Leicester celebrate their title success. Matt Dunham
Matt Dunham
Paul Fennessy
What will be your defining memory from this season?
LEICESTER WINNING THE league won’t be easily forgotten but West Ham’s 3-2 victory over Man United earlier this week was similarly special, made unforgettable by the incredible emotion of an impassioned crowd in the last-ever Premier League game at Upton Park.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
It’s up there. 11/12 and 94/95 have final-day drama on their side, but for sheer shock value, this season has been unique.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
I was obviously one of the many that predicted Leicester would struggle. Tipping Chelsea to retain the league was also not one of my finer moments.
Who was your Player of the Season?
I’ll pick a less obvious candidate and go with Toby Alderweireld. Spurs have conceded less goals than anyone else this year. They rotated their full-backs and Jan Vertonghen missed plenty of games through injury, so the former Atletico Madrid man — as the team’s only ever-present defender — deserves enormous credit.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Vardy’s goal against Liverpool was a special moment from a special player. Honourable mention too for Dele Alli’s cracker at Palace.
Name the best and worst signing of the season
Best signing was N’Golo Kante — he went from being a virtual unknown to one of the world’s top midfielders in the space of a couple of months. Worst signing is tough — there are too many by Villa and Newcastle to mention. Chelsea also deserved to be singled out for the signings of Radamel Falcao and the elusive Alexandre Pato.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
N’Golo Kante against Man City — the 3-1 win at the Etihad was the moment everyone started to take the Foxes seriously as title contenders and the French international was at his dominant best and comfortably the standout player on the field that day.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
Oddly enough, Norwich — at least in the first half of the season — were often very enjoyable to watch. Their willingness to play intricate possession football against big sides such as Liverpool and Arsenal was refreshing to see. If only their defending wasn’t so consistently shambolic.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Shane Long was the obvious one, as 16 goals in all competitions attests, but Rob Elliot also deserves a special mention — he was superb in goals for Newcastle until his season ended prematurely owing to injury.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
No. For all the money that’s been spent, United are hardly significantly better than they were when Moyes left. He deserves credit for introducing so many young players, but his likely failure to guide United to Champions League qualification this season means he has drastically underperformed.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Enjoy the wine and the mince pies.
A Norwich City fan is left dejected in the stands after the club's recent loss to Man United. PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Fintan O’Toole
What will be your defining memory from this season?
Andrea Bocelli and Claudio Ranieri on the centre stage at the King Power Stadium.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
It provided the most incredible storyline but for sheer excitement, the 2011-12 season still tops it for the ‘AGUEROOOOOO!’ finale.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
Wisely I opted not to make predictions at the start of the season. I had a sense about Leicester since last summer of course but just kept it to myself…
Who was your Player of the Season?
Riyad Mahrez. Added the class and wizardry that Leicester needed at times. His goals against Watford and Man City were critical moments in particular.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Jamie Vardy’s thumping finish for Liverpool. Helped secure a vital win for Leicester at that stage of the season.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Best — Tie between N’Golo Kante and Dimitri Payet.
Worst — Memphis Depay (Man United) or Oumar Niasse (Everton).
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Dele Alli against Stoke a few weeks ago. He may have missed a sitter but he was sensational in scoring twice for Spurs that night.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
Leicester, what other answer could there be?
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Shane Long scored goals for Southampton and wreaked havoc on opposition defences. He was great to watch.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
LVG’s race is run at Old Trafford. Given the huge investment, they should be doing far better. Time to go.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Anyone for another Vardy Party?
Rónán Duffy
Fireworks after the last Barclays Premier League game played at Upton Park. PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
What will be your defining memory from this season?
Watching Leicester look several levels above Man City at the Etihad in both skill and purpose and realising they’re the favourites for the league.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
Probably not excitement no, given that the top clubs under performed. But I was definitely more interested in the outcome than any other season.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
Leicester to be relegated, but at least I wasn’t alone. Took some stick for predicting City wouldn’t make the top four, feel pretty vindicated even though they look like sneaking in.
