Saints end of season awards

The much maligned Claus Lundekvam has restored his reputation after a difficult season in the Premiership. The architect of clean sheet after clean sheet this season, he has been pure class at the back and was deservedly handed the captaincy under Burley. If only we could get Michael Svensson back and fit, we would have the makings of a dream central defensive partnership.

Honourable mention: Danny Higginbotham came in a close second for his wholehearted performances out of position at left back and for showing his ability when finally restored to centre back. Suprised many with a not previously seen eye for goal on penalties and set pieces.

Previously the youngsest player to play in the Saints reserves, forgotten local boy Andrew Surman was out on loan at Bournemouth and dreaming of his chance to play for the club he has supported all his life. His recall from loan under Burley finally saw him get that opportunity, an emotional first goal and to show his genuine promise as he has steadily grown in confidence on the left of midfield.

Honourable mention: David McGoldrick has been a revelation for the U18s and reserves scoring nearly 40 times in a season marked by Saints' lack of a genuine goalscorer. One to watch next season when he needs to prove he can step up to the first team.

It has been a heart-warming story to see ex-Pompey striker go from zero to hero in the eyes of the fans. Clearly unfit and lacking in confidence after his £90k move Redknapp stuck by him despite a poor strike rate and shameful targeting from the boy boys.

He went out on loan at Ipswich and returned fit and firing, ending with 5 goals in 5 games and as Saints leading scorer, with the boos turning to chants of support - 'he used to be a skate, but now he's ******* great'.

Honourable mention: Chris Baird was picked by George Burley as his most improved player this season. With time running out to establish himself at the age of 24, he was finally given his chance after an injury to first choice Sweden right back Ostlund and has has gone from strength to strength and has kept his place even after Ostlund's return from injury.

As part of the On the Cross match verdicts I always like to pick a Cameo of the Day as a balance to the rather less complimentary Lemon of the Day.

The only problem was that 16 year old Theo's electrifying performances made him a nailed on certainty for the awards every time he came on. Only when his first starts for Saints saw him winning Man of the Match awards instead did it free up someone else to win the Cameo of the Day.

It is still one of the great disappointments to see such a wonderful talent plucked from our grasp at such a tender age. Fans need heroes and we lost potentially the biggest of all since Matthew Le Tissier.

Honourable mention: goes to Marian Pahars for the brief glimpse of his undoubted talent as he limped from injury to injury with the odd emotional appearance in between. His farewell lap of honour on the final day of the season will live long in the memory.

Once again the Northam has been loud and proud this year, singing even in the darkest of moments mid-season. Their ‘Lowe Out!' banner proved the catalyst for one of the moments of the season, as the majority of the crowd finally let out their frustrations and stood to chant for the Chairman's head in the woeful game against Ipswich.

Honourable mention: goes to the Itchen for some memorable banter with the away fans, managing to keep the Millwall fans in particular entertained for the majority of their relegation game.

Chosen for the amount of complimentary/abusive feedback it received with a certain editor trying to be too clever for his own good when the rumoured management duo of Lok and Wotte looked odds on to take over.

Honourable mention: for similar reasons ‘Harry goes Potty as Killer and Wizard return' seemed to attract more than its fair share of correspondence.

Special thanks go to Roger Moore for what has been a thought-provoking and entertaining column over the season in ‘Roger Moore scores'.