Another season of ups and downs, highs and lows, heroes and villains for Leeds United AFC all boils down to 90 minutes of football in front of a packed Elland Road on Saturday.

Whatever the result, it’s certainly been one of the most eventful seasons in recent history. With Leeds United leading by a clear and seemingly unsurpassable margin at the New Year, a historic win over Manchester United proved to be a climax we’d struggle to recover from. Since then, the downs have often outweighed the ups but we kept fighting, and our players gradually recovered to give themselves one last chance at Championship football next season.

Ahead of this Saturday’s clash against Bristol, I’ve narrowed down a list of contenders for the TSS player of the season 2009/10 which you’ll find below. The accompanying poll will run until midday on Sunday.

Please note: All appearances and goal statistics are for League games only as shown on the Official Leeds United site.

Max Gradel

Appearances 10 (+ 21 as sub). Goals 6

Often consigned to the role of super-sub, Max Gradel came in on loan from Leicester City and instantly won the hearts and minds of Leeds United fans with his eagerness, determination and never-say-die attitude. Whilst his emotions can sometimes get the better of him and he’s often a target for card-happy referee’s, Gradel’s enthusiasm and hard-work have often turned stale-mate games into wins for the Whites. More recently, Max Gradel has proved to be just as much of an asset in the starting XI as he is from the subs bench.

Patrick Kisnorbo

Appearances 29. Goals 1

Another former Leicester City player, often described as Simon Grayson’s best signing to date, Patrick Kisnorbo came in and instantly plugged the holes in Leeds United’s defence. It’s no coincidence that Leeds’ defensive record was the best in League One for much of the season, but has suffered considerably since the Australian’s injury. Paddy’s fearless, determined attitude made him a big hit amongst the fans – an attitude personified by the bandage he wore around his head, marking an injury received early season that went untreated so the Aussie could play. Kis’ season and World Cup dreams were cruelly ended through injury, but the centre-back has refused to dwell on what could have been and made the trip to every game since with the squad.

Robert Snodgrass

Appearances 40 (+3 as sub). Goals 7

One of the most regular fixtures in the starting XI is that of the young Scot, Robert Snodgrass. Sometimes a lone creative force in the Leeds United midfield, Snoddy always gives 110% and never lets his head drop, even when things are going disastrously wrong for the Whites. Some impressive performances against Premier League opposition made Snodgrass a target for much transfer speculation, but Snoddy dismissed the speculation telling fans how he loves playing for a big club like Leeds United and wants to follow in the footsteps of other Scottish greats such as Eddie Gray and Billy Bremner. Undoubtedly has the potential to ply his trade at a higher level. Hopefully Leeds United can accommodate his wish.

Luciano Becchio

Appearances 31 (+5 as sub). Goals 15

A great season for Luciano and a much improved goal average on 2008/09. His hard-working, physical style of play has made him a bit of a cult hero with a fanbase desperate for something similar in midfield. Luci is another player who rarely lets his head drop and gives everything for the team. His holding play is essential and the fifteen goals he has scored fail to tell the whole story of his contribution to the Whites cause. Luci can just as often be found scrapping it out in defence and midfield trying to create something for the team as he can upfront trying to score. It’s the sheer amount of effort and hard-work he always gives that makes Becchio a candidate on this poll.

Jermaine Beckford

Appearances 37 (+4 as sub). Goals 24

Sometimes lazy, often controversial, always a threat and never boring! The enigma that is Jermaine Beckford has covered more column inches on TSS this season than the rest of the team combined. The January transfer saga he was involved with, the goal that knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup, sticking a finger up to some disgruntled fan in the stands etc… etc… It’s all in a seasons work for our deadliest goal-scorer, Jermaine Beckford. Love him or loathe him, Jermaine’s goals propelled us to the top of League One and are a big contributing factor in this seasons promotion push. Destined to leave at the end of this season, you have to wonder who we’ll bring in to fill the void left by one of the clubs most talked about players ever.

Preferred Quarter Final opponents?

  • Arsenal (1%, 12 Votes)
  • Aston Villa (3%, 26 Votes)
  • Bradford City (53%, 429 Votes)
  • Chelsea (7%, 56 Votes)
  • Liverpool (2%, 17 Votes)
  • Manchester United (6%, 52 Votes)
  • Middlesbrough (1%, 9 Votes)
  • Norwich City (25%, 205 Votes)
  • Swansea City (1%, 8 Votes)
  • Tottenham Hotspur (0%, 4 Votes)

Total Voters: 817

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