Player of the season

[AyeYerMa]

I assume that it's from a personal point of view as opposed to owt else, so working from there..

For amusement, entertainment, excitement and just plain all round stuff & giggles.

Paul Marshall. Always happy when I see the wee man's name on the team sheet.

[Dave]

Not many mentioning Payne who has been outstanding.

Whenever he plays yes.

According to UR site. He has played 18. Andy has played 22. I think Andy has given his all but Jared has played better rugby.

[MattMo]

Henry, Diack, Afoa, Henderson, Trimble, Cave, L. Marshall... all other 1st team members are also genuinely brilliant too, but in my mind have not quite played to their own lofty expectations at all times, ie. the inconsistent handling errors of Williams, Jackson's up and down kicking abilities, Olding being too new, and Payne always seemingly being in that "nearly back" phase recently, and Pienaar's game against Glasgow.

I bought a T-shirt recently just because it has Trimble and Best on it... Trimble being away from Ireland has been a blessing for Ulster. The man deserves it for accepting his Ireland rejection, then showing them how stupid a decision that was.

[therealspratt]

You know I'm going to have to put in a good word for Wee Paul as well. I'm always glad to see him on the pitch because I'm always excited to see what he does next and the real pace he can bring to the game. He's a rough diamond for sure, but one of my favorites regardless. However Trimble has to be my top player this season, he has taken the strong competition on the wings and being spurned by Mr Kidney, and raised his game to tremendous new heights this season has been a real test of his character and he passed with flying colours. Special mention has to go to Payne and Henderson of course. Payne has been a class act throughout even if his form has slowed a bit of late, and well Henderson what can I really say about him other than when all seemed lost against the Sarries, his soldiering on with that amazing drive in the 55th minute and of course his try brought a wee tear to the corner of my eye(now admittedly I had a few pints in me by this point), now there was passion and skill.

[Cornerfleg]

Baggy said it all up there ... Trimble for me, Chad close second.

The remarkable thing is that nobody has mentioned Ruan Pienaar, in my never humble opinion possibly the greatest player in the professional era to pull on an Ulster shirt. I'm wondering do we all simply take his excellence for granted? You see what its like when p starts, I'm pretty sure that if Ruan was ever to go out for a night with me on the pish I could get him to confess that playing 10 outside small is a feckin' nightmare with a healthy dose of guesswork about where the ball is gong to arrive.

+1

[BR]

I make it up to 13% of the season still to play and some big games in that. Too early for PotS awards for me, but AT would be current front runner for me.

[rocky]

Angry Andy Trimble. Simples!

[Setanta]

And yet the player we most miss if not playing is Chris Henry.

[Scranner]

For me two players have stood out this season - Andrew Trimble and Robbie Diack. Both are deserving of this highest honour. Andy for playing to the standard and with the dedication he brings to every game and Robbie because (and here I repeat myself) he has been immense for us throughout the whole season. Other players have more skill but (IMO) no other player has given more to Ulster this season - consistently throughout the whole season. I've always been a Diack supporter so perhaps I have rose tinted goggles on but I'd give it to the one and only Robbie Diack.

[ruckover]

And yet the player we most miss if not playing is Chris Henry.

While Chad has been brilliant this season, it's not because of that we miss him so much, it's because we don't have anyone remotely close to him in back-up when he's missing, so we really feel his absence.

[Setanta]

Ed Zachary!!

[BaggyTrousers]

Just out to a school and to collect some piping hot scones and as you do when driving had a thought.

Anyone a movie fan, I'm not much for them since they stopped making quality westerns but I do like a good laugh. My favourite would be "My Cousin Vinny" which I can practically recite verbatim. I like a bit of outrageous fun like "Dogma" and the Tarantino films usually give me a gulder or two. Amongst my favourite Tarantinos is the ludicrous "from dusk til dawn "

Thinking about Angry Andy my mind slipped to the part when Clooney asks Keitel " are you a faithless preacher or a mean motherfukking servant if the Lord?"

I reckon Andy is the latter.

[troupe86]

Just out to a school and to collect some piping hot scones and as you do when driving had a thought.

Anyone a movie fan, I'm not much for them since they stopped making quality westerns but I do like a good laugh. My favourite would be "My Cousin Vinny" which I can practically recite verbatim. I like a bit of outrageous fun like "Dogma" and the Tarantino films usually give me a gulder or two. Amongst my favourite Tarantinos is the ludicrous "from dusk til dawn "

Thinking about Angry Andy my mind slipped to the part when Clooney asks Keitel " are you a faithless preacher or a mean motherfukking servant if the Lord?"

I reckon Andy is the latter.

Great filmic choices.

[Dave]

Andy seems to be winning it hands down due to the fact that he hasn't been injured. He has been at his best but I don't agree that he should be a clear winner in this one. Not saying he wouldn't deserve it but surely there are others who should at least run him close, if not surpass him.

[bazzaj]

Not many mentioning Payne who has been outstanding.

Whenever he plays yes.

According to UR site. He has played 18. Andy has played 22. I think Andy has given his all but Jared has played better rugby.

I think that must include the friendlies at the start of the season that Trimble missed but Payne played in Dave.
If the criteria for player of the season is consistancy of performance over the entire season I think it has to be Trimble.
But no mistake we have never been blessed with attacking full backs but Paynes adventure and nouse has given us an added dimension to our game this season and one of the great individual performances was his MOM display against the saints away.

I think Williams has similarly given us a different dimension with his play, in particular early season where no team could handle him.
Paynes long term fitness was always going to be a question after such a long time out and Williams physical make up is not made for stamina over a long season.
Easy to say with hindsight but looking at the majority of both their careers neither have played near 20 odd first class games for their clubs over a season.
Next season we need to handle these two a little better in terms of rotating them because we need them to be firing for the big games.
I am not sure whether it is realistic to expect them to play to a high level week in and week out over a season without losing them to injury or a dip of form.
The difference with Trimble is that you can do that with him.