ENGLAND'S NUMBER ONE When I cast my vote in the News and Star player of the year competition one member of the squad already appeared to have the result sealed. Keiren Westwood was sitting up there with over 50% of ALL the votes cast. Danny Livesey - trailing a very long way behind - was the only other player in double figures. I'll cop for voting for the goalie. I also voted for him in last season's polls although this year it took me slightly longer to make up my mind because we've had some great performers who have managed consistency. In fact, you can look all over the pitch and see things worthy of mentioning in the 'best of' conversations at the end of the season. Obviously Joe Garner's goals have made a difference to our league position, I'm sure the 'how many more points would we have with a fully fit Joe?' conversations will go on to the very end of the season, and beyond. For my money the most improved player this season has been Danny Livesey. His ability to take the ball off people just as they tee up a goal attempt has been crucial to a backline that have soaked up the toughest pressure. I don't know whether Jason Scotland would have scored for Swansea at Brunton Park, I do know I'm grateful for Livesey's presence to stop him trying. Similarly David Raven, a few of his tackles this year have been up there with the best defenders in living memory at Brunton Park. His goal away at Orient was a special moment on a great day. And the accuracy of Marc Bridge-Wilkinson combined with Simon Hackney's pace has given us speed and mobility as we break out and the ability to threaten from a dead ball situation. Great days indeed. Even a few of the players who often draw grumbles within the support - like Chris Lumsdon - have produced great performances when it mattered, against promotion chasing teams who play football rather than trying to stop everything in midfield Lumsdon in particular has looked very useful. I'll admit I'm not always Lummy's greatest fan and a few who've heard me groan as the team was announced before kick off will understand that I mean it when I say; 'Respect to the man for his current form.' So to storm the player of the year vote in the face of a very strong squad is an achievement. The thing that gets me about Westwood is that he's still improving and the things other goalies are applauded for doing are now simply expected of Keiren. It's those 'did I really see that?' moments that have earned him the votes. Well that and the temper outbursts when we do concede that tell you beyond doubt that he feels it more strongly than we do. Keiren Westwood is - on my limited meetings with him - a great bloke, a great ambassador for Carlisle United and a goalkeeper to rank with the best we've ever seen. As good as Alan Ross? Not yet, but part of Ross's 'legend' status is the way he gave his very best seasons to the club and held his form for well over a decade. As good as everyone bar Alan Ross? I think so. So it's prediction time, a couple of safe ones; Keiren Westwood will storm the poll for the News and Star player of the year, and a few other polls amongst the support this year. And We're going up. And finally, thanks again for the e-mails about the novel 'Workington Dynamo.' It should be hitting the local shops in the next couple of weeks and I'll be signing copies in Workington on the afternoon of May 2nd. The exiles who keep asking me for copies can now find it on Amazon, here: Next time out, we'll be promoted and I might be asking for your help on an interesting project. Go well! www.neilnixon.com |
