Man City would be absolutely fucked without Tevez.

Song's been brilliant for the last 6-8 weeks, but he started the season really poorly.

As highly as I rate him, he'd have to continue in his current form, consistently, for the rest of the season. That said, there isn't a player in the league I'd swap him for.

Young player of the year will be interesting; Wilshere, Bale, Theo, Rafael, Henderson.....?

I can’t view this with any degree of objectivity – for me Nasri is the player of the season so far.

He’s so often been the difference between us and the dropping of points, he provides an impetus going forward that we had been lacking, has now got strength and pace and a fantastic understanding with Cesc and RvP, leaves defenders for dead and has scored some goals from what seemed to have been unfeasible positions.
Tiny criticism in that sometimes he has little lapses and concedes possession.

I suppose I’d put Vidic second – he’s been central to United re-establishing their defensive strength after what was a very shaky start.
Hate to admit it but he was mighty when we played them at OT.

Tevez is a contrary individual but he does give it 100% when he plays and his goals have kept Man City in contention for the title.

Fabregas would make the team of the season for me.

Zico wrote:

Oh, and while we're at it, who will we be contributing to the team of the season?
Surely it can't only be Nasri and Sagna? Who else is worthy of being on the Premier League top 11 from our team? Song?

Cesc. Subject to how many games he'll play during the second part of the season of course, but he's pretty much a shoe-in.

Robin has a chance if he gets going in the second half of the season, since no other striker has done anything of note other than Tevez.

What do people think about Chris Brunt by the way? I never see anyone talk about him for some reason. The few times I've watched West Bromwich this season he's been very good, outshining both Odemwingie and pretty much anyone else on the field. 10 assists and 2 goals for a side like that is a very good HT record.

If their recent form lasts Cesc, Robin and Song would all be contenders for inclusion in a team of the season.

What about Fabianski?

The guy's had a pretty good, consistent season so far. Joe Hart will probably be the pick, barring any second half meltdowns, but it has to be close?

Fabianski would definitely be a good shout. Doubt he'll get the recognition he deserves though.

Sagna is a dead cert in the team of the year, as far as I'm concerned.

Fabianski has been in the top two goalkeepers easily this year but he won't get anywhere near the award.

What Captain said, no matter how good he's been or will be, his reputation is too damaged to get any real recognition.

fabregas, nasri, sagna, bale, modric, vidic, nani, berbatov, ivanovic, tevez, kompany, hart, vaughn, baines, cahill, carrol, brunt...

edit: looking at that list, i'd go for

hart

sagna - vidic - ivanovic- baines

nani-fabregas-vaughn-nasri-bale

tevez

Zico wrote:

Oh, and while we're at it, who will we be contributing to the team of the season?
Surely it can't only be Nasri and Sagna? Who else is worthy of being on the Premier League top 11 from our team? Song?

Just finished talking about this with a friend, I came up with this team so far;

Hart - not outstanding, has made some bad errors, but there's just no one else. Fabianski probably isn't a million miles away, but as has been said above, what has gone before lives long in the memory.

Sagna - not much I need to say is there?

Kompany - he's been consistently good, although far from perfect.

Vidic - same really. Had good spells, followed by indifferent ones. Djourou's form in the last 2 months has been on par, but it took him a while to find his feet.

Baines - if Clichy had played as he has in the last 6 weeks for the whole season, he'd be comfortably ahead. Cole and Evra have been poor this year, so that leave Baines, who is far from an outstanding candidate (recurring theme?).

Nani - had some hot games, where he's really shone, but he's not had a particularly outstanding season. It was between him and Bale - Nani's far superior stats won it for him. Walcott wasn't far of either.

Song - not a great start, but he's come on so strong in the last 6 weeks or so. Some massive performances over the Christmas period, when the whole League was watching. His Chelsea performance was as good a midfield performance as I've seen.

Charlie Adam - I've been really impressed whenever I've watched him, he runs the show for Blackpool. What a left foot he has. Modric and Wilshere were close. Fabregas just hasn't played enough.

Nasri - probably the best player in the League thus far. Carried us for months when Robin and Cesc were absent.

