2011 PFS Rank - Left Wingers

This is the second edition of Polish Football Scout Ranking but the rules have changed this year – instead of my own opinions, a selected panel of experts put nominated players in direct order that gave them points – 5 for the No. 1, 3 for the No. 2, 1.5 for the No. 3 and 0.5 for Special Mentions. They were very harsh and at several positions top spots were empty, while at others only one or two footballers deserved to be picked. Out of twelve categories, only three players were given the maximum number of points by each expert and there are definitely few surprises. More information about experts and results in all categories can be found at special page – 2011 Polish Football Scout Ranking.

3rd place – Ludovic Obraniak (Lille, 10.11.1984, 174/70) – 10 points

It wasn’t the best of years for him – despite still being an impact player for Lille, he makes good impression mostly only coming from the bench, not starting the games. The same was in Polish national team where he failed to score in last twelve months but his talents weren’t overlooked – if something, Obraniak’s role only developed. In a country where only few knows how to hit a decent free kick or send a corner into the box, we are happy to see that the little French-born Pole is doing well with the set pieces nightmare that Franciszek Smuda’s providing from the moment he stepped up to the coaching role. Of course, there is much more in him and undoubtedly fans are counting on his trickery, technique and passing range when summer comes. But he must be playing more…

Maybe the best in terms of skills, but was supposed to make bigger progress this year. However, his last games for national team were poor – Andrzej Gomołysek

With best wishes of a transfer to a club where he will play more – Michał Szadkowski

2^nd place – Patryk Małecki (Wisła Krakow, 01.08.1988, 170/70) – 13 points

Strong, physical and brilliant player he may be but still, out of the pitch, can be the same spoilt, clueless and nervous kid he was regarded as couple of years ago… or even not so long ago. This year was supposed to be different as he started it with some fashion – helping out his team to win the championship back, riding the bicycle with Robert Maaskant – it really all looked made up for a success at Wisła, especially in the Champions League. His goal in the final qualifying round against APOEL could give them a promotion to group stages but the tie was lost away. Then it all broke out for Małecki and Wisła – poor performances, no impact from key players, including Patryk, and unwise comments regarding booing fans coming from the winger. Add injury to that and only few last games of a comeback to the team can make this be a better fall for him. Not even a word about him in the national team? Oh well, if there could only be something to talk about…

Some character and a fighter. If only he focuses on the game, then he may get more reward than only playing in Polish league – Maciej Chorążyk

Not good enough in the national team, or maybe he is or was made to look that, but his form for Wisła was top in 2011 – Michał Zachodny

1^st place - Maciej Rybus (Legia Warszawa, 19.08.1989, 173/70) – 13.5 points

A very, very close call as you see but it’s hard not to say that Rybus’ display in last months deserved him the place he is now in. After all the problem he caused with his behavior, poor form and exceptionally bad 2010, last year, he seemed to be finally back on the track he should be from the start of his career. Brilliant for Legia this season, assisting, scoring and free flowing in Skorża’s system, Rybus looks settled and back in the transfer rumours section at the same time, which can bring him back to the place he was in the darkest year of his career. But is this the moment he matured at last? Legia fans should pray it is because they need as brilliant player as he is – and the competition for the place on the team’s wing with younger players than Rybus did him good too.

He should give more in the combination game – Kibu Vicuna

Good creativity, important part of Legia's style of play, also useful with his good positioning without the ball – Andrzej Gomołysek

SPECIAL MENTION: Sławomir Peszko (1.FC Koln, 19.02.1985, 172/68, 5.5 points) Fairly good first year for him in Bundesliga, despite his problems at the start but once he adapted to the league he played fairly well – but his form in the national team wasn’t good at all.

Also ranked: Piotr Ćwielong (Śląsk Wroclaw, 23.04.1987, 171/65, 0.5 point)