Who was your Player of the Season?
A few weeks ago I was between Kane and Mahrez, but Tottenham’s end of season seals it for the Algerian. Also, you just have to look at his form in early season when he was banging them in. Back in December when Vardy didn’t score for the first game in 12, Mahrez stepped up with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Dele Alli’s volley against Crystal Palace obviously had a touch of the Stephanie Roche’s, but I think my favourite was Dimitri Payet’s free-kick against the same opposition.
The dipping arc the ball takes looks impossible and the spin actually makes it accelerate as it enters the top corner. I genuinely think he’s best free taker I’ve seen in the Premier League.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Kante for the best.
Worst is a difficult one, but considering how well he started the season at Swansea, a run that included getting an England start, Jonjo Shelvey’s move to Newcastle hasn’t worked out well for him or the club.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Always a tough one, but Sanchez leading Arsenal to a 20-minute demolition of United was great to watch.
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Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
He’s done a bit of good this season in getting so much out of Martial and developing Rashford, but there have been too many games where they don’t look like they’re going anywhere fast. In a more competitive year, they’d be nowhere near top four, and you get a sense next year will be a lot more competitive. Think it’s time to go.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
If you’re answer isn’t Leicester, then I hope you’re a fan of theirs.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Shane Long had been behind Graziano Pelle in the Southampton pecking order up until Christmas. He started against Arsenal on Stephen’s Day, scored twice in a 4-0 win and has started every single league game since. In that period, the Saints have been among the form teams in the league and look set for Europe. I’m not saying it’s all down to Long ,but he’s been consistently excellent and has been a massive part of that push.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Rules are made to be broken.
Ben Blake
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, on the ground as he complains to the officials about Arsenal tactics. Jon Super
Jon Super
What will be your defining memory from this season?
The Leicester players dancing around Jamie Vardy’s sitting room as Tottenham slipped up against Chelsea to hand the Foxes the most unlikely of titles.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
As refreshing as it was to see two clubs who don’t usually challenge battling it out, I’d have to say no as the league was wrapped up and all with a couple of weeks to go.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
Suggesting that Leicester would be relegated. Couldn’t have been more wrong.
Who was your Player of the Season?
N’Golo Kanté. 12 months ago, very few had even heard of the Frenchman but he has been phenomenal in the Leicester engine room.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Dimitri Payet v Crystal Palace – West Ham’s dead-ball specialist lit up the Premier League at times in his debut season. You could watch that magical, dipping free-kick over and over.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Best – Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham): Bought from Atletico Madrid after a season-long loan at Southampton, the Belgian defender was a rock at the back alongside compatriot Jan Verthongen.
Worst – Radamel Falcao (Chelsea) – After having a shocker at Manchester United, the Colombian was brought in by Jose Mourinho but looked a shadow of the man who terrorised defences during his days with Porto and Atletico Madrid.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Sergio Aguero v Newcastle – Five goals in 20 minutes for the Man City striker in their 6-1 demolition of Newcastle back in October.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
Spurs under Pochettino are a joy to behold in full flow.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Despite the fact that Norwich have been relegated, Robbie Brady once again showed that he is a Premier League quality player.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
You’re only prolonging the inevitable by doing so really.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Unpredictable.
Ryan Bailey
Leicester City know how to throw a party. Matt Dunham
Matt Dunham
What will be your defining memory from this season?
Andrea Bocelli serenading fellow Italian Claudio Ranieri ahead of Leicester’s coronation as Premier League champions.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
Leicester’s unlikely heroics lit up this campaign and restored our faith in football, and indeed sport, but it cannot hide the fact that the heavyweights below them floundered.
The title was wrapped up with a handful of games remaining and the relegation scrap quickly turned into a foregone conclusion once Sunderland hit their purple patch.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
Undoubtedly predicting that a Nigel Pearson-less Leicester City would fall through the trap door.
