The PFA yesterday revealed their shortlist for this year’s Player’s Player of the year award and as always it is entirely dominated by those representing the supposed ‘big five’ of Arsenal, Chelsea, City, United and Spurs.
While the Cutter is realistic about this (although Scott Parker again? Really?) it does strike us as being extremely unfair on the numerous players who have enjoyed fantastic campaigns who have been primarily overlooked due to the shirt on their backs.
We asked on Twitter for your suggestions to form our own award to find the best and most consistent performer in the Premier League this term excluding those from the clubs mentioned above.
There were so many great shouts we instead selected a team from your nominations, a team that would be more than capable of breaking into the ‘top five’ cabal which ironically would then mean they’d probably make the PFA shortlist. Which would by default make them ineligible for this honour.
Before things get even more confusing here are your selections…
GK/ Tim Krul
The Newcastle stopper just edges out Swansea’s Michel Vorm between the sticks but in truth there is barely a Rizla paper between them as both have been nothing short of exceptional this season. The Netherlands goal is certainly in safe hands for many years to come with this pair.
Krul has taken on the intimidating mantle left behind by ‘Super’ Shay Given and made the spot his own and although initially he looked like becoming a carbon copy of his predecessor – all spectacular Hollywood tip-overs and agile short-range blocks – he has now developed into a much more rounded number one. He commands his box superbly and arguably has a better sense of positioning than Given. Which means less requirement for the worldies.
RB/ Danny Simpson
Has there been a more under-rated defender in the top flight this year? A product of the Manchester United youth system Simpson looked to be slowly drifting into mediocrity following a string of loan spells but his consistently excellent displays this term illustrate the benefit of enjoying stability under a manager who believes in you. The Salford-born 25 year old has patrolled the Newcastle right flank with impressive authority often becoming an auxiliary winger but it’s as a key member of Pardew’s solid back-line where he has really stood out. A crucial goal-line block at Old Trafford completed the circle for Simpson and his days of being sent out on loan were over.
LB/ Jose Enrique
While Liverpool can rightfully be admonished for squandering a small fortune on the likes of Downing, Adam and Henderson – who have all disappointed to varying degrees this year – it should be remembered that last August Dalglish went bargain hunting up north and came back with an absolute steal. Just £7m for a full-back of outstanding quality and application Enrique has been Mr Consistent all season whether it’s disposing of wide men or showing Downing and co how to whip in dangerous deliveries further forward.
CB/ Johnny Heitinga
The Dutchman has truly found his feet on Merseyside this term and has quite noticeably moved up the hierarchy behind the scenes – how often have we seen him berate and cajole his team-mates; a leader in all but name. The former Ajax henchman man-marks his opponents with such tenacity it’s akin to a shakedown, sniffing and scrabbling like a terrier who knows his owner has a chocolate in his pocket.
Alongside the classy colossus Distin he has continued Moyes’ trademark ability to construct centre-back pairings that are nigh-on impossible to break down.
CB/ Martin Skrtel
Liverpool’s fearsome defensive unit have saved them from enduring a calamitous campaign and the rock on which it’s all been founded around has been the scary-looking Czech. An imposing 6ft 4 and resembling the Kurgen from Highlander Skrtel has won nearly twice as many tackles than his partner Agger (38 to 20) yet also committed three times the amount of fouls. With only one red card to his name however this suggests niggly manhandling and total commitment rather than ill-discipline. Skrtel has put together one commanding performance after another, a feat made all the more impressive with the absence of the fantastic Lucas mopping up ahead.
CM/ Leon Britton
The football world guffawed in January at the revelation that the diminutive Britton had accrued better passing stats than even Xavi. The news would have come as little surprise to his legion of Jacks appreciators however who have witnessed the former West Ham apprentice tick-tock and tip-tap with unerring metronomic accuracy for nearly at decade for the Swans. Indeed it wasn’t just the collective shock that belittled the little maestro but also the concentration on bettering Xavi alone; the actual stat was that Britton in 2011 was the best passer in all of Europe. Yet will the English gem be considered for the Euros? Will Liverpool be linked in the summer to a player that would enhance them greatly? No and no. And his legion of Jacks appreciators will no doubt breathe a huge sigh of relief at such snobbery.
A word too must go to Joe Allen – the Iniesta to Britton’s Xavi. Between them the pair have made the Welsh side a pleasure to watch this term.
