Edwards deserved Ipswich Town Player of the Year award

He gave yet another consistent performance in Saturday’s 4-2 reverse at Leicester City that saw the 2010/11 campaign end on a disappointing note for the Tractor Boys.

The 32-year-old has missed just one league game in the season – against Burnley back in August – and has chalked up more appearances than any of his team mates.

He has been ‘Mr Reliable’ and the way he has been transformed seamlessly from an attack minded midfielder into an attack minded right back has to be applauded.

Town manager Paul Jewell saw Edwards play in that role for Wrexham several years ago, and has had no problem in playing the Trinidad and Tobago international in that position in every match since he arrived.

Edwards was pipped for the player of the year award by loanee Jimmy Bullard, who has done exceptionally well to play a pivotal role in Town moving up from 19th and four points off the bottom three to finish in 13th place.

Full marks to Bullard, whose effervescent nature has helped him become a Portman Road cult figure, but Edwards’ staunch defending and his ability to create openings when going forward deserve recognition.

Gareth McAuley was second behind Bullard in the poll and for most of the season he has been a rock at the heart of the Blues defence, while Lee Martin has improved greatly since Jewell’s arrival, but still has a lot to do.