Who was your Player of the Season?
It’s difficult to ignore the romanticism of Jamie Vardy’s rise from non-league journeyman to Premier League winner but Riyad Mahrez was absolutely sensational.
Few would have been familiar with the Algerian international this time last year but he took the Premier League by storm, firing Leicester to the most unlikely of sporting fairytales.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Dele Alli’s moment of individual brilliance against Crystal Palace was the highlight of his breakthrough season. The teenager showed remarkable control and technique to take the ball down, flick it over his head before swivelling and firing a low volley into the bottom corner.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Steve Walsh’s role in Leicester’s success cannot be understated with the scout bringing in Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez among others. But the signing of N’Golo Kanté was probably his finest piece of business.
€8 million might have seemed steep for a relatively unknown midfielder at the start of the season but it turned out to be a bargain.
On the other hand, Radamel Falcao’s time at Chelsea proved to be a horrible failure but Memphis Depay failed to live up to any expectation at Old Trafford. There had been high hopes for the Dutchman after his big-money move but there was rarely a moment when he justified such a price tag.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp have been a joy to watch while Tottenham have also been very entertaining and impressive in equal measure.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Shane Long, without doubt. He terrorised opposition defences and reached double-figures for the season.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
He’s not the man to restore the club to its former glories and although United can still finish in the top four and lift the FA Cup, it’s been another forgettable season.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Bizarre.
Paul Hosford
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane (left) grapples with Chelsea's John Terry. PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
What will be your defining memory from this season?
Ranieri’s glasses getting knocked off as he, and Leicester celebrated a magnificent title win.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
Not out-and-out excitement-wise, but it was certainly one of the most enjoyable from neutral’s POV. Which being a Villa fan allowed you around October.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
That Villa would be fine.
Who was your Player of the Season?
Riyad Mahrez.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Dele Alli against Palace. Outrageous skill.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Best — N’Golo Kante — A brilliant season from a brilliant player.
Worst — Memphis — In a United team that looked anemic for months, he was still left out.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Any of Joleon Lescott’s.
Seriously, Aguero destroying Newcastle. A one-man team by the end of the season.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
As if I enjoyed watching Villa!
I like Klopp’s Liverpool. I just wish Benteke got more of a look in.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Kevin Toner is one few Villa players to emerge with any credit (granted he’s played four games). But it’s Shane Long. Constant energy is still giving defenders nightmares.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
I think he does. He’s blooded a lot of youngsters, could still finish fourth and win an FA Cup.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Mental.
Killian Woods
An Arsenal fan protests about manager Arsene Wenger. Martin Rickett
Martin Rickett
What will be your defining memory from this season?
Andrea Bocelli singing Nessun Dorma before Leicester routed Everton will always stand out for me. Those sort of games that are essentially a victory lap before the Premier League champions lift the trophy are usually quite flat, but seeing Bocelli belt out that classic really set the tone.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
In recent memory, yes, I think so. It was really refreshing to see the emergence of a new wave of mid-tier Premier League clubs like Leicester, Spurs, West Ham and Southampton that can compete on a consistent basis at the upper end of the league.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
I predicted that Watford would pull a Derby County and end up rock bottom. I thought there would be huge stability issues since they signed 13 players pre-season and have a history of regularly sacking their manager.
Who was your Player of the Season?
