Born Offside’s Players Of The Season
Written by David McFarlaneDave McFarlane – Head Editor, Site Author and General Genius
Player Of The Year Nominations
Tim Krul – One of the main reasons for Newcastle’s fantastic run this season. The young Dutchman has come on in leaps and bounds since displacing Steve Harper in the Geordie’s net. I’ve known Krul would go far in the game since watching him on loan at Falkirk, and he’s proving me right.
Vincent Kompany – Not only the best defender in Britain, but the best defender in Europe. As he gets better and better, so do Man City.
Grant Holt – Anyone that can take out three defenders while headering the ball past Pepe Reina is all right by me. Taken to the PremierLeague this season like he’d played at this level his entire life. Must be an outside shot to go to the European Championships.
Sergio Aguero – I said he’d be a flop in England. He scored in his début. Enough said.
Clint Dempsey – Continues to drag the Fulham team up to a higher level than it really should be at. A bigger move beckons for the affable American, and no one can say he hasn’t earned it.
Wayne Rooney – Even when off form or in midfield, he’s been banging the goals in for Man Utd. The only world class player England have in the squad this summer, and must be looking forward to the opening matc… Oh yeah.
Young Player Of The Year Nominations
Gareth Bale – While his form has tailed off, he has lived up to his promise this season and is one of the reasons Spurs are challenging for Champions League football places. And to think Spurs took months to win a game with Bale in the squad back in the day.
Wojciech Szczesny – Since David Seaman left, Arsenal have struggled to find a consistent quality goalkeeper. They’ve finally found him. Together with RVP, the reason Arsenal are challenging for European football next season.
Junior Hoilett – The one bright spark in Blackburn’s season. Will move on in the summer to better things, and the young Canadian has the potential to grab any game by the scruff of the neck. I hear Chelsea might be looking for someone like that…
Daniel Sturridge – Possibly the only success story at Stamford Bridge under AVB’s tenure. Has found himself marginalised under di Matteo as he has went back to the slow stodgy play Chelsea have been known to play, but I think next season will be even better for him.
Victor Moses – See Junior Holiett. The lone positive from Wigan’s season.
James McClean – Until December, no one out-with his front room had heard of the young winger. By the time Martin O’Neill got his hands on him, he is now one of the best wingers in the Premier League and a real find.
Aguero in action against Switzerland. Courtesy of Ludovic Péron
Steve Norman – Podcast Host and Site Author
Player Of The Year Nominations
Clint Dempsey – 16 goals from midfield and a number of assists for a mid table side.
Robin Van Persie – His goals have meant Arsenal are in the hunt for the Champions League places and not merely the top half.
Wayne Rooney – Fired United to the top of the league, even spending a month in midfield in the process.
Sergio Aguero – Impressive début season for a much improved Man City side.
Yohan Cabaye – One of the reasons that Newcastle are on the brink of a Champions League spot, solid all round midfielder with the odd goal in him.
Vincent Kompany – A rock in City’s defence and probably the best defender in the division.
Young Player Of The Year Nominations
Gareth Bale – Impressive on the wing for Spurs again. Prolific for a winger in goals and assists.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Quick, with an eye for a pass and a goal. Taken to the league like the proverbial duck to water.
Oriol Romeu – Looked a solid midfielder when Chelsea were faltering. Injury hampered an exciting first season in the league.
Danny Welbeck – A number of goals and hard work has forced Welbeck into England contention.
Junior Hoilett – A rare bright spark in a dismal season for Blackburn Rovers.
James McClean – Burst onto the scene under Martin O’Neill, impressive and could be on his way to the European Championships.
Romeu in international colours. Courtesy of PB85
Liam Pennington – Groundhopper and Robbie Savage hater
Player Of The Year Nominations
Robin Van Persie – “And if you can keep your head, whilst all those around you are being sold to Spain with bigger salaries and more European football, then you are a man, my son.”
Clint Dempsey – Suddenly, Dempsey. Runs all day and scores for fun, and yet still his name and “plays for Fulham” never looks right.
Wayne Rooney – Just when you think it’s time to start raking over the criticism, then he goes and spoils it all by being exceptionally good again. Has enjoyed another outstanding season, not always in his usual position or his usual pace, though always impressive to watch.
Sergio Aguero – Despite suffering from Mancini’s rotation schemes (they’re not really ‘plans’), Aguero has taken to the English game without breaking sweat. Can guarantee to impress, and importantly score, which should surely guarantee his starting position next season.
