Ireland misses out on award

Stephen Ireland has missed out on winning this season's PFA Young Player of the Year award.

Ashley Young of Aston Villa took the prize at the Sunday night's ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, beating off competition from Gabriel Agbonlahor, Jonny Evans, Aaron Lennon and Rafael da Silva as well as Stephen.

Peter Barnes remains the only City player to take the award, back in 1976, but Stephen can content himself with not just the nomination but magnificent season that has brought him 14 goals and widespread praise from players and pundits alike.

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I'm still stunned that Ireland hasn't landed this award, and cannot see any justification for Ashley Young beating him to it.

I know as City fans we have the benefit of seeing Ireland at close quarters, but apart from a mid season spell of half a dozen games where he went slightly off the boil, he has been superb for us all season - and far more consistent over the whole season than Young, who for me has disappeared since Villa went off the boil after an excellent season until then.

It does seem a classic example of the problem of voting for these awards so early in the season, and a terrible snub for a player, who, in my mind should have been on the shortlist for the overall player of the year award.

Ireland nominated for young player of the year

STEPHEN IRELAND has been paid the ultimate compliment by his fellow professionals of being nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year Award.

His inclusion on a six-strong shortlist for the coveted prize is recognition of the gifted 22-year-old Blues midfielder's tremendous season both in the Barclays Premier League and the UEFA Cup campaign.

In-form Stevie's superb vision, tireless running and precision passing have been enhanced by 12 goals so far, including one in the first leg in Hamburg last Thursday night followed by another against Fulham on Sunday.

He faces tough competition from fellow nominees Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Gaby Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Jonny Evans (Manchester United) and Rafael (Manchester United).

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Whilst there are some impressive performers on the shortlist, I would say the consistency of Ireland's play over the course of the whole season should see him as favourite for the award - so much so that he perhaps deserves inclusion for the overall award.

Richard nominated in PFA awards

Micah Richards has been shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Award, to be named at the ceremony this coming Sunday.

Whilst the main award looks to be a straight fight between Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba, the young player category could be far more open. Where Richards could do well is if the voting goes to a newcomer rather than a more established player (Fabregas or Rooney) or someone who may likely win the main award (Ronaldo).

From mcfc.co.uk:

Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards has
been nominated as one of the six candidates for the Professional Footballers’
Association Young Player of the Year award.
The 18-year-old is the youngest
of the nominees and will battle it out with Kevin Doyle of Reading, Arsenal’s
Cesc Fabregas, Aaron Lennon of Spurs, and United'd Cristiano Ronaldo & Wayne
Rooney.
The PFA’s Chief Executive Gordon Taylor said of Micah: “He is a giant
of a lad and I was delighted to see him called up to the England squad, and even
more thrilled that he took it on his broad, young shoulders and coped so well
with his elevation to the international stage.”
A City spokesman said today:
“It is a great honour for the Club to have one of our players nominated for this
award and it has again shown that the hard work done at our Academy has paid
off.”