Sunderland Player of the season 2018/19

Welcome to the first of 10, (yes ten) articles where we award the winners of last season.

In a desperate attempt to attract an audience, part one looks at our Sunderland Player of the season. Later this week, the cutting edge journalism returns with Motorway Service Station of the season.

SAFC Blog Awards – Sunderland player of the season

SAFCBlogs Sunderland Player of the season for 2018/19 is….. Jon McLaughlin.

“Thou shalt not pass” ~ well done Jon

So, how was this decision reached?…

….. We’d all probably thought, (certainly hoped), that the season would be a feast of attacking football with a load of tinpot teams being blown away, Watmore, Maja, Wyke, McGeady? Which attacking player would scoop the award?

In reality, we drew a lot, and our keeper was the best player. Up to the turn of the year, it was neck and neck between Jon and Maja, since Josh’s departure to sit on a bench in France, there was only one realistic winner.

On 6th September 2018, Jon was the 1st keeper to save a penalty at the SOL!

It was the 1st penalty save by a Sunderland keeper since Barry Norman saved from Graham Roberts vs Spurs on March 21st 1989 ~ not big on stats/facts … but just bonkers that!?

1st ever penalty save at the SOL ~ no wonder the bloke in the blue top, (XXXL), looks so excited?

Graham Roberts, (centre) ~ missed in 1989

No wonder Roberts missed ~ he must have thought he was off his tits on acid when he saw the keepers shirt?

SAFC Blog player of the season Jon McLaughlin

So after 41 successful penalties spanning 29 years ~ big Jon made history.

Particularly impressive about this season was that Jon had previously played for non league Harrogate Town, Harrogate Railway and Burton Albion. He also had a spell at Bradford Park Avenue and Hearts, (Scotch team better than Hibs, but not very good). So we are by far the biggest club he’s played for ~ but he looked confident and comfortable from day one.

It’s no secret that we struggled in the goalkeeping position in the 2017/18 season? I’d go so far as to say, if we’d have had Big Jon rather than the three hapless fuckers from that season, we’d have probably stayed up?

Sunderland keepers in 2017/18

2017/18….. terrible

Steele

Lee Camp

“Got it covered…….”

Ruiter

We were obviously spoilt with Pickford’s distribution, but Jon’s is decent too. It’s clear from the stands that he wants it on his right foot, if I can see that, surely the defenders should be aware of it?

His only real error came against Bradford on Christmas Day, but we got away with that….

“Bollocks …. dropped it”

“Phew, that was close!!”

Well done Jon. Definitely good enough to play in the Championship ~ but at an age where he needs to play every week, so fully expect him to be our number 1 again in next seasons promotion procession.