Max Melbourne 11 Appearances, 0 Goals
Of Max Melbourne’s eleven appearances, two stand out for me. I thought he looked good as we slipped to defeat against Manchester United kids in the EFL Trophy, then I thought he was utterly superb in the 1-0 win against Blackpool. That game really sparked a bit of belief that we might push up towards the top ten and Melbourne’s display was part of that. After all, Harry Toffolo had just left the club and that meant we needed to see quality in the left back role.
I felt he struggled a bit after that if I’m honest, and the inconsistency in the left-back role reflected that. He did pick up and injury and miss a couple of games, but as part of the side beaten at Southend, his belief seemed to take a bit of a knock. What I do believe is he has the potential to be a very good player, but looking forward we need the experience in the squad to match that potential. He did win 62% of his defensive duels and he came into the team that suffered from losing so many key players in the window, so there is plenty to be hopeful for in the future.
Joe Morrell 32 Appearances, between 0 and 2 Goals
Ending on a high here, the dubious goals panel have had a field day with Joe Morrell. He bagged against Bolton, only for some to give it to a Josh Emmanuel own goal, and he seemed to score against Burton only for Anthony Scully to stake a claim on it. Footballers, eh?
What I will say about Joe is here is a real candidate for Player of the Season. We sorely missed his drive from midfield whenever he was on international duty, and when he reached ten bookings and served a suspension. He carries the ball well, breaks up play and helps develop attacks intelligently. The fact he went from Bristol City’s reserves to a full Wales international during his time here proves exactly how well he’s done. In real terms, I think he is worth around £750,000 right now, should anyone want to buy him from Bristol.
They won’t though; he’ll be staying put because they must surely see the potential he has. I recall when he first signed I had to look him up; he had a modest history behind him, but he seemed to be a player who would come in and cover. I even chatted to him early in his Imps’ stint and we joked about possible progression into the Wales first team. Eight months later, Joe Morrell leaves with a much firmer reputation than when he arrived and that is thanks to us giving him the chance, and him seizing it in the level-headed manner in which he did. When I say ‘level-headed’, I don’t mean his combative and confrontational style towards the opposition either but, let us be honest, his antics with Dembele helped turn the Peterborough game around, and he sparked some pretty angry scenes at Wimbledon too. I think the young ‘uns would say something like ‘you love to see it’.
Liked the look of Lewis ,Melbourne will be better after a pre season (if we get one),Hopper as well .Think Smith has been very unlucky.I thought Tyreece was getting more into it then got injured again,i think Arsenal may let him come back again.
Morrell was superb and will be my player of the season if we get to vote on it.Maybe he will come back in january if he has not played enough games at BCFC by then?
Im afraid i didnt see alot in Hesketh whatsoever and his finishing was diabolical and was always falling over.I hope Payne is given a good chance by MApp in the new season whenever it starts.
How on earth did Lewis not make a single league start? He looked a class act every time he was on the pitch and he was terrific against Everton, which should have signalled a run of games. I know he was injured for a while, but I still struggle to see why he made only three more appearances following that game against the Toffees. You’re not necessarily going to drop a quality player like Eardley, but Lewis should still have been found a place in the side. And then there’s Hesketh who was a regular despite showing very little, as Gary says.