Reading FC Rookie Of The Year Vote: 2014/15

The Criteria

The PFA Young Player of the Year award has always bothered me. Sure, some players are young in age but when you've played over 100 Premier League games you might be a young player but you're not inexperienced.

Likewise if you're a Reading player who's already got significant game time under their belt like Jordan Obita, or Michael Hector, is it fair to be in the same section as true new faces such as Jake Cooper?

So for this award we'll only be considering those 22 and under on August 1st 2014 and with less than five Reading starts behind them coming in to this season. Likewise we'll only be considering those who are permanent signings, so that means no Nathan Ake or Nathaniel Chalobah. Similarly you must have made at least five league appearances this season to qualify.

Stats are for league games only

The Contenders

Jake Cooper

Appearances: 14  Goals: 2  Avg Rating: 6.20

The towering centre back came into the season without a single appearance at senior level but went on to feature 14 times for Reading last season. His two goals at potential play-off finalists Norwich earned us the final win in the Nigel Adkins era and he was always a threat in the opposition penalty area. Defensively he was equally dominant in the air but there were a few nervous moments when players were running at him. A player with immense potential, he was a real bright spot in a dour season.

Ryan Edwards

Appearances: 7  Goals: 0  Avg Rating: 5.50

After a miserable season away from the club on loan back in Australia, few expected Edwards to feature for Reading but Nigel Adkins gave the young Aussie plenty of game time in pre-season, with the midfielder one of few to emerge with any real credit. Edwards kept his place into the start of the season but while hard working, he never really looked a threat at Championship level and never made an appearance under Steve Clarke. Has now been released.

Aaron Kuhl

Appearances: 6 Goals: 0  Avg Rating: 6.00

One of the most highly rated prospects in our Academy, Kuhl made an immediate impact on his debut against Huddersfield, a performance that was a big part of the reason he won our August POTM vote here on TTE. With more established players returning, Kuhl found game time limited but he did help the U21s win promotion and earned himself an England U19 call-up.

Jack Stacey

Appearances: 6 Goals: 0  Avg Rating: 5.75

The winger added a bit of enthusiasm and excitement to the dying days of the campaign before an injury on the final day saw him limp off.

Jake Taylor

Appearances: 22 Goals: 2  Avg Rating: 5.37

Scored key goals against Wolves and Ipswich in the league and a winner in the cup at Scunthorpe. Taylor was a regular in the team under Nigel Adkins but found himself back on the bench under Steve Clarke before being shipped out on loan to Leyton Orient.

*****

So those are your five nominees, cast your vote below and why not let us know why they got your vote in the comments section. You can follow along with the voting here. We'll announce the winner on Friday May 22.