Rak-Sakyi – POTY?
Jes Rak-Sakyi was today nominated for the EFL League One Young Player of the Season, and deservedly so. Ipswich’s Cameron Humphreys and Plymouth’s Bali Mumba round out the list.
I should also acknowledge Zach Mitchell who was nominated for the L1 Apprentice of the Year. Great achievement.
Nominations for our own Player of the Year ends on Sunday, and I am yet to make my vote. That’s not because there are a load of candidates, because sadly there are not, but three players stand out and they are George Dobson, Miles Leaburn and Jes Rak-Sakyi.
Lucas Ness, Ashley Maynard-Brewer and Michael Hector would be under consideration if it was a half-season award, but it is not.
We have to consider the whole season, the good, the bad and the very ugly. George Dobson has been a little off the boil in recent weeks. The new Dad has played 49 games this season and in many, many of them he held us to together with duct tape. He even got that equaliser against Ipswich at The Valley.
Dobbo was a shining light last year, and for much of this he has been the same justly gaining the captain’s armband too from Dean Holden. I think he will get my vote, because also he is a Charlton player, and he represents the club well.
Only once has a loan player won the Addicks POTY, and that was Jay DaSilva in 2018, which surprises me as I’m sure there may have been others more deserving. Perhaps not.
So then. What do we think about Jes Rak-Sakyi winning our POTY? A Palace youngster given to their poor down on their luck rivals on loan for a season.
Reason’s for. Well, his 19 goal contributions (13 goals and 6 assists) have doubtless kept us out of a relegation scrap. He has been a joy to watch, even his errors of judgement are soon forgotten as he weaves his way up the pitch. He has played for us like he really cares, this despite his roots and probably too young to remember any real rivalry. Clearly a nice grounded young man.
Reason’s against. He plays for Crystal Palace.
I’m not sure I can do it, but many will, and he will deserve each vote.
What do you think?
Chicago Addick 
I voted for Jes. He does not deserve to be held back because of a long held rivalry between fans that he probably knows little about. His talent shone so very brightly, and seeing him leave competent League 1 defenders on their backsides week in week out has been a joy to watch and a reason to keep going to games every week. He seems to be popular with the team too. And despite being so slight, has managed to play a whole season against uncompromising defenders who don’t much care for being made to look like donkeys. Wonder how many times he’s been fouled. Dobb has had a super season too and would normally have my vote, but for football reasons alone I’ve gone for our loan player. His first goal vs Burton this week was superb and in an in memorable season I’ll remember that for a long time.
If it were Blogger of the Season and people said they wouldn’t vote Chicago Addick because he lives in Bermuda rather than Greenwich you would reply that you should be judged on your Blogs NOT your residence?
Jes should be judged purely on his performances for Charlton and ignoring the fact that Palarse are his parent Club. If, and it is a very big IF … Jes came back next season and his goal involvements took us to promotion I bet a lot of the Palarse Ultras would be gutted so that would be an advantage yes?
Vote purely on performances for Charlton, not on parent club.
Good point, well made 🙂
Scott Carson won Player of the year in 2007 whilst on loan from Liverpool. The first loan player to receive this award
Ah. Thanks for that Stuart.
Didn’t Scott Carson win POTY when on loan? I may be wrong…
No, you are correct Joe.
Of course Rak Sak.
Imagine going through this season without him and watching THAT every week.
CA would just need the cut and paste button for his weekly match report.
I really don’t see the fact that he is a Palace player as relevant – the title is what we are voting for POTY and only 1 winner imho.
I’d vote for him on the strength of the best left hook of the season – good job the referee missed it…… I’d be very surprised if he’s not in Palace first team squad next season but it shows the PL clubs that you us someone good and they will get a lot of game time.
NA4Y – as I said we can forgive the ‘errors of judgement’ 😉
I don’t get why anyone would not vote for Jes just because he is from Palace. People are quite happy for him to score for us. You can’t have it both ways!
Crystal Palace used to be rivals. For a decade now they have out performed us, and I expect for at least another decade that will continue. We just can’t compete. So vote for whoever deserves it.
Jay De Silva did too a few yrs back too …. I can’t see who is close this year !
George Dobson for me. If we had 11 players with Dobbo’s commitment we’d be in the play offs this season at the very least!
Robin Rapley
Totally agree yelpar. Without Dobbo working his socks off league 2 would be a real possibility. I haven’t enjoyed watching such a player since Matty Holland. Dobbo gets it on merit
Nothing to do with where he is on loan from – i don’t think loan players should be eligible. On that subject explain what bringing on kane on monday was all about? At this stage of the season we shouldn’t be playing anyone who isn’t going to be involved next season.
Of course it has to be george. Don’t be so ridiculous.
Oh LP. You love putting the cat amongst the pigeons. On Kane, I didn’t know he was playing until he headed back to AMB near the end. An important reminder that for every Jes there is a Kane or one of the many Matt Smith’s….