It has been arguably our best season since…..’Oh last year’! Do you think Julian Speroni should make history again, becoming the first player to win the Club’s Player of the Year Award for the 5th time, in his testimonial year?
Looking at the current squad, player profile and match statistics I think this year’s award could go to one of many – offering a new young player the recognition they deserve in helping Palace’s survival in the tough second year of the Premier League. Here are the key runners and riders for the award:
Julian Speroni
He has always been the fans favourite and we all will sentimentally be voting for this legend, ensuring that he wins the trophy at least once more before he hangs up his gloves, whenever that may be. You can’t argue that he is not a worthy candidate for Player of the Year as he has stayed on form, ensuring the likes of the top clubs have not netted too many points from us – and thinking back to some of them tremendous saves – well WOW what a legend!
This is where the debate will begin – all of our players have helped Pulis, Warnock and now Sir Pardew get to an impressive 11th place in the league so who will win nominations, possibly beat our hero Speroni or take runners up place at the end of the 2014/15 season?
Mile Jedinak
How about our favourite bearded warrior and captain Mile Jedinak – I would imagine he is a close contender in the eyes of many. He won Player of the Year in the Eagles’ promotion campaign year, with his dynamic displays in centre midfield and his form has not diminished since then. Jedinak has averaged the most interceptions per game of any player in the top flight this season at 3.7 and has the fifth highest average rating – higher than David Silva and England international Harry Kane. This and with five goals to date, two assists and 10 shots all on target, and the fact that he makes more passes in a match than any other player on average, he surely cannot be ignored.
There is a BUT coming here however – Jedi’s international duties have seen him missing out on key games, giving James McArthur a play and the question was raised if he was truly missed? This is not a good question for a clubs’ captain and let’s hope that this, silly red cards and elbowing incidents haven’t cost him his deserved title.
James McArthur
Two goals and seven shots – all on target. McArthur has been a big hit since his arrival from Wigan in August. The midfielder started off slow but has since, with more game time grown in confidence. Alongside his confidence, the 27-year-old’s stamina and work ethic has shown through with his leadership role shining through in the absence of Jedinak.
Comparing him unfairly to the Eagles skipper – McArthur’s form is very different but there is no doubt that he naturally has leadership role on the pitch, which Jedinak lacks on occasion even as captain. He is always creating chances fro his teammates and has been a vital pawn in Palace’s recent success. I feel more is yet to come from the Glaswegian and would be cautious if we saw him peak too early.
Yannick Bolasie
Bolasie has been the most spoken about player across the media this season and I must agree, he has been very exciting to watch. Who would have thought that he would be able to make massive strides from where he was last season?
His dribbling ability makes him a weapon for Palace and his trickery has been exampled with every football pundit and football fan, praising and respecting the winger – of which is rightfully earnt. If Bolasie could only posses the ability to score the goals that Gayle has been producing this season, he would be in my eyes, the deserved winner for the Player of the Year award. However, his one goal this season hasn’t been enough.
This may seem unfair as he has managed to set his teammates up with six amazing assists alongside 13 out of 15 shots going on target. He has been invaluable for the Eagles this season and if the manages to scoop up the top prize, I won’t argue with that.
Jason Puncheon
Puncheon is another player that has improved tenfold under the reign of Alan Pardew and is a valued team member as he has the ability to play as a winger and recently centrally, which is working wonders. I have always said – football is about opinions and not only statistics.
In my view, Puncheon has undoubtedly grown as a player, but he can still be lazy with the ball and misplaces key passes that could have potentially created an opportunity. Looking at the statistics this season – three goals, seven assists, 1 shots with 13 on target, some readers will be screaming at me to see sense.
Although he won’t be getting my vote this season, he deserves to be mentioned and is certainly in the running for this award.
Scott Dann
At center back this season, Scott Dann has been ever present. A player that missed out on an England call-up recently after form which shown that he was deserving of it
There has been no defender more ever present for his side this season for the Eagles than Scott Dann. The center back missed out on an England call-up recently, after showing form that was undeniably worthy of it and that is partly down to Pardew who has got the defender performing higher than his best. He has come quite a distance since joining Crystal Palace, scoring four goals and created two in that period – he is a credit to the team and has performed admirably on a weekly basis.
If I had to choose between him and Joel Ward as a runner up to this year’s Player of the Year award it would have to be Dann as he has had a brilliant season and shown the ability to score vital goals, making him a defender with a unique selling point.
Joel Ward
The runner up to Speroni last season was Joel Ward. Wardy has made the most appearances in the squad this season and is the most consistent, meaning he often misses the praise that he deserves.
Joel Ward who recently scored his first goal in red and blue against QPR could be in the running and will unquestionably win a large amount of votes from loyal fans. Behind Scott Dann, Ward was missed from being called up to the England squad in recent international breaks, but the fact he was in the running proves his worth to the Eagles; it also shows how far he has come as an individual.
Dwight Gayle
I couldn’t go through this piece without mentioning Dwight Gayle; he won’t be a strong contender this year but with ten goals in five league and five cup games – he has to be credited.
The young striker has a huge ability as a goal scorer but has lacked consistency in other skills on the pitch, seeing him pushed down the pecking order with more recently Glenn Murray getting called up ahead of the former Peterborough player. Pardew must see this in training as Gayle cannot make it into the first team – which unfortunately is the same case when you consider the last three manager, asking the question – is there an issue that we’re not seeing the full picture of?
In the Premier League, we are going to see players with greater qualities being bought by the club and unless Gayle steps up significantly in his game time is only going to be reduced.
It sounds like every vote will count this season at the Player of the Year awards with a number of players coming out of their shell since the arrival of Alan Pardew in a climb similar to last season under Tony Pulis last season. I for one am anxious to see who will be crowned the winner at the end of the season.
