Niall Kelly
What will be your defining memory from this season?
I think Steven Gerrard’s “This does not f***ing slip” is the one moment bound to be replayed time and time again. It summed up so much of the energy and excitement in Liverpool’s title challenge and ultimately, it was cruelly turned on its head when Gerrard lost his footing against Chelsea.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
Ah no. It was very entertaining, and equally unpredictable, but I’m not sure it can compare to some of the title races (and relegation races) that were still twisting and turning until the final seconds of the final day of the season.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
Knowing what I know now, I obviously wish I’d been a little bit more optimistic regarding Liverpool’s chances. There’s no way I saw that coming though.
Aside from Luis Suarez, who was your Player of the Season?
I want to say Seamus Coleman but in truth, it has to be Yaya Toure.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Patjim Kasami (Fulham v Crystal Palace). I love a 50-yard lob as much as the next man but this was one-of-a-kind this season.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
That’s a very difficult question. Suarez’s four goals against Norwich is the one which immediately springs to mind, but I’m sure there are plenty of other worthy contenders.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)
Everton played some really nice football at times this season. I’ll happily watch a side with Coleman, McCarthy, Lukaku and Deulofeu. And I like Bobby Martinez.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Seamus Coleman. He’s been class and probably deserved a place on the Player of the Year shortlist.
Who should be the next Manchester United manager and why?
I met Didi Hamann a couple of weeks ago and he suggested that they should take a look at Rafa Benitez. That’d be some craic.
How did your Fantasy Football team do?
(*logs in for the first time since September*) 1,760 points. Did I win?
Describe the season in one word/sentence.
Unpredictable.
In light of what we’ve seen over the past few months, what would be your England starting XI for the World Cup?
Hart
Johnson–Cahill–Jagielka–Baines
Sterling–Gerrard–Henderson–Lallana
Sturridge–Rooney
Adrian Russell
(David Moyes, former Manchester United manager)
What will be your defining memory from this season?
David Moyes’ miserable tenure at Old Trafford was the narrative — besides Liverpool, perhaps — of the season. His clumsy sacking and the promotion of the politically astute Ryan Giggs were fascinating. Also, that time Giroud was caught playing away.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
No it was good but it’s all over before the final weekend.
Aside from Luis Suarez, who was your Player of the Season?
Seamus ‘The Sealion’ Coleman was a joy to watch all through the season, particularly when juggling the ball through the Arsenal midfield.
https://vine.co/v/MiPqXuIlZUi
What was your Goal of the Season?
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
I was at Old Trafford in December to see Yohan Cabaye remind the home supporters what a midfielder looked like. Luis Suarez against Norwich lit up one of those glorious midweek MOTDs a few days earlier I seem to remember.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)
Southampton for the top, top football and the Fast Show-like interview with Mauricio Pochettino and his interpreter afterwards.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
See Seami above. But James McCarthy was class in the Everton midfield too.
Who should be the next Manchester United manager and why?
Give it to Roy for the laugh. To paraphrase a friend’s chat up line; it’ll be the best 30 seconds of your life.
How did your Fantasy Football team do?
2027 points — middling performance.
Describe the season in one word/sentence.
Alan Hansen’s last on telly, thank God.
In light of what we’ve seen over the past few months, what would be your England starting XI for the World Cup?
Hart, Baines, Johnson, Terry, Cahill, eh… sorry, stopped caring.
Hugh O’Connell
(Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring a hat-trick in front of the fans)
What will be your defining memory from this season?
Liverpool playing the most exciting brand of football in years and going oh-so-close.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
Yes
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
That Manchester United would continue their “unending dominance”. How wrong I was. That said, I’m glad they didn’t.
Aside from Luis Suarez, who was your Player of the Season?
Jordan Henderson. Missing three of the last four games proved how crucial he has been for Liverpool this season.
What was your Goal of the Season?
