Arise Sir Jody?
By Tom Bason
May 26 2010
You may not have noticed, but the Premier League has just got a whole lot more tangerine coloured. Blackpool have won promotion, cue plenty of crossed fingers for a trip to Bloomfield Road during the summer months, when in reality it will be a cold Tuesday in February.
One of Blackpool’s most famous days came on 2nd May 1953 when they won the FA Cup, coming back from 3-1 down to defeat Bolton Wanderers 4-3. That day should have belonged to one man. Stan Mortenson hit the only Wembley FA Cup Final hat trick. Yet the platitudes went to a winger who, admittedly at the age of 38, set up two goals only after his direct opponent, Eric Bell, tore his hamstring. This was in the days without substitutes, and without the tactical awareness to swap players positions that modern managers have. This day has become known as the ‘Matthews Final'. Stan Mortenson nothing but a distant memory. Indeed, it was mentioned on his death that it would probably be known as the ‘Matthews Funeral’.
Last year, 36 year old Ryan Giggs won PFA Player of the Year and BBC Sports Personality of the Year, despite starting just 12 games (at the time of the former award) and scoring 2 goals. That year Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard scored 18 and 13 goals respectively, being the most important players for the two teams to challenge for the Title. Jenson button and Mark Cavendish were world champions; Phil Taylor had just won his 14th World title. Yet Ryan Giggs was the victor. He wasn't the best player in the Premiership, and nor was he the most deserving British sports personality. Sentiment won over sporting achievement.
For Matthews in 1953 and Giggs in 2009, read Craddock in 2010. Wolves’ player of the year. Did he deserve it? Well, he had a decent season, and chipped in with more than his fair share of goals. But goals should not be that important when it comes to judging a defender, especially a central one. We've all seen Joleon Lescott's stock rise to a point higher than his actual ability, to the point where Manchester City paid £10m too much for him last summer. This valuation was partly increased by the 10 goals he scored in 2007/08.
In judging Jody as a defender, I don't think you can split him from his defensive partner, Christophe Berra. Just as Barcelona’s midfield is based on a sublime pairing of Iniesta and Xavi, our defence is based on a pairing of Berra and Craddock. And Berra has arguably had a better season in purely defensive terms. Mick McCarthy’s biggest mistake this season was possibly leaving Berra out at home to Wigan in favour of the more mobile Michael Mancienne in an attempt to shackle the pacey Hugo Rodellaga. In the end, we lacked defensive structure- right back Richard Stearman was sent off, and we fell to a 2-0 defeat. Berra was promptly reinstated, and helped us to a clean sheet in the home game with Liverpool.
And of course, there were other candidates. Kevin Doyle for starters. Nine League goals from the team’s total of 32 is a decent return, but he offered far more than just goals. His all round holdup play and ball control while upfront by himself eased the pressure and it is no surprise that the likes of Arsenal have been linked with him already this summer. I was tempted to use my Player of the Year vote for Berra, if only because I got odds of 100-1 on him winning the award at the start of the season. However, I quickly realised this was a wasted vote, and went for Doyle instead, as he is head, shoulders, stomach, legs and feet above everything else we have got. As far as I can tell, I think people were avoiding voting for Doyle in order to avoid another Henri Camara-esque situation
Please don’t think that I am trying to have a go at Craddock, he has been far better than I expected him to be this season. But he was not our best player this season. This has not even been his best season in a Wolves shirt. Back when everyone else was slagging him off, I thought he was a decent player. In 2004/05 he formed a good partnership with Lescott. Obviously Lescott was a far better player, so Craddock was relegated to being the fall guy. Just like in 1953 when Sir Stanley Matthews won the FA Cup at the 3rd time of asking (Mortenson had also previously lost 2 Cup Finals), and last year when Ryan Giggs won his pair of Awards, the fans felt a sense of guilt at never having recognised their talents and efforts before. This was an opportunity for the fans to apologise to Jody for those years of neglect. This, I cannot argue with, and surely he should be honoured with some type of achievement award when he retires, but Player of the Season? Not for me.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
You also need to take into consideration Jody's age and the fact that he is playing his best games as he is reaching retirement from the game.
