SAVVY_MONKEY takes a look at the runners and riders in this year’s Player of the Season award.
When a season has gone as well as this one, when there are so many players that have punched well above their weight, and when there are so many heroic moments to look back on, it can be very tricky picking just one overall winner of the Player of the Year Award.
Firstly, the following players have all had great seasons but if we`re honest have not quite made it into Player of the Year territory.
John Ruddy: Tough start but has established himself as a good Championship keeper. Penalty save at home to Swansea was pivotal to making the season a positive one.
Andrew Surman: When fit has looked a real class act and enhanced the team, but missed too much of the season.
David Fox: A wonderful passer, makes us tick and has a cracking shot but perhaps took a little while to settle.
Simon Lappin: The King of Spain is the king of Consistency. Proved himself at this level, despite Mr. Roeder’s view.
Henri Lansbury: An exciting player to watch, makes it all look so easy. Would love to see him here on a permanent deal, but has been restricted to a role on the bench of late.
Simeon Jackson: Has come into form at the right time. Superb work rate and goals.
Adam Drury (21 apps), Marc Tierney (14), Anthony McNamee (20), Zak Whitbread (21), Leon Barnett (26), Korey Smith (28) and Chris Martin (30) have not played enough minutes or had enough of an impact but have all contributed a great deal to the cause. However, Whitbread looks a hell of a player – if given a full season injury free.
If most fans think about the performances over the entire season, then the winner has to come from one of the following five. Each of them has good reasons to take the coveted title…
Andrew Crofts: Carried the team in those first few weeks and clearly has a big career ahead of him. Lambert has unearthed a real gem here.
Elliot Ward: Possibly the best-value transfer of the season. Looks comfortable on the ball, quick enough and could easily make it in the top tier.
Grant Holt: The main man, 20 league goals says it all, hat-trick against Ipswich and playing on with a torn hamstring. A true Canary legend.
Russell Martin: Looks a different player from last season. Wonderful stamina, pace and an eye for goal. Cafu should be nicknamed ‘The Brazilian Martin’.
Wes Hoolahan: ties everything together and is often unplayable, especially away from home. His form this season has been nothing short of incredible.
So, who am I voting for? It’s a real tough one this year. Its really difficult to see past Grant Holt (and I mean that kindly). Without a 20-goal a season man, itss almost impossible to see success on the pitch.
Holt has been colossal at times, looks like a man with a point to prove, getting assists as well as goals and has been an awesome captain in a successful team. However, looking back at previous winners, the Player of the Year Award is not always about the headline grabbers. It is about rewarding the players that give their heart and soul to the club, who push their bodies to the max for the cause each week.
Holt will rightly receive the plaudits for his exploits this season, but my vote is going to Duracell-powered Russell Martin…
Russell Martin is the only player to have played EVERY game this season. He has never let the team down, and has come up with important goals/assists in tight games. Some examples being; Derby (h), last minute equaliser against Cardiff (h) and the winner against QPR (h).
Martin is often exposed on the right side, with no winger in front of him but has coped well and has shown himself to be able to deal easily with the workload, often playing as a winger himself.
All this, on top of being diagnosed with a hugely debilitating disease at the end of last season. Our best right back since Culverhouse himself.
Martin is the ideal candidate in my view for this seasons’ Player of the Year Award.
Do you agree? What’s your view? Leave a comment in the box below, click here to discuss this article in the forum, or you can follow me on Twitter via @Savvy_Monkey.
