AS Blackburn Rovers’ season draws to a close, we bring to you ‘The Cryers’ - the awards handed out by the Lancashire Telegraph’s Rovers reporter Andy Cryer. Here, he delivers the first of 10 awards for the 2009/10 campaign.
>> PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Steven Nzonzi: Whereas in previous seasons there have been obvious winners, this time round the choice isn’t quite so clear cut.
There are four or five players who could be given the nod by the supporters - but for me Steven Nzonzi has outshone the rest.
The young Frenchman hasn’t been Rovers’ best performer, nor has he grabbed many of the headlines, but what he has done is produced consistent performances in the heart of midfield.
While many of his more senior colleagues – the likes of David Dunn, Vince Grella and Brett Emerton – have struggled with injuries, Nzonzi has been an almost ever present in his first ever Premier League season.
Considering Nzonzi was plucked from the French lower leagues as ‘one for the future’, what he has done this season has been nothing short of heroic and crucial for Rovers’ decent campaign.
Dunn would probably have won the award by a margin had he stayed fit throughout, while Paul Robinson, Gael Givet, Chris Samba and Ryan Nelsen deserve honourable mentions.
But to become a key figure in the heart of a Premier League team’s midfield means Nzonzi would be a worthy recipient of the accolade.
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