Even in the Fantasy Premier League, Jody was chosen by 13% of players. In total there were 2,319,796 players. That means that means 301,573 people.
Ashley Cole had 8.2% and Jamie Carragher 7.4%.
So you see he has been recognised far outside our Wolves world.
It matters not where they go, they will ALWAYS look better in a Wolves kit ©ncaw
Craddock was imo consistently the best player over the season - and the majority, who watched all our games, - and took the trouble to vote - agreed.
He was immense for us this season.
Quote:fleshtearingwolf
You obviously didn't watch all the games this season!!
Craddock was imo consistently the best player over the season - and the majority, who watched all our games, - and took the trouble to vote - agreed.
He was immense for us this season.
No, I didn't watch every game this season. I attended 32 League games, plus a cup game, so I think I'm in a fairly decent position to judge
toomb's twitter
In the end, in a photo finish I voted for Doyle, an immense effort from a fantastic premier league quality player but am absolutely delighted Jody got the nod. I didn't think this award was an apology, I actually felt it was really genuine and based on considered judgement. I was a gnats chuff away from putting his name on my voting slip!
Quote:Penn Wanderer
Ten Mil too much for Lescott?? Dont agree with that at all.
Are you telling me Lescott is a £24M defender? Is he really deserving of being the 4th most expensive defender of all time?
toomb's twitter
It matters not where they go, they will ALWAYS look better in a Wolves kit ©ncaw
With 32 league goals scored, Wolves have stayed up mainly by staying tight at the back and Craddock has been there, leading the team defensively as well as popping up with those very important goals at Stoke and Villa. At Villa we looked like we were going to be swamped in the first 20 minutes, but we turned it around almost winning the game with Craddocks help and that game led on to the crucial season defining West Ham game.
Berra deserves a lot of credit as well defensively and has stepped up to the mark, but Berra has been guilty of missing some gilt edged chances which have cost us points. Blackburn away and Sunderland come to mind.
Doyle has led the line like a trooper this season but this season was not "player of the season" material IMO, mainly due to the lack of supply and a strike partner. Hopefully he will still be wearing the old gold to stake his claim next season if we can improve the quality and provide more of a supply line for him and more support up front.
Regarding Lescott being worth £24m. If he can recapture his Wolves and Everton form then yes I think he is. I have always rated his ability as far higher than Ferdinand who I think will probably be one of the weak links in our summer world cup bid. Lescott though has not played his best football for either Man City or England. While thinking about the World cup this year, spare a thought for Matt Murray who barring injurys would surely have dominated the England goalkeeping scene. Joe Hart and Tina will surely be our top two keepers - heaven forbid that Robert Green plays.
Quote:Stourport Wolf
I was at 37 league games this season and I would say that Craddock definitely deserves his award on merit this season and it was no sympathy vote.
With 32 league goals scored, Wolves have stayed up mainly by staying tight at the back and Craddock has been there, leading the team defensively as well as popping up with those very important goals at Stoke and Villa. At Villa we looked like we were going to be swamped in the first 20 minutes, but we turned it around almost winning the game with Craddocks help and that game led on to the crucial season defining West Ham game.
Berra deserves a lot of credit as well defensively and has stepped up to the mark, but Berra has been guilty of missing some gilt edged chances which have cost us points. Blackburn away and Sunderland come to mind.
Doyle has led the line like a trooper this season but this season was not "player of the season" material IMO, mainly due to the lack of supply and a strike partner. Hopefully he will still be wearing the old gold to stake his claim next season if we can improve the quality and provide more of a supply line for him and more support up front.
Regarding Lescott being worth £24m. If he can recapture his Wolves and Everton form then yes I think he is. I have always rated his ability as far higher than Ferdinand who I think will probably be one of the weak links in our summer world cup bid. Lescott though has not played his best football for either Man City or England. While thinking about the World cup this year, spare a thought for Matt Murray who barring injurys would surely have dominated the England goalkeeping scene. Joe Hart and Tina will surely be our top two keepers - heaven forbid that Robert Green plays.
