These three Millwall stars stand out as contenders for Player of the Year award

There is still of course the slim possibility we could sneak into second, but even the most optimistic of supporter would admit it's a long-shot now.

Our play-off form is middling at best - just the solitary promotion success in 2010 to date - but had you offered me a top six finish back in August, I would have bitten your hand off.

Due to my friend's inexplicable decision to get married this weekend, I won't be in attendance for our final home tie against Oldham.

It also means I won't get to see who is crowned this season's Player of the Year.

I'm generally not fussed who the award goes to, but this is a new Millwall and several players are in the running for the top prize.

Having sat through three years of dross, we finally have a group of players to be proud of, a group of players who get the club - a group who are "Real Wall".

Where once we had the likes of Ricardo Fuller and Scott McDonald, now we have Mahlon Romeo and Ben Thompson.

Aiden O'Brien, so often a fringe player in previous squads, has turned into a valuable member of the team.

And with Justin Skinner's U21 side finishing second in the Elite Development League, it looks like the Lions' academy is finally bearing fruit.

For me though, there are three standout candidates vying for the award...

Lee Gregory

Last season was a baptism of fire for Gregory. Having been plucked from non-league Halifax Town, the Yorkshireman was dumped into a team severely lacking in quality and confidence.

The fact he managed to score nine goals in the Championship is a borderline miracle.

Perhaps the jump from conference football to England's second tier came a little too soon, but he has undoubtedly flourished in League One.

Of course he still gets a bit of flak for squandering chances, but 24 goals in all competitions is not to be sniffed at.

At the recent Football League awards, Gregory's reputation as a goalscorer was rewarded when he was named one of the division's top ten players - an accolade he rightly deserves.

Steve Morison

An ever-present for Millwall, Steve Morison has led the line superbly throughout the campaign.

Often the focal point for attacks, he has used his guile and experience to great effect and proved himself the perfect foil for strike partner, Lee Gregory.

He casts a languid figure on the pitch at times which has led, wrongly in my opinion, to accusations of laziness from sections of the crowd.

With 17 goals to his name, I think we can put that notion to bed.

Now in his third spell at the club, Morison clearly has an affinity with the club and will be a popular choice to lift the end-of-season gong.

Jordan Archer

I have to admit, when Jordan Archer was picked up from Spurs in the summer, I assumed he would play second fiddle to long-term 'keeper David Forde.

Fordey is a popular character at the Den and has rarely been troubled for the number one spot during his eight-year stint.

He will certainly go down as one of the best stoppers in Millwall history and his call up to the Republic of Ireland team is an achievement we can all be proud of.

However, there comes a time when the master must make way for the student.

Since gaining his place in the starting XI, Archer hasn't looked back.

His handling and kicking are excellent, he commands his box with real authority and has pulled off some stupendous saves which has gained and saved points in equal measure.

Critics may say that voting your goalkeeper as player of the year suggests problems further up the pitch - David De Gea at Man United for example.

In Archer's case this isn't true, but the level of consistency he has shown in what is his first full season as first choice is why he gets my vote.

Whatever division Millwall end up in next season, it's imperative the 23-year-old remains at the club.

There's no doubt in my mind he is one of the best young goalkeepers outside the Premier League.

If we can tie him down to a long-term contract, potential suitors will at least know he won't be sold on the cheap. Let's hope the club know that too.

I'm still having nightmares about Tim Cahill being sold for £1.5 million...

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