Source: Daily_Mail
THE MIDLANDER: The good, the bad and Robbie Savage: My season awards for the men in the Midlands
It's the time when the gongs are being handed out. Sadly these days, this area seems to miss out on most of the big ones.
However, that won't stop yours truly for handing out his own, totally random, awards for the 2008-09 season. Here goes...
New man: Nigel Clough is tasked with changing Derby's fortunes
Best decision? Derby's football chairman Adam Pearson calling time on his relationship with Paul Jewell that was a vortex spiralling downwards, dragging the Rams with it - and appointing Nigel Clough in his place. This will reap dividends. Maybe not next year, but you just wait and see.
Worst decision? Everyone can appreciate the sentiment and reasoning behind it, but Martin O'Neill choosing to leave eight regulars at home for that CSKA Moscow tie has undermined Villa's campaign.
Biggest PR gaffe? Aston Villa's decision to flag up Gareth Barry's appearance during a pre-season friendly at Walsall and then not inform the media that said individual had actually asked Martin O'Neill to play, leading to all kinds of confusion and headlines that upset pretty much everyone from Villa's boss downwards.
Best interview? Derby County's Kris Commons's before the Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United. Private heartache laid bare. Ten-out-of-ten for his honesty and openness.
Funniest moment? Watching Wolves' Jez Moxey on the dancefloor at the club's Christmas bash. Catch it if you can. One or two David Brent moments, but fair play to the Molineux chief executive who is more highly-respected within the game than many of his club's supporters may think.
Best Game? Aston Villa have provided value for money this season. Either of their games against Arsenal or Everton at Villa Park were the best I've seen. Personally, I preferred the match against the Gunners for its' stunning fightback at the death with Zat Knight thumping home a deserved equaliser.
Late show: Zat Knight (right) celebrates his equaliser against Arsenal
Most welcome comeback (team)? Leicester City - Nigel Pearson was exactly the kind of safe pair of hands required by the Foxes. Plenty of teams have tried to get up at the first attempt from League One - most notably Leeds and Nottingham Forest - and both have failed. That should put his achievement into perspective. Now for a solid season in the Championship, please, Nigel.
Most welcome comeback (player)? My old sparring partner, Robbie Savage, should take the award. Good on him. The legs may be going, but the Welshman still cares - which is more than can be said of some at Pride Park.
Best early-season predictor? Wolves' five-goal thumping of Nottingham Forest. Colin Calderwood's side had spent two hours in midweek trying to overcome Sunderland. There may have been nothing left in the tank, but this hammering was Mick McCarthy's team at its best. Different angles of attack homing in from all over the pitch. For Forest, the warning bells should have been ringing far earlier.
Hero: Mick McCarthy led Wolves to promotion to the Premier League
Most valuable player? Ashley Young just edges out Martin Laursen on the basis that it is more difficult to create than destroy. His work-rate alone sets him apart, but his consistency at set-pieces and ability to run with the ball at pace mark him down as invaluable.
Biggest loss? Martin Laursen. Fantastic professional. Will be missed at Villa Park. Possibly as much as Paul McGrath. That just about says it all.
Biggest let down?Luke Moore - West Brom. Do I need to spell it out? Not really.
Gutsiest display? Apart from a handful of no-shows, those produced by Birmingham City and Alex McLeish. The fans were sceptical - so too was the board - and the fare was, at times, distinctly average. Despite this, they stuck to their game-plan and prevailed. The Scot's neck was on the chopping block, too. The bloke has star quality. Now he needs some backing.
Hitting the heights: Birmingham boss Alex McLeish
Award for professional integrity? Despite what Alan Hansen may think, Tony Mowbray has carried himself with equanimity all season. In the words of his favourite singer, Frank Sinatra, the Baggies have tried to do it HIS way. It sounds trite, but it will be a victory for football if West Brom get out of the pickle.
Ones to watch? Despite the fact that Coventry City's season has imploded, they still possess two, if not three, players who will surely make the step up to the Barclays Premier League. Kieren Westwood, Danny Fox are two certainties and Aron Gunnarsson has a fighting chance.
Time up?: David Pleat
Least surprising summer headline:'Pleat ousted at City Ground' or 'Davies quits City Ground' - something will have to give with either the director of football or manager leaving Nottingham Forest.
Most welcome summer headline:'Barry to stay at Villa Park.'
Best quotes of the season: 'I look at the league table every day. In fact, it's pinned to my bedroom ceiling.' Coventry boss Chris Coleman revealing more than he should.
'I've not got carried away all season. So I'm not going to start jumping up and down waving my knickers in the air now.' Mick McCarthy, dampening down expectation at Molineux ahead of the promotion clincher against QPR.
'My son doesn't think much of me. He's swapped stickers of me for Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. And he walks around in an Albion shirt with 'Robinson' on the back.' Jonathan Greening, finding out the meaning of the phrase 'tough love' from his offspring.
