

Matt Doherty - Tottenham 7

Rusty to begin with but plenty of good movement down the right and he bounced an early volley over from Sessegnon's cross. An important 90 minutes in his legs and he made a huge tackle to stop Trossard shooting from eight yards for what likely would have been a goal. He got a big hug from Dier after the challenge. 

Championship

Scott Hogan - Birmingham 7

Looked as lively as ever, particularly sharp on the press and put Chong through with a well-weighted pass. Again the ball didn't find him in the box but that wasn't his fault he was in the right place nearly all of the time.

Mark Sykes - Bristol City 5

Form is starting to become a worry. Did manage to get some space out on the right but couldn't find the right delivery. Caught out positionally and came off at half-time.

Sam Szmodics - Blackburn 7

Didn't see much of the ball in the first half but was far more involved after the break. Could have scored with a header but put that disappointment behind him to set up Brereton Diaz's goal. Eventually got his own with a cool finish.

Chiedozie Ogbene - Rotherham 7

CJ Hamilton - Blackpool 6

Direct running caused issues at times.

Josh Cullen - Burnley 8

Lovely scooped pass for Tella opener and seemed to always have time on the ball, a strong showing.

Danny McNamara - Millwall 7

Did well defensively but just like Wallace on the left, his attacking output left a little bit to be desired. A back four should suit him but he can contribute more in the final third.

Darragh Lenihan - Middlesbrough 6

Solid defensively without being spectacular. Some clever balls out of the defence.

Andrew Omobamidele - Norwich 5

Greg Cunningham - Preston 7

Another big shift from him and he did a solid job back there. Tidy on the ball and linked up well with Fernandez and also Whiteman, to help PNE play out from the back.

Alan Browne - Preston 7

Battled on after Byram's horror challenge and played the full game. Carried a threat down the right, was involved in the first goal and was aggressive in his play down the right side.

Robbie Brady - Preston 8

Positive in his passing from the first minute and provided a terrific assist for Riis' first goal. His experience and calmness helped the team no doubt and it was gutting to see him forced off in the second half.

Sean Maguire - Preston 7

Solid first half display before being replaced at the break - surely as a precaution. Picked up clever pockets of space, made smart movement across the Norwich defenders and worked well with Riis, and the wing-backs, once again.

Troy Parrott - Preston 7

Replaced Maguire, who was playing well, but helped maintain PNE's threat and level of performance. Tested Krul with a volley and his strike led to the winning goal. Gutting hamstring injury when celebrating.

Will Smallbone - Stoke 7

Some neat play helped set up the first goal and a couple of other clever passes.

John Egan - Sheffield United 4

Beaten far too easily for Jagielka's goal. Outjumped by the former Blades' defender and didn't get off the ground. Had been down with an injury moments before then and was in real discomfort, hard to know if he was caught flat-footed or if he was struggling to jump, but either way the fact he didn't get off the ground allowed Jagielka to get his header in. Third goal came with both Egan and Basham cut apart and Delap had acres of space.

Ryan Manning - Swansea 8 

The Irishman was a constant menace on the left wing and played a huge part in Swansea's opener. Good delivery in the build-up to Darling's goal too. In the form of his life right now.

Michael Obafemi - Swansea 6 

Couldn't get on the ball as often as he'd have liked. Did his defensive duties well though.

Callum O'Dowda - Cardiff 8

A bit more of a defensive display at the start but then grew into it more as the game went on. Fantastic cross for Ojo's goal. A great player to have.

Callum Robinson - Cardiff 8

Displayed his quality again with a tremendous finish and set Harris up for his big chance. A blow when he came off before the break.

Dara O'Shea - West Brom 7

Saw an early free header from a corner go just wide. Kept Adebayo in check one-on-one and took the sting out of a potentially dangerous-looking effort in the second half which was tipped behind for a corner. That standout at the back beside his two more experienced teammates.