RM/ Nathan Dyer
Dyer has come awfully close to an England call-up this season with many believing he is superior to Walcott searing down the right. Certainly the 24 year old former Saints flyer possesses more subtlety and nous to Arsenal’s head-down Billy Whizzer and the Swansea winger has repeatedly shown he has something Walcott largely lacks – an end product.
This summer’s Euros look to be a tournament too soon but should he continue developing into one of the most dangerous wide men around Dyer can expect international – and household – recognition to inevitably follow.
CM/ Yohan Cabaye
The French midfielder has become the darling of the Toon after a series of urbane and stylish displays at the heart of Pardew’s revitalised side. For the first half of the season in particular he was simply le magnifique and although injury and a dip in form has lessened his impact nobody expected his sublime standard of performances to last throughout his inaugural season in the English league. With a year’s experience of the hustle and bustle of our domestic football under his belt we can expect even greater things from the former Lille man although it has to be said that his combative side has surprisingly – and quickly – flourished on our shores making him an even more complete and rounded player.
CF/ Demba Ba
The fourth Newcastle player to make the XI and probably the most instrumental in driving Pardew’s men towards the possibility of experiencing Champion’s League football at St James’ next year. After invoking a clause in his contract at the Hammers that allowed him to leave for nothing to remain in the top flight Ba might have expected a flurry of interest. Instead only the Toon and Everton showed any real interest with the former winning out for his signature to muted apathy from fans who had expected a pedigree name brought in with Carroll’s millions. 14 goals and the inception of a deadly partnership with January signing Cisse however have brought the Toon to within one step from dreamland.
CF/ Luis Suarez
Were it not for the woodwork the wily Uruguayan would have greatly improved upon his eight league strikes this term and ultimately the entire campaign can be filed under ‘frustrating’ for the toothy hit man. Mired in controversy following the Evra incidents and a one-fingered salute at Craven Cottage it is to Suarez’s credit that he still leads the attack here. His inclusion is due to his elusive movement, constant prowling intent and clever darts into space that offers Liverpool intelligence and edge they have lacked in the absence of Gerrard. It is no exaggeration to say that should Dalglish find a striking outlet that compliments Suarez Liverpool can expect to be propelled to a whole new level based on that alone. He may be disagreeable – and that’s being diplomatic – but Luis Suarez is one hell of a player.
LM/ Clint Dempsey
If anyone from this team deserves to feel aggrieved at a PFA omission it is Dempsey. The rap-loving Texan has been sensational form this year, bagging 22 goals, a figure made all the more remarkable by the fact that most were achieved after drifting in from wider areas. The opposition struggle to pin the Fulham man down as he prowls and wanders across the forward line utilising his pace, a deceptively nimble touch and technique to full effect and all of it accompanied by a hard edge of aggression.
Arsenal are rumoured to be putting together a £10m bid for the months ahead. What took them so long?
Subs Bench
Michel Vorm
The Dutch international immediately gained hero-status at the Liberty with a string of match-winning displays and – barring a slight blip or two post-Christmas – has continued his rich vein of form ever since. At just one and a half million has surely proved to be the snip of the season.
Sylvain Distin
At his immense best an immoveable object that none shall pass.
Jack Colback
There are many shrewd pundits in the north-east who are predicting an England future for this versatile 22 year old. Martin O’Neill has recently employed him at left-back due to injuries but he is predominantly a neat and tidy midfielder. No fuss, no thrills, but always one of the best performers on the pitch. This added to the geography of his club means he probably won’t represent England after all.
Moussa Dembele
Martin Jol has chiefly employed the Belgian in a deeper lying role but given license to probe forward when the time is right. The energetic schemer has risen to the responsibility tenfold.
James Morrison
According to the stats the attacking midfielder has consistently outshone a multitude of higher profile names in his position including Charlie Adam, James Milner and Seb Larsson.
Junior Hoilett/ James McLean
Yes we know we’re cheating here including two players for one place on the bench but their dynamic half seasons apiece almost perfectly over-lap one another to form a whole term of excellence. Hoilett was in scintillating form up until Christmas whilst McLean burst from nowhere soon after to play a pivotal role in O’Neill’s rejuvenated Sunderland.
Grant Holt
A hit-and-miss start had people prematurely claiming the top flight was a level too far for the burly front man who has bullied and blasted his way up from Barrow to Carrow. Once he found his feet however there has been no stopping him. Mark Lawrenson may not rate him but we certainly do.