I have always been a keen admirer of Alonso and have always defended him. He is a very intelligent and cultured midfielder who would get into any top side no problem.
He was not at his best last season, which in part I think was down to a bit of complacency on his part due to his early success at the club. The Barry saga in the summer and the fact that no serious offers from big European clubs came in for him I think have made him wake up a bit and conentrate fully on his football and the club.
He is our player of the season for me, and for me is at an age when he can go on, improve and become the real complete midfield player we have not seen at the club for a generation (Stevie aside).