Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: unclefabio on March 17, 2013, 12:05:29 AM
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The good news is that, unlike last year, some of our players have done well this season!
A quick summary of the main candidates:
Benteke - The best striker Villa have had in recent memory. 13 league goals in 27 games (more than double the amount of our second top scorer) and all of them were important goals. A beast in the air, an excellent finisher and our most exciting player by a distance. If you were feeling adventurous, you might even say that he's a bit of an upgrade from Emile Heskey. There is a good chance that we'd be bottom of the league without him. He gets my vote.
Guzan - Possibly the most underrated player in the league. A consistent performer; he makes very few mistakes and has pulled off outstanding saves in practically every game this season. He's also much better at commanding the defence than Given is. Much like Benteke, you could argue that we'd already be relegated without him.
Westwood - Integral to the style of play which Lambert is trying to implement. He always wants the ball and very rarely loses possession. He's also capable of making a defence-splitting pass. After the last several seasons, it is nice to have a midfielder who doesn't constantly give the ball away.
Weimann - Scored some very important goals. Has probably been a bit too inconsistent to win the main award ahead of Benteke or Guzan, but I'd certainly vote for him as young player of the season. Hopefully he signs a new contract soon.
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I voted for the Belgian bloke.ﹰ
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As superb as Guzan has been he is still a component of one of the worst Villa defences of all time. He's kept us in games and like today won us some. But Benteke has been astonishing. Without his goals we'd be utterly done, and he has given us, in what has been at times a thoroughly miserable experince this season so much to cling on to and root for. We've needed a new hero and Benteke is it. A brilliant signing he's made Weimann, Zog and Gabby better and in his first season against PL defenders an outstanding first season closing in on 20 goals.
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Benteke for me. Can't remember a signing having such an immediate influence. Probably our best value for money signing in recent history, only Ashley comes close really but it took him a while to become a very good player of significant value, Benteke is there already. It will be a massive shame if he goes, but at least we will get a fortune for him. Weimann is the most significant youth team find though. 10 goals playing all over the place in a struggling side is brilliant for his breakthrough season and he's a proper finisher. Takes all the pressure off gabby when we have those two. Curtains for Bent I think.
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I might wait until we are definitely safe to vote.
That said, it does kind of reinforce what I tried to say in the '26 passes' thread. This season has shown a lot of promise and despite finding ourselves deep in the doo doo we should remember that we had absolutely nothing to be positive about this time last year as the life was sucked out of the club.
This year we have seen lots of positives and enough hope (if we can stay up), that next season will see us climb again.
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I imagine that Benteke will win player of the season, but Guzan will win the terrace award. Or vice-versa.
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Both Brad and the Beast are joint winners - so far. Gabby will be up there come May.
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Benteke will win this by a long way, he's the best player we've had at the club for years.
I do want to see Weimann get the plaudits he deserves though, he's been superb this year and is the perfect foil for Benteke.
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I think it shows how good an eye Lambert does have for a player. Benteke has been incredible though, and for all Bent did the season he came in and saved us, over a full season he is the best forward we have had since Yorke. Must be worth 30 million too us now.
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Ask me in May.
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Senior: Benteke
Young: Weimann
Clubman: Guzan
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Guzan for me.
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I'm genuinely shocked at the current results. Without Benteke, we would be down already. I really don't think you can say the same about Guzan, however consistent he's been this year.
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If it wasnt for Guzan, our shockingly bad goal difference would be even worse; if it wasnt for Benteke, we wouldnt have scored as many goals. In any other season Benteke would have won this by a clear margin, but in a season where our defence has been embarrassingly bad, its fair to say that Guzans saves have kept us in games which we should have been dead and buried. In those games where Benteke has contributed by scoring or setting up the winning or equalising goal, its also fair to say that Guzan would have made 3 or 4 match saving saves.
Without Benteke, we would be down already. I really don't think you can say the same about Guzan, however consistent he's been this year.
You can actually say that about Guzan though and he's also been more consistent than Benteke. He has been a revelation this season, and given that he's still learning his trade, if we can keep hold of him then Benteke will have many Player of the Season awards ahead of him...but this year, its got to Brad.
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This is all too subjective. Guzan has had mediocre games this season, as, I'll readily admit, has benteke. I just find it difficult to look past someone who has been responsible for an obscene proportion of all our goals.
The other thing to ask is, barring the odd game, how many saves did guzan make that you wouldn't expect a premiership-standard keeper to make? And i like brad, btw, he's undoubtedly had great games for us.
