Your top XI from the Prem (Excluding Top 4)

slingerz · 27-08-2008 12:39am #1

The select your prem XI in the other thread is mostly revolving around Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United. Prob more debate when considering your select XI outside of the top 4

Given

Richards

King

Dunne

Warnock

Barry

---Arteta

Krjancar

---- Young

Downing ----

Berbatov

LuckyLloyd · 27-08-2008 12:54am

Given

Johnson

Dunne

Woodgate

Barry

Arteta

Cahill

Kompany

Young

Owen (C)

Berbatov

There are so many options down the left (Tuncay, Milner, Downing, Petrov).

LuckyLloyd · 27-08-2008 12:59am

slingerz wrote: »

The select your prem XI in the other thread is mostly revolving around Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United. Prob more debate when considering your select XI outside of the top 4
Given

Richards
King
Dunne
Warnock
Barry
---Arteta
Krjancar

---- Young
Downing ----
Berbatov

- King has been injured most of the last three years and is made of glass - in theory he could have been great, but I'd question how useful he is at the moment;

- Has Young ever played a game on the right?;

- As much as Berbatov is great, if you play him there on his own you will have no movement up front. He is very lazy and was lucky to have Keane do all his running for him at Spurs;

whatawaster · 27-08-2008 1:08am

Given

Richards

Dunne

Woodgate

Lescott

Diarra

Barry

Tuncay

Modric

Young

Santa Cruz

Mr.Nice Guy · 27-08-2008 1:09am

Given

Johnson

Dunne

Laursen

Lescott

Bentley

Barry

Young

Berbatov

Agbonlahor

Defoe

Tom65 · 27-08-2008 1:11am

Given

Richards---Dunne---Woodgate---Lescott

Barry

Arteta

Modric

Young

Santa Cruz--Berbatov

That was difficult. Took me ages to think of a left back.

bUILDERtHEbOB · 27-08-2008 1:13am

Given

Johnson---Richards---Dunne---Warnock

Diarra

Arteta

Barry

Modric

Bentley*---Santa Cruz

Bentley plays on either wing depending on how he feels, pretty much a free role.

eagle eye · 27-08-2008 1:27am

Given

Richards

Dunne

Woodgate

Lescott

Barry

Bentley

Young

Arteta

Santa Cruz

Berbatov

eagle eye · 27-08-2008 1:30am

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Given

Johnson
Dunne
Woodgate
Barry

Arteta
Cahill
Kompany
Young
Owen (C)
Berbatov

There are so many options down the left (Tuncay, Milner, Downing, Petrov).

I liked Kompany's first performance but I don't think you can put him in after one premiership game considering he did not do so well in Germany.

LuckyLloyd · 27-08-2008 1:38am

eagle eye wrote: »

I liked Kompany's first performance but I don't think you can put him in after one premiership game considering he did not do so well in Germany.

Well, I want to play Barry at left back and there is a distinct paucity of excellent destroyer midfielders outside the top four who are athletically top class. I hear what you are saying but if he played like he did last week even half the time he would be deserving of selection to this sort of XI.

eagle eye · 27-08-2008 1:49am

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Well, I want to play Barry at left back and there is a distinct paucity of excellent destroyer midfielders outside the top four who are athletically top class. I hear what you are saying but if he played like he did last week even half the time he would be deserving of selection to this sort of XI.

Agreed, if he plays that way for half the games this season he would certainly make my top 11, and thats including the top four.

LuckyLloyd · 27-08-2008 1:54am

I actually think that the weakest part of all these teams is in the center of midfield. When you look at the top four, all of them have money players in that area of the park. Whereas, when you look outside the top four it is difficult to think of central midfielders that have shown consistently over the past few years that they could go in there and do a job at the very highest levels (and remember that Liverpool ultimately felt 18m was an overvaluation for the pick of the litter from last term).

Xavi6 · 27-08-2008 2:04am

Hart

Richards

Woodgate

Lescott

Barry

Kompany

Bentley

Arteta

Young

Elano

Yakubu

Yakubu is looking good early on and just shades Santa Cruz for me. His power and pace would be the perfect compliment to Elano's trickery and Arteta's vision.

The two wingers pick themselves, with Petrov as a back up to Young.

Joe Hart gets the nod in goal. I watch him every week and he just keeps getting better and better.

