Perhaps one of the most maligned Saints players of recent times, the question is why ? Yes he has had his off days but he has never complained and just got on with it.
Guly Do Prado has probably taken more flak than most over the past 18 months or so and although he has had his bad moments, the fact is that there are others who have made as many mistakes yet are beyond criticism, indeed one of yesterdays reviews spent most of the last three years thinking he was above the club, yet returnes scoes a couple of goals and is now feted by some as one of the players of the season, during that time all Guly did was play where he was asked when he was asked without complaint.
So after the stick he received during our promotion season from the Championship it was always going to be interesting as to how he would perform, he started the early games and if he had a nightmare he was far from alone, but he found himself marginalised and around half of his 18 league appearances would be off the bench.
In fairness to him he has done his job when called upon despite those who will slag him off verbally in games whatever he does, perhaps a good example of this was over the New year period, restored to the side at Stoke he put in a sterling performance, but he will be remembered for missing a chance, it wasnt an easy chance, it was 18 yards out, but that game will be remembered for Guly's miss, not the chaotic defending at the back. Likewise a few days later, again at home to Arsenal he put in his fair share against the Gunners, but when the luck isnt going for you it isnt going for you and again people remember his own goal, an unlucky one at that from a challenge he had to make, rather than his performance.
Guly will be remembered for his mistakes rather than anyone else, he just seems to be one of those players who a certain sheepish element of the crowd take a dislike too, at the same time taking to players who actually are doing much less than Guly, the Championship season, Guly started well and was in fine form scoring and creating goals, yet he was verbally abused whilst the man in direct competition for his position, Steeeeeeeeeve was greeted like a conquering hero in every game, OK by the end it was ironical as most had realised that he was contributing little, but the crowd didnt turn on him like Guly.
Guly's best game of the season was his last, he worked hard and his last kick of the ball was chasing back and winning a tackle in which he got injured and had to go off, after that Saints lost their shape a little and struggled to contain Spurs and the feeling was that if Guly had stayed on then we might have nicked a draw.
Will that be Guly's last kick for the club ? it could possibly be, yes he didnt deserve the stick he got and the blame for everything that went wrong, but he isnt a Premier quality player, he like around 10 in the squad were on the fringes, if we needed to call upon Guly in the second half of the season it was due to injury or suspension, if Saints bring in four of five decent players in the summer, its hard to see Guly getting much of a look in.
If he does go he should leave with the grateful thanks of Saints fans, our rise has been meteoric in the past two years, but without Guly we might not be in this position, 23,647 were in St Mary's as Saints hopes of promotion looked to be faltering after a defeat at Rochdale, with Lee Barnard stretchered off and the clock running down at 0-0 against a side who would be relegated, up stepped Guly for a bit of class and a late winner, it turned the tide in our way in the battle for 2nd place and we marched to promotion instead of faltering, 9,000 empty seats appreciated Guly that day.
Guly's contribution wasnt great this season therefore a 6/10 is the most I can give and a lot of that is for being a staunch squad player, his opportunities were limited, but as I say when called upon he did his job and many a good result saw Guly come on for 10 minutes or so at the end to help see the game out, sadly many wont remember this.