David Silva – Teams need scorers, but they need also those who can feed forwards almost without thinking. Silva is the archetypal midfield player, reinventing the role when required, giving a masterclass at all other occasions. Play-makers don’t come more jaw dropping than this.
Grant Holt – Go on, laugh. From one of the League’s unfashionable sides, the most unfashionable player. Has always done what’s required and at a side eager to prove doubters wrong about teams coming up after a long absence.
Young Player Of The Year Nominations
Gareth Bale – On exceptional form again this season, making good his promise from last year. Has learned to play off the ball as good as on, he’s bringing his goal scoring skills to the fore just when his club (and country/ies) need him most.
Adam Bogdan – Often the best Wanderer on the pitch, one of a clutch of exciting ‘keepers in the Premier League at the moment, showing a passion beyond his years and the kind of reaction times which can only come from being under Jussi’s tutelage for so long. Has been tested more than usual this season, and has proven himself to be a very able prospect indeed.
Juan Mata – Somewhere and everywhere in a game, often at the same time, he has been a valuable replacement for all the midfielders Chelsea keep forgetting to buy.
Jamie Vardy – 31 goals this season in 34 games, from wherever he wants to score them from, attracting many a keen eye to the Highbury Ground. What do you mean, you’ve never heard of Fleetwood Town’s most impressive import?
Alex Song – In a club set up to exist in perennial transition, Song proves a much valued steady hand.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Disingenuous criticism of his inclusion on the official list fails to consider the impact he has made under limited circumstances. Has the pace and guile, but more than that, he convinces on the ball where other young hopefuls in similar colours do so much deceptive flattering. Is one of the many pieces in the long-term plan for Arsenal.
Clint Dempsey in his American colours. Courtesy of Nathan Forget
Saahil Desai – Site Founder and Occasional Drinker
Player Of The Year Nominations
Clint Dempsey – Slowly getting from underrated to properly rated, have a small feeling Fulham is his level and he’ll struggle at a bigger club, but he’s been sensational for them. Smashing bloke too.
Robin Van Persie – We knew the talent was there, the surprising bit is he hasn’t injured himself yet, what a season.
Michel Vorm – Slightly left-field but a man who cost almost nothing, at a newly promoted side predicted to struggle, has kept THIRTEEN clean sheets and impressed one and all. For extra proof, he’s top of the fantasy Premier League goalkeeper charts, gets in just ahead of Joe Hart.
Sergio Aguero – Lovely fellow despite the penchant for toddler injuries and a superb striker. Scored goals for fun immediately on arrival. Great all round play, versatile and quick.
Wayne Rooney – Love him,hate him or loathe him, he’s genuinely the closest thing England have to a world class player and why England’s chances at Euro 2012 are slim in his short absence.
Juan Mata – Should really have picked Vincent Kompany but slight bias for the little Spaniard. Not too many Chelsea players have shone this season, especially going forward but he’s been exceptional. Oozes class and can pick a pass at will. With better players or players in better form around him, who knows?
Young Player Of The Year Nominations
Gareth Bale – Slight dip in form, but that’s expected from any player. Started the season very well, is always a threat with his pace, trickery and accuracy. Would fit into any side in the world.
Danny Welbeck – Keeping Javier Hernandez on his toes and Dimitar Berbatov firmly on the bench or in the stands is no mean feat. Learned a lot from his loan spell and has translated talent and desire into on-field performance. Euro starter for first two games?
Junior Hoilett – Bundles of talent, will surely move on in the summer, question being where. Good feet, eye for goal, unpredictable.
James McClean – I’ll be honest, I didn’t quite know who James McClean was before this season. I do now.
Kyle Walker – A bit of the Glen Johnson in him but a real live-wire down the right flank making it all his own this season. Some defensive work and a bit of temperament and he could do the same for the England spot as well.
Victor Moses – A lone creative spark in a team that has struggled for most of the season. Hard worker. A bigger team could surely do with his services next season.
Junior Hoilett. Courtesy of Ronnie Macdonald
Bobbyzelmut – Bradford Fan And Top Bloke
Player Of The Year Nominations
Robin Van Persie – Sublime footballer and with a combined 50+ goals and assists this season has been almost singlehandedly responsible for bringing Arsenal back from the brink of what could have been a woeful season.
Yaya Toure – You suspect that the big fella will be the model of player that most top-flight clubs will be scouring the planet in search for – fast, strong and “a good touch for a big man”. City missed him when he was away for the Cup of Nations.
Craig Bellamy – Belies his advancing years to inject real threat to a Liverpool side that otherwise fail to inspire. Oh, what Kenny Dalglish would give for him to be 10 years younger.
