Premier League XI- The Best of The Rest This Season

I've picked eleven players who I believe have been the pick of the bunch in the lower echelons of the Premier League this season.

 

Asmir Begovic- Stoke should begin preparing themselves for offers next summer, because Begovic is fast becoming the new Petr Cech. Stoke have kept nine clean sheets this term, the highest of any side, and Begovic's shot stopping and commanding nature are part of the reason why.

Sebastian Bassong- Norwich’s surprising good form is a result of building upon last season’s excellent team spirit and adding to the depth of the squad. Bassong is a talented defender and was unfortunate to be part of a Tottenham team in which he was perhaps overshadowed by the likes of Kaboul and Dawson. But in a Norwich side that lost 5-0 to Fulham on the opening day, he’s now looking like money well spend. Talented in the air with a good yard of pace, he’s taken on the league’s best strikers at Carrow Road comfortably, helping Norwich gain some memorable clean sheets, both against Arsenal and Man United.

 

 

Ryan Shawcross- Shawcross has earned his reputation as one of the brightest English centre backs in the league this season. With Alex Ferguson singing his praises and questioning the decision to allow Shawcross to leave United so early on in his career, Shawcross continues to command the Stoke back four with captain qualities similar to John Terry. He gets goals and alongside Robert Huth makes it difficult for teams to pose a threat aerially.

Nathaniel Clyne- After a shaky start Clyne is showing his class roaming forward for Southampton. With Jason Puncheon in front of him, Clyne has formed a pacy understanding which has begun many of Southampton's goalscoring chances. His stamina and speed are attributes which Southampton have been thankful for on a number of occasions and he'll continue to develop as the season goes on.

Gareth McAuley- The West Brom defender has been impressive during the Baggies storming start to the season. At 32 he's no spring chicken and has played the majority of his career in the lower leagues. His partnership with Jonas Olsson is proving consistently resilient and their nack for big goals has helped ease the pressure upfront. An experienced pro, he's enjoying a late peak which will save Steve Clarke some cash he'd have otherwise needed to spend this January.

Robert Snodgrass- Probably my signing of the season so far, Snodgrass has been vital for Norwich. It should not come as such a surprise, considering Snodgrass carried an average Leeds side last season. Reminiscent of Charlie Adam at Blackpool two years ago, Snodgrass is making the step up with ease. What he lacks in pace he makes up in technical ability. For Norwich, having a lethal set-piece specialist to call upon is a major boost. Along with Jonny Howson and Bradley Johnson he makes up a midfield who aren’t afraid to stick in a tackle either.

Steve Sidwell- Sidwell looks to have rediscovered the form which made him Reading’s most valuable asset a few years back, it is just a shame it has taken this long. A move to Chelsea was as futile as Scott Sinclair’s transfer to Man City this summer. A lack of games clearly hit Sidwell’s confidence and a subsequent move to Villa failed to halt his slump. Martin Jol must be given credit for sticking with Sidwell, and a run of games has shown his talent once more.

Yacob- Relatively unknown before the beginning of this season, Yacob is running the Baggies midfield with ease: not bad for a player picked up on free transfer last July. Yet the ex Racing midfielder has three Argentine caps to his name already and is technically sound. He hasn't looked back since his man of the match performance on the opening day against Liverpool and according to a Guardian article, only Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman have a better pass completion rate in the final third this season.

Mark Noble- Noble has been central to West Ham’s impressive form. A nuisance to the opposition, he’s been using his energy and skill to unlock back lines and help cover for his own. His partnership with Kevin Nolan is a perfect match and between them they will continue to provide the goals needed to keep the Hammers safe. Noble’s penalty ability is superb, the sort of confidence England could do with. If his steady performances continue after Christmas he deserves a call up.

Michu- No surprise here, Michu has been a revelation. If Swansea lacked anything last season it was a prolific striker. With Michael Laudrap’s appointment came a wealth of knowledge about unearthed Spanish gems and the Dane didn’t waste time in picking up Michu for just £2 million. He’s shown he is capable of scoring from all sorts of angles and has been on his game against the top sides consistently.   

 

Christian Benteke- Although I’m a big fan of Darren Bent the big Belgian is warranting his starting place. Paul Lambert loves a dominant striker and Benteke is his new Grant Holt, with greater pace and vision. If Villa are to stay up its looking increasingly likely that Benteke will need to provide the lion’s share of the goals. What he could benefit from is a consistent striking partner, one who can produce more goal scoring chances for Benteke, who has not been wasteful on many occasions this season.