It has to be Mahrez. He waned at times during the season, but was the most consistent performer and brought a touch of class to Leicester.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Payet’s free kick against Crystal Palace in April stands out. The arc on his shot made it a thing of beauty.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Payet is the best signing for me since he missed seven games with a serious injury but still managed to rack up nine goals and 12 assists. Benteke was the worst. It’s not necessarily his fault, he just didn’t hit the ground running for Brendan Rodgers and then didn’t fit in Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Admittedly, he was up against Arsenal’s defence, but Andy Carroll’s hat trick against the Gunners stands out as one of the best performances this season.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
No doubt West Ham. I’ve grown up hearing about the ‘West Ham way’ of attacking football and it was nice to see it first hand this season.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Shane Long made a good account of himself in the second half of the season. He took his chance when other forwards were out injured and kept Charlie Austin and Jay Rodriguez out of the team when they returned.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
No. He stumbled across some great youth talent that saved his job on a few occasions. I don’t think he can shape that team into title contenders.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Seriously?
Shane Costello
Aston Villa supporters sit in the stands after their side's 4-0 loss at Manchester City. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
What will be your defining memory from this season?
The graciousness and humility shown by Claudio Ranieri — a stark contrast to Jose Mourinho.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
No — Leicester had an excellent run-in, the gap was never small enough for them to be under severe pressure, while the battle to avoid the relegation wasn’t as good as previous years.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
Ranieri to be the first manager to be sacked.
Who was your Player of the Season?
Jamie Vardy — an inspired goalscoring run set the tone for the season ahead.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Dele Alli v Crystal Palace — superb skill and technique that Dennis Bergkamp would have been proud of.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Best: N’Golo Kanté — incredible energy and tenacity throughout the season
Worst: Memphis Depay — needs to work hard over the summer to prove he has a future at Old Trafford
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Riyad Mahrez v Man City away — outstanding team performance lit up by the individual brilliance from the Algerian. Possibly the defining victory in the campaign.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
Tottenham — you can tell they are a well-coached team. They are fluid in attack where players can slot into different positions but also extremely hard-working without the ball.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Shane Long — seems a more confident striker since scoring against Germany. Into double figures for the first time in the Premier League — needs to push on and be a bit more clinical to aim for the magical 20-goal mark.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
No — no cohesion in the team’s play, no spirit or fight to dig in when required, very little attractive qualities in which to build on. Another year would just prolong the agony and the inevitable.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Leicester were the best team in a league littered with under-performing sides.
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'Enjoy the wine and the mince pies' - Our writers review the 2015-16 Premier League season
Updated at 10.35
Paul Fennessy
What will be your defining memory from this season?
LEICESTER WINNING THE league won’t be easily forgotten but West Ham’s 3-2 victory over Man United earlier this week was similarly special, made unforgettable by the incredible emotion of an impassioned crowd in the last-ever Premier League game at Upton Park.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
It’s up there. 11/12 and 94/95 have final-day drama on their side, but for sheer shock value, this season has been unique.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
I was obviously one of the many that predicted Leicester would struggle. Tipping Chelsea to retain the league was also not one of my finer moments.
Who was your Player of the Season?
I’ll pick a less obvious candidate and go with Toby Alderweireld. Spurs have conceded less goals than anyone else this year. They rotated their full-backs and Jan Vertonghen missed plenty of games through injury, so the former Atletico Madrid man — as the team’s only ever-present defender — deserves enormous credit.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Vardy’s goal against Liverpool was a special moment from a special player. Honourable mention too for Dele Alli’s cracker at Palace.
Name the best and worst signing of the season
Best signing was N’Golo Kante — he went from being a virtual unknown to one of the world’s top midfielders in the space of a couple of months. Worst signing is tough — there are too many by Villa and Newcastle to mention. Chelsea also deserved to be singled out for the signings of Radamel Falcao and the elusive Alexandre Pato.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
N’Golo Kante against Man City — the 3-1 win at the Etihad was the moment everyone started to take the Foxes seriously as title contenders and the French international was at his dominant best and comfortably the standout player on the field that day.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
Oddly enough, Norwich — at least in the first half of the season — were often very enjoyable to watch. Their willingness to play intricate possession football against big sides such as Liverpool and Arsenal was refreshing to see. If only their defending wasn’t so consistently shambolic.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Shane Long was the obvious one, as 16 goals in all competitions attests, but Rob Elliot also deserves a special mention — he was superb in goals for Newcastle until his season ended prematurely owing to injury.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
No. For all the money that’s been spent, United are hardly significantly better than they were when Moyes left. He deserves credit for introducing so many young players, but his likely failure to guide United to Champions League qualification this season means he has drastically underperformed.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Enjoy the wine and the mince pies.
