Player
Ratings 2004/05
09/05/05 | by Kier Gough
1. Colin Doyle
Looked competent in the two games he played and was far better back-up than Barry Roche.
Rating: 6/10
2. Matthieu Louis-Jean
Poor season, injured for large portions of it and when he has player hasn’t looked too impressive with his wayward crossing.
Rating: 4/10
3. Alan Rogers
An absolute disgrace; lazy and unfit not worthy of the shirt.
Rating: 1/10
4. Wes Morgan
One of the few that can hold their head up high, has looked solid at the back and it’s important he’s kept for League 1.
Rating: 8/10
5. Michael Dawson
Selling him in January was excellent business as he was poor since his return in October; spraying 50 yard passes into Row Z when simple passes would have been adequate isn’t something that‘s missed.
Rating: 4/10
5. Darryl Powell
Signed to replace the awful Impey and wasn’t a lot better himself and hopefully will be let go.
Rating: 4/10
6. John Thompson
As usual has looked poor in every position he’s played in. Does anyone actually what his proper position is?
Rating: 4/10
7. Andy Reid
Despite wanting away (who can blame him?) played his heart out for the club and virtually carried the Midfield through the first half of the season.
Rating: 8/10
7. David Friio
Has looked reasonable when he’s been fit and his experience with Plymouth should be useful in League 1 next season.
Rating: 6/10
8. Paul Evans
Even though he will always has limitations at Championship level, a lot of his team-mates could learn a thing or two about commitment and passion from him. Should be well suited to League 1.
Rating: 7/10
9. David Johnson
Has never recovered from his broken leg, has looked a shadow of his former self all season and couldn’t finish a book with one page left. In the best interests for both club and player that he gets a fresh start somewhere else next season.
Rating: 1/10
10. Gareth Taylor
Top scorer and on the whole has looked our only threat up front, has his limitations but has always looked committed. Shame about his two silly red cards, which saw him miss 7 games needlessly. Has also looked solid at the back when he’s slotted in there.
Rating: 6/10
11. Marlon King
Has ability, which has been seen in glimpses, but his attitude is a disgrace. Worth hanging onto if he can sort it out but if not get rid.
Rating: 3/10
12. Barry Roche
2 games played, 7 goals conceded, enough said. Thankfully will never be seen again.
Rating: 1/10
14. Eoin Jess
Had an extended run under Kinnear in the early stages of the season in which he looked OK, but hasn’t been seen since his injury in November and likely to be let go. A dead cert for the boot.
Rating: 5/10
15. Andy Impey
Looked a complete waste of space of the wing, no pace, unwilling to take anyone on and couldn’t cross a road.
Rating: 1/10
16. Chris Doig
Solid enough under Megson, the sort of player he’ll want to keep around for League 1.
Rating: 7/10
17. Kris Commons
A revelation since the departure of Reid, has looked the only Midfielder capable of creating anything in the latter half of the season and it’s vital that he stays.
Rating: 8/10
18. Kevin James
Hard to mark as he’s never really been given a chance. Has looked OK when he has played and I think we could do a lot worse than having him in the team.
Rating: 4/10
19. Jack Lester
His injury at Derby was a cruel blow, as he was looking impressive in his return. Will be a key player next season though.
Rating: 7/10
21. John Curtis
Has looked more impressive than Louis-Jean at right back and will be worth keeping next season if he wants to stay.
Rating: 6/10
22. Paul Gerrard
The player of the season, without him we’d probably have finished bottom as at times he’s kept us in games with world-class saves and has never let the team down.
Rating: 9/10
23. Eugen Bopp
If he was going to make it at Forest it would have been by now, another player who’s attitude leaves a lot to be desired.
Rating: 3/10
24. Gregor Robertson
The most pathetic illusion of a pro footballer I’ve seen in my life. He can’t pass, tackle or do any basic things a footballer should do. Needs releasing, now.
Rating: 1/10
26. Ross Gardner
Looks a good prospect for the future and unlucky not to have played more games.
Rating: 6/10
28. James Perch
Slightly over-rated in my opinion but another good young prospect that should get his chance next year.
Rating: 6/10
29. Jon Hjelde
Hasn’t looked the same player as he was during his first stint with the club, is far too clumsy at the back.
Rating: 4/10
32. Adam Nowland
A quality player who will be a big asset next season if he can keep himself fit.
Rating: 6/10
33. Neil Harris
Has never been given a chance under Megson, should be useful at League 1 level though.
Rating: 5/10
34. Scott Dobie
Good work-rate and has shown that him and Taylor have the makings of a decent partnership.
Rating: 6/10
36. Andrew Melville
A solid pro at the back and could be the experienced head that Megson will want in his back-line in League 1.
Rating: 6/10
Conclusion
The average rating is a mere 4.94, which is a telling stat in itself. Quite frankly, too many of the above have simply not been pulling their weight and we have paid the price. However, this once proud football club has been in terminal decline since the early 90’s apart from a couple of flash-in-the-pan seasons under Frank Clark’s and Paul Hart’s stewardship. This alarming slide must stop now or Nottingham Forest will fade into obscurity and will be nothing more than a footnote in footballing history. However, Megson is the right man to pull this club out of the shit and given time to build his own team up I remain optimistic that one day we will once again have a team we can be proud of. In the mean time all we can do as fans is stick with the team and keep the faith!