Our Player of the Season vote is now open. The winning player will secure the prestigious ‘Fraser Digby Tortoiseshell Comb Award’ when the result is announced on Friday 4th May 2012. Players eligible for the vote include only those squad members who have played in at least 10 games in all competitions. Medhi Kerrouche is ineligible as he played for O*ford during the season.

Over the next four days we’ll be looking at four key contenders for the award. The choice is yours to vote for the winner – see vote below – before the poll closes at 8pm on Thursday 3rd May 2012.

Second up, Adam Johnson has chosen his player of the season…

Swindon’s defence has been a rock this season and have set many club records. It’s not just been the best defence in League Two this season but, from stats, arguably the best in English Football.

Swindon Town player of the year can be a tough decision and this time it’s tough for all the right reasons.

This is a credit to the whole squad but when looking at why we’ve done so well, it has to be because of the defence. Midfield players such as Ritchie and Ferry have had great seasons but the basis to our success has been from the back rather than the front.

The number of records Swindon has set this season from clean sheets is astonishing. Take a deep breath before the next sentence and try to read it all in one go, it’s quite a challenge.

We have set the league record for most home clean sheets in a season in the fourth tier (19) and club records of most league clean sheets in season, most league clean sheets at home, most consecutive clean sheets and equalled most consecutive clean sheets at home versus Port Vale.

With all these records set you probably think I’m going to give the accolade to Wes Foderingham. He certainly has been nothing short of amazing in goal with some incredible saves but at times he’s been left with very little to do.

This is why my pick for player of the year goes to Alan McCormack. Firstly, it’s always a good start when you get a new chant and it catches on but I have chosen him more for his work at the back which has been the basis for promotion.

To clarify, McCormack doesn’t defend alone so to pick one has been tough. Aden Flint has, literally, been a tower in defence. Paul Caddis has had a great season, ever reliable to do his job plus link up with Matt Ritchie. A solid defence is built upon its centre backs though and McCormack has been the all-round key to this success.

After switching to centre back, a new position for the former Charlton player, McCormack has been the mature head alongside Flint and Devera after the departure of Alberto Comazzi.

This tactical genius from Paolo Di Canio happened merely because there was no other option at the time. With Aden Flint and then his replacement Oliver Risser out injured, McCormack slotted into centre back after only 16 minutes in an eventual 2-0 win over promotion challengers Southend United back in September.

The clean sheet for one thing is an indicator of how easily he settled into the role but his performance was second to none. People endeared towards him for his attitude which was evident early on, surely impressing Mr Di Canio too.

Paul Caddis is the main leader and captain of the side but McCormack has been a very welcomed experienced pro in the defence and whole team. His defending has been second to none and the records, not that they are just his, have been made possible with him being a consistent figure making 50 appearances to date.

His no nonsense approach, which is very much needed in League Two when coming up against big strikers, has been crucial. I don’t think McCormack will mind me saying that he isn’t the tallest player in the squad but he will like me saying that he definitely makes up for it with his strength and clever positioning.

Very rarely will he get pushed off the ball or be trapped in possession at the back. He is a calm influence on the ball and off it which surely rubs off on the entire backline. Also, a lot of his game is about being in the right position to close off an attack and he does this to give Foderingham a helping hand with his clean sheet count.

He doesn’t just offer guidance and quality in defence but is a great surge of attacking threat from the back with his ball control and passing.

The last ball playing defender we had with quality is probably Gordon Greer. He did this job very well but I’ll state that McCormack is even better. The midfielder turned defender has an advantage but he uses this ball control quality to devastating effect, ask Northampton or Gillingham.

In our recent two defeats the main source of attack has come from McCormack as usually once a game he’ll spring a surprise attack on the opposition. He keeps the ball close to feet, plays neat one twos and seemingly changes from defender to attacking midfielder.

As a defender Alan McCormack has it all and hopefully he can step up to League One as he could once again be the rock to depend on at the back with his leadership, attitude, mentality and wizardry footwork.

So, Mr McCormack, you get the Adam Johnson vote for player of the year. Surely it’s the proudest moment of your career?

Vote now for your Player of the Season – or wait until we’ve put the case forward for all key nominations…

Contender – Wes Foderingham

Contender – Matt Ritchie