My teams of the season
It's that time of the year when anyone and everyone seems to feel entitled to hand out their own football awards to whoever has caught their eye, sold the tastiest pie, preserved the most stone-age loo or even won a cup or two.
So with the end of the season in sight, I have decided to set myself, and you, a challenge. It is to select two teams; the first with one outfield player from each of the top ten Premier League sides and the second with one outfield player from each of the bottom ten sides. In goal will be the best keeper from each half of the table.
I am well aware that I could be accused of indulging in a pointless exercise, but what the hell. I'm writing this in my spare time and I promise I will not be claiming any associated expenses!
As the great Forsyth might say (Bruce not Frederick) "play along at home" - I look forward to reading your alternatives.
As we stand the top half are: Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, Villa, Fulham, Spurs, West Ham and Man City.
Remember only one outfield player from each club allowed in a formation of your choice.
For my top half team I have decided to play 4-2-3-1 in the Benitez style.
Goalkeeper: Edwin Van der Sar (Man Utd) - vastly experienced and oozing a calm authority which rubs off on those in front of him. His long sequence of clean sheets helped United come from behind to hit the top at just the right time.
Right back: Lucas Neill (West Ham) - now I am not saying that Lucas Neill is the best right-back in the country but I had to include a West Ham player and didn't feel they had anyone in any other position who could be my first pick.
Neill has had a steady season, showing good leadership and hardly missing a game in a team which under Zola has been greater than the sum of its parts.
Centre half: Brede Hangeland (Fulham) - a monster at the back for Fulham who has been outstanding this season missing only one league game and never being substituted. Reads the game well and is physically commanding.
Centre half: Ledley King (Spurs) - a modern medical miracle. Despite never taking part in training he is possibly the most influential player Spurs have.
His one off the field indiscretion should not take away from another remarkable contribution.
Left back: Joleon Lescott (Everton) - he may not have repeated his goal-scoring exploits of last season, but Lescott has been integral to another excellent Everton campaign.
He is a real handful when he races down the touchline and is rarely caught out defensively.
Centre midfield: Michael Essien (Chelsea) - only returned from injury in March but immediately underlined how much Chelsea had missed him. He has fantastic drive in midfield with aggression and touch as well as vision.
His goal against Barcelona may have been in vain, but boy, what a goal it was!
Centre midfield: Stephen Ireland (Man City) - by a distance City's player of the season. Has a great eye for goal but is also a great provider for others.
He is not afraid to speak out when a team-mate (ie. Robinho) takes the day off.
Right attacking midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd) - I would love to have played Rooney or Vidic but with only one outfield player from each club it has to be Ronaldo.
He scores more goals than most, he creates more goals then most and he sulks spectacularly. Like Sir Alex, I would live with sulking.
Central attacking midfield: Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal) - he has been worth every single penny Arsene Wenger paid for him and is the main reason Arsenal fans are not even more depressed.
If only he had not been cup-tied for the Champions League! For Arsenal he has shown some devastating finishing from the left but he also has the ability to run a game from a central position as he has for Russia.
Left attacking midfield: Ashley Young (Aston Villa) - has not yet added consistency to his game but on his day he has been almost unplayable.
His performance against Tony Hibbert in April will still be giving the Everton full back nightmares as one of the most one-sided head-to-heads of the season. He is Villa's brightest young star and one of England's too.
Centre forward: Fernando Torres (Liverpool) - I know, I know, no Steven Gerrard but you can't have them both.
Torres is as good as they come and is set to score 50 goals for Liverpool faster than Rush, Fowler or Owen; enough said.
And so on to the team from the bottom half. I have decided to play a simple 4-4-2 here. Remember, only one outfield player from each team with a goalkeeper of your choice.
At time of writing the bottom half are: Stoke, Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Hull, Newcastle, Middlesbrough and West Brom.
Goalkeeper: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton) - maybe the single biggest reason that Bolton stayed up, he has played in every game and is top performer week after week and season after season.
Right back: Glen Johnson (Portsmouth) - has looked more like the player who burst on to the scene with West Ham and less like the player who struggled at Chelsea.
He is good going forward too and is worth his place in Fabio Capello's team so he certainly makes mine.
Centre half: Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn) - totally reliable and one of the best value for money signings in recent years. He is a good captain and a strong, steadying influence on his teammates.
With timing and anticipation he can dominate taller opponents in the air.
Centre half: Andy Dawson (Hull) - one of the best performers at the KC this season at either left-back or centre half. Has played in all four divisions and has not looked out of place in the top one.
Left back: Danny Collins (Sunderland) - like Dawson he is equally comfortable at left back or centre half and does a great job. He is commanding in the air with a good positional sense.
Right midfield: Antonio Valencia (Wigan) - another South American jewel unearthed by Steve Bruce. If he added goals to his repertoire he would be even more sought after, but even so the offers will come flooding in this summer.
Centre midfield: Nicky Butt (Newcastle) - it's hard to think of any Newcastle players who have enhanced their reputations this season. However, Butt has been tidy, consistent and effective - everything Newcastle as a whole are not.
Centre midfield: Jonathan Greening (West Brom) - along with Chris Brunt he has been outstanding for the Baggies this season.
He still has great energy and is able to play in almost any position across the midfield. He deserved better than relegation.
Left midfield: Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough) - sometimes he flits in and out of games too much and hasn't scored enough this season, but at Middlesbrough who has? He is still one of the best in his position in the Premier League.
Striker: Kevin Davies (Bolton) - Strength, work rate, bravery and, this season, with more goals thrown in. Davies has been a key-man for years.
Striker: James Beattie (Stoke) - probably the signing of the January transfer window, Beattie has reaffirmed his status as a Premier League striker to be reckoned with and his goals were the key to Stoke's mid-table finish.
With a nod to Roy Hodgson, my manager for the top half team would have to be Fergie and for the bottom half Tony Pulis.
Have a go, it's harder than it looks!
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Intersting top XI.
Myself would have gone 4-4-1-1 with the players of:
VDS
Neill
King
Jagielka
Konchesky
Ronaldo
Ireland
Gerrard
Young
Arshavin
Anelka
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That's quite tough...
Top
Reina
Neill
Vidic
Jagielka
Corluka
Young
Ireland
Murphy
Arshavin
Gerrard
Anelka
Bottom
Jaaskelainen
Nelsen
S Taylor
Shawcross
Collins
Geovanni
Steinson
Brunt
Valencia
Crouch
Tuncay
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No mention for Rooney but Ashley Young gets in? I think not!
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Have to say the top half is going to have some subs Bench:
Reina
Vidic
Jagielka
Alonso
Gerrard
Lampard
Rooney
Have to say any top Premier League XI for the season really should have Jagielka and Vidic as Centre backs, they have been simply immense.
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This is actually a really tough one! I thought it would be easy but when i started this i realised how wrong i was. I'll use the same formation as i like the one of the striker approach. Anyways here goes...
Goalkeeper: Mark Schwarzer (Fulham) - I've always believed he is one of the best goalkeepers in the league and deserves to have spent his career winning trophys which unfortunately he has not. His number of clean sheets for what is not a world class Fulham team speaks for itself.
Right Back: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal) - Hasn't been as great a performanxce as last season from the Frenchman in my opinion but i felt it was hard to pick any other Arsenal player for the team.
Left Back: Herita Ilunga (West Ham United) - Was either going to be Ilunga or Lucas Neil from the West Ham team and i felt Ilunga has been consistent this season and looks a quality lef back.
Centre Back: Jonathan Woodgate (Spurs) - I just think the lad is quality and deserves a break at one of the top clubs as long as his fitness levels stay high.
Centre Back: Phil Jagielka (Everton) - This is the season i believe that has seen Jagielka become a quality premier league defender and is deservedly part of the England setup and im gutted for the lad to be missing out on the FA Cup final.
Centre Midfield: Danny Murphy (Fulham) - Has had a great season and really does pull the strings almost single handedly from the Fulham midfield and since Bullards departure to Hull he had to step up and boy did he do it well. One of my favourite players this season.
Centre Midfield: Stephen Ireland (Manchester City) - Yes he would play higher up the pitch but i just could not leave out the Irishman who has been a revelation this season and become City's most influential player. Quality personified.
Right Wing: Ashley Young (Aston Villa) - Either wing it really doesn't matter because he needs to be in this team. He has been the best winger by miles this season and fully deserves the Award he recieved for Young player of the Year.
Left Wing: Wayne Rooney (Man United) - In my opinion he is the man who has been Uniteds best and most consistent player all season but i know that will be very highly debatable by United fans.
Attacking Midfield: Stephen Gerrard (Liverpool) - Time and time again proves why he is one of the best players in the world at the minute and why he is one the greatest players to ever have graced the Premier League.
Forward: Nicholas Anelka (Chelsea) - Had a quiet period after Christmas but other than that he has had a terrific season and banged the goals in for Chelsea and although Torres would have been my first choice for this position i could not leave out Gerrard!
Manager: Rafael Benitez (Liverpool) - What can I say i'm biased towards him! lol
Bottom half now!!!
Goalkeeper: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton) - I have the same view of him as i do of Schwarzer. Should be winning trophys not fighting relegation battles. Outstanding once again.
Right Back: Glen Johnson (Portsmouth) - Has been superb this season and i for one hope Rafa does decide to stump up the cash for Johnson because he is well worth it. Best right back in the league in my opinion.
Left Back: Ricardo Gardner (Bolton) - Always thought he was talented and more importantly a consistently good performer for Bolton.
Centre Back: Michael Turner (Hull) - One of Hulls best players this season and more importantly i don't think his performances have tailled off like a lot of his teammates have.
Centre Back: Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn) - Big, strong and reliable! What else can you ask for from the Kiwi! A rock in Blackburn defence.
Centre Midfield: Jonathan Greening (West Brom) - Sadly i rate very few players on the West Brom team which means Greening is the only player worth a mention from the Baggies in this team.
Centre Midfield: Andy Reid (Sunderland) - Has a touch of class about him and with his lack of pace if he plays in the centre you can see his passing ability shine through.
Right Wing: Antonio Valencia (Wigan) - Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United... Teams linked with Valencia? Enough said i think! A great performer.
Left Wing: Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle) - Newcastle have been pitiful all season but this lad has a touch of class and real skill about him and is better that a relegation threatened team.
Attacking Midfield: Sanli Tuncay (Middlesbrough) - Once again is there anyone else in the Boro team worth mentioning this season. Even Downing has been anonymous for most of the season. A touch of quality with his overhead kick at the weekend just nudges Tuncay ahead!
Forward: James Beattie (Stoke) - The perfect player for the perfect team. They fit each other perfectly Beattie and Stoke. May only have been a January signing but has been their best player by far.
Manager: Tony Pulis (Stoke) - Could I really have picked any other manager?
phewwwwwww that was tough! lol
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Well done Steve, you obviously don't pay any attention to the bottom of the league, specifically Hull City, Andy Dawson has not played centre back for Hull once this season and Michael Turner has consistently outshone any other Hull player all year.
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My top XI (4-4-1-1):
Schwarzer
Corluka
Hangeland
Jagielka
Ilunga
Ronaldo
Lampard
Ireland
A Young
Arshavin
Torres
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so qwertnels you are going to leave out Ronaldo - interesting!
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GK - Petr Cech (still the best in the world)
RB - Corluka
CD - Hangeland
CD - Jagielka
LB - Illunga
RM - Ronaldo
CM - Gerrard
CM - Murphy
LM - Young
CF - Arshavin
ST - Anelka
4-4-1-1
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VDS
Bosingwa
Jagielka
Vidic
Evra
Ronaldo
Gerrard
Giggs
Rooney
Anelka
Torres
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4-4-1-1
van der sar
neill
vidic
haangeland
lescott
arshavin
gerrard
ireland
kuyt
agbonlahor
anelka
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TOP XI 4-3-3 Wingers.
GK: Schwarzer
LB: Lescott
RB: Corlukka
CB: Hangeland
CB: Tomkins
CM: Lampard
CM: Gerrard
CM: Ireland
LW: Arshavin
RW: Ronaldo
CF: Agbonlahor
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Can't believe no-one has picked Martin Laursen, who has probably been the best centre back in the Premiership in the past 2 seasons. Anyone who says otherwise has clearly not seen him play. He rivals the likes of Vidic and Ferdinand without a problem and doesn't have the luxury of relying on a fellow world-class defender to bail him out after he makes a mistake (not that he ever makes any)
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Looks like quite a few people are struggling with the concept of ONLY 1 PLAYER FROM EACH TEAM.
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#10 - Here We Go For 4IAR - you have 5 outfield players from Man Utd - that's 4 too many ---- ONE outfield player from each club ONLY!!
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In my opinion he is the man who has been Uniteds best and most consistent player all season but i know that will be very highly debatable by United fans.
[Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator]
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Steve as a Newcastle fan I can't believe you included Nicky Butt. He has not as you say been tidy, consistent and effective. He has been ponderous, consistently out of position, giving away the ball once every few minutes and causing so many unnecessary free kicks in dangerous positions that cost us points.
The only player who has enhanced his reputation this season is Bassong (I know he had a bad one last Saturday), he saved us consistently with good performances despite bad players around him and we have been down long ago if it were not for him. As it happens he has just helped prolong the agony of having a glimmer of hope.
Otherwise a good team. For the poster who suggested Jonas, all effort no end product.
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#6 - take on board your opinion -- so do a team of your own rather than have a go at me!
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Comment 10..... you really didn't get it did you?! further proof of the wealth of knowldege that some United fans have haha! :)
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Top Half
GK.Almunia
CB.Jagielka
CB.Woodgate
CB.Hangeland
RM.Ronaldo
CM.Gerrard
CM.Ireland
LM.Young
LW.Arshavin
ST.Cole
RW.Anelka
Bottom Half
GK.Jaaskelainen
RB.Johnson
CB.Taylor
CB.Nelson
LB.Robinson
RM.Valencia
CM.Richardson
CM.Geovanni
LM.Downing
CF.Davies
ST.Beattie
Beat That!!!
x
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I'd go for:
Van der Sar
Sagna
Vidic
Jagielka
Evra
Ireland
Cahill
Carrick
Gerrard
Rooney
Torres
and for the bottom half
Jaaskelainen
Johnson
Shawcross
Nelsen
Gardner
Valencia
Delap
Nolan
Geovanni
Beattie
Davies
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Considering Ilunga and Upson have been immense this season, I can't believe Lucas Neill is the player you've put in. You clearly don't rate West Ham from your little piece about Neill - you might as well have written 'Neill is rubbish, but then so are all the West Ham players but i had to put someone somewhere'.
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Just so I know Steve, did you choose your side based on this season performances or just their ability/reputation?
If the former applies, I'm not sure how you can have Essien in there (as incredible a player as he is). If you're going to judge it on this season, Lampard has been head and shoulders above the rest and should be a shoe-in really. Sure, if Essien had been playing the whole season, chances are he'd be worth a place - we really did miss him for the first half of the season. But Lampard's been influential, consistent and just pure quality.
I'm beginning to think that Frank's consistency is the reason why he's been overlooked by journalists, fans and players alike this season. Stats-wise he hasn't really had a better season compared to that of the last 4/5 years, but in truth his performances have helped save our season.
In a season filled with inconsistency and average performers, Lampard has shone for us.
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4-4-2
GK- Brad Friedel
RB- Lucas Neil
LB- Vederan Corluka
CB- Jagielka
CB- Hangeland
RM- Luca Modric
LM- Stephen Ireland
CM- Steven Gerrard
CM- Frank Lampard
CF- Ronaldo
CF- Anelka
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-----------------Van Der Saar---------------------
Bosingwa ---Jagielka ---Hangeland -----Corluka
-Arshavin--- Ireland©----Parker ------Young-
------------Torres -------Ronaldo
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#23 - fair enough opinion - come up with a team then!
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4-4-2:
Arshavin Defoe
Young Ireland Gerrard Davies
Baines Upson Vidic Bosingwa
Schwarzer
Defoe only because had to put in a Spurs player, and he played brilliantly first half at Pompy
Schwarzer has been absolutely brilliant
Baines also fantastic
Gerrard - what needs to be said?
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Post #22: I couldn't agree more. Whenever I have seen West Ham this season - which admittedly hasn't been much - your left back Ilunga has really impressed me, which is why I made the point in having him in my team.
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Top XI 4132
GK Schwarzer
RB Hutton (only cos i cant think of another good RB!)
LB Ilunga
CB Vidic
CB Hangeland
DM Barry
CM Essien
CM Cahill
CM Ireland
ST Torres
ST Arshavin
Bottom XI
GK James
RB Johnson
LB Collins
CB Cahill
CB Bassong
RM Valencia
LM Brunt
CM Tugay
CM Geovanni
ST Tuncay
ST Beattie
Up the boro! Keep the faith!
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Michael Turner has been superb for Hull. Goals, blocks, clearances so he should be the Hull player.
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You could not pick Glen Johnson over Crouch this season. Without Peter Crouch's goals and assists Pompey would have been relegated this season. Glen Johnson has not kept them up. If Crouch is brought in Beattie would be out and then we could bring in Abdou Faye from Stoke in defence.
Arshavin I am sad to say shouldn't qualify for the top team in the top half as he has only played half a season however I can't think of one other player that has covered themself in glory from Arsenal this season and that is pretty depressing considering they got to the CL semi-final.
Essien would have to be subbed out for Lampard who kept his team in the running when all around him whinged and whined about Scolari. If he had made the CL final he would have been first on the Chelsea teamsheet and he should have definitely won PFA player of the year.
Torres is the best striker in the league by quite a long way so he would keep Stevie G out of the team but he would have to be on the bench.
The one other change would be Barry in for Young. Young was good at the start but when his form disappeared so did the team's and Barry has been consistently good in every single match. I think if Villa lose him this summer it will be a much bigger blow than if Real Madrid buy Young.
I would also go for Rafa as manager as of the top 4 Liverpool are the only team this season that have really given others a hammering and humbling rather than scraping through with a 1 goal win.
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This was harder than imagined. Wanted to put Steven Gerrard and David Wheater in, but no Tottenham strikers or Blackburn midfielders have really been worthy of their place this season, so Palacios and Nelsen had to step in.
TOP-
VAN DER SAR
BOSINGWA
HANGELAND
UPSON
BAINES
PALACIOS
IRELAND
RONALDO
ARSHAVIN
YOUNG
TORRES
BOTTOM-
JAASKELAINEN
JOHNSON
BASSONG
NELSEN
COLLINS
BRUNT
TUNCAY
GEOVANNI
VALENCIA
DAVIES
BEATTIE
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Heres my top half team.
Reina
Bosingwa
Hangelaand
Lescott
Ilunga
Modric
Ireland
Fabregas
A Young
Torres
Rooney
Bottom Half..
Kirkland
Johnson
Cahill
Dawson
Warnock
Valencia
Delap
Tuncay
Brunt
Owen
Kenwynne Jones
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also, gerrardswhiskers..... Barry has been average for us this season, Petrov has been much better than him, our best players (IMO) have been Petrov - L Young - Carew - A Young - Laursen - Barry.... in that order.
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riena
jagielka
upson
hangeland
corluka
young
lampard
ireland
arshavin
torres
rooney
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Have you noticed how the people who complain about such and such being left out have not actually done a team?
Eg #22 --- I am not saying that Lucas Neill is the best right back or even West Ham's best player - what I am saying is that, for me, Upson could not dislodge Hangeland or King and that Ilunga is not better than Lescott.
I have nothing against West Ham at all. As I said I think Zola has created a team that is better than the sum of it's parts. Don't be so sensitive!
Try doing a team and you soon find yourself having to leave out players you thought you would definitely include.
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Baines Schwarzer & Gerrard should be in every team - no performance from any other player on their teams compare
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C'mon Steve, Dawson has never been a CB!
TOP HALF
------------Schwarzer
Bosingwa--Vidic--Hangeland--Illunga
-------------Petrov
---------Fellaini--Ireland
Lennon--------------------Arshavin
-------------Torres
BOTTOM HALF
-------------Jussi
Johnson--Turner--Bassong--Warnock
Valencia--Koren--Digard--Taylor
----------Fuller--Jones
It's really hard to actually find a Boro player worthy of a place! Digard's earns a place purely because he hasn't yet been that bad (had he been fit and played more it may be another matter...)
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Very Tough
Top Classic 4-4-2
R. Green
M. Richards
P. Jagielka
M. Laursen
K. Gibbs
L.Modric
S. Gerrard
F. Lampard
D. Murphy
C.Cole.
W.Rooney
Bottom Classic 4-4-2
J. Jaaskelainen
G. Johnson
A.Ferdinand
S.Taylor
A Ooijer
R.Delap
J. Greening
D. Geovanni
L.Cattermole
Tuncay Sanli
K.Davies
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Nicky butt centre midfield ....joke
no bassong
nelsen and turner you're clueless
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Top
GK - Mark Schwarzer - just beats out VDS as he has had plenty more work to do than the big Dutchman
RB - Bacary Sagna - very good going forward and defending, a rarity in an Arsenal defender
CB - Brede Hangeland - simply phemonenal this year
CB - Martin Laursen - look how Villa have struggled since his injury and it proves how vital he was
LB - Henri Ilunga - fantastic debut season
RM - Cristiano Ronaldo - missed two months and still the top scorer. The bets in the world still
CM - Stephen Ireland - outshone all of the 'big' name imports
CM - Wilson Palacios - brilliant for Wigan and Spurs
LM - Mikael Arteta - Absolute class before season-ending injury. A joy to watch and proves how good Spain are
ST - Nicolas Anelka - Joint top scorer in the league and not really sulking
ST - Steven Gerrard - I think everything has been said before about this guy
Bottom
GK - Thomas Sorensen - a key factor in Stoke's brilliant home record
RB - Glen Johnson - deservedly won back his England place
CB - Gary Cahill - has a lot of the top clubs sniffing round him after a string of fine performances
CB - Sebastien Bassong - has enhanced his reputation despite playing at the back for Newcastle
LB - Danny Collins - by all accounts Sunderlands only consistent performer
RM - Antonio Valencia - quietly brilliant all year
CM - Rory Delap - as good as Fuller and Beattie have been, Delap has provided the majority of Stoke's best moments this year
CM - Stephen Warnock - could have played several positions in this team and had to be in as Blackburn's representative
LM - Geovanni - the goals he scored at the start of the season meant Hull have a chance of staying up
ST - Tuncay - the only player worth a pick from Boro
ST - Fortune - scored a few really good goals in Albions late push for safety
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Swap Samba for Nelsen and you are doing well. Would have to have Vidic in there too.
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GK - Reina
CB - Neill
CB -Woodgate
CB - Jagielka
RM - Ireland
CM - Gerrard
CM - Murphy
LM - Barry
LW - Rooney
ST - Arshavin
RW- Anelka
Manager: Benitez, who else is there?
Bottom 10:
GK.Robinson
RB.Johnson
CB.Nelson
CB.Ferdinand
LB.Gardner
RM.Valencia
CM.Nolan
CM.Geovanni
LM.Brunt
CF.Tuncay
ST.Beattie
Manager: Tony Pulis
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Thought long and hard about Tuncay - one of my favourite players - also agree that Bassong has been excellent - but neither quite made the cut. It's all about opinions and in this case about juggling people and positions.
V. good debate so far - keep it friendly! Gotta go - off to Portsmouth v Sunderland.
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Steve - here's mine
GK - Reina
FB - Upson
CB - Hangeland
CB - Vidic
LB - Jagielka
RM - Ireland
CM - Modric
CM - Gerrard
LM - Young
CF - Anelka
CF - Arshavin
Lower half
GK - Juski Jaskelienan
RB - Glen Johnson
CB - Michael Turner
CB - Gary Cahill
LB - Stephen Taylor
RM - Antonio Valencia
CM - Glen Whelan
CM - Stephen Warnock
LM - Chris Brunt
CF - Kenwyne Jones
CF - Tuncay
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Van Der Sar
Micah Richards
Ilunga
Hangaland
Jagielka
Lampard
Ireland
Gerrard
Young
Rooney
Arshavin
Jaskalainan
Glen Johnson
Kieron Richardson
Stephen Taylor
Ryan Shawcross
Valencia
Tuncay
Giovanni
Brunt
Santa Cruz
Davies
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Here Goes:
4-1-3-2
1. VDS
2. Neil
3. Illunga
4. King
5. Hangeland
6. Fellaini
7. Gerrard
8. Ireland
9. Arshavin
10. Rooney
11. Anelka
4-4-2
1. Kirkland
2. Johnson
3. Bassong
4. Cahill
5. Collins
6. Valencia
7. Geovanni
8. Tugay
9. Brunt
10. Tuncay
11. Beattie
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I actually think you made some horrible picks the top team will obviously be this:
Swachzer (van der saar doesnt have much to do dont deserve it)
Bosingwa
Brede Hangeland
Rio ferdinand
Patric Evra
Ronaldo
Essien
Gerrard
Arshavin
Torres
Drogba
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I've gone for a balanced team, with a holding midfield player in a diamond.
TOP HALF:
GK SCHWARZER
RB TOURE
CB VIDIC
CB JAGIELKA
LB KONCHESKY
DM MASCHERANO
CM MODRIC
CM IRELAND
AM LAMPARD
ST C.COLE
ST ROONEY
Now a usual 4-4-2
BOTTOM HALF:
GK SHAY GIVEN (Cheating I know)
RB G.JOHNSON
CB TURNER
CB A.FAYE
LB WARNOCK
RM MALBRANQUE
CM PALACIOS (Again cheating, sorry) CATTERMOLE
CM GREENING
LM TUNCAY
CF MARTINS
ST DAVIES
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I'd imagine this was put together as a bit of fun so I'm surpised how worked up people get about it. The article is Steve's own opinion and one that he has encouraged people to challenge - I don't see what all the fuss is about.
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TOP HALF (Christmas Tree)
M: Roy Hodgson - Fulham
GK: Tim Howard - Everton
RB: Vedran Corluka - Tottenham
CB: Martin Laurson - Aston Villa (sad to see him retire)
CB: Phil Jagielka - Everton
LB: Herita Ilunga - West Ham
CM: Danny Murphy - Fulham
CM: Xabi Alonso - Liverpool
CM: Michael Essien - Chelsea
AM: Andrey Arshavin - Arsenal
AM: Stephen Ireland - Man City
ST: Wayne Rooney - Man Utd
BOTTOM HALF (4-4-2 Diamond)
M: Tony Pulis - Stoke
GK: Chris Kirkland - Wigan (England #1 for me)
RB: Glen Johnson - Portsmouth
LB: Stephen Warnock - Blackburn
CB: Michael Turner - Hull
CB: Sebastien Bassong - Newcastle
DM: Lee Cattermole - Wigan
RM: Liam Lawrence - Stoke
LM: Chris Brunt - WBA
AM: Sanli Tuncay - Middlesbrough
ST: Kenwyne Joens - Sunderland (No other decent Sunderland players)
ST: Kevin Davies - Bolton
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Riena
hard to choose the right back but if i had to, Sagnol
hangeland
Larsen
Rooney
Ireland
Gerrad
Alonso
Anelka
Torres
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Have people read what Steve is asking for? 1 outfield player from EACH team! the amount of people who don't have one Villa player in there is ridiculous, there are other teams who are consistently ignored by a few mupets but Villa have been superb apart from the last few months. Just goes to show how short some football fans memories are.....
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GK Gerrard
RB Gerrard
CB Gerrard
CB Gerrard
LB Gerrard
RM Gerrard
CM Gerrard
CM Gerrard
LM Gerrard
SS Gerrard
CF Torres
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Damn accidently put 2 united players in mine see #49, swap out Vidic and put Martin Laursen in.
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How on earth is Lucas Neill the West Ham player chosen?! You evidently haven't watched us play this season - the man is a liability and the amount of goals that have occurred due to his ineptitude is quite staggering. Herita Ilunga has been West Ham's one stand out player this year, Jack Collison aside but I concede there are more deserving players than him in his position. Anyway here is my two cents:
Top Half(4-3-3):
Shay Given(GK) - An outstanding GK that moved from one mediocre team to a slightly less mediocre one. Will be an important player for them next year
Jose Bosingwa (RB)- Started off brightly and sort of faded away but best choice of the RBs
Herita Ilunga (LB) - Good in an otherwise average team.
Brede Hangeland (CB) - Foundation upon which Fulham's season has been built.
Ledley King (CB) - Only Spurs player worthy of a mention, when he's played he has made a real difference.
Stephen Ireland (CM)- City's best player by a country mile, in my opinion was unfortunate not to pick up Young Player of the Year.
Tim Cahill (CM) - Edged Fellaini out, Cahill has carried their side at times this year in the absence of a recognised striker.
Michael Carrick (CM) - He has really begun to look comfortable in an excellent United side and I expect him to build on this next season.
Ashley Young (AMR) - Massively influential at the start of the season, has seemed to drift off towards the end.
Andrei Arshavin (AML) - Despite the lack of Arsenal players who have excelled themselves this season, AA already looks like a key player for them.
Fernando Torres (FC) - If only he had been fit for the whole season - lethal when given half a chance.
Bottom Half(4-3-3):
Ju
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Steve Wilson I apologise i didnt read the top of your blog. Just changed name from - Here We Go For 4IAR
My new TOP XI ;
VDS
Bosingwa
Jagielka
Hangelaand
Illuga
Walcott
Gerrard
Modric
Barry
Robinho
Rooney
My bottom XI;
Robinson
Johnson
Shawcross
Turner
Figureoa
Morrison
Butt
Tainio
Downing
Davies
Mcarthy
Extremely difficult- what do you think now steve
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Gk- Reina
Rb- Richards Cb- Hangeland Cb- Jagielka Lb- Ilunga
Rm- Lennon Cm- Essien Cm- Barry(c) Lm- Nasri
Cf- Rooney
Cf- Torres
Bottom half
Gk- Jaaskelinen
Rb- Beye Cb- Shawcrosss Cb- Nelson(C) Lb- Warnock
Dm- Greening
Rm- Valencia Lm- Matt Taylor
Am- Geovanni
Cf- Tuncay Cf- Jones
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Dam it ive jus realised i got neil and illunga sorry, replace neil with Luke Young
4-1-3-2
1. VDS
2. Young
3. Illunga
4. King
5. Hangeland
6. Fellaini
7. Gerrard
8. Ireland
9. Arshavin
10. Rooney
11. Anelka
4-4-2
1. Kirkland
2. Johnson
3. Bassong
4. Cahill
5. Collins
6. Valencia
7. Geovanni
8. Tugay
9. Brunt
10. Tuncay
11. Beattie
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I like HonestDeclan's, but here's mine:
4-2-3-1
GK: Reina (Liverpool)
RB: Bosingwa (Chelsea)
CB: Vidic (Man U)
CB: Jagielka (Everton)
LB: Ilunga (West Ham)
RM: Lennon (Tottenham)
CM: Murphy (Fulham)
CM: Ireland (Man City)
LM: Young (Villa)
Second striker: Gerrard (Liverpool)
ST: Arshavin (Arsenal)--even he said he doesn't know why he's not playing striker!