Wayne Rooney – Like a reverse Samson, the former Boy Wonder of English football seems to be somewhere near his best now he has Regaine-d his hair (see what I did there?). Will be a big miss for England in the first two games of the Euros.
Vincent Kompany – The best defender in the country? Probably. Steady as a rock, great tackler and he manages to provide an aura of calm for those around him. If City miss out on the title this year then the Belgian can count himself blameless.
Luka Modric – Whatever happens to Tottenham during the rest of the season, they can look at the little Croatian’s performances as a real highlight. Whilst flashier players such as Bale and Van Der Vaart have been found out to a certain extent, Modric continues to pass with precision and drive his team forward.
Young Player of the Year Nominations
Wojciech Szczesny – Arsenal’s Achilles Heel over the past few seasons has been their string of lamentable shot-stoppers. Last season the boy from Poland made some irregular appearances, but this season he has made the No. 1 shirt (actually the No. 13 shirt, but you get what I mean) his own. Has been instrumental in Arsenal’s rise up the table.
David Luiz – Crazy hair and, at times, some crazy defending. However, the impetuousness which caused Gary Neville to describe him as if was being controlled “by a 10 year old on a PlayStation “ has been tempered to a large degree and he and Cahill look like being the centre back pairing for the Blues once John Terry retires/disintergrates.
Juan Mata – In a season which has largely been a shambles for Chelsea, Mata is one of the few high points. Brought in to provide the killer balls for Torres to finish, he has done his part even if Nando hasn’t and he has chipped in with some stunning goals of his own.
Danny Welbeck – Last year the red half of Manchester were all in a tizz about the “Little Pea”, but the young Englishman has limited his appearances considerably this season and has reached double figures in his first season as a regular at Old Trafford.
Junior Hoilett – One of the few/the only bright feature of a horrible season at Blackburn has been the form of the Canadian. Pacy, tricky and with an eye for goal, even if the Chicken Boys stay up Hoilett must be on his way to a bigger and better club.
Tim Krul – This has been a great season for Newcastle and could end up being even better if Tottenham continue to choke and Chelsea are distracted by upcoming cup final(s). The Dutchman has made some stunning saves and has provided the bedrock on which Pardew’s side have prospered.
*Editor’s note – Yeah, some of those players are too old for the award, I know.*
Tim Krul in penalty shootout action for Holland. Courtesy of Jimmy Baikovicius
Rik Sharma – Roving Reporter and Daily Mailist
Player Of The Year Nominations
Wayne Rooney – Even when playing below his best he has still found the net with ease. When on form, untouchable.
Robin Van Persie – Amazing what an injury-free season can do for you. Many suspected he was capable of a goal tally like this and he has proven them right.
Clint Dempsey – The American has delivered several goals in another outstanding season at the Cottage. Deserves recognition.
Vincent Kompany – The best defender this season, bar none. Imperious. Captained Manchester City to their best ever Premier League season.
Juan Mata – In a tough season for Chelsea has been the heartbeat of practically everything that has gone right.
David Silva – Tailed off, alas, but the mercurial attacker has scored a few goals and laid on several more.
Young Player Of The Year Nominations
Victor Moses – The bright spark in Wigan’s season, and chief instigator of their survival efforts.
Junior Hoilett – Like Moses, Hoilett’s attacking verve has given Blackburn’s fans some cheer in the face of an otherwise terrible season.
Danny Welbeck – Established himself at the top level, grown in stature and ability. However, needs to be more prolific.
Daniel Sturridge – Flourished under AVB – you can’t say that about many Chelsea players. Needs to take more defensive responsibility when deployed on the flank, as recognised by Roberto Di Matteo, who has used him sparingly.
Wojciech Szczesny – Van Persie aside, Szczesny has been instrumental in Arsenal’s challenge for a Champions League place. The solution to Arsenal’s problem position.
James McClean – Cracking impact under Martin O’Neill. A place in the Ireland Euro 2012 squad would be just reward for the dynamic winger.
Juan Mata in action against Leciester City. Courtesy of Ben Sutherland
David Stringer – Genuinely Bearable Lower League Expert
Player Of The Year Nominations
Robin van Persie – Almost certain to be the winner, and the man Arsenal’s creativity revolves around.
Wayne Rooney – Not as good as the national press would claim, but a tough forward with an enormous workrate and a fair bit of skill and invention.
Luka Modric – Spurs’ success this season has been a team effort, with Gareth Bale being the most fun to watch. But it’s Modric who controls the play and dictates the passing.
Vincent Kompany – The rock City’s defence has been built on. Tough and reliable, the player John Terry was at his best.