That Jack Wilshere goal with the 25-odd passes. Marvellous.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Luis Suarez on several occasions but particularly against Norwich at Anfield.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)
Everton
Which Irish player impressed you most?
I said last summer: “I think Coleman could flourish in Roberto Martinez’s Everton side and become one of the best full backs/wingers in the country”. I take great pleasure in saying I was absolutely right. He has been marvellous.
Who should be the next Manchester United manager and why?
Ryan Giggs, because he might mess it up and that would be hilarious.
How did your Fantasy Football team do?
Didn’t have one
Describe the season in one word/sentence.
Unpredictable.
In light of what we’ve seen over the past few months, what would be your England starting XI for the World Cup?
Includes lashings of bias….
Hart
Flanagan–Cahill–Jagielka–Baines
Gerrard
Lallana—Barkley
Sterling
Sturridge—Rooney
Sean Farrell
(Man City’s Vincent Kompany celebrates victory)
What will be your defining memory from this season?
‘We go again!’
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
No. Manchester City were nailed on champions with two games to go. If they fall short from here then maybe, only maybe.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
Everton struggling. Yep.
Aside from Luis Suarez, who was your Player of the Season?
Yaya.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Kasami v Palace
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Jose Mourinho at Anfield.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)
Liverpool
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Coleman just keeps getting better and better.
Who should be the next Manchester United manager and why?
Hard to look beyond Van Gaal. Probably no harm in making a deliberately short-term appointment. The last long-term plan wasn’t so hot.
How did your Fantasy Football team do?
Abandoned.
Describe the season in one word/sentence.
Refreshing.
In light of what we’ve seen over the past few months, what would be your England starting XI for the World Cup?
Hart
Johnson–Cahill–Jagielka–Baines
Carrick, Wilshere, Milner
Rooney Sterling
Sturridge
Paul Hosford
(Fabian Delph was one of Aston Villa’s better players)
What will be your defining memory from this season?
Liverpool’s winning run. It’s easy to forget in light of what happened that they picked up around 45% of their points total in an 11-match winning run that saw them demolish Spurs, Arsenal, Everton and United, as well as pulling out a win over City.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
Not really for me. There’s just been no drama at the bottom.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
All of them! Mostly tipping Benteke and Weimann to fire.
Aside from Luis Suarez, who was your Player of the Season?
Yaya Toure has to be in there, doesn’t he?
What was your Goal of the Season?
Did he mean it? Of course. He was magnificent in the build-up as well.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Benteke against Norwich. Villa were poison until he decided he wanted to win the game, starting with this:
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)
Liverpool. I absolute hated watching my own team this year! With Liverpool, there was always something.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Seamus Coleman was excellent. Shane Long did well in patches, especially after West Brom inexplicably wanted to sell him.
Who should be the next Manchester United manager and why?
David Moyes. Because he's The Chosen One. Nah, as fun as that was, Louis Van Gaal because he's a big enough character to handle it.
How did your Fantasy Football team do?
Didn't do one.
Describe the season in one word/sentence.
Unpredictable.
In light of what we've seen over the past few months, what would be your England starting XI for the World Cup?
Hart
Johnson Cahill Jagielka Baines
Henderson
Gerrard Lallana
Sterling
Rooney Sturridge
Steven O'Rourke
(Man City players enthusiastically congratulate Yaya Toure following a goal)
What will be your defining memory from this season?
It has to be the Steven Gerrard slip doesn't it? Just as Liverpool fans were starting to believe they were about to end two-and-a-half decades without league success, their talisman stepped up -- or, rather, fell down -- at the key moment to all but end their title challenge.
Honourable mention to Manchester 'not a sacking club' United sacking a manager after less than a year in charge.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
No. It was probably more fun than many in the last decade -- Liverpool being good/United being awful adding to that -- but I'm not sure it was more exciting. Two years ago was probably better, even if City won.
What prediction do you wish you hadn't made?
