If (big IF, even now) we go up, is there any chance we could make the entire squad the POTS? It's so hard to choose between the individual players, and we are so much a team which is better than the sum of its parts, I feel it would be a perfect way to appreciate the efforts everyone - even the players who are sitting on the bench - are making to a really wonderful season.
Ooo double posting, this is also being discussed on the 18/19 thread, though easier I guess to have it as a seperate topic. My opinion hasn't changed yet. Any calls for a team win are silly though well meaning. It's PLAYER of the season. So for me it's Pukki a *** paper ahead of Zimmermann, Arrons and Buendia. But I could easily change my mind if Pukki continues his lean spell (Though he is still contributing and important to these wins even without scoring) and one of the others stands head and shoulders above all others for the remaining 7 games. Bah!
I thought it appropriate to post it on both to maximise coverage. Don't worry, I won't make a habit of it
My POTS choice each year is generally based on who I miss the most when they're not available.. On that basis... 1. Pukki 2. Aarons 3. Krul Honourable mentions for everyone else!
Krul! That's controvertial, I see what you're saying but surely it has to be because the player has excelled rather than due to an abject lack of alternatives? Our record with or without Emi also suggests you can't ignore him! Bah!
I think Zimbo has to be up there, not just for his contributions at CB but his overall leadership of the team and guiding the younger players has been fantastic. He is a proper captain. It's between him, Pukki and Buendia for me.
I agree but Krul's also been a rock this season. He's made a couple of gaffs as has everyone else but he's also managed a young back line and made some point-saving crucial saves. Buendia, Lewis and many others have been immense no argument. Let's face it tho... Pukki's going to get it
I would not be unhappy for Pukki to get it, not just for his goals but for the amount of ground he covers during the course of a match. He's absolutely phenomenal
I'd include Max Aarons who's had a blinding first season. The most interesting thing about our (roughly) agreed 'gang of four' is their combined cost to the club. Aarons - Free, as an academy product. Emi Buendia - £1.5m approx. Teemu Pukki - A free transfer. Christoph Zimmermann - A free transfer. £1.5m for all four top POTS contenders combined is the stuff of dreams, surely
I pretty much agree with you Cromer. Those 4 would appear to be the main contenders, but others, Leitner, Vrancic, Klose, Godfrey would also be in contention if they had appeared more. And I must mention Trybull. Early season we saw Tetty at his very best, but now you suspect he is only a back up.
Yeah, I mentioned it on here and on twitter. Kind of light heartedly, and ACN made it one of their conversation starters a few weeks ago. I did say I was making a light hearted comment, and they threw me under the bus for abuse. I did them give my top 3. I'm not sure I have the same top 3 now. And that's why 1 player shouldn't get it!
If Hernandez can really work on his crossing, and if his decision making improves to be a little quicker. He'd be one hell of a player. His crossing is a bit iffy, and he does hold on to the ball and try to do to much too often. So ends up running into a corner and getting crowded. Everything else though is class, and I love to watch him play. He is so exciting, and under the cosh, like at home to Hull. Every time he got the ball, he would sprint forward and it made me feel so much calmer. He was such an outlet. I knew, if he got it in our own half, we would be at their touchline in about 30 seconds with a chance of a goal, throw or corner to take the pressure off our defence. That's been really important. At this level he is proper class. I just think, to step up to Premier League standard. Crossing and fast decision making are the main things he needs to work on. Nail them, and my word he'd be incredible.
Great post FML and we're lucky to have two exciting wingers and I agree with your statement that Hernandez is guilty of trying to do too much at times, but he's great to watch from my seat behind the River End goal.
If Pukki doesn't score many more goals this season. He falls off top spot for me. It's been a while without a goal. 6 games I think now. His goals are why he was top with most fans. Yes, he works his a**e off, and creates goals. But Aarons has played amazing and created goals all season too. At the moment. I've moved away from Pukki top, to Aarons again. If Pukki scores a brace or Hattie against QPR, I'd swing it back to Pukki.
Pukki all the way for me, a revelation for us. Some great performances elsewhere for sure, but we wouldn't be here without his goals.
I can't remember another season where the choice of who to vote for is so difficult. Personally, for me - its Krul. Yes, he's made the odd howler and being a goalie means stark consequences each time he dies, but the psychological contribution in the ways he psychs up the crowd and the players is one of the biggest reasons for our success this season.
