Player of the season

FOR the first time in years we actually have a bit of competition for this, between the likes of John Carew, Martin Laursen and Gareth Barry - but it has to be Ashley Young who comes in first. With his pace, power, ability, balance and delivery he is the sort of young winger every fan dreams his team will sign.

Plonker of the season

GARETH BARRY if he turns his back on Villa after 10 years at the dawning of a bright new era under Randy Lerner and Martin O'Neill. He will almost certainly be going to sit on the bench at Liverpool, which looks like a club on the brink of disaster. Patrik Berger could also be plonker of the year for suggesting he does just that, thanks Pat!

MARK ASHMORE, www.villatalk.com

BOLTON

Highlight

GOING to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup and getting a 2-2 draw was the best moment of the season. I was worried beforehand that we would be thrashed and that there might be trouble, but the atmosphere was great, the Allianz Stadium was magnificent and the team did us proud. Beating Manchester United at home before Christmas comes second.

Player of the season

KEVIN DAVIES has been awesome for us this season. He will always be criticised for not scoring enough goals but if we had 10 more like him we would be much higher up the table. If you'd asked me to name our best player from January onwards, I would have said Gary Cahill. He has been immense since we signed him from Aston Villa.

Plonker of the season

DANIEL BRAATEN arrived from Norway last summer and has flattered to deceive. He has not done it in the Premier League and when we went to Belgrade for a European tie, he didn't look interested. He also turned down the honorary presidency of the Bolton Wanderers Norwegian Supporters' Club - definitely a plonker.

David Blackburn-www.wanderersways.com

READING

Highlight

OTHER than after the first game of the season, when we drew 0-0 with Manchester United and were mid-table, there hasn't been much to cheer about! However, straining to think of a decent Reading perfomance, the Liverpool game where we won 3-1 has to be the game where every player played better than in any other game this season.

Player of the season

STEPHEN HUNT. He doesn't stop running and doesn't give up, even what seems a lost cause. I can see why some opposition fans hate him, but he is a quality player who works for the team. He can run all day up and down the line, whether that be to help at the back or push up and support the forwards. His pressure on the opposing players lifts the crowd and his technical ability is also very good.

Plonker of the season

STEVE COPPELL was the Premier League's top manager last year but this year he is the biggest plonker. He stands by the same players every week, even though most of them aren't good enough for this division. He's had plenty of chances to improve this squad, but has chosen not to. How many established top-flight clubs keep the same batch of players for three or four seasons? What a plonker.

Jamie Bylett-www.ReadingFcFans.co.uk

MIDDLESBROUGH

Highlight

IN a season of such mediocrity, highlights have been few and far between. However, Boro's win over Arsenal back in December sticks in the memory. At the time, Arsenal were top of the Premier League and unbeaten. We had key players out but managed to dominate midfield. The 2-1 scoreline flattered them and led to Arsene Wenger doing something we rarely see him do - praise an opposition manager.

Player of the season

A CHOICE between two - Stewart Downing and David Wheater. Downing was getting stick at the start of the season but came good and signed a new contract. Wheater - The Redcar Rock - is good in the air and strong in the tackle. His partnership with Robert Huth has been one of the few highlights this season and he has also chipped in with a few vital goals.

Plonker of the season

MIDO has been disappointing after a good start. Sadly, he lost his sparkle and has suffered too many injuries. Lee Dong Gook is simply not a professional footballer and must rate as one of Boro's worst-ever players. You can't fault the lad for effort but useless doesn't even begin to describe him. His headed miss against the might of Mansfield (live on TV) not only made a laughing stock of himself, but also of the club.

Andy Morgan-www.ComeOnBoro.com

NEWCASTLE

Highlight

THE dismissal of Sam Allardyce was welcome and the arrival of Kevin Keegan was hopefully a sign of things to come. We've got someone who understands the club and can produce a successful and entertaining team. We also changed ownership in the summer, which was the best thing to have happened to the club in my lifetime. We were only heading one way until Mike Ashley came in.