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I'd be shocked if Benteke didn't win PFA Young Player of the Year
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This is all too subjective. Guzan has had mediocre games this season, as, I'll readily admit, has benteke. I just find it difficult to look past someone who has been responsible for an obscene proportion of all our goals.
The other thing to ask is, barring the odd game, how many saves did guzan make that you wouldn't expect a premiership-standard keeper to make? And i like brad, btw, he's undoubtedly had great games for us.
I think the poll actually may actually favour towards Brad because he has made so many saves that have kept us in games and a number of those that other PL keepers may not have made. Theres a genuine case for him being the best PL keeper this season.
How many chances has Benteke missed that other PL strikers would have scored? He has been essential for us this season but we'd be in the cup final if he hadnt missed so many chances against Bradford and arguably a few points better off if he'd put a few more away in the league.
Comparing a keeper to a striker is a pointless task anyway...let is be said that they have both been excellent for us this season.
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Without Guzan we would already be relegated, rock bottom of the league.
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Guzan - superb week in ,week out
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Guzan for me shades it from benteke- but both have been superb.
Weimann and Westwood also have had good seasons .
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Guzan player, Benteke young player but I've got to say weimann has been outstanding
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Guzan.
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I'm the only one who has voted for Westwood. He hasn't been spectacular by any stretch but to just come in from Crewe and be THE integral midfielder for us, the guy who nits it altogether, is astonishing. I think he has a huge future ahead of him.
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Benteke by a mile.
He will join Platt, McGrath and Yorke as one of the genuine world class players we have had over the past twenty five years.
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I'm the only one who has voted for Westwood. He hasn't been spectacular by any stretch but to just come in from Crewe and be THE integral midfielder for us, the guy who nits it altogether, is astonishing. I think he has a huge future ahead of him.
He got 97% pass success rate yesterday.
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Benteke by a mile.
He will join Platt, McGrath and Yorke as one of the genuine world class players we have had over the past twenty five years.
Maybe Laursen too?
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Nobody reckons the 2012 winner will be retaining the award then ?
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Nobody reckons the 2012 winner will be retaining the award then ?
I wouldn't put any money on it.
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Another vote for Guzan from me. Closely followed by weimann. Guzan has been brilliant this season. So many great saves. Seems to organise and talk to the defence. Isn't afraid to come for crosses. He's full of confidence and on top of his game.
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Brad for me - he has performed superbly with a stuttering, absent defence in from of him. He has also shown a level of emotion that seems to be transferring itself through to the rest of the team.
Benteke is a great prospect and if (if!) he stays will become a legend.
Weimman could be the basis of our attacke for years to come and will be even better of we can find a wide player.
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I'd be shocked if Benteke didn't win PFA Young Player of the Year
On goals he's great, which is what a strikers all about.
However, some of his general play is poor. Suggestions of him going to Chelsea etc. are somewhat misfounded. He's still clearly learning, which is good and I hope we keep him and he goes on to become a very good player, which at the moment I don't think he is.
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I was going to vote Benteke for the obvious reasons, then saw Guzan's name and thought I'd give him some support. I was pleasantly suprised that he was leading. Well done H+V for seeing past the obvious.
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Stephen Ireland again for me.
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Benteke for me
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Ireland's contributions have indeed been pivotal to our recent upturn in form
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Benteke. He's been brilliant. It's not just the goals, but more so it's been the amount of times he's got goals out of nothing when otherwise the rest of the team were struggling to create chances. We've lacked a player who can do that for a while now. Carew on his day could make something happen from nothing, but Benteke more so, and it helps that he, unlike big John, plays every game. He's definitely a bright spark in a mostly very ordinary side. Reminds me of Merson under the Gregory days. We were quite workmanlike. Didn't score many, but Merson had the ability to do something extraordinary to either score or make a goal, and also entertain the crowd.
Such a difference picking a poty this year compared to the last two seasons though. Ireland won it last year despite being very average. Downing the year before, who was nothing more than a 7/10. Bent would have pushed him close for half a seasons work, but in truth, all you get from Bent is goals.
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Guzan
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Voted for Benteke but it pains me not to vote for Guzan - he's been fantastic in almost every game I can remember. Can't they have a joint award?
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Ireland's contributions have indeed been pivotal to our recent upturn in form
I was going to mention this. Have you noticed how much better we've been since he's been dropped?
