This year saw you vote in record numbers as my inbox was flooded with emails with votes for players.
Past seasons have often seen one or two lead the running, often with no competition (Arjan De Zeeuw springs to mind). But this year was a very different one. Votes were cast for pretty much every member of the squad, save Julius Aghahowa.
But once again, thank you for taking the time to vote and here is to another season of top flight football for Wigan Athletic Football Club.
Here are the winners of this years awards.
Player of the Season 2007/08
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Congratulations to Kevin Kilbane on winning the most prestigious award in Wigan Athletic Football. Despite a rocky time with the club last season, Kilbane has become a real fan's favourite following his move to left back this season.
Never one to complain and thoroughly professional in his displays each week, this has clearly won over the hearts of the Wigan Athletic supporters who value desire and and grit far more than fancy flicks and audacious moans.
Kilbane, who many wrote off as not being the most talented of players has played a big part this season, often being an older head in the side to guide those younger and less experienced, he was rewarded with the vice captaincy of the team by new boss Steve Bruce.
2) Mario Melchiot
Super Mario joined the club in the summer on a free transfer from Rennes and is certainly a rival to Peter Atherton and Pascal Chimbonda as the greatest right back to ever play for the club.
The 0-0 draw with Reading confirmed how important Mario is to the team. Not only solid in defence and an excellent reader of the game, Melchiot offers such attacking prowess to the team down the right hand side. After his early injury against the Royals, the Latics did not look the same team and struggled to impose themselves on Reading as an attacking force.
Hopefully the Dutch international full back will recover from his end of season injury in time to play for Holland in the Euro 2008 tournament this summer. We certainly wish Mario a speedy recovery. The tournament won't be the same if it is not graced by his flowing locks.
3) Paul Scharner
Despite starting his Wigan career in midfield, Scharner was moved to his more familiar role of centre back when Steve Bruce came to the club. This turned out to be a tactical masterstroke as the Austrian defender established a good relationship with Barbadian Emmerson Boyce.
The partnership has gone from strength to strength and the Latics have conceeded just seven goals in eleven games with the duo at the heart of the defence.
Paul Scharner won the Official Player of the Season Award from the club this year, but without doubt he will be happier with his third place finish in the more prestigious WIGANER.net end of season awards!
It is however very disappointing that Paul has not been chosen to represent Austria in the Euro 2008 tournament this summer. A fall out in the past could not be put aside by the national team manager and Scharner's country will struggle to impose themselves on the tournament without their greatest player.
Signing of the Season 2007/08
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A Euro 1 million addition from Olimpia in Honduras, Palacios has been a true revelation at the club. Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has stated that letting Palacios leave the Brummies (where he was on loan) is one of the biggest mistakes of his managerial career to date.
Palacios has won over the hearts of Wigan Athletic fans with his combative and dertmined displays in the middle of the field, mixed with his tremendous skill and ability when in possession.
Wilson has thus attracted as much attention as Spanish speaking team-mate Luis Antonio Valencia as the duo are being touted with moves to Manchester United and Liverpool. Hopefully Palacios will stay for another year and write his way into legend at the JJB Stadium.
It is with no surprise that Palacios ran away with this award, achieving over 90% of the votes.
2) Mario Melchiot
Also 2nd place in the Player of the Season award, Super Mario has clearly cemented his place in the hearts of Wigan Athletic fans. His skill and intelligence at right full back have helped to sure up the defence this term.
3=) Steve Bruce
A joint third place this season with the award shared between Steve Bruce and Michael Brown.
Many (including myself) scoffed when Whelan paid £3 million for a manager. What we didn't know was how talented and determined a manager we gained.
Bruce's arrival sparked a remarkable upturn in fortunes for the club and points per game during his reign, the Latics would be sat in 9th place in the table.
3=) Michael Brown
Clearly another player who has won over the hearts of Wigan supporters with his 100% effort and determination each week. Brown joined from Fulham for a fee of £1.5 million and has struck up a superb central midfield partnership with Wilson Palacios.
Young Player of the Season 2007/08
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Twenty-two year old right sided midfield player Luis Antonio Valencia has clearly started to fullfil his potential this season. When he first burst into Wigan we were all impressed with his pace and power on the right flank but a little let down by his delivery.
Since making his loan move permanent and the arrival of Steve Bruce as manager, Valencia has undergone a marked improvement in his consistency. Still not at the very top of his game, Valencia is clearly one for the future with a host of top clubs chasing his signature.
2) Ryan Taylor
Twenty-three year old Ryan Taylor has suffered from horrendous injuries during his short football career but this season has seen the former Tranmere defender-cum-midfielder get the chance to really impress.
Manager Steve Bruce has likened his set piece delivery to that of David Beckham and Ryan clearly has an eye for a tackle. A hit with the ladies of Wigan, Taylor needs to work on his stamina if he is to manage consistent displays each week.
Certainly a deserved award after such a terrible time with injuries.
3) Wilson Palacios
Twenty-three year old Wilson Palacios has taken Wigan by storm since his move from Olimpia in Honduras. Like Valencia, Palacios has been attracting the attention of big clubs with his terrific displays for the Latics.
Should Wilson learn to add goals to his game he really would be the complete midfield player.
Most Improved Player of the Season 2007/08
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Clearly the move to a more familiar role of centre back has done Scharner a lot of good as his performances have been solid and his partnership with Emmerson Boyce has been at the heart of our revival.
2) Luis Antonio Valencia
A player who has shown flashes of brilliance in hte past, Valencia has really improved since the addition of Steve Bruce as manager and the completion of his permanent move from Villarreal. The Ecuadorian midfielder is attracting a great deal of interest from the biggest of clubs.
3) Chris Kirkland
Chris initially joined on loan from Liverpool before making his move permanent. Despite showing enormous potential his performanes were never 100% solid and he was always prone to conceeded goals. However the latter half of this season has seen Kirkland cement his place as the number one challenger to David James' throne as England goalkeeper. A consistent run of top class performances has helped to cement the Latics' status in the Premiership and Kirkland has arrived for sure.
What do you think of the winners? Please let us know on the messageboard.
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