Clint Dempsey – For years he’s been one of those ‘cult’ players – clearly not the best player in the league, but fantastic to watch, and the favourite of many neutrals. But he’s pushed on this season, and sixteen goals from midfield in a mid-table team is a fantastic return.
Demba Ba – Has almost been two different, excellent players across the season. Bore the pressure of goalscoring for Newcastle in the first half of the season, and has moved to more of a supporting role in a front three to allow Ben Arfa a place in the side.
Young Player Of The Year Nominations
Sergio Aguero – Settled into England immediately, his creativity and invention have been crucial to getting City where they are. In recent weeks has shown he can link up incredibly well with Tevez – if only Carlos had bothered to turn up for the rest of the season.
Mario Balotelli – His antics and colour get the most attention, but thirteen goals from a 21 year old squad player, who’s been played in a variety of positions, is an impressive return.
Sir Chesney – Finally the dominant, reliable keeper Arsenal have been searching for since Lehmann, and arguably their best since Seaman. Almost as important as van Persie to Arsenal’s long term success.
Gareth Bale – Probably the most entertaining player in the league, but needs to learn how to deal with the extra attention, rather than being allowed to drift into areas where he’s less effective.
Daniel Sturridge – One of a few Chelsea players more suited to Vilas-Boas’ style. A skilful forward who, under the Portuguese manager, has a more consistent end product than Theo Walcott. Has lost form recently, whether through the weight of expectation or the shift back to Chelsea’s classic ‘robust’ style, but a very decent season.
Juan Mata – The best example of the style Vilas-Boas tried to impose. An inventive attacking midfielder with a fantastic eye for a pass. Has been limited by team-mates not on his wavelength, but still has one of the best assist records in the league.
Daniel Sturridge in pre-season action. Courtesy of Chong Fat
Adam Araujo – Site Author and Podcast Semi-Regular
Player Of The Year Nominations
Wayne Rooney – has been a major player this year with United. With the introduction of young Welbeck, he has been a model for the young striker to base his game and has helped the whole team score goals with his play making.
Robin Van Persie – I will be very surprised if he does not win the award.
Vincent Kompany – The best defender this season. The big difference this year was not the introduction of Silva but the hard working, gritty and strong defence led by this man.
Joe Hart – Another reason why City have a great record in defence. At such a young age his maturity has shown through and for a keeper who not that many years ago was playing League Two football, it is a great step up. It wouldn’t surprise me if he got a lot of caps for England.
Grant Holt – For a promoted striker to come into the league and score 13 goals, it has been his goals which have helped put Norwich back on the map. Granted they are not yet safe at the moment, he would need to improve on this tally if Norwich are to stay in this league next season.
Young Player Of The Year Nominations
Junior Hoilett – Even though Blackburn have had a very dysfunctional season, his performances have been brilliant. His direct approach and link up play with Yakubu have helped propel Rovers out of the drop zone.
Danny Welbeck – Has come out of his first season with more brains then brawn. Has scored goals in his first season, and he is technically gifted. However, he needs to keep improving this to stay at the club.
Wojciech Szczesny – Something Arsenal have needed in recent years was a steady, strong goalkeeper and a leader from the back. Who knew it was on their doorstep all along? Having come in for both Manuel Almunia and Łukasz Fabiański, he has established himself as number one and will be there for a few years. Needs to just improve on his decision making at times but other than that, a solid first season.
Tim Krul – Has been a rock at the back for Newcastle. Having seen the defenders that Newcastle have at their disposal, fans are glad to have the large Dutchman between the sticks. Needs to just keep going with his development but I cannot see why he wouldn’t.
Mario Balotelli – Yes he is a little bit crazy, but he has settled well in England and has a good scoring record to match. Now if he was able to get his temperament and erratics in check he can actually become a great footballer like he has predicted.
Adam's favourite player.
Juwel Haque – Podcast Regular and Author of ‘Juwel’s Joke Book – Vol. 1′
Player Of The Year Nominations
Emmanuel Adebayor: You simply cannot ignore his goals and assists tally; without him, the exciting creativity of Spurs’ midfield that propelled them briefly to title contention, would be all for nothing.
Sergio Aguero: Last term Roberto Mancini focused on building an impregnable defence that saw them finish third; this time he’s added adventure in Aguero and turned them into title contenders. The little Argentine’s trickery and pace have been a constant danger to opponents all season; he’s the one attacker City can count on.
