Player of the Year

Player of the Year

Topic Author: Bret Higgins

Posted: 8:34 AM Jan 26, 2009

Replies Posted: 1 comments

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First up: Interviews!

This week I'll be talking with Carey Turner, General Manager of the Pirates and Matt Watts, the only Pirate to spend every minute of the season on the pitch last year.

Let me know what questions you have and I'll be sure to ask them.

Now on to today's thoughts.

I've been considering last season and trying to work out who my player of the year is. No joy. I have several contenders all of whom played to a very high standard every minute they were on the pitch.

In no particular order:

CD Harris. Scored a bundle of goals, made a couple and is a quintessential team player. But aside from all of that CD is one of nicest, humblest and well rounded footballer on and off of the field that I have had the pleasure to meet.

Nick Mroczkowski. The unsung midfield workhorse. Technically very capable with passing and tackling. Shored up the middle of the pitch and enabled our attacking players to do their job nicely.

Tom Wharf: Was there a more vocal, passionate player in black and white? Very talented central defender.

Bruno Conceicao. Perhaps didn't play enough to warrant the top spot, but Bruno plays football the way I want it done. Dogged closing down, lots of running and work off the ball, an eye for goal and pass alike. Seven goals in eleven games. No one can ask for more.

Dean Sorrell: I'll hold my hands up and admit that I doubted Dean's ability to play in the middle of a back three and hold his own. Not only was I proved wrong, I was proved wrong with aplomb.

Anteneh Lemma: Not only did he improve with every game but he showed everyone that he could be relied upon in all areas of the football pitch, covering for Matt Watts when he was pushing forward and contributing with goals and assists.

Matt Watts: Matt is a natural leader, marshaling the back line, midfield and attack from his left back slot. There are very few people who can do that. Got forward well and defended doggedly 100% of the time. The only time I saw him have any consistent trouble was for about twenty minutes against Jordan Seabrook of Bradenton... and he moved to the Colorado Rapids in the MLS Draft.

All in all I can't choose one over the rest. I could also put a case forward for Joe Nasco, John Dill, Jimmy McHenry and Two-Boys Gumede but to do so will hurt your eyes.

Last season was unique. Twenty four players came together the day of their first match and learned how to play with each other as the season progressed.

Truth be told the most important member of the Pirates team last season was Coach Bill Elliott, and his coaching is the reason that the Pirates finished with a winning season, because whilst one player can win a game with five seconds of brilliance, it takes a complete and well rounded team to start with absolutely nothing and come away with the respect the Pirates earned at the end of July.

On the flip side of all this praise comes a fear that despite all the Pirates' best efforts we'll once again be let down by some shambolic refereeing and line calls. I know the officials are barely paid for their time, and also that no one can expect top quality refereeing at the grass roots level of the PDL, but still, you wouldn't see eighty percent of the decisions made last season, both for and against Panama City, at a Sunday pub league back in England. Am I being harsh? Perhaps I am, but if you were at those games and feel differently, let me know!

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Posted by: Matt Location: PCB
Those refs were pretty bad... lmao at the one sideline ref who was screaming profanities at the opposing team (the Kraze?). The best thing that you can say about the refs was that they were consistently inconsistent. Tough call for POY, especially since I only saw about 7 or so games. CD had the magic touch late in the season and Wharf/Watts were both solid in the back.

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