Albion blogger Jarrod Hill dons his headmaster’s hat and conducts a season-long audit of the playing squad – who will escape his wrath?

As we near the end of the season, I will give my thoughts on how I have viewed the individual performances of the players.

It means the blog is a bit longer than usual, but I will be interested to see how you have viewed certain players this season.

From the top: -

GOALKEEPER

Scott Carson

Young Scott has undoubted talent and at times this season I have witnessed him make unbelievable saves, but overall I have been disappointed with him.

He has made some absolute howlers and has cost us a number of goals and points.

The problem we have had is that Mowbray obviously has no confidence in his understudies, a number of times young Scott needed to be taken out of the firing line yet he has remained as a virtual ever present.

5/10

DEFENDERS: -

Carl Hoefkens

It is no secret that I have never been his biggest fan, he simply is not good enough to play at this level. His effort cannot be questioned and when called upon has given it his all, but not good enough.

3/10

Paul Robinson

Always gives 100% and that effort often gets him through. But when up against the type of quality the Premier League has he has often struggled, his biggest weakness has been cutting out crosses.

But offers support when going forward and does provide the team with some much needed grit.

6/10

Marek Cech

Bought as a potential replacement/cover for the left back and left midfield positions. Has been limited to a handful of appearances and, having played well when called upon, many fans are as baffled, as I am, as to how he has struggled to gain more opportunities in a side lacking inspiration.

Rumours of problems behind the scenes may be a contribution, but is it because he is frustrated at his lack of game time? Common consensus is that he will be moved on in the summer, shame we haven’t seen more of him.

6/10

Leon Barnett

Very poor season for Leon and he has looked completely out of his depth. Physically strong and competitive, but makes poor decisions and has been caught out on many occasions by watching a long ball sail over his head.

Still, he is young enough to learn but this season has been a baptism of fire.

3/10

Pele

Was used as emergency cover when our centre halves were dropping like flies. Came in and played reasonably well, a real ‘Steady Eddie.’

I have some sympathy for the guy. He plays well but never seems to get an opportunity to play the role we bought him for, as a holding midfielder.

6/10

Gianni Zuiverloon

Looked a world beater after his first half a dozen games, but his slip in form coincided with our barren run. His recent form has been better and with youth on his side he still remains a real prospect for the future.

This season’s experience will stand him in good stead, and if he can work on his positional sense will improve greatly.

7/10

Abdoulaye Meite

One of the biggest disappointments of the new summer signings. Has vast experience, particularly of the Premier League, but has been poor all season – when not injured.

His poor health may have been a big contributor to his form, but I cannot hide my disappointment in a player who I can only imagine is one of our biggest wage earners.

3/10

Shelton Martis

Having been bought for peanuts, we had seen nothing of the giant defender in an Albion shirt until he was thrown in against West Ham recently.

Unfortunately injury has prevented him having a run in the side, cannot knock him, based on his performances it is a shame he wasn’t given an opportunity earlier in the season.

7/10

Jonas Olsson

Outstanding, my personal choice for player of the season. His injury was a huge blow to our season, I cannot remember him having a bad game, often looks like he is our only defender.

We desperately need to hang onto him and I would be astonished if clubs do not come sniffing come the summer.

10/10

Ryan Donk

His age and lack of experience has meant he has been a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde player for us this season.

Again injury has no doubt been a contributor to his indifferent form, definitely one for the future, but with him currently being on loan his situation is unclear.

6/10

MIDFIELDERS: -

Robert Koren

Has suffered from being asked to play various roles within various formations. Yet he has still shown he is good enough to play at this level, another player whose services we will need to retain if we are to progress as a club.

7/10

Jonathan Greening

Has had an average season by his standards, another player who has suffered due to the lack of balance in the team.

Has been asked to play a number of roles, failed to develop a working partnership with Borja Valero and has been accused of not being attack-focused in a number of games.

I still rate ‘Jonno’ as a player in the right system with the right balance, but I would question whether he has the right personality or mindset to be our skipper?

6/10

Chris Brunt

Divides opinion among Baggie fans more than any other player. In my opinion he has been the player who has improved the most across the course of the season.

Seems to have visibly grown in confidence and if he can add more consistency to his performances, the young Northern Ireland international will become a hell of a player.

His contribution to the goal count cannot be under valued either.

7/10

Kim Do-Heon

Early season form was good, but due to injury and loss of form we have seen nothing more of him.

3/10

Graham Dorrans

Gets the ‘Surprise Package’ of the season award for me. Looked good in pre-season but was not expected to play at all this season.

Yet his performances in training and reserve fixtures forced manager Tony Mowbray to give the lad his chance and he grabbed it with both hands.

Looks a real talent and will have more of an opportunity next season to develop.

7/10

Filipe Texeira

Again injury has prevented him from fully competing for a regular place in the first XI. Has the talent and I can’t wait to see a fully fit ‘Tex’ terrorising defences again.

4/10

James Morrison

Ran Olsson very close for my ‘player of the season’ award. Has looked our main attacking threat all season, has scored goals and worked his socks off.

Another player we will have to fight to keep during the summer, having already received enquiries for his services.

Expect his name to appear in all the transfer gossip pages.

9/10

Borja Valero

Having broken our transfer record to sign him fans expectations were high, maybe too high. Too similar too Greening in my opinion for him to be effective.

His lack of experience of the English game and the £4.7million price tag weighing heavy on his shoulders has obviously affected his performance levels.

I would also suggest the lack of balance in our midfield as having a large bearing on his influence in games for us.

A good chance of him returning to Europe during the summer.

4/10

STRIKERS: -

Roman Bednar

Has surprisingly had his first team opportunities restricted in the second half of the season, although he remains our top goal scorer.

Has his limitations but has always caused defences problems with his willingness and work rate. I do feel sympathy for him, when having to watch other strikers in front of him in the pecking order play so poorly.

6/10

Ishmael Miller

Seemed to be finding his feet just at the time he got injured. What difference he would have made to our season we will never know, but his pace and raw power would have been a useful addition to our options.

6/10

Craig Beattie

If only we had signed his namesake James Beattie. Unconvincing at Championship level and was never going to be good enough in the top flight, but his commitment can never be questioned though I expect him to move on during the summer.

4/10

Luke Moore

Remains an enigma, has undoubted talent that we have seen on too few occasions. I hoped Mowbray would be able to nurture his talent and focus his attitude, but ultimately Luke has been a failed investment of £3million.

3/10

Jay Simpson

The on-loan striker from Arsenal has shown glimpses of an emerging talent, but we required a here and now player who could score the goals to keep us up.

If only he was as good as he thinks he is, another failed striker signing from Mowbray.

4/10

Marc Antoine Fortune

The lad has given us goals, effort, battle and a fighting spirit. I would like to see him come to us on a permanent basis as he offers diversity to our striking options. Has suffered in some games due to limited service, but given the right partner I believe he could become an excellent foil for a goal scorer.

8/10

OVERALL REPORT: -

I think my analysis highlights our struggle this season. Too many players have suffered from inconsistent form, injury, or a lack of opportunity.

Our striking options were too restricted at the start of the season and the balance of our midfield all wrong. Our new signings lacked Premier League experience and we have suffered from too many injuries to key players.

Players I would be desperate to hold onto would be Olsson, Morrison, Fortune, Koren, Greening and Dorrans.

Players I would hope we can move on to generate some transfer funds for strengthening would be Hoefkens, Barnett, Meite, Valero, Beattie and Moore.

Players I expect to see big improvements in next season include Carson, Zuiverloon, Brunt, and Dorrans.

All have youth on their side and with greater experience can improve quickly.