So, it’s that time of the year again where we pick our favourite moments and players from the past season. The illustrious Hammer of the Year award is up for grabs along with 4 other fan voted awards. In this article I will be announcing my picks and justifying my selection. I would also like you to post your views on my picks as well as sharing your picks for the 5 awards.
First up is the “Goal of the Season Award”. Nominees for this are; Mohamed Diame vs. Arsenal, Modibo Maiga vs. Soton, Jack Collison vs. Arsenal, Gary O’Neil vs. West Brom, Andy Carroll vs. West Brom and Diame vs. Man United.
For this I chose Andy Carroll’s first time volley versus West Brom. I felt that this goal was the most outstanding and generated the most fuss outside of the West Ham community. Also, it is the hardest goal to replicate, the ball travelled from a ridiculously straight angle and lofted right over Andy’s shoulder and he tucked it away superbly to wrap up the victory. All of this with his weaker right foot!
The second award to be voted for by the Hammers faithful is “Best Individual Performance” award. The nominees for this are; Diame vs. Chelsea, Mark Noble vs. Norwich, James Collins vs. Man United, Jussi Jaaskelainen vs. Spurs and Carroll vs. West Brom.
I was torn for this award between Diame’s half time turnaround versus Chelsea and Jussi’s tremendous save-fest versus Spurs. I decided that Jussi was so resilient and unfortunate to be on the losing team that night that he should win the “Best Individual Performance” award. He made numerous sensational saves and was by far the best player on the pitch that night.
The third award is “Best Team Performance” the nominees are; 3-0 vs. Fulham, 1-0 vs. Newcastle, 3-1 vs. Chelsea, 3-1 vs. West Brom and 2-2 vs. Man United.
For me, this one was easy. The second half comeback and emphatic win versus the current Champions League Champions (and they know what they are) stands head and shoulders above the rest.
The fourth award is for “Save of the Season”. Jussi holds all 5 nominations (obviously). I won’t waste much time on this award other than to say that I voted for the save away at Newcastle vs. Demba Ba, as the veteran shot stopper clawed the ball from an almost impossible position to deny the ex-West Ham forward.
Signing of the season is the fifth award, and the nominees are; Andy Carroll, Joe Cole, James Collins, Mo Diame, Jussi Jaaskelainen, and Matty Jarvis. I felt that Momo Diame has been the best signing this season, he brings great energy and excitement to the fray along with some fantastic goals.
The final award is the illustrious “Hammer of the Year”. Of course you can vote for any player in the squad for this, including Chamakh and Pogatetz. I was weighing up the options and narrowed my choices down to Diame, Jussi and Winston Reid (who gets his first mention in this piece). As I gave Diame “Signing of the Season” and Jussi “Best Individual Performance”, I awarded my vote to the New Zealand centre half who yet again has impressed and may be among the most underrated centre halves in the Premier League, along with “Ginge” he has grown and proven himself in the EPL, and I have seen that he was many other West Ham fan’s votes.
If you are yet to vote go the official website NOW! If you have already voted, please share them below in the comments.
(@TheTobyFry)
I would agree with all of them bar one, Jussi was at fault for 2 of the 3 goals against spurs! Hes positioning for bale opener was terrible and he should of anticipated bale would strike across goal from there. Also siguardsons equaliser jussi should of smothered rather than just putting an arm out! Best individual performane for me was Diame’s second half display by a long way!