Luke Turner hands out his awards for the 2015/16 season…
The official Blues player awards were held on Monday evening but here are my winners for goal, moment, player, signing and flop of the 2015/16 season:
GOAL OF THE SEASON
We have seen some memorable goals scored at both St Andrews and away grounds this season so it really is tough when picking the best.
In another season, Viv Solomon-Otabor would’ve probably won the award after his magnificent solo goal against Fulham back in November. But, for me, it is a toss up between Maikel Kieftenbeld`s super volley away at Derby County and Jon Toral’s sensational volley against Ipswich.
I am going to give it to Kieftenbeld purely because it capped off an all-round excellent performance from the whole team. To beat Derby 3-0 in their own backyard showed signs of what this team can achieve. Kieftenbeld`s goal was the icing on the cake as he sent a packed out Blues away end wild with our third goal of the afternoon. To let the ball drop and then hit it on the volley with that much power and accuracy is something to admire. Toral`s goal against Ipswich comes very close but I had to pick one so there we go!
MOMENT OF THE SEASON
My favourite moment from the 2015/16 season has to be the 3-0 demolition of Derby County at the iPro. We played extremely well on that day and beforehand I would’ve been more than happy with a point. To go there and outplay a team that has been assembled with millions of pounds is something to look back on and be proud of.
Other moments such as the 5-2 win at Fulham, the return of the second city derby against Villa and Kuszczak`s last minute penalty save against Reading on the opening day were all close behind the Derby victory.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
We have had a few players this season that have performed consistently throughout and would be worthy players of the season. Michael Morrison played every minute of every game and led by example at the back as captain. Maikel Kieftenbeld has settled into English football very well and his tenacious, hard working displays mustn’t go unrecognised.
But, for me, it is a no brainer as to who deserves this accolade. Jon Toral has lit up the St Andrews turf all season, scored goals, created them and got us fans on our seats with his effortless playing style. He made an immediate impact at Blues scoring in the opening two games of the season and didn’t look back from that moment. His eight goals made him our second top goalscorer for the season and he treated us with some beauties, in particular his sensational volley against Ipswich.
In some ways, he is a class above the rest of the players and I won’t be surprised if he is playing Premier League football next season. I am sure that Gary Rowett will do all in his power to try and secure the services of Toral for another year but he will face stiff competition. Toral has been a delight to watch and I sure will miss him as he returns back to Arsenal.
SIGNING OF THE SEASON
For this, I am going to chose a permanent signing rather than a loanee so Toral is out of the equation for this one. A few players have made huge impacts since joining the club last summer and so makes this a difficult choice. Tomasz Kuszczak and Jacques Maghoma deserve honourable mentions for their efforts this season but the signing of the season for me has to be Maikel Kieftenbeld.
The Dutch midfielder joined Blues for under £200,000 and it has turned out to be quite a coup by Rowett. His terrier-like style of play in the centre of midfield has seen him become a fan favourite at St Andrews. He seems to cover every blade of grass on the pitch and puts 110% in every time he wears that royal Blue shirt. He has also provided us with a last-minute winner as well as two top class volleys which has only enhanced his relationship with us fans. Dutch Mike, I salute you!
FLOP OF THE SEASON
There is surely only one contender for this. Nicolai Brock-Madsen was brought in by Rowett for reasonable sized fee and we really haven’t seen enough from him to suggest he was worth it. I know that Rowett saw him as one for the future but, in his handful of Blues appearances, he doesn’t really look like he is the man for us.
At 23-years-old I would’ve expected him to make more of an impact rather than just 6 appearances, half of those coming off the bench. A few niggling injuries haven’t helped with his progress and it just doesn’t seem like he is cut out for English football.
I hope he can prove me wrong but, for this season, he has been my flop of the season.