Norwich City will ensure due diligence is carried out on their player of the season poll, after fears that fans from rival clubs could hijack the vote.
After a series of man of the match awards had been dubiously awarded to loanee Oliver Skipp amid calls from fans of parent-club Tottenham to vote for the 20-year-old, assumptions had been made that a similar situation could become a problem in relation to the Barry Butler trophy.
These fears have been allayed by Head of Communications Daniel Houlker, who told MyFootballWriter: “The club will check all details at the back end and match up information etc. It’ll be fair.”
Favourites for the award include Emi Buendia, who’s already registered 15 assists this term, and Grant Hanley. 25-goal Teemu Pukki will also be hoping for a repeat of his 2019 triumph, when a record goal haul meant he was voted top. Impressive attacking performances mean current holder Tim Krul will be unlikely to retain the accolade, but an impressive season has seen the solid Canaries concede just 28 goals so far.
Skipp’s fellow loanee Ben Gibson may also be a dark horse because of this, but a late injury has damaged his hopes.
The player of the season vote will run alongside the Michelle Dack fan of the season award, for which Canaries Trust volunteer Diane Brazier and young fan and Community Sports Foundation fundraiser Liam Royall have been nominated, alongside Talk Norwich City duo Chris Reeve and Jack Reeve, jointly.
The player of the season will be revealed just before the final home game of the season, against Reading on the 1st of May. Voting closes on April the 25th and
City fans can cast their vote here:
https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2021/april/voting-open-for-fan-and-player-of-the-season/
Would have been Ben Gibson for me, but the injury absence has made a difference. (I do hope he comes back stronger than ever next season as he’s been immense.) But as there are so many worthy contenders and it’s a tight decision I feel you’ve got to go with a player who’s playing virtually all the games. That narrows it down.
I think it would be far funnier if we all voted Ollie Skipp as Tottenham’s player of the season and see how they liked it.
My vote is for Emi. Truly the best player in the Championship. Hope he wins and as a result stays at least another season.
Has to Emi, Skipp and Hanley in third.
I can’t choose between Emi and Skipp right just now myself, but I’ll have to pick one of them soon 🙂
Had some excellent performances all over the pitch but Buendia’s record shows how good he has been over the last 3 seasons. If he goes there will be a huge void to fill.
Could be anyone of a number, I can’t think of any that have let us down over the season, especially those that came in during Oct & Nov when we struggled to put a team out.
Choosing the top three for player of the season is certainly a challenge, in a positive way, I hasten to add, unlike some other seasons in the past. For me it’s been Skipp, Hanley and Emi, with honourable mentions to Ben Gibson, Todd and Teemu. However, all considered, it’s difficult, for me anyway, to look beyond Emi for the main award. Fingers crossed that he’s here for us in the Premier League. OTBC
So many candidates who in any other season would be clear winners, but for me it is Emi all the way!