Coach: Hodgson (Fulham)
Bottom half: 4-4-2
GK: Jaaskelainen (Bolton)
RB: Johnson (Portsmouth)
CB: Turner (Hull)
CB: Nelsen (Blackburn)
LB: Bassong (Newcastle)
RM: Valencia (Wigan)
CM: Greening (West Brom)
CM: Delap (Stoke)
LM: Reid (Sunderland)
ST: Davies (Bolton)
ST: Tuncay (Boro)
Coach: Pulis (Stoke)
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Its funny that giggys aint in anyones team, yet won [player of the year] lol
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I find it funny that people have written off a lot of Spurs players. Obviously I'm biased here but if Spurs had had Harry Redknapp at the start of the season they would be 5th. 49 points from 28 games is no mean feat and combine this with our brilliant record against the big clubs this season, bar Howard Webb's shocking decision, we would be unbeaten against the top 4.
I am amazed that Aaron Lennon is not in more teams, as well as Modric who would walk into any team in the prem. It's too easy to put Corluka at LB or RB and shows how little many people on here know about football.
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#54
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This is actually very hard. i read it looked at other peoples posts and thought it surely cant be that bad. then i started trying to do it myself.
anyway here is my attempt. the one outfield player from each club really makes it hard especiaally in a season when vidic, rooney, ronaldo, giggs, and ferdinand have all be amazing not to mention gerrard, torres and arshavin. i am going to use a 4-3-3 formation.
Gk VDS, has the most clean sheets so far, and while he has only had a few saves to make he has been an outstanding moppper up for the man u defences' sparse mistakes.
LB Cole, while he has not been as good this season as perhaps he was before he is still first choice left back for engalnd for a reason.
CB Vidic, in my opinion very unlucky to miss out on PFA award. has been superb in defence for the entire season and is the real reason man utd had the run of clean sheets.
CB Ledley King, not certain he has been the one of the very best centre backs in the top ten, but has been very influential for spurs and i have another everton player i wish to put in the team so bad luck phil jagielka.
RB lucas neill, for the same reasons as the post.
LM Cahill, Left mid may not be jis position but he has show that he can play anywhere with his upfront play when everton where desperate. he is the root of so much of evreton's success and i think they would be struggling to get in the top ten without him.
CM Arshavin, i was a little scepitical about how he would be when arsenal bought him as he had been great for two russian performances then had been annoymous the next match. however four goals against liverpool is enough proof for me.
RM Ireland, it is very funny that with all man city's money there best player was bought for 750,000 from cobh city. consistently outperformed robinho, and has deservedly probably won himself a contract which will double his current wage.
F Zamora, been okay this season and i couldnt think of another fluham player.
F Torres, trully great player who has scored an amazing amount of goals already. the difference for liverpool when he was on the pitch to when he was off it says it all.
F Ashley Young, while he has petered off towards the end of the season has still been quality for the early part and was one of the main reasons aston villa climbed so high, and his loss of form one of the main reasons they fell. plus i needed an aston villa player.
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Can't say I agree with your selections. Notably the inclusion of essien who played a fraction of the season when someone like carrick who has become instrumental at United might've been a more justified selection.
It would've been easy just to choose the united back 4 but the inclusion of Ledley King is another interesting one, as well as Lucas Neil albeit your motivation was clear.
At the other end of the table the omission of Tuncay from your starting eleven is a noticeable absentee and I think krancjar is another who I think did a great job for a club that doesn't get a lot of press attention.
Apart from that I don't have any arguments with your selections, particularly Kevin Davies and James Beattie who are two of the most underrated centre forwards in the league.
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Top Half 3-4-2-1:
GK: Van Der Sar
CB: Upson
CB: Jakielka
CB: Vidic
LM: A.Young
RM: Lennon
CM: Dempsey (has been superb)
CM: Ireland
CF: Arshavin
CF: Gerrard
ST: Anelka
Bottom Half
GK: Jaaskelainen
LWB: Warnock
RWB: G.Johnson
CB: Faye
CB: Turner
CB: Bassong
LM: Brunt
RM: Valencia
CM: Richardson
CM: M.Taylor
ST: Tuncay
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14. At 1:34pm on 18 May 2009, Shoots wrote:
Looks like quite a few people are struggling with the concept of ONLY 1 PLAYER FROM EACH TEAM.
INCLUDING STEVE WILSON!!
Van der Sar and Ronaldo - you've broken your own rule!!
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gk-Schwarzer
rb- Neill
cb- Hangeland
cb- Jagielka
lb- Corluka
cm- essien
cm- Gerrard
cm- Ireland
lf- Arshavin
rf- Ronaldo
cf- Carew
Manager- Roy Hodgson
gk- Jaaskelainen
rb- Johnson
cb- Turner
cb- Bassong
lb- Gardner
rm- Valencia
cm- Warnock
cm- Delap
lm- Brunt
cf- Tuncay
cf- Jones
Manager- Tony Pulis
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Hey there...yeah this seemsa very tough one. Could pick almost anyone out of Man U as they have all been high quality and really consistent (even though I am a chelsea fan!)...anyway, here it goes:
Top Half: 4-5-1
GK: VDS
DF: Bosingwa
DF: Hangeland
DF: Jagielka
DF: Ilunga
MD: Arshavin
MD: Ronaldo
MD: Ireland
MD: Lennon
MD: Ashley Young
FW: Torres - boy is class!
Manager: Roy Hodgson - It would have been Hiddink if he was there a full season im sure, but what he's done with Fulham to turn them around has been class. Also replacing Bullard and bringing the best out of his current crop has been really good.
Bottom Half: 4-4-2
GK: Robinson
DF: Johnson
DF: Turner
DF: Collins
DF: Steinsson
MD: Greening
MD: Valencia
MD: Tuncay - only good part about Middlesborough
MD: Duff - only player actually trying, apart from Butt maybe.
FW: Fuller - a real handful and skillful too, very passionate!
FW: McCarthy
Manager: Has to be Pulis, maybe Brucey gets a shout but all year round Pulis has managed to get a good work ethic out the players and keep a consistent home record - vital for premiership survival.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
My god there are some people on here who can't even follow simple instructions! Jeez. And there's one guy on here who's picked a player that doesn't even play in the premier league! Lunchtime drinking eh?
Oh, and CISSEATION - top comment mate. Had to laugh at that one!
I'll do a team myself when i get home later.
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manu, liverpool, chelsea, arsenal, aston villa, everton, fulham, spurs, westham, man city.
3-4-3 formation:
given - mancity
upson - westham
vidic - manutd
jagielka - everton
lennon - spurs
murphy - fulham
alonso - liverpool
young - villa
anelka - chelsea
gerrard - liverpool
arshavin - arsenal
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Why is there no edit function? Sorry for the double post....
Bottom Half (4-3-3):
Jussi Jaaskelainen(GK) - Nothing short of breath-taking at times, Bolton would have been relegated many a time were it not for this chap.
Glen Johnson(RB): Certainly recaptured some of his form that led to shouts for England RB berth.
Maynor Figueroa(LB): Looked very effective at times this season, especially going forward.
Sebastien Bassong (CB): Most likely the only Newcastle player to come out of the season with his reputation in tact.
Michael Turner (CB): Consistently Hull's best performer this season, he was overshadowed by the antics of Geovanni and co.
Sanli Tuncay (MC): See description for Bassong - if all of Boro's players showed his commitment they wouldn't be in such deep trouble.
Chris Brunt (MR): Had a good season overall, I would be surprised to see him remain at the Baggies.
Stephen Warnock (ML): Going to have to give him a midfield position, key performer for Blackburn.
Kevin Davies (FC): As always, hardly prolific but plays and essential role for his side.
James Beattie (FC): Goals have been vital in Stoke's survival despite only joining in January.
Djibril Cisse (FC): Good performer throughout the season, his partnership with Kenwyne Jones shows promise.
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Would have to say....
4-4-2
VDS
Lescott (LB)
Hangeland
King
Behrami
Young
Gerrard
Ireland
Ronaldo
RVP
Anelka
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Chelsea-Fan-B4-the-Money - the goalkeeper can be from ANY club you like. It's the OUTFIELD players who you are only allowed to pick one of from each club. Read Steve's blog properly before you start critisising him!
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Lennonisagod - whilst spurs have got some good players, it's not so easy as to say they should be in this team given that there is only 1 player from each team. the other 5 attacking players i have selected apart from Modric (young / fabregas / ireland / rooney / Torres ) IMO are all better than the rest of tottenhams, and if i was allowed more players from each team then you could choose Gerrard, Ronaldo, Drogba, Lampard Carew, Cahill, Arteta etc.... all above the rest of Spurs players. So it isn't so easy as to say people are overlooking your players.
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54. At 2:18pm on 18 May 2009, CISSEATION wrote:
GK Gerrard
RB Gerrard
CB Gerrard
CB Gerrard
LB Gerrard
RM Gerrard
CM Gerrard
CM Gerrard
LM Gerrard
SS Gerrard
CF Torres
****
typical scouse
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Howz about;
van der sar
sagna
vidic
konchesky
terry
mascherano
cahill
ireland
modric
agbonlahor
zola
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post 67 you are a fool. the blog clearly says OUTFIELd player. now i dont know about your team perhaps the GOALKEEPER doesnt stay in goal, which is why they are so poor but even you should be able to work out the if you are choosing from tenteams for eleven position one team is going to have two members in it.
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---------------Van Der Sar---------------
Corluka----Lescott----Hangeland----Illunga
-----------Lampard----Ireland-------------
A.Young---------------------------Arshavin
-----------------Ronaldo------------------
------------------Torres------------------
Let Ronaldo play where he want as you can't really stop him moving about...
Was struggling to find a left back.
I'll do the bottom half when i can have a Watford player in it (10+ years then) :)
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TOP HALF: 4-1-2-2-1
Tim Howard
Lucas Neil, Hangeland, Jagielka, Wayne bridge
Polacios, (holding)
Lampard, Arshavin (middle right, middle left)
Ronaldo, Ashley Young (wide right, wide left)
Torres,
BOTTOM HALF: 4-2-2-2
Jaskelinan
Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Bassong, Warnock
Gary O'Neil, Chris Brunt,
Geovanni, Valencia
Cisse, Beattie
(bottom half is hard)
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Did anyone else find it difficult to think of a Spurs player to pick?!
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Also can't Stoke effectivly still be in the top half...?
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post 72 you have got to love it. even lists the ten different clubs and then still gets two players form the same club in there, while listing the names of the different clubs (or not) next each player.
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wow top table 11 not easy to pick with so many players having good seasons and so many having avarage ones. i have gone fro a 3-1-4-1-1 mostly to suit the players i wanted:
reina-liverpool
neil-w'ham
king-totenham
lescot-everton
essien-chelsea
ireland-m'city
dempsy-fulham
nasri-aresnal
ronaldo-m'united
gerrard-liverpool
carew-a'villa
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Top Half
Tim Howard
Brede Hangeland
Rio Ferdinand
Martin Laursen
Wilson Palacios
Stephen Ireland
Valron Belrhami
Steven Peinaar
Andrei Arshavin
Nicolas Anelka
Fernando Torres
Manager Harry Redknapp
Bottom Half
Jussi Jasskelainen
Glenn Johnson
Sebastien Bassong
Ryan Nelson
Andy Dawson
Steed Malbranque
Jonathan Greening
Liam Lawrence
Antonio Valencia
Kevin Davies
Tuncay Sanli
Tony Pulis
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Is a tough choice, especially with Liverpool and Man Utd. Plus it should be players that have been consistent over the whole season. Ronaldo started poorly and Arshavin didnt arrive until late January. My top half team would be:
GK: Schwarzer
RB: Sagna
CB: Jagielka
CB: Hangeland
LB: Ilunga
RM: Lennon
CM: Ireland
CM: Giggs
LM: Young
AM: Gerrard
F: Anelka
Manager: Roy Hodgson
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to "love-lfc"
its supposed to be 1 player from each team...not a Woolworths pick and mix
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I think a 4312 for the "top" team
Schwarzer
Niel
Hangeland
King
Jagielka
Ireland
Barry
Garrard
Arshavin
Rooney
Anelka
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Gk - Schwarzer
DR - Sagna
DL - Ilunga
DC - Jagielka
DC - Hangelaand
MR - Lennon
ML - A.Young
MC - Ireland
MC - Gerrard
AMC - Ronaldo
FC - Anelka
Manager - Roy Hodgson
Gk - J.Jaaskelainen (Bolton)
WBR - G.Johnson (Portsmouth)
WBL - M. Taylor (Bolton)
DC - Turner (Hull)
DC - S. Taylor (Newcastle)
DC - R. Nelson (Blackburn)
MRC - Valencia (Wigan)
MLC - C. Brunt (WBA)
MC - Tuncay (Middlesbrough)
FC - Fuller (Stoke)
FC - K. Jones (Sunderland)
Manager - Tony Pulis
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4-3-3
GK: Schwarzer (Fulham)
RB: Young (Villa)
CB: Alex (Chelsea)
CB: Vidic (Man Utd)
LB: Ilunga (West Ham)
DM: Fellaini (Everton)
CM: Gerrard (Liverpool)
CM: Ireland (Man City)
RW: Lennon (Tottenham)
LW: Arshavin (Arsenal)
FW: Ronaldo (Man Utd)
Coach: Hodgson (Fulham)
Bottom half: 4-3-3
GK: Jaaskelainen (Bolton)
RB: Mendy (Hull)
CB: Taylor (Newcastle)
CB: Nelsen (Blackburn)
LB: Wilkinson (Stoke)
RM: Valencia (Wigan)
CM: Cattermole (Wigan)
LM: Brunt (West Brom)
ST: Cisse (Sunderland)
ST: Davies (Bolton)
ST: Tuncay (Boro)
Coach: Pulis (Stoke)
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Ok so my method was to pick my 1st and 2nd choice for Player of the Season at each club and then decide upon my Team of the Season. I attempted to include as many players who have been the best(in my opinion) at their respective clubs over the past season.
THE FOLLOWING ARE MY CHOICES FOR PLAYER OF THE SEASON AT EACH TOP HALF CLUB:
MANU - VIDIC(1st) / RONALDO(2nd)
LIV - GERRARD / ALONSO
CHE - LAMPARD / ANELKA
ARS - CLICHY / VAN PERSIE
EVE - JAGIELKA / FELLAINI
AST - A.YOUNG / CAREW
FUL - HANGELAND / MURPHY
TOT - MODRIC / WOODGATE
WHAM - UPSON / COLE
MANC - IRELAND / ROBINHO
TOP HALF TEAM OF THE SEASON:
VAN DER SAR
UPSON
VIDIC
HANGELAND
CLICHY
MODRIC
GERRARD
IRELAND
YOUNG
FELLAINI
ANELKA
May I just add that other than score 4 goals against Liverpool, Arshavin has contributed nothing to Arsenal's season, since arriving IN FEBRUARY...why are so many people picking him?!?!?
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Top Half i wanted to be different so i went for a 3-2-3-2 mainly to help deal with the WH problem
Keeper
VDS (Man Utd) too many clean sheets to ignore
Cb's
Jagielka, Upson and Hangeland 3 CB's who are all decent in the air and thus would be useful against the barrage of attacks that a side with 3 CB's and no full backs would often come up against.
Holding midfielder
Tom Huddlestone has had a fantastic season and his distribution is awesome he would always provide a useful connection between going forward and holding back leaving the team 6 other members to be of a fairly attacking nature
Other central midfielder
Essien great distribution and creativity coupled with an eye for goal and a great work rate has had a fantastic season in a dissapointing man city side who i feel would work well off huddlestone.
My attacking threat would then begin with a triumvate of
Young, Ireland and Arshavin
3 quick players who would score plenty of goals but hopefully create even more.
Stikers
Rooney and Torres not many teams would have a defense capable of dealing with the speed and finishing of torres coupled with the creativity and pure ability of rooney
--------------------VDS--------------------
------jagielka-----Upson-----Hangeland-----
------------Huddlestone--Essien------------
---Arshavin--------Ireland-------A.young---
------------------------rooney-------------
------------------Torres-------------------
bottom half, being a lower league fan I pretty much watch MOTD as my only view of the bottom half of the table but from what i have seen my side would compose of
in a 5-4-1 suiting a lower half style
Jussi- A keeper i have always rated would have been shay but he left for man city
RB Johnson revelation this season who I'm glad has found his way into the england squad
LB WArnock i like warnock and i have heard good stuff about him this season
CB's
Bassong Turner and Faye, had to fit in a newcastle player in somewhere while i thought the other two centre backs were fantastic this season
CM Greening and Muamba
RM Valencia
LM Downing
CF Kenwyne Jones
---------------Jussi--------------
-------Faye---Bassong---Turner-----
Johnson----------------------Warnock
--------Greening----Muamba----------
--valencia-----------------Downing--
----------------Jones---------------
Is that ok
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Dammit!!
Sub: Davis (Portsmouth) ON
Valencia (Wigan) OFF
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Wasn't Valencia at Wigan before Bruce was hired?
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Top XI (4-5-1) - Manager: Roy Hodgson
Van der Sar
Sagna
Hageland
Upson
Lescott
A Young
Lampard
Gerrard
Ireland
Ronaldo
Defoe
Bottom XI (4-4-2) - Manager: Tony Pulis
Jaaskelinen
G Johnson
M Turner
S Taylor
D Collins
Brunt
Andrews
Cattermole
M Taylor
Tuncay
Fuller
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#21 - Nolan? Really? He wasn't even Bolton's best player!!
Top Half Team (3-5-1-1)
Manager - Harry Redknapp
Gk - Mark Schwarzer (Fulham)
Df - Vidic (Man Utd)
Df - Jagielka (Everton)
Df - Upson (West Ham)
Mf - Young (Villa)
Mf - Modric (Spurs)
Mf - Murphy (Fulham)
Mf - Ireland (Man City)
Mf - Lampard (Chelsea)
Am - Arshavin (Arsenal)
St - Torres (Liverpool)
Bottom Half Team
Manager - Tony Pulis
GK - Jaaskelainen (Bolton)
Df - Ab Faye (Stoke)
Df - Samba (Blackburn)
Df - Figueroa (Wigan)
Df - Belhadj (Portsmouth)
Mf - Gutierrez (Newcastle)
Mf - Greening (West Brom)
Mf - Whitehead (Sunderland)
Mf - Geovanni (Hull)
St - Tuncay (Middlesbrough)
St - Davies (Bolton)
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77. At 2:37pm on 18 May 2009, quickalex20 wrote:
54. At 2:18pm on 18 May 2009, CISSEATION wrote:
GK Gerrard
RB Gerrard
CB Gerrard
CB Gerrard
LB Gerrard
RM Gerrard
CM Gerrard
CM Gerrard
LM Gerrard
SS Gerrard
CF Torres
****
typical scouse
_________________________
Typical humourless idiot.
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A lot of people are picking Arshavin because who else was there?
to Mad Glover - I thought your pick was very good
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given
niell
hangeland
lescott
bridge
lennon
gerrard
essien
ronaldo
arshavin
agbonlahor
reliable defence, unbelievable attack
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interesting question, because this season has certainly not drawn out some of the great solo performances over the season that we have seen from ronaldo last year, or henry or van nistelrooy of the past.
but ill give it a go. Being a chelsea fan, it is hard to accept that manu have been brilliant this season, but ah well.
A disjointed sort of 3-2-3-2
------GK-------
-CB---CB----CB-
---CM----CM----
RM----AM-------
---ST----ST-LW
top 10 team:
GK-Reina: has matched van der sar for clean sheets with a defence that is certainly not the force that it once was
CB-Jagielka: Even as a chelsea fan, who felt a twinge of evil glee after his injury, was devestated to see the everton defender miss the final. Has had a phenomenal season and reflects Everton's consistent ability to finish well in the EPL.
CB-Hangeland: Been to numerous fulham games this season and he has been simply a wall for schwarzer, will be remarkable if he does not move clubs next season.
CB-Vidic: despite lacking the pace of ferdinand, he is unbeatable in the air (as shown against the mighty felliaini in the cup semifinal) and should have won PFA player of the year
CM-Gerrard: It's expected of Gerrard to make the team of the year and he continues to make it-much to my disgust :P He is a phenomenally talented player and has dragged liverpool kicking and screaming into 2nd for the first time in a few seasons. Totally gutted that he never moved to us a few years back
CM-Lampard: The fact that frank didn't even make the cut for the PFA award speaks volumes about the PFA's voting system-consistently wonderful for us this season, closing in on 100 goals from midfield and has had what I and many chelsea fans believe to be his best season yet. The fact that he has still not won the award totally baffles me.
AM- Steven Ireland: Despite being one of the less exotic players in the embarrassing city "title push" this season, Ireland has consistently produced hardwork, vision, determination and quality of touch and technique that makes him a real special player, one to watch over the seasons. Forget Robinho, who doesn't know where he is for 19 games of the season, Ireland continues to impress me and many of the top pundits.
LW-Rooney: Ferguson's decision to switch Rooney to the left wing has done wonders for him, and this has shown through his ability to cut inside and whip shots into the far corner. His performance against tottenham at old trafford was world class, one of the best performances Ive seen in years. His goalscoring record overshadows his contribution to the team and I would happily trade most players for a player of such calibre.
RM-Dirk Kuyt: With 12 goals this season, he has been a real surprise package for liverpool, and a player i have been particularly pleased with. Doesn't particularly cause players to quake in their boots when hes running down the pitch but will run and run and run and run....and when he feels like it, score a bit too. Tipped to be the star striker of the future before Euro 2004, he has developed into a hardworking yet technically sound driving force for liverpool
ST-Anelka: If form is not permanent, class certainly is and I find it laughable that 'le sulk' has received so much stick for his 20-goal season. Without a doubt the most underrated performer of the season and he has really excelled alongside drogba and the much improved Malouda-who I fear maybe only playing for his contract, an element of his game that he did at Lyon. Anelka however, will continue to be a threat next season with his pace and vision for goal.
ST-Torres: The best striker on the planet. Without a doubt. Sure there are your david villas (who I think is brilliant), eto'os, drogbas and ibrahimovics (cough cough) but Torres, providing he can stay fit, will single-handedly destroy defences. He finishes with almost robotic precision and has terrorised defences all of his season.
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Top Half Team:
GK - Cech (Che) - best goalkeeper in the world; however based on season Schwarzer (Ful)
RB - Milner (Villa) - odd choice, but could do good job at RB & push on
CB - Jagielka (Eve) - their best player this season
CB - Upson (West Ham) - good centre-half, chosen mainly so can have greater forward line-up
LB - Gibbs (Arsenal) - promising left-back, could be Arsenal's new Ashley Cole
MF - Murphy (Ful) - their best player this season, good passer of ball
MF - Ireland (City) - their best player this season
MF - Lampard (Che) - most influential chelsea player, guarantees you goals
Free Role - Rooney (Man U) - Best player for united, from him you get goals, assists, work-rate, everything. Unlike Ronaldo, who seems to only play for himself. Celebrating trophy showed it, while everyone behind Neville were hugging, he was directly behind Nev hoping the camera gets him in!
ST - Defoe (Spurs) - under Harry Redknapp will always get you goals
ST - Torres (Liv) - would have liked to have had Gerrard but Torres wins over Drogba/Anelka. Will guarantee you goals
Manager - Fergie, with Zola trained as his successor Captain - Murphy / Lampard
Bottom Half Team
GK - Jaakelainen (Bol) - easily the best GK in bottom half. Nuff said
CB - Taylor (New) - still got a lot to learn but can be a top class defender
CB - Turner (Hull) - good, solid centre half; one of their best players
CB - Nelson (Bla) - again solid centre half, possibly the best in bottom half
RM - Valencia (Wig) - exciting player, unfortunately unlikely to be with Wigan next season
CM - Delap (Stoke) - with my chosen strikers, his throws will cause mayhem. Also a very hard working player which lower league clubs need
CM - Downing (Mid) - if playing this well at top club, would have strong case for England's left side. will be able to see how good he is come next season
CM - Richardson (Sun) - hasn't been at his best, but can be a very good player with consistency
LM - Brunt (WBA) - been their best player in the run in. Can probably move on, however may be better to seek promotion again with WBA
ST - Crouch (Pompy) - for all his critics, he does have a decent scoring record. Will love Delap's long throws
ST - Davies (Bol) - know what your going to get, strength good in the air and on this season some goals as well (played quite a bit right side as well). Hard-working is a great asset.
Manager - Pulis (Stoke) Captain - Davies (Bol)
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purplecarefreeblue - So your the devil in the ear of Martin O'Neill who has been telling him to play Milner at right back?! ;) haha
Plese tell him to buy more than one player this summer.
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If this team was managed by Rafa Benitez(as he knows the system not that he is the best around or anything) and played the exact formation and tactics as Liverpool do currently I feel they would be unstoppable. I wanted Ferdinand more than anyone as he is the real reason for Man U's. success this season not VDS or Vidic or Ronaldo but had no wingers of true quality left so I had to swap him and Ronaldo. Apart from Jagielka the defence is not the best but the midfield and keeper are so good they would balance that out. As for the attack leaving out Torres may sound like madness but Robinhp has impressed me for a debut season playing for a club who struggle at times. Plus you need Gerrard in anytime as he leads a time and drives them on which is invaluble
Reina GK
Lucas Neill RB
Corluka LB
HangelandCB
Jagielka CB
Fabregas DM
Essien DM
Ashley Young RW
C. Ronaldo LW
Gerrard AM
Robinho CF
This would be a straight 4-4-2
As for the bottom half
Jaaskelanien GK
Glen Johnson RB
Stephen Warnock LB
Anton Ferdinand CB
Bramble CB
Valencia RM
Downing LM
Greening CM
Whealen CM
Martins CF
Davies CF
Beat that!!!!!!
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#62 - I think it always helps when you can spend nearly £50million on new players in January. I'm pretty sure that helped 'arry out a little bit.
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Top 11:
GK: Reina
RB: Hutton
CB: Jagielka
CB: Vidic
LB: Ilunga
RM: Lennon
CM: Fabregas
CM: Murphy
LM: Young
CF: Gerrard
ST: Anelka
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realised that u had to have one from each club-slap on the head for me
A disjointed sort of 3-2-3-2
------GK-------
-CB---CB----CB-
---CM----CM----
RM--
--AM-------
---ST----ST-LW
top 10 team:
GK-Reina: has matched van der sar for clean sheets with a defence that is certainly not the force that it once was
CB-Upson-just caus i had to put in west ham player hahah
CB-Hangeland: Been to numerous fulham games this season and he has been simply a wall for schwarzer, will be remarkable if he does not move clubs next season.
CB-Vidic: despite lacking the pace of ferdinand, he is unbeatable in the air (as shown against the mighty felliaini in the cup semifinal) and should have won PFA player of the year
CM-Modric: Wasn't impressed with spurs this season and had to get rid of Gerrard for them, (gerrard was amazing this season, just before all u scouse get all touchy. But Modric, in tandem with the spurs revival, has shown some of his potential class, and will with age and experience become, providing he moves from the spuds, a fantastic football player
CM-Lampard: The fact that frank didn't even make the cut for the PFA award speaks volumes about the PFA's voting system-consistently wonderful for us this season, closing in on 100 goals from midfield and has had what I and many chelsea fans believe to be his best season yet. The fact that he has still not won the award totally baffles me.
AM- Steven Ireland: Despite being one of the less exotic players in the embarrassing city "title push" this season, Ireland has consistently produced hardwork, vision, determination and quality of touch and technique that makes him a real special player, one to watch over the seasons. Forget Robinho, who doesn't know where he is for 19 games of the season, Ireland continues to impress me and many of the top pundits.
LW-Ashley Young: At the beginning of the season he was the best player, his acceleration, unorthodox technique and eye for set plays made me perk up at every Villa game on MOTD. However, he, like the rest of the overworked squad has fallen into the shadows. I expect him however, providing villa bulk their squad up, will be devastating next year.
RM-Arshavin-his 4 goals left me speechless. His technique for me, is one of the best and his disguised pace, as well as touch, vision and killer ball make him THE ONE to watch next season. Would have been more cemented had he come at beginning of the season
ST-Anelka: If form is not permanent, class certainly is and I find it laughable that 'le sulk' has received so much stick for his 20-goal season. Without a doubt the most underrated performer of the season and he has really excelled alongside drogba and the much improved Malouda-who I fear maybe only playing for his contract, an element of his game that he did at Lyon. Anelka however, will continue to be a threat next season with his pace and vision for goal.
ST-Torres: The best striker on the planet. Without a doubt. Sure there are your david villas (who I think is brilliant), eto'os, drogbas and ibrahimovics (cough cough) but Torres, providing he can stay fit, will single-handedly destroy defences. He finishes with almost robotic precision and has terrorised defences all of his season.
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TOP HALF: 4-4-1-1 (Manager = Rafa Benitez)
Schwarzer
Sagna
Jagielka
Hangeland
Evra
Ashley Young
Modric
Ireland
Malouda
Gerrard
Carlton Cole
BOTTOM HALF: 4-5-1 (Manager = Tony Pulis/Steve Bruce)
Jaaskelainen
Glen Johnson
Michael Turner
Gary Cahill
Warnock
Delap
Richardson
Palacios (before he went to Spurs)
Brunt
Gutierrez
Tuncay
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64, is zamora in there for the indisputable comedy value? As a fulham fan I'd say we were the only team in the league who could have on the same day both their top 2 strikers missing and look better off for it. Liverpool fans that's what strength in depth means :p!! Honestly Zamora makes middlesbrough fc seem like a goal machine (btw i'd be really sad to you guys go down).
surely murphy or hangeland make it instead. I'd warn potential hangeland suitors however, he has often been flattered by his partner hughes by his side who picks up a lot of slack in terms of the dogwork. Hangeland is immense in the air and distributes at times as well as gerrard, but is neither quick nor infallible and relies a lot on hughes beside him. Hodgson picked a remarkably balanced defensive pairing, i'd be interested to see if hangeland got the same plaudits on his own.
