After the revelation of the PFA Player, Young Player and Team of the season yesterday I will take a look at each position and who I would have put there.
Goalkeeper
In goal, there is, for me, only one choice. The only goalkeeper this year to be nominated for PFA Player of the Year, David James has had another outstanding season. Were it not for him, Portsmouth would not be going to Wembley nor would they be in the hunt for a European spot next season. He has rightly regained the England no. 1 jersey at the age of 37 and looks to get his hands on his first piece of silverware since the 1995 League Cup success with Liverpool.
However, although for me David James was the rightful choice, Brad Friedel has a right to feel somewhat disappointed. The Blackburn keeper has been one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League for over five seasons now, and another high quality season this year has given him a place on the bench of my Team of the Season. Most days the American is hard to get passed, but now and again it seems nigh on impossible that you will score past him. An example of this is the phenomenal game he had against Manchester United recently, where he kept them at bay on many occasions, only to be beaten by Carlos Tevez's point blank header late on.
Just missing out on the goalkeeping front this year is Manchester City's Joe Hart. Although there have been better keepers this season, all things considered he has had a debut season to remember. He is still young, and if he carries on the way he is going, I have no doubt that he will become a future England no. 1.
Right Back
Right back was a tough one this year. The official team gave it to Bacary Sagna. Sorry, but no way has he been the best right back in England this year. When he hasn't been out injured he hasn't exactly blown me away with his play. But then again, it's tough to think of a right back that has. I've come up with four possibilities. The man I have gone for is Vedran Corluka. Although he hasn't been in great form as of late, he had a fantastic start to the season, and that was just enough for him to pip the others to the right back spot. The times he has been playing in right back this season he has shone, but when Sven puts him in centre back hes only about half as effective. He seemed to adapt to the English style of play very easily, and is a very important player for Man City.
The men Corluka beat were Glen Johnson, Alan Hutton and, putting my biased views aside, Phil Neville. Glen Johnson has had a good season. Not a great one, a good one. However, now and again he has games where he is just outstanding. He has shown small tasters of what he is capable of. On more than one occasion he has run past numerous opponents and into the box, either creating chances or scoring chances.
If Alan Hutton had joined Tottenham in the summer, and performed like he has done since his January transfer, he would be my starting right back. However, he hasn't been involved long enough this season to be in this side. And bearing in mind that the official votes were cast in January, I fully understand why he's not in contention for the official PFA Team of the Season.
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