It s that time of the year again where we at
Defensive Discussions decide on our Player of the Year awards. Once again a
defender was not shortlisted by the PFA for their award but Tottenham Hotspurs
Kyle Walker took the PFA ‘Young Player of the Year’ award. The England
international was even surprised, “"I
was a bit surprised because defenders don't normally get these awards and get
the limelight as much as the centre-forwards," he said. This is the
second year we at Defensive Discussions want to recognize the men in trenches
by handing out our very own awards:
Player
of the Year
Vincent Kompany
Fabricio Coloccini
Kyle Walker
 |
| A superstar amongst stars |
Martin Skrtel
Joelan Lescott
The Manchester City captain has become the rock and
leader of that multi million pound squad. It was no surprise that the blip the
Manchester club had in March coincided with the injury of their skipper. The
man is a presence back along with his partner Joelan Lescott, who has also had
a fantastic campaign. You couldn’t ask for anything more from your centre back he
is strong, quick, composed on the ball, and has that knack of sniffing out
danger. There was no doubt in my mind that the Belgium international was the
best defender of the 2011/12 season and may still add a Premier League medal to
top off his fantastic year.
Young
Player of the Year
Kyle Walker
Danny Simpson
Stephen Caulker
 |
| Whip!!!!!!!!! |
This was a close race but I had to go with the “PFA
Young Player of the Year”. The full backs form may have dipped in the same way
as his teams did but it does not take away the season the right back has had
this year. Along with his blinding speed and attacking prowess the boy is a
good defender which is very rare for the modern day attacking full back. Not
only does the opposing left back have to worry about the winger but this
Sheffield born full back bombing down his side too. Walker was rewarded by ex England
manager, Fabio Capello with an England call up against World and European
Champions, Spain. Although he came on as a substitute that day at Wembley,
three days later he made his full debut against Sweden. Going to the Ukraine
this summer is a realistic goal, especially if his current club manager, Harry
Redknapp is appointed as England’s next manager.
Full
Back of the Year
Kyle Walker
Leighton Baines
Danny Simpson
Jose Enrique
Micah Richards
Billy Jones
 |
| Another fantastic year for the scouse left back! |
I have already given my reasons in the “Young Player
of the Year” section to why this lad has been the best full back this year but
Danny Simpson and Leighton Baines were a close second. Simpson has been a
revelation this season helping Newcastle United to a lofty 4th in
the league and Champions League football a realistic goal. The performances
that stood out to me were the games against his former club, Manchester United.
He cleared two off the line at Old Trafford to help his side earn a draw and at
St James’s Park he repeated his epic performance with yet another goal line
clearance to beat the Champions on his birthday. Leighton Baines is 7 out of 10
every week at least. The man would have 40 caps for England if it wasn’t for
Ashley Cole. The local boy helped his side reach the FA Cup semi final which
saw them lose to bitter rivals, Liverpool but may help them finish higher in
the league. A dead cert to board that plane to Ukraine and I would have qualms
if he played over Ashley Cole.
Worst
Defender of the Year
Roger Johnson
 |
| Club captain....What a joke! |
I have seen this man play live on a few occasions
and mentioned in a previous article (name of article) that Premier League clubs
should look to buy the centre back from relegated Birmingham City.
Wolverhampton Wanderers was his destination this season and was quickly named
captain by Mick McCarthy. The reason I have chosen Johnson for this award is
not only performance based, because saying he has been poor this season is an
understatement but his attitude. Wolves had just sacked their manager, fighting
for their lives after a 5-0 beating from Fulham, and the fans thought things
couldn’t be any worse. They were wrong! Less than 24 hours later, Johnson
decided to turn up for training drunk after a night out the previous night. The
captain turning up intoxicated doesn’t show commitment to the cause, especially
when he was a major reason for their shortcomings. I couldn’t imagine what the
fans were thinking reading that the next day still trying to come to terms with
their side being humiliated the day before. The problems did not stop there,
his form never improved and in another loss, the club captain put his club in
the headlines for all the wrong reasons yet again. During another loss the
Molineux the Wolverhampton faithful saw Johnson square up to his own teammate,
Wayne Hennessey and they were not even losing at this point. It doesn’t stop
there, instead of fighting tooth and nail with relegation rivals Bolton, the
centre back looked to put no effort into stopping Kevin Davies from entering
his box and scoring to score the eventual winner. The man has been a complete
let down and after the defeat to Manchester City, Wolves will be playing in the
Championship next season. Will Johnson be there? Who knows but who would want
to buy a player after this showing this season.
Back
Four 2011/12
Right Back- Kyle Walker
Centre Back- Vincent Kompany
Centre Back- Fabricio Coloccini
Left Back- Leighton Baines
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