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

Comment 10 - 29 of 89

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. Vidic has had a superb season, however FROM A MU­ FANATIC, it MUST be Gerrard, he is something very­ special, the best in his position in the world at­ present, wish he was in the MU team each week ONE CLASS­ ACT GERRARD

    From , on Fri 24 Apr 9:41AM

  2. Vidic has had a superb season, however FROM A MU­ FANATIC, it MUST be Gerrard, he is something very­ special, the best in his position in the world at­ present, wish he was in the MU team each week ONE CLASS­ ACT GERRARD

    From , on Fri 24 Apr 9:40AM

  3. vidic as had a good season, bar one bad game against­ liverpool, ferdinand has been superb. ryan giggs well­ what can i say hes a fantastic pro, and what a game he­ had against portsmouth turning back the years. and­ theres no headlines about him once hes off the pitch­ same as scholes.

    From lisajbarnes5, on Fri 24 Apr 9:36AM

  4. anewbould I agree

    From Alan, on Fri 24 Apr 9:31AM

  5. Fair play to ye Danny. I thought you would have saying­ Gerard just because of your Liverpool days. Vidic does­ deserve this crown he has been outstanding this season.­ And looking at some of the posts below people saying he­ bottled it by getting sent off twice against Liverpool­ well at least him and his mates didnt kick the @#$% out­ of someone in a night-club.

    From Alan, on Fri 24 Apr 9:30AM

  6. As pretty much the sole reason for United's­ unbelievable unbeaten run plus other outstanding­ performances I think vidic rightly deserves it.­ Remember this is over a whole season not the last­ month. I’m fully aware of the nightmare he had against­ Liverpool but everyone’s human. I thought Gerrard may­ just nick it off him but after Essien put him in his­ back pocket In the Champs League first leg I think­ people realise everyone has a bad game and the­ consistently best player over the season has been­ Vidic.

    From anewbould, on Fri 24 Apr 9:19AM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    A HAPA STAVAN GARRARD DAASN'T WAN BACAASA HA'S­ JAST A CHAAT AND A DAVAR

    From donkeysbeck, on Fri 24 Apr 9:18AM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    YAA CAN KAAP YAAR LAALA DAG THANG AND A'LL HAVA­ PAKACHA

    From donkeysbeck, on Fri 24 Apr 9:16AM

  9. i think dannys so wrong totally agree with kevin

    From dawn, on Fri 24 Apr 9:14AM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Gerrard is the player of the year hands down, Vidic­ bottled it twice in big games against Liverpool and got­ sent off in both.

    Bar United's period of s.ucking­ the life out of games with their 0-0's &­ 1-0's he has been quite average and since the 4-1­ Liverpool game he has been as reliable as Titus­ Bramble.

    From kk_irishlondoner, on Fri 24 Apr 8:54AM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Don't you remember how many goals Man Utd conceded­ because of Vidic. He is a very very stupid defender.­ Arsenal's second goal on Emirates was clearly­ Vidic's big blow. He also got a red card when­ playing against Liverpool. He's got 2 red and 5­ yellow cards this season. I'm deeply upset and very­ surprised of his FPA nomination. I think F. Lampard­ should also be nominated... and Robin van Persie. The­ player who deserves it is surely Steven Gerrard.

    From Vlad, on Fri 24 Apr 8:48AM

  12. Vidic is definitely the best centre half in the world­ but Man Utds vote will be split cos we have five­ players in it. That's the only chance Gerrard has­ of winning it . He will only get a few votes and­ hopefully that won't be enough cos the Man Utd­ players will share the rest. If any of the Man Utd­ players were in it by themselves he would win by a­ landslide. It's not a surprise that a player from­ the world champions should win it.

    From elrosso, on Fri 24 Apr 8:47AM

  13. Fitting Tribute?!?!?!? its player of the year, not­ player of the last 12 years....you cant go round voting­ for players because they have been amazin over the­ years. I Think the lst thing giggs would want is a­ trophy he doesnt deserve. This year. Vidic, Ferdinand,­ Gerrard even Lampard have all been better than giggs.

    From jamiebtn99, on Fri 24 Apr 8:42AM

  14. Liverpool will win nothing this year. sorry but­ it's true it's damn TRUE!!!

    From jpxtreme84, on Fri 24 Apr 8:40AM

  15. yes!VIDA is the best!

    From naca, on Fri 24 Apr 8:33AM

  16. MUSTAPHA SABO GUMEL
    ME TOO MY VOTE GOES TO VIDIC, HE­ IS FANTASTIC DEFENDER WITH SKILL

    From mustafa g, on Fri 24 Apr 8:22AM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Giggsy wins for me, i think it would be fitting tribute

    From chris r, on Fri 24 Apr 8:21AM

  18. @Half a Brian..cozu u never win it! Oops, u were jsut­ 22mins late.

    From Okot, on Fri 24 Apr 8:16AM

  19. Best defender is Carra

    From Marge Simpson., on Fri 24 Apr 8:08AM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    pitkaroushios, go to Liverpool ManU game and you might­ say the opposite..

    From Half A Brain, on Fri 24 Apr 7:57AM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account