Voting forms are in the match programme for the Sunderland game this weekend, with, it would seem, quite a variety of potential winners this season.
But Steve is in no doubts about who he would select, and he says: "I'm sorry to see Nigel go and I definitely think he could probably play another two seasons
"At the end of the day, he has played 31 games this season, but I suppose the gaffer has to make these decisions - his professionalism and enthusiasm have impressed me this year.
"Maybe it would be a valid thing for him to be Hammer of the Year - he is definitely a contender, no two ways about it.
"He never leaves anything on the pitch, even at 38. When he comes off the pitch he has given everything - people just think he is a workhorse, but he can definitely play as well.
"Schem has done very well and David James has come back from a bad injury to show what a fantastic keeper he is, but my preference is probably Nigel.
"He took a little bit of stick at the start of the season because the older players are probably an easy target, but he has done fantastically well and he will be missed.
"You can't ask for any more from Nigel after two fantastic years, and I'm sure he will go on."
Nigel came on against Tottenham on Saturday in the second half for the man who will succeed him in the side at left back next season, Vladimir Labant, who was returning from the back injury which forced him out of the Fulham game.
"Vladimir has not trained much recently, so it was a tough task, and then Nigel came in and did fantastically well again at Tottenham," says Steve.
The Northern Ireland international is also quick to praise the contribution of Ian Pearce who, like Steve, has seen more of the treatment room than the football pitch of late.
"He has done fantastically well to come back from a catalogue of injuries, and it is great for him to be back. He has had two years out but before that, if he had continued to progress, he could have been in the shop window for England.
"That's how highly I rate him. He is a great athlete and defender, he is quick and strong - and he has played centre forward before so he knows how to nick the odd goal.
"When your centre halves can weigh in with two or three a season it doesn't half help.
"He needs games and, like me, a pre-season. He could probably do with a rest as well because he has been grinding out in the gym every day.
"Mentally, rather than physically, it wears you down, and hopefully he can have an injury free season next time.
"I think we deserved at least a point at Tottenham. We took the game to them, especially in the first half; what we have been saying is that if you keep it to 1-0 you are always in with a chance - though you don't think Pearcey is going to thump in a half volley from 25 yards with his left foot!"
Steve is delighted to have maintained seventh spot in the table, and he adds: "We were all bothered about taking a point to stay above them and if we get maximum points in our remaining home games it would take us to 51 points.
"We also have tough games at Arsenal and Newcastle, but if we play like we did on Saturday, we can give everybody a game.
"It is probably a compliment to us that Spurs went to 4-4-2, and we countered that by putting Trevor on the right and doing it as well - but it didn't matter what tactics we used.
"We played with high energy, high enthusiasm, and high quality, but maybe not in the last third where the final pass stopped us creating more."