Fabricio Coloccini: It’s no coincidence that his mid-season absence saw a temporary dip in the Toon’s awesome season. While their Senegalese strikers have caught the eye, Newcastle’s skipper lays the foundation that boosts the talents of his average colleagues and could make them all Champions League players next season.
Jonny Evans: The Manchester United eleven has been a rotating ensemble due to defensive injuries and forwards’ fortunes with form. The champions’ one consistent performer has been Evans, who’s ensured that captain Nemanja Vidic wasn’t missed by being an excellent defender, a capable footballer and instigator of attacks, and a growing leader.
Juan Mata: Embodied the promise of a Chelsea revolution to meet the demands of the new decade of European football, with ingenuity and verve. His signing alone should have secured Andre Villas Boas’ job, but made the mistake of being better than Frank Lampard and has too often been marginalised on the flank.
Robin van Persie: Chose to single-handedly drag Arsenal into next season’s Champions League rather than jump ship to a club worthy of his talent and able to reward him with trophies. He has it all; technique, intelligence and the right attitude. And makes Theo Walcott look good.
Young Player Of The Year Nominations
Junior Hoilett: No one has repaid Steve Kean’s faith in youth more than the Canadian winger and he with Yakubu almost scored them into another top-flight season. He at least is sure to stay in the Premier League, bringing his pace and dribbling to a side aiming for Europe and a worthy manager.
Tim Krul: Perhaps the goalkeeper of the season, while his shot-stopping and agility is typical of high-quality young goalkeepers, his assuredness and command is not. He and his defence could have fixed Newcastle United’s historic deficiency and unexpectedly made Newcastle United England’s fourth Champions League side.
Daniel Sturridge: He’s selfish, impatient and a little insecure. He makes mistakes, he is out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle him at his worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve him at his best.
Gylfi Sigurgsson: Slotted right in to an Swansea team halfway through an ambitious league insurgency, reducing their dependence on the Sinclair-Graham-Dyer trident to finish their passing moves and possibly pricing himself out of a permanent deal.
Kyle Walker:Right-back was a problem position for Spurs before his loan spell at Villa Park showed off his skills. Without letting them down in defence, his injections of pace and width helped make Spurs the most attractive side in the country. Before #Harryforengland that is.
Danny Welbeck: While Javier Hernandez’s outstanding goalscoring looked enough to make him first-choice striker this season, doubts always lingered over his footballing ability; enter Welbeck, whose all-roundedness and ability to engage in build-up play makes Manchester United look a more complete side and Rooney quietly a Premier League hotspot. Were he nearly as good a finisher as Hernandez there’d be no doubt about his place in England’s starting eleven.
Adebayor feeling the cold in Poland. Courtesy of Roger Gorączniak
Lee Harvey – Site Tea Boy and Supporter Of The West Ham Way
Player Of The Year Nominations
Robin Van Persie – Incredible season from the Dutchman. Arsenal will have him to thank if they do manage a top four position this season. If they are to have any chance of getting back to the challenging for Premier League titles they must keep him for next season with both Man City and Barcelona sniffing around.
Wayne Rooney – Key reason why Man Utd are currently sitting pretty top of the Premier League. His link up play is still one of the best in this league and England will miss him massively for the first two Euro 2012 games.
Joe Hart – England have finally found a replacement for David Seaman. Hart is the best keeper in the Premier League. Very good shot stopper.
Vincent Kompany – Rock at the back for City this season. When he’s been injured or suspended they’ve struggled.
Sergio Aguero – What a first season for Kun, can’t think of many players who have come from Spanish football and produced what he has in their first season.
Yohan Cabaye – Fantastic player who is easily Champions League quality. A bargain signing from Pards, showing why he’s my Premier League Manager of the Year.
Young Player Of The Year Nominations
Gareth Bale – He’s not even close to the likes of Messi or Ronaldo but he is a very good player. Another solid season for the Spurs winger.
Tim Krul – Brilliant goalkeeper who along with Ba, Cisse, Yohan Cabaye and Fabricio Coloccini has been a key reason for Newcastle challenging for a top four finish.
Kyle Walker – Really broken through this season. Incredible pace which reminds me of Ashley Cole when he first broke though. Could end up being England’s right back this summer.
Gylfi Sigurðsson – Only been here half a season but his signing in January pushed Swansea on. Scored some wonderful goals.
Wojciech Szczesny – Arsenal have been looking for a keeper for ages and they’ve finally found one.
Danny Welbeck – After a successful loan spell last season he’s finally got his chance at Man Utd and he’s taken it this year. Being Rooney’s main strike partner this season, he has stepped up to the plate and shown some of the raw talent that everyone knew he had.
Google+
