2008/09 Player of the season countdown

#10. Edd Adkins

Apps: 13; Goals: 1

A good ‘come back’ season for Adkins who was thrust back into the action after many months on the sidelines. 21 games he'd missed to injury. That including the cup run and final, which if you can imagine what that's like to be "available" but not fit to play, it can't be too nice. He supported Banter every single week during his time off and whilst some may have believed he'd never return to play more than 5 minutes at a time, he waited patiently and has reaped the rewards.

371 days from one game to the next, so he was eased in gently upon his return in November with 10 minutes against Postal, 20 minutes against Coulsdon, 45 minutes against Purley, until he was confident he was ready to play a full game, which he did against Carlton in December and he was sensational. He partnered Euro up front and his link up play, touch and passing was like days of old. He was one of the big contributors to a fantastic 3-2 win that day.

His form through the rest of December and into January was, like everyone elses, patchy. During this spell, he became the first Banter Central player ever to be yellow carded. What an offence. He chopped down a Portland player as they went on the counter attack and was rightfully cautioned. Another win didn't come up until 4 games later which he missed due to having a second head growing out of his back, but he returned the following week against Portland, where he partnered Jim in a 2-man midfield. He worked his way into the game well and began dictating a lot more in the second half. Banter were unfortunate not to take a point, as has been reported - by us - many times!

It's fair to say he was never instantly going to be the same player after such a long time out, a struggle to find fitness, and perhaps frustration about how good he can be and this not happening straight away. Never afraid of a shot, the only surprise was that Adkins didn’t fire in some more Ronny Rockets in the games that he played. A solitary goal from a free kick was all that resulted from Edward's hard work going forward. Even the most ardent Banter fan would find it difficult not to admit that this free kick should have been saved, too. Adkins himself shouted "Cheers, keeps" as a token of his appreciation.

Many confuse Adkins’ displays as being lazy and lethargic. Truth is, he’s trying to run his absolute fastest and hardest, but injury and conditioning himself to 7 takeaways a week has apparently left him shorter of the pace and fitness he already lacked. But he didn't appear to lack any effort in the 1-0 win against Santos one February morning. Most can be complimented on their display that day, as it was a true team effort, but Adkins pulled the strings in midfield alongside Fintan and Gill and he was also the stand-in manager due to Cling's absence. 'Edd Adkins: Football Manager' became more than this website's alternate reality and he put in probably his finest display of the season, including getting the cogs going for the only goal of the game.

A full pre-season uninterrupted by injury would benefit Adkins greatly, his fitness was understandably lacking on occasion and it's something that if he has, then he has the potential to have it all. Nobody would question his ability, not least because of what he might say back either. His quote from the Carlton win was: "If Euro was as good as me, this would be one hell of a partnership." So he certainly doesn't lack confidence either. His contribution to this term has been fantastic, particularly given the circumstances which I don't believe can be ignored. Expect even bigger things from our #8 next season. I'm not just talking about his backside either.

One question though... Whatever happened to The Adkins 50-50? Perhaps the Banter website's finest feature, gone. Hopefully not forever.