As the new season is about to begin, I thought this would be a good time to reiterate the theory behind the ‘Rate The Players’ feature. If you have ever wanted to contribute your marks but are not sure how, please read on. If you are a regular contributor, please take a minute to reset your ratings compass.
First of all, everyone is welcome to post their marks, the proviso being that you actually saw the whole game. That usually means attending in person, but also applies to watching the game live on television, IMPS+, or similar medium. It also includes watching the whole thing back during the week after the game, but watch the deadline!
For the uninitiated, all you have to do is award a mark out of 10 for each player. I will post the players to rate immediately after the final whistle (on the 100% Imps forum), assuming I am not at the match itself. Not all players who take the field will be rated – we usually use 20 minutes on the pitch as the cutoff, so don’t be too surprised if you see the name of a late substitute omitted. Feel free to comment on every player to appear, but only those listed in the OP will be used for the ratings.
The par score is 6.0: by definition, that essentially means that the player has done what was expected of them, no more, no less. In effect, that means awarding 6.0 if the player has done his job. For instance, George Wickens cannot really be awarded 7.0 if he hasn’t had a shot to save. Reeco Hackett is unlikely to merit 6.0 if he has missed a penalty and three sitters. Ben House deserves higher than 6.0 if he has scored a hat-trick. Please avoid emotional responses such as giving everyone 10.0 following a good performance – it is utterly illogical and ultimately pointless. Ask yourself how likely it is that every player on the pitch returned a flawless performance, never mind one of them. Reality suggests that perfect tens should be as rare as a Steve Evans diet.
We use half-marks too, so you may like to use a scientific method such as deducting half a mark if the player commits a costly error, or adding half a mark if they do something special. If you prefer to use plain old intuition, that is just as good. All we ask is that you remain consistent within your own marking. Do not be influenced by what anyone else has posted – there is absolutely nothing to suggest they are right and you are wrong. We all see games differently, and we are interested in what you have to say, not a consensus. The important point is this: provided your marks are consistent against each other, the overall result should be reliable.
Please give us your comments too. There are a great many exiles on here who cannot make the majority of games, and the comments are often the most interesting and revealing part.
There will always be a deadline for submissions, usually 5pm on Tuesday after a Saturday game, and 5pm on Thursday for a Tuesday night. If there is a midweek game, the deadline will be 5pm on Monday. This gives me time to collate and publish the results before the next match.
Once a month, I will write up a report detailing each player’s average score. At the end of the season, all the numbers are added up and we find out who has been voted Player of the Season by Vital members.
Finally, please refrain from criticising or commenting on the marks given by someone else. As we have already said, we all see the game differently; assuming there are no private agenda, no one is right, no one is wrong. The match thread is the place for debate, this thread is for marks and comments only.
Writer: Scotimp
