2008/09 Player of the season countdown

#9. Alex Bush

Apps: 14; Goals: 1

He might be allergic to training, he might also not care for tracking back very much, but here is the first of what many will remember as one third of Banter's defence this season.

After being a bit part player in our first season, The Bush Man formed part of a much improved Banter back line this season, and produced some outstanding performances whilst doing so. Solid in the air, confident on the ground, and not afraid of the odd foray forward, Bushy looks more like a footballer these days and his bursts forward are becoming the stuff of legend - at times this season he has been beyond our midfield even when we haven’t got the ball and he is playing in a 3 man defence. Perhaps he trusts our defence to handle it, perhaps he is just mental and has no positional sense.

He began brightly in the pre-season games, performing well at right-back against Athletico Croydon, as well as popping up with a headed goal against Barca FC. He is more than capable of playing anywhere across the backline, this demonstrated when he's played right or left-back or central defence as part of a three or four. His most familiar role this season has been at left-central defence, alongside Tino and Boma. He missed the first couple of competitive games because he hadn't been registered in time. This, many might say, has something to do with avoiding all pre-season training entirely and declaring his interest just as the season was beginning. But that's the cynics view, of course.

His first few competitive games gave Banter more cover at the back and a switch in formation soon after. In October, whilst taking a hammering away to Monkey Tennis in the Surrey Cup, he brought one of the few highlights that day for the blues, when he burst through on goal to chip the keeper in delicate fashion. The game after, Banter switched to a 3-5-2 formation, got their first ever clean sheet and once Sanderstead became depleted to injury it opened up space for Bushy to fly forward at will. He was fantastic the week after against Santos when he kept their tricky centre-forward at bay, memorably hacking the poor bloke down in the second half with a challenge Wuker would've been proud of. But we haven't forgotten the sitter he missed on a rebound from a Tino free-kick, either.

Despite putting in some excellent performances when Banter won, Bushy's finest game of the season actually came during a 4-0 defeat. Not his fault. Not many people's, the game shouldn't have even been played such was the ice on the pitch against Carlton United one January morning. The Carlton right-winger had shown his skill, his good first touch and crossing ability before, but Bushy remained equal to it throughout, cutting out every chance or sniff that his opponent had. Of course, he also got forward and hit one or two of his exhibition efforts too, which to be fair nearly got him his second goal of the season. His teammates rewarded him with the man of the match award for his fine display.

It's arguable as to whether his positional sense needs improvement, or whether he's happy leaving his teammates necks on the line, but whilst it did improve over the course of the season, it's perhaps something he could iron out. Knowing when to burst forward with the ball and when not to would also help, as well as a little bit more composure on the ball when he gets himself further up the field. This would come if he spent more time on the ball, say at training?!

All in all, a terrific season for Bushy and one which he can build on further. A great character to have around, if only to see him bleary eyed on a Sunday having been in The Swan until 6am.