Best kit of the season: In a recent post I discussed the demise of the football shirt, where I argued that they’ve become more about corporate identities than club ones and they have become dull. This Napoli effort was anything but dull.
Napoli’s camo effort was a sight to behold.
Yes, the camo has nothing to with Napoli, but their 3rd shirt for this season certainly wasn’t boring. For me it’s a refreshing bit of 90’s style madness in a sea of Nike and Adidas corporate banality. Can’t wait to see the next effort!
Worst kit of the season: Liverpool have this category nailed. With a track record including the Ecru shirt of ’96 and some hideous yellow efforts, 2013’s champions came up trumps again with a shirt that looked like a printer error. Keep ’em coming Warrior!
Manager of the season: At the start of the season every pundit worth their salt backed Crystal Palace for the drop, and to start with the Eagles did their best to prove everybody right. Already in trouble, manager Ian Holloway resigned and they seemed doomed. Up steps Tony Pulis, and what a turnaround. Almost immediately the shaky defence looked watertight, and results, especially at home, improved dramatically. That they stayed up was amazing, but to put such a run together and finish 11th, was staggering, and testament to Pulis ability.
Pulis was inspirational in guiding Palace to safety.
Goal of the season: Only a video will really do this justice to start with, so here goes:
The best goals in football are memorable for different reasons. Some because they are brilliant bits of skill, some because they win the trophy, some because they come against bitter rivals and some because of what they mean to the player scoring. Very rarely are they all of the above. Gareth Bale went into the Copa Del Rey final this year having had a good first season in Spain, but question marks remained over his ability to deliver in the very biggest of games, but boy did he answer those questions, showcasing all the talent that persuaded Real Madrid to part with £80 million.
Outstanding contribution: Roma have always been the nearly team in Italy, and their list of trophies is dwarfed by that of rivals Juventus and the Milan clubs, and last season was no different. They do though have one of the persistent shining lights in Italian football in Francesco Totti. Totti has been one of Europe’s most consistent players for two decades now, and Rome born and bred, he has always stuck with the Giallorossi. Despite numerous opportunities to move him to clubs where he would undoubtedly have claimed more silverware, he instead remained to become the ultimate icon of Roma, and what a servant he’s been too. The perfect trequartista, he’s been dazzling defences and spectators alike or as long as SYC have been watching football, so here’s to Francesco Totti – let’s hope there’s one more trophy in him!
The iconic Roma captain is idolised by many.
Moron of the season: When Newcastle lost their first Tyne-Wear derby of the season, SYC were critical of the Toon fans that called for Pardew’s head. After going on a great run which included beating Man Utd away and Chelsea at home, the boo boys appeared to have been placated. But then it all went wrong again after a poor second half to the season and attitudes towards Pardew changed heavily after dramatic events during the game against Hull. Involved in a touchline altercation, instead of walking away, he headbutted Hull midfielder David Meyler, throwing away any remaining respect the footballing world could have had for him. Losing games is forgivable, headbutting opponents is not.
Team of the year: For the last ten years the La Liga title race has been very much an exclusive club, confined to just Barcelona and Real Madrid. To see another team not only challenge for the title, but claim it has been entirely refreshing, and Atletico Madrid won themselves legions of fans in the process, particularly in claiming the title at the Camp Nou by taking a point against Barcelona in the final game. Diego SImeone has made Atleti hard to beat, but their first title since 1996 was won with positive attacking play too, Diego Costa and David Villa amomg the chief protagonists in that. A big threat (just ask Chelsea), they are a challenge for any opponent, and whilst they may have lost the Champions League final, getting there was achievement enough, and the biggest challenge now will be to keep the squad together. Having already lost Costa, that may be a battle they are already losing, but they will be keen to ride the crest of the wave for another couple of seasons and add more silverware.
‘Atleti’ claimed their first La Liga title since 1996 in some style.
Player of the season: There was only one player this season who stood out as crucially important to his team, scored goals, created goals and truly deserved this award. Unfortunately, he bites people, so he’s not getting it. Instead, the award goes to the player that won this category last year too. Gareth Bale didn’t have a spectacular season this year, perhaps not even as good as his final year at Spurs, but when put into perspective his achievements this year are just as impressive. A debut season anywhere is tough enough, but a debut season in a foreign country when your new club is the biggest in the world and you’ve moved there for a world record transfer fee….well, you could have forgiven him for a quiet season of adjustment. On the contrary though, Bale scored goals, made assists and won trophies. He scored a wonder goal in the Copa Del Rey final, and got the crucial goal in the Champions League final to put Real 2-1 in front against rivals Atletico. Now that he’s had a season to settle, goodness knows what 2014/15 has in store for him. Pressure, what pressure?
SYC player of the season for two years running – Gareth Bale!
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