Drum roll please, here it is, the most eagerly anticipated end of season review out there. Welcome to part one of CollinsBeans end of season awards, as voted for by those who *think* they know what they are talking about
Premiership Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
The straightforward choice, but in a season of low quality overall, Ferguson managed to steer one of the weakest Manchester United sides in recent seasons to a record breaking title. The Scot once again demonstrated that he has an unrivalled knack of winning games at the right time, and putting together a vital run in the second half of the season.
Ferguson also showed his renowned ability to make big decisions by cutting out top scorer Dimitar Berbatov at the crunch stage of the season. Ferguson did his research and realised that Berbatov managed to score all his goals in about three home games against crap teams. Replacing him in the starting eleven with Javier Hernandez proved decisive.
Lots of praise he been heaped on Roy Hodgson, and his performance at West Brom was commendable, but a horrific spell at Liverpool where his key signings included Paul Konchesky and Christian Poulson, means he can’t possibly win this award.
An honourable mention does go to Ian Holloway though, not least for his entertaining press conferences and unique style. Getting a frankly woeful looking side on paper to within one game of Premiership survival, on a miniscule budget, was a fine effort. (James Platt)
Premiership Player: Luka Modric
We don’t want to repeat ourselves in any of the award categories here (heaven forbid) but it obviously stands to reason that CollinsBeans Player of the Year is going to also win the positional category for whatever area of the pitch he calls his own (aside from if Steven Gerrard was to win, given his reluctance to adhere to any position). The award is also handed over with the caveat that picking just one, stand out performer this season has also been a difficult task. However, that should not detract from the fact that this season little Luka Modric has sparkled in a modern game, too often dominated by muscle bound players, who’s primary attributes are physical rather than technical.
Modric confounded critics this season, playing through the middle, when it was argued he was too lightweight to have a considerable influence on his team and contributing heavily to Tottenham’s impressive European campaign. Sparkling with invention he was the team’s creative hub, attaining a high level in consistency. It is little wonder that he has been the subject of such transfer speculation this summer and you have to think that keeping hold of him is paramount if Tottenham don’t want their Champions League adventure to be a story with no sequel (Matthew Snelling).
Premiership Goalkeeper: Edwin Van der Sar
This was a very close call between Van der Sar and Petr Cech, but to ensure no accusations of personal bias, the Dutchman gets the award. Cech had a faultless campaign where he returned to his very best, commanding the penalty area and producing excellent shot stopping. But Van der Sar was pivotal in Manchester United’s title success and also produced an immaculate campaign.
At times previously, Van der Sar has been prone to the very occasional error or rush of blood, but this campaign he was a model of composure and self-assurance; just the kind of qualities you want from your goalkeeper. A very distinguished career ended with another league title to add to his large collection. (JP)
Premiership Defender: Nemanja Vidic
It’s often said that the successful teams are built from the back and as well as having the best goalkeeper this year, Manchester United also had within their ranks the best defender. In an age where fullbacks are basically now considered to be wingers and centre backs are lauded if they come forward to score a goal every now and then, Nemanja Vidic is refreshingly single minded on what he has been put on the pitch to accomplish; i.e. stop the opposition from putting the ball in his net.
The Serbian is a ‘defender’s defender’ and the master of the last ditch tackle and ‘throw your face at it’ block. With his primary partner, Mr Ferdinand more often than not missing from action Vidic has takne on the responsibility of marshalling a back four often containing youngsters still learning their trade (Rafael, Smalling) a player out of form this season (Evra) and one’s that are completely useless (Evans). He has been a leader all season and one of the few players to emerge from the humbling Champions League final defeat to Barcelona with his reputation still intact.
An honourable mention should also go to a defender on the blue side of Manchester, as Vincent Kompany’s calm and assured displays at the heart of Manchester City’s defence was crucial in FA Cup and Champions League qualification success.(MS)
Premiership Midfielder: Luka Modric
As these awards are dished out for the whole season, not just the first few months, the prize goes to Modric and not his teammate Gareth Bale.
Bale was sensational for several weeks but injuries and loss of form meant he was virtually anonymous once the Christmas turkey was done and dusted. Modric, however, maintained his form for the entire season and demonstrated what a class act he is. A real joy to watch, Modric combined lovely footwork and vision with a great workrate and willingness to help the side at all times. While Bale grabbed the headlines, in nearly of Tottenham’s successful European encounters it was Modric who set the tempo and dictated play.(JP)
Premiership Striker: Carlos Tevez
In the 21st Century where the deeper lying attacking players are now king and the modern forward centre forward contributes far more than tap ins on the six yard box thinking of that classic striker, who leads the line is actually fairly difficult. Gone are the days of the classic premiership era striker, Shearer, Fowler, Cole, Wright etc just in the team to score goals.
Players don’t tend to break the 30 mark anymore, modern strikers being required to be far more selfless, setting up chances for midfield players and sharing the goals around the whole team. With that in mind the award is going to go to a man in Carlos Tevez that gives you more than just goals (although there were quite a few of them along the way). The Argentinean is all action and non-stop running, a creator as well as taker of goals. His effort and commitment work as a first line of defence, a whirling dervish or intensity that never gives opposing players, attempting to stroll round the back a minute’s peace. In a fine season for Manchester City Tevez was at the creative heart of everything the club did, adding a cutting edge to Mancini’s often dour side.(MS)
Premiership Team of the Season:
GK: Edwin Van der Sar
An immaculate campaign and a fine way to end a very successful career. Van der Sar was faultless all season.
RB: Bacary Sagna
Not much competition for the right back slot, with no real stand-out candidates. Sagna has been one of the best around for a while though and in a season where the rest of Arsenal’s back four regularly went missing, Sagna was solid and always good going forward.
CB: Nemanja Vidic
Vidic had an excellent season, captaining Manchester United to a league title despite playing in a not particularly vintage side. Vidic was commanding and composed throughout.
CB: Vincent Kompany
Arguably the best defender in the league on current form. Kompany was superb all season, bringing cohesion and authority to a shaky looking Manchester City defence on paper. Carrying £24m Joleon Lescott all season can’t have been easy either…
LB: Leighton Baines
Baines had a fantastic campaign, defending well and utilising his excellent delivery from both set pieces and open play.
RM: Samir Nasri
Faded a little bit when Arsenal’s season came off the rails, but nonetheless Nasri was highly influential and scored some memorable goals. He looks like a really top player, capable of unlocking defences in a number of different ways.
CM: Scott Parker
Playing for a dismal West Ham side, Parker was immense, dragging his often hopeless colleagues forward at all times. It’s often easy for the big players at top clubs to shine, but it takes really quality to look like a great player in a poor team. That’s what Parker did.
CM: Luka Modric
A really classy player who was central to all of Tottenham’s successful Champions League results. Modric is a rare breed of midfielder with creativity and technique, but also a tremendous workrate and desire to help the team.
LM: David Silva
Gareth Bale was brilliant for four months, but Silva was consistent throughout the whole campaign. A great player, great to watch, who was so important to Manchester City’s FA Cup triumph and Champions League qualification.
ST: Peter Odemwingie
Like Parker, Odemwingie managed to look like a top performer in a not particularly brilliant team. 15 league goals was a superb effort and despite being liable to miss a couple of chances, Odemwingie was always trouble for opposition defenders.
ST: Javier Hernandez
Lots of plaudits have gone to Hernandez already, and it’s easy to see why. Great workrate and movement, and obviously an excellent finisher. Hernandez also scored goals at crucial points in big games, rather than ramming 5 past a woeful Blackburn at home…(JP)
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