Anyway bearing in mind his age and that it's his first season in the Prem, Benteke has been superb but i'll give it Guzan.
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I think Benteke is going to be a great striker (hopefully with Villa) and he's had an excellent first season but you can see he's still learning. Yesterday he was one of our poorest performers despite getting the winner.
I think Weimann is definitely the fans' favourite, gives everything, come through the ranks and is going to be a top player too. I think he could easily play for the likes of United but he's flying somewhat under the national media radar.
My vote has to go for Guzan, he's been top class all season. Yesterday's save was one of the finest I've seen in a long time. Add to that he's a fighter in an often soft team and where he was in the summer and he's the clear choice for me.
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Little bit unfair on Benteke to post this the day after a game in which Guzan had such a brilliant game. Guzan's been excellent for a lot of the season but I think it should be Benteke. Without him we'd be relegated already.
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Benteke. He's been brilliant. It's not just the goals, but more so it's been the amount of times he's got goals out of nothing when otherwise the rest of the team were struggling to create chances. We've lacked a player who can do that for a while now. Carew on his day could make something happen from nothing, but Benteke more so, and it helps that he, unlike big John, plays every game. He's definitely a bright spark in a mostly very ordinary side. Reminds me of Merson under the Gregory days. We were quite workmanlike. Didn't score many, but Merson had the ability to do something extraordinary to either score or make a goal, and also entertain the crowd.
Such a difference picking a poty this year compared to the last two seasons though. Ireland won it last year despite being very average. Downing the year before, who was nothing more than a 7/10. Bent would have pushed him close for half a seasons work, but in truth, all you get from Bent is goals.
'All you get from Bent is goals'. Pretty daft comment isnt it? Especially as he is a striker!
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Think I'll have to reserve judgement til the end of the season.
Guzan probably wouldn't have crossed my mind were it not for yesterday, maybe took him for granted as I tend to with keepers.
Benteke popped up with the winner.
Weimann ran himself into the ground again.
If Westwood lays a few goals on, starts splitting some defences between now and May, I'm sure he'll be in people's thinking.
Symptomatic of a rather peculiar season!
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I'm sorry - how anyone can overlook the 'massive' contribution of the £60k a week incumbent is beyond me.
If Stephen Ireland had not sacrificed himself to allow others to play we would be nowhere now. Can no-one see how hard it must be to pick up your wages for doing nothing each week? I might suggest that Villa fans also spare a thought for Shay Given - Richard Dunne - and Darren Bent - the poor lambs.
How anyone can overlook Stephen's sacrifice is .... well, fickle.
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Guzan for me. Best keeper we've had since Bosnich. Could go on to be as good as Rimmer.
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Guzan for me. Although Benteke runs him close and i've said for ages that he will go on to be a world class player, had we not signed him and stuck with a strike force of Bent/Gabby/Weimann/Fonz/Bowery then I think we'd still have a pretty similar number of goals scored and be in a similar league position.
I firmly believe had we spent all season with Given in goal we'd be bottom. That's why it is Guzan for me.
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If Benteke scores another seven goals he'll be the first Villa striker since Peter Withe to have scored 20 league goals in a season. It's a tough ask, but if he manages it in his first season in a struggling team then there's no way he can't be player of the season.
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Goalscorers grab the headlines, but I think Guzan's just been amazingly consistent across the season in a way that even Benteke hasn't been. I'm struggling to think of a goalkeeper we've had who inspires players and fans alike with such confidence when he comes for a cross, and if you add to that his exceptional array of saves I think he shades it. Benteke has been ridiculous though - his goals haven't just been tap ins, they've been 'I'm-doing-it-all-on-my-own' goals. He's a real game-changer, but I think Guzan has been a game-saver even more often than that.
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Agree Monty. Benteke has scored every type of goal, head, left and right foot, tap ins and screamers. He's literally got it all in his bag, and he's only just realising how good he is and nowhere near as good as he can or will be. And that back heel at Anfield is still one of my favourite moments of the season. Love Guzan, but Benteke still just shades it for me.
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Brad without doubt has kept us in a chance of staying in this division - I agree about Given ... with his flapping at crosses we would be further in the shit.
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Agree Monty. Benteke has scored every type of goal, head, left and right foot, tap ins and screamers. He's literally got it all in his bag, and he's only just realising how good he is and nowhere near as good as he can or will be. And that back heel at Anfield is still one of my favourite moments of the season. Love Guzan, but Benteke still just shades it for me.