I know what you're expecting, you're expecting me to apologise for saying 'Brendan Rodgers won't last the season' but, in the words of that famous French song, "Joe le taxi, y va pas partout".
Seriously though, I got it badly wrong with Rodgers and he and Liverpool have been great to watch this season and were probably a decent defender away from deservedly winning the league. I'm glad he wasn't sacked.
Aside from Luis Suarez, who was your Player of the Season?
Kolo Toure's brother.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Jonjo Shelvey because, well, 'he's not that sort of player'.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
That's a good-looking question. You can probably pick any game where Yaya Toure pulled the rest of his ineffectual team-mates along.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)
I'm a Manchester United fan and I'm going to say Liverpool. They were class to watch at times.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Seamus Coleman (Is there any other candidate?).
Who should be the next Manchester United manager and why?
Carlo Ancelotti because he doesn't seem to come with Van Gaal's sense of self-importance.
How did your Fantasy Football team do?
2080, which isn't bad considering I realised a few weeks ago I'd been updating my brother's team for weeks. Moral of the story, never let someone use your laptop.
Describe the season in one word/sentence.
I still have as many Premier League winners' medals as Steven Gerrard.
In light of what we've seen over the past few months, what would be your England starting XI for the World Cup?
Hart
Coleman*--Cahill--Jagielka--Baines
Sterling--Gerrard--Henderson--Lallana
Sturridge--Rooney
Rónán Duffy
(Seamus Coleman wins a header)
What will be your defining memory from this season?
Man United's collective denial and then acceptance that they'd made a massive mistake in choosing someone who'd never won a trophy to manage a club built on just that.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
Probably yes. Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool were all hot favourites at various points. Also, by anyone's standards, there were a rake of goals.
What prediction do you wish you hadn't made?
Think my prediction for United was accurate, even though I didn't foresee the extent of it. Mark Hughes has proven that me and many others were hasty in writing him off.
Aside from Luis Suarez, who was your Player of the Season?
John Terry. A villain who, unlike Luis, hasn't been forgiven. If he wasn't such a destabilising influence, he'd be a cert for England.
What was your Goal of the Season?
I haven't mentioned Suarez yet, so his rising half-volley against Norwich.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Chelsea at the Etihad. Perhaps the classiest of the 'Mourinho masterclasses'. They didn't really park the bus because they counter-attacked with real intent and maximised Hazard.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)
Liverpool.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Disappointing to say that there's not much of a choice beyond Coleman and McCarthy.
Who should be the next Manchester United manager and why?
Ancelotti will probably just about survive if Madrid lose out on La Liga and the Champions League. If he doesn't, United should do everything to get him.
How did your Fantasy Football team do?
Didn't do it.
Describe the season in one word/sentence.
This doesn't slip now, Moyes out.
In light of what we've seen over the past few months, what would be your England starting XI for the World Cup?
Hart
Johnson--Cahill--Jagielka--Baines
Gerrard--Henderson--Milner
Sterling
Rooney--Sturridge
Patrick McCarry
(Irish defender Damien Delaney has impressed this year)
What will be your defining memory from this season?
In time I will expunge if from my memory, but David Moyes' caterwauling clusterbomb of a season. Every time you thought 'It can't get any worse... surely', it got worse. If the leaked story [so many leaks], of Moyes showing the United defenders DVDs of Distin and Jagielka to learn from, is true then nothing more needs to be said.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
No, but it was pretty good. Arsenal and United mixing it still edges it for excitement and skill but it was good to see things shaken up for a season, at least.
What prediction do you wish you hadn't made?
Missed committing it to electronic print but I would have bet my 12-year-old Volvo on Manchester United at least finishing in the top four.
Aside from Luis Suarez, who was your Player of the Season?
