Planet Swans ArchivesBut it’s important not to overlook the efforts of others. There’s no doubt that he’s been in sterling form in the last couple of months, but he’s not the only one. It’s sometimes easy to forget that we’re far from a one-man team.
This year, five other players have really stood out for me.
Leon Britton – Despite Trundles input, Little Leon has been my player of the year so far. It seems like a long way from the summer period when we were unsure whether he’d actually choose to stay at the club. His struggle over the preceding two years to hit the heights he scaled in his initial loan deal must have given him serious food for thought. He chose to stay, and his barnstorming raids down the right hand side have been a major factor in our success. He’s started scoring goals, added a lot more end product to his game, and the interplay between him and the next two standouts has been an absolute joy to watch at times this year. Add all this on top of a workrate that makes Adrian Forbes look slovenly and another, longer contract surely can’t be far away?
If only he could shoot.
Roberto Martinez – I didn’t think Roberto played anywhere near as well as he could do last year, and I make no apologies for it. I thought he would be a passenger at this level, and a wage better spent elsewhere. I was wrong. This season, he has been outstanding. Not only has his passing been accurate and incisive, he’s also added a lot more attacking prowess to his game. Compare his solitary assist last time around to the two goals and four assists already this year. His influence on the side cannot be overstated. With stories abounding of him wanting to end his career at the club, the events of early last season look unlikely to ever be repeated. Scored an early favourite for goal of the season against Forest too.
Alan Tate – If there were an award for most improved player, then Beaker might as well start clearing some space on his mantelpiece now. From undeniably talented but frustratingly error-prone centre half to classy attacking right back in the space of one pre-season. Kenny has worked miracles on Tatey’s game, and to his immense credit the player has responded in style. He’s still prone to the odd blip, but anyone capable of passes like the 60 yard cross-field ball he played on Saturday should have a big future here. And as I mentioned earlier, the link up play between him, Leon and Roberto has been excellent.
Adebayo Akinfenwa – You knew this was coming ;). It’s no secret that I am a massive admirer of the big guy, and it does surprise me that there are still those who remain unconvinced about what he brings to the party. Personally, I think Lee Trundle owes an awful lot to Bayo this year. Not only has he taken some of the pressure off him in terms of attention from defenders, he’s also chipped in with a very handy seven goals so far of his own, and has been responsible for directly creating more than any other player. Obviously strong, he has superb touch, rapidly improving pace, and good awareness of those around him. In my opinion he is quite possibly the perfect partner for Magic Daps, and we miss him when he’s not there.
Kevin Austin – It was a tough choice between Izzy and the Doorman for my final pick, but what swung it for me was the surpassing of expectations we’ve seen from Big Kev. I (and many others) thought he would be another Matt Bound. Solid enough at League Two level, but ultimately found wanting against the better forwards higher up. He’s proved us all wrong. His reading of the game has been uncanny at times, and many pacy strikers have found themselves on their arses as he’s nipped in with a perfectly timed challenge to dispossess them. He’s also remained a strong competitor when the high balls start flying in.
So Trundle may have stolen the limelight, but the performances of these five players have undoubtedly given him the confidence to let loose and take the divisions defences apart. With sterling support also from the likes of Izzy Iriekpen, Kevin McLeod and Andy Robinson, there’s no telling how far we can go.
