Wilder surprise at Buchanan missing out on selection for PFA team of the year

Wycombe Wanderers’ Joe Jacobson got the nod at left-back in the team that is voted for by the league two players, and although Wilder says he is an admirer of the Chairboys defender, he feels Buchanan warranted selection.

“Accolades get given out, and it is fully deserved for the lads that have got in the team of the year, but I think Dave Buchanan can consider himself unlucky,” said Wilder.

“No disrespect to Joe Jacobson, as I think he is a really good player, but we all have our views which is I suppose the beauty of it.

“For Buchanan not to get into that PFA team is a surprise, because he has been outstanding from day one, right the way through the season.

“But he knows how much we think of him here, and I know the personality of him and he won’t get precious about not getting in the PFA team of the year.

“All he is interested in, like the rest of the squad, is winning games of football and being successful.

“He has won games of football right the way through the season, he has a promotion under his belt, and he has a championship medal that is going to be given out after the game against Luton.”

Buchanan has been a brilliant signing for the Cobblers after making the switch from Preston North End in the summer, and Wilder says he is an example to the other players at Sixfields.

A fully committed character, the 29-year-old has barely put a foot wrong in a season in which he has started every single game.

“That is incredible,” admitted Wilder. “It is a physical game, a tough league, a tough competition, and he’s not missed a game which is just what you want.

“That allows us to build things, and Dave has been a big part of that, as well as taking over as captain when Marc Richards has been out, and he has really led from the front.

“When you see him day in, day out in training, he gives his best every single day.

“To have players like him and Marc Richards in your football club is a fantastic example to the other lads who are trying to forge out and carve out careers in the game.

“You go along and you see what Dave Buchanan does day in, day out, you see what Marc Richards does day in, day out, and then they get the rewards and are great examples to be followed.”

The Cobblers play their final home game of the season on Saturday when a sell-out crowd will pack into Sixfields for the clash against Luton Town.

The team will be presented with the Sky Bet League Two title trophy after the game, and the celebrations will continue the following night with the club’s end of season awards dinner at the County Ground.

That’s when the club’s individual awards will be handed out, including the Chronicle & Echo supporters’ player of the year award, and Wilder admits he would’t like to single out any one player after what has been an amazing season.

“I know there are a few player of year awards going to get presented at the end of the season, but if you ask me who to pick as the player of the year I wouldn’t like to pick,” he said. “There are lads that unbelievably excelled.”

PFA League Two team of the year: GK - Adam Smith (Northampton Town), RB - George Baldock (Oxford, on loan from MK Dons), CB - Aaron Pierre (Wycombe Wanderers), CB - Curtis Nelson (Plymouth Argyle), LB - Joe Jacobson (Wycombe Wanderers), Mid - Kemar Roofe (Oxford United), Mid - Ricky Holmes (Northampton Town), Mid - Matt Crooks (Accrington Stanley), Mid - John-Joe O’Toole (Northampton Town), CF - Jay Simpson (Leyton Orient), CF - Matty Taylor (Bristol Rovers)