Player of the season

IT'S been a mediocre season to say the least. Habib Beye has stood out when things were going wrong. He didn't cost much but has shown his class all season. If Keegan has a clearout then I'm sure he will survive. He is great in defence and must be the fittest player at the club. It was great to see Michael Owen prove he is a class act when he finally got fit.

Plonker of the season

SAM ALLARDYCE stands out because he wasn't up to running the club and the new owners were unfortunately lumbered with him. Alan Smith has been poor. His best position is up front but he just doesn't score enough goals. He has gone a whole season without a goal - even Geremi and Nicky Butt have managed to get on the scoresheet ahead of him.

Mark Jenson-www.nufc.com/themag

DERBY COUNTY

Highlight

THERE was only one highlight this season - the victory against Newcastle at Pride Park way back in September. At the time it felt like the team had realised what they needed to do to survive in the Premier League. They battled for every ball and marked every man, running out deserved winners. They haven't done that again all season. The highlight of this season will be the end.

Player of the season

NONE of the players deserve any praise whatsoever, neither of the managers emerge from this season with any credit and the directors have failed to take the club forward. Only the supporters, who have remained loyal, can hold their heads up. To have sold 19,000 season tickets already for next year shows incredible commitment to the point of madness. But only for so long can we suffer being the butt of other fans' jokes.

Plonker of the season

THE obvious candidate is Paul Jewell - officially the worst-ever Premier League and Derby manager. He even contrived to put out a team that got thrashed by Preston-a relegation threatened Championship team. Billy Davies takes no credit for leaving the legacy Jewell has had to work with. But the real architect of this nightmare season is Richard Scudamore-he and the Premier League fat cats have managed to remove all sense of competition from our top league.

Jim Wheeler-www.RamsTrust.org

WEST HAM

Highlight

COMING back from 1-0 down to beat Manchester United at home wasn't bad - especially after Ronaldo had missed a penalty. James Tomkins from the academy has played well at the back and watching Freddie Sears score within minutes of his debut was also a special moment. The 3-0 away win at Reading showed us how we could play fast-flowing football if we could keep everyone fit. Unfortunately we couldn't.

Player of the season

FOR me we've only really looked at our best when Matt Upson has been in defence. He thoroughly deserved his England recall. I've lost count of how many different defensive line-ups we've been through this season. Upson wins for me, just ahead of Robert Green, who must be wondering exactly what he has to do to get international recognition. Special mention must also go to George McCartney, who many were tipping to be second choice left-back this year.

Plonker of the season

HENRI CAMARA. One of the worst loan signings ever – and there's been some fierce competition for that title over the years. He rarely looked like scoring on any of his appearances earlier in the season and slipped well down the pecking order for selection.

Gordon Thrower, co-editor Knees Up Mother Brown – www.kumb.com

CHELSEA

Highlight

MOST fans are finding it hard to accept Avram Grant as the new Chelsea manager but his reign has seen some of the most memorable matches and atmospheres since we beat Barcelona a couple of seasons ago. Beating Liverpool at the third attempt in the Champions League semis was my personal highlight and beating Manchester United at the Bridge few weeks ago was rather delightful.

Player of the season

RICARDO CARVALHO. Much under-valued in recent seasons by some fans, myself included. He is at his best partnering John Terry and vice versa in my eyes. There are rumours of Ricky following Jose when he finds employment over the summer. I for one hope he stays for several more years as he's much needed and much loved by so many Chelsea followers.

Plonker of the season

THERE'S one incident that sticks in my mind and that's our performance against Spurs in the Carling Cup final. So I'm going to nominate Avram Grant, based on the team he picked for that game. I can't argue with anything else he has done over the season but the team he picked for the final was the work of a 24-carat plonker.

