Following the beginning of preseason, here’s a look at each side’s player with the lowest average rating during the last season.
For context, each player begins on a 6/10 rating and it increases through positive contributions to the game, as well as decreasing through errors.
All ratings have been taken from the website “Sofascore” and each player on this list made at least 10 appearances during the 2024/25 season.
Barnsley – Max Watters – 6.63
Starting things off with Barnsley, their lowest performer last campaign was striker Max Watters, who scored 5 goals in 30 League One appearances, providing one assist. These returns were a step up on previous campaigns at The Tykes but were still underwhelming.
Watters underperformed his xG by 0.9 and took just 30 shots in his 1,400 minutes last term, with a main statistic standing out as letting him down being his duel win rate, standing at just 27.8%, combined with a 23.9% ariel win rate.
Local newspapers described his performances saying, “He can drift out of games, with confidence visibly affected after missed chances as well as “he’s pacey and a grafter, but confidence-dependent and prone to disappearing in key moments”.
Birmingham – Scott Wright – 6.68
In a standout season for The Blues, right winger Scott Wright holds the unfortunate position of Birmingham’s lowest rated player, following his transfer from Scottish side Rangers. Wright scored just a single goal in his 14 League One appearances, with most of his game time coming in cup competitions such as the EFL Trophy.
Wright completed just four successful dribbles in League One, as well as only 2 accurate crosses, not ideal statistics for a winger. Fans picked up upon Wright’s key flaws in his inconsistency operating predominantly on the wing, Wright was expected to bring pace, wide creativity, and effective off-ball movement, but failed to display these qualities.
Blackpool – Samuel Silvera – 6.59
Joining on loan from Middlesborough in the January transfer window, Silvera featured on 15 occasions last campaign for Blackpool, after an unsuccessful loan spell at Portsmouth during the first half of the season. He contributed just a single goal and assist in his 446 minutes of League One football.
A majority of these appearances came off the bench, with Steve Bruce preferring to start other options such as CJ Hamilton or Rob Apter, who arguably provide more reliability on the wings.
Silvera’s stats in League One were bang average, especially surrounding creating opportunities and dribbling, but did excel in passing and long ball accuracy as well as improving crossing statistics.
Fan perception was mixed, with some supporters praising early glimpses but overall doubted his Championship-level suitability, whilst some dismissed his potential completely, indicating even League One football was a challenge for him.
Bolton – Victor Adeboyejo – 6.60
Striker Victor Adeboyejo failed to find his footing in League One last campaign, scoring just three goals in 27 appearances, with one other goal coming in the EFL Trophy, eventually falling out of favour behind other strikers Aaron Collins, Kion Etete and John McAtee.
Adeboyejo unfortunately missed the latter half of the season, due to an ACL injury, and is likely to miss a chunk of the 2025/26 campaign.
He’s been regularly criticised for his finishing ability, as he regularly got into good positions but doesn’t always convert efficiently, with an instinctive rather than clinical technique to striking, reflected by his underperforming xG. On BBC radio, he was described as a “Great engine, good positions… just needs to be more ruthless.”, highlighting weaknesses in his playing style.
Bristol Rovers – Shaq Forde – 6.57
Following his move from Watford after a couple of productive loan spells, Forde failed to live up to expectations during his first season at The Gas, where made just five goal contributions in 31 appearances.
Forde’s main stat that stands out is high dispossession stat, averaging more than 1.2 dispossessions when dribbling last campaign, as well as a horrendous disciplinary record, with two red cards.
Manager Inigo Calderón omitted Forde from the squad on numerous occasions not due to fitness, but for tactical reasons.
When he did feature though, his performances were inconsistent, lacking a consistent impact, where fans noted he “underwhelmed” at times and statements like “bright but largely underwhelmed” from fan pundits show his rocky form.
Burton – Mason Bennett 6.60
Having just joined Harrogate Town following the expiration of his contract at Burton, he still holds the unfortunate position as Burton’s lowest performer of the 2024/25 season. Bennett’s returns of two goals in 34 matches, certainly aren’t impressive, although being similar returns to the campaign prior.
