FourFourTwo’s 50 Best Football League Players: West Brom's Kevin Phillips Comes Away With Football League Player of the Year

Yesterday, the experts at the popular English magazine FourFourTwo compiled their fourth annual list of who they believe to be the "50 Best Football League Players". Of course, like many of the articles published by FourFourTwo, the list itself can leave readers a little aggrieved to see their favorite players snubbed from the credit that they deserve.

Coming in at number one, West Brom striker Kevin Phillips brings home the hardware for Football League Player Of The Year despite strong bids made by fellow teammate Jonathan Greening (West Brom) and Charlton Athletic duo Andy Gray and Zheng Zhi. Wolves winger Michael Kightly was rewarded for his fine form by coming away with the Football League Young Player Of The Year Award.

Surprisingly in this year's addition, FourFourTwo elected to put a vast group of League One and League Two players. Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford looks destined to land a contract with a bigger club after showing deadly poise in League One for his side this season as he comes away with the League One Player Of The Year Award.

Two players from League One promotion favorites Swansea has two candidates making an appearance in the list with Jason Scotland and Andy Robinson coming in at #32 and #47 respectively. Steven Gerrard's cousin, Anthony Gerrard, who plays for League One side Walsall, gets acknowledged for his efforts by coming in at #48.

While the players mentioned on the list playing outside of the Coca-Cola Championship have shown that they have the ability to play for bigger clubs, there is a reason why they aren't playing in England's second division. Leicester City defender Patrick Kisnorbo's strong play at Walkers Stadium should have been more than enough to at least secure a spot in the top 40. The same can be said for Barnsley goalkeeper Heinz Muller, who has caught the eye of scouts at both Arsenal and Aston Villa.

West Brom winger Chris Brunt was also denied a spot on the list despite putting in impressive displays—so impressive that Manchester City, Wigan, and Everton were reportedly interested in his services before he turned them down back in the summer of 2007 for West Bromich Albion.

One could also make the argument that a few players on the list deserve to be put up higher. Southampton midfielder Andrew Surman has been one of the few bright spots for the Saints despite finding themselves in a relegation battle. Plymouth's Peter Halmosi has shown his importance to his side's future promotion hopes—especially considering the departure of Dan Gosling to Everton.

Here is the list: 

1.   Kevin Phillips, West Brom: Football League Player of the Year

2.   Andy Gray, Charlton

3.   Michael Kightly, Wolves: Football League Young Player of the Year

4.   Jon Greening, West Brom

5.   Zheng Zhi, Charlton

6.   James Beattie, Sheffield United

7.   Clinton Morrison, Crystal Palace

8.   Dean Windass, Hull City

9.   Michael Mifsud, Coventry

10. Zoltan Gera, West Brom

11. Robert Koren, West Brom

12. David Norris, Plymouth

13. Adriano Basso, Bristol City

14. Wes Hoolahan, Blackpool

15. Ricardo Fuller, Stoke

16. Brian Howard, Barnsley

17. Akos Buzsaky, QPR

18. Andy Keogh, Wolves

19. Jay DeMerit, Watford

20. Paul Robinson, West Brom

21. Dan Shittu, Watford

22. Wayne Hennessey, Wolves

23. Ryan Shawcross, Stoke

24. Jermaine Beckford, Leeds: League One Player of the Year

25. Chris Iwelumo, Charlton

26. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Wolves

27. Jonathan Walters, Ipswich

28. Darius Henderson, Watford

29. Liam Lawrence, Stoke

30. Chris Dickson, Charlton

31. Lee Trundle, Bristol City

32. Jason Scotland, Swansea

33. Lee Camp, QPR

34. Marvin Elliott, Bristol City

35. Peter Halmosi, Plymouth

36. Joe Garner, Carlisle

37. Andrew Surman, Southampton

38. Keith Andrews, MK Dons: League Two Player of the Year

39. Mark Hudson, Crystal Palace

40. Jack Lester, Chesterfield

41. Filipe Teixeira, West Brom

42. Aaron McLean, Peterborough

43. Joe Ledley, Cardiff City

44. Kris Commons, Nottingham Forest

45. Jason Puncheon, Barnet

46. Casper Ankergren, Leeds

47. Andy Robinson, Swansea

48. Richie Wellens, Doncaster

49. Anthony Gerrard, Walsall

50. Derek Holmes, Rotherham

*Players coming away with awards are in bold.