Scwarzer and Murphy or Dempsey would be my choices:
GK: Schwarzer
RB: Bosingwa
CB: Laursen
CB: Vidic
LB: Ilunga
RM: Walcott/Nasri
CM: Ireland
CM: Palacios
LM: Dempsey
AM: Gerrard
F: Cahill
Hmm i'm still not happy with this team. Surely I can find better than Cahill as a striker? Maybe as a substitution I'd take Gerrard off for Torres and drop Cahill deeper.
Equally I might want to take Ireland off for Robinho and put in Murphy for Dempsey for certain games swapping Robinho to the left and slotting in Murphy alongside Palacios.
You have no idea how good it feels as a fulham fan to have the luxury to play around with the top half of the table, long may it continue.
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GK. Almunia - Developing into a quality keeper
RB. Luke Young - Best English right back in the league
CB. Haangeland - In a wordy, sturdy
CB. Jagielka - The season of his career so far
LB. Bridge - Shone for Chelsea in Cole's absence, chance to really prove himself at City
RM. Kuyt - Not a winger by trade but has shown his adaptablity. Workhorse
CM. Modric - Proving his worth under Redknapp
CM. Carrick - Ideal replacement for Scholes...and then some
LM. Arshavin - Has only been at the club for 5 minutes but clearly Arsenal's best player
ST. Cole - Found his shooting boots and with that came confidence
ST. Anelka - Seems the lad's grown up. Good record for Chelsea that he can build on next season
Couldn't be bothered to create one for the bottom half, sorry!
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Tougher than it seems! I'm going for:
The top, in a free flowing 4-1-4-1 formation:
Given - Man City (Outstanding for Newcastle in the first half of the season, even though they leaked goals, it could be a lot worse for them! Has continued to be effective at City)
Illunga - West Ham (Picked more because a right back was needed than because of his performances, but he has been solid enough to merit a place)
Hangeland - Fulham (Simply superb all season, no wonder Arsenal are rumoured to be interested)
Jagielka - Everton (It is enough to say that Everton will miss him greatly in the cup final)
Clichy - Arsenal (Effective as always, Arsenal certainly miss him when he doesn't play)
Lennon - Tottenham (I'll admit, picking a Tottenham player was quite hard, but Lennon has kept the expensive Bentley out of the team with some good performances, adding a bit more product to his pace)
Ireland - Man City (City's best player, yet he didn't cost millions)
Essien - Chelsea (I know he didn't play that much, and that Lampard has been consistently good all season, but without Essien Chelsea lack that certain something)
Young - Aston Villa (Faded slightly towards the end, but still a class act, imho deserves a run in the England team)
Torres - Liverpool (If Torres was fit all season, the title race could have gone to the wire)
Ronaldo - Man Utd (A "bad" season for Ronaldo sees him pushing for a treble and top scorer)
The bottom, if anything, a harder job! In a pretty solid 4-4-2:
Jaaskalinen - Bolton (If only for the saves against Hull last weekend. Another class season)
Johnson - Portsmouth (Played well enough to get in the England team, though he, like the rest of the team, stuttered a bit when Redknapp left)
Cahill - Bolton (Solid at the back, very unfussy)
Bassong - Newcastle (Strange though it is that a Newcastle defender gets the nod, who else deserves a place? certainly not Nicky Butt!)
Warnock - Blackburn (Another solid player having a solid season, and chipping in with a few goals here and there)
Valencia - Wigan (Another player who grabs headlines and seems destined for a club with more money)
Turner - Hull (If Hull stay up it will be in no small part due to his performances)
Greening - West Brom (Deserves the chance to play in the Premiership, pity he couldn't single-handedly do the defending as well!)
Tuncay - Middlesborough (Boro's best player, looked like he cared as well, always a massive bonus)
Beattie - Stoke (relaunched his career in unspectacular surroundings, but he, and the team, deserve credit for being safe already)
Cisse - Sunderland (Pace to burn, goals to boot, will he stay?)
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Top Half- 4-4-2
GK- Shay Given
RB- Bacary Sagna
CB- Namanja Vidic
CB- Phil Jagielka
LB- Herita Illunga
RM- Aaron Lennon
CM- Stephen Ireland
CM- Danny Murphy
LM- Ashley Young
ST- Steven Gerrard
ST- Nicolas Anelka
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GK - Mark Schwarzer - Fantastic season for Fulham, has help them grudgingly by my bias stance get Roy Hodgson's side into the Europa.
RB - Micah Richards - This boy is a beast, he has pace, he has wonderful ability on the ball and a terrific defender, Englands best prospect.
CB - Nemanja Vidic - Again prooved himself in the red shirts this season being the rock at the back, and suring up Rio along the way.
CB - Ledley King - It was a hard one to pick for me but Ledders is a freak of nature which many people seem to forget, this guy doesnt train all week bar a few hours on a bike and puts in a world class performance every week.
LB - Phil Jagielka - I know im cheating a bit because he is a CB but i had to mention him, he has come a hell of a long way since his arrive with Sheff U.
RM - Michael Ballack - It pains me to say it because he is a big headed arrogant git, but he is one hell of a player in the heart of midfield.
CM - Michael Carrick - Wonderful on the ball, the reason tottenham went from a close 4th to mid table. One of Englands best midfielders (I know i have two man utd players!)
CM - Steven Gerrard - My man of the season, once again if you take him away Liverpool seem to crumble, picks up the pieces in stylish fashion.
LM - Ashley Young - A revelation this season on the left wing dominated many defenses and looks to be a bright spark for England.
FD - Craig Bellamy (Whm & Man City) took the hammers by the scruff of the neck and pulled them along when they were having a very worrying patch. And put in 110% every game! And done so with City aswell.
FD - Andrei Arsharvin - I think Tottenham picked the wrong Russian, this boy is everything that he was made out to be. Arsenals dimming light has one more bright ember to relight them. Possibly the january transfer deal of the season (minus Beats)
Special nods:
Aaron Lennon - Wonderful season improved his game two fold.
Luka Modric - Made Wenger choke on his own words when he said he wouldnt fit the PL.
Patrice Evra - One of the best left backs if not the best left back in the world but i already have two united players.
Fernando Torres - Best natural striker in the PL, but i already have Steven Gerrard.
Manager of the year: Tie - Roy Hodgeson and Harry Redknapp. Hodgeson has done wonders at Fulham taking them from relegation candidates to Europe a wonderful achievement. And Harry has changed Tottenham who maybe would be in Newcastle's position.
A quick note on the bottom half team, Chris Brunt is my man of the year for the bottom half he is an incredible talent.
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And a shout out for Carrick and Fletcher, who have both been top class this season. I guess I should say Ronaldo, the most gifted plonker to every pull on a football shirt. *I can hear waves of manu fans shouting "but what about drogba?hes a plonker! except not gifted....."
Drogba is quaaaaaaaaaallllllllllliiiiiiiiiitttttttyyyyyyyyyy
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Lets see....
Top Half XI - Manager: Alex Ferguson
Formation: 4-4-2
GK Van Der Sar
DR Zabaleta (Man City)
DC Hangeland (Fulham)
DC Vidic (Man Utd)
DL Ilunga (West Ham)
MR Lennon (Tottenham
CM Gerrard (Liverpool)
CM Cahill (Everton)
LM Young (Aston Villa)
CF Arshavin (Arsenal)
ST Drogba (Chelsea)
Bottom Half XI - Manager: Tony Pulis
Formation: 4-4-2
GK Jaaskelainen
DR G. Johnson (Portsmouth)
DC Nelsen (Blackburn)
DC Turner (Hull)
DL Bassong (Newcastle)
MRC A. Valencia (Wigan)
MC Lawrence (Stoke)
MLC Brunt (West Brom)
RF K. Davies (Bolton)
LF Tuncay (Boro)
ST Jones (Sunderland)
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54. At 2:18pm on 18 May 2009, CISSEATION wrote:
GK Gerrard
RB Gerrard
CB Gerrard
CB Gerrard
LB Gerrard
RM Gerrard
CM Gerrard
CM Gerrard
LM Gerrard
SS Gerrard
CF Torres
***
like to see gerrard play goalkeeper clever clogs
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Managed Juande Ramos
Fabianski
Shorey, Dossena, Ben Haim, Ivanonic
Van Der Meyde, Bentley, Nani, Denilson
Zamora, Nserko
Managed Kevin Keegan/Chris Hughton/Alan Shearer/Joe Kinnear
Gordon
Cech, D Duff(LB???), Huth ,S Campbell
Tonge, Pederson, Doiuf (Sunderland)
Afonso Alves, Manucho, Zaki
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Fabianski
Shorey, Dossena, Ben Haim, Ivanonic
Van Der Meyde, Bentley, Nani, Denilson
Zamora, Nserko
____________________________________
replace denilson with Joey Barton ;)
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Schwarzer
Zabaleta Hangeland Jagielka
Ronaldo Lampard Gerrard Modric
Arshavin
C. Cole Agbonlahor
Jaaskelainen
Shawcross M. Turner Bassong
Valencia j. lea
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quality idea - harder than it seems too
heres my top half
4-4-1-1
GK - Reina
RB - Bosingwa
CB - Hangeland
CB - Upson
LB - Lescott
CM - Palacios
CM - Ireland
RW - A. Young
LW - Arshavin
SS - Gerrard
CF - Rooney
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Reina
Neill Vidic Jagielka Konchesky
Lennon Lampard Barry Ireland Arshavin
Torres
Fitting a Fulhmam player in there was difficult - like West Ham, the team is better than the sum of individuals.
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Here's my team for the top 10...this is tricky, which I'm afraid is why I had to punt for Corluka at right-back...
GK - Given (Man City)
RB - Corluka (Tottenham)
CB - Vidic (Manchester United)
CB - Haangeland (Fulham)
LB - Illunga (West Ham)
Midfield Diamond Formation
DM - Barry (Aston Villa)
RM - Gerrard (Liverpool)
LM - Arshavin (Arsenal)
AM - Ireland (Manchester City)
FWD - Cahill (Everton)
FWD - Anelka (Chelsea)
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My teams of the year:
Top half
GK- M. Schwarzer (Fulham)
RB- J. Bosingwa (Chelsea)
CB- M. Laursen (Aston Villa)
CB- P. Jagielka (Everton)
LB- C. Ilunga (West Ham)
RM- C. Ronaldo (Manchester United)
CM- X. Alonso (Liverpool)
CM- M. Fellaini (Everton)
CM- S. Nasri (Arsenal)
LM- L. Modric (Tottenham Hotspur)
CF- Robinho (Manchester City)
Bottom half:
GK- J. Jaaskelinen (Bolton Wanderers)
RB- G. Johnson (Portsmouth)
CB- S. Taylor (Newcastle United)
CB- R. Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers)
LB- I. Ashbee (Hull City)
RM- A. Valencia (Wigan Athletic)
CM- R. Delap (Stoke City)
CM- J. Greening (West Bromwich Albion)
LM- A. Reid (Sunderland)
CF- K. Davies (Bolton Wanderers)
CF- S. Tuncay (Middlesbrough)
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Tried this a number of times, found it really quite difficult, as there have been so many gd players this season.
ok, top half team - 4.3.1.2
Gk - VDS (man u)
LB - Ilunga (whm)
RB - Corluka (tot)
CB - Hangeland (ful)
CB - Jagielka (eve)
CM/DM - Essien (che)
CM/RM - Ireland (man city)
CM/LM - A.Young (villa)
AM - Gerrard (liv)
FWD - Van Persie (ars)
FWD - Ronaldo (man utd)
Manager: Couldn't decide between Hiddink and Hodgson
Bottom team was even tougher! Chose 4.3.3
GK - Jasskelainen (bol)
DEF - Bassong (new)
DEF - Steinsson (bol)
DEF - Nelsen (bla)
DEF - Johnson (por)
MID - Geovanni (hull)
MID - Valencia (wig)
MID - Brunt/Greening (wba)
FWD - Tuncay (mid)
FWD - Jones (sun)
FWD - Fuller/Beattie (stoke)
Manager: No doubt, Pulis
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16. At 3:22pm on 18 May 2009, Blue_McSweeney wrote:
***
like to see gerrard play goalkeeper clever clogs
__________________
If you can't understand that this was attempted humour then i don't think i can entertain you with a straight answer to your comment.
I thought BBC readers are smarter than this.
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Havent had a chance to put a team in yet just been flicking through all the posts. One thing I noticed is Giggs does not seem to be most of the teams - what does that say about the PFA awards...
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442
Robert Green
What a keeper. England's number 6? I don't think so. He should be vying with Ben Foster for the starting position for England. He has kept West Ham up this season, allowing their attacking players to win games.
Jose Bosingwa
Brilliant signing for Chelsea, always an attacking threat, maybe dipped in form in the second half of the season but I think he's the most effective right back in the league, would make any first eleven. Choosing him means I can't choose Lampard, Ashley Cole or John Terry but their are others who might have surpassed expectations more and deserve a place.
Hangeland
Fulham have had so many clean sheets this season, thanks to a great defence and goalkeeper and Brede has always been there. He's a dominating figure at the back and he's a threat in the air. Brilliant buy by Roy Hodgson.
Lescott
A new breed of centre back. Athletic, good on the ball, a less experienced Rio Ferdinand? Plus, he can add 5 goals a season. Quality.
Fabio Aurelio
Despite strangely being second-choice, he always creates something when he plays and he's not weak defensively. Scores the odd goal and is a good free-kick taker.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Still by far the best player in the world. He's an an amazing season even though it didn't live up to the standards he set last season.
Stephen Ireland
Cost nothing, worth everything to City. Should be made captain if he isn't already. The new Roy Keane.
Denilson
I don't know how Arsene does it. He is by far the best manager at scouting young, talented players. Shame there aren't more English ones but Denilson has been brilliant this season. Only 21 now but shows great maturity on the field. He's skilful, has a great engine, breaks up the play and sets up attacks.
Ashley Young
Very exciting player. Could be Man United's answer for a Giggs replacement?
Robbie Keane
He's done well since his return and I'll be expecting him to be top goalscorer next season
Carlton Cole
A promising young striker who scored regularly before his recent injury. He has been a top asset to West Ham and they will do well to keep him.
LOWER HALF TEAM
4-4-2
GK Sorensen Stoke
DL Maynor Figueroa Wigan
DC Michael Turner - Paul O'Grady lookalike? HUL
DC Samba BLK
DR Steinsson BOL
ML Duff MID
CM Brunt WB
CM Steed Malbranque SUN
MR Rory Delap - long throws, anyone? STK
CF Crouch POR
CF Marlon King MID
Maynor Figueroa
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16. At 3:22pm on 18 May 2009, Blue_McSweeney wrote:
***
like to see gerrard play goalkeeper clever clogs
__________________
If you can't understand that this was attempted humour then i don't think i can entertain you with a straight answer to your comment.
I thought BBC readers are smarter than this.
__________________________
WELL OBVIOUSLY its an "attempt" at humour.
just wasnt actually FUNNY.
jeez.
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there*
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GK- Reina
RB- Baines
CB- King
CB- Upson
LB- Clichy
RW- Ireland
CM- Murphy
CM- Gerrard
LW- Barry
CF- Rooney
CF- Anelka
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At 2:35pm on 18 May 2009, ItsYourRoundMyLord wrote:
Lennonisagod - whilst spurs have got some good players, it's not so easy as to say they should be in this team given that there is only 1 player from each team. the other 5 attacking players i have selected apart from Modric (young / fabregas / ireland / rooney / Torres ) IMO are all better than the rest of tottenhams, and if i was allowed more players from each team then you could choose Gerrard, Ronaldo, Drogba, Lampard Carew, Cahill, Arteta etc.... all above the rest of Spurs players. So it isn't so easy as to say people are overlooking your players.
Ok, apart from the Modric comparison I wasn't trying to compete with the big 4. But if you did take a team consisting of players from the nxt 4 i.e Spurs, Villa, Fulham and Everton. NOT MAN CITY as they are a joke.
the team would be.
GK SCHWARZER Has probably been the best keeper all year, considering his rank in most fantasy games, #1
RB Jagielka, Has been immense all season.
CB King, probably the best defender outside the top IMO
CB Hangeland, has just been a giant this season, brilliant in the air.
LB Baines, was a tough decision as Konchesky has been great but I think that the Everton man has more to offer going foward, a future England LB.
RM Lennon, has outshone A.Young THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SEASON, young stopped playing in January which is why he can't be considered here.
CM Fellaini, goals have flown since he moved up the pitch, such a threat in the air and great effort put into every match
CM Palacios, because the team needs a holding player and I think with Fellaini in the team you don't need Gareth Barry. Plus he never stops running and is one of the best tacklers in the league
LM Modric, as he has greater all round ability than Arteta, his short passing game is almost as good as Fabregas' and his dribbling is better. Plus Arteta got injured a few months ago.
ST Carew, since Agbonglahor stopped scoring in November Carew is my choice as he offers link up play and a goal scoring threat
ST Bent, has scored as many goals in the Prem as Agbonglahor despite playing less minutes and has more goals in all competitions. I decided the strikers basically on stats, as Carew has a lot of assists as well.
So the damage is...
2 Fulham players
3 Everton players
1 Villa player
5 Spurs players
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I say
Van der Sar
Toure
Corluka
Carragher
Gerrard
Fabregas
Robinho
Ronaldo
Kuyt
Rooney
Torres
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Are you Ferguson in disguise? You want to have Van der Sar and Ronaldo? I thought it was one per team. Why don't you have Vidic, Evra, Ferdinand, Carrick and Giggs aswell. Does your team play at Old Trafford(only Man U fans think it's the theatre of dreams) and does the referee allow however long and give you however many penalties you need to win the game? Do your players surround the ref/batter cornerflags(really hard) and cry like babies who need their nappy changing everytime they don't get a freekick or things their way? Are your team hated by most people apart from the chinese and cockneys?
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Sorry where did the 50m mark come from?
Defoe 10m
Keane 12m
Palacios 12m
Chimbonda 3m
Cudicini Free
37m gross transfer spend... oh and by the way we didn't spend any of the Berbatov transfer in the summer, so actually the NET spend is 5m. I think you will find thats less than Stoke. Check your figures before you comment.
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Here We Go
4-4-2
GK: Van Der Sar (Man Utd) - Plays fr the champions and broke a record fr clean sheats.
RB: M.Richards (Man City) - Wanted ireland but found better midfielders so richards took my right back place.
CB: B.Hangeland (Fulham) - Seen him a few times this season and he has been a rock at the back for fulham one of there best players this season.
CB: M.Laursen (Villa) - Well what a player one of the best centre backs in the league big shame that he has got to hang up his boots villa will miss him next year.
LB: A.Cole (Chelsea) - Wasnt my 1st choice chelsea player but needed a left back but cole is englands 1st choice left back so it aint turned to to bad.
RM: Lennon (Spurs) - Showed the same form that got him his 2006 world cup spot great for spurs this year they would still be in the bottom half if it wasnt for him.
CM: Gerrard (Liverpool) - My choice for best midfielder in the world he does so much for his team. Liverpool wouldnt be the same without this man i love watching him play.
CM: Fellaini (Everton) - Wouldnt mind this man at my club bosses the midfield really well everton paid big money for him and he has shown that he was well worth it.
LM: Arshavin (Arsenal) - Bet tottenham wish they had paid all that money for him in the summer great player with a bright future only a few people have scored 4 goals in a game and they are all big big names so he has started off pretty well in this league.
ST: Teves (Man Utd) - Take away teves goals this year and Man Utd would be no where i love this little man such a good player who ever gets him next season will be very lucky and if he plays all next season he will in the running for the golden boot easy.
ST: Cole (West Ham) - West Ham's best player by a mile they would not be where they are if it wasnt for Cole scored some lovely goals this season and earned a england call up aswell good season for him.
Manager: Harry Redknapp - Spurs looked doomed before he sorted it all out should be england in my eyes!
That's my team for the top half, aint doing the bottom half it would be to hard lol!
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So if anyone has read this far down... I have tried to forge 2 teams under Steve's excellent rules containing players who have all played for the top 4 teams. Try this one then!
GK - freidel - (Villa (liverpool))
RB - Spector - (w'ham (man u))
CB - Gallas - (ars (chelsea))
LB - P Neville - (evetorn (man u))
mid - Murphy - (fulham (liverpool))
mid - Hamann - (man city (liverpool))
mid - Ronaldo - (man u (one training session at arsenal!))
mid - Gerrard - (liverpool (nearly went to Chelsea?!))
att - Keane - (spurs (liverpool))
att - Heskey - (Villa (liverpool))
att - Anelka - (chelsea (arsenal & liverpool))
And then the bottom half...
GK - James (portsmouth (liverpool))
LB - Warnock (blackburn (liverpool))
CB - Pugh (stoke (man u))
CB - Melchiot (wigan (chelsea))
RB - Bardsley (sunderland (man u))
mid - Pennant (portsmouth (liverpool, arsenal))
mid - Barmby (hull (liverpool))
mid - Greening (w brom (man u))
mid - McCann (bolton (none, but villa & everton getting closer!))
att - Aliadierre (boro (arsenal))
att - Owen (Newcastle (Liverpool))
Sorry Crouchy - imagine Pennant keeping you out!
Nobody has read this anyway - but I enjoyed doing it instead of working.
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Top
GK- Van der Sar
RB- Corluka
LB- Ilunga
CB- Jagielka
CB- Hangeland
CM- Ireland
CM- Essien
CM- Gerrard
RW- Young
LW- Arshavin
CF- Rooney
Bottom
GK-Jaaskelinen
RB-Johnson
LB-Collins
CB-Nelsen
CB-Cahill
RM-Valencia
LM-Brunt
CM-Butt
CM-Geovanni
CF-Tuncay
CF-Beattie
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do people know that rooney and van der sar play for the same team?
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Nice post Steve. Not going to submit a bottom half team as I'd be the first to admit I haven't seen enough of those teams this season. That said I could do the same exercise for the Championship which I'd be surprised if many others could say! Anyway with no more ado...
Manager: Guus Hiddink. Surprised no one else has gone for him. If he'd been there from the start we'd have had a three-horse race for the title. Would also give a nod towards Harry Redknapp, Roy Hodson and 'Emile' Zola.
Formation: well with a Dutch manager who needs formations - this is total football. This team can make it up as it goes along but with a kind of 4-Diamond 4-1-1 look.
GK. Schwarzer. Nothing to add to the other comments posted above.
RB: John Paintsil: anything but pants this season.
CB: Martin Laursen: Villa have struggled to keep a clean-sheet since his injury plus deserves the credit now his career is over.
CB: Phil Jagielka: Great season only marred by rotten luck at the end.
LB: Herita Ilunga: getting desparate now so I'll follow the Hammers' fans' recommendation. Well done to Gianfranco as well.
RM: Stephen Ireland: after a season like that you can wear your superman pants with pride.
DM: Ledley King: he's done it for England before so no complaining.
CM. Frank Lampard: Not his biggest fan but he's been outstanding (again) this season.
LM: Andrey Arshavin: I reckon Spurs may have bought the wrong Russian.
CF: Wayne Rooney: for me United's most important player; a real game-breaker.
ST: Fernando Torres: pure class. What would Rafa have given to have had him fit for the whole season?
Jeez, that was hard work!
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I started,got a headache,and then stopped!So very sorry Steve Wilson!
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Well done, you have proven to be the superior human being with superior intellect and humour. How do you deal with such superlative amount of surerpiorness?
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A lot tougher than it looks.
Here's mine:
TOP (4-5-1)
GK: Schwarzer (Fulham)
RB: Luke Young (Aston Villa)
CB: Hangeland (Fulham)
CB: Upson (West Ham)
LB: Baines (Everton)
RM: Ronaldo (Man United)
CM: Essien (Chelsea)
CM: Ireland (Man City)
CM: Arshavin (Arsenal)
LM: Modric (Tottenham)
CF: Torres (Liverpool)
Manager: Roy Hodgson (Fulham)
BOTTOM (4-4-2)
GK: Jaaskelainen (Bolton)
RB: Glen Johnson (Portsmouth)
CB: Micheal Turner (Hull)
CB: Ryan Nelson (Blackburn)
LB: Figueroa (Wigan)
RM: Liam Lawrence (Stoke)
CM: Nicky Butt (Newcastle)
CM: Jonathon Greening (West Brom)
LM: Malbranque (Sunderland)
CF: Tuncay Sanli (Middlesborough)
CF: Kevin Davies (Bolton)
Manager: Tony Pulis (Stoke)
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lennon is god.... personally i'd go with
Schwarzer - has been superb all season
L Young - Unbelieveable talent, didn't realise how good he was and why Boro fans were so devestated to lose him, I DO NOW!! he is very under rated
Haangeland - Beast absolute revelation, would have been Laursen if he didn't retire though
Lescott - Would love him as replacement for Laursen (not going to happen though! :()
Baines - Had brilliant second half season
Modric - Just beats Milner, who has been phenominal. Modric is one of my favourite players at the moment
Barry - pure class maybe not played as well as petrov this season though.
Cahill - best attacking midfielder outside top 4 without any shadow of a doubt
A Young - One of the best wide players around, somebody who Lennon aspires too.
Carew - Unstoppable on his day, and has added consistency to his game of late
Keane - would be perfect up front with Carew.
so thats... Fulham 2
Villa 4
Everton 3
Spurs 2
if i was being biased Milner and Petrov would be in there too ;) haha
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Post 138. My word these rules must seem hard to grasp? Van Der Sar is a goalkeeper and Rooney is a player and as such can both be included, as could Gerrard & Reina, Cech & Drogba, Freidel & Heskey (as if)...
tut.
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Lescott at left back?? He's hardly played there all season. Surely it should have been the excellent Leighton Baines?!
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sorry meant to add, Lennon was shocking first 6 months, even my mate who is as bias a spurs fan as they come admitted that! and he has NO final delivery unlike young who was top english assist last year only behind fabregas for te whole of the prem and is up there this year too.
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There is always enough space for Gerrard and Torres in a team together.. and what a subs bench.. I am gonna say that the subs bench would be able to beat the team hands down..
Nice to see someone has some sense and doesnt include giggs.. how did he win the PFA player of the year..
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Come on Keep the faith, one from each team!!!!! Not really rocket science (never guess you're man u
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GK. Van Der Sar - Beats Schwarzer and Friedel but only on clean sheets.
RB. Behrami - Good signing, definately better than Neill.
CB. Hangeland - Immense.
CB. Jagielka - Moyes has turned this guy into a class centre-half.
LB. Clichy - So underrated, Arsenal missed him badly in the run in.
RM. Ireland - City's best player by a mile.
CM. Lampard - Consistently outstanding. Chelsea's finest in terms of both performances and attitude.
CM. Modric - Stand-out player for Spurs. Quality.
LM. A.Young - Deservedly Young Player. Real star for the future.
SS. Rooney - Incredibly hardworking and willing for the team. Could do with a few more goals next term but otherwise amazing.
CF. Torres - Vidic couldn't handle him and got sent off twice trying, says something for the talent this guy has. Lethal.
Bench: Giggs, Gerrard, Laursen, Fabregas, Bosingwa, Tevez, Friedel?
Steve, are you going to do a 'Worst Team of the Season' next week? Would spark some interesting debate!
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Steve #36 - I don't think I was being oversensitive, if you look you will find that most people have placed Ilunga or Upson in their team. To be honest I'm very surprised you have included Lescott, who was superb last season but this season has been mediocre. Hangeland has been brilliant admittedly, but King is very overrated (I guess I would say that though).
You asked for me to pick my team, so here it is:
GK: Cech
DR: Bosingwa
DL: Ilunga
DC: Hangeland
DC: Jagielka
MR: Lennon
ML: A Young
MC: Ireland
MC: Arshavin
SC: Ronaldo
SC: Torres
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Post 144 - A goalkeeper is still a football player(as in he plays football) so of course you can't have Van der Sar and Rooney in the same team if it's one per team. When you do fantasy football teams,do you put 3 players in instead of 2 per team as it's alright as ones a goalkeeper. Has the concept of ONE PER TEAM eluded you.Nice one
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mcswegan... you might want to read the post....
So with the end of the season in sight, I have decided to set myself, and you, a challenge. It is to select two teams; the first with one outfield player from each of the top ten Premier League sides and the second with one outfield player from each of the bottom ten sides. In goal will be the best keeper from each half of the table
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post 151 mcswegan:
Surely you must understand it by now!?
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mcswegan:
10 clubs in each half of the table
10 outfield players per team + 1 GK
do the maths....
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how do u feel having the most points ever to not win the title?
hahahha
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Having just re read the post it would appear I am making a fool of myself but like the unapologetic englishman that I am I've only got one thing to say.ITS'S ONE PER TEAM!
TUT!
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Van Der Sar ahead of the country's best keeper Reina?
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Very interesting views from a lot of people!
My top team would be:
Formation would have to be 4-2-3-1 Rafa stylee
Gk - Reina
Dl - Konchesky
Dr - Bosingwa
Dc - Jagielka
Dc - Vidic
Mc - Palacios
Mc - Barry
Am - Ireland
Am - Arshavin
Am - Gerrard
Cf - Carlton Cole
A few justifications might be wanted:
Palacios came in and has done an awesome job at spurs, he has been solid in the middle and along with Harry Redknapp basically turned them from relegation candidates to fighting for Europe.
Konchesky has done well at left back and I couldn't think of any1 else from Fulham who could come into the team except Hangeland but I dont think he could take either Vidic or Jagielka's place.
Carlton Cole has always been a player who I like, he could be the answer to England's striking problem if he sorts out his attitude. I played against him when I was at school and he scored a hatrick from left back in the first half! His game has developed a lot this season and he has been scoring a lot of goals. The only other striker I would have is Torres but I couldn't think of another attacking midfielder to come in from West Ham and Gerrard is also a legend and is the best player in that position in the world.
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I can never ubderstand why reina gets plaudits. He is definitely dodgy. A real weak link for liverpool.
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Also Van der Sar isn't the best goalkeeper in the country.He plays behind the best defence,midfield and attack but it's not like you can ever thing of one good Van der Sar save.He lets alot of suspect goals in to be honest.Reina isnt the best either as he punches at least 2 goals a season into his own net. It has got to be Rob Green,look at West Hams defence and he's still class and a great penalty saver aswell.
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#67 - Chelsea fan etc etc ----- god you are angry - so angry that the word outfield seems to be beyond you! Eat humble pie like mcswegan!!
