Top 5 players so far this season

Interesting post on the KUMB forum about the top 5 players so far this season.  It will be interesting to post on this now and review a couple of times throughout the season.  So here are my top 5, be good to see what you think.

1.  Robert Green - a real rock in the goal for us and could easily have been England's saviour had Steve McClown not kept his Paul Robinson tinted spectacles on.  Also seems like a down to earth bloke, which is becoming increasingly rare in the Premiership these days.

2.  George McCartney - a real revelation this season with some great performances, solid at the back and an excellent crosser of the ball going forward.  We will certainly miss him while he is injured.

3.  Matthew Etherington - some great performances this season, looking fitter and hungrier than ever.  Adding goals to his box of tricks has been important too.

4.  Lee Bowyer - a player it can be hard to warm to sometimes but some excellent performances, the kind of which we hoped for when he first joined us under the Roeder era.  Promised to come back and show what the fuss is about and is finally doing so.

5.  Carlton Cole - yes, I am being serious.  For his attitude, application and goals over the past few weeks.  It's not been easy for the lad after the boo-boys really unsettled him but his past few performances have been crucial for us, setting up assists and making a real nuiscance of himself.

Those who came close were Matthew Upson and Craig Bellamy but right now on form, these are my top 5 Hammers.  Who are yours?

Addendum:  Thanks for all your comments so far, keep them coming.  Realised I missed out Solano on the 'almost' list, my money is on him making it for next time, maybe just not enough games yet?  Long term readers of the blog will know I just can't make my mind up about Hayden Mullins and that lack of consistency means he is not a contender for me.

Comments

[Master Moon]

If I could I would include all of the Squad which played in the game against Derby ! Seeing as that was in most peoples eyes, our reserve squad, I think they did magnificantly and all deserve our praise ! All I can hope for is that they keep it up throughout the season. I know it sounds silly but im worried about having a fully fit squad again, will the influx of fit again players have an adverse affect ? You know, as if the squad would not be used to playing with eachother ?

[Darren]

3 out of 5 players we were expecting to leave in the summer are the season so far stars. I agree 100% with the names, and i am please especially for Cole and Bowyer, who haven't had an easy time until recently and now they are probably going to cause Curbs a headache when the likes of Parker, Faubert, Ashton and Bellamy are fit.

[dave]

There will be no problem in my opinion as this will encourage the players to fight for their first team place.We need Bellamy and others back,we are in for some tougher games in the coming weeks and as much as I admire how the team are doing they will need strengthening against the likes of Man Utd etc.

[saintdice]

I'd like to back up what you've said about Cole. I honestly hated seeing him on the pitch at first, but he's won me over with his work ethic. He's still shite at times when it comes to ball control, but he's out there giving it all for the Claret and Blue.

What more can you ask?

[fish]

for me:
Green, Mccartney, Etherington, NOBLE-almost played his nuts off literally considering his hernia he tried to hide, and Cole- nobody can knock his effort, he's won over the fans the same way that Zamora had to.

[tom d]

I think, as good as Green has been for us this term, Matty Ethrington has been our outstanding performer. With the players we have out, there have been times this season, especially in the last few weeks, where we have just looked like we are gonna struggle to create something. there have been times when it has seemed like the only way we could create is thru Matty and so far he hasnt let us down. Huge improvement from last season. Also credit to Cole for his attitude and endeavour.

[steve IG9]

Where is mark noble??

[Waldo]

Have to say i agree with most but my man this year has to be..... ***HAYDEN MULLINS***

The guy looks as solid as a rock, he seems to have hit the form of 2 seasons ago & a bit more. He has hardly given the ball away & his passing has got so much better this season it is quite unbelievable.

It's nice to see some of the "FA Cup Run team" still here doing well, you do not become a bad player over night. Matty Etherington, Danny Gabbidon, Hayden Mullins have all survived & they all look like hitting a bit of form.

[geoff longhurst]

Agree with most, Bellamy would be there though, as topic is this season, he's been superb, and the difference between winning and losing a couple of away games. Mullins continues to be superb for 80% of games, then has a stinker. McCartney, most improved player. Bowyer, shouldn't really be in the team, but proves me wrong with last few performances. Can't wait to get everyone fully fit though. About time I suppose, we backed Curbs, give him a lift and sing his name. What do you think?
COME ON YOU IRONS, scum up next, let's get ready to kick their arses.

[sudburyhammer]

cole is playing the best since he joined us might not be scoring every week but hes setting them up for others every game and at derby he was one of the first to come over and clap the traveling support at the end i think hes learnt what hammers supporters expect from their players

[west ham johnny]

i'm just so glad for bowyer he is west ham through n through and has never really had a run in the center of midfield,now playin in his favourd forward midfield roll he is getting back to his best and scoring goals.

[lazthehammer]

i think nobby solano has been incredible so far and realy deserves to be there