No comparison as Walsall's Erhun Oztumer emulates Romaine Sawyers

Last time around, the mercurial Romaine Sawyers – along with full-back Rico Henry – earned the respect of his fellow professionals, and cemented his position as one of the best players the division had to offer.

Now, Saddlers fan favourite Erhun Oztumer – who came in after Sawyers left for Championship side Brentford, as did Henry – is the man whose superb efforts have been recognised

Arriving at the Banks's Stadium having been given the nickname 'Turkish Messi', Walsall knew they were getting a player with bags of technical ability – but wondered if he could truly fill the void left by Sawyers.

And having scored 14 goals and put in several match-winning displays over the course of the season, he definitely has.

Throughout the season, supporters have engaged in debate – in the stands and on social media – over who is the better player.

And although they play in the same position, they are very different players – Sawyers being a very composed, accurate passer while Oztumer uses his low centre of gravity to weave his way through opposing defences.

When asked about the comparisons between himself and Sawyers, Oztumer said: "At the beginning of the season there were a lot of comparisons of me and Romaine.

"I feel like, we play in the same position but we are different players.

"I'm not competing against him, I'm just trying to do what I'm asked of and help the team win."

While this season has been a bit disappointing for fans – not managing to reach the play-offs like last term – there are positives to take away, the biggest being Oztumer's contribution.

And while it is difficult to compare Oztumer and Sawyers, the former has scored more goals this term than the latter did last campaign.

Oztumer's 14-goal tally in 43 games is double of what Sawyers achieved in 57.

Oztumer has a better disciplinary record too as he has been booked twice this term, while Sawyers received four yellows.

Saddlers boss Jon Whitney has been delighted with the impact Oztumer has had this term and on his inclusion in the division's best XI, he said: "It's a credit to him, and greatly deserved. He's been what we expected and beyond this year.

"We brought him in because we knew he would get a lot of assists, and he scored a lot of goals at Dulwich Hamlet – lower down the pyramid.

"He's brought that here and hopefully he hasn't finished yet with his goalscoring, there's still three games to go to add to that tally."

Oztumer will be there to have his named read out at the PFA Awards at the Grosvenor House in London tomorrow night.

Five Sheffield United players are also in the Team of the Year, including striker Billy Sharp.

Bolton defender David Wheater is in the side too, as is Bury's former Everton hotshot James Vaughan.

It is not just the amount of goals Oztumer has scored that has been impressive, it is the manner of them.

Scorchers at Swindon and Bolton saw him claim two separate goal-of-the-month awards, and Whitney added: "You take the two at Swindon and the one at Bolton, they are three of the best that a lot of people would score.

"My favourite was probably the first one at Swindon. It's great for him and hopefully they will show the goals when they call his name out.

"He's got to enjoy that and hopefully that will make him even hungrier then to score more."