Sam Crispin, Fan Blogger, 19th February 2010
It's been a topsy-turvy old season, hasn't it? We've had highs, lows, thrills, disappointments, and more talking points than you could, should be so inclined, shake a stick at.
Should Russell and Stewart be starting every game when they are in their late 30s? Should we have signed Fleetwood on a season long loan only for him to sit on the bench for most of it? Was Tisdale's 'Stalingrad' hat cool or not cool? The list goes on. (For what it's worth, my answers to those would be 'probably not; probably not but there's still time yet; very'.)
But a talking point that always arises at about this time every year is 'Who has been the player of the season?' As with every season there are a good few candidates, and it's only right that someone puts them in a little list for you:
Andy Marriott - 14 appearances, 2 clean sheets
At the start of the season, not many City fans would have expected Marriott to play many games for the first team, bearing in mind that Paul Jones was last year's Player of the Season and, when he was injured, Oscar Jansson was signed on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. But, when the form and confidence of his two young colleagues faltered, Marriott stepped in, blew the cobwebs off his gloves and without fuss turned in a number of admirable performances and saves that defied his years. His performance against Millwall last weekend but was one of his finest in a City shirt, spoilt only by a well struck free-kick narrowly sailing past his fingers late in the game to deny us a point. He's proved that at the grand old age of 39, he's still a valuable member of our squad.
Ryan Harley - 31 (1) appearances, 6 goals
The little ginger maestro, a man who's been so good this year that great swathes of the City faithful have stated, loud and proud, that they'd happily let him do unspeakable things with their spouses. And why not?! He's been marvellous at times this season, his game has come on leaps and bounds and he's now the heartbeat of the team with his metronomic passing, incisive running and important goals, most notably his double against the mighty Leeds United at the Park. Rumours of bigger clubs keeping a close eye on him are unwelcome but not unexpected given his performances this campaign. I thought we'd lose him in January but luckily he is still, for now, City's number 7, and long may that continue.
Adam Stansfield - 15 (10) appearances, 8 goals
It's no wonder the pitch at St James Park is in a bit of a state, any stretch of grass that has Stanno motoring across every blade of it incessantly for 90 minutes every fortnight would most likely be the same. He just never stops, does he? And with his very admirable goal record this campaign he's been very important to us, it's just a shame that our poor defensive displays haven't allowed many of those goals to be match-winners. He scores, he'll run forever and he's red and white through and through - it's no wonder we all love him.
Richard Duffy - 28 (1) appearances, 1 goal
Perhaps a surprise inclusion in the list and not everyone's cup of tea, but I'd say he's deserving of it. He's shown his adaptability and commitment by playing in a number of positions in the team, and his calm assurance and astute positional play have allowed him to break up a number of opposition attacks throughout the season. One silly sending off aside (the new lads like their red cards, don't they?), he's consistently been one of our top performers throughout the campaign, and can rightly consider himself our best signing of last summer.
Rob Edwards - 9 (3) appearances, 0 goals
He tore apart Torquay, he scored at Wem-ber-ley and when he's been called upon this season he's been nothing short of brilliant. This could well be his last year as a player but on the evidence he's presented in the 12 games he's featured in, he could certainly carry on for a year or two longer. His experience means that he consistently finds himself in the right place at the right time and he's played a very important role marshalling the defence through some difficult games, most notably against Leeds at home. Jermaine Beckford may have run rings around Wes Brown and Johnny Evans but he was no match for our Robbo.
Matt Taylor - 34 appearances, 4 goals
In a defence that has changed round more times than Plymouth have scored this season, one man we've been able to call on every time has been our very own Captain Marvel, Matt Taylor. It's probably not been the most enjoyable season for him with some of the results and the dodgy goals we've conceded but he can hold his head up high, and as he's been ever present with only the Captain's armband as his constant companion, he deserves his place in the list. He's still as no nonsense as you'd like a big burly centre half to be and he chips in with his fair share of goals as well, grabbing two in his 100th appearance for the club at Nuneaton. A City legend in the making.
Craig Noone - 6 (1) appearances, 4 goals
Actually scratch that, he may have scored and been named Man of the Match in just about every game he played for us, but he's still a Scummer, isn't he?
So, in my eyes, those are the candidates. But of course the season's not over yet, and we have 6 very 'winnable' games in front of us. There is plenty of room for someone else to force their way into the list with some match-winning performances, (Mr Logan, Mr Fleetwood, Mr Haber…care to step forward?) and of course a big opportunity for the lads already on the list to cement their places as contenders for Player of the Season. Fingers crossed, eh?
|
The opinions expressed in our Fan Blogs are exclusively those of the author and not those of Exeter City Football Club.
We publish Fan Blogs on www.exetercityfc.co.uk so supporters can read a wide range of original content each and every week.
Click here to read more of our superb fan blogs. |