Tevez - 2nd best player in the League. Scored some great goals, and has carried City at times.

Carroll - not his biggest fan, but first season in the League, under alot of pressure from expectant fans, and he's scored 11 goals in 19 games. Can't argue with that. Berbatov loses out because he scored 8 of his 14 goals in 2 games, and was shit alot of the other ones.

I'd go for;

Cech

Sagna
Vidic
Kompany
Baines

Modric
De Jong
Cesc

Nasri
Nani

Tevez

For me its:-

------------vds
sagna--Ferdinand--vidic--enrique
---------Modric--Wilshere
--------------Cesc
----nani----------------nasri
--------------Carroll

Van der Sar has hardly played, Dules, and has conceded alot of goals when he has played. Strange one.

Ah, it was that Spurs game wasn't it? I watched that and was impressed with him too.You're right, there's been no one outstanding, but there's no way old man Ed has been the best.

Well maybe. He just looks like he has the most presence. Rarely beaten from range

Kel Varnsen wrote:

fabregas, nasri, sagna, bale, modric, vidic, nani, berbatov, ivanovic, tevez, kompany, hart, vaughn, baines, cahill, carrol, brunt...

edit: looking at that list, i'd go for

hart

sagna - vidic - ivanovic- baines

nani-fabregas-vaughn-nasri-bale

tevez

I have absolutely no idea who this is?

Bale has been overrated. Nasri is such a better player

GaelForce wrote:

Kel Varnsen wrote:

fabregas, nasri, sagna, bale, modric, vidic, nani, berbatov, ivanovic, tevez, kompany, hart, vaughn, baines, cahill, carrol, brunt...

edit: looking at that list, i'd go for

hart

sagna - vidic - ivanovic- baines

nani-fabregas-vaughn-nasri-bale

tevez

I have absolutely no idea who this is?

Not just me then? I didn't want to look stupid.

Taken from an article in The Independent, listing their candidates for player of the season.

David Vaughan, Blackpool

Let's be honest: the kind of player who, realistically, never wins the big awards. But that might not prevent a few of Vaughan's fellow professionals who have been on the losing side to Blackpool – or the reporters who have marvelled at their performances – from voting for the Wales international.

As far as Blackpool are concerned, the plaudits have mostly been for Vaughan's central-midfield partner Charlie Adam but those who watch the team a lot say that Vaughan has been just as crucial to the side. A good, all-round footballer his second goal of the season was an impressive hit from distance against West Bromwich Albion.

Like the rest of the Blackpool side there is plenty of energy about Vaughan's game and you get the feeling he has been waiting for this moment his whole career. At 27 he had seven years at Crewe Alexandra and one in the second tier of Spanish football with Real Sociedad, signed by Chris Coleman.

His contract is up in June and there are plenty of clubs in the Premier League who will regard him as one of the most attractive free transfers of the summer.

What do we know, Gael?

That Kel's an Independent, not a Guardian man?

Seriously though, good to see some unrecognised names put forward. I'll keep an eye out for him now.

When I Googled him and saw his picture, it clicked. Just never knew his name, and certainly haven't seen enough of him and Blackpool to think he's been one of the best players in the League this season.

I haven't read the whole thread so apologies if hes been mentioned but I've been impressed be Man U's Hernandez, those ^#^@#!!er's got the good Mexican and we're stuck with the dud.

kel is impressive

GaelForce wrote:

Kel Varnsen wrote:

fabregas, nasri, sagna, bale, modric, vidic, nani, berbatov, ivanovic, tevez, kompany, hart, vaughn, baines, cahill, carrol, brunt...

edit: looking at that list, i'd go for

hart

sagna - vidic - ivanovic- baines

nani-fabregas-vaughn-nasri-bale

tevez

I have absolutely no idea who this is?

david vaughan. central midfielder at blackpool. been hugely impressive every time i've seen him this season. covers a lot of ground, good close control, good passing, good vision, hard working etc. just a really good footballer.

Oh David Vaughan....

Oooooh david vaughan

David Vaughan!!