THT Awards
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We, the crew at TheHardTackle, are excited at having covered our first complete football season, 2010-2011, together as a team.
Corporations have their fiscal years, parliaments have their annual budget sessions, school seniors have their proms – days set aside to take mark a time gone by. Thankfully, we’re not that full of ourselves, and truth be told we tend to squirm under the spotlight. However, we have no qualms whatsoever about hauling all the European leagues under that very high-powered microscope of ours, at the end of the season.
We’re determined to settle that never-ending debate about just who was the best in their area of expertise, this past season – The best manager, custodian, defender, midfielder, attacker, game, signing and pretty much any other category we can think of. It’s a lot of hard work! Which is why it’s best handled by someone with a deep insight of the game, untainted by prejudice and willing to make the tough choices.
You!
Vote for your top choices from six competitions – English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, German Bundesliga, Champions League, Europa League – and help us figure out the winner in each of the below mentioned categories.
#1. Manager of the Season - View the results!
Sir Alex Ferguson (Man Utd) has been voted the best manager of the season by readers of THT. The phenomenal Scot has built an empire of dominance in England and he repeated his success this season. Sir Alex pipped Andreas Villas-Boas by a small margin; the close competition proving that the rise of the sensational Portuguese isn’t going unnoticed.
#2. Goalkeeper of the season - View the results!
Manchester United have two in two, now. After Fergie’s victory in the first award, its time for the other oldie at the club to be honoured; and deservedly so. Edwin Van Der Sar (Man Utd) has been the saviour for his team on crucial occasions throughout this season. His utter dominance in this poll makes him the best goalkeeper of this, his last season in the game. Manuel Neuer (Schalke) came in second but was beaten by more than double number of votes.
#3. Defender of the season - View the results!
We have the first upset of the Awards! And that too, by a huge margin. Nemanja Vidic’s flawless season at Old Trafford has been overshadowed by Thiago Silva’s (AC Milan) splendid season in the Milan shirt. The Milan central defender helped his club win back the Serie A title from their closest rivals and has caught the eye of the whole world.
#4. Midfielder of the season - View the results!
In a sensational result, Real Madrid’s new signing Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund) has defeated Barcelona’s Xavi in the Midfielder of the Season Award by just 2 votes! Sahin, who was the best midfielder in the Bundesliga last season, played an instrumental role in Borussia Dortmund’s title winning campaign, and our audience has acknowledged his exploits
#5. Forward/Winger/Versatile player of the season - View the results!
It is amazing how competition can make you reach new heights. Real Madrid’s only little positive from Messi’s exploits with Barcelona is that it has spurred Ronaldo to a level that has never been reached before in the history of Spanish football. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) has been voted the best offensive player of the season; completing the player’s astounding transformation from a tricky winger to a 50-goal man for one of the top clubs in the world.
#6. Young player of the season – View the results!
We have a clear winner here – Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), and quite deservingly so. In this breakthrough season, Wilshere was made to play in more of a holding role, but soon he became the cynosure of Arsenal’s midfield with solid tackling, defense-splitting passes and intelligent off the ball movements. At the age of 19, he has already established himself in the Arsenal first-team and is carrying the hopes of not just Arsenal fans but also of the entire nation on his young shoulders. We hope he realises his potential.
#7. Match of the season - View the results!
THT readers have voted the match between two of the most attractive teams as the best match of the season. “Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona” was a joy to watch for any football lover and Arsenal’s come-from-behind victory against the mighty Catalans has been rewarded by our readers. The match at The Emirates just beat Newcastle’s sensational comeback at St James’ Park.
#8. Signing of the season - View the results!
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the signing of the season, according to our audience. Out of a total of 39 appearances, the striker had notched up 21 goals and 12 assists. This is the Swedish striker’s eighth consecutive league title, which is an unbelievable record in itself. AC Milan will surely put in their best efforts to sign the striker on a permanent basis from Barcelona even if he comes at a cost of 24 million euros.
#9. Best Sporting Gesture of the season View the results!
Our audience has voted something which Puyol did on that night at Wembley as The Best Sporting Gesture of the Season, and quite deservingly so. Barcelona Captain Carles Puyol invited Eric Abidal to lift the coveted Champions league trophy. As the team made way for the Frenchman to lift the trophy, Abidal’s emotions got better of him as the left back was stunned with gratitude. Lifting the champions league trophy is what every captain dreams of, and letting a team-mate, who had gone through a torrid time and recovered to find his way back to the first team, do the honors was a special gesture indeed.
#10. Goal of the season View the results!
Alex’s rocket of a free-kick against Arsenal has been voted as The Goal of the Season by our audience. With all due respect to the Brazilian’s jaw-dropping effort and our audience’s verdict, we consider this result as the biggest upset in THT Awards!