MORGAN Schneiderlin has truly come of age this year and fully deserves to be named Daily Echo Player of the Season.

It is always the case that in seasons of success rather than struggle there are plenty of worthy candidates for the honour.

But this time round Schneiderlin, pictured, tops them all.

The Frenchman’s performances have been immaculate in the centre of midfield and his form has been one of the keys to Saints re-establishing themselves in the top flight.

Midway through his first season with the club, way back in 2008, it was clear that here was a player that was actually going to be better the higher up the divisions he played.

Schneiderlin has indeed proved that to be the case, as he has got away from some of the rough treatment meted out in League One to establish himself in the Championship and now the Premier League.

He is quickly developing a reputation as one of the best central midfielders in the division.

Of course we all know he has always been superb on the ball with a wide array of passing and that innate ability to nearly always retain possession for his team.

He has added a stronger physical presence to his game and the stats which have been paraded in the Daily Echo over the course of the season as to his effectiveness have proved this point.

Saints have been very fortunate this season that they haven’t had any serious injury to key players, and nowhere is that more true than of Schneiderlin who has been a virtual ever present this season and a key man.

He fully deserves to win the award.

Number two on the list comes Schneiderlin’s midfield partner Jack Cork.

This pairing might not steal the headlines but, make no mistake, this is the foundation upon which Saints’ success this season has been built.

They have a wonderful understanding, and the blend between them is fantastic.

Cork missed the first ten games of the season through injury and it is absolutely no coincidence that Saints’ fortunes turned around when he came into the team.

It is in fact so exact and instant a switch in form it was that it is pretty much fact rather than conjecture that it was Cork’s return that turned things round.

After those first ten games Cork missed Saints were rock bottom of the Premier League having amassed a miserable four points. They looked doomed.

Cork came into the side and now they have risen to a comfortable midtable position – a swing of an average of 0.4 points per game without Cork to 1.66 since his return.

Third place has to go to Rickie Lambert.

In many other years 14 goals to add to his story of rising through the divisions would earn him the nod, but such has been the form of Schneiderlin and Cork he may have to settle for third.

Honourable mentions must also go to the defensive trio of Nathaniel Clyne, Luke Shaw and Maya Yoshida who have performed admirably in their first full seasons with the club.

Likewise we have seen enough from Jason Puncheon, Jay Rodriguez, Adam Lallana and Steven Davis to suggest they are going to be real assets for Saints in the top flight next season.

Adam's Top Three:

  1. Morgan Schneiderlin
  2. Jack Cork
  3. Rickie Lambert