Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley has spoken out about the decision to omit Gavin Bazunu from the League One Team of the Season.
On Sunday, the English Football League announced the Championship, League One and League Two best elevens as well as the Players of the Season.
Bazunu lost out to Plymouth goalkeeper Michael Cooper in the team, and many believe the Republic of Ireland shotstopper should have been included.
The 20-year-old kept 16 clean sheets in 42 starts in this year's League One campaign and pulled off some fine saves for Portsmouth throughout the season.
The League One Team of the Season 🏆
Thoughts? 👇 pic.twitter.com/gnfTE4JWaw— The #EFL Zone (@TheFLZone) April 25, 2022
Cowley on Bazunu Snub
"I don't know who makes those decisions. How?" he told Hampshire Live. "Just tell me how he didn't get in the team? Whoever picks it, I don't know, it is one of the most ridiculous decisions ever."
Only a few weeks ago, Danny Cowley was full of praise for Bazunu. He spoke about his imminent departure after this season, as he's set to return to parent club Manchester City.
I have spoken about him many times and I normally don’t speak about the young ones because I don’t like them to get ahead of themselves, but he has got such an unbelievable mindset that it doesn’t matter that I speak well of him because he will always want better.
He’s a student of the game, he’s so bright for some so young and I don’t know whether to say the world at his feet or his hands. He is top, brilliant, I love him. I’m going to miss that kid, I’m going to really, really miss him, every single day.
Gavin Bazunu described by his Portsmouth captain, Clark Roberson:
“Gav has been different class… He almost plays as a third centre-back behind us. On the ball, shot stopping, everything about him is just different class.”
Here’s why 👇🏻🇮🇪
pic.twitter.com/zjzPTmvpFV— IP🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) September 12, 2021
The Republic of Ireland's lone representation in the EFL awards came from James McClean, who featured on the wing in the League One Team of the Season.
McClean has enjoyed a fine season helping Wigan to the top of the Championship table, scoring nine goals and earning six assists, as well as six MOTM awards.
Bazunu and Portsmouth are ninth in the table in League One and on Saturday gone by, another Irishman, Ronan Curtis, reached a milestone for the club.
The winger has netted half a century of goals for Pompey since joining from Derry City in 2018. He's enjoyed a great season and Cowley gave him his dues at the weekend.
"It’s an excellent achievement when you consider that he’s mostly a wide player and he’s someone who gives his all for the team," he told the Portsmouth website.
"Ronan is very competitive and robust, while he always carries a goal threat and his assists have gone up considerably."
Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic won the Championship Player of the Season, while MK Dons midfielder Scott Twine won the League One equivalent.
League One Team of the Season in full:
GK - Michael Cooper (Plymouth Argyle)
DF - Jack Whatmough (Wigan Athletic), Michael Ihiekwe (Rotherham United), Harry Darling (MK Dons), Wes Burns (Ipswich Town)
MF - James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday), Dan Barlaser (Rotherham United)
FW - Scott Twine (MK Dons), Michael Smith (Rotherham United), Ross Stewart (Sunderland)
See Also: TikTok Jersey Reviewer Is Gushing Over These League Of Ireland Kits
