Your Premiership Team of the (Half) Season

Mr.Nice Guy

So we've reached the halfway point of the Premier League which means it's time to ask the question: who makes your team of the season thus far? My team - which is deliberately light on the defensive side - would be:

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Begovic

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----Rafael

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Shawcross

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Baines

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Cazorla

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Fellaini

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Bale----

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Mata

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Suarez

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Michu

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Van Persie

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As for the reasons for my choices...

GK: I think Begovic has been impressive for Stoke this year. He's made some good stops when called upon, like the recent game against Spurs and I don't think other keepers have made quite the impression that he has.

Def: Left-back for me was one of the easier choices. I think Baines is a must as he's been excellent for Everton. Enrique has done well for Liverpool but he hasn't always been used at full-back. I had to go with a Stoke defender at centre-back and I like how Shawcross is not afraid to throw himself in front of a shot (or a Fellaini head). Right-back was one of the tough slots. I thought Ivanovic did great early on this season but he's been moved to centre-back in Terry's absence. I went with Rafael who has generally been very good (that thirty minute spell against Reading aside).

Mid: I've been a bit creative in the make-up of the midfield but I had to fit these guys in. I think Cazorla has been a great addition to the Premier League. I love watching him play and I think with better players around him he could be even more of a force. Fellaini has been a handful for every team this season and his performance against United at the start of the season set the tone. His temperament is questionable but I think he has to be in the team. Bale has continued to progress and while a season or two ago the thought of him at a club like Real Madrid didn't strike me as realistic, I could now see it in on present form. I think Mata meanwhile has been a shining light for Chelsea. At the start of the season Hazard looked like he would be the sensation and Oscar showed promise at points too, but it's been the quality of Mata that has kept the club rolling.

Strikers: I knew two of the three I wanted here and had to consider Defoe and Ba for the final spot but I went with Suarez as I think he's has to carry Liverpool to a greater extent than the others have had to for their clubs. I don't like some of his antics but his quality is unquestionable. Michu was an easy pick. He has taken the league by storm and the goal rush hasn't dried up. A great bit of business for Laudrup and Swansea. The remaining spot was another easy one. Simply put I don't think United would be top of the league right now without Van Persie.

So that's my XI. What's yours?

redzerdrog

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begovic

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Johnson

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shawcross

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vertonghen----baines

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diame

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michu---cazorla

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bale

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Suarez

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Rvp

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JPA

Begovic

A. Cole
Jagielka
Vertonghen
Zabaleta

Fellaini
Y. Toure

Cazorla
Mata
Suarez

Michu


More realistic I hope!

Rekop dog

Beg

Walker Shaw Bassong Baines

Fell Carrick

Mata Hazard Bale

Michu

Jimmy Iovine

Begovic
Rafael - Shawcross - Vertonghen - Baines
Carrick - Toure
Mata - Michu - Fellaini
RVP

CSF

Begovic
Rafael
Baines
Shawcross
Huth
Diame
Fellaini
Bale
Mata
Michu
Van Persie

Sorry Suarez, I really did try fit you in there.

Dante

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Begovic

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----Zabaleta----Shawcross

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Ivanovic

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Baines---

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Fellaini

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Morrison

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Mata

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----Suarez

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Bale--

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Van Persie

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Had most trouble with the right-back position, nobody really jumped out at me as an obvious choice. Went for Glenn Johnson because I think he's been pretty decent so far and because I'm still not quite convinced of Rafael. I put Suarez on the right wing but Ideally I'd have him up front but for the sake of my team being nice and symmetrical I slapped him on the right. The player I've been most impressed with though is Fellaini, he has been an absolute machine this season and has been at the heart of Everton's impressive run.

EDIT: Completely forgot Zabaleta, a player I have always had a soft spot for even as a United fan...sorry Glenn, looks like its the bench for you!