I've said it before, as have others, but I can't help but think that Benteke is close to being the perfect striker for the Premier League right now, in much the same way as Drogba was. Very strong, knows how to use his physique to his advantage, no lack of skill, hard-working, good in the air and quick with his feet.
That's not to say he's as good as Drogba, or perfect, by the way, just to say that he has the attributes (physical and mental) to be in the future.
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He's a big strong lad now, but with a bit more weight, some extra muscle in his upper body, coupled with some experience he'll be superb. If his application matches his ability he can be anything he wants to be in the game in his position. Drogba became a stunning player given the right manager, team and environment at Chelsea. But it really wasn't until the latter half of his twenties that he truly began to dominate other teams.
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I should probably clarify a little; I mean for the way the game is played in the Premier League 'right now', rather than Benteke is a perfect player 'right now', if that makes any sense?!
In other words, I'm in complete agreement with you, TV!
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The Goose has been incredible this season, can't think of a single mistake he's made and I'm convinced that had he been between the sticks for the Bradford games we'd have gone on to the final. Player of the season by a wide margin for me. Second place would go to Bentekkers.
YPOTY - Bentekkers or Weimann.
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Benteke. He's been brilliant. It's not just the goals, but more so it's been the amount of times he's got goals out of nothing when otherwise the rest of the team were struggling to create chances. We've lacked a player who can do that for a while now. Carew on his day could make something happen from nothing, but Benteke more so, and it helps that he, unlike big John, plays every game. He's definitely a bright spark in a mostly very ordinary side. Reminds me of Merson under the Gregory days. We were quite workmanlike. Didn't score many, but Merson had the ability to do something extraordinary to either score or make a goal, and also entertain the crowd.
Such a difference picking a poty this year compared to the last two seasons though. Ireland won it last year despite being very average. Downing the year before, who was nothing more than a 7/10. Bent would have pushed him close for half a seasons work, but in truth, all you get from Bent is goals.
'All you get from Bent is goals'. Pretty daft comment isnt it? Especially as he is a striker!
Not really. Could you honestly give someone a player of the year award purely for putting the ball in the net. Benteke offers far more to the team. And we're discussing player of the year here. To me Benteke's been a whole different level to Bent at his best for us, and that still remains 5 months a couple of years back.
I'm not knocking Bent for what he offers at his best but take away those goals and his impact in the side is minimal. We've seen that quite evident in the last two seasons when we've needed 11 players to really work for the team and he's been a ghost largely when he's played. Even last season, despite still being our top scorer he had a poor (half) season IMO. Had a stat that he had the fewest touches in the Premier League for a regular.
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Has to be Guzan. As important as Benteke's goals have been thus so far, Guzan's saves have kept us in games more often than not.
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I have Guzan and benteke about even stevens. One has saved us points on numerous occasions, the other scoring us points, I really wouldn't want to decide...can't they share it?!
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It is a really tight call. I've wanted the Goose to do well since we got him. I remember him having an amazing game in the Peace Cup against Juve a few years back in pre-season. It just evoked Bosnich at his best. Really glad Lambert re-signed him. He has been top quality.
Again too, Wiemann and Westwood have played far better than anyone did last season too.
Plus with 8 games left things could well change. Being so young you always wonder when Benteke might suddenly go a dozen games where he can't hit a barn door. That hasn't happened yet thankfully. It's always in the back of your mind.
What I really like about Guzan is how self assured and confident he is in what he does. He'll make a decision quick and go for it. Even if he makes an error it won't cause any hesitation or doubt next time.
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I have Guzan and benteke about even stevens. One has saved us points on numerous occasions, the other scoring us points, I really wouldn't want to decide...can't they share it?!
Enda Stevens for player of the year? That's a long shot!
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It is a really tight call. I've wanted the Goose to do well since we got him. I remember him having an amazing game in the Peace Cup against Juve a few years back in pre-season. It just evoked Bosnich at his best. Really glad Lambert re-signed him. He has been top quality.
Again too, Wiemann and Westwood have played far better than anyone did last season too.
Plus with 8 games left things could well change. Being so young you always wonder when Benteke might suddenly go a dozen games where he can't hit a barn door. That hasn't happened yet thankfully. It's always in the back of your mind.
What I really like about Guzan is how self assured and confident he is in what he does. He'll make a decision quick and go for it. Even if he makes an error it won't cause any hesitation or doubt next time.
