January 2008 Awards

 

The EFP Player Of The Month

Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)

Head and shoulders above everyone this month (well with the exception of Ronaldo), in more ways than one. We all heard the stories about him raising the string, well Adebayor has this month raised the bar in the perfect centre forward standards. 4 superbly headed goals this month highlighted not only his supreme physical prowess but also the Togolese’s near faultless technique & all round gamut of a world class striker. His rich vein of form & goals, which in January were spectacular, could propel Arsenal to title glory. To say Kenwyn Jones - who is turning into an established PL centre forward - is a ‘Poor Man’s Adebayor’ is paying the Sunderland player a huge compliment.

The EFP Young Player Of The Month

Daniel Sturridge (Man City)

Chosen ahead of Ronaldo (whom, despite his tender years can no longer be considered for this category) even though he has only played one & a half games for City & has only burst onto the scene in the last week. But, on account of the excitement generated by his 2 goals in 2 games record; not witnessed since the Theo Walcott hoax, Sturridge has to be awarded this award as a preparatory to stardom, if that’s where he’s heading? His finish at Sheff Utd suggests he has the ability & at Derby he showed all the predatory instincts & composure needed to become a top PL striker. He’s proven he can produce the goods at youth level & it looks like he’s taking to the senior team like a duck to water.

 

 

The EFP Manager Of The Month

 

Avram Grant (Chelsea)

It is surely time Grant is given credit for what he is currently achieving at Chelsea, as he continues to shape this team, post-Mourinho. And it is Mourinho’s club record of 9 straight wins which Grant’s Chelsea have just equalled, as well as maintaining an ‘untouchable’ unbeaten home record, which has lasted an incredible 4 years. With the “sexy football” further away from the Bridge than Ruud Gullit is from a return to PL management, an abundance of 1-0 wins have not always been pretty, but Chelsea are the PL’s form team, & Avram should receive at least some recognition for this.

The EFP Team Of The Month

 

 

The EFP Goal Of The Month

The EFP Quote Of The Month

 

 

“The match for them is a bit like people down south going to the theatre. They want to be entertained.”

(Kevin Keegan tells it like it is on Tyneside)

 

The EFP Chant Of The Month

 

“They Don’t Care About Rafa
They Don’t Care About Fans
Liverpool Football Club
Is in the Wrong Hands”

(Liverpool fans let Americans know how they feel)