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top half
4-4-1-1
GK: Edwin Van Der Sar
RB: Lucas Neill
CB: Phil Jagielka
CB: Brede Hangeland
LB: Gael Clichy
RM: Cristiano Ronaldo
CM: Gareth Barry
CM: Steven Ireland
LM: Luka Modric
AMC: Steven Gerrard
ST: Nicolas Anelka
Bottom Half
4-4-2
GK: Boaz Myhill
RB: Glen Johnson
CB: Gary Cahill
CB: Michael Turner
LB: Maynor Figueroa
RM: James Morrison
CM: Gary O'Neil
CM: Andy Reid
LM: Matthew Etherington
ST: Benny Mcarthy
ST: Obafemi Martins
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My top 10 first 11 would be
GK: VDS
RB: Upson
CB: King
CB: Hangeland
LB: Jagielka
RW: Ashley Young
CM: Lampard
CM: Ireland
LW: Rooney
SS: Arshavin
CF: Torres
Manager: Fergie (No bias there ... honest!)
And then my first 11 for the bottom 3 would be:
GK: Jaaskelanen
RB: Johnson
CB: Ooijer
CB: Bramble
LB: Dawson
RW: Gutierrez
CM: Brunt
CM: Delap
LW: Downing
CF: Jones
CF: Davies
Manager: I am extremely tempted to go for tony pulis .... and I think I will, he has done an amazing job taking stoke to where they are now.
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If it wasn't for Reina Liverpool's Champions League campaign and title challenge would have been over by September.
Anybody thinking he is dodgy or a weak link needs their head examining - along with Gerrard and Alonso he has been our best player this season. He is a great shot stopper, strong, tall, agile, commands his box, sweeps up and snuffs out chances before they develop playing as a sweeper/keeper rushing off his line and rarely makes mistakes - ony one all season at Stamford Bridge springs to mind. His distribution is amazing - he has two direct assists and a couple of indirect assists from brilliant kicks and throws and his decision making is impeccable.
He has been brilliant all season and is heading for his fourth consecutive Golden Gloves award for the most clean sheets.
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Post 156 mcswegan:
Well its lucky there are 22 teams in the premier league isn't it?
What?
Oh....
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I must have missed all these goals Reina punches in his own net. In his entire time here he has only made three or four howlers while his clean sheet records speak for themselves. I forgot to add he is a penalty specialist.
Rob Green is an average keeper at an average club who makes far more mistakes than Reina, VDS, Cech or the likes of Schwarzer or Howard. He is no better than David James or Shay Given - perhaps he would just make the country's top ten keepers.
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Reina
Boswinga Vidic Haangeland Arteta
Alonso Noble
Arshavin Ireland Young
Defoe (although a lot of his best games were with Portsmouth, it still counts ;) )
As we stand the top half are: Chelsea, Spurs,
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Here goes the best so far:
Top Half:
Manager: Roy Hodson
Gk: Tim Howard
Def: Hangaaland (or however you spell it)
Def: Ledley King
Def: Zat Knight
Def: Phil Jagielka
Mid: Stephen Ireland
Mid: Ronaldo
Mid: Arshavin
Mid: Scott Parker
For: Torres
For: Anelka
Bottom Half
Manager: Tony Pulis
Gk: Thomas Sorenson
Def: Michael Turner
Def: Abdoulaye Faye
Def: Gretar Steinsson
Def: Ryan Nelson
Mid: Chris Brunt
Mid: Lee Cattermole
Mid: Gary O'Neil
Mid: Steed Malbranque
For: Andy Caroll
For: Peter Crouch
god.. so hard to think of players for all the bottom half except stoke and pompey!
Anyway that's the best team you will find =)
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longthrowstokie.... Zat Knight?? Seriously??!?!! could you please ask Tony Pulis to sign him in the summer!! haha
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it really baffles me to see everyone never mentioned of JOHN TERRY. a very good defender he is was omitted by all of you... what a shame!!!
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no way is reina tall. He is too short for a goalkeeper and if i'm a striker bearing down on goal im not going to be intimidated by him in the same way other keepers seem capable of.
Im not sure latinos generally make for good keepers. He falls into the clown category, similar to David James. appears to be a good keeper technically but on big occasions is prone to making a pigs ear of things. Reina aside the liverpool side is practically flawless.
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Top Half -->
GK - Shay Given (Man City), consistent every single season, personally i feel he is the best keeper the premier league has seen for many years but has he ever had a decent defence in front of him?
RB - Bosingwa (Chelsea), Brilliant first season in England.
LB - Leighton Baines (Everton), Fully deserves his England call up.
CB - Nejmanda Vidic (Man U)
CB - Matty Upson (West Ham), Big presence for West Ham.
RM - Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), who are Liverpool without him?
LM - Ashley Young (Villa), phenomenal season.
CM - Stephen Ireland (Man City), who else?
CM - Luca Modric (Tottenham), another whos settled well into life in the premier league.
ST - Diomansy Kamara (Fulham), a vital asset to their european push.
ST - Emanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)
Manager --> Gianfranco Zola, a huge turn-around at a debt ridden club but brought a lot of publicity to them and may be the reason they get bought and possibly have European football next season.
Bottom Half -->
GK - Scott Carson, haha jokes. Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton), a fantastic keeper and earned them many points this season and a lot of them single handedly.
RB - Glen Johnson (Pompey), bin a huge part of Portsmouths team and Englands this season and will be a big player for England in years to come.
LB - Gretar Steinsson (Bolton), toss up between him and Kevin Davies but Steinsson has scored some belting goals, got some key assists and bin solid at the back. A very, very good football player.
CB - A.D Faye (Stoke), Everyone seems to have gone for James Beattie but big Abdoulaye has weighed in with some vital goals, bin a rock at the back since gameweek 1 and hasnt had one bad game for the mighty Potters.
CB - Michael Turner (Hull), played through all 4 leagues with Hull and has had a very good season and i would like to see him and Hull in the premier league next season.
RM - Tuncay Sanli (Middlesbrough), Not a RM but my striker slots were filled up and he has played there. Bin a key player for boro and will most probably not be there next season.
LM - Chris Brunt (West Brom), one good asset in a very bad season.
CM - Antonio Valencia (Wigan), A brilliant season for the lad.
CM - Grant Leadbitter (Sunderland), In there purely for the emotion and bittersweet moment we witnessed when he scored that goal and kissed the ground where his father is buried earlier this season.
ST - Christophe Samba (Blackburn), a CB but i couldnt choose other than Faye and Turner so i put him in his makeshift position for some of the season. A solid player, just wants to play football what we need more of today in Britain.
ST - Andy Carroll (Newcastle), scored some extremely crucial goals this season for Newcastle and the points that keep them up should they do it.
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And my manager is obviously Pulis.
What a legend.
Arise, Sir Tony Pulis.
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If Rob Green played for a top four team everyone would be raving about him. It makes me laugh when people tthing reina and Van der Sar are the best goalkeepers when if you look at shot to save ratios they are at the bottom of the list. I'm sure they can both save 3 shots a match but thats all they face and there nearly always from outside the area as the defences are hard to break down. Try let them face 10 shots a game, then they can have a serious claim to be the best keeper.I would also put jaskillinen above them both.
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I quite like Steve Wilson's choices, why Lescott at LB. I'm an Evertonian & rate him highly, but as a centre half, Lescott is a decent LB, but Baines has been the best LB in league since Christmas. I would also have to put Jagielka in as a centre half ahead of Lescott, as a pure defender Jagielka has few equals. I'd also put Given in goal, I'd say he's better than Van der Saar, probably because he gets more practice!
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I can't choose =(
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The number of Liverpool fans who have put both Torres and Gerrard in, and United fans who have put VDS, Ronaldo and Rooney in, is ridiculous!
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My Top 10 XI:
Manager: Guus Hiddink / Roy Hodgson
Formation: 3-1-4-1-1
GK: Schwarzer (Fulham)
CB: Pantsil (Fulham)
CB: Vidic (Man U)
CB: Ilunga (West Ham)
DM: Mascherano (Liverpool)
RM: Lennon (Spurs)
CM: Ireland (Man City)
CM: Lampard (Chelsea)
LM: Pienaar (Everton)
AM: Arshavin (Arsenal)
CF: Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
My Bottom 10 XI
Manager: Tony Pulis
Formation: 4-3-3
GK: Jaaskalainen (Bolton)
RB: Glen Johnson (Portsmouth)
CB: Taylor (Newcastle)
CB: Nelsen (Blackburn)
LB: Figueroa (Wigan)
RM: Barmby (Hull)
CM: Matty Taylor (Bolton)
LM: Brunt (West Brom)
RF: Cissé (Sunderland)
CF: Beattie (Stoke)
LM: Tuncay (Middlesbrough)
This is my first post, thanks :)
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TOP
Green - GK
Boswinga - RB
Vidic - CB
Haangeland - CB
Bridge - LB
Young - RM
Gerrard - CM
Cahill - CM
Arshavin - LM
Cole - CF
Defoe - CF
BOTTOM
Faye,Valencia,Jaaskelinean,Johnson,Tuncay,Davies,Downing
CAN'T MAKE A TEAM WITH 7
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Top Half
4-2-3-1
GK-Raina
RB-Sagna
CB-Hangleland
CB-Jagielka
LB-Bosingwa
CM-Fletcher
CM-Ireland
RW-Lennon
FR-Gerrard
LW-Lennon
ST-Cole
I know there are better players at Unites and better strikers but fletcher and cole are the two most improved players in Premiership this season. Bosingwa at left back purely as I had to include a chelsea and couldn't bring myself to put in Ashley Cole.
Bottom Half
4-4-2
GK-Kirkland
RB-Johnson
CB-Bassong
CB-Cahill
LB-Turner
RM-Valencia
CM-Delap
CM-Grella
LM-Brunt
ST-Tuncay
ST-K. Jones
Bottom half tough, not sure bout some of my picks, but couldn't find a comination to accomodate a player from very team
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#87 you really are incredible. you say arshavin doesn't count because he only played half a season then pick giggs who only started 15 games for united.
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GK: ED VAN DER SAR
RB: LUKE YOUNG
CB: PHIL JAGIELKA
CB: MIKAEL SILVESTRE (had to pick somebody...)
LB: HERITA ILUNGA
CM: STEPHEN IRELAND
CM: WILSON PALACIOS
CM: DANNY MURPHY
AMF: CRISTIANO RONALDO
CF: FERNANDO TORRES
AMF: NICOLAS ANELKA
HONORARY MENTIONS: NEMANJA VIDIC, STEVEN GERRARD, JOLEON LESCOTT AND BREDE HANGELAND
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Chelsea-Fan-B4-the-Money wrote:
14. At 1:34pm on 18 May 2009, Shoots wrote:
Looks like quite a few people are struggling with the concept of ONLY 1 PLAYER FROM EACH TEAM.
INCLUDING STEVE WILSON!!
Van der Sar and Ronaldo - you've broken your own rule!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
No he hasn't! Read it again. Steve put "In goal will be the best keeper from each half of the table" and "Remember only one outfield player from each club allowed in a formation of your choice". Note - "OUTFIELD"
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So I've dropped into this a few times after forging 2 teams at post 136 (which took ages) but I must admit to being amazed at the number of smarty-pants posting how there are 2 players from one team without thinking how 20 teams would equate to 22 players. Come 'The Lads of England' think it through! Maybe Steve should have just said the keepers were Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton!?
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Given
Jagielka Vidic Hanngelannd Illunga
Lennon Essien Ireland Young
Gerrard
Arshavin
Given on the basis that Newcastle would be down by now without him and its no co-incidence that Man City are pushing for Europe since his arrival.
I feel sorry for Murphy, Lampard, King, Corluka, Baines, Pienaar, Cahill, Rooney, Carrick, Milner, Sagna who have missed out!
------------------------------------------------------------------
Kirkland
Johnson Turner Bramble Nelson Bassong Taylor
Downing Brunt
Beattie Jones
Struggled not to pick about 8 defenders in the second half of the table team but will go with a 6-2-2 formation and hope they can stop the top half scoring!
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NICKY BUTT!?!?!
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
Sorry to use caps but, really? Nicky Butt? Tidy? Have you SEEN him this season?
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i know a few of you will think im being "silly", but this is the team i would put out for the top of the league table. I think this best reflects true professionalism and the ability to adapt to their surroundings.
Robert Green (Easily England's number 1.)
Alan Hutton (Speed, ability and precision passing. One to watch.)
Johnny Evans (better than Ferdinand and Vidic combined in my opinion.)
Carlos Cuellar (hasn't recaptured his Rangers form, but he is versatility personified.)
Emanuel Eboue (Has defied his critics all season. On fire.)
Tim Cahill (Such good feet for a big guy.)
Dirk Kuyt (Put your hands up)
Florent Malouda (Turning out to be some signing)
Scott Parker (Hits harder than Hatton)
Dimansy Kamara (Always said he was a player)
Felipe Caicedo (Slowly but surely, the bear gets the honey)
Manager of Year = Luis Felipe Scolari (Had Chelsea playing the beautiful game the brazilian way.)
Craig Gordon (Worth every penny)
Titus Bramble (Solid as ever)
Christopher Samba (It was hard not playing him up front)
Gary Cahill (The better twin in my opinion.)
David Healy (Scores week in week out for the reserves.)
Jermaine Defoe (Incredible performance in 1st half of season. Earned his move.)
Joey Barton (Cant put a price on passion)
Roman Bednar (No wonder top 4 sniffing about the big man.)
JJJJJJJ-James Beattie (Enough Said)
Daniel Cousin (Formidable opponent. Complete forward)
Manager of the year = Gareth Southgate (Even Jesus couldnt keep that team up. Will be Newcastle mananger next year in my opinion.)
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Manager of Year = Luis Felipe Scolari (Had Chelsea playing the beautiful game the brazilian way.)
---------------------------------
Is that some kind of sick joke?
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Okay Doke Here I Go
4-4-2
Top Half XI
GK - Tim Howard (Everton) - Broke Everton and Neville Southall's clean sheet record, keeping 16 Clean Sheets for Moyes Team this season, while also helping Everton to F.A. Cup Final.
RB - Luke Young (Aston Vila) - Villa have been without recognised right-back since Mark Delaney, yet although being a left back Young has been a brilliant stand in
CB - Phil Jagielka (Everton) - Along side Tim Howard he is the rock of the defence that has surprised everybody this season. Shame about the Cup Final, but has filled the void of Lescott well this Season, at CB as well as his goals.
CB - Matthew Upson (West Ham) - When a fresh faced managed joins a struggling club (Zola), the most important thing to achieve is a strong leading CB, and Matthew Upson has regained the form that won him plaudits for Arsenal and Birmingham, and he was awesome against Germany, and could replace Ferdinand at both United and England
LB - Paul Konchesky (Fulham) - Largely Ignored in the football world since his disastrous England Career and time with West ham, yet Hodgson has made him a strong commanding full back in the Danny Mills Model.
RM - Ronaldo (Man United) - Well you can only have one Man United player, and it has to be the World Footballer Year. Has added the ability to perform in the big games (against Arsenal in the Champions League and Chelsea in the League), he's added another new dimension to his game and team, plus his Free kicks are wicked.
CM - Stephen Ireland (Man City) - Okay Okay I'm a City fan, but I'm pleased to see most people have picked him in their team. He has improved no end, and sadly will be playing for bigger better teams in his incredibly bright future.
CM - Frank Lampard (Chelsea) - Simply wonderfully, consistently brilliant, along side Essien, he produces the form that would win England the World Cup. Brilliant, and lean mean goal scoring machine.
LM - Andry Ashavin (Arsenal) - Has transformed Aresnal, and his four goal haul against L'pool was wicked and unprecedented, next season alongside Walcott, Fabregas, Van Persie and Nasri, Aresnal may challenge for Serious honours.
CF - Robbie Keane (Tottenham) - Made the wrong decision moving to L'pool, but was man enough to return and take on the captaincy of a struggling side and has begun showing the form that made him a 20 million Purchase for L'pool.
ST - Fernando Torres (Liverpool) - Who else? Unlucky with injuries, awesome when playing.
Bottom Half XI 4-4-2
GK - Brad Jones (Middlesbrough) - Controversial? Well I have reasons. Boro started the season with Turnbull in goals, but he was shipping them in. However without Jones, Boro would have been relegated long long ago, he has made some awesome saves, deserves another shot at the Premier league.
RB - Glen Johnson (Portsmouth) - Couldn't be anybody else could it? Will probably end up moving to a better team (like Defoe). I guess the Chelsea move came way too soon, but is the future of England defence (unless Richards gets his act together).
CB - Ryan Shawcross (Stoke) - Has really put his foot (and head) where its going to hurt. He influence at the back show why he was at Man United had him first. Could be a future John Terry perhaps? His goals have been crucial as well
CB - Ryan Nelson (Blackburn Rovers) - What you need in a team is a really strong captain who can lead both on the up and when your team is in the mire. Nelson is that man.
LB - Michael Dawson (Hull) - Hull have been shipping goals, but not down this man flank, and can really be a handful at set-pieces
RM - Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle United) - This is perhaps the only Newcastle player I believe possibly has a future at the top level. Reminds me of Martin Petrov when he first arrived. Wickedly Quick, good crosser, and great finisher.
CM - Jonathan Greening (West Brom) - Very Much like Gutierrez, this man clearly has a future in the Premier league, and is more than a model professional, but a fantastic ambassador for the game overall. Would be a credit to any club...would be particualy influential buy for Fulham I think.
CM - Steed Marbranque (Sunderland) - You wouldn't think it would you but Malbranque is so far Sunderland's top assist provider this season, with 9 assists. And with Statistics like that its a wonder Sunderland haven't scored more, this man must be a dream for Jones up Front
LM - Antonio Valencia (Wigan) - You don't get scouted by Man United and Real Madrid for nothing do you? He must be a managers dream as he consistently performs.
CF - Kevin Davies (Bolton) - Should be in the England team, can play the Heskey role easily and is more robust...gave Vidic perhaps his hardest game this season.
CF - Tuncay (Middlesbrough) - Should have joined Chelsea in January, will definitely end up somewhere higher than the championship as he has Champions league Quality.
Phew that was hard.....
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Top 10:
Van Der Sar
L.Young
Hangeland
Jagielka
Ilunga
Ireland
Lampard
Palacios
Arshavin
Ronaldo
Torres
Bottom 10:
Jaaskelainen
Johnson
Abdoulaye Faye
Collins
Figueroa
Jonas
Matt Taylor
Greening
Pedersen
Tuncay
Geovanni
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Manager of top half - Hodgson
Schwarzer
Neill
Hangeland
Jagielka
Evra
Ireland
Modric
Gerrard
Young
Van Persie
Anelka
Bottom - Pulis
Jaaskelainen
Johnson
Dawson
Nelsen
Davis
Valencia
Taylor
Brunt
Downing
Martins
Beattie
bottom half is very simular and is much more difficult to choose differently and still include the best players
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I love these! So hard though, can't believe I had to leave out Lampard.
Reina (Liverpool)
Sagna (Arsenal)
Vidic (Man Utd)
Laursen (Aston Villa)
Baines (Everton)
Gerrard (Liverpool)
Dempsey (Fulham)
Ireland (Man City)
Collison (West Ham)
Lennon (Spurs)
Anelka (Chelsea)
Robinson (Blackburn)
Johnson (Pompey)
Faye (Stoke)
Cahill (Bolton)
Warnock(Blackburn
Tuncay (Boro)
Geovanni (Hull)
Brunt (WBA)
Valencia (Wigan)
Martins (Newcastle)
Jones (Sunderland)
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'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''Shay Given'''''''''''''''''''''''''
Lucas Neill''''''Phil Jagielka''''''John Terry''''''Gael Clichy
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''Danny Murphy'''''''''''''''''''''''''''
'''''''''''Steven Gerrard'''''''''Steven Ireland'''''''''''''''
Cristiano Ronaldo''''''''''''''''''''''''''Luka Modric'''''''''
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''Gabriel Agbonlahor''''''''''''''''''''''''
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I think some people on here are forgetting that they have to have ONE player from EACH of the teams - picking Rooney & Ronaldo does not count.
My top half team would be:
GK - Edwin van der Sar (solid, experienced and reliable)
RB - Luke Young (last position to be filled Im afraid but he has improved this season I think)
LB - Herita Ilunga (has come in on loan and proved himself in a position which requires him to deal with the likes of Ronaldo, Walcott, Lennon etc)
CB - Brede Hangeland (another who's proved himself this season and put himself on the map. Has scored vital goals from the CB position helping Fulham push further up the table).
CB - Phil Jagielka (probably the best of the 4 defenders Ive picked. Has broken into the England fold, helped Everton to the FA Cup final by scoring the winning pen and, if Im right in thinking, played every minute of every game up until he was cruelly injured).
MID - Stephen Ireland (Man City's Gerrard, Ireland is an engine that drives City forward. Has shrugged off his critics and performed week in and week out).
MID - Steven Gerrard (always my choice for CM, especially over Lampard. Stevie G has proved, yet again, that Liverpool suffer without him).
MID - Luka Modric (as a Spurs fan he's my POY for us. Iffy start, along with the entire team, but turned it around and proved his worth in the end. Redknapp: "I want to build a team around him" - that's gotta support my choice here).
AMF - Wayne Rooney (Id pick Rooney over Ronaldo every time. I like his grit, determination, his work ethic and his never-give-up attitude...all of which were in abundance again this season. Ronaldo is all flair for me, I prefer British grit and drive. Also got his International mojo back.
CF - Nicolas Anelka (managed to establish himself as first choice striker at Chelsea for the most part of the season. Has proved yet again that he can cut the mustard and has scored some great goals.
AMF - Theo Walcott (Established himself in the Arsenal first team, ran rings around defenders and scored a hat-trick against Croatia away from home at the start of the season - need I say more?!).
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Just got to say that anyone who can't find a way of working there bottom half team to get Tuncay in ahead of Downing either has their England colours on or has not seem many Boro games this weekend. The only reason Downing is talked about for the England side is because there is NOONE else!!! Have watched Boro's last 4 games and don't think I have seen him use his right foot once. Now I know that he is a left sided player but seriously. For a team that has been struggling for alot of this season this supposed star has gone missing more than my old mans car keys!!!
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Just got to say that anyone who can't find a way of working there bottom half team to get Tuncay in ahead of Downing either has their England colours on or has not seeN many Boro games this YEAR. The only reason Downing is talked about for the England side is because there is NOONE else!!! Have watched Boro's last 4 games and don't think I have seen him use his right foot once. Now I know that he is a left sided player but seriously. For a team that has been struggling for alot of this season this supposed star has gone missing more than my old mans car keys!!!
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Schwarzer
Neill King Hangeland Baines
Ronaldo Gerrard Ireland Young
Arshavin
Anelka
Jaaskelainen
Johnson Bassong Samba Dawson
Valencia Greening Richardson Downing
Beattie Davies
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Top Half
Gk: van der Sar (Man Utd)
Def: Laursen (Villa)
Def: Upson (West Ham)
Def: Jagielka (Everton)
Def: Hangeland (Fulham)
Mid: Lennon (Spurs)
Mid: Fabregas (Arsenal)
Mid: Lampard (Chelski)
Mid: Ireland (Man City)
Str: Rooney: (Man Utd)
Str: Torres (Liverpool)
Bottom Half
Gk: Sorensen (Stoke)
Def: Faye Ab (Stoke)
Def: Figueroa (Wigan)
Def: Samba (Blackburn)
Def: S Taylor (Newcastle)
Mid: Geovanni (Hull)
Mid: Taylor (Bolton)
Mid: Downing (Boro)
Mid: Brunt (West Brom)
Str: Crouch (Portsmouth)
Str: Cisse (Sunderland)
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my top half:
schwarzer - brilliant buy for fulham
LB ilunga - consistent and better than Neil
CB jagielka - quality since hes been at Everton
CB vidic - similar to Haangeland and key for MU this season
RB corluka - decent for spurs and fills the fuulback position
LM arshavin - will be important for Arsenal next year
CM murphy - bosses midfields, underated but sublime passer of the ball
CM lampard - consistent class
CM ireland - outshone more expensive teammates
RM young - quality for 2/3 of the seaon
ST torres - had he been fit all season the title would be at Anfield
bottom half:
GK jaskelainen - has improved season after season
LB collins - good in an underperforming side
CB nelson - decent player, great presence
CB baasong - remarkable considering he plays in defence at the toon
RB johnson - his best season by far
LM Valencia - very good player in an average side
CM greening - dynamic, enthusiastic and not a championship player
CM Geovanni - exciting at the start, not so good now
RM Downing - an average season for an average side
ST fuller - played all season unlike Beattie, surprisingly effective
ST davies - another productive season for Bolton Wanderers
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I pretty much agree with your picks, Steve. But I'd make a few changes. Here are my teams:
Top half
Manager - Hodgson (Fulham)
GK - Van Der Sar (Man Utd)
LB - Ilunga (Wenst Ham)
CB - Jagielka (Everton)
CB - Hangeland (Fulham)
RB - Corluka (Spurs)
MF - Ronaldo (Man Utd)
MF - Young (Villa)
MF - Ireland (Man City)
MF - Fabregas (Arsenal)
CF - Torres (Liverpool)
CF - Anelka (Chelsea)
Bottom half
Manager - Pulis (Stoke)
GK - Jaaskelainen (Bolton)
LB - A. Dawson (Hull)
CB - Bassong (Newcastle)
CB - Nelsen (Blackburn
RB - Johnson (Portsmouth)
LW - Downing (Middleborough
DM - A. Faye (Stoke)
AM - Malbranque (Sunderland)
RW - Brunt (West Brom)
CF - Valencia (Wigan)
CF - Davies (Bolton)
It is difficult to get in the best player fomr each team! However, that's my best shot.
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You made some shocking decisions Steve. I would make a few changes!
Top half
Manager - Hodgson (Fulham)
GK - Alumina (Arsenal)
LB - Upson (Wenst Ham)
CB - Jagielka (Everton)
CB - Hangeland (Fulham)
RB - Woodgate(Spurs)
MF - Ronaldo (Man Utd)
MF - Gerrard (Liverpool)
MF - Ireland (Man City)
MF - Lampard (Chelsea)
CF - Arshavin (Arsenal)
CF - Gabby A (Aston Villa)
Bottom half
Manager - Pulis (Stoke)
GK - Jaaskelainen (Bolton)
CB - A. Dawson (Hull)
CB - Nelsen (Blackburn
CB - Johnson (Portsmouth)
AM- Jonas Gutierrez
DM - A. Faye (Stoke)
AM - Malbranque (Sunderland)
RW - Brunt (West Brom)
LW - Tuncay(Middleborough-How you didnt pick him baffles me! One of the most underrated players in the league)
CF - Valencia (Wigan)
CF - Davies (Bolton)
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GK - Van Der Sar
RB - Neill
CB - Jagielka
CB - Carvalho (When he's played he's been electric)
LB - Konchesky
RM - Young ;)
CM - Alonso
CM - Giggs (Player of the Season - Legend!)
LM - Modric
CF - Adebayor (Has had a much better season than most believe)
CF - Robinho
Manager - "Big Phil" Scolari
GK - Gordon
RB - Johnson
CB - Bramble (Often misunderstood, but sheer quality)
CB - Nelsen
LB - Dawson
RM - Brunt
CM - Taylor
CM - Etherington
LM - Malbranque
CF - Owen (Has managed to battle his way from injury)
CF - Alves (Performed better than his scoring ratio suggests - quality players should never be relegated, he'll bounce back though :))
Manager - Gary Megson
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My team unquestionable goalkeeper
Gk - Mark Scwarzer - fulham
RcB - Upson - W.Ham
cb - Kompany - Man City
lcb - Lescott - Everton
Rw - Lennon - Spurs
rcm - Dempsey - Fulham
cdm - Barry - Villa
Lcm - Gerrard - Liverpool
LW - Arshavin - Arsenal
LS - Tevez - Man utd
CF - Anelka - Chelsea
Manager Guus Hiddink for his politeness alone.
The underdogs -
Does Given count for his time at Newcastle?
If not -
GK - Paul Robinson- B Rovers
rb - Johnson - portsmouth
cb- Ssmba - B rovers likes it up the front or back
cb- Faye - Stoke city( for now...)
lb- Bassong - N castle
Rw - Valencia - Wigan
cm - Greening - West brom
cm - Boateng - Hull city
Lw - Downing - Boro
st - Davies - Bolton
CF - Jones - Sunderland
Manager bruce wigan for 3/4 of the season.
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My bottom half side after the tiresome interuption of work...
GK: JAASKELAINEN
RB: JOHNSON
CB: BASSONG
CB: WHEATER
LB: COLLINS
RM: VALENCIA
CM: FAYE
CM: TUGAY
LM: BRUNT
CF: DAVIES
CF: GEOVANNI
MANAGER: PULIS
HONORARY MENTIONS: TUNCAY,CAHILL,GREENING,BRAMBLE AND KIRKLAND
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Great article! As a Man Utd fan I have to say though that week in, week out Rooney has totally outplayed Ronaldo, its not really even a close comparison.
My team abiding by the one per team rules:
1 VDS
2 Neill
3 Baines
4 Woodgate
5 Hangeland
6 Essien
7 Arshavin
8 Gerrard
9 Rooney
10 Carew
11 Ireland
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(Rubs his eyes) To some of the earlier posters: READ THE BLOG! ONE player from EACH team, unless in the case of the GK!
Also, best team of the SEASON! Don't pick names simply out of merit!
A bottom 10 will be harder, only really have time to pick a top 10.
Going through the best 3 of each team:
United - Vidic, Rooney, Giggs
Liverpool - Gerrard, Alonso, Torres
Chelsea - Lampard, Anelka, Bosingwa
Arsenal - Clichy, Almunia, Arshavin
Everton - Cahill, Jagielka, Fellaini
Villa - Young, Laursen, Agbonlahor
Fulham - Schwarzer, Hangelaand, Konchesky
Tottenham - Lennon, Corluka, Modric
West Ham - Cole, Upson, Neill
Man City - Ireland, Kompany, Robinho
GK - Schwarzer (FUL); Has the best shots to saves ratio over the season and the stats don't lie. Easily the best GK in the Premiership, without him Fulham would be nowhere near where they are.
DL - Clichy (ARE); I really like this guy. Consistent & plays with maturity well beyond his years. Another solid season and Arsenal's best player.
DC - Vidic (MU); What can you say about Nemanja. The rightful player of the year. One game aside, even more solid than a rock.
DC - Hangelaand (FUL); Along with Schwarzer, the main reason why Fulham have overperformed this season. No wonder he's been linked with big money moves.
DR - Jagielka (EVE); Another fantastic bargain signing from Moyes enjoys another fantastic season. The International caps have been well warranted, plays with consistency other defenders can only dream of.
ML - Lennon (TOT); Another player I really admire & would love at Chelsea. Pace & skill in abundance. Tottenham's best player by some distance.
