Wednesday 19th May 2010

It has been a very long time since I've blogged about Southampton FC and now that the season is over I thought it would be a good idea to give some player ratings out of ten.
The 2009-2010 campaign has to be judged as a good one for Saints; the club ended their 34 year wait for silverware by winning the Johnstones Paint Trophy in March and whilst most fans would have preferred promotion, all silverware is good silverware and the competition gave us all a cracking day out at Wembley.
Grabbing that last play off spot was just a bridge too far for Alan Pardew's men, but a 7th place finish is some achievement when we consider the ten point penalty and the poor start, with Saints not winning their first league game until towards the end of September.
Next season will be a different story; with the money Pardew has spent over the last year and the opportunity this time of starting on level points with the rest of the league, chairman, owner and supporters will be expecting a successful campaign culminating with a return to the Championship.

Player ratings for the season -

Kelvin Davis - 8 - Continued his great form from the previous season and deserved to be named League One goalkeeper of the year.

Bartosz Biakowski - 7 - Proved to be a competent understudy for Davis and was the penalty shoot out hero in December's JPT win over Norwich.

Greame Murty - 6 - Was Saints best player in opening games, but suffered horrific injury in League Cup and never got going from there. Now released, can't help but wonder what might have been if he had stayed fit.

Lloyd James - 5 - Looked alright in midfield, but showed once again he isn't a natural right back, Pardew was right to let him go.

Jon Otsemobor - 6 - Signed in January on a short term deal, didn't do enough to be rewarded with an extended contract.

Chris Perry - 6 - Did a decent job when needed, a true professional who has served the club well over the last two years.

Radhi Jaidi - 7 - A good free transfer, one of the best defenders in the air in this league.

Jose Fonte - 8 - An expensive purchase in January, but has really plugged the hole in defence since coming in and may prove to be worth the money.

Danny Seaborne - 6 - Another January signing, initially struggled but now starting to look more comfortable.

Aaron Martin - 7 - Only started last two games of the season, but has really made an impact and could be a bright star for the future.

Dan Harding - 8 - First signing of the new era, a real bargain as a free transfer and has been solid at left back.

Joseph Mills - 6 - Done well when needed, but usually Harding's understudy.

Michail Antonio - 7 - Showed great potential, a lively impact sub that would be welcome by fans if signed permanently.

Jason Puncheon - 7 - A good January signing who will surely be an important player next season.

Papa Waigo N'diaye - 6 - Came here with big expectations, didn't quite live up to them, but scored the crucial goals which took Saints to Wembley.

Paul Wotton - 5 - Gave one of the worst performances I have ever seen in August's 1-0 defeat at Swindon, has improved since, becoming an ironic "football genius" with the fans.

Simon Gillett - 5 - Couldn't build on his decent showing last season and was often overlooked by Pardew.

Dean Hammond - 8 - Very consistent in midfield, good box-to-box, strong in the air and the right choice as captain.

Morgan Schneiderlin - 7 - Most improved player this season, just needs to sort out his discipline.

Adam Lallana - 8 - Great contribution scoring 20 goals from midfield, showed he is one of the most skillful players in League One.

Lee Holmes - 6 - Plauged by injury all season, but did alright when given the chance.

David Connolly - 7 - Another bargain signing, superb work ethic and would have scored higher if he stayed injury free.

Lee Barnard - 7 - Signed in January, poor start to his Saints career, but his goals are now starting to win over the fans.

Rickie Lambert- 9 - SAINTS PLAYER OF THE SEASON - Has been phenomenal, a real goal machine who wins nearly every header he challenges for and is a dead ball specialist. Will be crucial to promotion hopes next season.