Source: Team_Talk
TEAMtalk Soccers: Unsung Hero
Following in the footsteps of previous winners Gary O'Neil, Linvoy Primus and Wes Brown, Fulham man Murphy has simply continued where he left off last season and been a major contributing factor in the Cottagers' amazing seventh-placed finish.
The 32-year-old scored a vital header which earned Fulham a 1-0 win over Portsmouth and kept the Cottagers in the top flight in 2007-08 and Murphy has gone from strength to strength this term.
He has been an ever present for Fulham in the Premier League this season, scoring five times - for what can only be described as the most improved team in the top division.
Murphy has been Hodgson's midfield kingpin - driving the Cottagers forward and he is the one that Fulham look towards to dictate the pace of the game. But the former Liverpool star, who no argument about it, is in the form of his life, is not only Fulham's metronome, he also works like a Trojan breaking up the opposition's attack.
The Cheshire-born star loves to 'get his foot in' and he is widely regarded as one of the best passers of a football in the country.
Fulham chief Hodgson, who himself is shortlisted for TEAMtalk's Manager of the Year award, picked Murphy up in August 2007 from Spurs for an undisclosed fee and he can't have made too many
better signings.
Murphy has bounced back from indifferent spells with Charlton and Tottenham but he's been worth his weight in gold and only the sublime talent of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have limited Murphy's England caps to just nine and he is a worthy winner.
A close second is Anfield's unfashionable trooper, Dirk Kuyt.
He's not as pleasing on the eye as Murphy and has had his detractors, but Kuyt's had a tremendous season with Liverpool and it's hard to think of a top-flight star who gives more than the Dutchman.
His work-rate is unrivalled and his versatility is also a major reason why Rafa Benitez rates him so highly, but Kuyt, who has signed a new contract, also has his fair share of class.
With 51 appearances to his name this season Kuyt has been a model of consistency and he's also chipped in with 15 goals as Liverpool grabbed second spot in the Premier League and reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
With Danny and Dirk one and two in the pecking order, the vote goes to a Darren for third place. And Manchester United's Scottish enforcer Fletcher deservedly takes his place among the top-flight's unsung stars.
But with the backing of Sir Alex Ferguson he's unlikely to qualify for the 'Unsung Hero' category next season.
Fergie is a big advocate of his midfield workhorse and if you ask Sir Alex who the stars are at Old Trafford, Fletcher will feature alongside Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fletcher made over 40 appearances for United in an ultra competitive squad as they wrapped up another Premier League title and reached the Champions League final.
Fletcher's enthusiasm is contagious and like Kuyt his work 'behind the scenes' can often go unnoticed.
The 25-year-old loves to press and hassle opponents and in the big games his whole-hearted tackling is invaluable - it's just a tragedy he was banned for the Champions League final.
One man who did feature in the Rome showpiece is Ji-Sung Park
and he also makes the five-man shortlist.
The very fact that Sir Alex pencilled Park in for a place in the Stadio Olimpicio weeks before the game tells you of the Korean's value to the Premier League champions.
Park was a lucky charm for United in 2007/08 as the 14 games that he started in all competitions United remained unbeaten and conceded only two goals.
Not getting the credit he deserves, Park has had a wonderful season this time around and always delivers a consistent level of performance which Ferguson acknowledges.
Park often gets the nod in the big games and he's appeared 39 times this season, scoring four goals.
He's often seen charging up and down the right touchline and his energetic performances have made him a cult hero at Old Trafford.
Finally in fifth place is Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov.
The Bulgarian appeared to on his way out at Villa Park, but he's been reborn this season and his efforts have seen him sign a new long-term contract.
It's fair to say that it's taken Petrov time to settle in the Midlands after his switch from Celtic in 2006, but his pinpoint passing has been a key feature for Villa in their sixth-placed finish.
He's been lauded by the Villa players and fans this season and swept the club's end-of-season awards, but he's not been given the column inches he deserves outside the second city, until now.
The 29-year-old has been Mr Consistent alongside Gareth Barry in Villa's engine room and is a worthy candidate for Unsung Hero edging out Bolton's Matt Taylor and Manchester United's John O'Shea.
