Should Vidic be this year’s player of the year?

It is rare for defenders to ever pick up awards in football, as the majority of them go to midfielders or forwards. John Terry was the last player to be named the writers’ player of the year, but after a superb season at Manchester United this season Nemanja Vidic is surely one of the stronger candidates to consider when deciding the winner at the end of the season.

Vidic was ever-present during a run of 14 consecutive league clean sheets earlier this season which has contributed largely to United’s progress this year.

Vidic has had games where he hasn’t performed, not to mention the 4-1 defeat against Liverpool a fortnight ago, where his costly mistake led to a Liverpool eqauliser. Then, in the same game he made a clumsy challenge on Steven Gerrard. Some believe that if he had not made such mistakes, Man Utd would not have suffered such a bad defeat.

There are some other candidates up for the award, Steven Gerrard the potential favourite. Gerrard has been consistent performer this year, the player who has led from the front and he will no doubt be the main figure in Liverpools fight for the Premier League.

Rio Ferdinand, who has also enjoyed success at the back while partnering Vidic, said earlier this week that he believes that he deserves the award:

“I think he should definitely be up there this year for player of the year. He’s a top player.

“The attacking players normally get the accolades and the adulation, so it would be nice for a defender to win it. JT won it a few years ago but not many centre-halves have won it over the years.

What do you think? Does Vidic deserve to be this years player of the year? If not, who do you think is the right man to win the award? Tell us by leaving a comment.