Honourable mentions
Andrew Davies - the only player in the squad who hasn't put a foot wrong all season. His willingness to fight for the cause was illustrated by his desire to play through injury and indeed it took a triple fracture of the cheekbone which put his eye at risk to keep him off the pitch!
Unfortunately, he only joined mid-way through and missed the crucial final few games, otherwise he surely would have been a shoe-in for player of the season.
A brave and commanding defender still in his early twenties he has many years ahead of him and looks set to continue the improvement he showed in just a few months on the pitch for Saints.
Youssef Safri - the Morrocan midfield lynchpin arrived for peanuts from Norwich as surely the bargain of the season. With a season marked by inconsistency of individual and collective form, he has stood out as the only real player to maintain a level of consistency across the length of the season. Indeed the only real lows have been through his fiery temper getting him into trouble with referees and his absence at the African Cup of Nations.
He has been impressive in front of the back four with an excellent range of passing, surprising aggression in the tackle and a will to win. Up until a few weeks ago he would have won the award, but his achievements have been overshadowed by the player of the season.
Player of the season
Up until a few weeks ago, this player would have been eclipsed by the two names above, but his remarkable goalscoring achievements were the major factor in keeping us up, including those two quality strikes under huge pressure on the final day.
Arriving as a makeweight in the Kenwyne Jones deal to an underwhelming reception from many, he started on the bench with some erratic finishing but an uncanny ability to get on the end of chances. Once he had a run in the team his confidence in front of goal returned resulting in some spectacular strikes, notably the goal of the season against Hull.
He may not be the most mobile, but he has proved an excellent hold-up man and there is no arguing with 19 league goals in 35 starts and 5 substitute appearances, particularly how crucial so many of those strikes proved. Among the highlights, a memorable hat-trick against Hull, the vital goal against Leicester and of course his 'Roy of the Rovers' double against Sheffield United.
So, it is hats off to the man that did more than anyone at the sharp end of the season to keep us up - Stern John, the On the Cross player of the season.