Scott Wharton

Let’s start with this season’s Sean Long shall we?

By that I mean the player who would have got more games had it not been for a former Premier League player arriving at the start of the season and scuppering his plans.

It’s really simple here. Scott Wharton is a very good footballer, better than League Two. Whatever his meagre appearance total suggests, it isn’t a lack of ability. In Scott Blackburn have a young man who is measured and calm, flexible in the positions he can play and certainly one with a good future ahead of him.

Any League Two club would be lucky to have him and, since he moved to Bury, he’s made 13 starts to become a regular. Basically, he’s a firm fixture in the first team of the side likely to finish second, but couldn’t get a kick with us. Why? Jason Shackell.

Taking out the fact he struggled for games, he always showed a great work ethic, he was reliable when called upon and never once moaned, complained or looked like he’d given up. It might seem like a pre-requisite to us as fans, but players struggling for games can lose motivation. He proved that wasn’t the case by coming in and scoring at Port Vale.

Sadly, after five starts and six appearances from the bench in the league, he was gone. Blackburn called him back and he’s going to now help Bury to automatic promotion.

Top player, sadly the right man at the wrong time this season.