Here we take a look at who the supporters might be casting their votes for as Saints player of the year in our first year back in the top flight.

I have to say that in past years there has usually been one stand out candidate for the title, this year there are perhaps as many as 5 or 6 who are in the running and that has to say a lot for the team spirit and work ethic that has got us through a tough and difficult season and that includes the work done by Nigel Adkins who should not be forgotten in all of this.

Anyway here are those that I consider might be in the running for the player of the year accolade, in no particular order of merit, but Im going to start at the back and work up field.

Artur Boruc - There are those who would perhaps say that Boruc hasnt played enough games to be considered for the title, at time of writing he has played 17 league games, so could possibly hit 21 by season's end, Andrew Davies won it in 2007/08 season having played 22(1) league games for the club, so that shows that sometimes its not just about quantity but quality.

In Boruc's case that is perhaps more so, with him its not just been about his own personal performances which have been excellent since his return to the team in January, but the fact that he took over in a problem position, put bluntly if we had continued with either Gazzaniga or Davis in goal, for various reasons we would have been relegated, Boruc has not only brought a few good saves to the table, but in the way he commands his area he has brought in the main stability into a creaking back four, this being the case his impact has perhaps affected the team more positevly than any other player.

Nathaniel Clyne - Will feature strongly in the voting and has added something to the right hand side of defence, however for me he is still a little bit short of being the complete player and before anyone starts shouting I do mean a "little" bit short rather than a long way.

We have to remember that it is his first season in the top flight and he like many others is still coming to terms with what is needed and developing, but he is learning fast and if he doesnt win it this year Im sure he will be a strong contender next.

Luke Shaw - Undoubtably come in and played well for a kid of his age, but as good as many of his performances have been they have to be put in perspective, Shaw will undoubtably go on to play for England and will hopefully be a mainstay of the side for many years, but the temptation for many is to put him on a pedestal and that wont help him as a player, Luke haw is the best left back we have but needs to be nurtured and taken out of the firing line sometimes and thats perhaps why he isnt ready for the player of the year title, naivety due to inexperience mean errors and thats no reflection on Luke, show me a 17 year old in football that would be any different, but it does mean as good as he has been and at times he has been very good, its just a little short of being player of the year standard.

Morgan Schneiderlin - Perhaps the fans favourite for the title and if he did get it then he would be a worthy winner in every aspect, not to mention here is a player that is about to complete his fifth season with us and who we have seen mature into a very good player, but as i will explain in the next consideration, Morgan has been the heart of our midfield, he has been excellent, but if he is 99.9% then Jack Cork is 100%, for me its that close.  

Jack Cork - In the early stages of the season Cork looked like being the forgotten man, he missed the pre season build up due to being with the Olympic squad and that meant that it was November before he made a league appearance, however it was perhaps no coincidence that his introduction saw a four match unbeaten run and he bought a balance to the centre of midfield that had been lacking, for me I would pick Cork ahead of Morgan Schneiderlin for Player of the year, ok he doesnt have the goals that the Frenchman has scored this season, but he does bring a mobility in the midfield and personally I think the wafer thin difference as to why Cork should get the nod ahead of Schneiderlin is that I think Cork would be just as effective without Morgan, but Morgan's play has really been helped by the work Cork does.

Jay Rodriguez - The outside bet for the title, for much of the season J Rod has had a thankless task, berated by some fans who saw him as replacing Rickie Lambert and that for them was a crime, he quietly got on with just playing in the team wherever asked to and in whatever role, but after Christmas he seemed to have a bounce about him that wasnt there before and the experience of the past few months has stood him in good stead, we still have to remember that he is a square peg in a round hole in our formation, but he has adapted well and now is a vital cog, his surging runs have not only created goals for himself but others too, I think that ultimately he wont figure that strongly in the voting, but he has played a vital part and is the future of this club.

Rickie Lambert -  Super Rickie Lambert has featured in every league game, 31 starts and 3 as sub and it cant be denied he is the talisman of the team, 14 league goals is no mean feat either and it should be remembered that two years ago many questioned his ability to play in the Championship let alone the Premier League, but he has adapted well to both.

But this year I think as good as he has been he is not quite up to the consistent play that either Cork or Schneiderlin have produced, as always he has made vital contributions that have won us matches, but this season i feel our success (hopefully) in staying up has been about team spirit rather than the endeavors of one man, Rickie cannot be knocked, but in the Premier league sometimes by nature of the game ie Man Utd away etc you are going to find yourselves on the back foot and a lone striker is going to be isolated for long periods and out of the game, therefore he wont have the consistency due to this tactic that a central midfielder will have as they are involved in the action more.

