Nicky Shorey is Pune City's shining silver lining as he picks up the DHL Winning Pass award

Nicky Shorey wins the DHL Winning Pass Award for FC Pune City (Photo courtesy ISL)

The fans of FC Pune City haven’t had the best of times this year. And on the 27th of October, they feared the worst as they went down 0-1 in the first minute against Kerala Blasters at home. The situation was quite concerning as FC Pune City had lost their previous game to Chennaiyin, and they were desperate to avoid two defeats in a row. Facing a Kerala Blasters side in poor form, there would be absolutely no excuse for a loss on this day.

That was the moment that Nicky Shorey chose to step up and produce a virtuoso performance. He contributed to the equaliser as well as the goals that gave his side the lead, and the entire stadium had to sit up and take notice.

Shorey was involved with the first goal with a cross from the left, that Uche converted for Pune to equalize. Later, Shorey grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, his driving run seeing him beat Mehtab Hossain and Bheke with incredible trickery. He finally found Uche with an accurately placed low cross, who proceeded to give FC Pune City the lead.

Shorey wasn’t done; his cross in the dying moments led to Tuncay Sanli winning a header that gave Pune City side the lead once again, after Kerala had equalized earlier. While the goal-scorers Uche and Tuncay grabbed the headlines as FC Pune City won 3-2, it was Nicky Shorey who was perhaps the most instrumental in his side winning the game.

It was one of the few bright spots in Pune’s season, and the Pune fans definitely would cherish the moments that Shorey provided for them.

In recognition of Shorey’s contribution to his side over the course of the season, he has been honoured with the DHL Winning Pass award, an accolade that is given to a each team’s highest assist-maker at the end of the season.

Nicky Shorey has been FC Pune City’s maestro down the left wing (Photo courtesy ISL)

The 34-year-old Shorey has had a fantastic season this year; he has contributed to both the offensive and defensive aspects of the game. It was not an uncommon sight to see Shorey bombing down the left wing, making countless overlapping runs.

His manager David Platt would have been more than glad with Shorey’s return for the season – 3 assists, 3 shots on goal in 13 appearances is quite good for a left back. Shorey’s defensive numbers were quite good as well; he remained a very clean tackler and interceptor, committing only 4 fouls and earning a solitary yellow card over 13 games.

That a left-back has been so creative for his team is quite commendable. Goalscorers always walk away from a victory with all the credit, but they wouldn’t have much to celebrate if not for those working diligently to provide for him. Mario Gotze took all the plaudits as his goal won Germany the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but it was Andre Schurrle’s pass that created the opportunity in the first place. Perhaps Lionel Messi might have been celebrating a World Cup victory if not for Schurrle’s chipped pass through to Gotze from the left.

Nicky Shorey has been similarly important from the left for FC Pune City. The left back has been instrumental for David Platt’s side, although his efforts have not been enough; he has found support hard to come by. The Punekars have had a very dismal end to the season, ending with 2 draws and 4 losses, a run that has seen them slide down the table after being considered shoe-ins for the playoffs at the midpoint of the season.

Shorey has been a sole bright spot, constantly attacking down the left and patrolling the left wing efficiently.