We’ve asked our fantastic writers here at Read Norwich to give their opinions on who should be lifting the Barry Butler Memorial Trophy come that fateful final day when we host Fulham in what could be a critical game. There are obvious choices and stand-out parties, but cases are made for some other, potentially equally deserving names. Here’s what we think and make sure to take part in our poll to cast your vote!
Alan Cole:
John Ruddy – this may not be a popular choice because of his shaky form back in November, as well as that howler vs. Derby, but I think that John Ruddy has to be a contender and on this list. He has been the man that has saved a lot of points this season and is a big reason we are in this promotion race. His penalty save against Cardiff turned out to give us three points in Alex Neil’s first home game. He has had last minute saves against Blackburn, Charlton and Leeds to preserve one goal leads late on and give us three vital away wins. He has kept two clean sheets vs. Ipswich, was a mountain back in September vs. Brentford and has really been a leader this season. We often take him for granted because of the mistakes he makes once in a while, but we are lucky to have him as our goalkeeper.
Alex Crowther:
Bradley Johnson, the East Anglian Pirlo; the player who was given the chance to step up when Leroy Fer left to join QPR and, boy, has he grasped it. Whether it’s a match-winning goal, tackle or pass, you wouldn’t bet against Bradley being involved one way another. For me, Johnson is the one and only choice for Norwich City’s player of the season.
Alex Murray:
To be honest, I’d question any fan if they said that Bradley Johnson wasn’t their player of the season. But, to play devil’s advocate, I’ll throw a few names into the hat. Cameron Jerome has been a consistent goalscorer this season, performing under both Neils. 18 goals is an impressive number of goals at any level, and Jerome has almost been cast under a shadow by the media with the goal scoring of Ipswich’s Daryl Murphy and Watford’s pairing of Ighalo and Deeney. Another name would be Wes Hoolahan. After a unrewarding 2013/14 season amid rumours of a winter transfer to Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa, Hoolahan has shown what a fantastic player he is this season, really kicking on after being relegated to appearances from the bench under Chris Hughton. A few other names could be thrown about but if it doesn’t go to Johnson then it’s a crime. Goalscoring midfielder, pass master, hard working. What more could you ask for?
Charlie Hatch:
A decent portion of Norwich fans might argue the season didn’t begin until Alex Neil replaced Neil Adams as manger. That announcement came on the 9th January. At the time, City’s backline were in disarray, playing well one match and dismal the next. On multiple occasions, the club’s centre back situation was mentioned as the main leak in an otherwise sufficient product. Adams was never a fan of Bassong, failing to play him from the moment the former Canary took over as the interim boss last season. Perhaps that decision was Adam’s greatest managerial error.
Since Neil has brought Bassong back into the first-team mix against Birmingham on 31st Jan. Norwich have climbed the table and currently sit just outside the automatic promotion spots. Americans look at players based on their statistics. If someone was to argue against Bassong’s bid as player of the season, they clearly haven’t looked at the data. Here’s City’s form since Bassong came back from his loan to Watford:
Games – 17
Wins – 12
Draws – 3
Goals scored – 33
Goals conceded –11
The Canaries have won 70.6 per cent of matches Bassong has been featured in. That’s the highest rating any player has achieved (This isn’t the time to mention Conor McGrandles!). In addition, City score 1.9 goals per match when he plays, while opponents have only averaged 0.65 goals during the same run. Statistics are colourless, hiding a player’s passion or morale for a club. What they don’t hide, though, is the truth. The truth says Norwich are at their best when the Cameroon-international is on the pitch. That’s why Bassong is the player of the season, especially if the “real season” didn’t begin until 9th Jan.
Jack Reeve, TCC Editor:
When it comes to player of the season only one man comes to mind – Bradley Johnson. His goals at crucial moments have been the factor that has stood out this season, but a lot of his work also goes unnoticed. Whether it’s crunching challenges in the middle of the park or blocking shots on the edge of the box, Johnson is the man to get Norwich over the line.
To play devil’s advocate, though, I’m going to give my player of the season to Wes Hoolahan. Under Alex Neil he has been simply faultless with countless MOTM performances operating from the hole. Norwich often lack a creative spark but when Hoolahan is on the pitch it’s only a matter of time before the Irish magician is creating chances. He can pull defences to pieces and seemingly controls the ball on a piece of string. I have a feeling we take Wes for granted at the moment but when he’s gone we will certainly notice it, as he’s the creative speak we often rely on.
Seb Ward, TCC Editor:
This reminds me of my old Sunday league team where at the end of the season awards were given out for Players’ player, Manager’s player and Most Improved Player. Okay, admittedly the Barry Butler Trophy is a little more prestigious, but the premise is the same. Generally, the Most Improved Player award at under 13s level was the rubbish substitute midfielder who starts off rubbish and finishes the season marginally less rubbish.
My Norwich M.I.P would be Steven Whittaker. A man who has been resurrected from his previous scapegoat self upon the arrival of Alex Neil. But this isn’t an award for most improved player – it’s for the best, most consistent player, and therefore there’s only one man that can be.
