FAN ARTICLES

End-of-Season Awards

109.158.197.60 We all know this has been an extremely disappointing season, although there have still been a few high points; have scarce they may have been. Unless we adopt a newly discovered attacking approach or crumble horrendously in one of these last three games; then these choices will be my final opinion either way.

Player of the Season ? Leighton Baines

The fact he has the second highest assist total in the league tells its own story. The diminutive England international has revelled in bombing on from left back; before and after Pienaar. Has recently stepped up to the plate with regards to penalty duties; the Chelsea cup game apart, although his free kick in that game gets him out of jail.

He has been poor defensively in the last few games; however he must be tired as he has often been left with little support down that side. Hopefully we can find someone during the summer to play in front of him and he can continue in this rich vein of form. I feel Cahill would have run him close, if it wasn?t for the Asia Cup.

2nd ? Sylvain Distin ? has been immense, except for the two United games. Man-mountain of a centre half who seems to get faster with age; quite how I?ll never know. He is very strong in the air and quick along the ground. Calmness personified when in possession; Jagielka could learn a thing or two of him in this regard. Definitely our best centre back, in my opinion.

3rd ? Leon Osman ? has been like a ?new signing? these past few months. Looks dangerous when picking the ball up and has finally learnt how to shoot with a bit of power. Praying he can carry it on into next season, as he often has form in fits and starts; we need to see it week in-week out.

Young Player of the Season ? Seamus Coleman

He was a revelation before Christmas, although injuries and fatigue have caught up with him since then. The little Irishman has performed commendably on the right side of midfield; although I believe in years to come he will be best used as an attacking full back.

He has set up a fair, few goals and also weighed in with a few of his own; most notably at home to Spurs. If he can work on his defending, although has the benefit of recovery pace, he should make the right back spot his own in the next 24 months.

Goal of the Season ? Baines vs. Tottenham; 23 October 2010

This is one of the best free kicks I?ve seen all season for the sheer precision and accuracy of it. The ball was, quite literally, in the very top corner of the goal; giving Gomes absolutely no chance. This game seemed to be the catalyst for him to go from strength-to-strength this season.

This just edged out Bilyaletdinov?s strike against Wolves. That 25-yarder, unleashed past a despairing Hennessey, showed us what he can do when played in a more CENTRAL attacking role. I?ll save that argument for another day though.

Worst Player ? Jack Rodwell

I may well be shot down in flames on this one; I do however believe he has been dreadful this season, in most games he has played. Anichebe doesn?t get my vote; purely because he is limited at best and so we expect him to be poor. Rodwell undoubtedly has ability but has failed to deliver on far too many occasions this season.

People will scream for me to say Arteta; however his poor form was mainly through Moyes? insistence that he plays in a deeper role. Thereby wasting his ability; plus before his hamstring strain vs. Birmingham he was beginning to look like the Arteta we know.

Best Game ? Everton 5 ? Blackpool 3 at Goodison Park on 5 February 2011

This is a hard one to decide; do in go for sentiment or the game we played our best football in? We were not that great, in all honesty, in the Cup victory over Chelsea. Yet that was unbelievable to win on penalties at Stamford Bridge. There is the Goodison derby victory, or the win away at Man City or the victory against Spurs at home, or the 3-3 comeback vs. Man Utd.

However I have plumped for the best game in terms of enjoyment and football on show and that has to be the 5 -3 win over Blackpool. I witnessed free flowing attacking football from the boys in blue; such a rarity these days. This was inevitably helped by Blackpool playing suicide football. Nevertheless, I feel I caught a glimpse of what we could achieve with - I?ll whisper it quietly - some ambition.

Worst Game ? Everton 0 ? 1 Reading at Goodison Park on 1 March 2011

This was worse than all that came before; Shrewsbury, Oldham, Brentford. This was the lowest of the low. There was no fight, no effort, no desire and no will to win. The most disappointing part was that we had got rid of Chelsea in the previous round and had a great chance to, maybe, reach the final again. It is just me though, or didn?t anyone else think we were destined to lose after the Chelsea game. The second we got rid of Chelsea, I thought, ?Reading will probably beat us in the next round?. That?s just the Everton way at the moment.

Moment of the Season ? Heitinga?s cameo against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 19 March 2011

Still feel he has a role to play at the club, for me, he is a much better centre back than Phil ?Hoof-It? Jagielka. Although he may well be moved on in the summer as we all know we will have to generate cash from somewhere. So if it is to be the end, then Johnny; thanks for that moment.

I feared the worst as he stepped up to take his penalty; his awful attempt vs Huddersfield was in the back of my mind. He dispatched the spot kick into the corner of the net, firm and true, Cech had no chance. Then he proceeded to turn to the fans and helped to work up a raucous noise, then began to walk back towards the halfway line. Ashley Cole was walking towards him to take his own spot kick. Heitinga then purposely strode forward and threw his shoulder into Cole, who wasn?t best pleased. Cole then bottled it and helped send us through to the next round; Heitinga?s bravado had paid off.

The season 2010-11 has been a major disappointment on the whole; although there have been some bright spots. Let us all hope that season 2011-12 can be better all round and we get off to a flyer.

COYB

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