[ande_ka_funda]

Nice concept for the EPL team of the season...will try to finalise my team ASAP

21st May seems to be fair enough a deadline....coz after the UCL final.. the discussions would center on the Euro 2008 championships

Some squads have already been announced and not without major surprises.

The biggest surprise has to be the return of Henrik Larsson to the Swedish Squad. He has been in great form for IF Helsingborg and has proved to be a handful even at the twilight of his career. At the age of 36, he still can offer a great deal to his team and more importantly ease the expectations on Ibra.

However, another 36 year old wasnt as lucky. Hakan Sukur has been left out of Turkey's preliminary squad. Though not an automatic in the starting eleven due to the presence of Sanli, Nihat and Altintop, he must be feeling aggrieved as his experience could have been utilised from the bench. But it seems that Fatih Terim has his mind made up.
Hamit Altintop has also been included inspite of still being injured.

Another shocker has to be the decision of Clarence Seedorf to withdraw from the Dutch national team. He seems to have a penchant of deserting his team on flimsy grounds. He hasnt retired but only withdrawn from the Euro 08 squad. But at the age of 32, I fear that we might have seen the last of Seedorf in an orange shirt.

[anvesh23]

* To be edited later *


Team Name : Anvesh's Gunners

Formation : 4-4-2


Captain : John Terry


my team is as follows


striker : Fernando Torres

what a fantastic debut for Liverpool in his first premier league season . has all that it takes to be a top drawer striker in any league . the best buy of the season .


striker : Emmanuel Adebayor

After Henry's departure to Barcelona , the responsibility to score goals fell on his shoulders and he has been excellent this season .

left winger : Ryan Giggs

Has been the best left winger all these years in the EPL for me and continues to be .

central MF : Cesc Fabregas

a genius at passing , ball possesion and distribution . can pick out a pass through the eye of a needle a great midfielder and Arsenal's best player - has got a few goals from midfield this season as well .

central MF : Steven Gerrard

No better all-round midfielder - the complete player , can pass , tackle , shoot and score . One of the best and most influential midfielders ever .

right winger : Cristiano Ronaldo

hate to admit it but the guy is just outstanding

left back : Gael Clichy

His energy and runs down the left flank are well known . Heir to Cashley Cole , this guy has excelled at left back for Arsenal .

central def : Rio Ferdinand

has been phenomenal this season for united and has had a major hand in their clean sheets .

central def : John Terry

The Chelsea Skipper is an obvious pick - an amazing leader and an inspiration for all those around him . The perfect old school english central defender .

right back : Bakary Sagna

Has been fantastic in his first season at Arsenal this year . Defensively solid as a rock . Would like to see him get more forward down the right wing in supporting the attack . Great Buy for the gunners . a revelation .


GK : David James

really admire him - great shot stopper . has been excellent in goal for Pompey this season .


subs

1. Edwin Van Der Sar
2. Berbatov
3. Flamini
4. Jamie Carragher
5. Ashley Young

[coolroy]

Team : Roy's Mean Machine.

Formation : 4-4-2.

Team :
Goalkeeper : David James.
Why : He is 'Calamity James' after all. Ehh ! On a more serious note, he was said to be past his prime long before, but he has proved what a consistent performer he is. He is prone to the odd mistake, and 'adventurous' would be too mild a word to term his unorthodox clearances. Nevertheless, he has been a consistent performer this season for Pompey and the best among all the goalies in the EPL this season.
Season high : The FA Cup quarter final against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Nothing could get past him that day. Patrice Evra would have vouched for that.


Right Back : Wes Brown.
Why : Questions were raised about whether he would be able to fill the big shoes of Gary Neville, about this loyalty to the club, and about his game going forward. But this guy has proved them all wrong. He has defended with his positional sense and attacked with vigour. He has been such a bonus to United's season, proof of which are the clean sheets achieved by United. Add to that his ability of a buffer substitute in case either of United's first choice centre backs are injured and his 2 assists during the season. What else does this guy need to prove this season ?
Season high : Scoring against Liverpool at home. Enough said, do you need anything else ?


Centre Back : Rio Ferdinand (Captain).
Why : You need a rock at the back of your defense, don't you? Rio fits the bill perfectly. In the absence of Neville and Giggs, he led the team from the front. He motivated the team and spurred the team on when they were producing flagging performances. His exceptional displays at Old Trafford against Arsenal(twice), Anfield and Camp Nou will be inspirations to any aspiring defender. He kept El Nino in his pocket. Add to that his 3 goals.
Season high : Clean sheets at Anfield and Camp Nou inspite of being bombarded with attacks.