Bennett’s attacking stats in League One are underwhelming, under-performing his xG by 1.54, just 6 successful dribbles and an abysmal 52.4% pass accuracy during build up play.
He struggled to perform when playing out wide, but did perform well in central areas, with one of the highest successful duels rates in the league and scoring well in tackling aspects of the game.
Cambridge – Brandon Njoku – 6.51
In his first full first-team campaign at Cambridge, Njoku failed to make a breakthrough impact, scoring just one goal in 25 appearances, and is set to leave The U’s at the end of his contract. Still aged just 20 years of age, a drop down in division may be best for his development.
Njoku’s attacking stats are quite the horror show, with one of the division’s lowest dribble success rates for a forward at 23.1% and averages only 1.15 shots per 90, and 0.46 shots on target, alluding that Njoku isn’t assertive enough in the final third, struggling to consistently get involved in goal threatening situations.
Charlton Athletic – Karoy Anderson – 6.65
Twenty-year-old Jamaican international centre-mid Karoy Anderson was Charlton’s lowest rated performer during their playoff winning campaign. Anderson made 38 appearances, scoring two goals and failing to contribute an assist in his 1,657 minutes of League One football last term.
For a central-midfielder, Anderson’s stats weren’t pretty viewing, as he holds one of the lowest pass accuracies and long ball accuracies in comparison to other League One midfielders, as well as just 53.7% of tackles won.
Scout reports noted that progressiveness and holding play needed improvement, as his focus remains more on defensive duties, additionally lacking the composure to influence play in build-up phases.
Crawley – Joe Wollacott – 6.62
Goalkeeper Wollacott was Crawley’s lowest rated player last campaign, with just four clean sheets in his 33 appearances during Crawley’s relegation season, conceding 65 goals during these features.
Wollacott’s stats also indicate that he was a weakness in Crawley’s side, with a horrifying –10.22 goals prevented, the lowest in the division, alongside four errors leading to goals and a frightfully low 59.6% save percentage.
A low percentile in high claims (~17%), indicates he rarely wins crosses, resulting in defensive pressure during set-pieces and crosses, limiting his authority in the air. His distribution issues also are notable, particularly in a playing out from the back system.
Exeter – Sonny Cox – 6.53
Exeter City academy graduate Sonny Cox was their lowest rated player of the 2024/25 campaign, with an average rating of 6.53. He made 23 League One appearances and contributed just a single goal during throughout the last campaign but made just two starts before March due to fluctuating form.
During the 2024/25 season, he the lacked consistency, product, and confidence needed in Exeter’s attack and was mostly used off the bench, struggling to establish himself as a regular threat in Exeter’s attack.
Critics stated Cox didn’t do enough to make an effort in the build-up of attacks, with just 58 successful passes in his 766 minutes, alongside just four chances created and only eight shots from striker.
Huddersfield – Freddie Ladapo – 6.53
Following his departure from freshly promoted Ipswich Town, Ladapo joined Huddersfield, but failed to live up to expectations, failing to score a single goal in his 21 appearances, with just one singular start in League One last campaign, falling behind other striker options such as Dion Charles and Joe Taylor.
Ladapo registered a 0.98 XG despite failing to bag a single goal and completed just 156 touches in his near 500 minutes of League One football. Winning just 24% of his duels, Ladapo failed to find his feet following his return to League One, with his statistics in almost every aspect being considerably underwhelming.
Leyton Orient – Diallang Jaiyesimi – 6.57
Joining on a free agent from fellow London side Charlton Athletic, Jaiyesimi failed to make the impact supporters may have expected, appearing on 28 occassions contributing a single goal and assists in League One last campaign, starting just four times.
Jaiyesimi’s season developed with him in a marginal squad role, with him failing to consistently influence games, and his goal involvement was minimal, underperforming his xG by 0.78, creating just 7 key opportunities and taking just 11 shots last season.