Fintan O’Toole
What will be your defining memory from this season?
Andrea Bocelli and Claudio Ranieri on the centre stage at the King Power Stadium.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
It provided the most incredible storyline but for sheer excitement, the 2011-12 season still tops it for the ‘AGUEROOOOOO!’ finale.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
Wisely I opted not to make predictions at the start of the season. I had a sense about Leicester since last summer of course but just kept it to myself…
Who was your Player of the Season?
Riyad Mahrez. Added the class and wizardry that Leicester needed at times. His goals against Watford and Man City were critical moments in particular.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Jamie Vardy’s thumping finish for Liverpool. Helped secure a vital win for Leicester at that stage of the season.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Best — Tie between N’Golo Kante and Dimitri Payet.
Worst — Memphis Depay (Man United) or Oumar Niasse (Everton).
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Dele Alli against Stoke a few weeks ago. He may have missed a sitter but he was sensational in scoring twice for Spurs that night.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
Leicester, what other answer could there be?
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Shane Long scored goals for Southampton and wreaked havoc on opposition defences. He was great to watch.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
LVG’s race is run at Old Trafford. Given the huge investment, they should be doing far better. Time to go.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Anyone for another Vardy Party?
Rónán Duffy
What will be your defining memory from this season?
Watching Leicester look several levels above Man City at the Etihad in both skill and purpose and realising they’re the favourites for the league.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
Probably not excitement no, given that the top clubs under performed. But I was definitely more interested in the outcome than any other season.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
Leicester to be relegated, but at least I wasn’t alone. Took some stick for predicting City wouldn’t make the top four, feel pretty vindicated even though they look like sneaking in.
Who was your Player of the Season?
A few weeks ago I was between Kane and Mahrez, but Tottenham’s end of season seals it for the Algerian. Also, you just have to look at his form in early season when he was banging them in. Back in December when Vardy didn’t score for the first game in 12, Mahrez stepped up with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Dele Alli’s volley against Crystal Palace obviously had a touch of the Stephanie Roche’s, but I think my favourite was Dimitri Payet’s free-kick against the same opposition.
The dipping arc the ball takes looks impossible and the spin actually makes it accelerate as it enters the top corner. I genuinely think he’s best free taker I’ve seen in the Premier League.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Kante for the best.
Worst is a difficult one, but considering how well he started the season at Swansea, a run that included getting an England start, Jonjo Shelvey’s move to Newcastle hasn’t worked out well for him or the club.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Always a tough one, but Sanchez leading Arsenal to a 20-minute demolition of United was great to watch.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
He’s done a bit of good this season in getting so much out of Martial and developing Rashford, but there have been too many games where they don’t look like they’re going anywhere fast. In a more competitive year, they’d be nowhere near top four, and you get a sense next year will be a lot more competitive. Think it’s time to go.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
If you’re answer isn’t Leicester, then I hope you’re a fan of theirs.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Shane Long had been behind Graziano Pelle in the Southampton pecking order up until Christmas. He started against Arsenal on Stephen’s Day, scored twice in a 4-0 win and has started every single league game since. In that period, the Saints have been among the form teams in the league and look set for Europe. I’m not saying it’s all down to Long ,but he’s been consistently excellent and has been a massive part of that push.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Rules are made to be broken.
Ben Blake
What will be your defining memory from this season?
