Ok, so it must be time for us to start considering our Saints Player of the Season.
I’ve intentionally not added a poll at this point, as whilst we’re into the closing stages of the season, that would possibly be a touch premature, anything could yet happen in our quest for another European Tour, and any one bit of individual heroics could yet sway your decision, and make you wish you could change your vote.
But we can sure get started in sharing our thoughts on who has consistently been making outstanding contributions over the course of the season so far.
So please have a good think, and let’s discuss who has been pulling up trees for the cause.
If you like, how about offering up your top three candidates to consider?
We can take a few weeks thinking time whilst a few more games play out, and then decide upon our final nominations. Then I’ll stick up the poll including every nominated player, and voting can commence.
For me, whilst there have been many excellent performances to choose from, my top three was pretty straight-forward to arrive at:
– 1). Shane Long:
What needs to be said? The man has been simply phenomenal. We are just not the same team in his absence.
– 2). Virgil van Dijk
What a beast! A leader who puts himself on the line. Arial dominance bordering on the absurd. He just doesn’t lose headers! Has been immense in his debut season. A real rock that we can build our house upon.
– 3). Steven Davis
Mr. energy. Mr. Determination. Mr. Never say die. His engine, workrate, desire, enthusiasm - is infectious; and (dare I say it? – oh alright, fuck it) – he is the real heartbeat of the team, making us tick.
I’d love to have included Oriol Romeu, but (not his fault) he just hasn’t played enough games, But I think he has been absolutely fantastic in the second half of the season.
And also Ryan Bertrand deserves an honourable mention. Mr dependable and Mr. adaptable at the back.
But these things must be whittled down, and that is my three.
Which Saints’ have impressed you the most this season?
Virgil van Dijk has been quite literally head and shoulders above everybody else since his arrival.
Damn and Blast Celtic for progressing in The CL, otherwise we’d have signe him earlier, and who knows where we might be sitting in the table now with a few extra points in the bag.
Maybe we should be looking at the other centre halfs in the Dutch squad, if VVD isn’t an automatic shoe in, they must be very good indeed!!
This season has been much more about the squad rather than individuals, but I think I’m right in saying VVD is the only player to have started every league game that he has been available for.
I desperately want to put some other name than Jack’s three into the mix, just for the sake of debate and discussion. But I can’t. Those three have stood out this season.
Agree with Jack also on Romeu. I think he’s been excellent, but hasn’t played enough to be in contention. He’s scored some important goals too. If Victor does leave then I think Oriol willl play a hell of a lot more games next season; I’m looking forward to see how his partnership with Clasie develops, as it looks massively promising to me. Clasie looks an excellent signing, and I think that with a good pre-season to work on his strength and stamina he’ll be a top player for us next season.
I’d put in a word for Forster, who’s been terrific after his return from a pretty horrible injury. Soares has impressed after a shaky start, Bertrand’s been consistently good, as of course has Fonte. Several other players have looked superb at times and ordinary (at best) at others - Wanyama, Mané, Tadic and Pellé spring to mind.
Van Djick. First time to watch him in the flesh yesterday to my great embarrassment. I k ow it wasn’t the best of matches to judge him or the stiffest of opposition but watching him he just oozes class. He reads the game so well.
Yeah, sorry to be boring but I’m going to go for VVD too. At the start of the season, we were all wondering which defensive midfielder would be filling Schneiderlin’s shoes, or not, as the worry actually was. Turns out that VVD would end up handling a lot of that, just not as a defensive midfielder. He’s brave, decent on the ball, good in the air, can take a free kick and has an eye for goal. Agree with Sussexsaint; it’s a class thing. I know we’ve got flashier players, but VVD seems quality all over the pitch.
Other notable mentions have to go to Shane Long, who put paid to any grumbles about last year’s price tag with this season’s performances. Hungry, quick and on his day, lethal. Isn’t afraid of the goal.
Like Fowllyd, I’ve got a lot of respect for Forster, and can only wonder at what might have been if he’d been available from the start. That said, Stek did a lot better than Davis did. Still think Fraser is vulnerable to certain types of shot. Doesn’t get into the bottom corners quickly enough for me, but a very good season which might have been even better.
It looks like VVD will be most people’s pick and I have to agree.
He has a tendency to be a little too casual when we are winning but I can forgive him that.
He has been an awesome signing. Five year contract. Signed for £13million. He’ll be with us next year.
That’s roughly the same signing on fee as Shane Long who has also been brilliant this season. Hope he can bag a few more goals on the run in and it’ll be "what a bargain!’ not WTF?
Clearly naively blinded by a nice touch, or recovery tackle ignoring the trouble he gets himself into by being so casual/constantly being out of position. But he waves his arms a lot and blames others when we concede, so it’s OK.
VVD has been pretty cool and Forster’s return was astonishing, but I might lean towards Long - he has given Pelle and Mane some lessons in where the goal is on occasions.
And it’s always more glamorous at that end of the park.
Like Fowllyd, I’ve got a lot of respect for Forster, and can only wonder at what might have been if he’d been available from the start. That said, Stek did a lot better than Davis did. Still think Fraser is vulnerable to certain types of shot. Doesn’t get into the bottom corners quickly enough for me, but a very good season which might have been even better.
Indeed. Frase has been (mostly) immense since his return, and had he not had anything to return from in the first place – and been in this kind of form all season – I’m sure he’d have been right up in most top three’s.
Though after a brilliant initial return – those clean sheets have dried up a bit of late. Not all Frase’s fault by any means, but that ‘invincibility factor’ he seemed to have on return from injury has not glimmered quite as brightly of late.
Though THAT save against Leicester – wow! Dipping at the most awkward of angles into the top right corner, not only did he somehow manage to reach it – but also had the strength to beat it out with his palm. Wait. That didn’t sound quite right.
Clearly naively blinded by a nice touch, or recovery tackle ignoring the trouble he gets himself into by being so casual/constantly being out of position. But he waves his arms a lot and blames others
You sure you’re not confusing him with Pelle mate?