Centre Back : Jolean Lescott.
Why : 15 clean sheets and just 28 goals conceded till date. This guy has really come out of his shell this season prompting a call up to the England squad. Add to that his goal scoring ability, scoring 7 goals, the most for any defender this season. He is a strong defender, always an aerial threat on set pieces, and can also play as left back when required. He almost earned a vital penalty in the dieing seconds of the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, Carragher having to wrestle him down on a corner.
Season high : Scoring 8 goals in the league and having 2 assists, the most for any defender this season.

Left Back : Gael Clichy.
Why : Andy Gray - "Where does this guy find all the energy?". That sums it up actually. Arsenal's season was built on their full backs support in attack as well as their defensive ability. He was instrumental in shaping Arsenal's surge to the top of the table and his absence was hard felt when Traore replaced him at Old Trafford for the FA Cup game. His overlapping runs were always dangerous and constructive. At the present rate, it wont be long before he gets his first goal for Arsenal.
Season high : Only player in the EPL to play all the games till date this season. A tribute to his fitness.

Right Winger : Cristiano Ronaldo.
Why : It was touted to be a second season syndrome. That defenders would sort him out after his wonder season last year. Well, if that was a wonder season, what would you call this season ? 38 goals in the seaon till date, 7 assists, wonder goals, leading scorer in the English Premier League and Champions League, do you need anything else ?
Season high : Instep flick against Villa and Ronaldo 'rocket' against Pompey and Bolton at home.

Defensive Medio : Mathieu Flamini.
Why : Tenacity is his second name. Last year, he was the O'Shea of Arsenal, playing at left back, right wing and central midfield at various times. His future at the Emirates was uncertain, and he was in the shadows of Gilberto. Come season 07-08, and what a transition ! His performances at the middle of the park have pushed Gilberto to the bench, and have enabled Fabregas to play his game. Gilberto was an important member of the Arsenal side, remember, he was their penalty taker last season, yet at the end of the season, we are saying, Gilberto who ? That sums up the whole season for this guy. Add 3 goals and 2 assists to that.
Season high : Scoring the scorcher and having an assist against Newcastle.

Attacking Midfielder : Cesc Fabregas.
Why : He was always known as a prodigy, but it was time he stood up and got counted. 7 goals and 19 assists is a minimum for a attacking midfielder, some would say. But this guy is more to his team. He drives his team through his desire, vigour and tenacity. He is the creator, and a down-and-out Arsenal often looks upto him for inspiration. His passing, distribution and vision has often been compared to Scholes, a compliment which cannot be bettered. He gave it his all this season, and if not for Wenger's policy, he would have been fresh enough to continue his goal scoring run all season.
Season high : Scoring equalizers against Liverpool at Anfield and United at home.

Left Winger : Ashley Young.
Why : It is so astonishing that last year he was playing for Watford, but under O'Neil, he has flowered to a creative player. He has been the creative linchpin for the Villains. His effectiveness in dead ball situations coupled with his pace at which he runs at defenders makes him such a dangerous player. His defensive display against United after one of his teammates was sent off, was a treat to watch. He was termed as a player for the future, but he has already arrived.
Season high : 17 assists till date in the EPL season.

Centre Forward : Dmitar Berbatov.
Why : Purely because he brings a lot to the table. 15 goals and 11 assists are testimony to that. He exhibits this lazy elegance at times, but make no mistake, he is absolute class. His ability was never in doubt, although his temperament was questioned after a superb first season. This season, he has proved his critics wrong again. He does not only score goals, but also creates enough opportunities for others to score. His partnership with Roby Keane has been one of the best the EPL has seen since his arrival.
Season high : 4 goals in a game against Reading.

Striker : Fernando Torres.
Why : More than 25 goals in the first season in English football, 22 being in the EPL. Man, this player has to be special. There were question marks regarding his effectiveness in such a physical league as England, but he has shown that he is well up for it. His pace coupled with his shooting skills have presented an awful lot of problems to the defenders. His partnership with Gerrard has been one of the talking points of the season. He forms the backbone of an otherwise mediocre Liverpool team. He has delivered most of the times when Liverpool needed him.
Season high : The goal against Marseille. Absolute brilliance !

Bench :

Goalkeeper : Petr Cech. 14 clean sheets in 23 matches. He has had a injury ravaged season, but inspite of that, he has performed according to the standards required of being touted as the best in the world. He makes the bench for obvious reasons.