Yaya Toure pips Sergio Aguero (four separate injuries but sheer class in between). Toure is the driving force behind City and has chipped in with 20 goals and eight assists.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Luis Suarez brutalising the ball for his swerving, dipping goal against Norwich. The best of his four that night.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Luis Suarez ripping Norwich City to shreds with four goals and an assist. The Canaries never recovered... all season after.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)
Liverpool, as they are a bit like Keegan's Newcastle in their gung-ho nature.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Seamus Coleman. Damien Delaney finished the season well in a miserly Palace defence and Robbie Brady was doing well until injury intervened.
Who should be the next Manchester United manager and why?
Looking like LVG but most of his best days are behind him. Carlo Ancelotti, if United can land him. He is tactically astute, likes attacking football, will attract big names and has PL experience. Otherwise, Jurgen Klopp. If that goes belly up, go for Marco van Basten.
How did your Fantasy Football team do?
Reasonably well [second in the office lead to PF] but I jumped on the Suarez bandwagon too late.
Describe the season in one word/sentence.
The league that nobody wanted except the team that wanted it too much it killed them.
In light of what we've seen over the past few months, what would be your England starting XI for the World Cup?
Hart
Johnson--Cahill--Jagielka--Baines
Oxlade-Chamberlain--Gerrard--Lallana--Sterling
Rooney--Sturridge
Fintan O'Toole
(Steven Gerrard reacts to Liverpool's defeat of Man City)
What will be your defining memory from this season?
A tie between Steven Gerrard screaming in a huddle and Steven Gerrard slipping near the centre circle.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
It was a thrilling ride for long stages but the ending is going to be a damp squib. 2011-12 and AGUERROOOO! still trumps it for excitement.
What prediction do you wish you hadn't made?
That David Moyes would be a safe pair of hands to handle the tricky transition period at Old Trafford after Fergie's departure. I thought his honest, hard-working approach and shrewdness in the transfer market would pay dividends. Marouane Fellaini proved that I thought very wrong.
Aside from Luis Suarez, who was your Player of the Season?
The one-man juggernaut that is Yaya Toure. He returned to fitness at a crucial stage of the season and his goalscoring exploits for a midfielder are ridiculous.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Just as I suspected, this came down to a battle between Pajtim Kasami, Jonjo Shelvey and Alexander Tettey. Kasami's effort was the best.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Mourinho at Anfield just gets the better of Mourinho at the Etihad. Even by his high standards, the chest-thumping celebration after Willian's goal and the post-match dig at Jamie Redknapp's football acumen were special.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)
First half of the season, it was Arsenal with Aaron Ramsey the star of the show and second half of the season, it was Liverpool who adopted the Kevin Keegan maxim of 'no problem if you score three, we'll get four'.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Seamus Coleman took his game to a new level this season and produced a selection of brilliant goals from right-back as well. James McCarthy lived up to £13m price tag at Goodison Park as well.
Who should be the next Manchester United manager and why?
Roy Maurice Keane. He's already done his Irish football comeback, there's only one big return left to round off the story nicely.
How did your Fantasy Football team do?
Fantasy Football was so 2012-13.
Describe the season in one word/sentence.
'We go again,' said the Chosen One before he slipped.
In light of what we've seen over the past few months, what would be your England starting XI for the World Cup?
Hart
Johnson-Cahill-Jagielka-Baines
Sterling-Gerrard-Barkley-Lallana
Sturridge-Rooney
Ben Blake
(Pajtim Kasami celebrates scoring for Fulham)
What will be your defining memory from this season?
The Liverpool huddle and Gerrard's now famous speech after the Man City win.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
That's probably going a little too far but it has certainly been the most entertaining campaign in recent memory.
What prediction do you wish you hadn't made?
Expecting Manchester United to comfortably finish in the top four, but I guess just how abject they've been has surprised most.
Aside from Luis Suarez, who was your Player of the Season?