So there we have it, seven contenders, I dont think there has ever been so many options in a season that I can remember, Ok the odd season when to be blunt everyone was as poor as one another, but not as good, but as I said, for several of these players its not been about doing it all season but in patches rather than consistently week in week out, that being the case there could be only two contenders and they are Cork and Schneiderlin and I cant see the vote being much other than them, however I would still throw in Boruc as an option as perhaps he is the player in the entire team who has had the most impact and there will be those that will say that player of the year should also reflect that.

So the first choice for many will be consistency or impact ? if its the former than it has to be either Jack or Morgan, if its the latter then its Artur.   I dont know where my vote will go yet, but I do know it will be one of those three.   

Photo: Action Images

arthurfane added 10:38 - Apr 23 Good, well balanced article. It's got to be Morgan for me: looks dangerous going forward, and strong defensively. He's come on leaps and bounds under Poch and funnily enough I too thought that he'd thrive in the higher standard of league. A French call-up is just around the corner surely. Luke is 100% YPOTY, but agree with the comment that we mustn't put him on a pedestal! Rickie as usual has been immense, but Schneiderlin for me has been our best player this year. Should be have been in the nominations for LEAGUE player of the year over perhaps Carrick??

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legod7 added 11:34 - Apr 23 Has got to be Schneiderlin for me. Mainly for the amount of ground he covers during EVERY game. He seems to be everywhere.
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slynch added 11:44 - Apr 23 Artur Brouc is a brave keeper than confronts issues head on. Dealing with the crowd and forwards with the same do-or-die manner. He is a good keeper and importantly a major influence in the box on his own side. His competition is not without merit, though and without him the team would do not as good, but ok. Clyne. Crackin player. Made the position his own, I haven't seen much better in England, certainly amongst the English players. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink Mr Hodgson. Spiderman and Cork. Under Adkins these players were self-confessed "Headless Chickens". Their poor positional play responsible for many a threat at the centre of the box. Under Pochettino they have welded into a tight, formidable defending and attacking unit. So, although credit has to go to them for the way they have responded and improved too much credit has to go to the management, t think, for them to deserve this award. JRod. He has attained more and more form and confidence as the new team has come in. I think he may well win this award next year, but not this year I feel. SRL. He is criticized for being slow. But I seem him chasing to the corner flag, covering fullbacks' lack of height in the box and at the far post on every attack. I think he is like a heavy jet in the distance, how do they stay up? They are going faster than you think. He deserves this award for every year he has played for Saints and probably this year too, but to give it to him would be like letting the clever kid in the classroom answer yet another question correct. He deserves a different award!?! Luke Shaw came into a defence who's record was appalling, especially on the left. Initially, if I remember right, to cover injury, and everyone was fearing the worse. Instantly, he looked as if he had played there for ever. If a winger goes around him, and millisecond later he's in front of them again. He knows instinctively when to tackle, when to delay when to attack when to defend. And all this he achieved by himself under a defensively suspect management team, and individually he has has had to the greatest influence on results of any player. And for one so young, amazing. My vote is for Luke Shaw.

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ExiledSupporter added 11:50 - Apr 23 I would give it to Schneiderlein as well, especially due to his record of interceptions which last time I looked put him ahead of any other player in the Prem League. Cork has been almost as consistent and all over the pitch to our benefit. Certainly Boruc has brought a stability to our command of the penalty area that Davis never achieved over a number of seasons. While not serious candidates for POTY, I think both Steve Davis and Maya Yoshida should be given credit for their contributions.

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davepid added 11:58 - Apr 23 Good to see Yoshida get a mention. Even when we were leaking goals early on, he seemed to always put in a solid performance. He has still stood out for me even though those around him in the back 4 have raised their game. Ok he might be blamed for the first goal away at Wigan ,and I know some would blame him for Swanseas equaliser at home,though I blamed the keeper for that one. Hewas int eh right place on Saturday at Swansea and I thought he was our best player in the back-to - the wall match at Villa. Probably not a winner, as exiledsupporter says ,but he should be on your short list,Nick

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webberg added 12:26 - Apr 23 Got to be Morgan. He is the beating heart of the team. Always on hand to take the ball off somebody in trouble - getting a toe in when it matters - driving forwards - scoring the odd goal. Shaw will have his time. Cork can get a bit flustered. Lambert - is super but not this year. J Rod - not seen enough of him. Centre backs - too inconsistent. Llalana - been injured. COYR

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Fordy added 13:09 - Apr 23 Has to be Morgan for me too. My favourite moment of the year was his goal away at Wigan. His run to get there was unbelievable. Just a shame we let in that sloppy equaliser otherwise we would be home and dry by now.
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bstokesaint added 13:24 - Apr 23 Morgan for me. His work rate is exemplary. If Cork had bagged a couple of goals to go with his displays he'd get it. Clyne and Shaw have been excellent and their time will come. Looking at Clyne’s Crystal Palace career history he’ll probably feel hard done by if he doesn’t get an award this season. The two of them will keep battling out, if they stay with us, right up until they get their senior England debuts. There have been some other standout players this season, but not as consistent as those I have mentioned.

