Nobody can begrudge Matt Upson being named Albion's player of the season.

He has been outstanding at the heart of the defence, a model of consistency.

But it really is about time a striker landed the prize again.

There were no genuine contenders from the front line this time.

Leo Ulloa has done well again to score 15 goals, battling alone through the middle.

The Argentinian would have been a leading candidate had it not been for his ten-week absence through injury earlier in the season.

Forwards dominated the award in the 1980's. Michael Robinson, Andy Ritchie, Dean Saunders, Terry Connor and Garry Nelson were all winners during that decade.

Mark Gall, Kurt Nogan and Gary Hart topped the poll in the 1990's but it has been dominated by defenders and midfielders since Bobby Zamora retained the crown in 2001-02.

After two part-seasons, perhaps Ulloa can redress the balance in a full campaign third time around.

Or the injury-plagued Craig Mackail-Smith in the final year of his contract or who ever Albion sign in the summer to boost their striking options. That surely has to be a priority.