Subs-

Ali Al-Habsi- Wigan are struggling again this season and it looks like another battle for survival. They can take comfort in the knowing that the Oman keeper is capable of some world class displays.

Ron Vlarr- Villa have been on the end of some thrashings this season. But they’ve also had a number of astute displays in defence. Vlaar suits the English game and is a solid replacement for Richard Dunne.

Wayne Routledge- At last Routledge seems settled. Sinclair’s departure is being amply filled by the tricky winger and he’s added more goals to his game too.

Kevin Nolan- Denied a place in my starting eleven only due to Noble’s brilliant development. A development which has been helped by playing alongside Nolan, whose poaching skills and dogged attitude are working wonders again.

Shane Long- A difficult striker to play against, Long’s movement is amongst the best in the division. A fox in the box, he’s holding his own alongside Odenwingie and Lukaku.

 

Fifteen Footballing Christmas Presents You Are Unlikely to Receive

Fifteen Footballing Christmas Presents Your Unlikely to Receive

1.      Gray and Keys: The Lost Tapes- The presenter’s cash in on their dwindling careers, with a Christmas day release of unseen footage rich in sexist performances. The pick of the punch being when Gray mistakes pundit Ruud Gullit for Graeme Souness’s wife.

 

2.      Xabi Alonso: How to Grow a Great Beard Guidebook- Football fans worldwide have marvelled with jealously at Alonso’s macho beard, which wouldn’t look out of place on a Lord of the Rings set. The book gives you all the tips you need to succeed, with an introduction from Andrea Pirlo, another worthy beard merchant.

 

3.      Colin Murray being replaced on MOTD 2- It might not be something you can unwrap. But it would be more than enough to make the post Christmas blues a more enjoyable experience.

 

4.      The alleged bird of ill fortune, which was perched on the crossbar when England met Algeria in South Africa. Rumour has it he’s already partying in Rio, ready for an appearance in the searing heat come 2014. So it’s unlikely he’ll be stuffed on your mantelpiece this Christmas as sweet revenge.

 

5.      John Terry dressed as Santa- He’s got no time for such trivial matters; Ramires’s Brazilian wife is coming down in time for the Christmas party.

 

6.      Wenger, the audiobook: Le Excuser (The Excuse) - Arsene Wenger’s interviews assembled together to make one really long, incredibly repetitive excuse as to why Arsenal haven’t won a trophy for seven years.

 

7.      A Groupon voucher, ‘One Night Only, Cocktail Making with Tony Adams- It’s been a while since his last managerial post, so Tony is moving into the cocktail business...

 

8.      Jermain Defoe’s phone book- We are all pretty curious to see how many WAGS and page 3 model’s Defoe has crammed in there.

 

9.      A Delia Smith ‘let’s be avin you’ action figure- It was an outburst nobody expected, but a brilliant one at that. Why not create an action figure which fans could bring to home games, to rouse the players if things go a bit stale.

 

10.  Paolo Di Canio: The Swindon Mafia- Paolo shows his versatility by writing a masterpiece of fiction, a gritty realist portrayal of Swindon’s most notorious gang warlords.

 

11.  David Bentley: The Russian Revolution- The title would be classic Bentley, dramatising his strange decision to move to Russia and prove he is the next Beckham. A hastily gathered biography of his time there, with self gloating and a whole chapter on waxing his hair. At least it can go straight on the fire.

 

12.  Carlisle Away- You wouldn’t expect it, and probably wouldn’t appreciate an away ticket to see your side play Carlisle. It’s an absolute trek, especially in December, and you’re likely to get more entertainment out of Paul Merson on Gillette Soccer Saturday.

 

13.  A Nicklas Bendtner shirt- Unless your other half wanted to spite you, it’s one of the most offensive presents one could open. Even if he’s signed the shirt, you’ll struggle to flog it for more than £2 on eBay.

 

14.  Paul Scholes on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories- The ginger genius barely speaks to the sporting media, so to see him opening up about Giggs’s affairs and why he can’t tackle for love or money would be entertaining, but highly unlikely.

 

15.  Ibrahimovic, cast as a servant in the Downton Abbey Christmas special- The Swede arrives on set, under the illusion he is playing the handsome, sadistic love rat. When he finds out he’s actually playing a mere servant who dies of tuberculosis, Ibra is on the next flight to Paris, not before insulting the entire cast.