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Magpie007 · 05-17-2008, 12:37 PM

Manchester City

Player Of The Season - Richard Dunne
If Elano's early-season form had extended beyond November, or Micah Richards' season not ended in February then it might be a closer race. However, for the third season running Dunne was a colossal figure at the back (in more ways than one) and was been one of the constants in City's impressive defensive record, the odd abberation (6-0 to Chelsea, 8-1 - 8 bloody 1 - to Boro) aside.

Disappointment Of The Season - Rolando Bianchi
Sven-Goran Eriksson's first signing upon taking over, Bianchi's record of five goals in ten starts actually is fairly impressive. However, his overall play was sub-standard, and the fact that he was shipped out on loan to Lazio without any specific replacement lined up at the time (remember Benjani's signing was beyond last minute) speaks volumes.

Newcomer/Signing Of The Season - Martin Petrov
Although Elano was superb for the first couple of months of the season, Petrov was consistently excellent on the left flank. His directness and willingness to attack not only the full-back but the whole opposition defence was remarkably refreshing, and Petrov has been the source of most of City's attacking threat over the whole season.

Revelation Of The Season - Joe Hart
Arguably the most improved English player of the season. Hart began the season as second, perhaps even third-choice keeper at Eastlands, but thanks to injuries to Andreas Isaaksson and the fact that Kasper Schmeichel isn't actually very good, Hart established himself between City's sticks early on, and will probably fight it out with Ben Foster to be the national side's keeper for years to come.

Manchester United

Player Of The Season - Cristiano Ronaldo
There isn't much more to be said about the extraordinary Ronaldo, so here are a few stats. Premier League goals - 31 from 31 games. Champions League goals - seven from 11. Points gained by his goals - 26. That last stat is the most crucial - it's a crude and unrealistic calculation, but take Ronaldo's contribution out of the equation United and would have finished on 61 points, putting them even below Liverpool. Rio Ferdinand can consider himself very unlucky to be in the same side as the best player in England, because otherwise he would have walked away with this title.

Disappointment Of The Season - Ryan Giggs
Giggs seemed to be playing from memory for much of the season. And that's when he was playing at all. It was telling that a fully-fit Giggs was left on the bench for the games against Arsenal and Barcelona towards the end of the season. It seems that sentiment is the only thing keeping him in the picture at Old Trafford, and his title-clinching goal against Wigan should not mask that.

Newcomer/Signing Of The Season - Carlos Tevez
Anderson put in a convincing case with some tenacious displays, but to score 19 goals in a season when he has been in and out of the side, and often asked to play in a slightly unfamiliar postion and always to defer to Ronaldo, is an impressive feat indeed.

Revelation Of The Season - Wes Brown
When Gary Neville was ruled out for the whole of the season it was feared that right-back would be United's weak spot. However, his solid-without-being-spectacular displays helped United to the tightest defence in the league, and it was refreshing to see a player truly earn a lucrative new contract rather than simply expecting it.

05-17-2008, 12:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Magpie007 Administrator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Newcastle (ish) Posts: 1,366 Thanks: 7 Thanked 14 Times in 13 Posts Nominees Submitted: 1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts Has Not Won Any TOTM Yet	Manchester City Player Of The Season - Richard Dunne If Elano's early-season form had extended beyond November, or Micah Richards' season not ended in February then it might be a closer race. However, for the third season running Dunne was a colossal figure at the back (in more ways than one) and was been one of the constants in City's impressive defensive record, the odd abberation (6-0 to Chelsea, 8-1 - 8 bloody 1 - to Boro) aside. Disappointment Of The Season - Rolando Bianchi Sven-Goran Eriksson's first signing upon taking over, Bianchi's record of five goals in ten starts actually is fairly impressive. However, his overall play was sub-standard, and the fact that he was shipped out on loan to Lazio without any specific replacement lined up at the time (remember Benjani's signing was beyond last minute) speaks volumes. Newcomer/Signing Of The Season - Martin Petrov Although Elano was superb for the first couple of months of the season, Petrov was consistently excellent on the left flank. His directness and willingness to attack not only the full-back but the whole opposition defence was remarkably refreshing, and Petrov has been the source of most of City's attacking threat over the whole season. Revelation Of The Season - Joe Hart Arguably the most improved English player of the season. Hart began the season as second, perhaps even third-choice keeper at Eastlands, but thanks to injuries to Andreas Isaaksson and the fact that Kasper Schmeichel isn't actually very good, Hart established himself between City's sticks early on, and will probably fight it out with Ben Foster to be the national side's keeper for years to come. Manchester United Player Of The Season - Cristiano Ronaldo There isn't much more to be said about the extraordinary Ronaldo, so here are a few stats. Premier League goals - 31 from 31 games. Champions League goals - seven from 11. Points gained by his goals - 26. That last stat is the most crucial - it's a crude and unrealistic calculation, but take Ronaldo's contribution out of the equation United and would have finished on 61 points, putting them even below Liverpool. Rio Ferdinand can consider himself very unlucky to be in the same side as the best player in England, because otherwise he would have walked away with this title. Disappointment Of The Season - Ryan Giggs Giggs seemed to be playing from memory for much of the season. And that's when he was playing at all. It was telling that a fully-fit Giggs was left on the bench for the games against Arsenal and Barcelona towards the end of the season. It seems that sentiment is the only thing keeping him in the picture at Old Trafford, and his title-clinching goal against Wigan should not mask that. Newcomer/Signing Of The Season - Carlos Tevez Anderson put in a convincing case with some tenacious displays, but to score 19 goals in a season when he has been in and out of the side, and often asked to play in a slightly unfamiliar postion and always to defer to Ronaldo, is an impressive feat indeed. Revelation Of The Season - Wes Brown When Gary Neville was ruled out for the whole of the season it was feared that right-back would be United's weak spot. However, his solid-without-being-spectacular displays helped United to the tightest defence in the league, and it was refreshing to see a player truly earn a lucrative new contract rather than simply expecting it. __________________ http://www.zazzle.com/magpie007.