Mael's a stylish chap, isn't he?

His positioning defensively certainly needs work, it would help if he stuck to one position at the back, but I think he's certainly the best actual tackler of the ball. He made so many last ditch tackles early on. Him & Roberts and the clinical finishing of Cole is the reason we've snatched 6th

 

Barnsley were also awarded the team of the year tonight.

 

Completely agree, mate. It's as though people only see big brisk burly 6'8 defenders as good. Undoubtably our best defender this year imo.

 

Well when you’re up against Wednesday and Sheff United and Rotherham I guess we are the stand out. Which says a lot.

 

5 league one clean sheets in 38 games he's started in
4 in 8 that he hasn't.


Just saying


Then I suppose the same could be said about Earl. 1 clean sheet in 18 games that he started.

4 in 9 for Lopata and 3 in 6 for shepherd


Could it just be possible that our defence was actually better with the players we started the season with rather than the ones we got rid of to make way for the new arrivals? Statistically our best defence was Williams, Lopata, Shepherd. 2 league one games played as a back 3 and a 100% clean sheet record.

Since shipping them both out and replacing them we've managed to keep just one clean sheet. And the seemingly preferred back three of Pines, De gevigney and Earl played 3 together and kept 0 clean sheets

 

His long throws are our only attacking tactic

 

I ask myself why he had to make so many last ditch tackles and some of it is down to his own poor decision making.

 

Yes, I agree. That's why he's playing in league one bud. He's made nowhere near as many high profile mistakes leading to goal as Earl. He was much better earlier on in the centre running with the ball through the middle, second half of season he just pumps it down the wing more and hes wasted when doing that

 

He is no where near a POTY candidate though.

 

Pinnock played in League One for us. So did Mawson. Eric Winstanley also played for us at this level. De Gevigney may have some footballing ability, but he is not what I think of as a centre half. He lacks pace, gets outmuscled, is not an outstanding tackler and is not dominant in the air. It seems odd that a defender is their choice for Player Of The Year, just after we've had a run of only 2 clean sheets in 30 games.

 

If Cole was given the award you could kind of understand why, his goals have secured a top 6 finish. Obviously done nothing recently but I would say Cole has done more over the season than MDG. Even Williams for that matter.

 

Defensive midfield is where I would put MDG.

 

Pinnock was also 4th choice for us at one point. Incredibly! Mawson was slower than MDG. I honestly don't think he lacks pace, he's not quick, but not slow either. I think tackling is one of his strong points, as mentioned above with all the last ditch tackles. He was absolutely outstanding in games first half of the season. Mads was awful his first season, then turned into who we all love. I really hope and wouldn't be surprised if MDG has a similar rate of passage, though obviously a different style.

 

Been saying same since he came here. No brainer to me.

 

Never understood why Lopata disappeared. Thought he was pick of our defenders before he got injured.

 

Lopata only made 6 appearances for relegated Port Vale.
Shepherd made 12 appearances for relegated Cheltenham.

 

He's got a mistake in him but he's a million miles better than Moon.

 

Yes, I know he made very few appearances for Vale but just saying how he looked for us early in the season.
He was definitely our most solid performer up to getting injured at Northampton (I think).

 

That would probably make more sense.

 

Came from the equivalent of the French non league
Nightmare debut probably one of the worst ive seen and was rightly hooked early on, however to his credit he didn't let it effect him.
He's young and and raw but has shown there is plenty of potential to work with.

Personally I reckon he will only get better...I like him............sithi.