Agree with the lack of midfield enforcers. If Scott Parker was fully fit and on form then he would be a shoe in but at the moment I can't justify putting him in there. Pity Muntari left as he would have been ideal too. That just leaves Kompany. Hope I'm not cursing him!

eagle eye · 27-08-2008 2:16am

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

I actually think that the weakest part of all these teams is in the center of midfield. When you look at the top four, all of them have money players in that area of the park. Whereas, when you look outside the top four it is difficult to think of central midfielders that have shown consistently over the past few years that they could go in there and do a job at the very highest levels (and remember that Liverpool ultimately felt 18m was an overvaluation for the pick of the litter from last term).

I think Barry is worth it though, and I think there are a couple of decent midfielders outside the top four but I'd agree that its the key area where the top four are at a distinct advantage. Well there and Central Defense as well.

DmanDmythDledge · 27-08-2008 2:19am

Given

Richards---Woodgate---Dunne

Barry---A Reid

Arteta

Elano

Petrov

Berbatov

Santa Cruz----

eagle eye · 27-08-2008 2:19am

Xavi6 wrote: »

Hart

Richards
Woodgate
Lescott
Barry
Kompany

Bentley
Arteta
Young
Elano
Yakubu

Yakubu is looking good early on and just shades Santa Cruz for me. His power and pace would be the perfect compliment to Elano's trickery and Arteta's vision.

The two wingers pick themselves, with Petrov as a back up to Young.

Joe Hart gets the nod in goal. I watch him every week and he just keeps getting better and better.

Agree with the lack of midfield enforcers. If Scott Parker was fully fit and on form then he would be a shoe in but at the moment I can't justify putting him in there. Pity Muntari left as he would have been ideal too. That just leaves Kompany. Hope I'm not cursing him!

Please tell me who is going to take advantage of all the magnificent crosses coming in from either side?

LuckyLloyd · 27-08-2008 2:20am

eagle eye wrote: »

I think Barry is worth it though, and I think there are a couple of decent midfielders outside the top four but I'd agree that its the key area where the top four are at a distinct advantage. Well there and Central Defense as well.

Yes there is also a definite disparity with center backs also - but I could see the likes of Woodgate, Richards, Dunne, Laursen, Campbell and Huth upgrading Liverpool and Arsenal for sure.

Xavi6 · 27-08-2008 2:22am

eagle eye wrote: »

Please tell me who is going to take advantage of all the magnificent crosses coming in from either side?

Ehhhh the Yak. Just like he did for Everton on the opening day of the season against Blackburn.

eagle eye · 27-08-2008 2:25am

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Yes there is also a definite disparity with center backs also - but I could see the likes of Woodgate, Richards, Dunne, Laursen, Campbell and Huth upgrading Liverpool and Arsenal for sure.

I think they would improve their strength in depth but do you really think that any of them could displace the current first choice players on either team?

LuckyLloyd · 27-08-2008 2:35am

eagle eye wrote: »

I think they would improve their strength in depth but do you really think that any of them could displace the current first choice players on either team?

Carragher / Skrtel / Agger

Toure / Gallas

People may disagree with me - but I could see the likes of Dunne, Richards, Woodgate, Laursen, Campbell, Huth in the mix with the five names above, yes.

glenjamin · 27-08-2008 2:38am

Given

Richards----Woodgate----Huth

Lescott

Tuncay

Elano

Diarra

Downing

Alves

Yakubu

-You'd swear I was a Middlesbrough fan

DmanDmythDledge · 27-08-2008 2:52am

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Carragher / Skrtel / Agger

Toure / Gallas

People may disagree with me - but I could see the likes of Dunne, Richards, Woodgate, Laursen, Campbell, Huth in the mix with the five names above, yes.

I would have Dunne, Woodgate and Richards over all of them.

Mitch Connor · 27-08-2008 7:57am

Given

Richards
Dunne
Woodgate
Lescott

Petrov
Elano
Diarra
Young

Berbatov
Ashton

The Rooster · 27-08-2008 8:09am

Given

L Young - Richards - Woodgate - Warnock

S. Reid --- Diarra --- Arteta

Bentley -- Berbatov -- A. Young

Pepe LeFrits · 27-08-2008 9:05am

James

- Richards - Dunne - Lescott

Diarra - Barry

-- Arteta - Modric - Young

-- Santa Cruz - Berbatov

Diarra or Barry can drop back into the RB/LB positions to change to a 4-4-2.

matrim · 27-08-2008 9:47am

I don't know why so many people are picking barry as left back. He can play there but anytime he does he's very average.

