2001-02

The highlights (for those who don't want to read much)

WINNER: Jerzy Dudek

Runners-up: 2nd Sami Hyypia, 3rd Michael Owen

Wooden Spoon: Nick Barmby

Most Controversial Player: Jamie Redknapp (sort of!)

Nicest Bastard: Jaron Collis

Nastiest Bastard: Andy Nix

Overall average was 6.9 compared to 7.5 in 2001, 6.5 in 2000, 5.6 in 1999 and 5.7 in 1998.

Player ratings

10 - world class

1. Jerzy Dudek

Av. 9.52, Hi 10, Lo 9 (previous ratings n/a)

A new star is born. As Chris Hadley says, he oozes confidence. Comments along the lines of the best keeper in Europe/World/last 30 years were commonplace. Just the odd sign of fallibility against Bayer Leverkusen and Blackburn Rovers must be the only reasons anyone gave a 9. And ... he gets the ultimate accolade - LFC-EB Player of the Season! Altogther now "we've got a big Pole in our goal".

 

9 - excellent season

2. Sami Hyypia

Av. 9.41, Hi 10, Lo 8 (2001: 1st with 9.67; 2000: 1st with 9.44; 1999: n/a; 1998: n/a)

Captian consistency, although this season two people gave him less than 9. Tony McKenzie gave him 8.5 and Kev Owens awarded just 8. Unbelievers!! Unbelievers!! Burn them!! (Just a joke lads).

 

3. Michael Owen

Av. 9.09, Hi 10, Lo 8 (2001: 4th with 9.13; 2000: 10th with 6.56; 1999: 1st with 8.54; 1998: 1st with 9.50)

2001 was Micahel's year - a storming end to the 2000/01 season culminating in the FA Cup Final, a great start to the 2001/02 season, a hat-trick in Germany, European Player of the Year. Unarguably world class. However, a few injuries and a less than emphatic end to the season meant that several people felt unable to award more than 8, but aren't we glad we have him!

 

4. Stephane Henchoz

Av. 8.95, Hi 10, Lo 7 (2001: 7th with 8.23; 2000: 3rd with 8.46; 1999: n/a; 1998: n/a)

His best season so far, and many people commented that he was the equal of his illustrious partner. For the first time in three seasons he was awarded a maximum 10, and from no less than five people. But Gaz Copp only awarded 7 - ever courting controversy!

 

5. John Arne Riise

Av. 8.71, Hi 10, Lo 8 (previous ratings n/a)

My mate who supports Leeds said he was crap and he was glad Leeds never bought him. Shouldn't have listened to someone who chose to support Leeds should I - obviously suspect judgement. Only Andrew Davidson stuck his neck out and said he was world class already, but I suspect a lot of us are thinking about it, at least once he gets his defensive duties properly sorted. And we still want to know how he scored **that** goal, as Andy Pearson reminded us..

 

6. Dietmar Hamann

Av. 8.57, Hi 9.5, Lo 8 (2001 9th with 7.93; 2000: 9th with 6.79; 1999: n/a; 1998: n/a)

We weren't sure when he first arrived, but everyone was happy with his contribution this year. Almost the least controversial player apart from Jerzy Dudek, but Andrew Fraser's decision to award 9.5 says a lot - not quite world class. As one person said, 10 for defensive qualities, 6 as an all-round midlfielder, so an average of 8.

 

8 - good season

7. Steven Gerrard

Av. 7.84, Hi 9, Lo 6 (2001 2nd with 9.43; 2000: 2nd with 8.47; 1999: 5th with 7.16; 1998: n/a)

Judged by his own high standards and suffered from that mid-season spell when he believed his own publicity. As Mike Taylor said anyone who gives less than 9 is being rather harsh. But we expect so much. No-one doubts he will deliver, but this was (hopefully) just a blip. Several 9s, but only one 6, from Ian Fletcher. As Sam Johnston said ' I remember that Souness had a bad season in 82 ...'

8. Danny Murphy

Av. 7.55, Hi 9, Lo 5.5 (2001 11th= with 7.43; 2000: 13th with 5.86; 1999: 13th with 5.33; 1998: 6th with 6.90)

Controversy here. I am firmly in the 'Danny gets a raw deal camp' and his critic will have to get used to him being here as Ged is convinced of his ability. Four 9s from us, but just 5.5 from Tony McKenzie.

 

7 - on balance, a successful season

9. Jamie Carragher

Av. 7.32, Hi 8 Lo 6 (2001 6th with 8.33; 2000: 11th with 6.50; 1999: 3rd= with 7.80; 1998: 5th with 6.90)

A drop in the ratings for Jamie, although early in the season he proved his value by playing in all the back four positions in a couple of weeks. His distribution frustrates people but as one person said, he can have a place in the Liverpool squad for life. Docked the odd point for the Highbury coin incident.