MC - Lampard (CHE); Not much else can be said about this man marvel. When you think consistency, you think Frank Lampard. Did you ever knowwww that you're my heeeeerrrrrooooo...(sung in his best Bette Midler voice).
MC - Ireland (MC); City's best player, no question. His goals and link-up play have propelled City into a respectable League position. Outshone the so-called "stars".
MR - Young (AVU); Young Player of the Year, Villa have a real gem in Ashley Young. Not dissimilar to Lennon, but more strength and a better finisher. England star of the future.
AMC - Gerrard (LIV); Liverpool's saviour (again) and the main reason why they've challenged for the title this season. Arguably, no player is more valuable to their club in the world than Steven. Another top class season from him and unlucky to miss out on the awards, both personal and with his club.
FC - I have to go with Carlton Cole (WHU) up top. West Ham's best player in my opinion and probably the most improved player in the League. Would prefer Anelka, Agbonlahor or even Torres (although he's been injured for large parts of the season), but that would mean taking out Lampard, Young or Gerrard. I'm sorry, but you can't exclude those three from a best team of the season.
The manager has to be Roy Hodgson. What he's done with Fulham is nothing short of incredible.
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Top:
-------------Reina-------------
Corluka-Vidic-Jagielka-Konchesky
----Essien-------Noble----------
Robinho-----Arshavin-----A.Young
------------Torres--------------
Bottom:
------------Sorensen------------
Johnson-G.Cahill-Wheater-Warnock
Valencia-Geovanni-Greenin-guiterez
------K.Jones-----Beattie--------
Bang!
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Essen has only played since march. he scored one goal in the champs league semi and thats it. Ridiculous comment. Yeh great player but team of the season. YOu might as well have bullard, he was also great last season. Does make any sense, the midfield of the season is man utd's, totally out classed everyone.
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JUST WANTED TO STATE FOR THE WHOLE OF THE BBC TO SEE AND THE WHOLE NATION (AFTER A QUICK GLANCE THROUGH THE TEAMS) NOT ONE PERSON HAS NAMED GIGGS IN THEIR TEAM!!!!!
GERRARD ON THE OTHER HAND, ITS A FARCE I TELL YA
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AND ON ANOTHER NOTE ARSHAVIN, HE SCORED 4 GOALS PAST LIVERPOOL, THATS ALL HE HAS DONE AND ONLY PLAYED SINCE FEBUARY. PEOPLES THOUGHTS ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT CORRECT OR ARSHAVIN BEING ARSENALS BEST PLAYER IS A VERY BAD THING
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------------ Van Der Sar
------Upson - Hangeland - Jagielka
Lennon - Lampard - Ireland - Arshavin
------Ronaldo - Torres - Young
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I am afraid your blog lost any credibility when you omitted the football writers player of the year and arguably the best midfielder in the world currently.
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van der sar
vidic ferdinand hangeland
lampard gerrard cahill giggs
ronaldo torres rooney
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Hmmm interesting.. first time post for me, and this is a blog I felt I had to respond to.
As far as the top half of the table is concerned, yes I might be biased as a reds fand, but please... Lucas Neill????
I do however agree with Stephen Ireland being there. An outstanding player, scores goals at will, and would ve a valuable addition to any team.
I had, and have, Ryan Nelsen as one of my fantasy team. Initially, purely because he is a kiwi, but also he is a great defender, although he did pick up an awful lot of yellow cards during the season.
Laursen from Villa I thought might have made the list until his injury. And yes, as a biased scouse supporter, I cannot accept Gerrard not being there.
Your midfield of Arshavin, Ronaldo, Ireland and Essien. Gerrard had miles on Arshavin, Essien who? Ronaldo and Ireland are great.
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You put two bolton players in the second team - Jussi and Kevin Davies. Bad Steve wilson ;)
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Top Half XI (4-4-2):
GK: Van Der Sar(Man Utd)
DF: Young (Aston Villa)
DF: Ferdinand (Man Utd)
DF: Terry (Chelsea)
DF: Lescott (Everton)
MF: Murphy (Fulham)
MF: Ireland (Man City)
MF: Modric (Tottenham)
MF: Parker (West Ham)
FW: Torres (Liverpool)
FW: Arshavin (Arsenal)
Bottom Half XI (4-3-3):
GK: Jaaskelainen (Bolton)
DF: Nelsen (Blackburn)
DF: Turner (Hull)
DF: S.Taylor (Newcastle)
DF: Johnson (Portsmouth)
MF: Brunt (West Brom)
MF: M.Taylor (Bolton)
MF: Cattermole (Wigan)
FW: Beattie (Stoke)
FW: Cisse (Sunderland)
FW: Tuncay (Middlesbrough)
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Gk - Mark Schwarzer
RB - Glen Johnson
CB - Nemanja Vidic
CB - Brede Hangeland
LB - Phil Jageilka
RM - Cristiano Ronaldo
CM - Xabi Alonso
CM - Steven Ireland
LM - Andrei Arshavin
CAM - Steven Gerrard
CF - Fernando Torres
SUBS
- Van Der Sar
- Martin Skrtel
- Rio Ferdinand
- Darren Fletcher
- Aaron Lennon
- Frank Lampard
- Wayne Rooney
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This is insanely hard, if you take the 10 best players from each team you get pretty much no defenders... Anyway im gonna go for:
Top Half
Manager: Sir Alex Formation: 4-3-3
Van Der Sar (Man Utd)
Corluka (Spurs)
Hangeland (Fulham)
Jagielka (Everton)
Ilunga (West Ham)
Ireland (Man City)
Lampard (Chelsea)
Young (Aston Villa)
Ronaldo (Man Utd)
Torres (Liverpool)
Arshavin (Arsenal)
It's tough leaving out Gerrard, Giggs, Vidic, Cahill, Essien and Modric but no room.
Bottom Half
Manager: Tony Pulis Formation: 4-4-2
Jaaskelainen (Bolton)
Johnson (Portsmouth)
Bassong (Newcastle)
Ferdinand (Sunderland)
Cahill (Bolton)
Valencia (Wigan)
Greening (West Brom)
Geovanni (Hull)
Downing (Middlesborough)
Santa Cruz (Blackburn)
Beattie (Stoke)
Few dodgy picks but i think Valencia, Beattie and Johnson are the definites.
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Nicky Butt????? Ha ha ha ha ha ha I get it, there is one joke selection in each team ok now I understand why he is in, lol great joke though, nice one.
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I know it's already been said but Nicky Butt has been our worst player without doubt this season. Whenever he is on the pitch it is like playing with 10 players. Slow at getting back, no attempt to get into the box but also doesn't pick up loose balls, bottles 50:50 tackles, keen on making short 5 yard passes to the full backs, no movement etc. Add to that the 3 identical penalties he stupidly gave away at the begnning of the season (one of which Given saved). He is made captain when Owen is out but neither show any sort of leadership skills.
I know Butt was good for Man United but his heart has never been in it at Newcastle and that was glaringly obvious with the way he trudged off the field on saturday without thanking the crowd.
Bottom
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My top XI for the season
Jussi
Bosingwa
Baines
Vidic
Ferdinand
Palacios
Ronaldo
Gerrard
Torres
Anelka
Ashavin
2nd XI
Reina
Neill
Illunga
Woodgate
Terry
Essien
Agbonlahor
Ireland
Tevez
Robinho
Young
Top Manager - Roy Hodgson
Most improved team - West Ham
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This team is like Carlsberg!!! My 11 would be as follows:
Schwarzer
Illunga
Johnson
Lescott
Alex
Young
Gerrard
Ireland
Lennon
Ronaldo
Arshavin
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Nicky Butt was not a great player at MU, he was an average player in a great team, and now it shows. For the 1st 11 my joke selection has to be Eboue or Bedtner.
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Gk - Mark Schwarzer
LB - Phil Jageilka
RB - Glen Johnson
CB - Nemanja Vidic
CB - Matthew Upson
LM - Andrei Arshavin
RM - Ronaldo
CM - Essien
CM - ireland
cam - Gerrard
St - Tuncay
Manager - Guus Hiddick
Young Team
GK - Ben Foster
LB - Emiliano Insua
RB - Rafeal
CB - Evans
CB - Shawcross
Lm - Young
RM - Walcott
CM - Milner
CM - Ireland
ST - Marcheda
ST - Agnobonlahour
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New game.
(Hopefully the rules will be simpler for the benefit of some of the unfortunates who have found it so hard to understand Steve's rules!).
Simple: pick a team from the top 4. No restriction on numbers from each club.
My team (formation: 4-2-3-1)
GK: Reina
RB: Bosingwa
CB: Vidic
CB: Carragher
LB: A. Cole
HMF: Alonso
HMF: Mascherano
LMF: Arshavin
CMF: Gerrard
RMF: Ronaldo
CF: Torres
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224 your team is absolutely dreadful!!
Do you actually know anything about football??
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i think LFC- boi- 92 team is pretty poor and funny how his is a uncanny image of mine
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Manager: "SIR" David Moyes
Formation: 4-5-1
Van Der Saar
Bosingwa
Jagielka
Hangeland
Ilunga
A. Young
Gerrard
Ireland
Arshavin
Lennon
Shrek!
Bottom half
Manager: Tony Pulis
Formation: 4-4-2
P.ROBINSON (BLA)
G.JOHNSON (POR)
M.TURNER (HULL)
D.WHEATER (MID)
D.COLLINS (SUN)
C.BRUNT (WBA)
L.LAWRENCE (STO)
M.TAYLOR (BOL)
A.VALENCIA (WIG)
A.MARTINS (NEW)
TUNCAY (MID)
Alot harder than it looks!!
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First XI:
Given
Corluka
Upson
Hangeland
Baines
Lennon
Lampard
Gerrard
Arshavin
Carew
Ronaldo
Second XI
Jaaskeleinen
Johnson
Turner
Shawcross
Warnock
Valencia
Brunt
Nolan
Downing
McCarthy
Beattie
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3-5-2 (well more like 3-2-2-1-2)
Van Der Sar
Richards (City) Hangeland (Ful) Upson (WHam)
Alonso (Pool) Essien (Chel)
Cahill (Ev) Rooney (Utd)
Arshavin (Ars)
Pavlyuchenko (Tot) Agbonlahor (Vil)
The formation really needs hard working wingers who'll run their socks off and track back a lot to help the defence. Cahill doesn't really fit, but if you won't let me put Tevez and Rooney in the same team....
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4-4-2
GK - Van Der Sar
LB - Lescott
CB - Vidic
CB - Jagielka
RB - Johnson
LM - Arshavin (based on his performance so far)
CM - Carrick
CM - Cahill
RM - Ronaldo
ST - Tevez
ST - Torres
Subs -
GK - Jaaskelainen
CB - Ferdinand (Rio)
CB - Hangeland
LM - Young (Ashley)
CM - Ireland
CM - Modric
ST - Rooney
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Why do people keep picking Gerard for a standard CM role? He's shown plenty of times that he really doesn't shine in this position. If you don't want to play him in his normal position, try him as a striker, since plays almost exactly the same way as Rooney (albeit without tracking back and defending as much).
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Top
GK Van Der Sar
RB Corluka
LB Ilunga
CB Jagielka
CB Hangeland
RM Arshavin
LM Young
CM Lampard
CM Ireland
AM Gerrard
ST Rooney
Manager - Hodgson
Bottom
GK Jaaskelainen
RB Johnson
LB Figueroa
CB Bassong
CB Turner
RM Tuncay
LM Warnock
CM Leadbitter
CM Greening
ST Davies
ST Fuller
Manager - Pulis
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Going for 4-4-2's on both teams
Top half:
Schwartzer (Fulham) - Some great displays this season to keep Fulhams European push on course. I know VDS has broken records but can you even remember a decent save he's made?
Bosingwa (Chelsea) - Their best signing this year by a mile.
Jagielka (Everton) - I could have picked any of Evertons starting XI as they've all been immense at one time or another, but Jagielka has been their best player IMO.
Hangeland (Fulham) - Massive, would love to see him at the Emirates next season with Toure.
Clichy (Arsenal) - Our most improved player in the last 2 years.
Ronaldo (Man United) - After an iffy start he's done the business again this season. United will lose a dimension if he does go to Madrid.
Jenas (Tottenham) - The butt of many a joke but his performances were one of the only bright sparks in Spurs horrible start to the season and has been consistent throughout.
Xabi Alonso (Liverpool) - After almost being pushed out in the summer he's had one of his best seasons for the 'pool. Another I'd like to see on Arsenes shopping list.
Ireland (Man City) - Criminally underrated midfielder.
Carew (Aston Villa) - Does a lot of the unheralded donkey work and IMO Villa are missing something when he doesn't play.
Cole (West Ham) - Finally starting to fulfill some of his potential. His mid season run of form was very impressive and a huge shame he got injured on England duty.
And Bottom half:
Jaskallainen (Bolton) - Really should be playing higher up the table.
Johnson (Portsmouth) - Looks like Nevilles natural successor for England at RB.
Bassong (Newcastle) - Has looked alright at the back since he came in, but that's probably the best you can say for anyone in that Newcastle squad this season.
Nelson (Blackburn) - If Blackburn had 4 Ryan Nelsons at the back they wouldn't have been down where they are.
Taylor (Bolton) - I know he's a midfielder at the Reebok but he can play left back too and although Davies has taken most of the plaudits I think he's been Boltons best player this season.
Valencia (Wigan) - Always a threat and surely off to greener pastures in the summer.
O'Neill ('Boro) - If points were given for effort then O'Neill would have kept 'Boro up on his own.
Brunt (West Brom) - Some fine contributions.
Geovanni (Hull) - Form has waned a bit, but for the first half of the season he reminded you why Barca paid a small fortune for him a few years ago.
Beattie (Stoke) - Probably the best signing of the season by anyone if you think of the return he's given Tony Pulis.
Jones (Sunderland) - I really rate him and wouldn't be suprised to see him off to a bigger club in the summer. Just hope it's not Spurs!
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Excellent blog, makes you think with the very intersting restriction with only 1 outfield player from each club. So here goes:
Top half:
GK: Van der Sar - Man Utd
RB: Corluka - Spurs
CB: Vidic - Man Utd
CB: Haangeland - Fulham
LB: Baines - Everton
RM: Ireland - Man City
CM: Gerrard - Liverpool
CM: Lampard - Chelsea
LM: Young - Villa
CF: Cole - West Ham
CF: Van Persie - Arsenal
Bottom half:
GK: Sorenson - Stoke
RB: Johnson - Portsmouth
CB: Turner - Hull
CB: Wheater - Boro
LB: Taylot - Newcastle
RM: Valencia - Wigan
CM: Greening - West Brom
CM: Taylor - Bolton
LM: Malbranque - Sunderland
CF: Beattie - Stoke
CF: McCarthy - Blackburn
Due to restriction some of these players may not have been the best player for their club but i think I've got a fair balance.
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oh and top managers are Hodgson for top half and Pulis for bottom half
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It's mystifying how Lampard is continually over looked. He has been absolutely amazing this season. Needs to be the first name on the team sheet in my book.
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Top Half:
GK - Reina
RB - Jagielka
LB - Ilunga
CB - Vidic
CB - Hangeland
RM - Lennon
LM - Malouda
DM - Mascherano
CM - Fabregas
ST - R. Keane
ST - Agbonlahor
Bottom Half:
GK - Jaaskelainen
RB - Johnson
LB - Bridge
CB - A D Faye
CB - G Cahill
RM - Valencia
LM - Brunt
CM - Geovanni
CM - Nolan
ST - Tuncay
ST - K Jones
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Top Half
GK.Reina - Liverpool
LB.Clichy - Arsenal
CB.Haangeland - Fulham
CB.Jagielka - Everton
RB.Corulka - West Ham
LM.A.Young - Aston Villa
RM.Ronaldo - Man u
CM.Lampard - Chelsea
CM.Ireland - Man City
DM.West Ham - Parker
Torres - Liverpool
Bottom Half
GK. Jaskallainen - Bolton
RB. G.Johnson - Portsmouth
CB.S.Taylor - Newcastle
CB. R.Nelsen - Blackburn
LB.M.Taylor - Bolton
LM.C.Brunt - West Brom
RM.Valencia - Wigan
CM.Kieran Richardson - Sunderland
CM.Geovanni - Hull
CF.Tuncay - Middlesbrough
CF.J.Beattie - Stoke
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GK - VDS (only just! before Reina) - MNU
LB - Ilunga - WHU
CB - Vidic - MNU
CB - Hangeland - FUL
RB - Baines - EVE
LM - Young - AVL
CM - Lampard - CHE
CM - Ireland - MCY
RM - Walcott - ARS
ST - Keane - TOT
ST - Torres - LIV
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Everyone seems to be picking Arshavin as their Arsenal player. Well, he's great but their best player all season?? He signed in January and took about 3 games to settle, so he's not actually played brilliantly for all that long.
Lampard is amazing.
My team
Friedal
Corlucka
Jagielka
Laursen
Baines
Young
Fabregas
Lampard
Robinho
Rooney
Torres
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Steve is the worst blog ever - totally pointless.
The fact that you have included Essien, King, Lescott -over jagielka, Ronaldo, Torres and Downing shows what most of us already knew - you do not have a clue !
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oh dear i didn't do that well. 2 Villa players and 2 Everton players
Start again
-------Friedal
Corlucka---Jagielka---Hangeland---Illunga
Young---Fabregas---Lampard---Robinho
-------Rooney----
---------Torres---
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For the benefit of those complaining that Van Der Sar and Rooney or Van Der Sar and Ronaldo play for the same team...How many players are in a football team?? Answer=11 How many teams are in the TOP HALF of the Premiership?? Answer=10 Had you read the blog the challenge was to choose ONE OUTFIELD player from each top half team and then the best goalkeeper from any team in the top half!! Hence you are always going to have two players from one of the top 10 teams..1 keeper and 1 outfield!!!
Get your facts right people!!!
3 IN A ROW!!!! BRING ON BARCA!!!!!
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Hi,
Loved your blog and if I had time I would post my teams, but seeing as I'm supposed to be working I better not, just thought I would add that is so nice that other football fans appreciate just what Tony Pulis has done for us as a football club and that he deserves such a huge pat on the back for the work he's done at Stoke, and we may not be the most technically brilliant but the team work showed by the lads and our fans is admirable. This is taking nothing away from some brilliant teams.
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GK VDS (Manchester United)
LB Lescott (Everton)
CB Upson (West Ham)
CB Hangeland (Fulham)
RB Corluka (Tottenham)
LM Ronaldo (Manchester United)
DM Essien (Chelsea)
AM Gerrard (Liverpool)
RM Arshavin (Arsenal)
CF Robinho (Manchester City)
CF Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
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Well Steve, you've just blown your reputation as a football expert. I appreciate it's all subjective but not having Gerrard in your eleven is risible bordering on brainless.
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Top Half
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
GK - van der Sar
RB - Young
CB - King
CB - Upson
LB - Baines
DM - Murphy
CM - Gerrard (c)
CM - Ireland
RW - Ronaldo
LW - Arshavin
CF - Drogba
Bottom Half
Manager: Sam Allardyce
GK - Jaaskelainen
RB - Johnson
CB - Turner
CB - Faye (c)
LB - Warnock
RM - Valencia
CM - Greening
CM - Butt
LM - Taylor
SS - Tuncay
CF - Jones
P.S - Does anybody know if the BBC will have coverage of the Confederations Cup this summer?
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Lazily journalism from the BBC concerning Wigan Athletic. Antonio Valencia was actually unearthed by Paul Jewell, not Steve Bruce. Ask most Wigan fans and they will back me up in saying that Valencia has been very disappointing this season and has only played just over half the league games so how he's ended up in your team is beyond me. If one guy should of been in it's Titus Bramble who has been absolutely immense and deserves a postion in there at Nielson's expense
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no frank lampard makes the list an epic fail (ok maybe not )
your argument for micheal essien holds true for Cesc Fabregas as well...both should'nt be on the list as its the team of the season and not the last 3 months ..good to see BFAY on the list
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mcswegan you are an idiot!!
read post 244: perhaps i've explained the concept of this activity in simple enough terms to put an end to your perpetual (and incorrect)complaints that Van Der Sar and Rooney/Ronaldo are in the same team!
Furthermore, this is merely a bit of fun!! STOP TELLING OTHERS THEY ARE WRONG, WHEN IN FACT IT IS YOU THAT IS STRUGGLING TO GET IT RIGHT!!!!!
CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND
CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE
CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD
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Robert Green
Micah Richards John Terry Phil Jagielka
Aaron Lennon Steven Gerrard Danny Murphy Theo Walcott
Wayne Rooney Carlton Cole Gabriel Agbonlahor
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¤48,good choice except for right back!I think that should go to Sagna,Boswingwa not good enough!anyone that leaves Rooney and Gerrard out of their top 11,well..............Almunia,Baines,Vidic,Lampard,Fabregas and Anelka on the bench.Seeing players like Lucas Neill,Ledley King,Aaron Lennon,Steven Ireland in top 11,makes you wonder why!
who cares about the bottom 11,putting Butt,Nolan in any team is debateable,
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Right I reckon I have come up with two really good teams!!
Top Half Team = 4-3-3 Formation with Sir Alex as the Gaffer
GK - Tim Howard (Everton
RB - Phil Jagielka (Everton)
CB - Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)
CB - Brede Hangeland (Fulham)
LB - Herita Ilunga (West Ham)
CM - Samir Nasri (Arsenal)
CM - Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
CM - Stephen Ireland (Manchester City)
RF - Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
CF - Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
LF - Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
---------------------------------------
Bottom Half Team = Classic 4-4-2 with Tony Pulis as the Gaffer
GK - Jussi Jääskeläinen (Bolton)
RB - Glen Johnson (Portsmouth)
CB - Michael Turner (Hull City)
CB - Sébastien Bassong (Newcastle United)
LB - Stephen Warnock (Blackburn Rovers)
RM - Matthew Taylor (Bolton)
CM - Sanli Tuncay (Middlesborough)
CM - Lee Cattermole (Wigan)
LM - Chris Brunt (West Brom)
RF - Kenwayne Jones (Sunderland)
LF - James Beattie (Stoke City)
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I thought you could only pick one player from the top and bottom teams.
So why have you put two bolton players in your second team Jussi Jaaskelainen & Kevin Davies?
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Harder than it looks!
Top Team
GK - Van De Sar (Man U)
LB - Baines (Everton)
CB - Vidic (Man U) - Immense
CB - Hangeland (Fulham)
RB - Corluka (Spurs)
LM - Young (Villa)
CM - Lampard (Chelsea) - Most consistent performer in the premiership this year
CM - Ireland (Man City)
RM - Gerrard (Lpool)
SS - Arshavin (Arsenal) - Such an electric half year
CF - Cole (West Ham) - Massively improved this year
Manager - Hodgson (compare the position where they were last season compared to this season)
Bottom Team
GK - Jaaskelainen (Bolton)
LWB - Warnock (Blackburn)
CB - Bassong (Newcastle)
CB - Turner (Hull)
CB - Bramble (Wigan) - Dodgy choice I know, but unsure about best Wigan player
RWB - Johnson (Portsmouth)
LM - Richardson (Sunderland)
CM - Tuncay (Boro) - Only player who has played his heart out all season
CM - Taylor (Bolton)
RM - Brunt (West Brom)
CF - Beattie (Stoke) - Signing of the season without a doubt
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GK - Mark Schwarzer
LB - Gael Clichy
CB - Nemanja Vidic
CB - Ledley King
RB - Valron Behrami
LM - Ashley Young
CM - Mikeal Arteta
CM - Stephen Ireland
AM - Stephen Gerrard
RM - Cristiano Ronaldo
CF - Nicolas Anelka
GK - Mark Schwarzer
LB - Gael Clichy
CB - Nemanja Vidic
CB - Ledley King
RB - Phil Jagielka
LM - Ashley Young
CM - Scott Parker
CM - Stephen Ireland
AM - Stephen Gerrard
RM - Cristiano Ronaldo
CF - Nicolas Anelka
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GK - Van Der Sar
LCB - King
CB - Hangeland
RCB - Upson
DM - Essien
RW - Ronaldo
CM - Ireland
CM - Arshavin
LW - Young
ST - Torres
Manager - Fegie / Hodgson
GK - Jaaskaleinen
RB - Johnson
CB - Nelson
CB - Bassong
LB - Dawson
RM - Valencia
CM - O'Neil
CM - Richardson
LM - Brunt
ST - Davies
ST - Fuller
Manager - Pulis
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Top Half XI:
Reina
Sagna
Hangaland
Lescott
Bale
Ronaldo
Barry
Lampard
Robinho
Torres
Carlton Cole
Bottom Half XI:
Carson
G. Johnson
Taylor
Robinson
Bardsley
Geovanni
Delap
Downing
Zaki
Santa Cruz
Davies
Done.
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The line up you've done isn't bad but Gerrard and Jagielka have been outstanding and they are both worth of team of the year.
GK - EDWIN VAN DER SAR (Man U)
RB - PHIL JAGIELKA (Everton)
CB - BRETT HANGELAND (Fulham)
CB - NEMANJA VIDIC (Man U)
LB - PATRICE EVRA (Man U)
RM - CRISTIANO RONALDO (Man U)
CM - STEVEN GERRARD (Liverpool)
CM - MICHAEL ESSEIN (Chelsea)
LM - ASHLEY YOUNG (Aston Villa)
ST - FERNANDO TORRES (Liverpool)
ST - NICHOLAS ANELKA (Chelsea)
I know some players are slightly out of position (Jagielka - more centre - but i think thats probably the best 11!)
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Top
Cech
Corluka
Vidic
Hangeland
Baines
Ireland
Gerrard
Ireland
Arshavin
Carlton Cole
Anelka
Carew
Bottom
Jaaskelien
G. Johnson
Wheater
Turner
Warnock
Valencia
Butt
Malbrangue
Brunt
Beattie
Davies
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Top 10
GK- Schwarzer
RB- L.Young
CB- Hangeland
CB- Jagielka (C)
LB- Ilunga
RW- Lennon
CM- Lampard
CM- Ireland
LW- Arshavin
ST- Rooney
ST- Torres
M- Roy Hodgson
Bottom 10
GK- Jaaseklainen
RB- Johnson
CB- Nelsen (C)
CB- Bassong
LB- Collins
RW- Valencia
CM- Greening
CM- Taylor
LW- Geovanni
ST- Fuller
ST- Tuncay
M- Tony Pulis
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Pfffffft, team of the season is easy:
------------------Van der Sar------------------
-----------------------------------------------
O'Shea--------Vidic-------Ferdinand--------Evra
-----------------------------------------------
-------Carrick------Fletcher-------Giggs-------
-----------------------------------------------
Cristiano Ronaldo------------------------Rooney
----------------------Tevez--------------------
Bench: Foster, Scholes, Anderson, Nani, Berbatov, Evans, Rafael
I know you're not supposed to pick more than one player from a club, but I just wanted to pick the best.
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Very difficult trying to pick a first 11 out of 10 teams when you cant pick more than one player from a team ;-)
I guess we will have to go with 10 outfield players....one from each team
TOP
Van der Saar
Corluka Jagielka Hangeland Ilunga
Essien Ireland
Ronaldo Arshavin Young
Torres
BOTTOM
Robinson
Johnson Bassong Turner Warnock
Valencia Tuncay Richardson Brunt
Beattie Davies
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GK: Mark Schwarzer (Tim Howard)
RB: Glen Johnson (Alvaro Arebloa)
LB: Leighton Baines (Ashley Cole)
CB: Phil Jagielka (Alex)
CB: Nemanja Vidic (Martin Laursen)
RM: Cristiano Ronaldo (Dirk Kuyt)
LM: Ashley Young (Steven Pienaar)
CM: Steven Gerrard (Stephen Ireland)
CM: Xabi Alonso (Frank Lampard)
CF: Fernando Torres (Wayne Rooney)
CF: Nicolas Anelka (John Carew)
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Top Half 11
GK - Mark Schwarzer (Fulham)
DR - Lucas Neill (West Ham United)
DL - Joleon Lescott (Everton)
DC - Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
DC - Brede Hangeland (Fulham)
MR - Aaron Lennon (Tottenham)
ML - Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
MC - Stephen Ireland (Manchester City)
MC - Andrei Arshavan (Arsenal)
FC - Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
FC - Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
Bottom Half 11
GK - Jussi Jaaskalinen (Bolton)
DR - Glen Johnson (Portsmouth)
DL - Stephen Warnock (Blackburn Rovers)
DC - Sebastian Bassong (Newcastle United)
DC - Michael Turner (Hull City)
MR - Antonio Valencia (Wigan)
ML - Tuncay (Middlesbourgh)
MC - Johnathan Greening (West Brom)
MC - Steed Malbranque (Sunderland)
FC - James Beattie (Stoke City)
FC - Kevin Davies (Bolton)
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263. All the other posters here must be kicking themselves for not including John O'Shea - he is so much more talented than any other RB playing in the premier league.
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TOP
Manager= Dvid Moyes
GK. Edwin Van Der Sar (man united)
DR. Alvaro Arbeloa (liverpool)
DL. Gael Clichy (arsenal)
DC. Phil Jagielka (everton)
DC. Nemanja Vidc (man united) (CAPTAIN)
MR. Aaron Lennon (spurs)
ML. Asley Young (aston villa)
MC. Danny Murphy (fulham)
MC. Stephen Ireland (man city)
SC. Carlton Cole (west ham)
SC. Nicolas Anelka (chelsea)
BOTTOM
Manager= Tony Pulis
GK. Jussi Jaaskalainen (bolton)
DR. Glen Johnson (portsmouth)
DL. Ryan Taylor (newcastle)
DC. Gary Cahill (bolton)
DC. Chris Samba (blackburn)
MR. Antonio Valencia (wigan)
ML. Stewart Downing (boro)
MC. Jonathon Greening (west brom)
MC. Ian Ashbee (hull) (CAPTAIN)
SC. James Beattie (stoke)
SC. Kenwyne Jones (sunderland)
P.S. How can you leave Jagielka out steve? he's been 2nd, if not the best centre back in the premier league this season! him alongside vidic would be unstoppable!!
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This was a tough one!
Top Half:
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2. What else?!
Goalkeeper: Shay Given - Brillaint keeper. Started the season with newcastle where he produced magic.
RB: Lucas Neill
CB: Vidic
CB: Hangeland
LB: A Cole
RM: A Young
CM: Modric - the only decent signin Spurs made
CM: Ireland
LM: Arteta - my personal fav
RF: Torres - even for a cold season he's done ok.
LF: Van Persie - Done ok for a flagging Arsenal side.
Any thoughts guys?
