Tottenham's season started rather unceremoniously. Their game against Everton was postponed due to the riots and they were then trounced by United and City and found themselves in the bottom three. However, from that point until very recently, they were a pleasure to watch. The pace and trickery of Bale and Lennon, the creativity of Modric and Van der Vaart and the supporting roles from the likes of Scotty Parker and Sandro combined to produce some of the fastest football in all of England. So much so that by January, Tottenham were considered the only real challengers to the Manchester clubs. However, after the Capello debacle and subsequent Redknapp circus, Tottenham's form has dropped. They now find themselves in Fourth place but I think they will pip Arsenal to a third place finish as Tottenham have the easier run in. I think it will take one ugly victory against plucky Swansea City to set them on their way again.
Player of the season - Luka Modric - While Bale and VDV may take most of the credits, one cannot deny the importance of the diminutive croatian playmaker. To put it simply, when Modric plays well, Tottenham look like one of the better teams in Europe. He has also pipped in with a couple of key goals.
Signing of the season - Brad Friedel - At 40, the american stopper is in the twilight of his career, but what an impact he has had! Tottenham were leaking goals last season because of the butterfingers of Heurelho Gomes. Friedel has been a revelation. There is probably no other keeper in England that commands the box and defenders as well as he does. I would vote him as the signing of the season in all of england - especially given that he was a free transfer. And this is why he edges out the other brilliant piece of business - Scott parker.
Flop of the season - Steven Pienaar - signed from Everton, the tricky South African midfielder could not establish himself in Redknapp's plans and was loaned back to Everton in the January window. Probably worked out best for everyone involved.
Villain of the season - Harry Redknapp - This is a tough one because there has not been much wrong with Tottenham off-the-field. The manager, however, has had his issues with tax evasion charges and is now involved in the England managerial nonsense. We'll give it to ol' 'arry then.
Liverpool
They are the only club in England to have already won a trophy (and, no, United fans, the charity shield does not count). They are in the running to win the FA Cup as well, which would be fantastic. Their league form, however, has been disappointing at best. They have struggled to handle the injury/suspensions of Gerrard/Lucas/Suarez and have become the draw-team of the league. They are currently in 7th place - 2 points above Sunderland and local rival Everton, and I can honestly see one of those two pipping Liverpool to the final UEFA cup spot. However, if Liverpool do win the FA cup, it is my opinion that they will look back at this season fondly as it will give them two trophies and momentum going into next season.
Player of the season - Daniel Agger - while Liverpool have looked abject going forward, their defense has been rock solid. Daniel Agger has leapfrogged the ageing Carragher as Livepool's main central defender and has pipped in with a couple of goals as well.
Signing of the season - Jose Enrique - In my opinion, the best left back in the league. He has been the only defender to keep Antonio Valencia and Nani quiet and has a wicked ability to cross the balls from the byline. Enrique is a King Kenny signing who often goes unnoticed when Kenny gets criticized for his big-money flops. KK should get credit for his purchase of the spanish fullback from Newcastle for a relative bargain of 7 million.
Flop of the season - It would be easy to give this one to Carroll. But, I think Jordan Henderson is deserving of the title. When Liverpool signed Henderson and United signed Phil Jones in the summer, I admit, I thought Sir Alex had dropped the ball. How wrong was I? While Jones has been compared to the great Duncan Edwards, the number of good games Henderson has had can be counted on one hand of a person with one finger. His lack of positional awareness and attempts at hollywood passes have stunted the growth of the ex-Sunderland midfielder. To his credit, he has been playing out of position and is young. One can only hope that next season will be better for him.
Villain of the season - Again, it would be too easy to give this one to Suarez. I will vote King Kenny in - and I'm prepared for the vitriol Liverpool fans will direct at me for this. King Kenny's handling of the Suarez affair left a lot to be desired - in both the initial incident and the now-famous "you're bang out of order" interview when asked about Suarez' guilt in handshake-gate. Beyond that, his general interviews where he continues to propagate conspiracy theories are not befitting of the greatest player Liverpool FC has ever seen. I admire what Kenny has achieved in the game, but this might be a case of a man stuck in the past. His lack of tactical flexibility is surprising given that he has managed a side to a premier league title in the past. He has continuously played the likes of Henderson, Adam and Suarez out of position, while under-utilizing the mercurial Bellamy and Maxi Rodriguez. No one could argue that Kenny does not have Liverpool's best interests at heart, but I do not think that he should be in charge at Anfield for much longer. I do not wish to see the reputation of one of the game's greats tarnished.
Thanks for the education, Puner!
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