West Brom’s Kevin Phillips has just claimed the award for the best player in the English Championship at the Football League Awards in London. Am i the only one left scratching my head at this one? There is no denying that the 34 year old is a good player, his 32 goals in just 53 games for the Baggies proves this, but the best in the division? i’m not sure.
I have got five names that i personally believe are better than Phillips, i’m not saying that these five are necessarily the top players in the league, just that they offer more to a side than Phillips would, in my opinion, of course.
In no particular order; Zoltan Gera, Michael Mifsud, Ryan Shawcross, Liam Lawrence and Wes Hoolahan.
Let’s start with Zoltan Gera, Phillip’s West Brom team mate and a Hungarian international. He has perfect balance, quick feet and can tie defenders in knots with his dribbling ability. He is also an unerringly accurate passer and crosser of the ball, but best of all, he gets goals. The Baggies have been lucky to hold on to Gera and i would imagine that even the most ardent West Brom fan would be foolish to expect him to stay at the Hawthorns beyond this current season if they don’t gain promotion.
So how about Michael Mifsud? Perhaps my Sky Blue tinted glasses have persuaded me to list him among the divisions elite, but what i like about Mifsud is his ability to produce on the big stage. Two goals at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup, two goals at Ewood Park against Blackburn in the FA Cup, both occasions that Mifsud has shown his class. You could argue that Mifsud possesses similar attributes to Kevin Phillips, pace and goals, but Mifsud has age on his side and this is why I would rather have the pint sized Malteaser in my side.
As for Ryan Shawcross, well he has shown maturity beyond his years this season. Stoke City have unearthed a real gem and had it not been for Tony Pulis’ transfer guile he may well be playing out this campaign in the Manchester United reserve team. Shawcross has shown superb leadership skills and his knack for getting goals in crucial games has meant that he has become firm fans favourite at the Brittania Stadium. At just 20 years of age and with Stoke flying high in the Championship, Shawcross may well be gracing a Premiership ground near you very soon.
Liam Lawrence is another Stokie, and the the former Sunderland player is actually statistically the best player in the division, according to the Actim Index (Kevin Phillips is sixth). He is a goal scoring midfielder by trade who operates just as well on either flank as he does through the middle. Lawrence already has 13 goals to his name this season and is really starting to show his true potential. He would easily slot in to any Championship side, and to be honest, most Championship sides would welcome the Irish international in to their ranks.
This leaves me with Blackpool’s Wes Hoolahan, maybe an odd choice as he is hardly a household name, but seriously this boy oozes class. At 25 years of age he is certainly at reaching his prime, just take a look at this. The tricky winger has delighted crowds wherever he has played and his performances for The Seasiders has alerted many of the so called ‘bigger boys’ but as yet, Blackpool have managed to hold on to their star man.
So there we go, five names that for me offer more than what Kevin Phillips would to any Championship team. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that Phillips is a bad player but his best days are behind him. I would love to know who decides who the best player in the league is and what it is based on.
Posted by stepney88 