POTY (Minus Fleck and Sharp)

[Slim Man]

Since those two (quite rightfully...) are dominating any polls, I'm interested to see who people think has been the best after those. I'd EXPECT a huge mixed bag, since it could be one of about 8 or 9...

Putting my head on the block and saying JO'C. As good as all the others have been, and they have been superb, O'Connell has improved immensely as the season has gone on, and he's a player we can build our team round for the next decade. He's that good. I'm excited to watch him next season and I'd be very surprised if he isn't our next captain (provided he's still here).

Vote away. Not included anyone signed since January, or those who haven't played a considerable amount of games throughout the season.

 

[Ricky]

Very very hard choice!

I've gone for Basham. In the team all season, consistent, passionate and a real driving force. Key to the flexibility which has won us so many points, and extremely good January onwards, I'd even suggest the best player in the division in 2017.

 

[Jesus_was_a_Blade]

My head says Freeman, but my heart says Jake Wright.... Wright it is

 

[Pinchy]

Goal Machine K.

Doesn't that sound like a wrapper or hippity-hopping, housey-horsey, double-garage type name?...

 

[Minty]

Gone for Freeman but could quite easily gone for Coutts or Bash.

Moore deserves a mention, not because I think he has quite been good enough to win any POTY award, but because simply having him in the starting line up instead of Long literally steadied us up at the back and breathed a new confidence into the entire squad, which at that time was obviously much needed!

 

[Tunstall Fred]

Duffy,but why no Lavery on the list?

 

[Jon P]

Simon Moore - the confidence he has breathed into the lads in front of him is invaluable

 

[JordoBlade]

Very hard choice. A lot will probably go for Freeman with his goal tally or Coutts for being an absolute gem in midfield. But we also have Basham who goes unnoticed at times for what he does, Jake Wright for his solid defensive displays and still unbeaten and you could also throw in Duffy who's had some absolutely magnificent games for us. I really can't choose.

 

[JordoBlade]

Also as a side note how amazing is it that these choices are so hard for the right reasons. Feels absolutely amazing to be a Blade right now. All those years of misery have just vanished for me. UTB

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

Whoever fucked Hammond off.

 

[him behind you]

Can't help but say Coutts. At the end of the Clough season and all through Adkins' time he was, as far as I was concerned, among the worst signings we'd ever made. Technically he looked like he had something on the (very) odd occasion and was a lazy waste of time. He had no bigger critic than me but what Wilder has done to turn him into the player that I think actually makes us play is just unbelievable.

 

[Slim Man]

Duffy,but why no Lavery on the list?

Don't know why Lavery should be. I like him but he's not had nearly the impact the others have. Fairly sure he wouldn't get a vote.

 

[Wooden House]

Coutts for me, just because he's a joy to watch and when we play well he is at the heart of everything.

Freeman, Bash and JoC and Wrighty deserve huge credit too, as do them all

 

[coaxingstar71]

In the end I went with O'Connell because he's been my favourite player since we signed him, he's improved and gained more confidence as the season has unfolded and I believe he will be one of our most important players next season. I like him because he does all the usual stuff you expect from your defender like winning tackles and headers but he can also play, has got decent pace, decent crosser and he's weighed in with a few goals too.

I wish I could have voted for Freeman, Coutts, Duffy, Moore, Wright and Basham too but all for different reasons.

Freeman - a revelation since coming back into the side. His knack of being in the box in the right place at the right time is uncanny. The other thing is that when he gets a chance, he rarely misses. Still have doubts about his defending but hard to criticise because he's almost playing as a winger.

Coutts - I always knew there was a player in there but he needs people around him that want the ball. Made an obvious difference when he came on v Southend at start of season and has never looked back since. Along with Fleck, is largely responsible for our excellent ball retention. He just keeps recycling the ball and has surprisingly quick feet. I'd like to see him make a few more surges into box with the ball as I think he'd be good at it and he'd score more and probably win a few penalties.

Duffy - His form has dropped off a bit since he got that injury and I don't think he's 100% but what I like is that he's always available. Some things come off and some don't, but he keeps trying things and when they do come off, we score goals.

Moore - might not be the best technical keeper but his main strength that was missing from Long is the communication. You can hear him all round the ground.

Wright - if he'd played more games, then he might be a serious contender, but you can't argue with his record of never having been involved in a defeat. No pace, not particularly strong but reads the game well and more importantly, organises the defence around him. It will be interesting to see what part, if any, he plays next season.

Basham - have to admit I didn't think he warranted a place in the side, but since the New Year, he'd be the first name on the sheet. Some really strong performances, determined and not afraid now to come forward with the ball. Also a model professional.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Simon Moore - the confidence he has breathed into the lads in front of him is invaluable

he's not had many low shots to save in recent weeks

This is always a weird one, Billy gets the plaudits but without the others....

Would Fleck have had the same impact without Coutts and why is Fleck getting more credit than Coutts ? Without the strong defence etc etc

Team effort and that's why we are where we are this season but for me, the partnership of Coutts and Fleck is the difference.

 

[SHOREHAMST.com]

Was between Freeman and Duffy but I just think Duffy has made an immeasurable difference to our midfield.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Several players deserve special praise.

Simon Moore: Came in early in the season and instantly brought calmness to the defense. He's a decent consistent keeper BUT the thing I noticed about him was he's so vocal. He shouts at the defence dishing out instructions where the danger is. Our form improved as soon as he joined us.

EEL: Now almost the forgotten man because we can cope without him BUT he played a big role in starting our great run. All the other clubs knew we had a weakness dealing with crosses. EEL was our rock in defense.

