A few weeks back voting opened for Barnsley’s Official Player of the Season which is awarded on the pitch before the final home game against QPR. Although opening the voting seemed a little premature, there is no doubt in my mind who should be awarded the accolade….Hugo Colace gets my vote and I am going to tell you why he should get yours.
This season, Hugo has started 37 matches (only Stephen Foster has started more); has picked up no injuries, no major suspensions and has never been dropped.
Last season Bobby Hassell deservedly won the award with Colace finishing second. It is notoriously difficult to make a quick impact coming into a foreign country, but Hugo did it with ease last season. And here’s the thing, he’s improved this term.
In his first game in charge this season, Mark Robins didn’t play him. After a week’s training, MR saw the light and Colace was recalled. Now he and Nathan Doyle (known as the ‘Coyle’ partnership) form the heart of our set-up.
The addition of Doyle in midfield this season has strengthened Hugo’s cause as together they provide an almost immaculate shield in front of the back four, taking the strain off Darren Moore’s lack of pace.
Despite bringing the same standard of solid defensive play that marked his first season, some people may criticise Hugo’s apparent lack of involvement and lacklustre tackling. However, to counter this, his positioning is second to none – watch him off the ball for a game; the Argentine stops most attacks before they start.
Furthermore, his partnership with Doyle has given Hugo the extra freedom to move forward to achieve the incredible accomplishment of becoming our second top scorer (only ‘Boggy’ has more). His finishing is clinical and most have come from late runs into the box which is no small feat.
Yet he is not just a poacher of goals. His assist tally is at four, joint best. And all from a player who has built a career (which includes captaining Lionel Messi) out of the holding role.
My vote has gone to the supporters trust and club yours should too. To enter your vote for Hugo Colace you can either send an email to website@barnsleyfc.co.uk or hand it in at the club office. Simples. Get it done, and get it won for Hugo Colace.
Author, Barnsley FC website barnsleyblog.com – check out his match reports, fan observations, previews, videos, competitions and features.