Pots; Cristoph Zimmermann

Andrew Lawn
As I considered where to place my vote for Player of the Season, almost pretty much the entire team scrolled through my mind. You could make a case for every single one of them deserving it, and I am sure that is what my fellow AlongComeNorwich-sters will do here.

They will try to convince you that their man deserves the nod, because he’s 18 years old and looks like a ready-made Premier League right-back despite only making his senior debut back in September. Or that for ages we couldn’t win without him in the team and he manages to combine key goals and assists, with more tackles than any other Championship midfielder. Or because he has scored more goals than any other Championship player, works as hard as anyone and looks like me.

All worthy arguments, but I ignored them all in favour of our on-field leader. Step forward Christoph Zimmermann.

This guy was signed on a free from the FOURTH TIER of German football. 3 divisions lower than Vrancic, 2 divisions below Onel, Marco and – direct competition comparison alert – Marcel Franke – and a division below even Dennis. He strolled in to Carrow Road to play back-up to our back-up. In front of him stood seasoned internationals in Grant Hanley and Timm Klose, Russell Martin, compatriot Franke, plus the highly-rated and much sought-after Sean Raggett (remember him?). He has seen them all off, through his performances mixing calm, composed but controlled aggression in his defensive duties, coupled with a willingness to take the ball in tight spaces and play forward passes, including a number of exocets out to our marauding full-backs or raking 60 yard arrows that send Teemu clear on goal. He’s a centre-half and has as many assists this season as some of our attacking players.

If, as I imagine, the value of goals scored are heavily weighted in your decision, think of the value of the goals Zimmermann has scored this season; that thumping winner at Millwall and then the almost-winner and ultimate point-saver vs Reading.

Add to that his status as captain, leading this remarkably inexperienced side through a fraught promotion battle, stepping into cauldrons like an angry Elland Road and producing a performance of such confidence and composure, Sky captured his colleagues literally laughing in enjoyment. Here is a man that leads through vocal encouragement and a booming voice, but also by example. He leads every warm up and then spends 90 minutes putting his head in where it hurts. It may have happened last season, but this is the man who tackled a Wolves striker WITH HIS HEAD. 14 or so months on but it still counts. At full-time Christoph makes his way around every stand to thank us for our support, frequently handing his shirt to a child on the front row. Note how when he started this he was alone and now, most of his teammates follow his lead, further strengthening that increasingly powerful bond between team and fan.

Finally, he is an excellent and lovely human being. We cannot ask more of our heroes.

My pick for player of the season: Zimmerman

Jack Wardale
Football is a team sport, as you all know. Very few teams in history have thrived off consistent, individual brilliance. Even Barcelona have had to call on the services of players other than Messi to achieve European dominance.

Although Norwich have shown glimpses time and time again this season of individual brilliance, it is time to reflect on what truly makes this Norwich team great.

As the player of the season voting opens, we can all name the obvious contenders – Teemu Pukki, Max Aarons and Emi Buendia. It is hard after all to ignore the Championship Player of the Season, young player of the season and the second coming of Wes Hoolahan. In this post however I want to challenge you. How have these players been able to exhibit such brilliance all season?

Attacking players can only attack if they are given permission by the manager, but more importantly the players behind them. When reflecting on the illustrious season Norwich have had, scoring for fun at times, we often forget what afforded these players such freedom. Not only have Norwich been credible defensively, they have given the attacking players of the team the license to play without fear. Although you could easily throw Tom Trybull’s name into the hat here after some of the most industrial performances even seen in a Norwich City shirt, the name that deserves the most recognition in my opinion is Christoph Zimmermann.

One often forgets that the ‘veteran’ centre back is only 26 years old. Yet, he has commanded Norwich throughout the season, providing solidarity, leadership and even a couple of goals.

When I think of what has made Norwich teams special in the past, it has usually stemmed from an inspirational leader. We have been fortunate to have had some true servants for the club, and Zimmermann seems to be the next. When you consider some of the goal-saving clearances he has made this season, it is easy to see why the players around him not only respect him, but trust him.

By earning this respect, he has given players permission to go forward and play freely. This is perhaps best evidenced by having two of the best full-backs in the league. Their praise has primarily come from their productivity going forward, and this is a by-product of their trust in Zimmermann.

He has not only granted them the freedom to go forward, but he has nurtured the three youth players around him to reach another level of performance. This guidance, I believe, has helped all three earn the opportunity to play for their country. It is easy to forget that the other three players in the back four have an average age of 20 when they play with the maturity and fluidity that should take years to build.

This does not just happen in football. It requires communication. It requires trust. Zimmermann has provided the glue for a Norwich side that is now fully expected to get promoted as champions. Even if you look at his two goals this season, they have both been at desperate times. The first was the eventual match winner at Millwall. The other, what should have been the winner against Reading this past Wednesday. When we needed an important goal, he answered.

So although Zimmermann does not steal the spotlight-nor does he ask for it -it is undoubtable that without his leadership and mature, gritty performances this season that Norwich would not be in the position that they are in. Although you could say that about many other individual players in the team, I believe that Zimmermann is the catalyst that has afforded players like Lewis and Aarons to have the breakout seasons that they have had. It has allowed Buendia and Pukki to attack without fear. Although he may not have produced the most spectacular moments of the season, he has produced some of the most important. Let’s not forget that goal-line clearance against Middlesbrough.

As you cast your votes for player of the season, I urge you to think not just about the players who have shown individual brilliance, but those who have made this team the special one that it is by allowing others around them to flourish. Zimmermann has allowed players to display individual brilliance while his performances have culminated in vital contributions at both ends of the pitch.