Sergio Aguero. The Man City striker scored 28 goals in 33 appearances and it would have been considerably more had he stayed injury-free.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Kasami's volley was a moment of brilliance but I'm going with Jonjo Shelvey for the control, quick thinking and technique that went into his 50-yard strike against Aston Villa. Beats Rooney's v West Ham in my opinion.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
I could watch Luis Suarez single-handedly tear Nowrich apart all day.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)
Liverpool (and that's coming from a Man United fan).
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Seamus Coleman was voted into the Team of the Season after an exceptional year under Roberto Martinez but the industrious David Meyler has impressed me at Hull, especially when you consider Ireland aren't blessed with an abundance of midfielders.
Who should be the next Manchester United manager and why?
Van Gaal seems to be a done deal but I would liked to have seen Carlo Ancelotti get the job.
How did your Fantasy Football team do?
The less said the better.
Describe the season in one word/sentence.
Unexpected.
In light of what we've seen over the past few months, what would be your England starting XI in the World Cup?
Hart
Johnson Jagielka Cahill Baines
Gerrard Henderson
Barclay Rooney Lallana
Sturridge
Paul Fennessy
(John Terry has been part of a Chelsea side with comfortably the best defensive record in the Premier League this year)
What will be your defining memory from this season?
The Liverpool-Man City game for the sheer spectacle. Obviously, the outcome probably won't fit in with the narrative of the season in years to come, but in terms of drama, entertainment value and good football, it was unsurpassed.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
It's up there. At the risk of being accused of being overly nostalgic, 94-95, 95-96 and 11-12 were probably slightly better. What this year will lack is (probably) final-day drama. The relegation spots and European places are all effectively sorted, and the title race looks to be as well, unless Big Sam Allardici and his men can pull off a tactical masterclass -- if they do, then I might just change my mind.
What prediction do you wish you hadn't made?
Probably tipping United to win the league, though in my defence, that was back in the middle of August, when -- like everyone else -- I was still assuming they'd do some serious business before the transfer window closed.
Aside from Luis Suarez, who was your Player of the Season?
I'll be slightly controversial and go with John Terry -- not many defences are required to carry their team, and even fewer are as successful as Chelsea were in the process. It's incredible that they've still yet to officially offer him a contract extension, given how well he's marshalled the team this year.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Rooney against West Ham -- very few players would have the confidence and audacity to attempt a shot from that distance, not to mention doing it with such exemplary execution. Better than Beckham's Wimbledon effort all those years ago? It was harder to execute and under slightly more pressurised circumstances, so I think so.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Suarez's four goals against Norwich was scarily good, but special mention too for Nemanja Matić's dominant display in Chelsea's 1-0 win over City at the Etihad -- they were the only team in the league to beat them there all season (unless the Hammers change that today).
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)
Man City, all things considered, played the best football, but Liverpool matches were the closest you could probably come to guaranteed excitement.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Coleman and McGeady are the obvious examples, but I'll say Damien Delaney for the integral role he played in Palace's rejuvenation. Glenn Whelan deserves a mention too for perseverance -- he started the season on the bench but forced his way into Mark Hughes' plans and ended up being a regular for a team that could still finish 9th, which is about as good as a side such as Stoke can expect nowadays. Marc Wilson at times looked like a future Ireland captain, though he also had a stinker in their home game against Liverpool, which sticks in the memory.
Who should be the next Manchester United manager and why?
Definitely not some randomner who happens to be good at Football Manager -- that joke got very old very fast.
Carlo Ancelotti seems the safest choice, but Louis van Gaal looks almost certain to get it at this stage.
How did your Fantasy Football team do?
I kept caring until the end, which I consider as the key indicator of success.
Describe the season in one word/sentence.
As Gary Neville might say, ohhhhhhhhh unbelievable!
In light of what we've seen over the past few months, what would be your England starting XI for the World Cup?
Hart
Red Cafu Terry Cahill Baines
Gerrard
Henderson Wilshere
Sterling
Rooney Sturridge
