English Premier League: Picking a Most Disappointing XI for 2011-12

For every season, there are some players that dazzle and others that disappoint.

This is a list honoring the most disappointing players in the English Premier League. From expectations to poor performances, each of these players has been in poor form for most of the year.

I have made a lineup of sorts. Granted, you probably wouldn't want to support this disappointing team. Nevertheless, they would probably still beat Wigan.

As always, feel free to let me know what you think.

GK: Shay Given, Aston Villa

Shay Given was once regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. That is no longer the case.

Since coming to Aston Villa, Given has only kept four clean sheets in 13 matches. With a hamstring injury, he will now be out until the first or second week of January.

Villa have hovered around the middle of the table, and unless Given comes back strong, they will probably fall deep into the bottom half.

I wouldn't expect much from him, considering he has clearly lost his reaction time and big-save ability. The man isn't the goalkeeper he once was, and it was foolish for Villa, or anyone, to expect him to play like that.

D: Gael Clichy, Manchester City

Manchester City brought in Gael Clichy to shore up their left side for the first time in a long time.

That hasn't quite happened.

Clichy has played inconsistently this year. In the games City have dropped points, Clichy has been the point of attack. Teams like attacking City on their left side, and good right wing players have made him look bad.

Daniel Sturridge abused Clichy for a solid hour, before Clichy was sent off after a boneheaded tackle. Chelsea went on to win the game, and City dropped their first points of the season.

If Clichy can play consistently, City will be nearly unstoppable. With his inconsistent play, they will continue dropping points and most likely give the title to Manchester United.

D: Per Mertesacker, Arsenal

Per Mertesacker has admitted to struggling with his first few months in the English Premier League.

That isn't usually a good sign for a player brought in to shore up your defense.

While Robin van Persie is scoring goals, Arsenal haven't quite been able to prevent them. They hope Mertesacker will improve his play to strengthen their defense, but who knows.

So far, he hasn't been a very good addition, and the Gunners will be looking for defensive help in January. With injuries and inconsistent play, the defense hasn't been as improved as they had hoped.

If Mertesacker can play like he is capable, the Gunners will be a very tough team to beat.

D: Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United

Considered one of the best defenders in the world, Nemanja Vidic hasn't been able to play long enough to prove that this season.

The Manchester United captain has only played a handful of matches this season, and he won't be playing anymore. He suffered a knee injury in the Champions League and he is done for the year.

So much for bringing United some more silverware.

It's tough to blame a guy for injuries. However, when you are counted on to maintain one of the best defenses in Europe, you can't afford to suffer such horrible injuries.

These injuries have resulted in Vidic being a major disappointment.

D: Roger Johnson, Wolverhampton Wanderers

Roger Johnson has captained a very disappointing Wolverhampton Wanderers side.

The team started off in the top of the table, but they have fallen back to just outside the relegation zone. The club won their first two matches, but they have only two wins since then.

Johnson was brought in to strengthen a suspect Wolves defense. The club barely escaped relegation last year and unless they start defending better, they will be in season-long battle to avoid relegation.

Johnson will be a part of Wolves survival. However, if he continues to disappoint, Wolves will finally be relegated out of the Premier League.

M: Charles N'Zogbia, Aston Villa

When Aston Villa lost Ashley Young, people were hoping they would find a replacement.

When Villa brought in Charles N'Zogbia, they thought they found a formidable replacement. Unfortunately, they were wrong.

N'Zogbia has been ineffective, unimpressive and downright disappointing for Villa. Villa haven't been very good, and N'Zogbia has been a big reason they haven't been scoring goals.

If he can turn things around, Villa could start scoring goals. If he continues to disappoint, Villa will continue to suffer the ramifications of poor summer purchases.

M: Samir Nasri, Manchester City

When Samir Nasri came to Manchester City, they were hoping to get one of the Premier League's best playmakers.

While Nasri has played well and tallied seven assists, he hasn't been worth the £22 million City paid for him. He has played well in some games, but he has been inconsistent.

With his inconsistency, Nasri has cost City some points. If he were able to play well every week, they would be far in front of everyone else on the table.

Unfortunately, they have dropped points, and now City have fallen back to Manchester United.

Nasri has been solid, but he hasn't been the superstar that City were hoping to buy, earning himself a spot on this list.

M: John Obi Mikel, Chelsea

When Michael Essien went down, Chelsea didn't think they would be in much trouble.

Unfortunately, John Obi Mikel did not step up.

The Nigerian has played poorly. On top of poor play, he has one of the worst howlers this year, giving away a goal kick that led to Liverpool's first goal in their November meeting at Stamford Bridge.

He has been good in the past, but Mikel hasn't gotten it done this year. Andre Villas-Boas has dropped him from the starting XI, and he doesn't seem to be making it back any time soon.

With such a promising opportunity, Mikel could've made himself one of the best holding midfielders in the league.

F: David Ngog, Bolton

David Ngog has always been thought of as a backup striker.

Nevertheless, Bolton brought him in to relieve Kevin Davies of scoring duties. Unfortunately, Ngog has been a pretty huge disappointment for Wanderers.

He only has one goal and one assist this year, and Bolton continue to struggle finding goals. Unless Ngog can start scoring goals for them, they will be sent down.

I wouldn't hold my breath.

F: Andy Carroll, Liverpool

Andy Carroll came to Liverpool for £35 million last January.

He hasn't lived up to it, to say the least. He has only two goals this season, and that total probably won't be growing any time soon. He hasn't been a big part of Liverpool's attack, and he doesn't seem to fit.

Carroll has shown flashes of brilliance in years past, but this season has been lacking in those moments. Pundits have regarded him as a dominant No. 9 for England, but Carroll hasn't lived up to those expectations.

Liverpool are hoping he turns into a dominant target forward, but he has been pretty disappointing so far. I expect that disappointment to continue.

F: Fernando Torres, Chelsea

Fernando Torres has struggled ever since he came to Chelsea.

Many people thought he simply needed to move away from Anfield to return to his all-world form. Since coming to Stamford Bridge, that hasn't happened.

Torres hasn't been scoring goals, and he has blown some pretty easy chances. If he can't convert the easy ones, he won't be converting any at all.

Torres was brought in for £50 million. He wasn't quite worth it.

Not at all.

Last January, for some reason, Roman Abramovich felt he needed another central striker. Torres was that man. He hasn't lived up to any expectations, and now people are talking about him leaving Chelsea in January.

In one year, Torres has been a cluster of hype, miscues and disappointment. He has had one of the worst years a striker could have, and he was bought for £50 million.

To say Torres has been disappointing would be an understatement.

His performance has been a downright train wreck.

Hopefully, he has a better second half of the season. Let's not get our hopes up.