I think when you look at Walsall we are very much a case of the sum of the parts equaling more than the individuals…
As a mark out of 10 for the team in general over the season I’d go 6.5….based on current form were are very much a 7.5.
Owen Evans 7/10
We have a GK who imo has been over scrutinized. I’ve not seen much in the division that I’d swap him for. He’s pretty proficient at most aspects and his shot stopping recently has kept us in games. I’d be critical of his distribution but I think that’s mainly down to instruction rather than ability.
Individually for the back three I’d go :-
White 6.5/10
Monthe 7.5/10
Daniels 7.5/10
But as a unit they’re an 8/10 all day long. Pacy, strong, physical and dominant. Id prefer them to play into midfield more but I also recognize they’re defenders in league 2 at the end of the day and their jobs are to prevent goals!
Bennet 6.5/10 I won’t go to town, my thoughts are well documented! Hard working, great attitude, great engine, excellent in the air. Positionally defending he struggled but he’s just a kid. Attacking I thought he was pretty poor with poor decisions and poor end product.
Gordon 6.5/10 Still struggling for consistency but that’s to be expected. Has pace, strength and ability to beat a player. I think he’s been a good signing and would he higher if he’d played more games.
Allen 6/10 Solid without being outstanding. He got some unfair criticism recently once Gordon came back in but until then he’d been consistent and gave us avoid shape. A but like Bennet my criticism would be his end product, crossing and decision on when to shoot in particular.
Kinsella 7.5/10 Does everything it says on the tin and does everything other players we have don’t do. He (or his type) is a necessity in any team at any level. Energy levels, work rate, ground covered all excellent and he’s content to pass it simple to give it to more technically gifted players.
Comley 7/10 When he’s played he’s done what is asked of him. I dont buy into the Comley/Kinsella doesn’t work argument. It has worked and they’ve been in the side for some of our best performances. He’s at his best winning the ball and passing it to a team mate. If you’re expecting more you’ll be disappointed.
Earing 6/10 He’s done ok but missing pre season and getting injured not long after his return and give. Him a problem. For me he needs to have a better understanding of his role. I don’t see him as an attacking midfielder and I’m not sure Flynn does either. I’d prefer to see him play as the pivot player passing forwards more often than he does and helping us utilize our attacking players better. But he’s a little slow in possession and I think still sees himself as someone who plays higher up the pitch.
Hutchinson 7.5/10 With 3 goals and 8 assists he’s our most creative player. He’s in the top 10 for the division for chances created and chances created per game. Needs to be involved more but that’s not been helped by a large chunk of our season where we played badly and resorted to aimless punts upfield. Has affected the game when played higher and also (like last week) when he’s played deeper. He’s actually been pretty solid but his type of player often means perception of his performances is always determined by score lines.
Knowles 7.5/10 As an attacking threat due to his speed, energy levels and general tenacity he has always looked dangerous. He’s direct which always panics defenders and he’s always keen to get his shots away. I think his decision making can be a bit ropey and he often takes the wrong option in the final third which can be overlooked because it’s usually a shot which draws some ooohs and aaaahs from the crowd! His best position is out wide but our system hasn’t really allowed that and he’s done ok up front stretching the game for us. I maintain as I did from the start that he’s not a 10 but he has proved effective as an attacker.
Maddox 7/10 I like the look of Maddox. Technically excellent and has worked hard and looked a goal threat. I’d like to see him play more with Hutchinson as I think they’re on the same wavelength and I think they’d force us to play more football which could propel us onto greater things as the season progresses. If by any chance we went up he, along with Hutch and Earing would be better suited to league 1.
DJ 8/10 You can knock any part of his game all you like but he does the hardest job in football better than anyone else in our squad! I’ll always argue that we may do better with a different front pairing as I think it’s hard for a player like DJ to play as a 2 as he only really has one interest and that’s himself scoring but at the same time all the time he does that you can’t grumble!
Williams 6/10 He’s done ok but I think we’d all have expected a greater input than he’s had in terms of finishing and in terms of creating for others with his link up play. A half decent sub to come on and help out aerially at both ends and always offers a high level of work rate.
DJT 6/10 I think he could have a decent second half of the season to be honest and I’d be surprised if his 6 isn’t a 7 or higher by May. He can finish and he clearly has a great attitude and wants to improve. His movement is good and the run for the goal v Carlisle was one he’d made several times in other games but not had the sharpness to take advantage of (one v West Ham springs to mind)
Cashman 4/10 Not really his fault but he’s just not had a great loan spell. Personally I think he’s stuck in a “where’s his best position” situation. Technically he’s very good and maybe with a little bit of luck he’d have hit the ground running and it would’ve been very different for him. IMO he is good enough but hasn’t grabbed his limited opportunities - as harsh as that may be that’s what needs to happen at this level.
RAM 5/10 Should’ve gone on loan in August but our numbers didn’t allow it. I don’t think he’s ready for first team football yet and even in his early games I felt the same. Lots of talent but lots to learn and I don’t think Conference North/South would be too low a level for him and he’d learn loads just from regular minutes with adults in a first team environment. It may even be that to get decent minutes he’d need to go on loan in Northerm Prem or Southern Prem Central. Rushall would be perfect for him to play every minute of every game.
McEntee Not seen enough but looks promising