Furthermore, Jaiyesimi was dispossessed on the wings on 33 occasions, despite only playing for 656 minutes, also failing to utilise his space on the wings when crossing, with a 13% accuracy rate.
Lincoln – Jack Moylan – 6.66
Central midfielder Jack Moylan is Lincoln City’s lowest rated performer of the 2024/25 campaign, who featured on 28 occasions, starting 11 times in League One, scoring twice and failing to register a single assist.
Moylan missed a four-month chunk of the season with an ankle injury, disrupting his influence last campaign.
For a central midfielder, Moylan’s passing statistics were particularly disappointing, with his pass accuracy being just 63.6% alongside 26.1% long ball accuracy, certainly not ideal for a centre-mid!
Furthermore, Moylan’s percentage of tackles won was only 43.6%, however arguably this is expected from a slightly more attacking focused midfielder.
Mansfield – Ben Waine – 6.58
During his loan spell at The Stags from Plymouth Argyle, Waine featured in League One 25 times, starting on 2 occasions and scoring twice. Now at Port Vale, Waine failed to make the impact that would be expected from a Championship loanee.
Thought to be a pacey striker with potential, but at Mansfield his ineffective finishing and poor holding play, hindered his impact for The Stags, with his 2024/25 statistics highlighting this.
During this time period, the striker took just 11 shots, had a dribble success rate of just 16.7% and a duel won rate of 24.7%, not a great outcome for a striker with aspirations higher than League One.
Additionally, he’s troubled in possession, being in the bottom 25 percent for ball retention, lacking the technical involvement needed to hold play or link attacks.
Northampton Town – Liam McCarron – 6.50
Joining in the summer transfer window from Stoke City, Northampton’s lowest rated player Liam McCarron averaged a measly 6.50 average rating, with the left-back featuring on 16 occasions, starting four times, scoring a single goal in August versus Barnsley.
Missing the second half of the campaign through injury, McCarron’s stats were fairly disappointing, with him leaving on a free agent this summer.
With an abysmal 63% pass accuracy, his key-pass involvement and chance creation were extremely minimal, paired one of the lowest ariel duel win rates at 7.8% in the entire EFL. McCarron also featured on the wings on some occasions, but faired a lot better, with a solid successful dribble and cross rate.
Peterborough – Aaron Dornelly – 6.58
Peterborough’s young right-back Dornelly holds the unfortunate position of Peterborough’s lowest rated player of the 2024/25 campaign. Dornelly featured 27 times in League One, during his first full first-team season, scoring a single goal versus Rotherham in October.
Dornelly’s defensive statistics in League One aren’t very impressive for a full-back, just 57.1% of attempted tackles won (only 20 all season), and just 49% of duels one, making Dornelly one of the lowest performing right-backs in the EFL in this statistic.
In contrast however, his passing statistics in Darren Ferguson’s system are very impressive, alongside a decent disciplinary record.
Reading – Andre Garcia – 6.56
Yet another youngster on this list during their breakout season, this time unfortunately being Reading’s left-back Andre Garcia, who featured in League One on 38 occasions, 29 of those being starts, contributing one assist last season, setting up Mamadi Camara against Northampton on Boxing Day.
Still aged just seventeen, this seems like a harsh criticism of the lad, with commendable maturity and a strong worth ethic to get stuck in being displayed throughout the campaign. But some aspects of his game still need improvement, with quite a low duel win rate for a left-back at 44.6% despite winning 146 overall, and being dribbled past on 32 occasions.
With more experience, these flaws will soon be fixed.
Rotherham – Jack Holmes – 6.60
In his first season being a part of Rotherham’s first team, Jack Holmes is Rotherham’s lowest rated player, following his 28 League One appearances (three of which being starts), thanks to an injury crisis in Rotherham’s squad. However, Holmes failed to register a single goal contribution during the 2024/25 League One campaign.