Peter Sampson - www.CFCnet.co.uk

PORTSMOUTH

Highlight

THE FA Cup quarter-final win at Old Trafford will live long in my memory (as well as on the recorded DVD) as one of the most determined Pompey displays in many years. When the draw was made I think the whole country wrote off our chances of progressing, but the whole team went there with the right attitude and played out of their skins. Highlight of the game was Glen Johnson's determination in heading a Carlos Tevez shot off the line.

Player of the season

A TOSS-UP between David James and Sylvain Distin. James has made some fantastic saves this season which have earned us points when maybe we didn't deserve any. His performances for Pompey this season has earned him a well deserved recall to the England squad. Sylvain Distin must be the bargain of the season. You have to wonder why Manchester City didn't offer him a better contract.

Plonker of the season

DAVID NUGENT. Anyone who sends a naked picture of himself via text message can't be right in the head. He's failed to deliver on the field after his much-heralded £6 million move from Preston, though to be fair, he hasn't been given the opportunity to prove himself. He may yet get his chance to cover himself in glory though on May 17 - who knows?

Phil Bennett - PompeyWeb

LIVERPOOL

Highlight

LIVERPOOL reaching yet another Champions League semi-final has to be the highlight of our season, especially as we beat Arsenal when it looked like we had blown it with less than 10 minutes left. We showed tremendous character in fighting back and it was a great shame we didn't make another final.

Player of the season

FERNANDO TORRES has by far been the best buy in the Premier League. He has 23 league goals with a game still to play, and has taken the pressure off Steven Gerrard as our main goal threat. May I also remind everyone that none of those goals came from the penalty spot - unlike many of Cristiano Ronaldo's.

Plonker of the season

DESPITE John Arne Riise's unfortunate own goal against Chelsea, which pretty much cost us another Champions League final appearance, I think this accolade must go to Tom Hicks. His plonker-like behaviour at board level has all but turned our club into a laughing stock. All Hail Rafa Benitez!

'Numbers' - www.thisisanfield.com/podcast

ARSENAL

Highlight

THAT fantastic victory in the San Siro, where AC Milan tasted such a rare home European defeat. We silenced the Italians and made everyone in Europe stand up and take a really hard look at what English football can achieve. Arsene Wenger's young team showed they were unafraid of reputations and are prepared to play their football against anyone, anywhere.

Player of the season

BACARY SAGNA. Adapted immediately to the Premier League and always seemed to perform at his very best. Always felt confident about our fortunes when he was in the side and his injury was a key reason why Arsenal eventually lost out in the title race and in the Champions League. Sagna again proves that Wenger knows a good one when he sees one.

Plonker of the season

MATHIEU FLAMINI. Has foolishly assumed the grass is greener in Milan. I seriously doubt he will flourish in Italy despite being nurtured so well by Arsene Wenger. Very few players perform better without Wenger at the their side and Flamini may rue his decision to leave. Oh, and how often will he play for AC Milan?

Tim Payton, Arsenal Supporters Trust

BIRMINGHAM

Highlight

THE draw at Arsenal in January, when Garry O'Connor scored one of his rare goals to cheer us all up. At the time Arsenal were the favourites for the title, they were going great guns in their new stadium and the game looked an uphill task for us. But we rose to the task. OK, we won at Totenham but the Emirates result was harder to come by.

Player of the season

STEPHEN KELLY. Ever-present and always so consistent. Always gives you confidence to see his name on the team sheet because since the days of Gary Rowlett we have struggled at right back but Stephen has come in and given top-class performances all season. It's not his fault we are fighting against relegation.

Plonker of the season

THE entire board. Last summer we had just been promoted, we all knew how tough the season would be and what everyone needed was stability. What did the board do? Decide to sell up and enter the Carson Yeung saga. I don't care what anyone says, this episode really affected things on the pitch and look at our position now.

