Sunday, May 11, 2014

Narey's Toepoker Team of the Year part 2

And here's the remaining six players.  So there are more Celtic guys (three) than there were last year (two).  That's got to keep folk off my back, doesn't it?  Doesn't it?

MIDFIELDERS: Scott BROWN (Celtic), Stuart ARMSTRONG (Dundee United)
Honourable mentions: Willo Flood (Aberdeen), Richie Foran (Inverness CT), Keith Lasley (Motherwell)

Brown is a shoo-in.  Given the hip problems that plagued him for the last couple of seasons, it's remarkable that he's now playing the best football of his career.  It was a toss-up between any of the other four.  I'm going with Armstrong who has been consistently good for United, though he's been overshadowed by some more flamboyant teammates.  Flood has kept Aberdeen ticking over beautifully, while Lasley and Foran were critical to their teams both through their performances and through their leadership.


ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS: Peter PAWLETT (Aberdeen), Kris COMMONS (Celtic)
Honourable mentions: Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United), Ryan Gauld (Dundee United), Lionel Ainsworth (Motherwell)

For the second season running, I've not picked a natural wide player.  Ciftci was probably more impressive in a central role than he was when playing on the flank, while Gauld's performances dropped after Christmas.  Commons was just absolutely amazing all year long and deserved all the honours that he got.  He was unquestionably the best player in Scottish football this year.  Pawlett was an absolute revelation after being moved into the middle of the park.  I still get nightmares about him running at ICT's central defenders in December.  


FORWARDS: Kris BOYD (Kilmarnock), Stevie MAY (St. Johnstone)
Honourable mentions: Anthony Stokes (Celtic), Billy Mckay (Inverness CT), John Sutton (Motherwell)

Everything about Stevie May is terrific except for his haircut.  He is the complete striker and has a bright future ahead of him.  I'd be amazed if someone doesn't make St. Johnstone an offer they can't refuse for him.  I plumped for Boyd as his partner simply because he almost literally carried his teammates - he scored 22 goals, whereas his teammates scored 23 between them all season.  Sutton and Stokes have been on the rampage in 2014, while conversely Mckay has gone off the boil in recent months - though I believe that, had Terry Butcher remained his boss, he would have got close to 30 goals.

At first glance, I believe that Boyd is the first player that I've picked in my Team of the Year three times - though its been a while since the last time!

Right, that's it for another year.  I'm looking forward to hearing all the objections...

L.

1 comment:

David Weatherston said...

Id be very surprised if STevie May doesn't get taken down to England. He has everything a striker needs. He is strong, quick and a good finisher. He will definitely have a good career down south, he has the right attitude and I know he works hard.
Nice lad too, hope he gets a good team.