Decided to give this a crack now - A Grand Final win or loss might unfairly change my thinking.
Alex Paulsen 9
A great first season as the clubs #1. Confident with the ball at his feet this has allowed the team to keep possession more effectively and to play through high presses. Good in the air - Alex has one of the bigger punches in the comp. His only failings, a couple little errors that have led to goals, but givem how much he has played - it's understandable.
Tim Payne: 8.5
Easily his best and his most consistent season where he has added a new attacking dimension to his play - normally in the form of gut busting late runs to the far post, or clever cutbacks on to his left to open up chances. Still a solid defender, his workrate can never be doubted.
Finn Surman: 9
CB's at 20 yrs old are not suppose to be this good. Comfortable with the ball at his feet, the young CB never seems to be troubled or fazed. But, his biggest weapon as a CB is his vision and ability to read the game. This is shown by the sheer number of blocks he has made to close down shooting situations to those great covering tackles. Has barely put a foot wrong all season. My only gripe - does not offer more of a threat a set pieces where the NIX as a whole has been poror.
Wooten: 8.5
Great leader in the backline - calm, composed and a good communicator he has lead the line brilliantly considering the youth he has had around him. Strong in the air and in just making a nusicance of himself for attackers in general has seen the NIX end up with the best defensive record in the comp. No goals for a man who normally pops up with 1 or 2 is disappointing.
Hughes: 8
Did we conceed a goal whilst this kid played... genuine question, because man he was good as part of a back 3. A little smaller than our other CB's although still over 6ft, he is the future of our backline (with Surman looking to move to bigger and better things) and I'm ok with that. He reads the game well, makes tackles and doesn't lose focus, he's also partial to taking the ball forward and attacking space which I look forward to more of in 24/25.
Sutton: 7.5
Great with the ball at feet, and with pace to burn, so of his link up play with Old this season has been excellent, especially since winning his position back. Injuries hampered him initially - but he is another great example of a midfielder being turned into a more than handy full back. His final pass still needs work, and he can lose possession at times in bad areas when trying to shield the ball, but overall a very solid season and another player who might find themselves with suitors.
Lucas Kelly Heald: 7
Arguably, based on age and experience I could have been nicer and given him a little more, but I didn't factor age in any of my other ratings... so why a little lower? The young pup struggled a little going forward, which makes sense given he is naturally a left sided CB and despite having good feet for a giant of a lad, he didn't always show confidence in himself to do so. Generally on D, bar for a coupe lapses or hints of inexperience he did very well. He wins a lot of tackles with his go go gadget legs and offers another aerial presence on attack and D.
Matthew Sheirdan: 7
Less opportunities than most - he has shown he is ready for the step up and may be a bolter in the u23 side. Some good feet, albeit, maybe a little too confident in them at times, he was a more than adequate replacement for Payne. Decent defensively, is there a player at the NIX with a bigger engine... the guy can move at pace and does not stop. Should push Payne for a starting gig next year if the later has any fall off in form.
Rufer: 9
What a season - leads the league in interceptions/tackles and as the commentators send last night, there isn't a player in the league better at reading the game and being in the right sport at the right time. Has definately moved up a gear this year, showing more confidence to play forward, play long switches, to even show some twinkle toes. No ones absence is felt more in the team than his.
Pennington: 8.5
Not my favourite player historically, I have to give credit where credit is due... he has largely been excellent and offers great energy alongside Rufer. More importantly, he seems to have cut out those silly errors near our goal that has plagued him previous seasons... and the stats don't lie. We do better with him in the squad. Decent passer, decent tackler - he's doing all the basics right.
Mo Altay: 8
Maybe one of the unluckiest players in the NIX - simply because despite being very good, particularly when playing alongside Payne (they interchange brilliantly) he has been able to cement a starting role the last few weeks largely due to the form of others. A great work rate is complemented by a willingness to make a tackle, but it's his ability to beat a man that has most suprised me this year. He's a crafty little player too.
Salas: 7
Maybe I expect more from a visa player... but I just think he's been good without being great. Good engine, can make things happen, he can also give the ball away a little carelessly at times. The language barrier won't help, and no doubt as he plays more with us next year if he stays he will get better alongside his team. But has he done enough - 50/50 depending on demands.
Conchie: 6
Lots of raps on this kid, especially after his U20 WC exploits with many picking him to be a starter before the end of the season... and he can't make the bench currently. A player with great potential, good engine, good range of passing, good vision he has been hampered by Rufer being so bloody good and the fact that I don't think he, or Italiano could quite figure out where he fitted in the starting 11 (when given the op) to their being better options as a late sub.
