Rate the signing: Ayling

[GrimsbyBoro 2,390 3k]

After a successful loan Ayling signed on a free in the summer. So how did you rate the signing?

[smogsterking the Inspirati 3,351 8.6k]

Unfortunately another low score of 3-4. Obviously injury played a big part in his struggles this year and seemed to pick up another injury when he started finding some form. 

I think we were right to bring him in but I feel like Howson last season should have been a depth signing rather than a 1st choice signing. I think he could probably offer that next season but I do feel we will probably lose him in the summer.

[OldManGravz 2,427 6.4k]

I've rated him a 2, just because after the six months loan I thought we were onto a winner and he let us down massively. I know there were injuries but he didn't just lose a yard of pace over the summer he lost a furlong!

Made Dijksteel look good, say no more

[TeaCider24 18,216 23.3k]

Sadly a 4 or a 5.

Loved him last season, but he was injured and unfit for most of this season.

Had a few good games at CB.

[Nobby Barnes 780 1.3k]

I gave him a 6

Was excellent in the first half of the season (remember all those assists)

Also did really well filling in at centre back. Great character and a winner.

Disappointed he got injured, another option Carrick lost through no fault of his own....

[Neverbefore 14,994 29.3k]

5. I think the worst thing about his signing is that we signed him to be first choice. We should have signed him, sold dijksteel and bought someone we would ease into the first choice position by 10-15 games into the season. Ayling and Dijksteel is a pretty below average pairing but ayling and another could have worked really well. 

[Hammy legend 1,259 1.4k]

5 for me, did quite well at centre back but really struggled as a full back. I am not sure we will be able to move him on this summer. 

[Changing Times 15,937 23k]

I've given him 4/10 although a 5 might actually be fairer.  What knocks the transfer down a point for me is the fact that he's in his 30's and we gave him a two year deal.  That's just poor business, and it was entirely on the back of the spell he had here on loan.  It was obvious that it was an outlier in terms of his performance, and people employed by the club should have been able to spot it as well.

[wilsoncgp 10,100 19.9k]

4/10 for me. Hard to give him higher. He was injured for too much of the season. It's not a slight on his character but even when he was fit this season, it was a mixed bag.

[Denzel Zanzibar 8,120 15.5k]

Because he went from an excellent loan to an underwhelming permanent, I've got to say 5.

Most of us had a feeling he was playing for a contract when on loan here, I certainly did and it seems we were proved right. Obviously he couldn't help getting injured but even before that, his performances were a shadow of his loan period.

Still, he seems to be one of those players who unites the locker room and we need guys like that so it's not been a total disaster of a signing.

 

[Priv 19 26]

First 6 months a 7 or 8, last year a 4.

[Erimus74 5,340 5.5k]

Following his excellent loan period I don't think there was anyone doubting his signing, I was happy he signed a two year contract & thought thats one position filled for next season (2024/25) but it seemed as though once he signed on the dotted line he just fell off a cliff, so IMO opinion I'll give him a 4 his poor performances seemed to start from the Swansea game & just carried on & if i'm honest,  my doubts about Carrick started when he dropped Dijksteel following his MOTM performance away to Leeds in the cup & brought back Ayling who was just as awful in the league game, think he was later subbed for Dijksteel, never change a winning team, especially a player who has performed out of his skin, the downside of his signing & his performances/injury record he'll be hard to move on, hindsight hey

[Bruce 3,087 2.4k]

Seemed like a no-brainer at the time but it turns out that Ayling is one of those players like Clayton and Friend whose ability falls off a cliff overnight due to ageing. That said, if we switch to 3 at the back next season, we might still get a last hurrah out of him as an elder statesman who can cover on the right side of a three and can mentor a young, upwardly-mobile right back. He is by all accounts a good presence in the changing room.

That said, if he's not playing, he strikes me as one of those types who would push for a move to a league one or two club so he can get on the pitch for a bit longer.

[Robin Johnson 1,600 2.3k]

3. Legs gone. His biggest attribute getting up and down the line is over for him.