Freeman and Coutts: Both out of contract about to leave the club and not wanted.
Thy didn't sulk, they worked hard in training and forced Wilder to change his mind. Impressive stuff.

Duffy: Don't know how or why he's been a lower league journeyman all his career but at times this guy is pure class. So good on the ball, great dribbler with an eye for a great pass, it's his shooting and scoring that let's him down. A real joy to watch though.

MY VOTE though is for someone that epitomises the spirit of Wilder.
Never really rated him in the past but he not only gives 100%, plays loads of positions but this season has towards the end of the season been surprisingly good. So my vote would be to Mr Versitility CHRIS BASHAM.
Don't think he'll be good enough for the Championship but I've learnt not to write him off and it wouldn't surprise me if he performs well at Championship level and I never thought in a million years I would say that.

 

[Dnblade]

It all starts with Coutts for me,the heartbeat of the team...or do I mean the pulse.
Can't argue with Billy getting the overall vote,and Fleck running him close,but Coutts is up there with them,and any other season Freeman would have won it.

 

[SteveH]

Jake Wright (just). So far unbeaten & made a real difference since introduced. Just waiting for his first goal now!

 

[BigBed]

Bashman, cant choose between Bash or Freeman, so I'm going for both fuck it.

 

[wizadry]

he's not had many low shots to save in recent weeks

This is always a weird one, Billy gets the plaudits but without the others....

Would Fleck have had the same impact without Coutts and why is Fleck getting more credit than Coutts ? Without the strong defence etc etc

Team effort and that's why we are where we are this season but for me, the partnership of Coutts and Fleck is the difference.

Coutts has played very well this season but Fleck has played better and he has given his all from day one for our club. That's why I personally think Fleck should get more credit than Coutts.

Just to stress though, Coutts has played a major part this season and that's coming from someone who wrote the lazy cunt off after initially praising his signing in the first place.

 

[Sheff de party]

Funny really isn't it. Depends on criteria. Basham deserves it for sheer effort to propel himself to the level he's reached, Freeman has been most improved by a mile with a frankly ridiculous goal rally from out there. I tend to go for the player that's at the highest level in player for the year votes though and for me that's Coutts. He has kept us ticking over extremely well and his first touch is unbelievable at this level. Duffy up there as well for his skill and threat, though not quite as consistent.

 

[BanbridgeBlade]

Freeman, ridiculous he wasn't in the team of the year ahead of the lad from Fleetwood!!!

 

[lingsbord]

I've gone for the Kaiser

Bashambauer just edges out Freeman, Duffy, Coutts and O'Connell for me.

We'll miss him when the Germans call him up for the next International weekend.

 

[lazyfecklessblade]

Could be any one of those, which is the best thing about this season.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Pretty much impossible to choose. So many consistently excellent performers over the course of the season, and a fair few who've just got better & better as the season's gone on (honourable mentions: Jack O'Connell and Chris Basham).

But, IMO, Duffy edges it. Just that, from the very start he set the agenda in terms of bravery. And whether he's played well (which he has most of the time) or whether he's played poorly (as you inevitably will from time to time if you see a lot of the ball & try to be creative), he's never once hid, he's always tried to make things happen, and he's always put a shift in. Been an absolute joy to watch, as have SUFC generally.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Like people have said, tough choice for all the right reasons. There are a few not mentioned that, whilst not contenders, deserve a mention for the part that they have played during the season, and who in all likelihood will be moving on, Scougs in particular. I know that there is no room for sentiment in football if the club is to progress, but they have also given their all and, been part and parcel of this fantastic season. I wish them all well and future success .

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Too many players could potentially get my vote and for different reasons.in the end i went for Freeman.

 

[cahill]

Freeman

 

[Tray]

Love looking at threads like this, just reminds me of the impact most of our players have had this season:

Moore comes in after a few games and somehow hasn't lost his voice yet. Constantly talking to his back 4, making shouts, claiming the ball from crosses and corners. Something we've been lacking for years now.

EEL may have dropped off towards the end, but really helped galvanise the crowd, scored some really important goals and played above his own ability IMO.

Basham showed us all what he is capable of in the second half of the season; both in defence and midfield. Some of our stronger performances in the back end of the season have been when Basham has moved into the middle (either pre-game or during).

Freeman was my vote. We seem to have always had gifted right backs (McMahon excluded) and Freeman is no exception. The number of goals he has scored has been exceptional. Now if Brayford does come back, then we have strength and depth there for next season, but Freeman has to stay as first choice for me next season.

Jake Wright to keep his unbeaten record all season so far in unheard of! An organiser and a leader.

Lafferty can be really solid a lot of the time, but does seem to struggle defending against tricky players. He gets himself into great attacking positions, unfortunately can't hit a cows arse with a banjo (apart from that one time)! But when he's not been in the side we have missed him.

I remember seeing Jack O'Connell when he first signed and thinking we have a player here. He did seem to drop off a bit, but has finished the season solid as ever.

Duffy is a strange one for me. He has got so much talent, but can't seem to play for 90 minutes. Not sure if that's fitness or just Wilder wanting to change things up. Probably a reason he's not played consistently at a higher level, but would liek to see him given a shot to prove he can do it. Exciting when at his best.

Coutts another revelation after last season. We were saying that he was lazy and uninterested last season, but he certainly had ability. Shows what a bit of elbow grease can give you. One of the first names on the team sheet for me.

We have so many players willing to lead, its been a huge contrast to last season where Billy had to do all the captain role along with motivation with no help from the others or the management team. I think his captaincy this year has been helped by the fact that Moore, the central defence and Fleck and Coutts seem to be able to help organise the defence and midfield, taking some of the weight off Billy's shoulders.

What a season, bring on the Championship! UTB