PFA Player of The Year nominations

You know that the football season is nigh, when word comes through of who has been shortlisted for this season PFA Player of the Year award in the Barclay's Premier League. This season has felt like it has flown by, but here we are again - facing another two or three months without Football; I don't know how we're all going to cope!

The six players nominated for the prestigious award are:

• Gareth Bale
• Luis Suarez 
• Michael Carrick
• Robin van Persie
• Eden Hazard
• Juan Mata

It's an interesting bunch, but one with not too many surprises - all have been stellar for their clubs this season. But who will win it?

In my view, I think this man without a shadow of a doubt will swoop the prize - and that man is Gareth Bale. Bale this season has been outstanding for Spurs, jinxing his way through opposition teams and scoring 17 goals, with half of them probably being goal of the season contenders. There's no doubt that this season has been one of Bale's best; Spurs will need to keep him if they want to aim for Champions League football next season, or if in fact they do qualify this year. Bale is like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in ways - he makes dribbling and everything he does easy, with a venomous left foot and such grace and balance when he plays. It's hard to believe that Spurs were set to loan him out to Birmingham at one point earlier in his career - now the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid are after his services. He surely will sweep the board and win this award and quite frankly, I can't think of a more deserving winner.

A note on the other contenders - it is nice to see Carrick nominated, a pleasant surprise. He has been outstanding this season, and having ousted his way back into contention for the England squads, it is very much deserved. He has been the unsung hero of United's campaign, with all of the limelight mainly on their star signing Robin van Persie - who's nomination is nothing than you expected but is equally deserved. Suarez has been stellar all season and profilic, whilst Mata and Hazard have been at the heart of Chelsea's campaign, the clogs in the machine of their midfield. One player that should have been nominated I felt is Swansea's Michu - he is one, if not, of the signings of the summer, and has been prolific since his arrival in Wales. Outstanding striker, and does deserve a mention.

Who do you think will swoop the prestigious Player of the Year? Let me know!

The crazy world of Football

Ah Football. What a crazy world it has become; we've seen chickens and cats invade pitches before, we've seen fans run onto the pitch to attack players... but never have we seen a player sent off for kicking a ball-boy.

Yep, you red that right - last night during Chelsea's League Cup semi-final away against Swansea, midfielder Eden Hazard was sent off. Why? Because he kicked a ball-boy. Never has this happened in the beautiful game. This could quite possibly be the most bizarre sending off ever to occur on the pitch, but I feel Chris Foy had no option but to send Hazard to an early bath. I mean, the ball-boy didn't help matters; he decided to lay on the ball, prompting Hazard to try poke at it with his foot. A swift little kick and the boy was sent sprawling, chaos erupting. Both were in the wrong - the ball-boy should have just returned the ball, Hazard should have kept a clear head.

But it is downright bizarre, and it's not the only bizarre sending off the game has seen.

Eric Cantona - Eric 'the King' Cantona was not so high and mighty during a game between Crystal Palace and Manchester United. Cantona was already being sent off for kicking out at Palace defender Richard Shaw, and decide to launch 'kung-fu' style at Palace fan Matthew Simmons. This resulted in a 8 month ban for Cantona, and him almost quitting United.

Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer - A very bizarre incident between the then team-mates; Newcastle were nearing the end of a 3-0 thrashing at home by Aston Villa, when a brawl broke out between the pair, causing stunned team-mates and opposition players to seperate them. Dyer was banned for three matches, whilst Bowyer was banned for four - it was judged he had been the aggressor. Not sure how they figured that one out.

Arsene Wenger - during Arsenal's 2-1 defeat at Manchester United back in 2008, Arsene Wenger was seen gleefully celebrating what he thought was an equalising goal by Robin Van Persie - which was then disallowed. Of course outraged, Arsene decides to vent his anger by kicking a water bottle, who is promptly sent to the stands by ref Mike Dean. For kicking a water bottle. Oh deary me.

Esteban Alvarado - AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado was sent off for kicking a fan that tried to attack him. An Ajax fan ran onto the pitch whilst the two sides were contesting a last-16 tie in the Dutch Cup and attempted to kick the keeper - only for Esteban to trip the offender up and land a few kicks himself. Despite protesting his innocence, the ref showed the goalkeeper the red card and in pure anger, AZ Alkmaar's manager ordered his players off the field, resulting in the game being abandoned.

Oh the wonderful and crazy world of Football.

Your thoughts? Remember any other bizarre sending offs? Drop a comment below if you may!