Jordan Cousins was the pick of the majority for this year's Player of the Year. He certainly managed a requisite number of appearances to be on the shortlist and as a former Young Player of the Year, I guess he had the pedigree for the main award.
For my money the Disabled Supporters Association got it right by making Johan Berg Gudmundsson their Player of the Year. Cousins got recognition from me playing in over 40 matches but for nearly half of those he was stuck on the wing where he was largely ineffective. That was Bob Peeters fault but it was painful to watch. Jordan's game is based on pace and energy but he doesn't know how to use that with an out-of-bounds line limiting his left-side. For me, Jordan hasn't yet got the maturity of speed-of-thought to make him the real deal. Too often he careers into space (left and right) but wastes possession either because he overruns the ball or because he fails to find a red shirt in space. He also doesn't carry enough goal threat. Three is a poor return from all those games.
JBG lit up the season with some absolute pearlers which made the difference between mid-table and a relegation dog-fight. JBG could walk into most Premier League sides today - not sure we can say the same thing about Jordan. With that in mind, I would also have voted Stephen Henderson above Jordan for his string of point-winning saves as he cemented his place at Number One.
For my money the Disabled Supporters Association got it right by making Johan Berg Gudmundsson their Player of the Year. Cousins got recognition from me playing in over 40 matches but for nearly half of those he was stuck on the wing where he was largely ineffective. That was Bob Peeters fault but it was painful to watch. Jordan's game is based on pace and energy but he doesn't know how to use that with an out-of-bounds line limiting his left-side. For me, Jordan hasn't yet got the maturity of speed-of-thought to make him the real deal. Too often he careers into space (left and right) but wastes possession either because he overruns the ball or because he fails to find a red shirt in space. He also doesn't carry enough goal threat. Three is a poor return from all those games.
JBG lit up the season with some absolute pearlers which made the difference between mid-table and a relegation dog-fight. JBG could walk into most Premier League sides today - not sure we can say the same thing about Jordan. With that in mind, I would also have voted Stephen Henderson above Jordan for his string of point-winning saves as he cemented his place at Number One.
Only the Young Player award was voted for by Valley Gold members. Jordan Cousins won by a free vote of all fans, collected over 2 home games. You may disagree with the decision of the people, but it seems that you may not have voted yourself!
ReplyDeleteAll a tad odd. I was approached by the usual clipboard baring individual asking for my vote for player of the year outside the West Stand a couple of games ago (cousins got my vote), so a little confused by the article on the website!
ReplyDeleteDave - it was the Young Player of the Year that went to Valley Gold members vote. Previously, the mangaer decided the winner. The POTY was a online or in person vote at the Fulham/Leeds games.
ReplyDeletePedro45
Thanks Gents. I mis-read the article on the Club page and have tidied my piece accordingly....I am getting increasingly cynical in my old age and must look less for the negatives....
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