The Daily Discussion - Underachiever Athletic?

By Attila

Rooney has disappointed this season

C- Must Do Better!

Ah the perennial red scrawl at the top of my Maths homework. This glowering judgement may also be cast upon some of the luminaries of the Premier League.

This is an undoubtedly controversial topic by its very nature, picking out eleven players who I believe have underachieved this season. Now before high-horses are mounted let me make it clear that I do not believe that any of the players below are awful, to be classed as an underachiever you need to have the capacity to achieve. All of these players have either failed to live up to their own high standards, their International call-ups or their high transfer fees. I have tried as far as possible to disregard players who have missed much of the season, whether through injury or non-selection:

Goal-keeper -  Petr Cech:

Cech was once a Schmeichel-esque colossus in goal, however since he was seriously injured in a match at Reading in 2006, he has lost some of his air of invulnerability. Despite this, Cech was solid last season and claimed the coveted Golden Gloves award for his performances. This season however has been a different matter. Although he has only conceded 22 goals in 26 games, he has looked vulnerable at times. Normally a reliable, solid keeper he made a glaring mistake recently which allowed Raul Meireles to fire Liverpool to a 1-0 victory, and despite his claim that this “is the first mistake I have made this season” he has at times looked shaky and error prone.

Right Back – Glen Johnson

Johnson has never really lived up to his £18m price tag or his regular berth as England’s first choice right back. This season he has been poor, both for club and country. However Kenny Dalglish’s inspiration to move him into the left back position appears to be bearing fruit, as Johnson is finally beginning to find some form.

Left Back – Patrice Evra

This is a somewhat controversial choice. I include Evra as he has failed to live up to his usual high standards. From regularly challenging Ashley Cole to be included in everyone’s pub talk team of the year, he has fallen behind his rival as well as new challengers Jose Enrique of Newcastle and Tottenham’s  Assou-Ekotto.

Centre-back – Richard Dunne

A victim of an early falling out with new manager Gerard Houllier, Dunne has been far from the defensive titan he was last season. However he appears to have regained favour somewhat and is now beginning to play both regularly and well for Aston Villa.

Centre-back – Phil Jagielka

Jagielka increased expectations with dominant displays for The Toffees last season

Jagielka is one of two Everton players included in Underachiever Athletic. This reflects clearly that Everton as a side are underachieving. Like Dunne Jagielka was a solid and capable defender last season, but this season appears to be low in form and confidence. This has led to Jagielka being kept out of a porous Everton defence by Heitinga.

Midfielder – Michael Essien

Essien usually embodies the very best qualities of a centre midfielder. In my opinion, on his day he is possibly one of the best in the world.  This season however, like many of the Chelsea squad, he has not been anywhere near his usual standard. If Chelsea are to claim Champions League qualification they need the midfield general back to his best.

Midfielder – Steven Gerrard

As with Evra, Gerrard has failed to live up to his own high standards. In 19 appearances so far this season he has scored 4 goals and has 4 assists. Many of the appearances (particularly under former manager Roy Hodgson) were, by his own standards, extremely lacklustre. However under new manager Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool and Gerrard are returning to form.

Midfielder – Mikel Arteta

During his stay at Everton, Arteta has usually been the creative force of their side. The Spanish playmaker has been both a set-piece master and a pass maestro; however you would not believe it had you seen him this season. He has by his own standards, been extremely average. He looks jaded, sluggish and uninterested at times. Everton’s fortunes to a large degree rely upon Arteta’s quick brain. No doubt the Toffee’s will be hoping to see more of the 2009/10 Arteta and a little less of the 2010/11 vintage.

Forward – Fernando Torres

A record-breaking move to Chelsea has heaped further pressure on Torres to perform

Torres appeared lethargic and rusty in the red of Liverpool this season and despite his hefty £50m price tag, he has not yet fired at Chelsea. He is a phenomenally gifted striker however, and it is only a matter of time before he settles at Chelsea and forms a potentially terrifying partnership with Didier Drogba

Forward – Didier Drogba

No doubt by now Chelsea fans reading this post are feeling a little victimised. However as I stated at the beginning, the players I have selected are there as they have fallen from such lofty pedestals. Drogba is a case in point, one of the best strikers to grace the Premier League, Drogba has suffered from Malaria this season which appears to have massively affected his performances. At times he appears to be a shadow of his usual imperious self.

Forward – Wayne Rooney

“Did you see that goal? What a goal! Best goal of all time! He’s back now isn’t he? Oh I’d say he’s definitely back!”  If you happen to be even slightly acquainted with a Manchester United fan, you may have heard some murmurings about some kind of goal Rooney scored against Manchester City at the weekend. Perhaps part of the hysteria about what, in truth, was a good goal, could be the feeling of absolute relief to see the old Wayne Rooney appear, if only for a second. Wayne Rooney has been a brilliant player, however the World Cup was, erm, disappointing, and this season hasn’t been any kinder. A paltry 5 goals in 17 appearances is not good enough for a player of his calibre. United fans will be hoping that his spectacular bicycle kick may be the catalyst that exorcises the daemons and returns Rooney to his usual place in the footballing pantheon.