As voting is set to start in the Daily Echo player of the year, only two candidates look to be in the running in my mind.

In recent years player of the year at Saints has been pretty straightforward but this season it looks set to change, whilst some would put forward Jose Fonte and other champion Alex Oxlade Chamberlain for the way he has come to the fore, I would say it is a straight fight between Adam Lallana and Lee Barnard.

Lallana would start the favourite, quite frankly he makes Saints tick and more often than not when he has been missing Saints have struggled, at this level he has it all and there arent many others in this division with the skill and guile of Lallana.

But in recent weeks he has been given a run for his money by Lee Barnard, Barnard has always been the porr relation to Rickie Lambert since he arrived at SMS from Southend, but his contribution has often been overlooked, in the league with 14 goals he is only 4 behind Lambert, but when you take into account Lambert has 5 penalties to his name the balance is redressed, add to that, the fact Barnard with 24 starts has made 16 less than his strike partner and when he plays is often inexplicably substituted and the statistics are clear Barnard in terms of goals per game and especially minutes on the pitch per goal is by far our most deadly striker.

He more than anyone has dragged Saints kicking and screaming into 2nd place and for this deserves to figure strongly in the voting, at time of writing its unclear whether his season might be over through the injury sustained against Bristol Rover, if it is it will be a big blow for Saints as Barnard's workrate creates chances for others as well as himself and he might just have been the man who fired us past the finishing line 

So I do fully expect Adam Lallana to be honoured come the end of season voting, however it will be harsh on Barnard who once again will find himself overshadowed by a perceived big name.      

Photo: Action Images

saint_aggers added 07:21 - Apr 20 Fonte, due games played and consistency over the whole season.
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bstokesaint added 07:55 - Apr 20 There are a handful of key players for me. But there is only one winner. Step forward Adam. Without doubt the best player in this league. I was pleased when chamberlain stayed put, but lallanas decision to put pen to paper was the best thing that could have happened to us. He is a class act.
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suttonsaint added 08:20 - Apr 20 Fonte does it week in week out so for me it has to be him with Barnyard a close second and Lallana stealing third.
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legod7 added 09:52 - Apr 20 Fonte first,closely followed by Lallana for me. It seems strange that neither Kelvin Davies or Dan Harding will in the running,but they both made into the League 1 team of the season. As Greavsie would say "It's a funny old game"
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bstokesaint added 12:14 - Apr 20 I think I should add that Fonte and Barnard have had outstanding seasons. For me Harding had a better season last season. I do rate Kelvin despite the odd clanger. He still makes some outstanding stops. Sometimes it's easier being recognised as a top keeper when you're more actively involved for 90 minutes.
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rjh added 17:25 - Apr 20 Lallana and Barnard for me, Lallana should just edge it.
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steve73 added 23:47 - Apr 20 Fonte for me...Consistent no matter who his partner is...seems a lot of DCs can only play to their best with their preferred partner but Fonte delivers even when marshalling the wretched Seabourne. Agree about Barnard and Adam though.
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jonrog added 20:15 - Apr 21 Barney for me. Runs his heart out despite not getting the starts he deserves, scores more goals per mins played and seemingly accepts being substituted with good grace.
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stmichael added 12:47 - Apr 22 Neither have played enough to warrant the honour. Would plump for font on the basis there is no other candidate bar chamberlain. That shows how average we are and have been. Nick Barnard is ok. A great trier but you surely dont rate him that highly do you? It is very debatable if he can step up to the championship assuming we get there. Not in the same league as lambert. Despite being older rickie would fetch a higher transfer fee and would be more in demand. Can I also remind you 2008/2009 fans player of the year 2009/2010 players league one team 2010/2011 players league one team. Kelvin 3 years of consistency and recognition. Is it possible you dont understand the game very well sometimes xx

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SaintNick50 added 13:58 - Apr 23 It has to be Jose Fonte. Played all season, very consitant, hardly ever makes a mistake.
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