The Leicester players dancing around Jamie Vardy’s sitting room as Tottenham slipped up against Chelsea to hand the Foxes the most unlikely of titles.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
As refreshing as it was to see two clubs who don’t usually challenge battling it out, I’d have to say no as the league was wrapped up and all with a couple of weeks to go.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
Suggesting that Leicester would be relegated. Couldn’t have been more wrong.
Who was your Player of the Season?
N’Golo Kanté. 12 months ago, very few had even heard of the Frenchman but he has been phenomenal in the Leicester engine room.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Dimitri Payet v Crystal Palace – West Ham’s dead-ball specialist lit up the Premier League at times in his debut season. You could watch that magical, dipping free-kick over and over.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Best – Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham): Bought from Atletico Madrid after a season-long loan at Southampton, the Belgian defender was a rock at the back alongside compatriot Jan Verthongen.
Worst – Radamel Falcao (Chelsea) – After having a shocker at Manchester United, the Colombian was brought in by Jose Mourinho but looked a shadow of the man who terrorised defences during his days with Porto and Atletico Madrid.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Sergio Aguero v Newcastle – Five goals in 20 minutes for the Man City striker in their 6-1 demolition of Newcastle back in October.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
Spurs under Pochettino are a joy to behold in full flow.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Despite the fact that Norwich have been relegated, Robbie Brady once again showed that he is a Premier League quality player.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
You’re only prolonging the inevitable by doing so really.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Unpredictable.
Ryan Bailey
What will be your defining memory from this season?
Andrea Bocelli serenading fellow Italian Claudio Ranieri ahead of Leicester’s coronation as Premier League champions.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
Leicester’s unlikely heroics lit up this campaign and restored our faith in football, and indeed sport, but it cannot hide the fact that the heavyweights below them floundered.
The title was wrapped up with a handful of games remaining and the relegation scrap quickly turned into a foregone conclusion once Sunderland hit their purple patch.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
Undoubtedly predicting that a Nigel Pearson-less Leicester City would fall through the trap door.
Who was your Player of the Season?
It’s difficult to ignore the romanticism of Jamie Vardy’s rise from non-league journeyman to Premier League winner but Riyad Mahrez was absolutely sensational.
Few would have been familiar with the Algerian international this time last year but he took the Premier League by storm, firing Leicester to the most unlikely of sporting fairytales.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Dele Alli’s moment of individual brilliance against Crystal Palace was the highlight of his breakthrough season. The teenager showed remarkable control and technique to take the ball down, flick it over his head before swivelling and firing a low volley into the bottom corner.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Steve Walsh’s role in Leicester’s success cannot be understated with the scout bringing in Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez among others. But the signing of N’Golo Kanté was probably his finest piece of business.
€8 million might have seemed steep for a relatively unknown midfielder at the start of the season but it turned out to be a bargain.
On the other hand, Radamel Falcao’s time at Chelsea proved to be a horrible failure but Memphis Depay failed to live up to any expectation at Old Trafford. There had been high hopes for the Dutchman after his big-money move but there was rarely a moment when he justified such a price tag.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Sergio Aguero single-handedly destroying Newcastle.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp have been a joy to watch while Tottenham have also been very entertaining and impressive in equal measure.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Shane Long, without doubt. He terrorised opposition defences and reached double-figures for the season.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
He’s not the man to restore the club to its former glories and although United can still finish in the top four and lift the FA Cup, it’s been another forgettable season.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Bizarre.
Paul Hosford
What will be your defining memory from this season?
Ranieri’s glasses getting knocked off as he, and Leicester celebrated a magnificent title win.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
Not out-and-out excitement-wise, but it was certainly one of the most enjoyable from neutral’s POV. Which being a Villa fan allowed you around October.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
That Villa would be fine.
Who was your Player of the Season?
Riyad Mahrez.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Dele Alli against Palace. Outrageous skill.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Best — N’Golo Kante — A brilliant season from a brilliant player.
Worst — Memphis — In a United team that looked anemic for months, he was still left out.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Any of Joleon Lescott’s.
