"I was surprised" - Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reacts to Gus Hamer's award win | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has told FLW his verdict on Gus Hamer being named the Championship player of the year

Lee Hendrie believes Sheffield United’s Gus Hamer was not the most deserving pick to win the Championship’s Player of the Year award.

The playmaker won the award at the annual ceremony on Sunday for his performances in Chris Wilder’s side.

Other nominees included James Trafford and Dan James from Burnley and Leeds United, respectively.

Hamer has made 40 appearances so far this season, contributing nine goals and seven assists, with the team having to settle for a place in the play-offs after an intense battle for automatic promotion.

Lee Hendrie reveals Gus Hamer, Player of the Year verdict

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie praised Hamer’s performances this season, but admitted his surprise at the 27-year-old winning the award.

The Sky Sports pundit believes Trafford or any number of players from the Leeds squad also would’ve made admirable winners.

“Gus Hamer obviously won player of the year, I was at the awards on Sunday evening,” Hendrie told FLW.

“I was surprised actually [that Hamer won].

“He’s a great player, there’s no doubting that, but there’s been so many good talented performances this season.

“Even you look at the likes of James Trafford in goal at Burnley, not conceding, his defense in front of him.

“There’s lots of players you could look at, particularly in the top three, that could easily have taken that award. Lot of players at Leeds have had standout seasons, and that’s where I was a little bit surprised, if I’m quite honest.

“I don’t think, for me, that was the right call, but obviously they look at the bigger picture and sometimes that is the case.

“It seems to be one of them, and I was very surprised that he got player of the season.

“I’m not saying he didn’t deserve it cause, as I’ve said, he had a good season, but I think there was, for me, there could’ve been someone else who won that award.”

Sheffield United will finish third in the Championship table, meaning they will face sixth in the play-offs, which is currently Coventry City.

No immediate standout winner for POTY award

While Hamer is a great player, and it’s great that he’s been recognised with this award, there really were no immediate standout should-be winners.

There have been a lot of solid performances throughout the division, but nobody has quite been head and shoulders better than everyone else, like Crysencio Summerville was last year.

While Borja Sainz at Norwich certainly had a strong year, it’s also right that the winner comes from one of the top three sides as they were on another level compared to the rest of the division this season.

Trafford would have been an honourable pick given how rarely goalkeepers get recognised with individual awards, but Hamer was also great this year so there’s no begrudging his victory.