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no7saint added 13:35 - Apr 23 Nice write-up, couldn't agree more there are so many contenders this year but I'm voting for Morgan, having watched him develop with us since he was 18 he is now looking every inch a Premier League player and it's surely only a matter of time before he becomes an international. His stats on tackles and interceptions this year are remarkable, and he's formed a partnership with Cork that looks better than in many established PL teams. Plus I've met him and he's a genuinely top bloke!

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richardmdcooper added 17:36 - Apr 23 Good article. Applaud Maya's efforts but can't believe people are suggesting he should be on the shortlist..For me, I think England's top goalscorer should win it - super rickie..Morgan a close second
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thegeneral added 18:44 - Apr 23 Its a tough call for all the right reasons, so much to be proud of this season but my choice would be Jack Cork. A great lad with a brilliant attitude and a shining example to any young player, he's a player that always seems to be able to buy himself that crucial bit of time to make the right pass, rarely gives the ball away and forces mistakes from the opposition with his work rate. Our defence significantly improved the moment he came back from fitness. A real team player. Also 1 yellow card all season for a midfielder is pretty unheard of.

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zonehead added 19:13 - Apr 23 Surprise no mention of Fox, Nick
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Whatsforpud added 00:30 - Apr 24 Difficult call between Schneiderlin and Cork. They both play off each other so well. One has a tendency to get yellow cards, and the other one has failed to score. A good midfielder should really be chipping in with a few goals each season. Lambert is the one I look to each game. Interesting how a slowish player with no fancy tricks can produce the goods more times than not.A real team player who should be made captain next year.

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thingummy added 02:01 - Apr 24 My player of the year is Morgan - our best central midfielder since Steve WIlliams Second would be SRL, the talisman for the team - his header away at Chelsea just after coming on was just immense ..... plus so many other great moments. Fingers crossed he gets an England call up 3rd would be young Luke Shaw -no more to be said about him really I feel guilty not putting Jack Cork in my top 3 ...... Next year

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scummerlou added 09:09 - Apr 24 Morgan for me....his ability stood out down in League 1 and now he is getting the recognition his play deserves. I also like the fact that he is starting to get forward a bit more this season, and is now chipping with a few more goals than in previous years. Honourable mentions to Jack Cork (great partnership with MS, and timely return from injury), Maya Yoshida (Has put in a good consistent shift this season) Steve Davis (unsung member of our hard working midfield trio), and of course, Sir Rickie Lambert, who should have been selected for the English National Team this season, and once again, Goals, hard work and team Talisman. MS for POTY...

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SaintJez added 12:56 - Apr 24 Yep - Morgan for me too as he's been simply outstanding all season though a special mention for Cork. It is no coincidence that he wasn't playing during our horror start to the season and we dramatically improved once he recovered from injury. In classic water carrier fashion, his effort and industry closes down space and allows those around him to play. Morgan has more strings to his bow though so gets the nod for me. If I could let those guys share the prize, I would.. Shaw is clearly young player of the year and J Rod "most improved" for his performances since Pochettino has arrived. Agreed that SRL deserves some recognition but he'll just have to take pride in being England's top marksman in the big league - assuming he can bang in one or 2 more before the end of the season and stave off the inevitable charge from Defoe...

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blambo added 13:00 - Apr 24 Why isn't Yoshida on the list ?
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StChristophe added 13:03 - Apr 24 Spot on Nick - its a shame that the award can't be shared between Morgan and Jack. If it weren't for the number of yellow cards he's picked up, Morgan would be even closer, but agree that Jack just shades it. Overall, a brilliant season all round, with no real weak links now - people will point to our central defenders, but look at Man City's defending against Spurs where even Kompany made a number of poor decisions, and I don't recall many people saying he's a bad player. I think our goals conceded record over recent games, show how much this area has improved. Chapeau Saints!

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Fordy added 10:47 - Apr 26 Surprising that so many people have mentioned Morgan's yellow cards. A couple have been silly like the one for diving against West Ham but on the whole considering his role and how many tackles he makes I think it's a fair achievement to go through the whole season without a sending off. He's also not afraid to take a booking for the team if it means saving a goal.
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