There’s still a game to go, as you know, but the bulk of the season is done.
I thought it might be interesting to go through all of the players who have made a league appearance and give my assessment of them. It’s intended to be brief, a couple of lines of each player just as a rough overview.
Remember, these are only Football League appearances, so no Saxon Earley or Tyler Walker, for example.
Tom Bayliss
22 (11) – 3 Goals
Tom looked set to play a major role this season before injury disrupted things early on. He added a spark of creativity in midfield, especially when driving forward, though he ended up playing a bit deeper later in the campaign. Overall, a solid contribution.
7/10
Bailey Cadamarteri
13 (10) – 5 Goals
Bailey never quite cemented a first-team spot and was in and out before injury brought things to a premature end. Expectations were high, perhaps unfairly so as a would-be Joe Taylor replacement. Showed glimpses of talent, but couldn’t consistently impress when starting.
6/10
Sam Clucas
2 (6) – 1 Goal
It wasn’t the homecoming story many hoped for. Sam made a limited impact on the pitch, though he likely contributed behind the scenes. A memorable moment at Mansfield aside, it’s been a quiet campaign for a player of his pedigree.
5/10
James Collins
13 (6) – 10 Goals
Collo has been transformative. His intelligence and positioning have made him a standout, anchoring the switch to a 4-2-3-1. Despite his advancing years, he reads the game brilliantly and finds the right space at the right time. Having him secured for next season is a major boost.
8/10
Tendayi Darikwa
43 (0) – 5 Goals
Player of the Season (in my opinion), and deservedly so. Initially seen by some as a possible coach-in-waiting, Tendayi has instead proven to be a dynamic, versatile, and relentless leader on the field. His arrival reshaped recruitment strategy, paving the way for other experienced signings.
9/10
Freddie Draper
10 (27) – 4 Goals
It’s been a difficult year for Fred, often reduced to bench appearances. Though not a typical “super sub,” he’s shown flashes of promise. He’s got natural finishing ability and is likely to improve with experience and game intelligence. I can see Fred being a late bloomer as he learns to use his body and attributes from more experience players.