LAYTH YOUSIF has been watching and reporting on football at all levels up and down the country and in Europe during the 2022-23 campaign so far. With the Premier League about to be brought to an unwelcome halt until Boxing Day after this weekend for an unwanted global tournament, here’s his season awards so far. 

Player of the season so far: Erling Haaland.

Players who have impressed so far: Bukayo Saka, Gabi Martinelli, William Saliba, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Miguel Almiron, Alex Iwobi, Ivan Toney, Rodrigo, Leandro Trossard, Phil Foden, Mo Salah and Callum Wilson

Best Championship player: Ismaila Sarr: I once saw him shine for Rennes in the Europa League after a long drive to Brittany. He lost his way a little after his move to Vicarage Road, but it’s great to see him on form as Watford bid to stage a promotion effort. 

Honourable mentions: Sarr’s Hornets’ colleague Joao Pedro, Max Aarons (Norwich), Sander Berge (Sheffield United), Taylor-Harwood Bellis (Burnley), and Ilias Chair (QPR), who fully deserves his place in the Morocco squad for the tournament that I dare not speak its name. 

Championship manager of the season so far: Vincent Kompany MBA. In a previous life before I became a journalist, I also got an MBA.

It was ridiculously difficult, even now I’m not sure how I managed to pass, as the demands were incredible.

Yet the leadership module was extremely interesting — and it seems one of Manchester City’s greatest ever footballers has used his playing experience and melded it to the art of management to power resurgent Burnley.

If they get back into the Premier League it will be interesting to see how Kompany gets on, because with or without the Clarets, I think Kompany is destined to become an excellent manager. 

League One Player of the Season so far: Jonson Clarke-Harris. I was impressed when I saw Peterborough’s and the division’s leading scorer earlier this season. Kudos also to Morgan Whittaker who creates nearly as much as he scores for leaders Plymouth.

League One Manager of the Seasons so far: Steven Schumacher. Interviewed him a few times over the years as a player, and it was clear he had an inquisitive mind, always wanted to improve and had a thirst for learning. Great to see him doing so well. I’m not sure some away from the area realise just how big a club Plymouth can be if they do well. Schumacher is certainly the man to take them to the next level.

League Two player of the season so far: Jordan Roberts (Stevenage). Lost his way after a big move to Ipswich from Crawley. Now displaying his undoubted class on a weekly basis in North Herts.

League Two manager of the season so far: Steve Evans with kudos to Orient’s Richie Wellens. Came to Broadhall Way with a fearsome reputation but has been instrumental in rejuvenating the North Herts club, guiding them to the heady heights of second place in the table with one of the lowest budgets in the division. And all with a twinkle in his eye and a ready quote.

I won’t share some of his off the record witticisms — suffice to say with his timing and Glasgow wit, he should have a career on the stage as a comic.

I still wouldn’t like to be on the end of an Evans’ hairdryer as a player, however, yet if the gaffer guides Boro to promotion it would be up there with one of the most outstanding achievements this season at any level.

I’m already looking forward to covering Orient v Stevenage on December 27, which, correctly, has also chosen to be broadcast live on satellite TV.

Most impressive goalkeepers so far: Ederson, Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope, with kudos to Ilan Meslier.

Premier League manager of the season so far: Mikel Arteta.

Credit where credit is due: Huge kudos to Ben Garner’s Charlton Athletic for being the only London side to reach the fourth round of the League Cup. I have to say having met him, Garner is a lovely, modest bloke to boot. 

Young Player of the Year so far: Charlie Patino. Busy earning plaudits on loan at Blackpool.

Really Young Player of the Year so far: Ethan Nwaneri. The shock of a 15-year-old making his Premier League debut should not detract from the fact he is a class act. Can’t be too many players I’ve seen play for the Arsenal U18s, U21s and the Premier League all in the space of a few weeks. 

Best match: Or should that be most exciting game? Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool — the changing of the guard? There’s a long way to go yet of course, and Jurgen Klopp’s side were certainly imperious when I covered their 3-0 Champions League stroll over Ajax in Amsterdam, but football is cyclical and the Gunners’ thrilling victory over the Reds certainly laid down a marker. 

Best match II: England 3-3 Germany. Or second half at least. It’s rare to experience such excitement during an international match, but the way both sides went hammer and tongs at each other after half time made it hugely enjoyable to be at Wembley that night. 

Best match III: Boreham Wood 5-3 Wealdstone, FA Cup fourth qualifying round. Thrills and spills at Meadow Park.

Favourite trip: Five days in the Arctic Circle for Bodo/Glimt v Arsenal in the Europa League. A wonderful place full of wonderful people that gave me stunning memories that I will always cherish. If you haven’t been to northern Norway, I humbly suggest you try and visit. You won’t be disappointed. 

Favourite trip II: Covering Ajax v Liverpool and PSV v Arsenal on consecutive days in the Netherlands. A hectic but enjoyable few days burning the candle at both ends in a country I love. 

Favourite trip III: Fleetwood vs Charlton via post-match fish and chips along Blackpool promenade surrounded by the illuminations. 

Most unusual pre-match food: Brunost. A brown, salty-sweet cheese made from whey that I was kindly offered in the press room in Bodo. Despite the description I have to say I really enjoyed it — if anyone knows how to obtain some in London please let me know!

Worst press box: I know I’m not getting any smaller but to fit in the press box seats in a certain Premier League outfit in the north-west involves greasing yourself up and contorting your body into unusual and painful shapes for 90 long minutes — and if it doesn’t, it should do.

The only thing that would make the experience more bearable would be to be fitted with a colostomy bag, so you don’t have the pain of having to squeeze out of your miserable situation at half time to go to the loo. And all with utterly terrible wifi for a club so big. Not good enough.

Memorable moment: Being handed a pie during the first half of a game at the Abbey Stadium by Cambridge United’s very excellent press officer Dan Branowski to put a little smile on my face after spending the afternoon at a funeral of a football friend earlier in the day. Small acts of kindness go a long way on the road sometimes. 

Memorable moment II: The goodwill the Gooner Fanzine gets from everyone while myself and other sellers flog it in all weathers is truly humbling. 

PS: Boycott Qatar. More of this next week, but despite being a football tragic, I for one will refuse to watch any of the games, nor discuss the tournament once it starts. Why? Handing the stage to such a disgusting regime that not only tolerates but actively encourages discrimination against women, the LGBTQ+ community and migrant workers is shameful. I won’t be watching. How about you?