http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=469156&CPID=8&clid=&lid=1490&title=Defender+of+the+Year
Over the past ten months skysports.com's journalists have reported
on hundreds of games in the Premiership and having canvassed
opinion across the office, these are our contenders for the
Defender of the Year gong.
As ever, though, it is your views that really count so have your
say by using the voting poll and feedback form below.
Have our journalists picked the cream of the crop or has the top
flight's stopper supreme escaped our notice? Let us know your
views.
Defender of the Year
Nemanja Vidic
Brave, rugged, willing to put his head in front of a train if it
means clearing the ball and with a scary look of Ivan Drago about
him - Nemanja Vidic is everything you want from your centre back
and more. The Serbian looked a little uncomfortable at times after
arriving at Old Trafford, but has enjoyed a simply outstanding
first full season in England. His aggressive, powerful style has
endeared him to United fans while leaving opposing strikers
thinking twice about those 50-50s he so relishes. Not only solid
and reliable in defence, Vidic has also provided United with a real
goal threat from set-pieces having chipped in with some important
goals this term. It says something that his absence would now
arguably be more keenly felt than that of Rio Ferdinand beside him.
Mark Kendall
Linvoy Primus
Optimus Primus transformed Portsmouths defence in tandem with Sol
Campbell, also a robot in disguise judging by the latters final
season at Arsenal. A late developer at Premiership level, man
mountain Linvoy excelled in 2006/07, as Pompey narrowly missed out
on claiming a place in Europe. The stopper also enjoyed the joint
highest overall skysports.com rating (7.0) of any defender. Chris
Stanton
Joleon Lescott
Having played a total of 0 minutes during his last season in the
Premiership with Wolves due to serious injury, Lescott had a point
to prove this term and prove it he did. The ultra-consistent
Brummie played in every game for Everton as they clinched a place
in Europe, more often than not in an unfamiliar, but equally
successful, role at left-back. Such was his impact after his
signing in June, Lescott earned a call-up to the England B squad
and was even linked with Real Madrid - an accolade you feel may
elude his defensive colleagues such as Tony Hibbert and Alan
Stubbs. Tom Adams
Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher is the epitome of what makes a good central
defender. The Liverpool ace is a brave, no-nonsense hardworking
defender who lets his football do the talking. Such is Carraghers
devotion to defending his goal he would probably try to head out a
Jumbo Jet if it came into the Liverpool box. Carragher has again
been a beacon of light for Liverpool this term and arguably was
their Player of the Season. The wholehearted defender gives nothing
less than 100 per cent and his sheer determination not to be beaten
makes him a must inclusion in any side. Peter O'Rourke
Ricardo Carvalho
While other Chelsea defenders were dropping like flies and even
John Terry proved he was not Mr Invincible, Carvalho emerged from
the shadow to almost single-handedly keep their back-line from
falling apart. Chelsea conceded fewer goals in the Premiership than
any other side and then, after barely missing a game, Carvalho was
unfortunately ruled out of the FA Cup final through injury. Lewis
Rutledge
Steve Finnan
Steve Finnan could be described as Liverpools Mr Consistency. He
does not grab all the headlines, but his importance to Rafa
Benitezs side cannot be underestimated. The reliable full-back has
been a key cog in Liverpools watertight back four for the last few
seasons with a number of impressive displays. Finnan is equally
adept at going forward as defending with the marauding defender
providing many assists for Liverpool goals this season as they
reached the UEFA Champions League final. The Republic of Ireland
international does not always get the credit he deserves and maybe
he should get the some of the praise for making Liverpool such a
hard side to break down. Peter O'Rourke
Gary Neville
Having been ridiculed by a Manchester United fan for picking Gary
Neville in my team of the year despite an injury-plagued season
that didnt see him reach anything like the heights he has in
previous years, Im still prepared to say Neville is the king. Why?
Because hes deadly serious about the game and has the talent to
back it up, and, for that, you wouldnt want any other man in the
world playing right-back. Robin Hackett