Do the Botton half later.
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man utds squad is too big to do them justice, theres to many good players on that team.
i.e if you took a player like ji sung park and put him in liverpool, we would be raving about him. but because he is at united, he looks to get outshined. look at darren fletcher, to the untrained eye, he seems to lack the speed and attacking talents of others in the team. however he is amazing, he makes the right passes, and always bees in the right position. we have to look at johnny evans who had to cover for rio ferdinand (who is probably the best centre back in the world) this season, and he did a very very amazing job especially for a 21 world and to a club who were chasing 5 trophies.
you can see why sir alex needs berbatov in the side, all round attacking works only when its going good. if you have a player which can create little situations and hold up the play, it adds another dimension to the attack when things are not going good. also, players like carrick and fletcher are absolutely essential winning. liverpool dont have that (well xabi alonso yes, but benitez does not like him anymore). i think thats where uniteds strenght lies, people need to achnoledge that.
no team has defended the uefa champions leauge, simple because its a harder competition to win as more games are required to play. thats why teams like liverpool, real madrid, nottingham forest, ajax were able to actually defend the europian trophy because you played only a few games. only 3 or 4 top sides took part in the competition. now you have all the top sides of europe taking part in the competition over a longer period. which makes it almost impossible to actually defend the trophy because its difficult to be that consistant over such a period of time. manchester united are on the verge of making history if they manage to win the champions leauge twice in 2 years.
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Top Team
GK - Schwarzer (Fulham)
LB - Konchesky (Fulham)
CB - Vidic (Man U)
CB - Upson (West Ham)
RB - Corluka (Spurs)
LM - Young (Villa)
CM - Lampard (Chelsea)
CM - Ireland (Man City)
RM - Cahill (Everton) - Has everyone forgotten just how utterly dangerous he was, particularly around mid-season...?
SS - Arshavin (Arsenal)
CF - Kuyt (liverpool) - He's in there because I always thought he was rubbish, and this year he proved me wrong.
Manager - Ferguson (3 Trophies, possibly a fourth, equalling Liverpool's league record and points total that could hit 90pts... how can it be anyone else?)
Bottom Team
GK - Titus Bramble
LWB - Titus Bramble
CB - Titus Bramble
CB - Titus Bramble
CB - Titus Bramble
RWB - Titus Bramble
LM - Rory Delap
CM - Titus Bramble
CM - Titus Bramble
RM - Rory Delap
CF - Titus Bramble
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TOP
GK - Schwarzer/Given (FULHAM/CITY - really hard choice)
RB - Corluka (SPURS)
CB - Jagielka (EVERTON)
CB - Hangeland (FULHAM)
LB - Clichy (GOONERS)
RM - Cristiano Ronaldo (UTD)
CM - Mark Noble (WEST HAM)
CM - Steve Ireland (CITY)
LM - A Young (VILLA)
CAM - Gerrard (LIVERPOOL - Who else?!)
CF - Anelka (CHELSEA)
MANAGER - Roy Hodgson/Harry Redknapp/David Moyes (FULHAM/SPURS/EVERTON)
Yee i couldn't decide..
Bottom
GK - Jussi (BOLTON)
RB - Johnson (POMPEY)
CB - G CAHILL (BOLTON)
CB - S Bassong (NEWCASTLE)
LB - S Warnock (BLACKBURN)
RM - Delap (STOKE)
CM - Richardson (SUNDERLAND)
CM - M Turner (HULL)
LM - Brunt (WBA)
CAM - Tuncay (BORO)
CF - Mido (WIGAN)
MANAGER - Tony Pulis/Sam Alladyce (STOKE/BLACKBURN)
A few of them - as you can probably tell are only there because i needed to use a player from their team..mido..
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Top Half Managed by - David Moyes - Outstanding job with no strikers
GK - Robert Green - Best English keeper this year
RB - Phil Jagielka - Solid as always
CB - Ledley King - A miracle without training
CB - Zat Knight - Good season for the Villa
LB - Wayne Bridge - Best left back apart from ashley cole
RM - Theo Walcott - Raw pace and talent
CM - Steven Gerrard - Talisman for liverpool
CM - Danny Murphy - A new leash of life for the ex-red
LM - Ryan Giggs - Evergreen ryan back at his best
ST - Nicolas Anelka - Same again, reminders of Arsenal but with a brain
ST - Carlto Cole - Potential that has deserved national recognition
Bottom Half Managed By (and i hate to say it) Tony Pulis
GK - Jussi Jaskelinen - Best two games this season against us (Hull City)
RB - Glen Johnson - Excellent strike against Hull
CB - Steven Taylor - Best player at the club all season
CB - Titus Bramble - 10 times the player of last year
LB - Andy Dawson - Awesome considering he has played for hull since div 3
RM - Liam Lawrence - Excellent delivery, he was missed when injured
CM - Johnathan Grening - Consistent Albion captain
CM - Keith Andrews - Worked through the divisions via Hull & MK Dons
LM - Carlos Edwards - Talent through and through
ST - Tuncay - The only player at Boro' with any passion or work in him but by far their best, most passionate than the over rated Stewart Downing!
ST - Gretar Steinsson - Great talent and vison, a good top 6 team future
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I would like to explain my bottom team of...
GK - Titus Bramble
LWB - Titus Bramble
CB - Titus Bramble
CB - Titus Bramble
CB - Titus Bramble
RWB - Titus Bramble
LM - Rory Delap
CM - Titus Bramble
CM - Titus Bramble
RM - Rory Delap
CF - Titus Bramble
Bramble is genius. He always was, he was just sharking so his mates could buy him on Fantasy Prem for next to nothing, then he starts playing awesome!
Delap is there to hurl the ball at bramble with his massive man-strength, the deflection from which leads to a goal every time, from anywhere on the pitch...
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I'd have to go for a controversial 3-4-2-1 for the top half
GK Schwarzer
CB Upson
CB Jagielka
CB Hangeland
RM Lennon
CM Gerrard
CM Ireland
LM Young A
RF Ronaldo
LF Arshavin
ST Anelka
And then a midfield diamond for the bottom half:
GK Jaaskelainen
RB G. Johnson
CB Bramble
CB Bassong
LB Warnock
RM Delap
DM Koren
LM Downing
AM Geovanni
ST Davies
ST Cisse
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manager fergie
vander sar
jhonson
vidic
jagielka
evra
ronaldo
gerrard
giggs
young
rooney
torres
subs
Jaaskalinen
terry
ferdinand
alonso
valencia
anelka
arshavin
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Fantastic response and many very interesting teams though I am not sure about Kieron Richardson as a centre half which someone suggested. (Mind you could be an improvement on Anton Ferdinand lafter last night!)
As usual there is always someone who thinks that anyone daring to write a blog should be put in the 21st century equivalent of the stocks - e.g:
242. At 1:22pm on 19 May 2009, Shandy Van Der Meyde's boot polisher (iceandy12) I am STATTO wrote:
Steve is the worst blog ever - totally pointless.
The fact that you have included Essien, King, Lescott -over jagielka, Ronaldo, Torres and Downing shows what most of us already knew - you do not have a clue !
Sorry I just have to despair!
To the majority who have entered into the spirit of what is meant to be FUN --- cheers - even to those who struggle to grasp the concept of ONE OUTFIELD player.
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Mine would be:
GK: Carson/ Kiely
RB: Zuiverloon
CB: Olsson
CB: Donk
LB: Robinson
RM: Brunt
CM: Valero
CM: Mulumbu:
LM: Greening
CAM: Menseguez
ST: Fortune
If only that team started the season - would have easily been mid table...
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GK - Schwarzer. Any Fulham fan who regularly attends games will tell you Schwarz is the reason for our brilliant defensive record, not Hangeland as the media makes out. 15 clean sheets with the best save ratio. How anyone can put VDS or Reina in as opposed to Schwarzer is crazy.
RB - Sagna. Easily the best right back in the league. No real contest.
CB - Vidic. Great season.
CB - Hughes - Reliable and dependable.
LB - Evra. The best left back.
RM - Ronaldo. Fantastic season.
CM - Gerrard. Should have won player of the year.
CM - Ireland. Carried Man City.
LM - Young. Improved a lot this season.
FC - Torres. Injury hit but still sharp.
FC - Anelka. Has scored well.
GK - Jaskelainen. A great season again.
RB - Johnson. Has done well.
CB - Bramble. Has improved under Bruce.
CB - Turner. Hulls standout player.
LB - Collins. Consistent.
RM - Valencia. No suprise Utd are after him.
CM - Andrews. Surprised by how well he has done.
CM - Davis. Revitalised this season at Pompey.
LM - Delap. You have to say he has contributed to Stoke immensely.
FC - Beattie. A masterstroke signing by Pulis.
FC - Tuncay. Boro's only player who can hold his head high this season.
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Van Der Sar (Utd)
Upson (West Ham)
Vidic (Utd)
Hangeland (Fulham)
Jagielka (Everton)
Gerrard (Liverpool)
Young (Villa)
Ireland (Man City)
Lennon (Spurs)
Anelka (Chelsea)
Van Persie (Arsenal)
PS: Ryan Giggs winning Player of Year - Biggest JOKE this season - good player and a Premiership legend but a disgrace he got that award this season. He should've got it years ago but to give it to him because of his career is a joke!
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Obviously no-one can agree on everything, apart from the fact that ryan giggs winning PFA player of the year was the biggest scam since watergate!, but here's my opinion for top and bottom teams of the season:
TOP HALF-
GK Reina
RB Bosingwa
CB Hangeland
CB Ferdinand
LB Baines
CM Alonso
CM Carrick
RM Benayoun
LM Arshavin
CAM Gerrard
CF Torres
BOTTOM HALF-
GK Jaaskelainen
RB Johnson
CB Cahill
CB Turner (based on excellent 1st half of season performances)
LB Figueroa
RM Lawrence
CM Muamba
LM Brunt
RF Beattie
CF Davies
LF Belhadj
I know the top half team would thrash the bottom half easy, but to be honest i ran out of midfield options (hence muamba's inclusion and belhadj on the left flank!).
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BlocFFC = numpty
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Hey Steve,
Edwin Van der Sar & Cristiano Ronaldo are both Manchester United players, you've broken your own rules :P
Remember only one outfield player from each club allowed in a formation of your choice.
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#18 that's a pretty poor response Steve. Firstly it's not an opinion, it's a fact Andy Dawson is a left back and hasn't played at centre half all season. Secondly rather than jumping on the poster with the "don't have a go at me" line why don't you just admit that you've made a mistake. One that someone who is (presumably) employed by the BBC partly for his knowledge of the game shouldn't have made.
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4-4-2
GK E van der Sar
RB G Johnson
CB N Vidic
CB P Jagielka
LB P Evra
RM C Ronaldo
CM S Gerrard
CM G Barry
LM A Young
ST Robinho
ST N Anelka
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Top Half (4-4-1-1)
GK Van Der Sar (best in the prem)
RB Bosingwa (can keep the best players quiet e.g. ronaldo, messi etc)
CB Hangeland (strong centre half - just what Arsenal need)
CB Jagielka (unlucky to miss FA cup final - worthy of world cup place)
LB Ilunga (solid performer)
RM Ronaldo (best in the world)
CM Ireland (I would rather have an Ireland than a Robinho or Elano but fear for his future at City)
CM Palacios (sured up the Spurs midfield where likes of Jenas, Zokora, Huddlestone couldn't)
LM Milner (not as talneted as A. Young but more consistent should be in the next England squad)
AM Gerrard (second best in the world)
CF Van Perise (would have liked Arshavin but Van Persie would fit better in my formation - still head and shoulders above most overrated arsenal stars ahem Adebayor, Bendtner)
Bottom Half (4-4-2)
GK Jaaskelainen (agree with Steve)
RB Johnson (can defend and attack what more do you want)
CB Abdoulaye Faye (strong defender who has scored important goals also)
CB Collins (Sunderland's player of the season)
LB Bassong (average player made to look good in a woeful Newcastle team)
RM Valencia (potential match winner - not worth £20M though)
CM Andrews (exceeded my expectations of Paul Ince's playboy with some solid performances)
CM O'Neil (more consistency than the Middlesbrough midfield put together)
LM Brunt (tried his best to keep brum up - dead ball specialist)
CF Geovanni (gives some Brazilian flare to an otherwise one paced Hull attack)
CF Davies (would have liked Crouch but is well worthy of a place)
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Sorry Coatsy NI but since when has Edwin van der Sar been an outfield player?
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ok here is my two cents worth. This is extremely difficult so going to be very lazy and just pick one team from top half.
GK VDS best in world
RB Richards- man city ( i know he hasnt had his best season but when in this postion he looks world class. He is not a centre bcak.
CB Terry - chelsea ( solid at the back and great leadership skills)
CB king - spurs ( offers that little bit of pace)
LB evra- man u (an amazing season)
cm flamini - everton ( great season once he got started also a goal scoring threat and great hair)
cm Milner - aston villa ( i like him when he plays , very skilfull and a better crosser than ashley young also quite strong)
cm fabregress - aresenal ( not sure how to spell it but you know what i mean. ok not his best season but he is truly class
F - cole -west ham ( getting better all the time. Could be in the England team at the World cup.
F- Murphy - Fulham ( I like him i think he would suit a floating role between strokers and midfield)
F- modric - spurs ( world class player)
what do you reckon?
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I have to laugh at how many people are complaining about such-and-such a player being left out. The fact is, you get one outfield player from each team in the top or bottom half of the table. The perfect example is Liverpool. If you include Torres, you have to leave out Gerrard, and vice versa. I admit to having serious bias in my footie watching, and really only concentrate on Chelsea games (I live in the US and don't get to see that many games anyway), so I can't put together a solid team of 11 from either the top or bottom, but at least I can understand the rules and appreciate how hard it is to build a team. You really can't take the best player from each team, or you get no defenders. There has to be some balance.
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Top 11 (4-4-1-1)
GK: Reina
RB: Corluka
CB: Ferdinand
CB: Haangeland
LB: Baines
RM: Ireland
CM: Parker
CM: Fabregas
LM: Young
Free Role: Gerrard
CF: Drogba
Bottom 11 (4-4-1-1)
GK: Jaaskalinen
LB: Warnock
CB: Cahill
CB: Bassong
RB: Johnson
LM: Downing
CM: Greening
CM: Delap
RM: Valencia
Free Role: Giovanni
CF: K. Jones
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oops post 288 i have two spurs players. ok sub modric put in Toress liverpool - looks even better now. i think my team is the best.
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this is my team (can have more than 1 outfield player from a club):
van der sar
rafael
vidic
ferdinand
evra
ronaldo
rooney
carrick
giggs
tevez
berbatov
nuff said.
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GK - R Green - One of the best save rates in the Premiership and can catch unlike the current England no.1
RB - B Sagna - Solid at right back and gives an attacking threat, consistantly good throughout the season
CB - B Hangeland - Immense
CB - P Jagielka - Very important for Everton and as much as Cahill's the goal threat Jagielka has kept things quiet at the back
LB - Evra - Apart from the nightmare game against tottenham has been good going forward and strong at the back
RM - Ireland - An all round brilliant season scores goals and gets his fair share of assists
CM - Palacios - Because you have to pick a tottenham player
CM - Lampard - Probably his best season in the Premiership yet
LM - Young - Englands best option on the left by far, puts the ball on a plate for strikers, probably has had a few poorer games recently due to Villas general dip in form
ST - Torres - Lightning fast, brilliant finisher.
ST - Cole - Holds the ball up well, can go a little bit mad with the high tackles but is now getting in the goals, a travesty that Capello thinks Heskey is an England international
Again Neill are you kidding?
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The fantastic Everton midfielder Marouane Flamini.
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Top 11 (4-3-2-1)
GK- Reina
RB- Corluka
LB- Ilunga
CB- Jagielka
CB- Hangeland
CM- Essien
CM- Ireland
CM- Gerrard
AM- Young
AM- Arshavin
CF- Rooney
Bottom 11
GK- Jaskelainen
RB- Johnson
LB- Warnock
CB- Cahill
CB- Collins
CM- Butt
CM- Andrews
CM- Delap
AM- Valencia
AM- Brunt
CF- Tuncay
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4-2-3-1
Almunia - has saved arsenal many many times this season, only really had two major slip up, 4-4 spurs and 3-1 united.
corluka - solid season playing well where ever he's been asked
hangeland - like you said, solid consistant a great signing by fulham
alex - had a great season this year keeping a fit carvalho out and scoring vital goals.
ilunga - consistant with west ham and earning a well deserved permenant signing
barry - rarely has a bad game and liverpool still want him
ireland - as you said, by far city's best player, outshone 30mil robinho
ronaldo - you just couldn't not have him could you?!
arshavin - only played half a season but saved arsenal, cant wait to see him fully next year - pure quality and a great signing
arteta - he got injured and people have fogotten how good he is!
torres - is there any other premier league striker as good as him? maybe drogba but only on his day, not as consistant
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I think the following is well balanced and would be very hard to beat especially with the 2 managers
(4-2-3-1)
Reina
Neill - RB
Barry - LB
Vidic - CB
King - CB
Mascherano - DM
Murphy - DM
Ireland - RAM
Cahill,T - CAM
Arshavin - LAM
Anelka - CF
Hiddink as the manager
The next team would not get relegated
(4-4-2)
James
Cahill,G - RB
Warnock - LB
Brunt - CB
Turner - CB
Johnson,G - RM
Valencia - LM
Butt - CM
Downing - CM
Jones,K - CF
Beattie - CF
Bruce as manager
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
I take it this was a kid on team? You seem to have left out a certain Mr Gerrard who is one of the seasons top scorers and performers...and as a midfielder?
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My teams:
Top 10
GK Pepe Reina - by far the best keeper in the league in my opinion, and has been a key player for Liverpool this season
RB - Corluka, very solid and dependable
LB - Illunga, again a good defender and very reliable.
CB - Phil Jagielka, he's been an absolute rock for Everton and in my opinion should be in the england team ahead of Terry, as conterversial as that sounds.
CB Hangelaand - he's had a great season, and its vital for Fulham that they keep hold of him next season
RM Ireland, he's been fantastic this year. I know he's more of a centre mid, but he's going to have to make do with a wide position!
CM Lampard, Chelsea's best player by a mile this season
CM Gerrard - no explination needed!!!
LM Barry - he's been once again brilliant, and a candidate for player of the season in my opinion.
FW Rooney, once more no explination is needed!
FW Van Persie - ok he hasn't played that many games, but he's still got 9 goals and has proved a constant threat, a very good player in my opinion.
I'll do the bottom half one in a sec!
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Top half XI (442):
Van der Sar
Bosingwa
Upson
Hangeland
Lescott
Lennon
Gerrard
Giggs
A. Young
Robinho
Arshavin
Bottom half XI (4312):
Robinson
Johnson
Bassong
Samba
Collins
Valencia
O'Neill
Brunt
Geovanni
Beattie
Davies
Manager for top half: Ferguson
Manager for bottom half: Allardyce (Blackburn would be top half if he had been their manager all season)
Surprised Nelsen has been picked more than Samba as Samba has been much the better defender and has even done well when filling in as an emergency striker.
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Very tough, and if I wasn't at work I'd have spent more time on this!
Here goes for the top half:
GK: Schwarzer (FUL)
CB: Upson (WHU)
CB: Hangeland (FUL)
CB: Laursen (AST)
DM: Denilson (ARS)
RM: Lennon (TOT)
CM: Ireland (MAC)
CM: Gerrard (LIV)
LM: Arteta (EVE)
FW: Rooney (MAU)
CF: Anelka (CHE)
MANAGER: Roy Hodgson (FUL)
Schwarzer edges Van der Saar for the keeper's spot. I think this team has a very mobile midfield protected by Denilson who has been underrated this season. Laursen's influence on Villa is clear to see in their form since his injury and sad subsequent retirement - I hope they can find an adequate replacement - and he anchors a solid defence. Rooney and Anelka should provide plenty of goals. It does rely heavily on Lennon and Arteta covering the space behind them, but I couldn't come up with any fullbacks I could put in this team ahead of who was already in it.
Bottom half:
GK: Jaaskelainen (BOL)
CB: Shawcross (STO)
CB: Samba (BLA)
CB: Turner (HUL)
DM: Diarra (POR)
RM: Valencia (WIG)
CM: Brunt (WBA)
CM: Reid (SUN)
LM: Gutierrez (NEW)
FW: Tuncay (MID)
CF: Davies (BOL)
MANAGER: Tony Pulis (STO)
JJ is a shoe-in for between the sticks, while the three centre-backs have all played solidly this season, and have mucked in with a few goals as well. Picking Diarra might be a bit of a cheat, but I couldn't go with Johnson from Pompey for fear of unbalancing the defence, and with the possible exception of Brunt, who can still score a few, the midfield does leave the defence in need of some protection. However, Gutierrez, Reid and Valencia should provide plenty of ammunition for Davies, ably supported by Tuncay.
I've chosen the managers of both teams for their success in getting their teams to puch well above their weight on limited resources.
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Van Der Sar - WHen you break the record for the most minutes without a goal in a league strong as the EPL is, you are the best GK that season.
With so much firepower upfront a DM is needed. I agree that Ronaldo must be included, Torres is the best classical striker in the league, Arshavin has been the best player for Arsenal in the second half, and Lampard has been the best player for Chelsea. Irelans has had a stellar year for City.
I did not include Gerrard, but Lampard is as good of a substitute as any. I would really like to have Carrick in there, but Ronaldo is clearly the best attacking player in the world with his finishing, providing and free kick ability.
-------------Van Der Saar---------------
Corluka (TO) Jagielka(E) Hangeland (F) IIlunga (WH)
--------------------- Barry (AV)
Ronaldo (MU) Lampard (CH) Ireland (MC) Arshavin (AR)
---------------------Torres (LI)
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Bottom Half:
GK Jaaskelianen - one of the best in the league, and that save against Hull was incredible. Almost as good as Speroni...
RB Johnson - not overly reliable defensively, but still a decent RB
LB Collins - has been very good in general for Sunderland this campaign
CB Bassong - one of the few positive things for Newcastle this season.
CB Turner - Mr consistent for Hull, and if they go down, I think a few premiership clubs will be after him.
RM Valencia - will be off in the summer
CM Greening - he's been the baggies best player this season
CM Tugay - well what can you say? Based more on sentiment that actual ability, but still he's a great player and it'll be a shame when he retires.
FW Davies - has been very impressive for Bolton, with a good goal record to match
FW Tuncay - by far Middelsbrough's best player.
Manager of the season:
Top Half - Hodgson
Bottom Half - Pulis/Brown if he keeps Hull up.
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GK Van Der Sar - Been one of the main players for utd this season
RB Johnson - Brilliant player for pompey with some absoulute scorchers
CB King - He might not be able to train but what a cb he is solid, quick and great in the air what else would you want from a cb
CB Vidic - Been solid all season other than the slip up to liverpool
LB Evra - Great Player
RM Lennon - Ronaldo's been good but lennon has had a major confidence boost since redknapp saved us
CM Ireland - Runs citys midfield their stand out player this season
CM Gerrard - Well...
LM Arshavin - Even though he plays for a dodgy team, he's class :p
ST Torres - Super player and what a goal against Blackburn unbelievable
ST Rooney - Unlike players like ronaldo who moan about where they play and how long, Rooney has been made to fit around the other players play at utd and comes up with the goods.
Manager - Harry Redknapp - You probably would'nt think he is compared to hodgson and pullis but Redknapp had such a hard job when he joined and he done it perfectly makes the right decisions week in week out amazing to think that in december we was rock bottom of the league now we are pushing for a place in europe that im sure we would treasure a bit more than this year.
SPurs Fan Believe it or not :)
T_G
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GK: Reina
DR: Jagielka
DL: Ilunga
DC: Hangeland
DC: Woodgate
MC: Gerrard
MC: Essien
MR: Walcott
ML: Young
ST: Robinho
ST: Rooney
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Top XI
-----------------VDS---------------------
Bosingwa----Uspon---Hangeland-----Baines
----Ireland----Palacios-----Barry
----Arshavin----Torres-----Ronaldo
BOTTOM XI
-----------------James---------------------
G.Johnson----Wheater---Cahill-----Figuroea
Tugay---Geovanni----Greening
Jones----Beattie-----Owen
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Interesting Choice Steve. My Top XI is: (I have gone for a 3-5-2ish formation!
GK: Edwin Van De Sar
CB: Hangeland
CB: Jagielka
CB: King
RW: Ronaldo
CM: Ireland
CAM: Arshavin
CM: Gerrard
LW: Young
CF: Anelka
CF: Cole
My bottom XI simple 4-4-2
GK: Jussi Jaaskelainen
RB: Johnson
CB: Bassong
CB: Nelson
LB: Steinsson
RM: Koren
CM: Delap
CM: Leadbitter
LM: Valencia
CF: Cousin
CF: Tuncay
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Re post 305 - I think you're missing the point a litte buddy!
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Top Half - 4-1-4-1
GK - Schwarzer
RB - Evra
CB - Hughes (Fulham)
CB - Onuoha
LB - Clichy
DM - Mascherano
RW - Lennon
CM - Essien
CM - Collison
LW - Fellaini
CF - Carew
bottom half - 3-5-2
GK - Jaaskelainen
RB - Bardsley (not happy but needed RB)
CB - Turner
LB - Gardner (Bolton)
RM - Morrison
CM - Schnarner
CM - Tuguy
CM - S. Davis
LM - Downing
CF - Carroll
CF - Davies (Bolton)
That was tough
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only1palacios - You absolute fool. How is picking a team full of Utd players the objective?
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Here's my team:
GK---Schwarzer
RB---Bosingwa
CB---Alex
CB---Vidic
LB---Aurelio
CM---Obi(c)
CM---Palacios
LM---Modric
RM---Valencia
ITH--Ronaldo
CF---Drogba
Manager...Hodgson
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GK van der Sar
RB Vidic
CB Vidic
CB Vidic
LB Vidic
RM Gerrard
CM Gerrard
CM Gerrard
LM Gerrard
ST Gerrard
ST Gerrard
Any advance on this team? hehe
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Well I am a Scunthorpe United fan I thought I would give you an insight into the glamorous world of League 1. I would really like to put the whole of the scunthorpe team into my team. But here is my league 1 team of the year It would be a 4,4,2 formation.
Goalkeeper- Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe)
Right Back - Jason Crowe (Northampton)
Centre Back - David Mirin (Scunthorpe)
Left Back - Zak Whitbread (Millwall)
Right Midfield - Henri Lansbury (Was at scuntorpe on loan from arsenal one to watch for the future on match of the day so Steve Wilson you will be watching him weekly in one/two years)
Centre Midfield Robert Snodgrass (Leeds)
Centre Midfield Mat Oakley (Leicester)
Right Midfield - Lloyd Dyer (Leicester)
Striker - Simon Cox (Swindon)
Striker - Jermaine Beckford (Leeds)
Come on you scunthorpe beat the Millwall and top off a great season. A quick insight into scunny we play great passing football score plenty of goals but our defence hasn't been what it has been in past years. I wouldn't swap watching them for any premier league team. Come on you Iron.
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I have just been informed by a workmate (not that he does any work) that 'outfield' is not correctly a football term and it only applies to cricket and baseball. I think it also refers to agriculture if you wish to include the Wembley pitch in this discussion.
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Top Half
GK - Gomes - Woeful start aside, he's gained confidence and helped make White Hart Lane something of a fortress.
RB - Jagielka
CB - Vidic
CB - Laursen - Shame to see him retire
LB - Ilunga
RM - Ireland - Worth 10 Robinhos
CM - Alonso
CM - Dempsey
LM - Modric
CF - Arshavin
CF - Anelka
Manager - Harold Redknapp
Bottom Half
GK - Jaaskelainen
RB - Glen Johnson
CB - Dawson (Hull)
CB - Faye
LB - Warnock
RM - Matty Taylor
CM - Kapo
CM - Malbranque
LM - Brunt - Should be in the Premier League next year
CF - Tuncay - Should be in the Premier League next year
CF - Martins - Should be in the Premier League next year
Manager - Tony Mowbray - Always attempted to play entertaining football, with limited resources.
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formation of 4-3-2-1.
I feel Vidic has been the best player in the premiership hence Ronaldo not being in the team.
VDS did slip up a few times and only got his record through the defence partnership of Vidic and Ferdinand
Ilunga is there to make the numbers
Everyone else has exceeded expectations in their position- Alonso would have been in but had it not been for Gerrard's magical touch.
GK- Pepe Reina
DR- Phil Jagielka
DC- Njemanda Vidic
DC- Brede Hangeland
DL- Ilunga
MC- Stephen Ireland
MR- Aaron Lennon
ML- Ashley Young
AM- Andriy Arshavin
AM- Stephen Gerrard
FC- Nicholas Anelka
Manager- G.Zola or Roy Hodgson- both have done brilliant jobs this season
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Schwarzer-Fulham, 1 of the best keepers in the prem for YEARS!
Neill- West Ham, just consistent
Hangeland- Fulham, he's a beast
Jagielka- Everton, 1 of my favourite players, improved loads!
Clichy- Arsenal, had no arsenal players and he's the only half decent left-back
Lennon- Tottenham, love watching him play
Ireland- Man City, up there for prem player of the year for me
Gerrard- Liverpol, best player in the world!
Young- Aston Villa, don't like him but he's a decent player
Rooney- Man United, 1 of the best players in the world for me, so selfless
Anelka- top goalscoring striker...
Jaaskelainen- Bolton, 1 of the best keepers in the prem
Johnson- Portsmouth, been impressive in a bad pompey season
Nelsen- Blackburn, like hangeland- a beast!
Faye- Stoke, opitimised stoke, hard-working and solid
Dawson- Hull, consistent and tidy
Valencia- Wigan, couldn't be anybody else from Wigan
Digard- M'Boro, he's impressed me tbf
Butt- Newcastle, only decent player for Newcastle
Brunt- West Brom, brilliant player- i hope my blues by him!
Jones- Sunderland, Spare part to throw in lol
Davies- Bolton, Capello should pick him over carlton cole any day!
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and league 1 boy- you've only picked 10 players :')
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Re Bennlr.
Vidic is massively overrated - there's no way he should be in that team ahead of Rooney or Ronaldo in my opinion.
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Disappointing Team of the Season
GK - Carson - Poor defence in front of him, but makes mistakes left, right and centre
RB - Sagna - Can't cross for toffee.
