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Vital Rochdale Player Of The Season

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Over the next few weeks we`ll be going through our awards for the season. We thought about calling them the ‘least worst awards,` but in the spirit of tradition we`ll stick to the tried and tested.

Today it`s the turn of player of the

eason, and the didn`t quite win its are:

Gary Jones

He started reasonably, followed it with a phase of his old box to box storming performances, and finished with a uncharacteristic whimper.

The missed penalty against Sheffield Wednesday seemed to sap his confidence as he was showing glimpses of his old self until then.

Part of the blame has to go to the managers, all of whom didn`t seem to know how to use him properly. Part of the blame must go to not replacing Chris O`Grady with another strong target man. How many times did O`Grady roll the ball straight back into the path of Jones?

As good a finisher as we`re told he is, Ashley Grimes couldn`t hold up his own jeans without a belt.

Whatever the reasons, John Coleman would do well to spend a while figuring out how to get the best out of Mr Rochdale; one last hurrah in league 2 could get us back up.

Andrew Tutte

Proof that Steve Eyre wasn`t entirely woeful in the transfer market. Tutte has matured into a skilful player full of drive and purpose. Nicky Adams take note, Tutte actually cares where his final balls end up.

The fact he`s not followed Adams in requesting a transfer is good news, but Coleman will have to work fast to persuade him to stay; a player of his potential calibre won`t want to be lurking in the basement division for too long.

Jean Louis Akpa Akpro

Sometimes brilliant, sometimes like a toddler chasing bubbles, always willing to run until his legs won`t let him run anymore. Jean Louis could well find his level at league 2; with less consistent defenders to face, it won`t matter so much if he has to beat them twice because he`s run in a circle.

His biggest asset is that he cares; the shirt and the fans clearly matter to him as he shows in his efforts when he`s on the pitch. Like a unmanned hosepipe, if he could be picked up and guided in the right direction, he could be effective. Players in the Championship would struggle to deal with his direct pace and power, but it remains to be seen if Coleman thinks he`s worth the effort.

Winner – Jason Kennedy

At the start of the season he couldn`t get into the side. Not to sound smug, but if you read over our articles, you`ll see we called for his inclusion. Obviously that did sound smug, but the point remains, any team in league one with Jason Kennedy in it would be better team.

Any league 2 team with Jason Kennedy in it would be starting with a distinct advantage. An intelligent player who knows his limits and plays within them, Kennedy dragged Dale through matches that they could, and perhaps should have been battered in.

Against Sheffield Wednesday, whilst Jones struggled, Kennedy dictated the game like Castro; it was his game, the others just happened to be playing in it. He`d be more than worth upping his wages, one Jason Kennedy is better than 2 of the standard that Rochdale will be able to attract.

Keeping him is a must.

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All Hail the Dale