With a left foot like Roberto Carlos in his prime, and out of nowhere a new array of passing possibilities, he has excelled beyond all expectations. In the Premier League the central midfielder struggled; his distribution was poor, his fouling was often inexcusable, and his shots… well the less said about them the better. However during this campaign he has peeled away the relegation cocoon, flapped his wings and elevated himself to arguably the height of his footballing career so far. Bradley Johnson has single handedly reformed the perception most fans had of him – whether that’s bitter Leeds supporters or the previously underwhelmed Norwich faithful – regularly leaving a fateful mark of his new-found confidence in the back of the opposition’s net. Where drama has circled Norwich, he’s often been the scriptwriter behind it. His two goals versus Watford and Blackburn for me sum up how good he’s been; the first, a delightful lob lifted elegantly over the ‘keeper Gomes on a sunny August afternoon. The other, a devastating thumping thunderbolt, hit with such force and such conviction that no keeper – Neuer, Courtois, Buffon alike – could even touch it before the ball penetrated the floodlit net at Ewood Park.
Last year under Hughton Johnson was undroppable because of the former’s stubborn footballing philosophy. This year, he’s been undroppable because his all round game has been excellent. His tackling, his heading, his shooting, his passing. Bradley Johnson has hardly put a foot wrong.
Alongside Tettey and Howson, and more recently Dorrans, he’s been given the freedom to fully express himself, and we’ve reaped the rewards since. He’s debatably even acted more like a captain than our actual captain, Russell Martin has.
For me, the final thing that confirms his player of the season credentials is the goal he scored against Ipwsich. What an absolutely scrumptious finish. One of the great derby day goals. A goal, which regardless of how this season ends, will be remembered for years to come. That in itself is something he can be proud of.
Dexter Levick, TCC Editor:
Let us be realistic here, when it comes down to it there is only one player (with an exquisite beard) who is in the running to receive the award for Norwich City’s Player of the Season – any other being given the title would be a travesty. With that said however, I have taken the task upon myself to briefly throw another candidate’s hat into the ring of all the predictable names; a dark horse if you will. Throughout his time in yellow and green, Martin Olsson has been a force on the left side of the pitch who I feel has been constantly taken for granted – especially this season given our style of play and circumstances that have surrounded Olsson as a player. Really from the opening game of this campaign – where Olsson received a red card – it was always going to be an uphill struggle for the Swede; he had undergone shoulder surgery during the summer and the immediate three game ban that followed after his antics in the Canaries’ opening match couldn’t really have made things much more challenging. Add to that the fact that with the departure of wingers, Robert Snodgrass and Anthony Pilkington as part of our relegation aftermath, Olsson has featured in nigh on every game this season as the primary crossing outlet on the left hand side of the pitch with no real help from a winger ahead of him. Despite a shaky start, his stamina and work rate have been exceptional and he has currently assisted 5 goals whilst also capably carrying out his defensive abilities – something his right sided counterpart, Steven Whittaker has failed at almost categorically in the eyes of many. Even after the collapse of his rumoured move to West Bromwich Albion, Olsson has remained loyal to the Canary cause and put in solid to excellent performances every game since in the hope of achieving his dream to be back in the Premier League again, which, if we are fair to the man is where he belongs.
So that is my case: Olsson this season has embodied every element of the fighting spirit which is required for us as a team to gain promotion. He has faced injury setbacks, playing in a system where he is provided with little cover, a failed transfer to the top flight and he still keeps on battling and giving nothing but his best. That, in my mind is Player of the Season worthy.
Callum Rivett, TCC Editor:
It’s hard to look past the midfield machine that is Bradley Johnson for our Player of the Season – I’ve mentioned it numerous times, but if he doesn’t win it’ll be a travesty. Johnson has played a pivotal role in our surge up the table, chipping in with some crucial goals and breaking up opposition attacks. For a midfielder to reach double-figures for goals is incredible; a feat not achieved by any Norwich midfielder since the days of Darren Huckerby. Versatile, combative and robust, Johnson has been the first name on the team sheet for nearly the majority of the season, and his stunning thunder-strike of a goal against Ipswich will live long in the memory.
Second, for me, would be Cameron Jerome. He’s our top scorer and one of the best strikers in the Championship when he’s on his game – it’s as simple as that. However, if Lewis Grabban had not been struck down by that ankle injury after the Ipswich game, the ex-Bournemouth man would be in the running for a spot in 2nd or 3rd. His absence in recent weeks has been incredibly noticeable, but perhaps a blessing in disguise – of course, everyone would much rather have a player of Grabban’s quality available, but now Jerome has upped his game and work-rate in the hopes of ousting Grabban from the starting line-up when he returns.
Third place would be Johnson’s partner in crime: the midfield maestro; the heir to the Hoolahan throne. Jonny Howson dictates the tempo and controls the game for City; without him, we wouldn’t have the passing and movement, surging forward runs and speculative long-range goals. Alex Tettey plays an equally important role, but for me his injury problems have hindered his running for POTS, purely down to the fact he’s missed quite a few games due to his inability to play two matches in a week. Steven Whittaker has to be considered as one of our most improved players since Alex Neil took over, and whilst he is likely to be nowhere near the top three, the Scottish right back at least deserve a round of applause – especially because of his recovery ever since that horrific Brentford performance.
Who do you think is worthy of the Barry Butler Trophy? Get involved in our opinion poll below. Cast your vote now for Player Of The Season!
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