Premier League - Murphy: Vidic gets my vote

Eurosport - Fri, 24 Apr 15:31:00 2009

Fulham captain Danny Murphy reveals his choice for PFA player of the year in his latest exclusive blog for Eurosport-Yahoo!, as well as highlighting the top performers in his own team.

FOOTBALL 2008-09 Premier League Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic challenges Liverpool's Steven Gerrard - 0

Mark Schwarzer has been massively important for Fulham this year.

The fact is he is so experienced and so talented means that he does not seem to have a weak part of his game. He has helped everybody around him both on and off the pitch with his vocal encouragement and his organisational skills.

He has been really consistent for us and has definitely been one of my players of the year. Mark rarely makes a mistake and is always working hard in training to improve, even at 36 years of age.

His wonderful performance at the weekend at Middlesbrough epitomises what he is all about. He is just a fantastic person to have around.

By going back to his old club some thought he might be harbouring a sentiment towards them, which of course he wasn't. He made a wonderful save which helped give us the 0-0 draw which kept them in the bottom three.

I have to say he really has been fantastic along with the likes of Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland; they have all contributed to give us a truly mean defence.

Usually credit goes to the more forward players in teams, but I think that our top form and good season has been based on a solid defence, for which we have to thank them.

However, I didn't expect to see any Fulham players on the PFA shortlist. Over the years you tend to notice that the bigger names from the bigger clubs get more votes, partly from their media coverage but also because they win more games. It is part and parcel that the smaller clubs and names don't get as much recognition.

However, looking at the names on the list you just can't argue; their quality, consistency and talent is so high. There are five Manchester United players on there and United always have a few year in year out that perform remarkably well and deserve the credit. They are always wonderful professionals who continually play with hunger and desire and deserve a place on the list.

My vote went to Nemanja Vidic, who I think is one of the unsung heroes of football. Vidic has not been in the Premier League that long but has progressed to become a fantastic centre-half that no-one likes to play against, and he has set up a terrific partnership with Rio Ferdinand. Wherever he is on the pitch, he is always a threat.

I am very glad to see him on the shortlist because I think he has had a truly wonderful season and, in my opinion, he and Rio are the reason United are in such a strong position.

Danny Murphy / Eurosport

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  1. WELL THANK GOD HE IS NOT VOTING
    HOW MANT TIMES AS HE­ BEEN SENT OFF??????
    GERRARD PFA PLAYER OF THE­ YEAR...ARE YOU BLIND DANNY

    From big10, on Fri 24 Apr 11:52AM

  2. NEMANJA VIDIC - RESPECT. Thanks Danny.

    From Dusan, on Fri 24 Apr 11:50AM

  3. now liverpool have blew the league vidic will take it­ gerrard 2nd giggs 3rd

    From jimmy4blackpool62, on Fri 24 Apr 11:31AM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Vidic PFA player of the year no chance, 3 times red­ carded and have to depend on Rio to cover up his­ mistakes in back line. PFA should go Steven Gerard he­ had proven that he is the most versatile all round­ player and captain marvel.

    From Makeshvaran, on Fri 24 Apr 11:29AM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    YES to Gerrard and a definate NO for Vidic!!

    From pam.hughes2, on Fri 24 Apr 11:29AM

  6. Based on the performances over the whole season i would­ have to go with Vidic,
    He was instrumental in utds­ unbeaten streak and is a top class defender.
    (Im a­ liverpool fan)

    From DJ Viper, on Fri 24 Apr 11:29AM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Steven Gerrard - PFA Winner 2009

    From bizzydpl, on Fri 24 Apr 11:21AM

  8. Vidic is a great player, probably best defender there­ is, but I believe Gerrard should be PFA player of the­ year. Hes been in amazing form, unlucky to be injured­ alot, and its him who drags Liverpol through games when­ they struggle. Also, for whoever it is who said only­ scousers like him are wrong because im from stoke and­ hes best English player.

    From philharwood46, on Fri 24 Apr 11:17AM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    If the award is for playing foul when refree is not­ looking by pulling players down then the winner should­ be Vidic. If the award is for a truely motivated­ talanted player then it should go to Gerrard.

    From Alibaba_in_OZ, on Fri 24 Apr 11:16AM

  10. i like the way all you ppl bring up vidic's bad­ points off the season but NO footballer is perfect in­ any season the worse thing is its scousers who are­ bringing it up i think you only wished you had a­ defence like uniteds vidic is one off the best­ defenders in the world right now better then any off­ liverpool defenders by far

    From brysie, on Fri 24 Apr 11:16AM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    danny murphy does not no what he is talking about­ vi-dic is not good enough to be player of the year get­ real how can he talk when he is playing for fhulam the­ no hope club danny boy has always been a yes sir no sir­ boy

    From rezwanasif, on Fri 24 Apr 11:16AM

  12. this is a tough one to call this year , i agree thats­ mostly between Gerrard and Vidic. Both have had a­ fantastic season and have played a great part in their­ respective teams achievements this year. Vidic has had­ a fantastic season for united , him and ferdinand have­ forged a potent partnership with Vidic been the­ stronger of the two in my book . Gerrard has been­ inspirational for Liverpool this season and is the main­ reason in my book that they are in the position they­ are in now , challenging for the title . So whichever­ player wins they fully deserve it whether it be one of­ them two or one of the other nominees. ( p.s. im a­ united fan )

    From petersheridan45, on Fri 24 Apr 11:15AM

  13. The best full back in the league number one, well done

    From Michael F, on Fri 24 Apr 11:15AM

  14. Vidic has been the most important player in the man u­ squard this season no doubt but after the match against­ liverpool, Vidic was de-mystified and I changed my­ placement for him.

    Gerrard has been more resourceful­ and consistent this season than any other though I am a­ chelsea fan, objectively we do not have an outstanding­ player around stamford bridge any more, it's sad

    From papaogos, on Fri 24 Apr 11:07AM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Hello, fans!I'm an open minded girl from UK. I like­ this team very much.
    I have a blog on -–SeekingBi C o­ M-- I like to share the funny things with other­ fans,esp handsome guys~~

    From lindashake01, on Fri 24 Apr 11:05AM

  16. Bramble should be up there

    From adamdavidmolyneux, on Fri 24 Apr 11:04AM

  17. Well all you united fans who are saying Gerrard should­ win please do not call yourself united fans because you­ are not! Vidic has been voted united player of the year­ and i do hope that he wins PFA as well. He has shown­ that defenders play major role in team like great­ united and that game is not all about Ronaldos and­ Rooneys etc. And for that he should be recognized and­ applauded.

    From sayze09, on Fri 24 Apr 11:03AM

  18. Vidic might be the player of the year, but Fulham are­ the team of the year. Well done Danny and the rest of­ your team mates.

    From Gary, on Fri 24 Apr 11:02AM

  19. Well done Danny, you are real sportsmen, Nemanja show­ the most of players in PL, and he deserver award! I am­ Serbian,and for me he is the best serbian player,and­ the best Defender in Europe! Sorry if I wrong,I am not­ so good in English!

    From sasadjordjevic, on Fri 24 Apr 10:54AM

  20. Nemanja Vidic, professionally aggressive defender, he­ is so wonderful to watch! Let him win the prize. I­ admire Rooney's streght on the pitch as well.

    From Bernadette, on Fri 24 Apr 10:54AM
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