Playing up top for us is no simple task, let's be honest. We expect our front men to run their bollocks off chasing mostly lost causes, get their arses back and defend when we haven't got it, and while they're at it score a few goals from very few clear cut chances created. If they can stick a paintbrush up their arse and redefine the penalty spot while they're at it then much the better, but suffice to say this is no easy gig.
Some can't really come to grips with it, others have thrived in the guerilla warfare/behind enemy lines nature of it all. Because let's be totally clear this is no battle of the Sommes, everyone piling over the top to get stuck in. No, the front players plough pretty much a lone furrow. Like John Voigt scaling his way out of that ravine to take out his toothless, pig squeel inducing tormenter, our front men are in their own really. On they go, game after game, faces daubed with camouflage paint and daggers between their teeth.
Given it's no two foot gimme, I've not done a "Scores on the Dores" for the season, but here's how I think our lads up top have gone.
Omar Bugiel-Out of all our front players, Omar is probably THE one that our system suits the most. Never happier than when battling for lost causes and contesting headers which he has no right to win, he's equally adept at dropping in and nicking the ball in the centre circle.
I often think that Omar is a much better footballer technically than we see week in and week out. Just occasionally he gives us a glimpse of his softer, more creative side. Like a graffiti scrawler who secretly likes to paint landscape watercolor, he can with a deft layoff or an outside of the boot finish make you wonder if there's a touch of the Roberto Firminho in there to go with the obvious Duncan Ferguson tendencies.
I think at his best he's one of our best players, but as the season progressed (probably because I rate him so highly) I thought he could have done more. His goal tally isn't high enough for a player of his talent, and although he works absolutely tirelessly for the team a good starting point next season might be for him to score more goals than he gets yellow cards.
I love him though. The way he whirls that bandage off his wrist when he's inevitably substituted around the 70 minute mark has something of the Robert De Nero as Jake LaMotta about it. You could play Omar being taken off in slowmo in black and white on the big screen, with Calallerio Rusticana belting out of the speakers. There wouldn't be a dry eye in the house.
Matty Stevens-Something of a season of two halves for the pint sized assassin from Frimley. He's a deadly finisher when given the opportunities, but if the chances dry up then on the evidence of the second half of the season, so does he.
That's not a criticism of a player I like a lot, just something I think to consider going forward. I suppose it's unfair to expect an arch poacher to take up a job as a tractor driver if there's no game on offer, but either we have to work out a way of creating more chances or Matty has to suss out a method of creating them for himself.
Without chances he becomes a tireless huffer and puffer who gives absolutely everything for the cause but never really looks likely to pierce the oppositions armoury. Like a pigeon who repeatedly smashes into a corrugated iron shed he looks unlikely to ever break through, but you definitely can't fault the lads effort or gusto with which he attacks it.
My hunch is that next season we'll create even less chances than we did this, if that is the case then Matty might have to be an off the bench hitman as opposed to being the first in through the front door.
Josh Kelly-I said at the start that our system doesn't suit everyone, I may as well have just said that it doesn't suit Josh Kelly. Most of our transfer dealings under Craig Cope have worked very well or at the very least you can see the thinking behind them, in the case of this lad I'm a bit baffled as to what we ever really expected to happen.
It's fairly clear when you watch Josh play what kind of system he'd flourish in. To me if he was playing for Notts County or you know who, one of those high possession teams that move it side to side through the thirds before slipping a striker in then he'd be in his element. He's quick over ten yards, perceptive and strong and I think a good finisher too. I personally think he's a VERY good player but is unfortunately totally unsuited to the way we play.
He's tried his very best to adapt, played out of position wide and often done pretty well, but I can't help thinking that unless we play a slightly different way (which I think is unlikely) we aren't going to see the absolute best of him.
That said, the absolute best of him is in my opinion very high. Perhaps if injuries give him a prolonged opportunity he might do enough to convince the coaches that he is worth not just accommodating but actually adapting to. I hope so, he is a good player and I think one who would make us stronger if he was allowed to shine.
Joe Piggott-Has obviously been a hero for Wimbledon and despite the fact he never really hit those heights this season, his place in club folklore is secure.
Still managed to pop up with a couple of vital goals despite obviously not being at his absolute peak, should think over the Summer he will have a decision to make about where goes next, if indeed anywhere. He'll always be welcomed back at Plough Lane with open arms though, in many ways his football career and the way he rose through the grades mirrors and is entwined with that of the club.
Marcus Brown-Much vaunted upon arrival, you only had to see this lad play for ten minutes to see what all the fuss was about. Has a deftness of touch and an ability to take it on the half turn that was obviously way above and beyond league two level, we all expected great things.
From there though aside from one or two flashes of brilliance, Marcus plateaued a bit and it was hard to shake the feeling that as fans, we were only seeing about 50% of what he is capable of. Fortunately for him and us 50% of a player of his level is still plenty good enough for League Two, but if we can keep him (unlikely in my view but you never know) I am absolutely certain there is an "off the scale" talent for the level here.
Often though last season like a fella at the driving range who is trying to smash the cover off it with his Big Bertha, he'd screw shots wide when in the open. On dribbles he'd think too much, take one touch too many and too often they'd come to nothing.
It felt like he was trying to impress during matches, play for his next contract rather than just trusting his talent and letting it flow. Wherever he ends up signing, once he's filled his signature in and is guaranteed two years employment, my guess is that team will have on their hands one hell of a player.
Aaron Sasu-Incredible when you see him to note that this kid is still only recently turned twenty years old. Six feet plus, shoulders on him like a hod carrier and quicker than a whippet chasing a squirrel. He's going to be physically an absolute monster within the next two years, and isn't going to get any slower either.
As far as last season goes, we saw everything from this lad apart from goals and assists. That everything included infuriatingly lethargic displays where you wanted to jump over the barriers and kick him up the arse, to moments of electrifying explosiveness which had you jumping off your seat. You never at this stage really know what you're going to get from him, I suppose that's one of the reasons why I think he's the most exciting player in the squad.
Talent wise I think this kid has absolutely everything. He can be physical and win headers (he's dramatically improved even in the last few weeks at that), he can see a pass and I think can finish. It's when the ball is on the ground though that the electricity begins to crackle. He is lightening fast and like a good racehorse, glides across the dirt without leaving footprints.
I think as soon as next season he could potentially be our "Main man", and if it clicks for him he'll scare the shite out of League One defenders. For it to click, he'll have to become much more nasty. I'm confident that it'll come, equally I'm sure that the coaches are working with him every day on where and when to run. Too often he goes where defenders would "like" him to be, as opposed to where it would make them very uncomfortable.
For me he's 100% a number 9. We must all remember however that he's just a kid, sit back and watch him grow. If it happens for him, I think he'll go for more money than Ali Al-Hamidi.
Tomorrow I'll do the coaching staff review.
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