Old: 8
I will get a little stick for this, given it has been a break out season for the young man... but I do have some doubts. Good stuff first though. His dribbling is second to none in the team and his pace never ebs... he will run at you for 90 mins and he has started to score and assist more regularly. The bad, he can still drift in and out of games and his option taking is still a work on, passing when he should be shooting, shootig when he hould be passing that sort of things (easier said from the keyboard than done)
Kraev: 8.5
Under valued a little bit IMO. He has scored some important goals this year, but he has also shown a willingness to D up unlike previous years and track back. Also, his ability to hold up play and bring other players has been huge as we have tried weather a storm at different times this season... but he was equally effective at playing at speed when we looked to counter as a team this season.
Ball: 7.5
The hardest to judge. I love so much about this guy. He's a smart player willing to put his body on the line for the team. His link up play is as good as anyone's and his ability to find pockets is essential as we look to craft attacks. But no goals for an attacking player does leave him open for attack (when his role is viewed as simply an attacking player). At times this season he has being too shy in attack and has looked to pass instead of shooting which suggest a drop in confidence, as much as possibly a slightly different role this season.
Van Hattum: 7.5
Arguably this player has been the biggest suprise of the season. Discarded by everyone it seemed outside the coaching staff, he has had a good season. More aggressive in his running with and off the ball - he has helped win and create goals through his efforts. Still a little limited as a striking option (I can't recall him beating a player 1 v 1) he may see himself playing a slighty wider and deeper role moving forward. Whatever happens, he can be proud of his year and for the way he has turned around his naysayers.
Barbs: 8.5
What a season. Great runs, 90mins of non stop energy, great touches and some great goals to boot. Easily his best season for the NIX in a year they really needed him to stand up. Despite a record goal haul, he does still miss his fair share of chances which can be frustrating - but forgiveable in the larger sense. Last night he played 90 mins, and didn't register a shot at goal... does anyone care - probably not because we recognise and value everything else he does. What a work rate.
Zwanda: 8
When he's played, he's been very good and his goal return per 90 is excellent still despite the stop start nature of his season. Good in the air he offers us something different if we go long, but then again, he's pretty good with the ball at his feet as well. Injury has curtailed his year, but there is no denying the quality he brings to the team.
All other Subs - not enough mins to really comment on.
Italiano + Coaches: 10. They had done mmore than anyone imagined with the squad they inherited/built up and should be applauded from every nook and cranny of NZ.
If Italiano isn't nominated for a Halberg for best coach of the year there is something wrong in the world. No one has done more with "less" that this man.
Alex Paulsen 9
A great first season as the clubs #1. Confident with the ball at his feet this has allowed the team to keep possession more effectively and to play through high presses. Good in the air - Alex has one of the bigger punches in the comp. His only failings, a couple little errors that have led to goals, but givem how much he has played - it's understandable.
Tim Payne: 8.5
Easily his best and his most consistent season where he has added a new attacking dimension to his play - normally in the form of gut busting late runs to the far post, or clever cutbacks on to his left to open up chances. Still a solid defender, his workrate can never be doubted.
Finn Surman: 9
CB's at 20 yrs old are not suppose to be this good. Comfortable with the ball at his feet, the young CB never seems to be troubled or fazed. But, his biggest weapon as a CB is his vision and ability to read the game. This is shown by the sheer number of blocks he has made to close down shooting situations to those great covering tackles. Has barely put a foot wrong all season. My only gripe - does not offer more of a threat a set pieces where the NIX as a whole has been poror.
Wooten: 8.5
Great leader in the backline - calm, composed and a good communicator he has lead the line brilliantly considering the youth he has had around him. Strong in the air and in just making a nusicance of himself for attackers in general has seen the NIX end up with the best defensive record in the comp. No goals for a man who normally pops up with 1 or 2 is disappointing.
Hughes: 8
Did we conceed a goal whilst this kid played... genuine question, because man he was good as part of a back 3. A little smaller than our other CB's although still over 6ft, he is the future of our backline (with Surman looking to move to bigger and better things) and I'm ok with that. He reads the game well, makes tackles and doesn't lose focus, he's also partial to taking the ball forward and attacking space which I look forward to more of in 24/25.
Sutton: 7.5
Great with the ball at feet, and with pace to burn, so of his link up play with Old this season has been excellent, especially since winning his position back. Injuries hampered him initially - but he is another great example of a midfielder being turned into a more than handy full back. His final pass still needs work, and he can lose possession at times in bad areas when trying to shield the ball, but overall a very solid season and another player who might find themselves with suitors.
Lucas Kelly Heald: 7
Arguably, based on age and experience I could have been nicer and given him a little more, but I didn't factor age in any of my other ratings... so why a little lower? The young pup struggled a little going forward, which makes sense given he is naturally a left sided CB and despite having good feet for a giant of a lad, he didn't always show confidence in himself to do so. Generally on D, bar for a coupe lapses or hints of inexperience he did very well. He wins a lot of tackles with his go go gadget legs and offers another aerial presence on attack and D.
