Ok, as the title suggests who do you think has been Norwich's player of the season thus far? As you some of you might know mine is John Ruddy, but I'd say these are the contenders; John Ruddy - A major contender, has been solid all season, not kept many clean sheets but we've been winning games so it doesn't matter. Made crucial saves when it's counted and made his claim to being better than Frazer. Russell Martin - Another major contender, has defended pretty well and has made valuable contributions at the other end too, sealing the 3 points against QPR and rescuing a draw against Cardiff. Leon Barnett - A minor contender for me, he has been immense at centre back, again not keeping so many clean sheets but still good enough to get us the wins. Elliott Ward - For me an outsider, he's been solid if unspectacular. Seems to of improved nicely from the start of the season. Simon Lappin - Hasn't had as many games as I'd of liked, but has put in that crucial cross when it matters and does a great job as makeshift left back during our injury crisis. Korey Smith - A very hard worker, he also hasn't had the game time I think he's deserved but has played well enough to get him into the ten contenders, maybe because some of our strikers haven't been on the ball! Andrew Crofts - Probably one of the favourites for players of the season so far, chipped in with some important goals and helped the whole team on its way. Andrew Surman - Has had his injury problems but has been great when he's played - I've heard people say that when he returns it will be like a new signing and I'm inclined to agree! Wesley Hoolahan - Out of the 'Holy Trinity' from last seasons League One campaign he has been the one who has best replicated his form this time round. Has had a tendency to blow hot and cold, but when he's good, boy is he good. Bonus points for a goal against the binners too. Grant Holt - For what it's worth, easily Norwich's best threat up forwards. He hasn't scored as many as goals as we would like, but anyone who gets a hatrick against them deserves a shout at player of the season. And when he hasn't played we have not looked so good without him. Obviously most of the credit must go to Paul Lambert, definatley one of the best young managers around!
Another R. Martin supporter here. Have to say thats hes been immense this season, a great defender with goals in him. Wouldn't be where we are now without him, although you could say that about many other players like Holty, Crofts and Hools. (if the poll included Lambo, I might've chosen that option )
We have worked so well as a team so far rather than having one star individual performer. Though plumped for Ruddy as hes reacted so well to the pressure put to him at the start to be the new Forster! Lambo has been the star of the show though
Its a difficult one this year, normally there's one or two stand-out players, but so far this season, they've all been brilliant! (to use a lambert phrase) I nearly went for Barnett but in the end i've gone for Russell Martin. He has improved so much this year, so much so i'm not overly worried with the lack of cover in his position. To think at the begining of the season we were all doubting him, he has done so well.
I wouldn't say they've all been brilliant - people like Chris Martin haven't been up to the standard to be honest, hence why Andrew Surman is on this list after only playing about 5 matches! But I'd say 6 of the players on the list have been brilliant, and the rest very good.