 

10. Nicolas Anelka

Av. 7.07, Hi 9, Lo 6 (previous ratings n/a)

Hmmm! We're not convinced. Only Jaron Collis gave a 9, but some other of his supporters pointed out that he came in mid-season and he needs a preseason with Ged. More goals, say the critics.

 

11. Emile Heskey

Av. 6.96, Hi 9 Lo 4 (2001: 8th with 8.03; 2000: 12th with 6.21; 1999: n/a; 1998: n/a)

Well, controversy at last! Seriously, we know the arguments already and there is no need to go over them again. Basically, he doesn't score enough but he has other redeeming features (not least the fact that opposition defenders frequently say he is awkward to play against). Only Jaron Collis and Mike Humphrey awarded a 9, but Kevin Owens and, no suprsise, Andy Pearson awarded 4.

 

12. Jari Litmanen

Av. 6.88, Hi 8, Lo 6 (2001: 13th with 7.05; 2000: n/a; 1999: n/a; 1998: n/a)

A sense of frustration here. We all know what he can do, but we also accept he doesn't really fit the way we play.

 

13. Stephen Wright

Av. 6.71, Hi 8, Lo 5 (previous ratings n/a)

Maura Clark and Andy Nix think he's only average, but most people see enough potential to have him in the team ahead of King Neptune.

 

6 - a qualified success, good in parts

14. Gregory Vignal

Av. 6.48, Hi 8, Lo 5 (2001: 15th with 6.73; 2000: n/a; 1999: n/a; 1998: n/a)

Maura Clark (what's she got against young full-backs?) and Jaron Collis only think he's average, but again the potential is there for most people.

 

15. Robbie Fowler

Av 5.91, Hi 8, Lo 4 (2001: 10th with 7.55; 2000: 14th with 5.64; 1999: 7th with 6.84; 1998: 14th with 5.55)

Not as controversial as I thought. As Brian Lewis said 'Sad to see him go, but it was for the best'. Torbjorn Flatin and Jaron Collis were least sad, Mike Taylor and Tony McKenzie must have included his contribution at Elland Road or nostalgia in their thinking.

 

16. Vladimir Smicer

Av 5.80, Hi 7, Lo 2 (2001: 16th with 6.63; 2000; 19th with 4.93; 1999: n/a; 1998: n/a)

The same indecision here. Mr Inconsistency. Some of us can see the potential, but no-one can award more than 7. Ian Fletcher with a 2 and Sam Johnstone with a 3 would presumably not even agree with Paul Tomkin's assessment that he has some use as a supersub, as all his best performances seem to start on the bench.

 

5 - pretty average

17. Abel Xavier

Av. 5.39, Hi 7, Lo 3 (previous ratings n/a)

If I had a fiver for everyone who used the word stopgap! Flattered to decieve with a good start, enough for the odd 7, but 3s from KevinOwens and Chris Hadley. As Chris Hadley said 'This season's Kvarme'!

 

18. Gary McAllister

Av. 5.09, Hi 7.5, Lo 4 Av. (2001: 5th with 8.87; 2000: n/a; 1999: n/a; 1998: n/a)

One season too far. Tony McKenzie was the most complimentary, but lots of 4s.

 

19. Patrik Berger

Av. 4.93, Hi 6, Lo 3 (2001: 17th with 6.47; 2000; 4th= with 7.56; 1999: 3rd= with 7.80; 1998: 20th with 4.18)

Two successive injury-wrecked seasons. Little to go on and the team has moved on without him. What does the future hold?

 

20. Jamie Redknapp

Av. 4.93, Hi 7, Lo 0 (2001: n/a; 2000; 17th with 5.11; 1999: 9th with 6.34; 1998: 4th with 7.18)

Well, statistically the most controversial player, as Paul Tomkins and Mike Tyalor awarded a 7 (2 goals in 3 starts as Paul pointed out) but Maura Clark awarded the season's only 0 (presumably a comment on his ability to recover from his injury crises).

 

21. Igor Biscan

Av. 4.82, Hi 7, Lo 4 (2001: 18th with 5.73; 2000: n/a; 1999: n/a; 1998: n/a)

Mike Humphrey must have been watching some of those famous training sessions, where Igor shines, but no-one wants to put the boot in. He has a lot to do to convince in future.

 

22. Nick Barmby

Av. 4.68, Hi 6, Lo 3 (2001: 11th= with 7.43; 2000: n/a; 1999: n/a; 1998: n/a)

Did he really make so many appearances, some people asked? Apparently so, but he msut have been anonymous in them. The first recipient of the wooden spoon who has got it for just being anonymous rather than poor, in fact I feel a bit sorry for him. Not part of the future then?

 

Not eligible, but voted on in the past

Vegard Heggem (2000: 16th with 5.39; 1999: 2nd with 8.28)

Djimi Traore (2001: 19th with 5.20)

Markus Babbel (2001: 3rd with 9.23)