In a matter of weeks the latest instalment in the series of the popular EA Sports game FIFA will be released, the keenly anticipated wait is nearly over, as the Hammers home of football, the Boleyn Ground will appear on FIFA for the first time.
It is everyone’s dream to appear in one of the top grossing games in the world, and players amongst the West Ham United squad will be interested to see what their ‘player rating’ is.
The key question is which players will be happy and which players will be left disappointed. At Forever West Ham we have already looked at which players could see their ratings rise, now it is my turn to play devils advocate and decide who will be left scratching their head figuring out where it has all gone wrong over the space of a year.
Here are my five who could see their rating decline.
At 1 stands between the sticks and it’s Jussi Jääskeläinen, the veteran keeper started last season as number one before seeing his place taken by Spaniard Adrian. In last years version of FIFA the Finn was rated at 73, but you can’t help but feel after a season of not much football he will see his rating drop. We all know he is a more than handy stand in in real life, but I for one in my Career mode will be strengthening the back up goalkeeping option.
Rating prediction: 69
At 2 always believing in his soul, and will be hoping that this rating remains the same it’s Carlton Cole! Having left the Hammers last season and came back unfit and slightly out of knick, his rating of 72 could be argued to have been a little high. A fan favourite and king of the Twitter banter, old Carlton may well be tweeting his discontent at his rating this season.
Rating Prediction: 70
At 3: Wembley hero Ricardo Vaz Te, although this may sound harsh, Vaz Te had a poor end to last season, and a poor start to this season. A lot of fans believe he is ‘Championship at best’ and we’re relieved when the Hammers signed Morgan Amalfitano from Marseille. In truth, his 69 in FIFA 14 would offend Ricardo, so he may well be even more disappointed this year.
Rating Prediction: 67
At 4: Guy Demel, a man who may well find his place taken by new recruit Carl Jenkinson. Whilst I still rate the Ivory Coast man, Guy’s rating of 70 could well be reduced further after a season that whilst not poor, he hardly set the world alight. To have your rating increased you really have to impress the FIFA scouts, and whilst it is said that as a defender it is good to have gone unnoticed in a game, FIFA will have reduced his rating of 70 in my view.
Rating Prediction: 68
Last but not least, at 5, Welshman James Collins, regular readers of my posts will know my views on James Collins. Whilst he will head everything thrown at him clear and put his body on the line. Far too often for me, he gifts opportunities to the opportunities with his lapses of concentrations can cost West Ham dear at times. He’s weakness was shown during the first game of the season when he needlessly got himself sent off which cost the Hammers a point at the very least against Tottenham. His rating of 74 seems high, and would be reduced if I were one of the FIFA scouts.
Rating Predictions: 72
Come on you Irons!
Tweet me @Bowdenwhu
It doesn’t matter how many times I play ging I can’t get he’s ratings past 73 ⚽