Yes, he's dreamy, but even more so he's disappointing
An excellent post (as usual) by NCNB writer Liam Blackburn.
The season is winding down, the collective and personal accolades are being dished out and we’re left to reflect on another riveting season of Premier League football. But here are eleven men who, for one reason or another, have proved nothing but a disappointment to fantasy owners. Their points totals are given in brackets.
Goalkeeper
It’s been a season to forget for Manuel Alumnia (28). He ranks 28th in goalkeepers and after starting the season as number one choice for Arsene Wenger, he is now probably Arsenal’s fourth choice when everyone is fit. Just the two clean sheets is a rather paltry return.
Defence
Even though Johnny Evans (19) isn’t first choice at Old Trafford, there’s plenty of reason for fantasy owners to be irked by his contribution this term. Rio Ferdinand’s fleeting appearances meant that one of United’s other centre backs would see plenty of action. Evans therefore represented a bargain buy last year and should have been a great pick up again. But his burgeoning reputation suffered some setbacks and in his absence, Chris Smalling has snaffled up the points.
2010 was a year Wayne Bridge (30) would rather forget. But fantasy players will hardly be thanking him for his impact this time out either. Manchester City’s squad of superstars would always have some casualties and Bridge was one. A January move to West Ham has ensured he may finish the season in the points but he still ranks as one of the more disappointing players.
The first Villa player in this team is Carlos Cuellar (23). The Spaniard was a favourite under Martin O’Neill and weighed in with his fair share of goals as well as being a cornerstone for one of the league’s stingier defences. But Cuellar has been but a bystander as Villa have toiled in the lower echelons.
Cuellar’s teammate Stephen Warnock (38) also makes this team. Another regular under O’Neill, he featured prominently in the early part of the season. He played in every minute of Villa’s first 19 games. But he’s picked up an alarming eight yellow cards and scored -1 on two occasions. He has yet to play in 2011.
Midfield
Now admittedly Steven Gerrard (88) has had one major setback which has excluded people like Thomas Vermaelen and Frank Lampard from this list. The Liverpool captain has been dogged with injuries this year and the latest one to his groin has prematurely ended his involvement in this year’s campaign. A score of 88 could be considered respectable but for someone who has accumulated over 200 points twice in the last four years, Gerrard has had an unremarkable season.
The ever reliable Mikel Arteta (89) was always a fantasy favourite but his stock has plummeted this time around. He’s currently injured but has featured in all but seven of Everton’s game so far. When Tim Cahill was away at the Asian Cup in January; Arteta should really have flourished. He’s contributed just three goals and three assists and both fantasy owners and Everton fans will have hoped for more.
Spurs’ Champions League exploits should have opened up more opportunities for Niko Kranjcar (21). The Croat was always likely to see limited action with the arrival of Rafael van der Vaart and Aaron Lennon’s return to fitness but I’ve been surprised by how little Harry Redknapp has used him. He’s only completed an entire match once and he scored in that game too!
Like Gerrard, some will feel the inclusion of Joe Cole (28) is harsh when you account for the time he’s spent injured. Yet Cole’s appearances have been regular enough for him to warrant selection. There was plenty of pre-season hype about his free transfer move to Liverpool but a few months on and people are reflecting on a career wasted rather than fulfilled.
Forwards
Gabriel Agbonlahor (47) is another Villa player who has failed to shine. Two goals in 1465 minutes of football is just not good enough. The England striker had 144, 158, 146 and 146 points in the last four years so his consistency meant he should have been a safe pick again. But it’s been a difficult year for Villa and the arrival of Darren Bent will do little for Agbonlahor’s value.
He’s played more minutes than both Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov but Fernando Torres (109) hasn’t even managed ten goals for the season yet. He’s moved clubs in the process and hasn’t found his feet at Chelsea, failing to score at the time of writing. He’s been a points machine in previous years and has even managed to steer clear of the injury table which plagued his early time at Liverpool. But this time out Torres has been a real disappointment.
Substitutes
A notable mention has to go to Shay Given (0). The race to be City’s goalkeeper went right down to the wire with everyone fairly uncertain about who would line up way back in August for the season opener. But the moment Roberto Mancini opted for Joe Hart; Given’s fantasy career was over. The casual players who won’t have changed their teams since that first week will have been handicapped by his year on the sidelines.
Richard Dunne (57) is yet another Aston Villa representative who has disappointed. On the plus side, he’s been virtually ever present and doesn’t pick up too many bookings. On the negative side, his team has simply leaked too many goals. Only six clean sheets for Villa all year tells its own story.
Two years ago, Stephen Ireland (15) looked destined to be a star. He oozed class and outshone even Robinho. However, he was dwarfed by City’s millions and then left out to dry by Roberto Mancini. A new start at Aston Villa looked promising but Ireland hasn’t grasped this opportunity and now currently finds himself with Newcastle United.
Yes, Jermaine Defoe (39) was crocked for some time but even accounting for that, goals have been hard to come by. He has just two (both came against Wolves last month) and the floodgates haven’t opened since.
Liam has worked at The Sunday Times and The Manchester Evening News and is currently studying journalism in Sheffield. Check out his blog at http://samenamedifferentgames.wordpress.com/.
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nooooo, mikel nooooooo!!!
:’(