Sam Joseph, Birmingham City Supporters Club

BLACKBURN ROVERS

Highlight

WHEN we scored against Manchester United. It ended up being a 1-1 draw because Carlos Tevez equalised late on but the fact we were winning thanks to Roque Santa Cruz was fanastic. It's so hard to score against United home or away so to be leading them was something else. Shame we didn't manage to hang on to three points.

Player of the season

TOUGH - obviously Santa Cruz for his goals but my vote goes to Brad Friedel for his sheer consistency. I think keepers are too often forgotten heroes. When they make mistakes they get blamed by everyone and chip off all the fans, while they are not often rewarded for their fantastic work. Brad doesn't get enough marks in the papers.

Plonker of the season

BENNI McCARTHY. No time for him. He makes me feel he is doing us a favour while waiting for something better. His heart's not in it. Benni may have a new contract but I don't sense passion and commitment like everyone else. I can take defeat if we give 100 per cent but I pay a lot to watch and think Benni is capable of more. Reckon he would give more if he was in a bigger side.

Victoria Mount, secretary of north Lancs Blackburn Rovers Supporters' Club.

EVERTON

Highlight

MIKEL ARTETA'S goal against Fiorentina. We'd been written off by many after the first leg but we battered the Italians all game and the Spaniard's long-range goal sent the Goodison crowd delirious! But, in typical Everton fashion, we were built up and knocked down, and ended the game wondering what might have been.

Player of the season

JOLEON LESCOTT. Many non-Evertonians may raise an eyebrow at this one but don't be fooled by his patchy form in an England shirt, the guy is genuine class! He is as comfortable at left back as he is at centre back and his cameos up front took everyone back to simpler times when Mick Lyons or Dave Watson would be thrown into attack for 'a bit of height'.

Plonker of the season

RAFAEL BENITEZ. Well, you didn't expect me to pick anyone from Everton did you?. His attack on the Everton fans after the Anfield derby for their crass chants would have been fair enough had he not completely ignored the fact that the home fans were spouting just as much bile. And that's before we even start on the Liverpool fan who assaulted Phil Neville as he took a throw-in! Stones, glass houses and all that!

Les Roberts, Everton Supporters' Association

FULHAM

Highlight

BEATING Birmingham last Saturday. Victory has given a very real chance of survival and let's hope one last big effort will finish the job off for us at Portsmouth. At long last, we hold a big card in the relegation issue because we hold our future in our own hands.

Player of the season

SIMON DAVIES. Head and shoulders over the rest over the whole of the season and I hope he is formally elected Player of the Year. His whole-hearted commitment, desire, attitude and never-say-die spirit, decent crosses and important goals make him the ideal candidate. Yes, Jimmy Bullard has been outstanding lately but he was sadly out for so long.

Plonker of the season

LAWRIE SANCHEZ. Pity he didn't go earlier to give Roy Hodgson a better chance of keeping us up. At the start of the season BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson said that Sanchez had assembled a side very capable of winning the Championship! Those words haunted me from that moment and how they proved to be true. Luckily, Hodgson has proved a much better manager.

Peter Grinham, Fulham Supporters' Trust

MANCHESTER CITY

Highlight

THE short visit out of Manchester to Old Trafford, where we won our first derby since Denis Law back-heeled them into Division Two. For it to come on such an emotional day, and for our fans to behave as they did, made the victory even sweeter. We shall all remember the day and the result for a long time to come.

Player of the season

NOT a player but a manager - Sven Goran Eriksson for maintaining his dignity, class and authority throughout what was a difficult season at times. Will be fondly remembered by the City faithful as our best manager for many years, but the way he has been treated by the club is shambolic. Such a shame it looks like his reign is about to end as we could have gone places under the old England boss.

Plonker of the season

OUR owner, Thaksin Shinawatra. It all started so well with 'Frank', we even gave him a jovial nickname and conveniently ignored his human rights abuses. His decision to sack Eriksson may yet be vindicated, but the complete disregard he had for the opinions of City supporters certainly doesn't bode well for the future.

