No landslide victory expected as careful consideration needed for Portsmouth Player of the Season vote

With just four League One matches remaining, the time is approaching for Pompey fans to start sending in who they believe should be crowned The News/ Sports Mail Player of the Season for 2020-21.

An illustrious list of Blues greats have all got their names hands on the trophy in years gone by, with Peter Mellor the first to claim the crown for the 1978-79 campaign.

Since then, the likes of Alan Knight, Mark Hateley, Neil Webb, Guy Whittingham, Kit Symons, Lee Bradbury, David James, Glen Johnson and Jamie O’Hara have claimed the gong.

In recent years, the recipients have been emphatic winners, causing no surprise nor dispute.

Last term, Christian Burgess clinched a staggering 69 per cent of votes registered by readers in our traditional poll.

Matt Clarke held the honour for the previous two campaigns, while Enda Stevens received the prize in 2016-17 when Pompey won the League Two title.

This time around, though, there's likely to be no landslide victories.

In truth, a large majority of supporters might not have a clue who their vote will go towards at this moment in time and will have to give it careful thought.

In a play-off-chasing season that's produced inconsistent results, no stand-out performer initially springs to mind.

Jack Whatmough was on the cusp of a fairytale season at Pompey.

Last summer, the Blues were mulling over sending the centre-back out on loan to prove his fitness after recovering from a third serious knee injury.

Yet Whatmough's not only demonstrated he's over his well-documented problems but had the campaign of his career to date.

However, he compromised his chance of becoming The News/ Sports Mail Player of the Season for the first time following a second straight red card at MK Dons.

It means he’ll miss seven games in total because of suspension.

Around Christmas time, Tom Naylor was looking like a shoo-in to become the latest comprehensive winner of the gong.

Having previously been regarded as Pompey’s enforcer, the skipper completely transformed himself.

He developed a penchant for scoring long-range screamers, while his passing efficiency improved markedly.

Yet there was always a concern whether featuring for nye-on every minute of a congested season was going to catch up with Naylor.

Certainly, in the past few weeks, the ex-Burton man's usual vigour and vim has subsided.

Unlike Naylor, it took central-midfield partner Andy Cannon until February to get on the scoresheet.

Regardless, the ex-Rochdale man was at the fulcrum of the team and established himself as a fans’ favourite.

However, Cannon’s also felt the ramifications of a condensed fixture list and is now struggling with a back injury that's negating his high-octane style.

For the remaining four games, the 25-year-old’s seemingly confined to just fleeting substitute cameos.

Ronan Curtis finished second in last season's vote and will have backers again this time around after scoring 12 times in 48 games.

But there have been periods of inconsistency, while only one of his goals have arrived against top-six opposition.

Despite arguably being the most naturally talented member of the squad and bagged 10 goals in 49 matches, Marcus Harness also failed to hit the heights he's capable of regularly.

And despite winning over many of his detractors and performing above par, the fact Lee Brown’s had three hamstring injuries also negates his chances.

Of the others, Ryan Williams has persistently shown endeavour and work ethic but lacked end product.

Sean Raggett's been his usual robust and fearless self but been culpable for some goals and is not the most popular among fans, while Callum Johnson and Craig MacGillivray have been solid rather than spectacular.

John Marquis is set to finish as top scorer, having scored 16 times to date, but all-round displays have left much to be desired.

Certainly, there is no automatic choice for The News/ Sports Mail Player of the Season 2020-21. More consideration than previous years will be required.

Readers can get their votes in by emailing [email protected].