My highs and lows of a topsy-turvy season of Yorkshire football - Sue Smith

Moment of the season: Taking a knee

Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick suggested everybody “take a knee” before the first post-lockdown Premier League game, and it has been part of every match since. Seeing it the first time gave me goosebumps.

Racism was a constant talking point last season and after George Floyd’s death everyone needed to take a stand, not just black players. We need to maintain the momentum next season without falling into making the gesture just for the sake of it.

Best turn-around: Barnsley

Hopefully Barnsley build on their escape from Championship relegation. They cannot just keep selling their best players like they did with Ethan Pinnock, Liam Lindsay, Adam Davies and Kieffer Moore last summer.

Older player of the season: Pablo Hernandez

Kevin De Bruyne was my player of the year but every time I watch Leeds United 35-year-old midfielder Hernandez is brilliant.

He has done it in important moments, too, so I hope Leeds keep him going as long as they can, even if he is an impact player.

Biggest disappointment: VAR

VAR is taking so much from the game. What advantage is it when someone is 1mm offside? I like the suggestion that if any body part is in line you are onside.

But what frustrated me most is the handball rule. Sheffield United have been on the rough end of VAR more than most but disallowing Harry Kane’s Bramall Lane equaliser when the ball was kicked against Lucas Moura’s hand was absolutely ridiculous.

VAR is here to stay so they just need to improve it. A bit of commonsense would help.

Best management: Chris Wilder criticises Dean Henderson

The honesty of Sheffield United’s manager is refreshing.

That Henderson was man of the match the week after being crticised for his mistake at home to Liverpool shows how well Wilder knows his players.

It is just one reason he is my alternative manager of the season.

Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp was brilliant but to bring a side up from the Championship and challenge for Europe until the last week was amazing. Their unique style is great to watch.

That other teams cannot work them out shows Wilder’s tactical brilliance, and the improvement in players he worked with in the League One days has been huge.

Biggest shock: Danny Cowley’s sacking

Huddersfield Town dismissing Danny Cowley days after saving them from relegation was strange. It is disappointing he did not get the chance to build on it.

Most likeable: Marcelo Bielsa

I loved Bielsa’s LMA Championship manager of the year acceptance speech, legs apart, looking scruffy in a hoodie, speaking Spanish. He does not care about anything other than winning.

Every time you hear a Leeds player speak you can tell they love Bielsa and are grateful for how he has improved them.

Worst owners: Hull City

Selling your two best players in January and letting the captain and vice-captain’s contracts run down in June when they were in a relegation battle were spectacular mistakes by the Allam family and they paid for it.

Best U-turn: Middlesbrough

Boro wanted a clear style under Jonathan Woodgate but when it did not work they went in a completely different direction.

Neil Warnock did what it said on the tin with four wins to avoid relegation and I am pleased he will be back as he is another manager players like and respond to.

Most looking forward to: Leeds in the Premier League

I am fascinated to see how Leeds’ players cope. There is no reason they cannot, as Sheffield United showed. They will not sit back and be boring, so it should be fun. Roll on next season!

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