3. Gino Padula

Padula had been one of Ian Holloway’s main targets since the end of last season and he was delighted to finally get his man.

In 2001/02 we had several problems on the left hand side of the team with Paul Bruce, Christer Warren and Danny Murphy all struggling to make the position their own and the efforts of Leroy Griffiths and Karl Connolly as wingers never really worked.

Holloway moved to change this and in Padula he has a player capable of playing left back and left midfield. Padula is 25-years-old and was briefly with Ian Holloway at Bristol Rovers before he joined Walsall where he was named player of the season. He had a spell at Wigan before returning to Argentina.

Gino struggled to get his fitness at the start of the season after getting injured during pre season. He found first team opportunities difficult to come by but got his chance at Port Vale. His luck hadn't changed though as Simon Royce was sent off and Padula was taken off to allow us to bring on another keeper.

He played again in the Vauxhall Motors defeat where he was one of the few players to come out with any credit. He didn't keep his place though and was stuck in the reserves until injuries brought him into the team for the game against Barnsley in January.

Padula produced a superb performance at left back and was instantly a terrace hero and he hasn't looked back since.

Gino struggled to get his fitness at the start of the season after getting injured during pre season. He found first team opportunities difficult to come by but got his chance at Port Vale. His luck hadn't changed though as Simon Royce was sent off and Padula was taken off to allow us to bring on another keeper.

He played again in the Vauxhall Motors defeat where he was one of the few players to come out with any credit. He didn't keep his place though and was stuck in the reserves until injuries brought him into the team for the game against Barnsley in January. Padula produced a superb performance at left back and was instantly a terrace hero.

His assured performances have settled down the defence and helped improve Danny Shittu. His free kicks and corners are always dangerous and by the end of the season he was one of the best left backs in division two.

He signed a new two year contract in the summer of 2003 after rejecting offers from first division clubs and began the 2003/04 season in fine form. His corners again were causing havoc as he whipped them in right under the crossbar where defenders could not deal with them.

His goal tally improved as he scored twice direct from a corner and added a few free kicks as well the best of which a stunner against Bristol City.

His defending was getting better and better as he kept opposition wingers quiet and he really seemed to help Dan Shittu with his positional play. As with all players he faced a dip in form around February time just before breaking a bone in his foot.

Padula was devastated to miss some vital games but returned to give some immaculate performances in wins over Swindon and Sheffield Wednesday and I don't think I've ever seen a player as happy as he was when we finally got promoted.

Gino was selected for the PFA division two team of the year which was a great honour for him. This season though has not been the best for Gino.

He struggled with his form early on in the season and lost his place to Matthew Rose. Padula found himself in and out of the side without ever really showing the form which made him so popular during the previous two years.

With Padula out of contract in the summer he has recently been given a chance to prove himself and so far his performances have impressed so hopefully he’ll be offered a new contract in the summer.

Gino Padula Image Gallery