Well, it’s that time of the season when everyone picks their team of the season. In a year where Swansea have dominated, backed up well by Carlisle and Doncaster, Leeds have fought back from -15 to be in the top six, Bournemouth and Luton have been hindered by admin and my team Port Vale have been, well, dreadful, League One has been an interesting watch.

While I haven’t seen all the players in action, or players who have impressed in the main were poor when I was in attendance, I have decided to select my team of the season from those I have SEEN in action (for example, I have not seen Forest play, so there will be no Forest players in the team).

GK – KIERAN WESTWOOD (Carlisle United)
Westwood has been the best keeper in this league for the past couple of seasons as far as I am concerned. A top class shot-stopper, and a decent commander of his area, Westwood is set for bigger and better things. And they could be with Carlisle.

FULLBACKS – ANGEL RANGEL (Swansea City), RHYS WESTON (Walsall)
Full back is one of those positions where players can often go unnoticed when it comes to praise, but these two have been excellent on the occasions I have seen them. Rangel has excelled at right back in Swansea’s championship winning campaign, looking good going forward and strong in defence. A real find from Spanish football.
Weston has rebuilt his career this season after being released by Port Vale, a decision that looks a massive mistake. Having a full pre-season under his belt, Weston has shown his class in a Walsall side that has exceeded the expectations of many.

CENTREBACKS – TAMIKA MKANDAWIRE (Leyton Orient), RUI MARQUES (Leeds United)
Mkandawire (below) was excellent every time I saw him play at previous club Hereford, and it was no surprise to see him continue his progression at Orient. He was a key part of Orient’s superb first half to the season, and his understanding of the game and leadership skills could and probably should see him move to the Championship in the summer.
Big Angolan Marques is too good for this division, pure and simple. The most commanding defender I have seen this season, his quality at the back has boosted Leeds’ superb season no end.

MIDFIELDERS – NICKY BAILEY (Southend United), RICHIE WELLENS (Doncaster Rovers), FERRIE BODDE (Swansea City), ANTHONY MCNAMEE (Swindon Town)
Bailey has made the jump up from Barnet with sheer ease. A busy player, he seems to be everywhere, and with good quality on the ball and a eye for goal, he has proved to be one of the signings of the season at this level.
Wellens has been exceptional in this league for Blackpool, Oldham and now Doncaster. Always seems to have time on the ball, has an excellent range of passing and has the ability to dominate sides from the middle of the park. Also chipped in with some crucial goals.
Bodde is the best player I have seen this season in League One. He has controlled the tempo of the game on each occasion, has that Dutch arrogance and education about him, and has picked up some spectacular strikes along the way. Another great find by Roberto Martinez.
McNamee almost topped Bodde with his performance on Saturday. The first time I have seen him this season (a 6-0 thrashing of Port Vale, who were painfully poor), but he was excellent. Great skills, full of pace, and a lovely left foot, the little winger looks like fulfilling the early promise he showed at Watford.

FORWARDS – JASON SCOTLAND (Swansea City), NICKY MAYNARD (Crewe Alexandra)
Jason Scotland is one of those forwards who can annoy certain supporters. For a big lad he doesn’t put himself about much, and the way he carries himself gives the impression that he isn’t interested. But put him in front of goal and the lad rarely misses. 23 league goals to his name is testament to that, and he is the main reason Swansea have been out in front for so long.
Many would have picked Jermaine Beckford, but I have instead chosen Nicky Maynard. Maynard is destined for big things sooner rather than later. Despite missing a fair chunk of the season with a broken leg and hamstring injuries, Maynard (below) has 15 goals from 23 starts in a Crewe side that has been poor for the majority of the season. If it wasn’t for him, there is no doubt in my mind that Crewe would be in League Two next season.

League One news

Swansea clinched promotion to the Championship on Saturday thanks to a 2-1 win at Gillingham, and it has been a long time coming.

The Welsh side are comfortably the best team in the league, as proven by their position. They play the best football in the division and are very entertaining to watch.

This boils down to the mentality of manager and fans’ favourite Roberto Martinez (below). The Spaniard was a classy midfielder, someone who had an eye for a pass and threw in the occasional goal. He always tried to play football the right way when he played, and he has made sure that his side do it as well.

When you consider that this is the first season of Martinez’s fledgling managerial career it makes the achievement all the more impressive.

It is only five years since the Welsh side stayed in the Football League on the final day of the season, and the club has gone from strength to strength since then. Under Kenny Jackett the club lost in the League One play-off final to Barnsley in 2006, while last year the club failed to make the top six. Considering the players at their disposal, this was not good enough.

Jackett paid with his job, and Martinez then inherited a team that lost talisman Lee Trundle to Bristol City.  The departure of Trundle though can be seen as a catalyst for this season. Without all eyes on one man, Martinez pulled off some superb transfer deals to accompany the quality of existing players like Andy Robinson and Darren Pratley. The Spanish duo of Angel Rangel and Guillem Bauza have been big successes, along with Dutch midfielder Ferrie Bodde, who has looked a class above anyone in the division.

Then there is the bargain of the season; Jason Scotland. The big Trinidadian cost £25,000 from St Johnstone, and there were doubts to whether he could replicate his form from north of the border. But he has done more than that. His 29 goals have shot the Swans to promotion, and I fully expect the club to continue moving upwards.

The club has excellent facilities in place, a wonderful stadium, and a team which is more than good enough to hold its own in the Championship. If Martinez can enhance his already impressive transfer dealings, Swansea can be pushing for the play-offs this time next year. And I would not be surprised if they make a serious promotion challenge within the next three years.

League One news