West Ham United 2015/16 player ratings
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The 2015/16 season was an historic campaign for West Ham.
The Hammers achieved their highest ever points tally, their first Premier League season with a positive goal difference and also gave an emotional farewell to Upton Park as the club prepares for life in the Olympic Stadium
Over the course of a mainly positive season, certain players have made a huge impact on the team and the fans, and some, well, some not so much.
I have compiled a short review of each major player (missing out players who haven’t played too much or made too much of an impact) along with a player rating out of 10.
You may agree with some of these, you may not, these are just my personal opinion. Without further ado, here are my review of the West Ham United 15/16 squad.
Let me know your thoughts on the ratings in the comments section!
Adrian - 8
Some silly mistakes such as the gifted goal against Crystal Palace and the Kung-Fu kick on Jamie Vardy, but the third solid season in a row for the Spaniard as he made some exceptional saves.
Darren Randolph - 6
Not brought in as the first choice keeper, but done a good job when asked upon, even winning the “Save Of The Season” award for his triple save against Liverpool.
Even managed to force his way into the first choice spot for the Irish national team this summer.
James Collins - 8
“Ginge” would probably put his body in front of a train to stop a goal going in!
The Welshmen’s heroic performances made it seem unfair that he was left out towards the end of the season, although the fan favourite will likely start for his country in the Euros this summer.
Winston Reid - 7
Injury prone, sometimes inconsistent, but still a great tackler.
Became a staple of pub quizzes forever with his final Boleyn goal.
Angelo Ogbonna - 8
Signed for £8million from Juventus after being understandably left out of the side due to fierce competition.
His superb performances for West Ham this season have earned him a deserved recall to the Italian Euro 2016 squad.
James Tomkins - 6
Fairly quiet season, playing as a reserve centre-back and occasional right-back. Was probably our best right-back of the season.
Carl Jenkinson - 4
Often scapegoated when there was a bad performance, however, he didn’t look the same player who was more or less an ever-present last season.
Managed to rule himself out for the season whilst giving away a penalty.
Unlikely to feature in a West Ham shirt again.
Aaron Cresswell - 8
Another quality season from the left-back, garnering the attention from big clubs once again.
His crossing from the left flank has been flawless and he scored a goal of the season contender with a sublime half volleyagainst Leicester
Cheikhou Kouyate - 7
Quick, strong, good tackler and can pick out a pass. However, his tendency to bomb forwards has occasionally left the back four isolated.
His performances have deservedly got the attention of Spurs but he is unlikely to leave.
Mark Noble - 9
Captain fantastic!
His nonstop running, 86% pass completion and even his occasional goal have made it even stranger as to why he still does not have an England cap.
Fun fact: He scored more goals this season than Jack Wilshere has in his Arsenal career.
Alex Song - 3
Complacent, lazy, inconsistent.
Not the same player from Barcelona or from the first half of last season. Not helped by the fact he wore glasses which he admitted made it difficult for him to see.
Pedro Obiang - 6
First team chances limited because of the success of Noble and Kouyate, but when called upon he was solid.
Not as quick or as good at passing, but his defensive qualities are a contrast to his midfield rivals.
Manuel Lanzini - 8
If you say you had heard of him from before this season, you’re lying!
Quick and skilful, he surprised everyone, even scoring a handful of superb goals across the season.
The only loan player who has signed permanently and probably the only one who will.
Ainnobody like Lanzini!
Victor Moses - 4
Promising start with a MOTM performance against Newcastle and a goal against Man City away, but his inconsistencies meant that he lost his place to Michail Antonio.
Michail Antonio - 9
His continued absence from the starting line-up meant that there was an in-joke among West Ham fans that he went missing or that he wasn’t real, but when he was given his chance, he took it.
Statistically speaking, England’s best winger this season, he scored more goals this season than Wayne Rooney despite playing less games and playing two months at right back.
He will remain in West Ham folklore for scoring the winning goal in the last ever West Ham v Spurs game at the Boleyn and for his strange celebrations.
Dimitri Payet - 10
The greatest there is, there was and there ever will be.
Superman wears Dimitri Payet pyjamas.
Emmanuel Emenike - 2
Apart from the two goals at Blackburn, the Nigerian on loan from Fenerbahce was, for lack of a nicer word, absolutely diabolical.
He had the pace but could seemingly not do anything with the ball.
A perfect example of why you should never sign footballers based on their FIFA 14 statistics.
Mauro Zarate - 6
Didn’t know how to pass the ball, but he knew how to score.
In hindsight, it was a mistake letting him go in January if we’d have known about Emenike.
Enner Valencia - 5
Scored two goals against Bournemouth and Man City, but those were his only goals this season.
Far too easy to bully off the ball and too inconsistent in front of goal.
Diafra Sakho - 6
Frustrating season. Had a number of injuries and personal issues but still scored a handful, despite missing a semi-open goal against Stoke on the last day of the season. Occasionally played out of position on the wing.
Andy Carroll - 7
Injured for the majority of the season, but still finished our joint top league scorer this season after his hat-trick against Arsenal.
Occasionally isolated, but a perfect plan B which led to calls for him to be in the England squad.