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A season of pain for Israel's finest

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Season 2010/11 was a forgettable one for the Israeli contingent in the Premiership. Avram Grant's trials and tribulations have been well documented here after taking West Ham down.

Tal Ben Haim tried his best to save his countryman but the decision not to extend his contract until the end of the season proved costly. In the end, Tal was left kicking his heels as Portsmouth could not afford to play him.

Yossi Benayoun missed the majority of the season through injury. We didn't see much of him following his big money move from Liverpool, and it would be fair to say that he could be regretting his decision to join Chelsea after manager Carlo Ancelotti was sacked.

The news that Bolton Wanderers are to release Tamir Cohen disappointed me. The club looked after him well following the passing of his father, Avi, and gave him plenty of minutes on the pitch when he returned from injury.

Very little has been heard of Gai Assulin since he joined FA Cup winners Manchester City.

Dropping down into the Championship, Dekel Keinan impressed for Cardiff following his move from Blackpool. The defender scored several vital goals to steer the Bluebirds into the playoffs.

Dekel Keinan was a real hit in his first season in the SPL. Arguably the find of the season by Neil Lennon, Keinan's season was cut short by injury but he fully deserved his Scottish Cup winners medal.

In terms of top home-grown footballer, Dean Furman gets my vote following a standout season at Oldham Athletic. The Mitre Goal of the Year award for his stunning strike against Notts County capped a memorable campaign. He hit the target five times in 42 appearances.

Joe Jacobson had an excellent season after joining Accrington Stanley but he finished it heartbroken following his red card in the playoff semi-final against Stevenage.

Aberdeen were on their way to a minyan after signing Blackburn Rovers duo Nicky Blackman and Myles Anderson. Having hit the target 10 times in a spell at Motherwell earlier in the season, Blackman scored twice goals at Pittodrie.

Having endured a tough first season in league football, Barnet coach Michael Stone has been retained after the club maintained League 2 status. He will work with new manager Lawrie Sanchez and assistant Giuliano Grazioli.

Stone said: "I am very excited. I worked with Lawrie during the final games and was delighted to get a call from him inviting me to be part of his backroom team. I am looking forward to us building a squad and to the pre-season preparations."

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