The 31-year-old brings an air of calm experience to the side and he performed at a consistently high level after winning his place back in the side in December.
If some of his work is unheralded, such as shielding the defence, providing protection and an option in possession, keeping the ball with his upper body strength and displaying his ability in tight areas, his strike at Manchester City was enough to give us one of our derby wins and finally earned a degree of attention. Unfortunately, even this was overshadowed somewhat as it proved in vain with the Blues still winning on aggregate 3-2 and the midfielder was sent off for a second yellow card.