Andersonisgod

Begovic (not been a great season for the keepers so far)

Zabaleta, Vertonghen, Luiz, Baines

Fellaini, Cazorla, Mata

Suarez, Van Persie, Bale

Jimmy Iovine

DaaaaaaaaaaN wrote: »

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Begovic

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----Johnson----Shawcross

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Ivanovic

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Baines---

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Fellaini

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Morrison

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Mata

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----Suarez

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Bale--

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Van Persie

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Had most trouble with the right-back position, nobody really jumped out at me as an obvious choice. Went for Glenn Johnson because I think he's been pretty decent so far and because I'm still not quite convinced of Rafael. I put Suarez on the right wing but Ideally I'd have him up front but for the sake of my team being nice and symmetrical I slapped him on the right. The player I've been most impressed with though is Fellaini, he has been an absolute machine this season and has been at the heart of Everton's impressive run.

James Morrison ahead of Michu? Big call leaving out arguably the best player so far this season.

MD1990

Begovic
Johnson Shawcross Ivanovic Rose
Cazorla Mata Michu
Suarez Van Persie Bale

not really a balanced team just wanted to get alot of attacking players in

Dante

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

James Morrison ahead of Michu? Big call leaving out arguably the best player so far this season.

True, its mainly because I've watched a lot of Norwich games this season and thought Morrison has been fantastic. On the other hand, I've seen very little of Swansea, but obviously Michu has been banging them in left right and center so I probably should have included him but sure I guess its down to the rules of thumb I used.

darced

This post has been deleted.

bullvine

darced wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Oh how I LOLed no RVP and Johnson ahead of Rafael and Zabaleta

areyawell

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Mignolet

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Ivanovic ShawCross Baines

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-Bale Carrick Fellani Carzola

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Michu Van Persie Mata

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Subs: Begovic,Suarez,Ba, Hazard,Vertonghen,Walters

JPA

DaaaaaaaaaaN wrote: »

True, its mainly because I've watched a lot of Norwich games this season and thought Morrison has been fantastic. On the other hand, I've seen very little of Swansea, but obviously Michu has been banging them in left right and center so I probably should have included him but sure I guess its down to the rules of thumb I used.

Did you watch any West Brom?

Blatter

First year in a while where I can remember so many attacking players having outshone the more defensively reliable players. Even Fellaini, who many have put in central midfield, has produced his outstanding form in a more advanced role.

Dante

JPA wrote: »

Did you watch any West Brom?

Heh my bad thats the one...Its late and I've been drinking

dceire

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Begovic

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-- Rafael -- Shawcross -- Bassong -- Baines --

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Carrick

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Fellaini

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Michu

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Mata

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Bale

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RvP

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SUBS
GK Guzan
DF Zabaleta
DF Ivanovic
MF Hazard
MF Cazorla
ST Defoe

darced

This post has been deleted.

Moneymaker

Begovic
Rafael
Shawcross
Bassong
Baines
Diame
Fellaini
Mata
Michu
Bale
RVP

Corholio

Begovic

Zabaleta
McAuley
Vertonghen
Baines

Fellaini
Diame
Mata
Yacob

RVP
Michu

nbar12

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Gary Breen

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-Breen

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Breen

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Breen

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Breen---

-Breen

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Breen

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Breen

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Breen

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Breen

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Breen

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Utopia Parkway

bullvine wrote: »

Oh how I LOLed no RVP and Johnson ahead of Rafael and Zabaleta

Suarez has been excellent and Johnson has been very good too. Nothing at all wrong with those picks considering a lot of these are marginal calls.

Granted they are the only Liverpool players who should even be considered.

event

areyawell wrote: »

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Ivanovic ShawCross Baines

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Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

----Rafael

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Shawcross

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Baines

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when you pick a 3 at the back, you normally do it with three centre halves. Thats sorta cheating lads, just cos you want to fit in more attackers :P

Begovic
Zabaleta - Shawcross - Ivanovic - Baines
Cazorla - Fellaini - Mata
Michu - RVP - suarez

Xavi6

JPA wrote: »

Did you watch any West Brom?