Defender : Nemanja Vidic. Pity he could not make the first eleven. He has been absolute class this season, and his absence was never felt more than the game against Boro away. He is like the Rock of Gibralter, immovable, unbreakable. His aerial ability and sound defending make him a must have in any team. Any team needs a strong defender, and he is right among them.

Midfielder : Gareth Barry. He is a very underestimated player but versatile player. He has a quality left foot. He can play as a left back, as a creative medio or on the left wing. Dangerous on set plays. Enough qualities to make the bench.

Forwards : Wayne Rooney, Santa Cruz. Both of them can play anywhere in the midfield as well as the frontline. Rooney's finishing hasn't been top notch this season, but that does not take away the quality that this man possesses. Santa Cruz on the other hand has been deadly whenever presented with the opportunity. The fact that he was invariably on the bench, yet preformed so consistently this season makes him one of the buys of the season. His aerial ability does him no harm in making it to the bench.

Team Dynamics : A very flexible 4-4-2 formation. With the full backs bombing on, and the defensive medio covering up. The wingers running at the full backs, with the crosses flying to Torres and Berbatov. While defending, either of the forwards kept up top to hold up the ball while the shape of the team is retained. The duo of Berbatov and Torres complement each other, with each supplying the other with through balls and flick ons. That both have pace and aerial ability is a big plus to the team. On set pieces, a number of players with strong aerial ability. On the subs bench, Barry, Santa Cruz and Rooney are players who can play anywhere in the top 6.

* To be edited *

[PSL]

EPL Team of the Season.. Hmmmm.. ill give my team later..

Just wanted to comment on some of the teams that have been nominated (i am allowed to rgt??)

Anvesh: I think the side you've picked is closest to the one i would have chosen.. though i might not have had Giggs in there.. He's been a great player allright.. but hasn't really had a great season..

SrK: You've just choosen half the united side!! This is about the team of the season.. not your fav players.. ahh no wonder you came last in squadgod

scholes, evra?? great players yes.. but have they had such a season that they deserve a place in the seasons all star team above folks like downing or say..clichy??? i doubt it..

Secondly your choice of Arsenal players in the playing 11 (or the lack of it rather)... Not even one???

Two players that automatically get selected are Ronaldo and Fabregas.. I know you dislike fabregas.. Now i hate ronaldo.. who i think is over-rated and not to mention one of the most dishonest players the game has seen.. but that doesnt take away from the fact the he's had a great season.. He truly has been the best player this season..

im suprised to don't have Mendieta up there somewhere

sorry sir.. but bad team selection..:-|
..

ill put up mine in a while..

For those who missed it...here's what PFA thinks is the "Team Of The Year"

[swagatsinha]

Originally Posted by coolroy

Each member will vote (via post) for the best 3 teams posted. After each of us has voted, the votes will be counted and the winner will be declared.

Let's include a condition here: No-one can vote for their own team. This will make the contest better, I think. What say?

Originally Posted by coolroy

His team

Bhaiyya, allow the females to participate too..maybe koi Mia Hamm nikal aaye?

[anvesh23]

@PSL - actually was thinking of selecting Downing instead of Giggsy as left winger but went with my fave


BTW when is the UEFA cup final tonight between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg ? And which channel ?


After what Zenit St Petersburg did to Bayern Munich (4-0 thrashing) no one should take them lightly :rockon:

[swagatsinha]

Anvesh, telecast starts 11.45 P.M. on Ten Sports. Zenit are the attacking force, while Rangers are the rock-solid defence. But the mainstay of the Zenit attack is suspended for the final..can't recall that Russian name..too complicated!!

[coolroy]

Originally Posted by swagatsinha

Let's include a condition here: No-one can vote for their own team. This will make the contest better, I think. What say?

I thought that was obvious. Anyways, that made it clearer.

Originally Posted by swagatsinha

Bhaiyya, allow the females to participate too..maybe koi Mia Hamm nikal aaye?

Mia Hamm jaisi kanyaye decade mein ek baar aati hai...is thread ko jaane kab ek Mia Hamm naseeb hogi ? :happy:

People posting their teams, please adhere to the format. All the best.

[anvesh23]

I will surely watch the final tonight ( usually watch the CL and ignore the UEFA cup , but love any football - even a championship match for that matter )

are you talking about the tournament's top scorer - Pavel Pogrebnyak ?

And yeah they have the former Rangers boss Advocaat at the helm too !

[anvesh23]

For more about Zenit :

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Rangers | Who are Zenit?