Their assault on a third successive league title was supposed to be hard toil for Sliema Wanderers but the destination of the main honour in Maltese football had been a foregone conclusion virtually since the start of the second phase of the Premier League campaign back in February.

Observers have attributed Sliema's umpteenth success to a combination of their strength-in-depth, experience and ability to eke out positive results from below-par performances.

Kevin Azzopardi rates the contribution of the main players in Sliema's title-winning squad.

Murphy Akanji 7

The assured form of the Nigerian goalkeeper was one main reason why Sliema Wanderers established an early stranglehold on the league.

While most of his team-mates took their time to get into the flow of things, Akanji enjoyed an excellent start to the season, his saves helping the Blues to gain a healthy six-point lead by the end of the first round.

His performance graph showed a slight decline in the second half of the campaign when injuries and a string of positive showings by Matthew Camilleri forced him out of the team but his reliability was conspicuous in crucial matches in the past month.

Alex Muscat 7

Consigned to the fringes of the first team in the early days of the season, Alex Muscat established himself as a regular with a series of lively performances in the second round.

Unfazed by the responsibility of playing alongside a host of thoroughbreds, Muscat made the right-back station his own thanks to his pace and agility. Tactical awareness and shooting are two areas Muscat needs to work upon but he has been useful to Sliema's title cause, weighing in with vital goals against Hibernians and Marsaxlokk.

Brian Said 7

Another positive season for Malta defender Brian Said who formed a strong partnership with Jeffrey Chetcuti and Darren Debono in the heart of Sliema's defence.

Said may not be the fastest defender in the top flight but his tenacity, reading of the game and the timing of his tackles more than compensate for his lack of speed. He also provides an extra attacking option, especially during corners.

Darren Debono 6

Darren Debono can be satisfied with his first season as a Sliema player.

The lanky defender struggled to show the kind of form which, for several years, installed him as one of the most powerful centre-halves here but his displays picked up as the season progressed. Played his part in making Sliema's defence the meanest in the Premier League this season.

Jeffrey Chetcuti 6

By his high standards, this cannot be regarded as one of Jeffrey Chetcuti's best seasons. Perhaps, the 31-year-old defender also suffered because of his versatility as Aquilina deployed him in a variety of positions whether as central defender, left-back or defensive midfielder.

Chetcuti's best displays came in the heart of Sliema's defence where his understanding with Said was a big asset to the team.

Noel Turner 6.5

Committed as ever to Sliema's cause, Noel Turner failed to attain the consistency he displayed in the previous two campaigns.

He has not lost his status as a pillar in the Sliema squad, a player who is ready to sacrifice himself in alien positions in order to serve his team.

Passed through a rough patch after his omission from the national squad.

Claude Mattocks 6.5

A knee injury in December slowed down the early-season momentum that saw Claude Mattocks breaking into the national team.

Joining Sliema on loan from Floriana before the start of the season, Mattocks's work-ethic and his composure on the left flank shot him up the team's pecking order. Definitely enhanced his chances of making his move to Sliema a permanent one.

Ivan Woods 7.5

A mid-season capture from Pietà, Ivan Woods gave a new dimension to Sliema's attack. Doubts over Woods's ability to deliver the goods for a big club soon disappeared as the 28-year-old striker crowned a man-of-the match performance by scoring the winning goal for the injury-ravaged Blues in his debut match against St Patrick in January.

Apart from his scoring instinct - eight goals in four months, Woods is also a committed leader of the forward line.

Stefan Giglio 6

After collecting the MFA Player of the Year award last season, Stefan Giglio failed to reproduce his influential form on a regular basis this term.

His progress was also dogged by a nagging cartilage injury. When he returned, Giglio clearly needed time to regain his match sharpness and it was only late in the campaign that he began to show glimpses of his dynamic play.

Orosco Anonam 6

Like most of his midfield counterparts, Orosco Anonam was unlucky in that he aggravated a groin injury when at the peak of his form.

Anonam has been employed in different roles but he remains an attacking player at heart. Possesses adequate technique and pace but has betrayed a tendency to perform sporadically during matches.

Danilo Doncic 6

Age has not blurred his competitive spirit but Danilo Doncic is no longer the deadly striker who set Maltese football alight during his spell with Valletta as well as in his first three years with Sliema.

Struggled for fitness in the opening months of the season but never shirked from his responsibilities.

Once he had regained his fitness, Doncic also proved he can do a job as a roaming midfielder before injury counted him out of the last two matches. Leading marksman for Sliema this season with 11 goals.

Lubos Pernis 5.5

Engaged by Sliema in January, Slovak striker Lubos Pernis was a marginal, sloppy figure in his first matches in Maltese football.

His physical condition left much to be desired but once Pernis began to get in shape, his contribution to the team improved significantly.

He's not the lethal forward he was made out to be but he's a good dribbler and strong in the air.

Joe Brincat 5.5

The signs of father time are beginning to show on Joe Brincat. The 35-year-old served Sliema well in some key matches, however.

Kris Laferla 5.5

Slow but still reliable at the back before being dropped after the 1-1 draw with Hibs in the second round.

Matthew Camilleri 6

Proved a worthy replacement for Murphy Akanji in his few league outings since joining Sliema in January.

Lee Lombardi 5.5

His appearances have been few but never let his team down whenever he was called to form part of their defensive set-up.

Joseph Farrugia 5.5

Had his bright moments but injuries sabotaged his bid to claim a regular place.

Rupert Mangion 5

Creative in some matches, anonymous in others, Mangion has been sidelined for the last four months.

Adrian Mifsud 4

A season to forget for the former Hibs striker who lost his place in the team after a tentative start.

Miguel Mifsud 4

Bought as a replacement for Carlo Mamo, Miguel Mifsud failed to meet expectations.