He's much better in the central medfield role.

yahoo_moe · 27-08-2008 2:04pm

matrim wrote: »

I don't know why so many people are picking barry as left back. He can play there but anytime he does he's very average.

He's much better in the central medfield role.

Agreed - similarly, doesn't Richards play all his games at CB for City rather than RB?

LuckyLloyd wrote:

there is a distinct paucity of excellent destroyer midfielders outside the top four who are athletically top class

Xavi6 wrote:

Agree with the lack of midfield enforcers.

I'd stick Diarra in there no question - he looked class in his limited opportunities at Arsenal and looked good for Portsmouth anytime I saw him in the second half of last year.

If he hadn't left Arsenal, he'd be first choice now with Fabregas and he wouldn't look at all out of place - in fact, as an Arsenal fan, I wish we still had him.

Mr Alan · 27-08-2008 2:09pm

its a farce putting Kompany in tbh. one ****ing game he has played, against a ten man west ham :rolleyes:

herbieflowers · 27-08-2008 2:12pm

it's hilarious bias, that's what it is!

Balfa · 27-08-2008 2:33pm

This is a tough one!
Here's the list I made before looking through everyone else's suggestions

Given
Lescott Dunne Woodgate Gutiérrez
Barry
Diouf Tuncay Petrov
Agbonlahor Berbatov

After seeing what other people, I'd probably consider swapping Diouf for Arteta. There's not a wealth of good defensive midfielders outside the top 4! Barry's more a CM, and I didn't want to pick Reid because I already have two Ireland players and didn't want to come across as biased

LuckyLloyd · 27-08-2008 2:34pm

Mr Alan wrote: »

its a farce putting Kompany in tbh. one ****ing game he has played, against a ten man west ham :rolleyes:

I explained why I put him in. I guess I could have put Diarra in as noted above - but a "farce" it is not. Mr. Alan, you should discover the color Grey.

LuckyLloyd · 27-08-2008 2:35pm

matrim wrote: »

I don't know why so many people are picking barry as left back. He can play there but anytime he does he's very average.

Left back is also a position of weakness outside the top four. Lescott is a an extremely over rated player imo.

eagle eye · 27-08-2008 2:42pm

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Left back is also a position of weakness outside the top four. Lescott is a an extremely over rated player imo.

I don't agree with this at all. To me Lescott is right up there in the Premiership, behind only Evra, Clichy and Wayne Bridge. I don't like Barry there either, I'd put our own Stephen Warnock ahead of him and theres a couple of others as well.

DmanDmythDledge · 27-08-2008 2:47pm

Mr Alan wrote: »

its a farce putting Kompany in tbh. one ****ing game he has played, against a ten man west ham :rolleyes:

Judging by your posts on the matter this may seem far fetched to you but football exists outside the Premiership.

Balfa · 27-08-2008 2:47pm

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Lescott is a an extremely over rated player imo.

Lescott is brilliant.

eagle eye · 27-08-2008 3:01pm

DmanDmythDledge wrote: »

Judging by your posts on the matter this may seem far fetched to you but football exists outside the Premiership.

His performances over the last year in Germany were not great by all accounts. I think he makes a fair point but right now, in another ten games if he were to continue playing as well he would certainly make my top 11 team and that includes the top four.

Savman · 27-08-2008 3:01pm

I agree, Barry at LB? Do you folks watch footie at all :eek:
The man is a liability there.

LuckyLloyd · 27-08-2008 3:08pm

Savman wrote: »

I agree, Barry at LB? Do you folks watch footie at all :eek:
The man is a liability there.

He looked a serious liability in center mid last Saturday tbf.

Savman · 27-08-2008 3:13pm

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

He looked a serious liability in center mid last Saturday tbf.

Well at least he has more good than bad games in CM.

yahoo_moe · 27-08-2008 3:20pm

Balfa wrote: »

Lescott is brilliant.

I think Lescott's a good player but Fantasy Football points do not equal brilliant defender. Same for Martin Laursen - good players but overrated based on their goalscoring I think.

Savman · 27-08-2008 3:24pm

yahoo_moe wrote: »

Same for Martin Laursen - good players but overrated based on their goalscoring I think.

Couldn't disagree more. Laursen is a superb defender, underrated if anything.

