Yes I appreciate it is a little early, but I wanted to give everyone the chance to vote.
I haven’t listed everyone in the squad, just those with the highest appearances. If you think anyone deserves a mention, feel free to say so as a comment. The poll is on the right, please vote for your choice.
To help, here is a brief reminder of a few key points of each player:
Ben Foster
After a terrific season by Joe Hart, Ben had a difficult job to follow him. However he has been terrific. Yes there have been a couple of howlers, but his performance against Chelsea at home and against Arsenal at Wembley are truer indicators of his quality. The fact that he has been involved with England speaks a lot of the quality of goalkeeping. The good news is, he is ours and not a loan!
Stephen Carr
What can you say about this bloke? He had retired, football had finished – then McLeish invited him to be involved and this year, as club captain, he lifted the Carling Cup in front of 30,000 Blues fans at Wembley. He seems to be the football equivalent of Benjamin Button – I’m sure he’s getting younger!
Scott Dann
Losing Scott has been a bit of a blow to us. We have struggled at the back since then, and although Martin Jiranek did well, (before also getting injured), the partnership that Scott and Roger formed last season and they carried over into this season – has been the backbone of our better results. Several players have come in as cover, but with the greatest of respects – you don’t form a partnership like these two over night. Scott is a terrific defender, and doesn’t always get the credit he should. A number of the larger clubs have been sniffing around apparently, maybe the injury will be a blessing in disguise in that he should start the 2011/12 season as a Blues player.
Liam Ridgewell
Last season Liam developed into our regular left back. He struggled early on, but got better as the season went on. This year he has continued to build on that. The mistakes of last season seem to have gone, (besides last week!), and he has become a dependable defender who can also turn defence into attack. He has had to cover the centre of defence too at times this season.
Roger Johnson
I swear that you could cut this blokes legs off and he would STILL win the ball. If Roger doesn’t become an England regular, there is no justice! Once again he has been monsterous in defence. He has won the ball, fought for the ball and even scored some goals. His character can be summed up with him playing through an injury in the final and still getting some important challenges in.
Lee Bowyer
If the word on the streets is true, Lee is coming to the end of his last season for us. He hasn’t had as big an impact for us as last year, however has once again scored some vital goals. Along with the others, played really well in the cup run. Definitely should be on this list.
Barry Ferguson
It never ceases to amaze me how much of our play goes through BF. He covers an imense amout of area in a game and is definitely the engine room. I am concerned that there are whispers of him leaving too in the summer, I really hope that isn’t true he will be difficult to replace. I admire and appreciate his fight and workrate – he can ping a pretty decent ball in too!
Seb Larsson
I guess it’s one of the worse kept secrets that Seb will be going in the summer. Over the years he has been a bit hot and cold however when he is on form, he is one of the first names on the team sheet. His deadball work is brilliant, and was very unfortunate not to get at least one last week against Blackburn. While he isn’t a winger in the true sense, he can and does take players on and his crossing has improved year on year. Assuming he does leave, he has had a good season this year and I’m pleased for both him and us for that.
Craig Gardner
Craig has really made his mark in and through midfield. He has scored some cracking goals, and was one of the key players that got us through to Wembley. Although he didn’t have the same impact in the final, there is no doubt that without him – we wouldn’t have got there. True Blue Brummie!
Cameron Jerome
Cameron is a bit like marmite, but I think he is an essential part of our squad. Yes he hasn’t scored that many, and yes sometimes his touch lets him down – but that’s true of all players. I believe he brings uncertainty into opposing penalty areas with his pace. He also works hard all through the game, including covering in defence.
Nikola Zigic
Zigic has taken a a while to get going. His initial games didn’t go too well, but he has begun to find his feet, (they are a long way down after all!), and has begun to score goals. His sheer presence in the box upsets defenders, as he is very difficult to mark. He has gone into Blues folklore having scored against the Villa in the quarter final and then to put us ahead in the final. We have missed him in the last few games and I hope he is back soon. I for one hope he will be here next year, because I believe we will start to see the best out of him.
So ladies and gentlemen, they are your nominations – it is up to you to vote. Please do so on the right.
Thank you.
Just can’t choose Carr and Johnson both – but you can’t fault Dann before injury and Ben Foster what can you say! Jerome works so hard ….but and ridgewell the guy’s a tryer. Lee Bowyer and Barry ferguson still giving it all too hard!!!!
Foster for me because other than a couple of errors he has been consistently good all season.
Stephen Carr. What a legend!!!!
Stevie Carr, Mr pocket rocket, never gives up, inspires both players and fans and his joy lifting the Cup was heartening KRO
Foster for me. The back four has not been as solid as last year, and without him behind them we would be several points worse off.
Jerome for effort though.