CB - Dunne - Very poor season by his standard
CB - Sol Campbell - As slow as Christmas and, sadly, past it
LB - Coloccini - The worst of a very bad bunch
RM - Bentley - Hope he stays at Spurs. Genuinely good guy, and I think he just needs a chance
CM - Lucas - Out of his depth
CM - Downing - Maybe worth 15 million in Zimbabwean dollars
LM - Nani - See Lucas
CF - Drogba - Not for his disgraceful diving antics, but for an all-round poor season
CF - Adebayor - Quality player, but has a shocking attitude and ultimately hasn't performed
SUBS - Defoe, Ashley Cole, Robinho, Alfonso Alves, Kevin Nolan.
Manager(s) - Tony Adams and Alan Shearer. The phrase, "You don't know what you're doing", has never been more apt.
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Don't really see how you can have Essien over Lampard who has been fantastic ALL SEASON long! Essien has done well since he has came back but he has only been playing for a couple of months!
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RE 321 completely agree about Shearer, I may be bias as my local team is Stevenage, but he just isn't cut out for management is he!!!
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My top half team would be
GK Reina
RB Carragher
LB Baines
CB Skirtel
CB Alex
CM Mascherano
CM Barry
CM Modric
RF Gerrard
LF Ronaldo
CF Torres
subs
Cech
Vidic
Alonso
Rooney
A Young
Arteta
Walcott
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If I'm being honest I think it's a bit of a joke that 95% of the people on here put Ashley Young in their team and yet Stewart Downing (has there ever been a more over-rated player) starts ahead of him for england.
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top half 4-5-1
GK - Friedel
RB - Bosingwa
CB - Hangeland
CB - Alex
LB - Evra
DM - Carrick
LM - Arshavin
RM - Lennon
CM - Lampard
CM - Collison
CF - Anelka
Bottom half 4-4-2
GK - Jaaskelainen
RB - Johnson
CB - Turner
CB - Upson
LB - Belhadj
RM - Valencia
CM - Palacios (when at wigan before joinin spurs in january)
CM - Delap
LM - Brunt
ST - Beattie
ST - Jones
Manager - David Moyes Assistant Manager - Steve Clarke odd how when he joined west ham they were on the up and chelsea were falling back lol
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Top half:
GK: Mark Schwarzer (Fulham)
RB: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
CB: Brede Hangeland (Fulham)
CB: Phil Jagielka (Everton)
LB: Herita Ilunga (West Ham)
RM: Aaron Lennon (Tottenham)
CM: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
CM: Michael Essien (Chelsea)
AM: Steven Ireland (Man City)
LM: Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
FW: Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United)
Bottom half:
GK: Jussi Jaaskelinen (Bolton)
RB: Bernard Mendy (Hull)
CB: Gary Cahill (Bolton)
CB: Sebastian Bassong (Newcastle)
LB: Stephen Warnock (Blackburn)
RM: Antonio Valencia (Wigan)
CM: Sean Davis (Portsmouth)
CM: Gary O'Neill (Middlesbrough)
LM: Chris Brunt (West Brom)
ST: Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland)
ST: James Beattie (Stoke)
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Team of the season
GK- Given- Most underrated Goalkeeper, he has saved Newcastle and Man City so many points this season
RB- Johnson- By a country mile is te best RB in the league
CB- Jagielka- He has been fantastic at the back and so unlucky that he is missing the FA Cup final
CB- Hangeland- He and Aaron Hughes have made them a lot more solid at the back and he is quality
LB- Evra- the best left-back in the world, enough said
CM- Alonso- When Gerrard and Torres aint been playing, he has kept Liverpool up there and he is the best passer in the league
CM- Gerrard- Best player in the world, Enough said
CM- Ireland- Most improved player in premier league and he has outshone all the lads at City
RW- Lennon- He has been great this season, but he just needs to improve on his end product
ST- Torres- Best striker in the world, enough said
LW- Ronaldo- Mite have missed a bit of season but he is still joint top scorer
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I'd post a team but frankly at number 320 i don't think enough people would see it to make it worth the effort.
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My Top XI would be in a 3-5-2 formation :
GK Schwarzer - Fulham SOUND ALL SEASON
CB Jagielka - Everton TOP CLASS
CB Upson - West Ham SAFE DEFENDER
CB Corluka - Spurs UNSUNG HERO
MC Ireland - Man City MOST CONSISTENT
MC Carrick - Man Utd ANOTHER UNSUNG HERO
AMC Gerrard - Liverpool CANT FAULT HIM
AMR Arshavin - Arsenal STAR BUY
AML Dempsey - Fulham GREAT SEASON
ST Anelka - Chelsea JOINT TOP SCORER
ST Carew - Villa PULL A GOAL FROM NOWHERE
My Bottom XI would be in a 4-4-2 formation:
GK Kirkland - Wigan SAFE HANDS
RB Johnson - Pompy BEST POMPY PLAYER
LB Bassong - Toon NEWCASTLES ONLY GOOD BUY
CB Turner - Hull ONLY DECENT PLAYER HULL HAVE
CB Nelsen - Blackburn IMPRESSIVE SEASON
RM Valencia - Wigan NOT SCARED TO RUN WITH THE BALL
LM Brunt - West Brom GREAT END TO SEASON
CM Malbranque - Mackems VERY CREATIVE PLAYER
CM Downing - Boro STANDS OUT IN A POOR TEAM
ST Fuller - Stoke QUICK AND STRONG - SCORES THE GOALS
ST Davies - Bolton VERY GOOD SEASON FOR HIM
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By the way can I just ask .. Why have people put Nicky Butt in the bottom half team? He is awful. Trust me .. if you have a Newcastle United season ticket you will see how terrible he is :(
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Has anyone else noticed the fact that "Player of the Year" Ryan Giggs is in NO ONE'S teams??
top half -
GK Schwarzer
RB Bosingwa
CB Hangeland
CB Jagielka
LB Ilunga
RM Young
CM Modric
CM Ireland
LM Arshavin
FREE ROLE Gerrard (his best position)
CF Rooney
bottom half -
GK Jaaskelainen
RB Glen Johnson
CB Gary Cahill
CB Turner
LB Collins
RM Gutierrez
CM Villanueva
CM Kapo
LM Brunt
CF Tuncay
CF Beattie
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I dont support Fulham, but Mark Schwarzer has kept plenty of clean sheets this season & HE doesnt sit behind Rio F & Vidic ! Compare his stats to any other keeper other than VDS & Im sure you'll find he deserves more credit and recognition
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uv got two bolton players in your bottom team. jussi and kevin davies
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Top ten team
Tim Howard
Ledley King
Phil Jagielka
James Tomkins
Bacary Sagna
Stephen Ireland
Danny Murphy
Steven Gerrard
Ashley Young
Wayne Rooney
Nicolas Anelka
Bottom ten team
Jussi Jaaskelainen
Sebastien Bassong
Glen Johnson
Abdoulaye Meite
Ryan Nelson
Antonio Valencia
Deiberson Geovanni
Matthew Taylor
Stewart Downing
Djibril Cisse
Ricardo Fuller
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Goalkeeper »
Schwarzer
Defenders »
Vidic
Lescott
Carragher
Bosingwa
Midfielders »
Lampard
Gerrard
Ronaldo
Kuyt
Ireland
Forward »
Anelka
Subs
Reina
Jagielka
Baines
Barry
A Young
Agbonlahor
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Several things wrong with your teams, sorry Steve,
firstly lescott doesn't play left back anymore. Leighton baines has been a shoe in for that position.
Lucas Neill I think not. Bosingwa was electric early season and is finishing strong.
Ledley "the crock" King. Definitely not, Nmenja Vidic, who in reality should have won the pfa and writer's awards but unfortunately fell victim to the fact that the pfa award is the january player of the month award and the writer's shared the votes amongst united's players so it ended up on gerrard.
I'll give you Hangeland
Essien is probably the best midfielder in england at what he does, but he's been injured all season so sorry mate but Gerrard has gotta step in.
Ireland is a good shout
Ronaldo is a shoe in
Young at left wing is ok
Torres and Arshavin up front are very poor calls. They're such the man in the pub's shout. For my money, Rooney and Anelka are much better. Don't get me wrong Torres and Arshavin are world class, but over the course of this season, they've not played enough to warrant a place in the best XI
That's
Van Der Sar
Bosingwa
Vidic
Hangeland
Baines
Ronaldo
Gerrard
Ireland
Young
Rooney
Anelka
The Bottom Half:
Your bottom half team is a much better stab but still got some issues
Paul Robinson, David James and Shay Given (who spent most of the year in the bottom half) are good shouts but I'll agree with Jussi
Glen Johnson probably the best rb in the league this year.
Nelsen and Turner are both very good players. But I reckon Shawcross and Bramble have done better than them. Bramble never gets a mention these days but he's physical, quick, and has cut out his mistakes, Turner should consider himself unlucky. And Shawcross has got plenty of important goals this year.
Collins probably wins the best of a bad bunch despite playing most of the season at centre half, maybe stephen warnock. I'll go with Warnock
Valencia is utter class
Butt is controversial but against Portsmouth when chasing a goal Shearer pulled Butt off and sent on a striker and Newcastle didn't create another chance. Coincidence I think not, but unfortunately butt is one of the reasons newcastle are in this mess. Gotta be looking at Sean Davis as the driving force behind Pompey's survival
Greening looks good going forward but is shocking at defending, gotta be looking at downing as a centre mid and then matty taylor out wide. For crying out loud he's got over 10 goals.
Davies and Beattie are great shouts, Crouch can consider himself unlucky
So that's:
Jaaskelainen
Johnson
Bramble
Shawcross
Warnock
Valencia
Davis
Downing
Taylor
Beattie
Davies
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Nice game Steve - but bless you mate - Lescott has played the majority of the season at Centre Half - Baines has been Everton's consistent LB for most of the season and, arguably has been superior there. Surely with your expertise on Premier League football you were aware of this?? ;)
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This is obviously a subjective view but man are you a bit off or crazy you left out Vidic and Ferdinand!!! Okay Ferdinand I can see but Vidic....how!!!
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Is it me or are people putting two players from the same team in their 10 outfield players? I assumed that out of the two players that are in the same team, one of them had to be in goal..........?!
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Thanks BigBeatManifesto - the only problem is that you are only allowed ONE outfield (i.e not goalkeeper) from each of the clubs - that's why you cannot have Vidic Ronaldo and Rooney! If you could I would have picked them and Gerrard believe me. Your keeper can come from any club you like.
Looks like you jumped in without reading the instructions! How are at DIY?
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yer but BigBeatManifesto, Steve can only have one player from each team in the top 10, so yr team is wrong because you hav two united and two chelsea players
My eleven would be
GK- Van Der Sar
RB- L. Young
CB- Jagielka
CB- Hangeland
LB- Ilunga
RW- Lennon
CM- Gerrard
CM- Ireland
LW- Arshavin
ST- Anelka
ST- Rooney
CM-
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Tough one! i challenge anyone to select a better team
GC- swartzer, ability
RB- sagna, work rate
CB- chorluka, totenham r bad
CB- hangeland, as sacry looking as vidic & damn good footballer
LB- jagielka, was stuck for left backs
RMF- ronaldo, rooney was good but not as good as the drama queen
CMF- gerard, most consistant out of all the liverpool players
CMF- Ireland, good finisher, looks like noddy
LMF- A.young, although his age reflects his name he has great ability
RWF- anelka, french goal machine
CF- cole, strong, found good form halfway through the season
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A JOKE OF A TEAM...
IS THIS REALLY one of Match of the Day's commentators???
I DOUBT HE HAS SEEN OR COMMENTATED ON MATCHES INVOLVING TEAMS OTHER THAN WEST HAM (lucas niel, indeed) TOTTENHAM (king??) OR WHATEVER.
PATHETIC TO SAY THE LEAST...BBC OUGHTA FIRE HIM AN HIRE BigBeatManifesto OR WHOEVER INSTEAD.
I AM SEETHING REALLY...
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GK- Van Der Sar
RB- Corulka
CB- Jagielka
CB- Hangeland
LB- Illunga
RM- Arshavin
CM- Gerrard
CM- Barry
LM- Robinho
CF- Rooney
CF- Anelka
Manager is David Moyes by a million miles. No money too spend and has had most of the season without a recognized striker and has still got his team to the FA Cup final and looks like they will finish fifth
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top half team XI:
Goalkeeper: Green
Right Back: Bosingwa
Centre Back: Hangeland
Centre Back: Vidic
Left Back: Illunga
Right wing: C.Ronaldo
Centre mid: Gerrard
Centre mid: Ireland
Left wing: Ashley Young
Striker: Torres
Striker: Cole
bottom half team XI:
Goalkeeper: Kirkland
Right Back: Johnson
Centre Back: Faye
Centre back: Turner
Left Back: Figueroa
Right wing: Valencia
Centre mid: Delap
Left wing: Brunt
Attacking mid: Geovanni
Striker: Beattie
Striker: Davies
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.................Van der Sar.................
Sagna...Hangeland...Lescott...Illunga
..................Palacios.....................
...........Ireland.........Essien............
Ronaldo.........................Young......
..................Torres.......................
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134. At 3:59pm on 18 May 2009, Lennonisagod wrote:
Sorry where did the 50m mark come from?
Defoe 10m
Keane 12m
Palacios 12m
Chimbonda 3m
Cudicini Free
37m gross transfer spend... oh and by the way we didn't spend any of the Berbatov transfer in the summer, so actually the NET spend is 5m. I think you will find thats less than Stoke. Check your figures before you comment.
* * * *
You really are special you know that? You didnt spend any of the Berbatov money in the summer? I have a few players that may job ur memory
David Bentley = 15 million (admittedly easy to forget)
Roman Pavlychenko = 17 million
Luca Modric = 16 million
Dos Santos = 5 million
There's a nice little 53 million spent there and many other players im sure. Redknapp didnt do a great job, he merely got the players working to there potential for the huge outlay spent on them.
But no, im sure your right, you didnt spend any of the berbatov money did you? hmmmmm.
Think before you write.
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I can`t believe that like Cappello, Steves team is not built around Gerrard the most gifted all round midfielder in many years. To leave him out or play him out of position is crazy.
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.........Van der sar.........
Sagna..Vidic..Ferdinand..Evra
...........Carrick...........
Ronaldo....Gerrard....Ireland
........Tevez..Torres........
^^^ THE FUTURE ^^^
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Here's what you've all been waiting for :
4-3-1-2 , Top :
Gk - Manuel Almunia
Rb -
Cb - Martin Laursen
Cb - Brede Hangeland
Lb - Leighton Baines - How has he not got a mention yet???
Rm - Luca Modric
Cm - Stephen Ireland
Lm - Wayne Rooney
Cf - Andrey Arshavin
St - Niklas Anelka
St - Fernando Torres
Traditional 4-4-2 Bottom :
Gk - Jussi Jaaskelinen
Rb - Genn Johnson
Cb - Mario Melchiot , reli wanted to put faye but couldnt
Cb - Andrew Nelson
Lb - Andy Dawson
Rm - Jonas Gutierrez
Cm - Jonathon Greening
Cm - Grant Leadbitter
Lm - Stuart Downing , had valencia down but boro needed sum1
St - Kevin Davies
St - James Beattie
steve, you team is possibly one of the worst ive seen on here, you punditry days are hopefully going to be short lived and you wont be able to make a fool of yourself any longer, my team is clearly better and more thought out than yours
good day to you!!!!
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Right, here goes...
Top Half Team: (Going with a 4-3-2-1 formation)
Goalkeeper: Edwin van der Sar (Man Utd) - its got to be hasn't it.
Right Back: Phil Jagielka (Everton) - consistent.
Left Back: Herita Ilunga (West Ham) - what a name.
Centre Back: Martin Laursen (Villa) - the reason Villa have dropped away.
Centre Back: John Terry (Chelsea) - so commanding.
Right Centre Midfield: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) - had to be.
Centre Midfield (Holding: Danny Murphy (Fulham) - experienced, talented.
Left Centre Midfield: Stephen Ireland (Man City) - hard-working.
Right Attacking Midfielder: Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal) - quality.
Left Attacking Midfielder: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) - passion, desire.
Centre Forward: Robbie Keane (Spurs) - back in form.
Manager: Roy Hodgson (Fulham) - done a brilliant job.
And bottom half team: (Going with a simpe 4-4-2)
Goalkeeper: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton) - consistent.
Right Back: Glen Johnson (Pompey) - in the England team.
Left Back: Stephen Warnock (Blackburn) - good player.
Centre Back: Michael Turner (Hull) - met the challenge.
Centre Back: David Wheater (Boro) - premiership quality.
Right Wing: Antonia Valencia (Wigan) - well Fergie's after him.
Left Wing: Chris Brunt (WBA) - only one for me.
Centre Midfield: Teemu Tainio (Sunderland) - played well.
Centre Midfield: Nicky Butt (Newcastle) - only one for them.
Striker: James Beattie (Stoke) - shown his worth.
Striker: Kevin Davies (Bolton) - has scored goals.
Manager: Tony Pulis (Stoke) - who else?
What you think?
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Essien?!?! As you have said, he has only been fit since April, how can someone be included in a team of the season that has only played 3 months of it - JOKE.
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top team -
Rb - lucas Neil
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Lescott at left back?
"...real handful when he races down the touchline and is rarely caught out defensively."
He's barely played at left-back all season, primarily because he's not even the best left-back at Goodison, so how he can make your team is frankly laughable.
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Goalkeeper: Pepe Reina
Definitely one of the most improved goalkeepers, having evolved into more than just a shotstopper. This season, he has been immense for Liverpool. As my fiance put it, "He stands on his head for Liverpool!"
Centre Back: Lucas Neill
Sadly, Neill gets this slot because West Ham doesn't have anyone to displace players from other positions. That said, he is a solid player in his own right who puts in good performances when called on.
Centre Back: Brede Hangeland
Of course there are centre backs I would rather have and Fulham have players who have probably *done* more, but considering the wealth of talent some of the bigger clubs have up front, this consistent performer gets his spot.
Centre Back: Phil Jagielka
I know there are people who might argue his best position is in a full back slot, but I think he deserves this one. He makes it in because of his versatility.
Centre Midfield: Michael Essien
He goes here because on balance, he is the player who I would most like to have covering my defence from the options available. I would much rather have someone like Alonso or Mascherano from Liverpool, but Liverpool's spot goes to someone else!
Left Midfield: Luka Modri
He has been a decent performer for Spurs this season, helping them climb after the despair of Ramos' reign. He was wasted playing deep, but at least he has the ability to do so if he has to.
Right Midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo
There is a reason why he gets the plaudits so often. Very smug and irritating, but to be fair, he has a fairly good reason to be. In many ways, the all-round player with that extra technique and abiltity to surprise opponents.
Attacking Midfield: Andrey Arshavin
Anyone who can score goals like him deserves to make the team. He has been one of the most positive aspects of a mediocre Arsenal season, showing he is worth the trust and money placed on him by Wenger.
Attacking Midfield: Steven Gerrard (C)
I disagree that Torres should get in ahead of Gerrard. I mean, it is close and Torres will guarantee you goals, but Gerrard will guarantee that the rest of your team puts in that extra 10%. There are few players around who can put so much effort into motivating a team then get the goals and assists that he does.
Centre Forward: Gabriel Agbonlahor
A decent player who has come on leaps and bounds in the last year or so. At this stage, there are plenty of better strikers, but with the support of the midfield behind him, even Danny Mills could probably look good! Seriously though, this man is a real talent who will terrorise defences for years to come.
Manager: Harry Rednapp
Of course the managers of the top three teams have received the plaudits and rightly so. Honestly though, who expected Spurs to be in 9th way back in the middle of the season? This man works miracles and I would be interested to see how well he would do with one of the big four.
----------------------------------------------------
Goalkeeper: Jussi Jääskeläinen
This man wouldn't look out of place as the goalkeeper for the top half of the table. Frankly, he is pure class and always has been. I'm still not sure what it is with Finland and decent keepers!
Centre Back: Michael Turner
He has had an amazing season, especially considering the resources that Hull have available. They slumped majorly in the second half of the season, but players like Turner ensured that Hull aren't currently all the way down there with West Brom and have a fighting chance of survival.
Centre Back: Ryan Nelson
I was surprised when he first joined the Premier League since I had never really heard of Kiwi footballers. I was even more surprised when he turned out to be as good as he is. Solid performer week in, week out.
Centre Back: Glen Johnson
Yes, yes I know- he is a right back. He had to fit into my three man defence though and has done very well this season despite all the negativity in previous years.
Central Midfield: Nicky Butt
Still a world class central midfielder who I believe has at least kept Newcastle in the fight to stay up. Obviously past his best, but his best was so good to begin with.
Left Midfield: Jonathan Greening
A star performer for a club that has definitely tried (and won hearts in the process) but ultimately didn't produce the goods. If they had more players with the abiltity and mentality of Greening, would they have stayed up?
Right Midfield: Antonio Valencia
The fact that the world's biggest clubs want him says more than my own words ever could. He has evolved into a very, very good midfielder.
Attacking Midfield: Rory Delap
He brings that little extra in the way of his throws but isn't a bad footballer in his own right. Stoke isn't the most spectacular of teams but they have got the job done.
Centre Forward: Kenwyne Jones
A very technically gifted player who doesn't have the abilty to show what he can do with a fantastic midfield behind him. He is another player who is highly rated and worth a lot of money despite being in a weaker team than many.
Centre Forward: Kevin Davies
The typical English centre forward who can do it all and push back the years doing it. Somehow, he keeps coming up with the goods. Any team that plays against Bolton would ignore him at their peril.
Centre Forward: Tuncay Sanli
One of the few players who seems to have cared for most of the season. He has always been a class act and pinched in with his fair share of goals and even Boro fans recognise the positive impact he has had. It will be a sad day for Boro when he goes.
Manager: Tony Pulis
It has to be. He has done so well with Stoke City and for that, he can't receive enough praise. At the start of the season, who had Stoke pegged for 11th?
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I agree with other posters, the spurs player was a toughie.
GK - Schwarzer - been outstanding all season.
RB - Corluka - needed a spurs player. Pretty solid most of the time.
CB - Hangeland - outstanding performer, along with Schwarzer, the reason why Fulhma have been hard to break down this season.
CB - Laursen - his injury was the demise of Villa's UCL push.
LB - Ilunga - done very well in first seaosn in prem coming from abroad.
DM - Essien - him and Guus are the reasons behind Chelsea's drastic change in form after January.
AM - Ireland - been outstanding for City all season.
AM - Gerrard.
AM - Fellaini - gotta love the afro. Scored some goals too.
CF - Rooney - gotta love the passion and enthusiasm. Although it got out of hand once, his work rate and talent will hopefully bring success to England. One day...
CF - Arshavin - loved him at Euros, single-handedly got Arsenal a point vs Liverpool, and when he told the ref the penalty decision was wrong was true class.
I wanted Jagielka and Vidic as my CBs, but the one player per club rule was a pain.
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Very interesting Steve but surely you meant to put in Michael Turner at centre back rather than Andy Dawson who is a left back ?
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Interesting article, only I've never seen Andy Dawson play centre back for Hull City, which is odd, as I go to every game ! (He's a left back, he only ever plays left back)
There should also be a mention for Michael Turner, Hull City's player of the season by a country mile(won 12 awards at Monday nights player of the season awards), in contention for an England call up and one of the most consistent centre backs in the country.
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This would be my team of the season...
GK - Reina
RB - Bosingwa
LB - Aurelio
CB - Vidic
CB - Jagielka
DM - Alonso
DM - Essien
AMR - Young
AMC - Gerrard
AML - Robinho
ST - Torres
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Thought i'd join in for the first time. My team would be:
GK. Petr Cech
DC. Brede Hangeland DC. Joleon Lescott
DR. Jose Bosingwa DL.Herita Ilunga
MC. Steven Gerrard MC. Wilson Palacios
MR. Cristiano Ronaldo ML. Robinho
ST. Fernando Torres ST. Gabriel Agbonlahor
GK. Marton Fulop
DC. Fabrizio Coloccini DC. David Wheater
DR. Glenn Johnson DL. Michael Turner
MC. Rory Delap MC. Chris Brunt
MR. Antonio Valencia ML. Morten Gamst Pedersen
ST. Kevin Davies ST. Djibril Cisse
It was harder than i thought. haha
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Top half
Goalkeeper: Van der Saar
excellent season. record clean sheets and is a steadying influence.
Right Back: Bosingwa
Had a good solid season good atacking play and handled Messi well in the Chapions League first leg despite playing out of position. Provided good service for Anelka.
Centre Back: Hangeland
Great in the air and a great reader of the game. Wouldnt be suprised if he joined a top 4 team this summe.
Centre Back: Upson
Solid season under Zola and earned a regular place in the England squad.
Left Back: Lesott
Solid, great going forward always a threat going forward.
Right Wing: Aaron Lennon
Good season. Destroyed Evra in the league cup final and earned a starting place for England against Ukraine.
Centre Mid: Ireland
Chipped in with a lot of goals from midfield and always puts the work in. Threw in a few tricks and flicks aswell.
Centre Mid: Gerrard
Fantastic season best player in the league by a mile.
Left Mid: Ashley Young: Searing pace and outstanding finishing have earned him plenty of acolades. Rightly so.
Striker: Rooney
Graet season. plenty of goals for both United and England. Great work rate, vision and technique.
Striker: Van Persie
Fantastic first half of the season. Was arsenals best performer untill a certain Arshavin turned up. Plenty of goals and assists. Therefore just shades it on the afore mentioned Arshavin.
Bottom half
Goalkeeper: Jaaskalinen
Fantastic keeper. Great agilty saves numerous amount of points for Bolton every year.
Right back: Johnson
Cemented place as Englands first choice right back. Scored a wonder goal.
Centre back: Samba
Solid scores goals and is versatile
Centre Back: Scharner: Been a rock for Wigan. Also versatile.
Left Back: Duff
Has been played there out of position but has done well. Secure a few vital points for Newcastle with last minite goals against Everton and spurs.
Right mid: Malbranque
Been Sunderlands best player by far. Has stacked up the assists.
Centre mid: O'neil
Been Boro's best player by far. always works hard and produces quality in the final third. Sadly for them they have no-one to finish.
Centre mid: Geovanni
Scored wonder goals earilier in the season aginst Fulham, Arsenal and Totthenham. Gone a bit off the boil recently but still is a creative influence in the side.
Left mid: Brunt
WBA's best player. Has scored a hatfull of goals from midfield and has great technique and power in his shots.
Striker: Davis
Has added goals to his muscle and work rate.
Striker: Beattie
Fantastic bit of buisness by Tony Pulis. Up there with Arshavin as the best buy of the January window. Showed his undoubte PL class.
Honourable mention for Glen Whealan from Stoke.
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Some odd choices people!
Top half.
GK - mark schwarzer - most under rated keeper out there has had a great season under roy hodgson.
RB - Bacary sagna - by far one of the best premier league right backs around. rock solid in defense and good going forward.
CB - Nemanja Vidic - probably the best centre back in the world at the moment. has been rock solid throughout. a little slip up against liverpool but came back even stronger.
CB - Matthew Upson - rock solid centre back and has been crucial to west hams european challenge.
LB - joleen lescott - mr consistent. superb all season.
RM - Ronaldo - could easily walk into anytime produces something out of nothing even with the constant sulking he is still a great talent.
CM - Steven Ireland - Has been man citys best player this season and doesn't recive the credit he deserves.
CM - Luka modric - quality signing for tottenham never seems to give up and his vision is top class.
LM - ashley young - one of englands brightest talents and he keeps on improving. expect to see alot from this kid.
CF - Anelka - clinical finisher and has been over shadowed by drogba this season although he still remains tied top goal scorer.
CF - Torres - without a dout one the best strikers in the game. never seems to miss. but his season has been injury ridden which is a shame as he has a lot in his locker.
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Luckily football is all about opinions
Top Half:
GK - Brad Freidel
LB - Gael Clichy
RB - Vedran Corluka
CB - Matthew Upson
CB - Brede Hangeland
CM - Frank Lampard
CM - Steven Gerrard
CM - Tim Cahill
LF - Robinho
RF - Ashley Young
ST - Wayne Rooney
Bottom Half:
GK - Chris Kirkland
LB - George McCartney
RB - Glen Johnson
CB - Gary Cahill
CB - Michael Turner
CM - Nicky Butt
CM - Chris Brunt
CM - Keith Andrews
LF - Tuncay Sanli
RF - Antonio Valencia
ST - James Beattie
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Forgot to do the manager
Best Manager: David Moyes ( top half manager )
Superb bits of buisness in transfer windows on alimited budget ( ie Fellaini, Saha, Jo ). Also got the best out of players such as piennar, Jagielka, Neville and Baines. Good luck to them in the fa cup final
Honourable mentions: Roy Hodgson, Tony Pulis (even though im not the blokes biggest fan and i would have him as my bottom half manager)
Worst manager: Phill Brown (Sorry Hull fans). Has let succes get to his head. It is now too much about Phill Brown than Hull City unfortunatley.
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-----------------------GK-Schwarzer
--------CB-Hangeland-----CB-Laursen------- CB-Upson
-------------(Good season, touch of sentament for Laursen)
RWB-Sagna--------------------------------------------LWB-Bridge
---------------------CM-Gerrard
---------CM-Ireland------------------CM-Lampard
----------------------Ronaldo------------------
Free(ish)Role behind the striker-
----------------------ST-Defoe
Manager- (Unfourtunatly) Harry Redknapp
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
----------------------GK-Kirkland
RB-G.Johnson---CB-Ab Faye-------CB-Turner----LB-Warnock
RW-Gutierrez---CM-Greening---CM-Brown(Wigan)-LW-Downing
--------------ST-Davies
-----------------------------ST-K.Jones
Manager-Steve Bruce
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DragonriderLord wrote:
"A JOKE OF A TEAM...
IS THIS REALLY one of Match of the Day's commentators???
I DOUBT HE HAS SEEN OR COMMENTATED ON MATCHES INVOLVING TEAMS OTHER THAN WEST HAM (lucas niel, indeed) TOTTENHAM (king??) OR WHATEVER.
PATHETIC TO SAY THE LEAST...BBC OUGHTA FIRE HIM AN HIRE BigBeatManifesto OR WHOEVER INSTEAD.
I AM SEETHING REALLY..."
Is that honestly your contribution to this blog?? hardly very constructive!! Where's your attempt at a team? Considering that you know better than the expert it should be a cracker!!
No doubt you will pick a team comprised primarily of manutd, chelsea, liverpool and arsenal players...NOT THE POINT MATE!!!
Steve isn't claiming that Lucas Neil has been the best right back this season, nor King the best centre back!! Maybe you would understand these choices if you attempted your own team under Steve's SIMPLE rules!
It would appear yourself and BigBeatManifesto haven't got a clue!
