League One team of the season

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.

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Late form points to brighter Vale future

As a Port Vale fan, to say that this season has been a nightmare is nothing short of an understatement.  In a division where three clubs have had points deducted, Vale are still bottom of League One, which is embarrassing on its own.  Then add the cup competitions – out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Morecambe from two up; out of the Carling Cup at home to Wrexham, bottom of League Two; and Chasetown in the FA Cup.  Enough said.

The problems stem back to the summer.  Martin Foyle, who should have been sacked long before, signed a poor crop of players, and lost 42-goal frontmen Leon Constantine and Akpo Sodje, along with releasing players like George Abbey and Rhys Weston – both far better players than who came in.

Lee Sinnott came in and couldn’t turn the tide.  Until recently that is.

We have picked up ten points from the last five games – play-off form.  its just a pity it has come too late.  The run in form coincides with the return of Marc Richards.  The striker has probably been fully fit for five games all season: the last five.  He has scored two in two, both wins, and there is no reason a fully fit Richards, with Luke Rodgers (below) alongside him, can’t and won’t score 20 goals in League Two next season.  The same can be said for Rodgers on the goal front.

The optimism has grown further since the debut of Simon Richman in Saturday’s win over Leyton Orient.  The 17-year-old winger is a part of the youth team that made the quarter final of the FA Youth Cup, and was excellent.  He kept things relatively simple, and wasn’t afraid to take his man on.  He almost capped the day off with a stunning effort.  Add to Richman youth strikers Danny Glover and James Lawrie, who both signed professional deals to ward off the big clubs, and the answer to Vale’s problems could be on their own doorstep.

With the quality of the youngsters and some shrewd summer signings in the ilk of Kyle Perry (a member of the Chasetown side that beat Vale, who has excelled since joining)  from Sinnott we will be back in League One within a year.  And after as a negative a season as this one, how’s that for positive?

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