I haven't voted yet...you're not making it any easier for me Tom!!
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I have Guzan and benteke about even stevens. One has saved us points on numerous occasions, the other scoring us points, I really wouldn't want to decide...can't they share it?!
Enda Stevens for player of the year? That's a long shot!
;D ;D
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I like to be a little leftfield IV ha ha!
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He's a big strong lad now, but with a bit more weight, some extra muscle in his upper body, coupled with some experience he'll be superb. If his application matches his ability he can be anything he wants to be in the game in his position. Drogba became a stunning player given the right manager, team and environment at Chelsea. But it really wasn't until the latter half of his twenties that he truly began to dominate other teams.
I think he has something that Drogba never had, which is the ability to make himself space. Drogba bullied his way into space or picked the ball up deeper and ran through, Benteke drifts off defenders better than anyone in the league currently. Someone mentioned his taking of chances earlier so I can throw in a stat, since the turn of the year he's scored with 21% of his shots (in the league), that's an unbelievable conversion rate.
As risso said, posting this just after a game where Guzan played superbly well is a little 'leading', I don't think Westwood should be on this list either, not that he's not played well but he's a long way from the level of benteke and Guzan, with only really Weimann close enough to join them by the end of the year.
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I'd be shocked if Benteke didn't win PFA Young Player of the Year
On goals he's great, which is what a strikers all about.
However, some of his general play is poor. Suggestions of him going to Chelsea etc. are somewhat misfounded. He's still clearly learning, which is good and I hope we keep him and he goes on to become a very good player, which at the moment I don't think he is.
I would go further and say he is massively overrated. Weak at holding up the ball, poor in the air, no work rate and an all round bad attitude. He just happens to have been on a lucky run of goals and when his luck dries up he will be shown up for the one season wonder he is with no potential future career whatsoever.
That would certainly be my advice to Chelsea or any other club that comes sniffing around in the close season.
Who is his agent by the way ? We need him kidnapped by May.
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I like to be a little leftfield IV ha ha!
Nothing wrong with that ;)
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Guzan - superb week in ,week out
This.
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There`s Guzan and then there`s the rest.
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I would think Benteke's in with a good shout for PFA young player of the year.
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Player: Benteke
Young Player: Benteke
Terrace Award: Benteke
Clubman: Benteke
Any other awards going: Benteke
The stuart 4554 award for shittest player: Benteke
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Most improved - Guzan
Clubman of the year - Ireland
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I think some are right in that we should probably wait until the end of the season to decide. But at this moment in time, I'd go for Guzan with Tekkers getting the young player award.
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Definately between Benteke and Guzan. I think Benteke shades it at the moment. Behind them Weimann. After that Westwood the best of the rest for me but Gabby might muscle his way into contention.
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Benteke and Guzan are rightly getting the plaudits but i've been really impressed with Lowton. He has stepped up two divisions and looks a real player.
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Guzan
Benteke
Lowton
Westwood
Weimann
the rest are shit :)
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Benteke and Guzan are rightly getting the plaudits but i've been really impressed with Lowton. He has stepped up two divisions and looks a real player.
He's not playing as well now as he was in the first half of the season which counts against him.
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Benteke and Guzan are rightly getting the plaudits but i've been really impressed with Lowton. He has stepped up two divisions and looks a real player.
He's not playing as well now as he was in the first half of the season which counts against him.
I think he's been getting better offensively, but yes defensively he has at times struggled. However, overall he has for me been one of our most consistent performers. For me he has been the pick of our defenders.
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Guzan for me. Top class from word go.
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Benteke for me just ahead of Brad and Andi.
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Westwood for me. Another player thats stepped up two leagues. He has been virtually ever present in the middle of the park against one of the most physical leagues in the world, and remains consistently in our top three players. He must be knackered, yet on saturday was one of the best passers of the ball on the pitch. His through balls are excellent, he needs to take more of our set pieces, and the best thing about him, he knows how to receive and pass the ball "simply" to players not under pressure, time after time. Thats good knowledge of whats going on around you, and at the end of the day, they cant score if we have the ball.
I love the beast up front, as best a front man since Atkinson for me, and his perfect foil in Weimann who works his arse off all the time, full back defending to attacking crossing into the box in seconds on saturday
And Guzan, some people say his stats are good as he has so much practice...that may be the case, but I dont know how many current premier league golaies would have made some of the saves he has done for us this year.
But, Westwood for me.