Pots; Tim Krul

I think we can all agree that this has been one of the most enjoyable, and unexpectedly successful seasons that Norwich City has ever had. No-one is going to debate it, it’s a cold hard fact. At the end of such seasons there are always a handful of star performances that shine bright and take all the plaudits.

This year Teemu Pukki has had much of the spotlight, both at Norwich and picking up the overall Championship Player of the Season award. I’m the last person to deny him the hard earned admiration he deserves. Emi Buendia has all the tricks, Stiepermann has been a revelation, Onel has been tearing into the box with the ball seemingly glued to his feet. But all true football fans know that with any team you start by building from the back. And there is more to our defence than (captain, my captain) Christoph Zimmerman.

Number one on the team sheet is arguably one of the most important players for Farkeball. Not only does the goalie have the crucial role of the keeping the ball out of the net, but he is also the start of the patient, passing football that has worn down so many teams in the division. This means he is often under high pressure from advancing strikers and has to make quick decisions and accurate passes whilst being aware yet not intimidated by the lumbering forward bearing down on him.

It’s high risk. You have to be cool as a cucumber to hold your nerve, and when it does occasionally go wrong be able to pick yourself up and carry on playing the same way unaffected. It takes an experienced head and calm demeanour – and we have that in spades with Tim Krul.

To highlight how important Krul is to the team and the way we play, he’s the only player to have been on the pitch for every minute of the season so far.

He is crucial to the ethos and success of the club this season.

Recently he also took time after a match to talk to a young fan who had been bullied, offering support and advice, proving that he’s just as classy off the pitch as on it.

Tim has been (mostly) going under the radar playing a vital part in Norwich City’s success. We are lucky to have them in the starting eleven week in, week out. They are the foundations that allow the midfield and attack to flourish, and we wouldn’t be top of the league without them.