If you have nothing nice to say(or, in this case, constructive), DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL!!
By all means certainly, seeth away..in spite of the fact you're seething over this because YOU HAVEN'T GOT THE POINT in the first place!
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Hmm, well well well this is not an easy one, especially picking a good player from each team, but hey i shall give it a go!
Right, top half XI, with a GK-3-4-2-1 formation
GK- Shay Given- Despite some slightly under-par performances towards the second half of the season, Shay had a very steady season, once again, especially before he signed for Man City. His consistancy form the Magpies in particular, saved them from utter humiliation on numerous occasions (take the 5-1 defeat to Liverpool for example), and i believe will prove to be well worth the money next season for City. Great stopper with very good consistency.
RCB- Brede Hangeland- One of the players signed recently in the prem, and one of which i thought would turn out to be a decent signing. I had however been mistaken, possibly one of THE BEST signings in the last year or two! A rock at the heart of the Fulham defence, and one of the main reasons behind Fulham's resistence to let in goals, especially at Craven Cottage. Good arially, very strong and commanding, and good leadership of his back line.
CB- (would have been Carragher if not for Gerrard) Phil Jagielka- Hopefully one to challenge Rio or John for a place in the national XI, not just a squad member. Consistent all season, steadied Everton's boat from a rather dissapointing start to the season, and a real fighter in the back four. Kept going for the team, and was pivotal in their change of form towards the second half of the season, aiding them in qualifying for the UEFA Cup along with Villa.
LCB- Matthew Upson- Again, another challenger to the England starting back four this season under Capello. Consistent performances for a wobbly West Ham team. Despite a range of good and bad results this season, Upson has been strong and commanding all season. By far West Ham's best player- especially after the departure of Craig Bellamy to Man City.
RM- Steven Ireland- Not really a wide player, but has to fit here to make way for my central midfielders. Another consistent player, and very creative player for a team who unfortunately failed to put their money where their mouth was. Heartbeat of a team who dipped and growed in form all season. No doubt he will be circummed to transfer gossip in the transfer window, and may fall out of place in a team of multi-million pound superstars. One to watch if he stays in the team next season, definately a star for the future.
RCM- Stylian Petrov- Aston Villa's player of the season, and deserves the acclaim. Creative, clever player, and provided top class service for the a pacey Villa team with the likes of Agbonlahor, A.Young and Milner. Created a strong partnership with left-footed Gareth Barry, which provided balance in the midfield. Great passer of the ball, and has great creativity and vision.
LCM- Michael Carrick- (Surprised to not see Ronaldo's name?) Very Alonso-esque player, excellent range with his passing. Was backbone of United's central midfielders, and was partnered with a number of players this season- Anderson, Scholes, Giggs- but continued to perform at a high standard and enhanced United's options when on the ball. Chipped in with a few important goals, but id like too see him finding the back of the net more next season- and when that happens, he is a complete midfielder. England starter???
LM- Andrei Arshavin- possibly the best signing in terms of immediate impact performances (solo goal against Blackburn and hat-trick against Liverpool). Proved his worth ten times over for a poor Arsenal side this season, and his arrival ensured Arsenal didn't finish outside the top four (with the help of Villa's poor end-of-season form). Performs well on either flank, or just behind the striker.
RF- Steven Gerrard- (Do i even need to mention why?) Not only Liverpool's best player this season, but the Premiership's best player. Good to see him in the top scorers classification, and scored some very good, crucial goals for a lucky Liverpool team in terms of 'late goal' points. Consistant all season, in all competitions, and the best captain around- motivation, leadership and mentality. Partnership with a slightly less impressive Fernando Torres in the early parts of the season in particular kept Liverpool at the top of the league table. I am slightly dumbfounded as to why he is not the player of the year...
ST- Nicolas Anelka- I was surprised to see him level on goals with Ronaldo this season, especially after seeing him go 4 or 5 goals clear in the early parts of the season. Would have expected a few more, but has performed well all season, possibly due to a boost in confidence with the arrival of 'big' Felipe Scolari. Crucial goals for Chelsea, and seems to have made a good partnership- now who'd thought that hey?. Outclassed Drogba in all departments and deserves the golden boot.
LF- Luka Modric- Engine of the Spurs team. Creative, clever, good both positionally and with his vision; and a hard worker week in, week out. The arrival of Harry to White Hart Lane changed Modric's role in the team, and hence their results. The hole just behind the strikers seems to be the best position for the pocket-rocket, who helped the team gain 49 points since Ramos' and Poyet's sackings.
Secondly, the bottom half XI, this time with a GK-4-4-2 formation.
Gk- Jussi Jaaskelainen- undoubtedly Bolton's best player over the past few seasons. His outstanding reading of the game and lightning reflexes meant that Bolton were able to push for more points this season, which balanced out with form-finding Kevin Davies banging in 10 goals this season.
RB- Glen Johnson- Portsmouth's best player by a clear mile. Hard worker every week, and excellent in both defending and going forward. Scored a few long range goals this season, and was a very important factor in Portsmouth's safety in the top flight. Rumours of a £9million move to Liverpool were shunned when he signed a new 4-and-a-half year deal at Pompey. Player of the bottom half for me.
RCB- Ryan Shawcross- Brilliant for a very impressive Stoke team this season. Scored a few headers from corners and free kicks and helped Stoke to have such a water-tight defensive record at the Brittania Stadium. Still young, and will be an important part of their team next season, especially if they are to avoid the '2nd-season-sickness'. (By that i mean once being promoted and staying up, next season is nearly always a tough season)
LCB- Ryan Nelson- strong, very good leader for a poor Blackburn team this season. Prepared to place his body on the line for the good of the team, which needed his heroics to struggle over the 'safety line' under an influencial Sam Allardyce. Created a strong partnership with Christopher Samba, when, ofcourse he was in defence rather than upfront!
LB- Sebastien Bassong- (tough between Bassong and S.Taylor) One of a very small amount of good players for Newcastle in 2008-2009. Despite 2 dismissals since Christmas, Bassong has provided good resistance in Newcastle's hope to avoid the drop. Strong physically and forms a decent partnership with Steven Taylor. Good replacement for an extremelly poor Fabricio Collocini, who is rightly out of favour at the club.
RM- Matthew Taylor- Strong season for Taylor in a decent Bolton team. Again scored some absolutely fantastic goals, some from free kicks, which were vital in their mid-table finish. Apart from that, a generally good season for the talented left-footer.
RCM- Ben Watson- Great signing from Crystal Palace, versatile midfielder with great skill and composure. Good both on the ball, attacking and passing, and off the ball- defending, marking etc. Chips in wih a goal here and there, and provides good service to a lackluster Wigan front line. Will be important if Wigan can secure the facilities of a top class goalscorer for next season. Zaki, King, Mido, Rodallega and Camara are not up to par.
LCM- Ian Ashbee- Strong and motivational captain for the Tigers. Unbelieveable start to the season for both Ashbee and for Hull. Performances by the team as a unit peetered out and they picked up just 11 points in the second half of the season after a flying start. The experienced holding midfielder provided strength and authority, and has proved himself as an important part of the team.
LM- Chris Brunt- Dispite the Baggies' relegation to the championship, the Northern Ireland winger showed his worth with great performances, especially towards the last 10 games or so. It is a shame that he could not find his form earlier, or the bottom of the table would look somewhat different now. Skillful left-footer with a great dead-ball delivery and blistering pace, not afraid to have a run at the opposing full-backs. Scored some good goals in West Brom's final push for safety, but lacked consistency, especially before Christmas.
RS- Tuncay Sanli- The skillful Turk again showed the Riverside crowd his abilities, in what has been a poor season for Middlesborough. Patches of consistency in the team, and some good goals along the way. No doubt clubs will be looking for a good deal on Tuncay next season, as it looks inevitable that Boro will be relegated to the Championship. (Fulham, to replace goal-shy Zamora, maybe?)
LS- Kenwyne Jones- The only Sunderland player worth any real acclain this season (apart from maybe Djibril Cisse). Not very consistent all season, but has patches of goal scoring form. Scored against Manchester United, and chipped in with a handful of goals this season. Overall, a good striker, who struggled to find real top form this season.
And to finish, a list of poor players for each team, and one to watch next season- in that order!
Arsenal- Emmanuel Adebayor (bad attitude and miss-firing, a shadow of the player last season), Alex Song (strong and a young talent)
Aston Villa- Gabriel Agbonlahor (goal scoring slump, provided only pace to the team; A.Young is a better player, but both unworthy of England place), Curtis Davies (good replacement for retired Laursen, England possible)
Blackburn- Roque Santa Cruz (out of favour, and not good attitude in terms of speculation linking him with Man. City.), Stephen Warnock (good season, another England hopeful)
Bolton- Johan Elmander (good start, peetered out, didnt live up to his worth), Kevin Davies (new captain, can he find the net more next season?)
Chelsea- Jose Bosingwa (not worth half of his £16.3m price tag, misfit in a world class Chelsea team), Michael Mancienne (surprise inclusion in England setup, young defender)
Everton- (this is a tricky one)- Tony Hibbert (pretty mediocre season, found it difficult against the big names in particular), Jo- if he signs permanently (good goalscorer, finding decent form at the Toffees)
Fulham- Bobby Zamora (failed to find the net often enough, but decent partnership with A.Johnson), Mark Schwarzer (brilliant season, more clean sheets next season?)
Hull- Daniel Cousin (goal shy and bad consistency, failed to get anywhere near his international record for Gabon- 37 games, 28 goals), Jimmy Bullard- once he is fit (included in England squad, dissapointing to see him injured early into his Hull career, watch his transfer status if the Tigers are relegated- a return to Fulham?)
Liverpool- Alvaro Arbeloa (ok season, needs replacing if Liverpool are to progress in terms of defensive record), Fernando Torres (Liverpool fans are hoping he can regain his goalscoring form of 2007-2008)
Man City- Richard Dunne (poor season in comparison to last), Robinho (poor season by his standards, more goals next campaign, top 6 finish?)
Man Utd- Nani (over-rated, seems to try and emmulate Ronaldo), Rafael (bright young star, long term replacement for injury-prone, 33 year-old Neville)
Middlesborough- Afonso Alves (doesnt find the net enough for me, needs more top-flight experience), Stewart Downing (will he stay or will he go?)
Newcastle- Fabricio Collocini (very poor performances all season, mistake prone), Andrew Carroll (strong in the air, local lad, star for the future)
Portsmouth- Sol Campbell (good leadership, but declining pace and skill), John Utaka (out of favour at the moment, but good performance against Sunderland)
Stoke- (again a tricky one)- Andy Griffin (not up to the demands of the Premier League), Ricardo Fuller (can he provide the goals as James Beattie did with his late arrival to the Britannia?)
Sunderland- Craig Gordon (failed to cement first team place, and dropped out of Scotland squad as a result), Djibril Cisse (important Sunderland keep the frenchman, born goalscorer, needs to build on an already stable partnership with Kenwyne Jones)
Tottenham- Heurelho Gomes (incredibly poor start to the season, if it were not for his mistakes, Tottenham would have been challenging for the top four), Robbie Keane (can he emmulate his perfomances before his multi-million pound disaster switch to Liverpool?)
West Brom- Scott Carson (Surprise that he did not return to Villa, but maybe Villa were lucky, bad season, out of England squad, relegation, can it get worse?), Marc-Antoine Fortune (eyed by a few top flight teams, proven goalscorer at the top level)
West Ham- Carlton Cole (good period, with selection to England squad, but before and after, poor consistency and performances.), James Tomkins (English star for the future)
Wigan- Jason Koumas (marred by injury and a string of poor performances all season), Hugo Rodallega (proved he can score goals at the top level, now can he carry it into next season and have Wigan scoring plenty more than just 33 this season?)
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Friedel - Villa
Neill - West Ham
Hangeland - Fulham
Ferdinand - Man Utd
Bridge - Man City
Lennon - Spurs
Lampard - Chelsea
Arteta - Everton
Young - Villa
Arshavin - Arsenal
Torres - Liverpool
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"#6 - take on board your opinion -- so do a team of your own rather than have a go at me!"
Andy Dawson not being a centre back and not having played at centre back once for Hull City this season isn't an "opinion" to "take on board" - it's a fact to be acknowledged with an admission of error. Making yourself look a bit of a charlie by mixing up Michael Turner (Hull City player of the year, riding high in the stats for best centre back all year, on the fringes of an England call up twice) with Andy Dawson (a solid left back) is forgiveable, but sniping at people who politely point out such an egregious error makes you look ungracious as well as ill-informed.
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TEAM OF THE YEAR
GK Reina
RB Johnson
CB Vidic
CB Jagielka
LB Clichy
RM Young
CM Gerrard
CM Arteta
LM Arshavin
SS Ronaldo
CF Torres
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GK Reina
CB Johnson
CB Vidic
CB Jagielka
RM Young
CM Arteta
CM Essien
AM Gerrard
LM Arshavin
SS Ronaldo
CF Torres
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Bath Tiger, take it easy. Its only a blog.
GK- Reina
DR- Behrami
DC- Vidic
DC- Hangeland
DL- Baines
MC- Ireland
MC- Palacios
ML- A. Young
MR- Arshavin
AMC- Lampard
FC- Torres
Bottom 10
GK- Jasskelainen
DR- G. Johnson
DL- Cahill
DC- Shawcross
DL- Warnock
DMC- Bassong (I was struggling but he could easily play here!)
MC- Geovanni
MR- Valencia
ML- Brunt
FC- Tuncay
FC- Kenwyne Jones
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For what some claim to be a pointless blog..it has generated quite a response in terms of the number of posts...nearly as many as the Hillsborough post at this point!! surely that indicates that this blog has both captivated and engaged most readers!
good work Steve..keep it up!!
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Very good challenge! I'd suggest (4:4:2):
Schwarzer
Lescott
Upson
Hangeland
Corluka
Young A
Lampard
Gerrard
Ronaldo
Robinho (ok I know everyones gone for Ireland - so would I but Robbie is the best on his day)
Arshavin
Not easy to do but would be nice to have the option in real life!
Couldn't be bothered with bottom half, sorry!
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I've read through a lot of these and I still think mine (post #206) is the best out of the bunch.
I must reiterate my statement about selecting players simply on merit.
1. Andrei Arshavin. Yes, a very good player and has done very well since arriving at Arsenal. But how many Premier League games has he played so far? I'm not sure but I know it's still in single digits. Therefore, how can he be in a team of the season?
2. Cristiano Ronaldo. Again, a very good player and probably the best in the world. But he's had nowhere near the season he had before the current one (even though he's joint top scorer). Therefore, not included in the team of the season!
3. Fernando Torres. Another magnificent player but another one who's had nowhere near the season he had prior to the current one. This is mainly due to injuries, but means that he misses out on a place in the team of the season.
For example, the poster above me has included Robinho, stating "Robbie is the best on his day". On his day, maybe. But definately not this season and most City fans would agree with me.
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Top half - 3-4-1-1
Schwarzer - hasnt got Ferdinand/Vidic and co infront of him but still had a great season
Hangeland - Agree he's been another big reason for Fulham's solidity at the back
Baines - good in both attack and defence, made left back his own which has kept Lescott in the centre. Jagielka has been great but Baines has been influential at both ends
Corluka - A spurs defender in purely because other positions taken up by better players who've had better seasons such as...
Lampard - A great and consistent season ( no trouble saying it even though Im West Ham through and through ). He rarely misses out on scoring or assisting and is a must for any fantasy team
Ronaldo - Not the season of last but that's by his own standard set. He's still done more than enough to justify inclusion
Gerrard - A toss up between him and Torres but Ive gone for Gerrards all round game despite Torres making the shape of my team look better. Gerrard's just too good to leave out
Young - He and Agbonlahor have been stars for Villa going forward this season, a must on the wing
Ireland - A great all round season for him and another who's been pure gold for fantasy team inclusion
Arshavin - Has justified the money spent and has been influential from the start. Having said that, if Fabregas had not been out so long he would've been my choice.
Cole - West Ham's defenders have done well and so have our kids when chucked in because of massive injury list but Carlton Cole has at last shown a glimpse of his potential and has come on a ton since Zola took over
Bottom half: 4 - 4 - 2
Sorensen - Stoke have done brilliantly to stay up and he's been as good as any other keeper in the lower half with other goalkeepers having more premiership quality and experience infront of them
Turner - He's been really impressive for Hull and beats Giovanni into the team because of his consistency too
Johnson - A classy defender and unashamed ex West Ham bias too!
Bassong - Tricky choice for Newcastle as nobody seems to have done well
Warnock - As good as anyone this season for blackburn to complete my defence
Valencia - A real threat on the wing and gets in ahead of Zaki because he went from awesome to nowhere!
Brunt - Scoring and assisting at the bottom of the table cant be easy but he's been as good as anyone at doing it for WBA. He's top scorer by plenty for them and has 3 assists too
Downing - In because he's the classiest player they have despite a less than vintage season
Malbranque - Loads of assists and a toss up between him and Jones to get in my team.
Davies - Has been great for Bolton all season, their leader and captain. Taylor has done really well for them too
Beattie - Gets in infront of Delap purely for the influence/goals since January
Like everyone else, I think my teams are better than everyone else's!!:-)
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this is where the fun begins. people will critisize the teams that anyone puts out but oh well. my teams would be:
Top Half
Van Der Sar - Now although I am a utd fan, I have gone for the big dutchman due to the phenomenal record of clean sheets between arsenal away and newcastle away. It was close between Edwin and Shay Given who has been outstanding once more
Jagielka - Has been one of the main reasons behind Evertons success. Deservedly earned an England call from Capello, and am gutted for the lad to be missing the FA Cup final. He deserves to be there.
Hangeland - Been consistent at the heart of the Fulham defence, and along with Schwarzer and Danny Murphy is one of the reasons behind Fulham being almost in the Europa league next season.
Upson - Think it would be between him, Noble and young Ilunga. There has to be a shout to Carlton Cole who was fantastic when Zola was brought in.
Palacios - Maybe yet to see the best of him at Spurs yet, but thought he had played well there so far and have heard Spurs fans saying he has done well. Was outstanding at Wigan and thin he deseves to be there.
Ronaldo - Now everyone knows Vidic, Carrick, Rooney have been 3 of Utd's best performers this season but without the goals of Ronaldo we wouldnt have as good a chance of te title. He scores wondeful goals, and you must remember he probably would have more if he had been fit from the start of the season and not 2 months into it. He is a danger to any team.
Gerrard - Now he has almost single handedly took the scousers to where they are. He has scored a phenomenal amout of goal from centre mid and if it wasnt for these goals it would have been Xabi Alonso here. For me Torres has a good record of goals per games this season but has missed large parts of the season.
Ireland - Man Citys best performer throughout the season. Ireland are missing him on the international scene.
Young - Not as good as last season for me but deserves to be here due to being such a class act. Terrorises defences. Just needs to add consistency to his game. For me he should be given a chance in the Engand team more often.
Arshavin - Class. 4 shots, 4 on target, 4 goals. If you can find me a better rate this season from 4 shots plus il take my hat off to you. Has been one of the only good things to come out of Arsenals season.
Anelka - Really looks to be enjoying his football, and his goal tally has been the best it has for some time. Can be lazy at times but under Hiddink, showed he can work hard.
Bottom Half
Jaaskelainen - Class. Don't think Bolton can replce him when he leaves. Magnificent keeper who is consistent. Should be playing higher in the league.
Johnson - looks to have made the rb slot his within the england team. one of the best rb's in the league. Perhaps Liverpool shouldtake a chance and buy him.
Turner - One of Hull's best players this season. Was between him and Dawson who to put in for Hull.
Taylor - his form hasnt reached the level of last seaso when he was linked with a move to Liverpool. A decent player on his day, and one of the better performers this season for Newcastle
Gardner - Been a good left back for Bolton, good work rate, and gets forward well to support the winger, and has scored some goals.
Valencia - Has been class this season. Was tempted to get Bramble in there as he has been cosistent this season, and one of the reasons why
Wigan had reached 7th in the league.
Andrews - Think Andrews has done well at Blackburn. Though it was a strange signing by Ince considering the step up from playing for MK Dons and the premiership, but has been consistent for Rovers andchipped in with some goals. If I remember rigtly, think he was made captain at one point?
Whitehead - Think he has done well for Sunderland this season. Good strike and can mix the play as well.
Brunt - One of the best left foots in the league. Someonu who could do well in the league. Been fairly consistent and scored some great goals.
Tuncay - The best Boro player in my opinion and almost guaranteed to be snapped up by someone in the summer. Technically gifted.
Beattie - Although he has been at Stoke for half the season,the goal tally speaks for itself. If he stays fit next season, Beattie will do well.
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To Carefreecoors - How can you include Ronaldo in your player getting in on merit comments? Yes, he's not had the season of last but you have to take into account how amazing that season was for him! Take away his name, look at the stats and tell me a more prolific midfielder, this season or last, please? Its all relative to the player. Ireland for example walks into the team because he's improved immensely from last. Ronaldo hasnt hit the heights but there's no way he doesnt deserve inclusion.
I can understand your Arshavin comments from the lack of games but his influence has been great. If you had taken time out to do the bottom team would you have compromised on that view to include Beattie at Stoke who's been as influential as anyone for them despite the short time he's been there?
Having said all that, fair play for acknowledging Cole at WHU, you were spot on. Mine and your team is similar, I went for Baines for e.g. in difference to you purely because there were too many Jags and Lescotts and i wanted to be different! So if you reckon yours is still the best
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if anyone is wondering with my previous post. palacios is there as a holding midfielder.
so its
van der sar
jagielka hangeland upson
palacios
gerrard ireland
ronaldo young
arshavin anelka
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ARSHAVIN!!!!! ARSENAL WILL DOMINATE THE PREMIERSHIP!!!!
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reina
haangalend upson jagielka
palacios
walcott ireland young
gerrard rooney
anelka
bottom half:
jaaskalinen
johnson turner bassong
valencia brunt warnock
tugay
beattie jones davies
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Have to laugh at some of the Sunderland suggestions. Whitehead? Bardsley? McCartney? Leadbitter? and especially Andy Reid? haha. None of those players have had anywhere near a decent season.
Jones, Cisse, Ferdinand, Malbranque and Richardson were great for half the season, poor for the rest. Collins has been our only consistent performer.
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Ive gone for
Top Half:
Given
Corluka
Terry
Laursen
Ilunga
Dempsey
Cahill
Arhsavin
Ronaldo
Torres
Robinho
Bottom Half:
Jaaskelainen
Glen Johnson
Michael Turner
Bassong
Warnock
Brunt
Valencia
Malbranque
Beattie
Davies
Tuncay
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top half:
VDS
jagielka haangeland upson
palacios
ronaldo ireland arshavin
gerrard young
anelka
bottom half:
Jaaskelainen
johnson ferdiand taylor
valencia giovanni m.taylor downing
santa cruz beattie
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Top Half
In a 3-1-2-3-1 set up
Friedel
Upson Vidic Lescott
Essien
Ireland Murphy
Fabregas
Torres Carew
Manager: Zola
Bottom Half
Jaaskelainen
Johnson Nelsen Ferdinand Bassong
Geovani Delap Greening Downing
zaki Davies
Manager: Pulis
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Top Half XI
GK. Edwin Van Der Sar (Manchester United)
RB. Jose Boswinga (Chelsea)
CB. Phil Jagielka (Everton)
CB. Brede Hangeland (Fulham)
LB. Herita Ilunga (West Ham United)
CM. Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)
CM. Wilson Palacios (Tottenham)
AMR. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
AMC. Stephen Ireland (Manchester City)
AML. Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal)
ST. Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
Bottom Half XI
GK. Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton)
RB. Glen Johnson (Portsmouth)
CB. Sebastien Bassong (Newcastle)
CB. Gary Cahill (Bolton)
LB. Andy Dawson (Hull)
RM. Antonio Valencia (Wigan)
CM. Keith Andrews (Blackburn)
CM. Steed Malbranque (Sunderland)
LM. Chris Brunt (West Brom)
ST. James Beattie (Stoke)
ST. Tuncay Sanli (Middlesborough)
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Heres my go - for what its worth:
Top Half.
Van Der Sar - I would go for Reina or Schwarzer but being the record breaker and looking set for most clean sheets I'd have to go with him.
Hangeland - Call me a cheat but I'm sticking him at right back!
Vidic - Man utd fans and players voted him player of the season. Liverpool games aside he was the most consistant all season and a huge inspiration.
Jagielka - one of the few who kept Torres at bay safely. Been Evertons player of the season without a doubt.
Illunga - great season for west ham and definately deserves the nod at left back.
Lennon - Had a fantastic season with spurs and arguably their best player this season even during the dark ramos days.
Ireland - Citys best player and a revelation this season - far exceeded expectations and a bright future to be had.
Lampard - Underrated this season for sure - excellent on so many occasions this season and pulled a rabbit out of the hat many a time - namely the chip against hull.
Young - maybe consistancy lacks but has been fantastic for villa when they were at full steam along with gabby.
Arshavin - exploded onto the premierleague and blew everyone away with his 4 goals at anfield.
Torres - Like steve I found it so hard to leave out Gerrard but what other strikers have their been? Anelka is maybe the closest but his consistancy has eluded him to many times this season.
The bottom. (4-2-4!)
Jaaskelainen
Faye
Turner
Nelsen
Bassong
Valencia
Fortune
Jones
Tuncay
Davies
Crouch
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------------Cech--------------
Corluka--Jagielka--Hangerland--Neill
Ronaldo--Lampard--Barry--Robinho
---------Torres---Van Persie-------
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Valencia was signed by Paul Jewell
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ARSHAVIN!!!!!!!!!
I just LOVE that guy!
hes like the bringer of hope
no team can be sad when hes around
wait till next season
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lots of juggling before coming to this. 4-5-1
Reina
Sagna
Jagielka
Terry
Ilunga
Ronaldo
Ireland
Gerrard
Murphy
Lennon
Agbonlahor
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Top half XI:
GK: M Schwarzer
RB: J Bosingwa
CB: N Vidic
CB: B Hangeland
LB: L Baines
RW: A Lennon
DCM: S Parker
ACM: S Ireland
LW: A Young
ST: A Arshavin
ST: F Torres
Manager: Roy Hodgson
Bottom half XI:
GK: J Jaaskelainen
RB: G Johnson
CB: G Cahill
CB: M Turner
LB: S Warnock
RW: A Valencia
DCM: N Butt
ACM: S Malbranque
LW: C Brunt
ST: T Sanli
ST: J Beattie
Manager: Tony Pulis
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what no gerrard!!! he had his best season and you leave him out for Ireland who has been playing for a bad man city. Gerrard has 23 goals thats a load for a midfielder
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Top (4-2-3-1)
GK - Schwarzer
RB - Corluka
CB - Jagielka
CB - Hangeland
LB - Ilunga
MF - Ireland
MF - Lampard
LW - A.Young
CM - Arshavin
RW - Ronaldo
CF - Torres
Manager - Hodgson
Bottom (4-4-2)
GK - Jaaskelainen
RB - G.Johnson
CB - Samba
CB - Nosworthy
LB - Duff (I know he is midfield but has played lots their this season)
RM - Valencia
CM - Geovanni
CM - Greening
LM - Downing
CF - Beattie
CF - Crouch
Manager - Pulis
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Mistake as it should be Kevin Davies instead of Crouch as my other striker.
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Never had so many responses to one of my blogs before - really really
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hoping to get
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all the way up to
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400 !!
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I gotta admit... this is actually pretty difficult.. took me a while but i got there in the end... here's my teams of the season:
Top Half:
Schwarzer
Neill--------Vidic-------Curtis Davis-------Konchesky
---------Fellaini--------
----Gerrard--------------Ireland-----
Lennon-----------------Anelka------------------Arshavin
Bottom Half:
Jaaskilienen
Johnson--------Bassong---------Nelsen---------Steinsson
Valencia------Leadbitter----------Geovanni ---------Brunt
-----Tuncay----
----Beattie---
Very very dificult... but it's quite a challenge... :D
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Steve!! That's cheating.
You'd have got there anyway but I can't blame you for helping it along.
It was/is a good blog - shame not everyone could understand the rules!
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Re 321. How can you put Defoe on the bench for the most dissapointing players of the season, he's been injured for most of it you absolute fool you would'nt know a good striker if it hit you in the first then came back and done it again, and R.e 311 you say I chose most of uniteds team, its not because im a utd fan i support spurs if you hadn't already noticed with the give away username but hey we all make mistakes anyways i chose them players because i think without them utd would'nt be utd to be honest its about opinions this blog so it doesn't matter who you choose but how can u say that there was a better centre half than vidic,lb evra and gk van der sar? the best in the league this season, ok i might of made a mistake on rooney maybe anelka should be there but i mean come on gimme a break dude
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not really for this blog but i think the best player from the january transfer window for the money paid has to be james beatie i mean what a buy he had a big say in the relegation battle they were heading into for a bargain rate at 5m too who needs a 32m robinho when you can travel to old sheffield utd and buy him, wicked player.
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Has no one considered Gomes? or Lennon? and i know what ur going to say ohh but Gomes is awful... clearly not sure he had a shaky start to the season but since them he has been in sensational form, without him spurs would not be where they are now
And Lennon, this season lennon has really been finding his feet he has produced some quality work this season and is clearly going to be englands next no1 right wing, sorry walcott but lennons a lot more skilful, sure he needs to work on his end product but give him time and he'll be quality :)
Anyway now for my team:
GK: Gomes
RB: Bosingwa - hasnt been that good but needed a chelsea player
CB: Brede Hangeland
CB: Matthew Upson
LB: Lescott
RM: Ronaldo
CM: Gerrard
CM: Modric
LM: A. Young
RS: Robinho
LS: Arshavin
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I would pick a squad with 4-3-3
Jaskelianan GK
G.Johnson RB
R.Ferdinand CB (c)
Hangeland CB
Lescott LB
Fabregas RCM
Gerrard CM
Lampard LCM
Anelka RF
Arshavin CF
Ronaldo LF
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Formation = 4-3-3
Manager = Sir Alex Ferguson
Van Der Sar
Bosingwa.....Ferdinand.....Vidic.....Evra
Fletcher.....Gerrard.....Essien
Ronaldo.....Torres.....Rooney
Subs: Drogba.....Giggs.....Scholes.....Fabregas.....Lennon.....Terry....Petr Cech
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World XI
Formation: 4-4-2
Manager = Sir Alex Ferguson
Buffon
Ramos.....Nesta.....Vidic.....Evra
Ronaldo.....Kaka.....Iniesta.....Ribery
Messi.....D.Villa
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