Ric, bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk

MANCHESTER UNITED

Highlight

BEATING Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final was incredible. Paul Scholes is my favourite player and it was wonderful seeing him score a goal like that to get us through. It was fitting because he missed out on the final when we won it nine years ago.

Player of the season

NO contest - Cristiano Ronaldo. He has scored 40 goals from the wing and I don't need to say much more than that. No winger, not even George Best, has achieved that before and he has had an extraordinary season. He has been very, very entertaining to watch and I am not sure his feats will ever be repeated - unless he does it all over again himself.

Plonker of the season

THE Glazer family are all plonkers. It is thanks to them that we have huge debts round our neck. The huge amount of money they have taken out of the club could have been used to push down the prices of tickets for the supporters. United's profits should be used to benefit the club and its fans. The money could have bought us the best players in the world every season.

Sean Bones, Manchester United Supporters' Trust

SUNDERLAND

Highlight

ONE of our trademark late goals. We battled away against Middlesbrough - getting our just rewards in one of the most eventful games we have been involved in all year. The game also ensured our survival, so what better than to get a late winner, and celebrate survival right in front of your local rivals who remained relegation candidates.

Player of the season

I WAS flabbergasted at the price we paid for Kenwyne Jones but right now I'm sure I would be happy having paid £12 million never mind £6m! He's scored seven goals and chipped in with 10 assists during his first season in the Premiership. He is someone we need to keep a hold of if we are to move on to the next level. He has quite a big reputation now and could help us attract the best talent.

Plonker of the season

PAUL McSHANE was someone I idolised before the start of the season, so much so that I got his name on the back of my home shirt! He looked composed, strong and brave. He went into every challenge with his head and usually came out on top. But somehow, he just can't cut it in the Premier ;eague and his performance against Newcastle in April was the the last nail in his coffin for me.

Martin Bowers, Sunderland website editor

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Highlight

NO trouble - winning the Carling Cup. I was invited by the club to be at Wembley on the Saturday helping to drape Tottenham flags around the stadium. Twenty four hours later, after Ledley King had been presented with the cup, it was wonderful to reflect on the whole weekend, the magnificent achievement and the fact that we had WON something again. Fabulous.

Player of the season

IT HAS to be Robbie Keane, yet still Jaunde Ramos insists on taking him off so very often which surprises and annoys a lot of the fans. Maybe the manager is testing Robbie for his reaction after his little 'do' at Manchester City when he did show some annoyance at being substituted. Whatever, he's been dynamic this season and gets my vote here.

Plonker of the season

PASCAL CHIMBONDA for his show of petulance in walking off so slowly when substituted in the Carling Cup final win over Chelsea. Plus his general attitude. And the fact he missed a penalty in the shoot-out against PSV Eindhoven. Mind you, Paul Robinson did himself no favours when we beat Arsenal to reach Wembley by not joining in the lap of honour.

Darren Alexander, Tottenham Supporters' Trust

WIGAN

Highlight

SECURING survival at Villa Park last weekend. Steve Bruce has turned our season around and to go into final game of the season with safety secured is great news for us all at the JJB. I just hope we have enough left to perform well enough today to take the title off Manchester United, who did us no favours last season.

Player of the season

GETTING Palacios for £750,000 was a first-class signing by Steve Bruce. He's certainly got a big future ahead of him. But it's hard to single out one player. Chris Kirkland is going through a purple patch and Paul Scharner's move to defence has proved inspired. And the midfield trio of Brown, Valencia and Palacios has been the real catalyst to our season.

Plonker of the season

OUR ex-manager Paul Jewell. He left our club after some decidely dodgy signings and a struggling second season in the Premier League. He has now moved south to Derby County and has added women to his long list of problems. Have to say it makes you wonder just how long he'll last with the Rams. Let's wait and see.

Paul Farrington, Wiganer.net