Neal Eardley

Ah, ‘The Postman’ as he’s been named by our media team. In case you’re wondering, I think it’s because he always delivers, but it might be his preference for the top corner of the goal when striking a free kick, the area known as the ‘postage stamp’. Either way, he doesn’t have a little red van or a cat named Jess.

What he does have is 39 starts in the league, just three games shy of being ever-present. He’s started three times as many matches in two years with us as he managed in the four seasons prior to joining. That’s a testament to his hard work on the treatment table as well as his quality on the pitch.

It’s been a tough season for Neal in that he hasn’t shone as much as he did last year. That isn’t because he’s been any worse, not at all, but he’s been surrounded by players who have all raised their game. He’s doubled his goal tally this season, from one to two, plus he’s weighed in with plenty of assists as well.

Has he been as consistently good? Maybe he’s had one bad game, perhaps two at a push, but name me a single footballer who doesn’t have one or two bad games a season (apart from Neal Eardley last year).

He’s been an eight most matches, his delivery has been terrific, his dead balls have been deadly and he’s played more league football than all but two of our players. He also appeared in all three FA Cup matches.

He won’t win Player of the Year, but through no fault of his own. This lad is League One quality and next season, he gets a chance to prove it.