Matthew Sheirdan: 7
Less opportunities than most - he has shown he is ready for the step up and may be a bolter in the u23 side. Some good feet, albeit, maybe a little too confident in them at times, he was a more than adequate replacement for Payne. Decent defensively, is there a player at the NIX with a bigger engine... the guy can move at pace and does not stop. Should push Payne for a starting gig next year if the later has any fall off in form.
Rufer: 9
What a season - leads the league in interceptions/tackles and as the commentators send last night, there isn't a player in the league better at reading the game and being in the right sport at the right time. Has definately moved up a gear this year, showing more confidence to play forward, play long switches, to even show some twinkle toes. No ones absence is felt more in the team than his.
Pennington: 8.5
Not my favourite player historically, I have to give credit where credit is due... he has largely been excellent and offers great energy alongside Rufer. More importantly, he seems to have cut out those silly errors near our goal that has plagued him previous seasons... and the stats don't lie. We do better with him in the squad. Decent passer, decent tackler - he's doing all the basics right.
Mo Altay: 8
Maybe one of the unluckiest players in the NIX - simply because despite being very good, particularly when playing alongside Payne (they interchange brilliantly) he has been able to cement a starting role the last few weeks largely due to the form of others. A great work rate is complemented by a willingness to make a tackle, but it's his ability to beat a man that has most suprised me this year. He's a crafty little player too.
Salas: 7
Maybe I expect more from a visa player... but I just think he's been good without being great. Good engine, can make things happen, he can also give the ball away a little carelessly at times. The language barrier won't help, and no doubt as he plays more with us next year if he stays he will get better alongside his team. But has he done enough - 50/50 depending on demands.
Conchie: 6
Lots of raps on this kid, especially after his U20 WC exploits with many picking him to be a starter before the end of the season... and he can't make the bench currently. A player with great potential, good engine, good range of passing, good vision he has been hampered by Rufer being so bloody good and the fact that I don't think he, or Italiano could quite figure out where he fitted in the starting 11 (when given the op) to their being better options as a late sub.
Old: 8
I will get a little stick for this, given it has been a break out season for the young man... but I do have some doubts. Good stuff first though. His dribbling is second to none in the team and his pace never ebs... he will run at you for 90 mins and he has started to score and assist more regularly. The bad, he can still drift in and out of games and his option taking is still a work on, passing when he should be shooting, shootig when he hould be passing that sort of things (easier said from the keyboard than done)
Kraev: 8.5
Under valued a little bit IMO. He has scored some important goals this year, but he has also shown a willingness to D up unlike previous years and track back. Also, his ability to hold up play and bring other players has been huge as we have tried weather a storm at different times this season... but he was equally effective at playing at speed when we looked to counter as a team this season.
Ball: 7.5
The hardest to judge. I love so much about this guy. He's a smart player willing to put his body on the line for the team. His link up play is as good as anyone's and his ability to find pockets is essential as we look to craft attacks. But no goals for an attacking player does leave him open for attack (when his role is viewed as simply an attacking player). At times this season he has being too shy in attack and has looked to pass instead of shooting which suggest a drop in confidence, as much as possibly a slightly different role this season.
Van Hattum: 7.5
Arguably this player has been the biggest suprise of the season. Discarded by everyone it seemed outside the coaching staff, he has had a good season. More aggressive in his running with and off the ball - he has helped win and create goals through his efforts. Still a little limited as a striking option (I can't recall him beating a player 1 v 1) he may see himself playing a slighty wider and deeper role moving forward. Whatever happens, he can be proud of his year and for the way he has turned around his naysayers.
Barbs: 8.5
What a season. Great runs, 90mins of non stop energy, great touches and some great goals to boot. Easily his best season for the NIX in a year they really needed him to stand up. Despite a record goal haul, he does still miss his fair share of chances which can be frustrating - but forgiveable in the larger sense. Last night he played 90 mins, and didn't register a shot at goal... does anyone care - probably not because we recognise and value everything else he does. What a work rate.
Zwanda: 8
When he's played, he's been very good and his goal return per 90 is excellent still despite the stop start nature of his season. Good in the air he offers us something different if we go long, but then again, he's pretty good with the ball at his feet as well. Injury has curtailed his year, but there is no denying the quality he brings to the team.
All other Subs - not enough mins to really comment on.
Italiano + Coaches: 10. They had done mmore than anyone imagined with the squad they inherited/built up and should be applauded from every nook and cranny of NZ.
If Italiano isn't nominated for a Halberg for best coach of the year there is something wrong in the world. No one has done more with "less" that this man.