Seriously, Aguero destroying Newcastle. A one-man team by the end of the season.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
As if I enjoyed watching Villa!
I like Klopp’s Liverpool. I just wish Benteke got more of a look in.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Kevin Toner is one few Villa players to emerge with any credit (granted he’s played four games). But it’s Shane Long. Constant energy is still giving defenders nightmares.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
I think he does. He’s blooded a lot of youngsters, could still finish fourth and win an FA Cup.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Mental.
Killian Woods
What will be your defining memory from this season?
Andrea Bocelli singing Nessun Dorma before Leicester routed Everton will always stand out for me. Those sort of games that are essentially a victory lap before the Premier League champions lift the trophy are usually quite flat, but seeing Bocelli belt out that classic really set the tone.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
In recent memory, yes, I think so. It was really refreshing to see the emergence of a new wave of mid-tier Premier League clubs like Leicester, Spurs, West Ham and Southampton that can compete on a consistent basis at the upper end of the league.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
I predicted that Watford would pull a Derby County and end up rock bottom. I thought there would be huge stability issues since they signed 13 players pre-season and have a history of regularly sacking their manager.
Who was your Player of the Season?
It has to be Mahrez. He waned at times during the season, but was the most consistent performer and brought a touch of class to Leicester.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Payet’s free kick against Crystal Palace in April stands out. The arc on his shot made it a thing of beauty.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Payet is the best signing for me since he missed seven games with a serious injury but still managed to rack up nine goals and 12 assists. Benteke was the worst. It’s not necessarily his fault, he just didn’t hit the ground running for Brendan Rodgers and then didn’t fit in Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Admittedly, he was up against Arsenal’s defence, but Andy Carroll’s hat trick against the Gunners stands out as one of the best performances this season.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
No doubt West Ham. I’ve grown up hearing about the ‘West Ham way’ of attacking football and it was nice to see it first hand this season.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Shane Long made a good account of himself in the second half of the season. He took his chance when other forwards were out injured and kept Charlie Austin and Jay Rodriguez out of the team when they returned.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
No. He stumbled across some great youth talent that saved his job on a few occasions. I don’t think he can shape that team into title contenders.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Seriously?
Shane Costello
What will be your defining memory from this season?
The graciousness and humility shown by Claudio Ranieri — a stark contrast to Jose Mourinho.
Was this the best season ever excitement-wise?
No — Leicester had an excellent run-in, the gap was never small enough for them to be under severe pressure, while the battle to avoid the relegation wasn’t as good as previous years.
What prediction do you wish you hadn’t made?
Ranieri to be the first manager to be sacked.
Who was your Player of the Season?
Jamie Vardy — an inspired goalscoring run set the tone for the season ahead.
What was your Goal of the Season?
Dele Alli v Crystal Palace — superb skill and technique that Dennis Bergkamp would have been proud of.
Name the best and worst signing of the season.
Best: N’Golo Kanté — incredible energy and tenacity throughout the season
Worst: Memphis Depay — needs to work hard over the summer to prove he has a future at Old Trafford
Best individual performance you witnessed this season?
Riyad Mahrez v Man City away — outstanding team performance lit up by the individual brilliance from the Algerian. Possibly the defining victory in the campaign.
Which team did you most enjoy watching (aside from the club you support)?
Tottenham — you can tell they are a well-coached team. They are fluid in attack where players can slot into different positions but also extremely hard-working without the ball.
Which Irish player impressed you most?
Shane Long — seems a more confident striker since scoring against Germany. Into double figures for the first time in the Premier League — needs to push on and be a bit more clinical to aim for the magical 20-goal mark.
Does Van Gaal deserve another year at United?
No — no cohesion in the team’s play, no spirit or fight to dig in when required, very little attractive qualities in which to build on. Another year would just prolong the agony and the inevitable.
Describe the season in one sentence.
Leicester were the best team in a league littered with under-performing sides.
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