Hello there, this is Simon Walsh, Roker Report's very own Evil Emperor/Grand Poobah, and it's my turn to give some opinions on the season, and what an up and down season it's been. I can't remember a season with such ridiculous highs and the lowest of lows.
Anyway, it's been pretty eventful for me too. At the start of the season I was just a regular fan like anyone else. I suppose I still am, but one dark December day, feeling a bit ranty, I started up this site, and have genuinely been taken aback by the entire experience.
The amount of readers, the comments, the praise and some of the people we've been privileged to speak to has been truly astounding.
Anyway, enough of me gushing, now to speak my brains on the season gone...
Player Of The Season?
Simon: Much like everyone else, there really only appears to be one option, and that's Phil Bardsley. Whilst others have gone through golden patches such as Asamoah Gyan, and players such as Titus Bramble were magnificent at times but injured a little too often, Bardo has been exceptional considering most, including myself thought we'd seen the last of him in a Sunderland shirt at the start of the season. Definitely this season's most consistent performer.
Young Player Of The Season?
Simon: Jack Colback has impressed me massively since he's come into the team, and I think that position alongside Lee Cattermole is his to lose now, and should head into next season in pole position to start there. Simon Mignolet makes a very decent claim for the 'award' however has been let down by moments of inconsistency. That's not to dismiss Mignolet, but Colback has played with the maturity of a player ten years older than his age, and looks a tremendous prospect.
Best Signing Of The Season?
Simon: Running against the consensus pick of Titus Bramble, I'm plumping for Stephane Sessegnon. Sure he's been through some bad spots, and we're yet to see the true best of him, but I think Sess will be a massive player for us next season. His first touch is out of this world, and hopefully he can get a few more goals under his belt. We've signed a top class player here everyone.
Worst Player Of The Season?
Simon: Worst player is always gonna be a tough one, there's been times when you could have picked anyone out the squad! My nomination however goes to Marcos Angeleri, as will many people's. He hardly played, and when he did he was beyond terrible. Let himself down massively too with the comments about Steve Bruce, and should be shipped off soon. Good riddance.
Most Disappointing Signing Of The Season?
Simon: The most disappointing player is a close run competition between two players who had fantastic World Cups, and arrived with much fan fare - Sulley Muntari & Cristian Riveros. I'm going to plump for Muntari though. I wanted him to succeed, I really did, and championed his cause at every opportunity, however he just hasn't lived up to expectation at all.
Goal Of The Season?
Simon: Obviously Nedum Onuoha's mazy dribble against Chelsea was a belter, but for me it's Bardsley's strike from range against West Bromwich Albion. I've always been much more a fan of goals where they're leathered into the net as opposed to tippy-tappy stuff. Cracking goal from Bardsley that one, and he's hit a few good one's this season.
Game Of The Season?
Simon: Again I'm going slightly left-field here, but Blackpool away is my favourite. Everyone wondered how we'd react to Darren Bent dicking off to Aston Villa, and at the time Blackpool were still the media darlings everyone wanted to win. We put in a fine performance, and walked away with the win. Not that I'm discounting Chelsea or Bolton away too mind you, but Blackpool was a great result all things considered.