Accolades for the Deserving and the Undeserving

It’s been the same way for years. At the end of the season the trophies and accolades are handed out to the winners, but what about everyone else who contributed to the previous nine months? What about the important goals, pivotal misses and failures that made the season what it was?

So here it is, the recognition that the also-rans deserve and also the recognition of some people don’t want to be acknowledged. It’s the 2009/10 season in awards.

Greatest Failure

This is a surprisingly difficult one. Three teams have been relegated from the top flight, but their departure should by no means be deemed as a failure. However, Manchester City’s failure to finish in the top four and qualify for next seasons Champions League is a massive blow for the oil rich club who had aspirations of world domination for the near future. The impact was clear to see in the aftermath of their defeat by Spurs as Mancini sat dejectedly on the sidelines with his head in his hands, possibly contemplating his future.

Despite this they are not my greatest failure, instead Liverpool are. Having finished second last time around, aspirations for the season were high, but it would be a season of great disappointment for Rafa Benitez and his side who struggled into seventh in the league. Perhaps even more humiliating was the fact that their European season was eclipsed by first timers Fulham, who made it all the way to the final.

Best own goal
Jay Lloyd Samuel – Bolton v Manchester United, Sunday 27th March 2010

The game was tied after half an hour, before a piece of clinical finishing would tip the balance in United’s favour. It wasn’t Rooney, Berbatov or Nani, but instead Bolton’s very own marksman Jay Lloyd Samuel. Ryan Giggs had swept down the left flank and curled a tempting ball into the box hoping to find Darren Fletcher at the back post, but instead Samuel met the ball and struck sweetly across Jussi Jaaskelainen and into the far corner.

Under no immediate pressure, it seemed that the defender would be able to calmly clear the danger, but instead he saw glory. Why isn’t this guy playing upfront? Whatever happened elsewhere on that day, I always had the joy of seeing a wonderfully taken own goal, which is one of the greatest guilty pleasures in football - as long as it doesn’t happen to your team.

Best Manager

This is an easy one. It’s Roy Hodgson.

Leading Fulham away from certain relegation and then into Europe the following season was an incredible achievement, but to then guide your team to the Europa League final is nothing short of remarkable.

The squad has changed little, but the attitude and application of the players is light years away from what Hodgson was greeted with upon his arrival. Fulham are comfortable on the ball and purposeful and possess a lethal striker in the form of Bobby Zamora, something which couldn’t have been said of him two seasons ago. Fulham have never before tasted such success in what has truly been a Roy-of-the-Rovers rags-to-riches story under the remarkable stewardship of Hodgson. Congratulations.

Best Goal

There have been many great goals this season. There were beautifully crafted team goals, exciting individual efforts and wonderful strikes of the ball.

There are many that could be crowned goal of the season and I could find myself agreeing with many other people’s suggestions for the accolade, but for my money it has to be Danny Rose’s strike for Spurs against bitter local rivals Arsenal in April.

It was an impressive strike, but it meant more than just another goal. Making his full debut Danny Rose couldn’t have found a better time to announce his presence in the Spurs team and he did so in emphatic fashion, as his side chased down fourth place and their first taste of Champions League football and to make the moment even sweeter, he did so against the old enemy – Arsenal.

The importance of the goal to Spurs fans was enormous and ensured that Danny Rose became a prominent name amongst football fans nationwide and not just amongst a die hard collective of Spurs followers.

ThreeMatchBan Special Award for Consistency

Some teams show flashes of brilliance in amongst a season of dire and disappointing games. Some teams fail to deliver when needed and fall at the final hurdle. Some teams though just get their head down and slowly plod their way through the season without causing any great waves.

Aston Villa finished sixth this season for the third time in succession, which is equally impressive and underwhelming. The team have certainly been consistent and shown great desire to remain in the European qualification places, as competition increases with every million spent by the newest oil sheikh in town.

Progression in the league hasn’t happened for Villa, but since the arrival of Martin O’Neill he has transformed them from a frustrating mid-table side into a frustrating sixth place team and he has done a wonderful job in doing so. Two great cup runs have a added a bit of excitement to the end of season run-in, but this pales in comparison to the quiet consistency that Villa have shown and this deserves recognition.

Posted By Dan Mobbs - Monday May 17, 2010.
Tags: Premier League