With 2013 rapidly coming to a close Andrew Steele-Davis picks out a selection of his top five players from the first half of the 2013/14 season…

With Christmas now just seven days away I thought I would enter into the festive spirit by treating you all to something a little bit different this week. There have been many stunning individual performances to savour so far this season so with the first half of the 2013/14 season drawing to a close it is the perfect moment to reveal which players have wowed and stunned me so far.

Top Five Players:

1. Yaser Kasim – I have churned out so many superlatives to describe Yaser Kasim’s performances in a Town shirt this season all of which he richly deserves. The ‘Swindon Xavi’ has been both instrumental and influential in what is a very talented midfield and some of his performances in that engine room have been truly stunning. The former Brighton man, who endured such a frustrating time on the touchline at Luton and Macclesfield last season has in my opinion put himself well ahead in the race to be claimed ‘steal of the season’ and is the biggest success story of Swindon’s new recruitment policy. Yaser has earnt praise for the way he can grab a game by the scruff of its neck by his ability on the ball, his wide range of passing and the way he can effortlessly dictate the tempo of a game and Yaser has earnt the tag of my top performer so far this season.

2. Nicky Ajose – The on-loan Peterborough man has been lethal in front of goal this season and is slowly justifying why Manchester United once had touted him as a future star. With nine goals to his name so far Ajose is the club’s leading scorer in all competitions and has popped up with some vital goals, that last minute winner against Wycombe in the JPT springs to mind. Notching a brace on only your second start for the club and against your fierce rivals as Ajose achieved against Bristol City in September is certainly one way of endearing yourself to your new set of supporters. I know I am not the only one when I say that securing the permanent signature of Nicky Ajose in the January Transfer window would go down as a smart bit of business by Town.

3. Jay McEveley – The former Derby County man came in for some perhaps harsh criticism a few months ago after his own goal against Preston but since then the left-back has found a new lease of life and has become Town’s most consistent performer. McEveley has been solid at the back but it is his new found penchant for attacking play that has caught the eye and his now common surging forays on goal have helped add another element to Town’s attacking play. One of the most experienced campaigners in this young squad, Town’s ‘Mr Reliable’ will have a big part to play in the New Year if Swindon are to achieve their ambitions of a top six finish.

4. Alex Pritchard – Every supporter the land over crave and relish a ‘luxury’ sort of player who can get bums off seats in an instant with a sublime bit of skill or a defence splitting pass. And in Alex Pritchard the Town faithful certainly have their ‘luxury player’ with the Tottenham loanee putting in a string of majestic performances. The young winger is unplayable on his day and his ability to unlock a defence with a single, precise pass is unmatched as is his prowess at dead ball situations. Pritchard’s stunning, exquisite free-kicks against MK Dons, Rotherham and Wycombe will surely all be in the running for goal of the season contenders at League 1 level. Alex will need to start producing his home form on the road however if Town are to stake a serious claim for a play-off place.

5. Wes Foderingham – When debating the best ever goalkeepers Town have ever had between the sticks then Wes Foderingham surely has to come into the argument. Foderingham has produced a whole portfolio of stunning and breathtaking saves since his arrival at SN1 two years ago and he is has been in superb form yet again this season, his heroics against Walsall springing to mind. Foderingham has a stunning clean sheet percentage and has been regarded as one of the best young keepers in The Football League for a while which is testament to not only his ability but also his consistency. Foderingham is the focal point of this Swindon side and with Bournemouth circling it is vital the powers that be at Swindon do everything they can to keep Town’s best ever goalkeeper since Fraser Digby at the club.

So there you have it, my top five Swindon performers of the season so far. Do you agree with my selection? Who would be in your top five? Let us know in the comments selection below and make sure you join me next week when I shall run through my top five memorable moments of 2013.

Until Next Time…