Did you watch any City? You picked Yaya Toure! :eek:

GavRedKing

Begovic

Zabaleta Ivanovic Shawcross Baines

Diame Yacob

Cazorla Fellaini Mata

RVP

efb

I'm not loving the love for the stoke bad boy

Pepe LeFrits

Fellaini in people's teams as a central/holding midfielder? Cazorla on the wing? Surprised some of you don't have van Persie in goal.

Benimar

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Fellaini in people's teams as a central/holding midfielder? Cazorla on the wing? Surprised some of you don't have van Persie in goal.

Don't forget those playing 3 at the back, with only one natural CB. That's always my personal favourite. Poor Shawcross will be knackered doing all the defending for the other 9!

slingerz

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Begovic

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-- Ivanovic -- Shawcross -- Vertonghen -- Baines --

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Dembele

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Fellaini

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Michu

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Mata

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Suarez

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RvP

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pickarooney

Like **** any of you would have picked Begovic if everyone else hadn't.

G.K.

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Mignolet
Johnson-Chico-Bassong-Baines

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Yacob-Fellaini

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Cazorla-Michu-Mata

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Suarez

A few more it was very hard to leave out.

JPA

pickarooney wrote: »

Like **** any of you would have picked Begovic if everyone else hadn't.

Not a whole lot of competition is there?
None of the bigger names have performed consistently and Begovic has the most clean sheets.

dceire

pickarooney wrote: »

Like **** any of you would have picked Begovic if everyone else hadn't.

I would have thought that pretty much anyone, who actually watches the Premiership, would have picked Begovic regardless. He's been the stand out goalkeeper this season.

Will I Amnt

Mignolet
Rafael - Jagielka - Vertonghen - Cole
Mata - Carrick - Bale
Fellaini
RvP - Michu

The_Kew_Tour

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Mignolet

-Ivanovic---Bassong---Huth---Baines

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Carrick

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Yacob

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Cazorla----Michu----Mata

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RVP

Suarez the most unlucky player to lose out.

bullvine

darced wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Begovic
Zabaleta
Ashley Williams
Bassong
Baines
Carrick
Cazorla
Mata
Suarez
Michu
RVP

I found the Centerbacks very hard to pick. Can't think of any who have had a outstanding season.

Rekop dog

pickarooney wrote: »

Like **** any of you would have picked Begovic if everyone else hadn't.

Probably the easiest choice in the whole team tbh. He's been comfortably the best in his position so far this season, not just due to the most clean sheets either despite it being a good indicator. His command of his area is excellent, a confident vocal keeper lends itself to a assured defence. Distribution is very good too although this could be scewed by the fact that players he's passing it to are all bigger/stronger than most opponents and win the ball more often from the air. Still though he's been head and shoulders above any keeper in the league.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Can't believe some one chose Walker, he's been utter shíte this season. Did his best to lose the game for us at OT and has pretty much been caught out of position every 15 minutes so far. He hasn't being dropped because there's no one to replace him.

Also, I don't know how anyone can leave out Vertonghen. Outstanding so far, hasn't had one poor game.

My team;

Begovic

Zabaleta --- Williams --- Vertonghen --- Baine

Cazorla --- Fellaini --- Dembelé --- Bale

RvP --- Michu

Shawcross, Mata, Suarez, Bassong, Diame & Yacob all could easily have been in my team.

Pepe LeFrits wrote:

Fellaini in people's teams as a central/holding midfielder? Cazorla on the wing? Surprised some of you don't have van Persie in goal.

I don't think you quite understand the point of this thread.

barneygumble99

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begovic

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shawcross----vertonghen

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--ivanovic

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evra

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arteta

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carrick

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cazorla

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mata

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michu

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rvp

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eagle eye

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Begovic
Zabaleta

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Ivanovic

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Vertonghen

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Gibbs

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Carrick

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Mulumbu
Mata

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Michu

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Bale

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RVP

homerjay2005

the back four is impossible to pick, as it has not exactly been a season for great defending so far.

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Begovic

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Zabaleta--Shawcross--Huth--Evra

----Carzola----Cleverly----Mata----

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Fellani

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RVP

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Michu

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Nuri Sahin

Michu selección!

He is all you need.