Manager Matt Hamshaw remarked to local journalists that “he lacks a bit of confidence” and needed more swagger in his playing demeanour due to too often playing backwards rather than taking on defenders directly, limiting his threat.
If Holmes wants to feature in League One next year, he must focus on improving his drive when on the pitch and convert potential into real end-product.
Shrewsbury – George Lloyd – 6.54
Shrewsbury striker George Lloyd didn’t have the most productive 2024/25 campaign, scoring five goals and providing five assists in his 44 appearances for Salop last season, an improvement on his 2023/24 figures, but still not the best returns a striker would hope for.
Lloyd’s hard-working play style offers versatility, lacking the cutting-edge finishing, creativity needed to be a consistent attacking presence.
Lloyd will be on the hunt for sharper movement inside the box, and an improved technical command.
His strong work rate and athleticism provide a solid foundation for a League One striker, but an improvement on his conversion rate would elevate his status, as he underperformed his xG by 0.4.
Stevenage – Elliott List – 6.55
Stevenage legend Elliott List struggled to find his previous form, scoring just four goals in 39 appearances (fifteen of those being starts), providing one assist on top of that.
Since Stevenage’s promotion to League One, List has failed to find his feet and joined Northampton Town on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract.
Predominantly starting as a left winger, List’s dribble success rate of 31.6% is one of the lowest averages for any League One winger last campaign, also possessing quite low passing statistics, as he provided minimal participation in team build up play alongside a lack of assertion physically, with fans wanting him to get stuck in on a more regular basis.
Stockport County – Lewis Fiorini – 6.67
Signed last summer from Manchester City’s academy, Lewis Fiorini was Stockport’s lowest rated performer during their playoff campaign, making 11 League One appearances (four of those being starts) before being sent out on loan to Scottish Premiership side Dundee United.
Fiorini’s stats aren’t pretty viewing for Stockport fans, as for a central midfielder, his passing statistics are abysmal, at a 68.9% pass accuracy he completed just 83 passes during his short spell at the club.
His defensive stats weren’t particularly impressive either, with just 3 tackles being completed and 20 duels being won in his 350 minutes for Stockport, both being at an average of under 50%.
Wigan Athletic – Maleace Asamoah – 6.53
After joining in the summer from Fleetwood Town, Asamoah broke into the first team in the winter regularly challenging for the starting spots. Overall, he made 16 League One appearances during the 2024/25 campaign, starting 10 of those, with a final goal contribution total of one goal and one assist.
Asamoah’s dribble success rate was the third lowest of any winger in League One last campaign, standing at a measly 22% and wasn’t helped by a –1.88 underperformance of his xG.
Despite his height, he also struggled with ariel duels with a 21%-win rate, but he will be looking to transform flashes of brilliance into consistent end-product.
Wrexham – Jack Marriott – 6.71
During their third successive promotion campaign, 30-year-old striker Jack Marriott was Wrexham’s lowest rated player, albeit one of the higher ones on this list.
Marriott featured in 26 appearances for Wrexham, bagging six goals, but missed a couple of months due to a broken fibula, and struggled to find his way back into the matchday squad following his recovery.
Marriott had a few stats letting him down, in particular making just 87 passes last term in just under 800 League One minutes, as well as just under 30% of his duels being successful and a similar percentage in ariel duels too. Despite this, he outperformed his xG by a considerable margin.
Wycombe – Beryly Lubala – 6.60
To round out this list, Beryly Lubala was Wycombe’s lowest rated performer last campaign, struggling to match his form in cup competitions into League One, with just four goals and zero assists in his 27 appearances in the division.
Lubala often provided flashes of excitement, but struggled with consistency, as too often his dribbling ended up being unsuccessful with a 32.3% success rate and his creative involvement was incredibly limited, creating just five chances in his 1,200 League One minutes. While his energy and occasional moments helped Wycombe every so often, he will be looking to increase his link play, and overall influence to become a reliable forward following the expiration of his contract at the club.