I did write in praise of the defence a couple of months ago, pointing out that its a massive turn around from last season when our strike force was our major strength.
I don't understand how Doyle's lack of support rules him out for POTY? Surely someone toiling on their own without any help deserves it more than a defender who has been more than ably supported by 3 other defenders, a keeper and another 3 defensive minded players in midfield. I'm not knocking the tactics which kept us up, but they were mainly defensive, and for Doyle to stand out as much as he has is incredible. For me, Doyles workrate is far higher than anyone elses in the team, and his footballing ability is far higher than everyone elses. Its only because of Doyles class upfront that we've been able to concentrate so much of the rest of the team defensively.
As far as I'm concerned, Berra has been at least as good as Jody. How many of Jody's goals have come from Berra's flick ons? And I don't agree with judging a defender on the goals he scores, unless he's a Dani Alves/Maicon sort of defender. In terms of how much they've contributed to us defensively, I think Berra just edges it
toomb's twitter
Quote:Doyle did a great job of ploughing a lone furrow for the last 40% of the season, though I felt he faded a little towards the end. The first 60% of the season we played with two strikers mostly and for me he dropped out of position way too often, possibly in frustration at lack of chances and support from the rest of the team. For me Doyle had an excellent end of season and an average first half of the season. Just my opinion.Wolf Like Me
I don't understand how Doyle's lack of support rules him out for POTY? Surely someone toiling on their own without any help deserves it more than a defender who has been more than ably supported by 3 other defenders, a keeper and another 3 defensive minded players in midfield.
Quote:For me the defence has been excellent in the main and the two central defenders plus Hannaman deserve most credit by far. Hannaman did not play enough games to be POTS. For me Craddock has outscored Berra in his overall contribution of defending, being a leader on the field and popping up with crucial goals at crucial times as well as far exceeding what was expected of him as which was basically to make up the numbers as a squad player. Again just my opinion.Wolf Like Me
As far as I'm concerned, Berra has been at least as good as Jody. How many of Jody's goals have come from Berra's flick ons? And I don't agree with judging a defender on the goals he scores, unless he's a Dani Alves/Maicon sort of defender. In terms of how much they've contributed to us defensively, I think Berra just edges it
Quote:Stourport WolfQuote:Doyle did a great job of ploughing a lone furrow for the last 40% of the season, though I felt he faded a little towards the end. The first 60% of the season we played with two strikers mostly and for me he dropped out of position way too often, possibly in frustration at lack of chances and support from the rest of the team. For me Doyle had an excellent end of season and an average first half of the season. Just my opinion.Wolf Like Me
I don't understand how Doyle's lack of support rules him out for POTY? Surely someone toiling on their own without any help deserves it more than a defender who has been more than ably supported by 3 other defenders, a keeper and another 3 defensive minded players in midfield.
Quote:For me the defence has been excellent in the main and the two central defenders plus Hannaman deserve most credit by far. Hannaman did not play enough games to be POTS. For me Craddock has outscored Berra in his overall contribution of defending, being a leader on the field and popping up with crucial goals at crucial times as well as far exceeding what was expected of him as which was basically to make up the numbers as a squad player. Again just my opinion.Wolf Like Me
As far as I'm concerned, Berra has been at least as good as Jody. How many of Jody's goals have come from Berra's flick ons? And I don't agree with judging a defender on the goals he scores, unless he's a Dani Alves/Maicon sort of defender. In terms of how much they've contributed to us defensively, I think Berra just edges it
It's the wonderful thing about football, 2 people can watch the same game and come up with totally different views. I learned to accept ages ago that my views generally differ from the norm.
toomb's twitter
Quote:Wolf Like Me
It's the wonderful thing about football, 2 people can watch the same game and come up with totally different views. I learned to accept ages ago that my views generally differ from the norm.
I don't think we are a million miles apart to be honest, just slightly different views on what justifys a "player of the season" award.
I would agree that Doyle was our best player in terms of ability and he could not be faulted for effort or attitude but overall I think Doyle will have a better season next season.
When it comes to holding different views from others, on pure ability and quality I think Milijas is up there as one of our best players and not many would agree with me there!