Alternative PFA Awards: 6 Other Honourable Mentions

Once again the PFA has conjured up their annual list of the season's top players. Unfortunately, only six players make the cut to stand a chance to win this award. This year it's Robin van Persie, Robin van Persie, Robin van Persie, Robin van Persie, Robin van Persie and Arsenal captain, Robin van Persie. I mean really, who else is going to win this year?

Anyways, the real list: Wayne Rooney, David Silva, Joe Hart, Sergio Aguero, Scott Parker and yours truly, Mr .Robin van Persie.

PFA Young Player Awards: Sergio Aguero (yes, he still qualifies), Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gareth Bale and Kyle Walker.

But, as only six make the cut each year, here are six other players who didn't get nominated but are nonetheless worthy of winning. So without further ado, here are Christopher Tan's Alternative PFA Player Awards. Sit back and enjoy...

Antonio Valencia

Arguably, Antonio Valencia has been United's most consistent player this season, more so over the often erratic Wayne Rooney, though the latter has still been sublime this year.

Valencia leads the Prem charts with the most assist this season (13), which is pretty freaking good considering that he has played 23 games. His assists-to-games ratio being roughly the same as Demba Ba's (who you'll see next) strike rate.

It's been a great story to tell as well, with Valencia suffering a horrible ankle break last season that ruled him out for a prolonged period.

To say he has picked himself up and returned in stunning fashion is an understatement, with many previously doubting the Ecuadorian. It isn't hard to find him running down the right wing with blazing pace, scaring the living daylight out of defenders. But in a pacy team Valencia has proven that not only can he run, he can really cross the ball too.

Valencia's ability to pinpoint and hit his target directly has contributed to Wayne Rooney's increasing number of headed goals. The number of assists would have been even more had Dimitar Berbatov hit the target as well.

Without any doubt, United's best crosser since the departure of David Beckham, Valencia's consistency has contributed to their consistent victories on the back of below-par performances, thus excelling their title charge. His exclusion from the PFA shortlist is unjust, to say the least.

Demba Ba

Arriving from relegated West Ham for free, after a contract clause, Demba Ba has been a revelation at St. James' Park (lets not call it the sponsored name; it doesn't sound right). He's powered the Magpies to a surprising Champions League push that still continues today.

I'm sure one can remember that amazing run of form Newcastle had at the start of the season. In those 11 unbeaten games, Ba scored eight goals as Newcastle sat comfortably in the top three. Ba's form remained consistent even as Newcastle's form dipped, and mid-way through the season the Senegalan was the second top scorer in the league, only behind Robin van Persie.

During the African Cup of Nations, the fact that Newcastle had a slight dip of form and were knocked out of the FA Cup in his absence is a testament to how vital he is to the Geordies this year.

Ba's slight dip in form, along with the rise of strike partner Papiss Cisse perhaps prevented him from appearing on what was an assured place in that PFA nominees list. But with an eye for goal, blistering pace and dominant strength, Ba has lead the Toon to their most successful season in recent years, and with Newcastle still keen on European football, he will still have a role to play.

Clint Dempsey

At 29 years old, Clint Dempsey is at the very peak of his career or so it seems.

2011-2012 has been the Texan's best of his six years in the Premier League, even as Fulham continue to linger around insignificant mid-table mediocrity. Dempsey has netted in 16 goals so far this year, a stunning record for a winger and one less than he scored in his two previous seasons combined.

The winger is Fulham's top scorer, the joint-league fourth top scorer and the top-scoring midfielder in the Premier League. Dempsey has been amazing all season long, and when the American has the ability to pull off shots like these, it's easy to understand the rumours linking him to bigger clubs.

Dempsey often finds himself single-handedly leading the Cottagers, winning matches all on his own. So in what has been his greatest season yet, Dempsey deserves credit for his all-powering efforts.

Fernando Torres

Just kidding. He's had a pretty woeful season. This pretty much sums it up.

Yakubu

Yakubu, Yakubu, Yakubu. The Nigerian has been an absolute, well, Yak this season, a beast, a good version of 'ol Emile Heskey, muscling his way past opponents and smashing in those balls into the back of the net. 16 goals in 26 appearances (joint fourth top scorer) is evidence of this, more so when you consider that Yakubu plays for woeful Blackburn Rovers.

Yakubu has been leading the Rovers all season long, often their only source of what little inspiration they have. To score 16 goals when you're tied to such a poor team like Blackburn Rovers just goes to show how great the Nigerian has been this season. Unfortunately, however, not great enough to save Blackburn's season...yet.

Yohan Cabaye

While Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse continue to rack up the goals for Newcastle United in their quest for Champions League football, Yohan Cabaye sits patiently behind, creatively teeing the two up and creating chances for the Geordies with typical French elegance.

Cabaye has been the brain of Newcastle this season, bossing the centre of the Toon's park. Cabaye has notches up, on average, two key passes per game for the Geordies as well as an impressive 4.1 tackles per game, both highest at the club.

Cabaye has played an important role this season, linking up Newcastle's play and serving as the club's primary playmaker behind the attackers, serving his role in suave French fashion. The fact that Cabaye cost only 4.6 million for Alan Pardew is further evidence of his revelation in the North-East.

However, Cabaye's inexperience in the Premier League sometimes gets the better of him and thus only makes it as an honourable mention. A worthy one nevertheless.

Juan Mata

Juan Mata has proven to be a revelation in a rather dismal Chelsea side this season. In a year of highs and lows (particularly during the AVB reign), Mata has consistently outshone his more mature and experienced opponents.

A classy winger, Mata's brilliant, pacy technique, dynamic vision and creativity has made him a constant threat to opponents' defenses. In one of the few successful decisions made by AVB, Mata's utilization in the centre of midfield has proven to be a masterstroke, with the Spaniard notching up six goals and 11 assists (joint second highest in the league).

Mata's strike rate is also impressive with his shot/goal ratio around 10 percent, better than most strikers.

He's turning 24 this month, and after a great year the future is bright for this one.

Conclusion

I think Dempsey just about pips it in terms of winning this award, with Valencia just behind. No one has been more consistent and more vital to a team than the American, and the fact that he failed to make the PFA shortlist goes to show that he is still blatantly underrated. I mean, 22 goals from midfield? Not everyone can do that.

Honourable Mentions of the Honourable Mentions (Hey, there's only room for 6)

Grant Holt, Norwich

Alex Song, Arsenal

James McClean, Sunderland

Papiss Cisse, Newcastle (arrived too late)

Paul Scholes, Manchester United

Fabio Colocinni, Newcastle

Yaya Toure, Manchester City

Tim Krul, Newcastle

Brad Friedel, Tottenham

Any others? Disagree? Agree? Let me know in the comments.

Cheers,

Chris