SantryRed · 27-08-2008 3:25pm

My top team outside of the top 4 would be.

Hart

Johnson---Richards---Woodgate---Lescott

Barry

Arteta

Modric

Young

Downing

Berbatov

Mr Alan · 27-08-2008 3:27pm

DmanDmythDledge wrote: »

Judging by your posts on the matter this may seem far fetched to you but football exists outside the Premiership.

Football manager doesnt count.

My understanding is that he failed to live up to his reputation at previous clubs.

Also worth noting the thread title, "your Top XI from the Prem"

Pepe LeFrits · 27-08-2008 3:36pm

Perhaps they've watched Kompany in Germany and disagree...

yahoo_moe · 27-08-2008 4:08pm

Savman wrote: »

Couldn't disagree more. Laursen is a superb defender, underrated if anything.

I'm not saying he's crap (and as a Villa fan, I'm sure you've watched him over 90 minutes plenty more times than I have so you're in a better place to judge) - it's more that Football Manager/Fantasy Football ratings (especially involving comparisons of numbers of direct assists) are just a pet hate of mine :mad: as they're not the full story. Maybe I should have said overrated by people who don't know enough to rate him (myself included - he seems good but I don't really know his game particularly well).

redzerdrog · 27-08-2008 4:20pm

given

johnson---richards--dunne---lescott

bentley---palacios---barry---young

barbatov---santa cruz

Nalz · 27-08-2008 4:22pm

I win!!!

Given

--Hutton---Woodgate---Dunne---Lescott-

--Bentley---Barry----Arteta

Young--

Berbatov----Ashton

Subs: Friedel, Richards, Kompany, Elano, Modric, Yakubu, Agbonlahor.

LuckyLloyd · 27-08-2008 4:30pm

Trilla wrote: »

I win!!!
Given

--Hutton---Woodgate---Dunne---Lescott-

--Bentley---Barry----Arteta
Young--
Berbatov----Ashton

Subs: Friedel, Richards, Kompany, Elano, Modric, Yakubu, Agbonlahor.

Mmmm. I think Hutton was settling in last year. With time, he may be the best player in his position in the league outside (or even inside) the top four but right now I think he is much more potential than the finished article. Glenn Johnson had a great year last year.

AND you have two awesome players up front but I'm not so sure they would form an awesome partnership. You won't have much pace and movement even if when they do get the ball down or get it to their head they will be dangerous.

eagle eye · 27-08-2008 4:34pm

yahoo_moe wrote: »

I'm not saying he's crap (and as a Villa fan, I'm sure you've watched him over 90 minutes plenty more times than I have so you're in a better place to judge) - it's more that Football Manager/Fantasy Football ratings (especially involving comparisons of numbers of direct assists) are just a pet hate of mine :mad: as they're not the full story. Maybe I should have said overrated by people who don't know enough to rate him (myself included - he seems good but I don't really know his game particularly well).

Whats all this fantasy football rubbish?

Lescott is a fantastic left back. I don't rate him at centre back by the way.

LuckyLloyd · 27-08-2008 5:05pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Whats all this fantasy football rubbish?

Lescott is a fantastic left back. I don't rate him at centre back by the way.

Well I would have classed him as a center back playing on the left side of the defense. He is very valuable at set pieces and he does an honest job in defense - but I don't think he is a particularly good contributor down the left hand side in open play. The fact that he:

- is in the England conversation;
- rated by the media as one of the top players in his position in the premiership;

is, imo, more of a commentary on the depth of English players / players in the premiership at the position than his own ability playing the position.

eagle eye · 27-08-2008 5:24pm

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Well I would have classed him as a center back playing on the left side of the defense. He is very valuable at set pieces and he does an honest job in defense - but I don't think he is a particularly good contributor down the left hand side in open play. The fact that he:

- is in the England conversation;
- rated by the media as one of the top players in his position in the premiership;

is, imo, more of a commentary on the depth of English players / players in the premiership at the position than his own ability playing the position.

Well I only see four ahead of him in the premiership as I said earlier and two of them are with one club.
I'll tell you who is overhyped though and almost every team in the other thread has him on it, and thats Fernando Torres, don't get me wrong he is a class act but you'd think he was the best thing since the proverbial 'sliced pan' since he joined Liverpool.
Edit to add that two of those I rate ahead of him are English.

Your top XI from the Prem (Excluding Top 4)

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