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Gaffer's Chat - Managers Player of the Season
Welcome to the May edition of Gaffer’s Chat with Leafe boss, Harry Hudson. This time Harry and his assistant Calum McFarlane discuss their choice of Manager’s Player of the Season for the truncated 2019/20 season.
So, Harry give us your thoughts on you and Cal’s player of the season, please?
It has been very difficult for us to pick out one player for last season; We are truly grateful for the players and the way they dedicate themselves to getting results on the pitch. We ask a lot of our players and they very rarely let us down. It was a fantastic season for a lot of them and I could write ‘War and Peace’ on each of them but I fear that wouldn’t be very good reading!
Put it in a nutshell for us, Harry.
Ronald’s (Sobowale) form at the start of the season was scintillating and it was no surprise when professional clubs came knocking for him. Calum and I really hope that he goes on to realise his potential in the game. Mannie Mensah really kicked on this season and thrived in more of an attacking role within our system – his performance away against Abbey Rangers in the FA Cup was phenomenal and if it wasn’t for the amount of injuries he endured I think he could have stolen the show. Jamie McGeohegan came into our defensive line in early November and never really looked back – he was exceptional and a real rock at centre back.
So, who has won it then? Drum roll please …
I’m getting to that bit! Our Managers player of the season award goes to someone who is a dream to have our disposal due to his versatility and game understanding – Ricardo Thompson. This season Ric has shown an improvement in pretty much every area of his game. Most versatile players are capable of filling a gap but Ric delivered exceptional performances in a number of roles. Against Chippenham in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round, we asked Ric to man mark their biggest threat and moved from left wing back to right wing back throughout the game and pocketed his opponent who has a vast amount of experience within the football league at a high level. We have asked Ric to play across the whole back line, in a number of different systems, and in a central midfield role where he has arguably delivered some of his best games. He is an absolute gentleman off the pitch and started to show leadership qualities which will hold him in very good stead for the rest of his career.
Well done to RICARDO THOMPSON congratulations on the award. I think Leafe fans would echo what Harry had to say about him. He’s certainly a fans favourite and not only for his performances on the pitch. He’s always got a smile on his face and has time to talk and answer questions.
