The end of the season is
upon us and once again we are met with the all too familiar taste of
disappointment and the frustration of what could, and possibly should, have
been. Now, while this may be a difficult task after another miserably droll
season for the second time in three: it is time to designate some awards to the
best of a bad bunch.
Goal Of The Season:
Seb Bassong V Liverpool
(H) 4-4 '92
A game that quite
possibly defined our season: when Seb's sweet strike flew from his improbable
left boot into the bottom right corner of Mignolet's already battered goal, it
appeared we had saved the game and spared our blushes; and with that, Carrow
Road erupted.
Given the situation it
was scored in, how brilliant a strike it was and from such an unusual source,
it was by far the most enjoyable goal of my season. Seb may have struggled at
points this season but it can't be denied; when a clumsy left boot delivers
such a sublime goal that truly raises the roof, it has to be applauded: even if
his mistakes are one of many reasons the Championship welcomes us back next year.
Moment Of The Season:
Martin Olsson Newcastle
United (H) 3-2 '93
Another left footed fluke
from a sometimes error prone defender, Martin Olsson's left footed pile driver
was by far the moment of the season. In the dying embers of a game we appeared
to have thrown away, at home, again, Martin popped up to unleash a much needed
thunderbolt into the bottom right corner. Dubbed a "must win" the
tension inside Carrow Road was building as we waited for the final whistle and
echoes of Geordie taunts, at having thrown away another 3 points at Carrow
Road. Yet the strike came, it was sweet and the jubilation even sweeter as the
tears streamed down the faces of the Magpies, it truly was one for sorrow. But
from a canary’s point of view it was an electric moment.
Player Of The Season:
Gary O’Neil
While this may cause some
controversy with opinion on the veteran midfielder being truly split amongst
fans, I feel that Gary is worthy of the accolade, however in a relegation
season is it really worth winning? While Gary has had his faults in a season
laden with Norwich City mistakes, Stoke away for example. It should always be
remembered that Gary O’Neil was not on anyone’s mind to be a regular fixture in
our Premier League season, yet took his opportunity with both hands. His
passing at times this season was immense and his tough tackling, never say die
leadership on the pitch was something we have sorely missed since the sale of
Grant Holt. While he may not be the most fashionable footballer, in my opinion
he was our best on a regular basis. Gary O’Neil: Player of the Season.
Most Improved player:
Martin Olsson
I haven’t always been a
fan of the Swede and while it was muttered that he was on his way out of Carrow
Road, I can’t say I’d have been too disappointed. I’ve never found him to be
too reassuring at the back the same as the rest of our defence, but going
forward he is undeniably a threat, if he suckers up enough courage to venture
into enemy territory. However I spent the best part of the season believing
Brady to be a better Left Back than Martin, until he returned from his injury.
Towards the end of the season he seemed to have a new found confidence, more
than likely received from his Newcastle winner, and at times in the final act
of the Canary season, he looked like the player he has always been hyped up to
be.
Biggest Flop:
Cameron Jerome
While it breaks my heart
to say it about the first NCFC player to score at Wembley, he has been woeful
this term. It was evident he wouldn’t knock in as similar tally to his
Championship record, but the opportunities he squandered in the 14-15 campaign
were a looming sign of things to come. Unfortunately for Cameron the chances he
were presented with over the course of a game didn’t recede that much, but the
goals dried quickly and he has hauled in a miserable 3 for the season. A hatful
of crucial chances in crucial games for Cameron just can’t be papered over
anymore and his season has been doomed to calamity ever since the OHK V Palace
was ruled out. Sorry Cam.
Signing of the Season:
Robbie Brady
He ventured closer to
Norwich airport as the season went on which unfortunately resulted in a rather
non-existent last few games since he scored at the Hawthorns. While he may not
have scored as many as we would have hoped, his chance creation was immense and
he was undoubtedly the best option we had in multiple positions at times this
season. Commanding the same price tag as the likes of Bradley Johnson, Lewis
Grabban and Steven Naismith says it all about the man. Robbie is definitely
Signing of the Season.
Win of the Season:
Man United (A) 1-2
I decided on this game
for two reasons: firstly we never win at Old Trafford and is probably the
biggest scalp of our torrid season; and secondly because I’m bored of talking
about either Liverpool or Newcastle at home. We showed in that game something
we lacked for the rest of the season, solidity in defence and clinical
finishing upfront. Plus winning against Man United is always entertaining and
the result did enough for some of our more optimistic supporters to believe we
would stay up.
Team Of The Season:
4-2-3-1
GK: Ruddy- Neither GK was
any good, Rudd was too indecisive and scared of making key decisions, and John
was only willing to show his dominant, aggressive side on Prince of Wales Road.
John just because he played more games and therefore more clean sheets.
RB: Pinto- Ivo was dire
when he first signed but did have a good last few games when he got more
confidence and was even my MOTM V Man Utd; another who was just best of a bad
bunch.
CB: Bennett- Always
pretty reliable and didn’t make too many mistakes, I rate Ryan Bennett and
believe he could be a quality centre half for us for a few years to come.
CB: Klose- He didn’t woo
me straight away and I did question some of the hype until we played Man City,
his injury could well have been the straw that broke the relegation camel’s
back.
LB: Olsson- Most improved
player should make the XI.
CDM: Howson- He had a shaky
start to the season but as it wore on became his consistent self. Future NCFC
captain in my eyes.
CDM: O’Neil- Player of
the season also has to be in the XI.
RM: Redmond- As much as
he frustrates me and I do wonder why he plays sometimes, at other times this season
he has shown glimpses of his potential, plus he’s the only out and out RM we
have.
CAM: Hoolahan- Wes is our
best player still. This is good and bad for us but once again he has showed his
worth to us by being our top assist maker; we only one once this season without
him in the starting XI.
LM: Brady- Signing of the
season.
ST: Mbokani- It’s a shame
Mbokani’s spell here ended the way it did. Joint top goal scorer with 6 is
nothing to write to Ukraine about, but the top scoring striker should be up there.
Luke Keeler
