Goalkeeper - Ben Foster
Ben gets the go ahead for me between the sticks, I feel this season has been a roller-coaster for West Brom fans, and really probably believed that they should have built on the success they had last season. I disagreed with the decision to sack Steve Clarke and don't really like Pepe Mel, because for every Pochettino there is a Mel. However, Foster was a stand out performer this weekend for West Brom. West Ham had more possession and Foster kept the 3 points for his side, he dominated his box and kept the back line in place with his great goalkeeping ability. It could have gone to Schwarzer for his performance against Liverpool, but I feel that some of Liverpool's efforts were way to easy for the keeper, especially multiple of Gerrard's efforts.
Right Back - Caesar Azpilicueta
Easy choice for me this weekend, last time I did this feature I found it easy to give Seamus Coleman the nod two times in a row, but his performance against Southampton was, let's say, less than convincing for me to even consider really giving him the hat trick of appearances in my team of the week. I nearly thought about giving it to his Southampton counter part Nathaniel Clyne, and I was adamant it was going to be him... Until I sat down watched those casual 90 minutes at Anfield this weekend. Azpilicueta, or Dave as he is affectionately by Chelsea fans, had a star performance in the full back position. José moved Ivanovic into the Centre Back role against Liverpool and put the young Spaniard out onto his more comfortable natural position of right back, and boy did it pay off helping Chelsea to a 2-0 win and blowing this title race sky high.
Centre Back - Branislav "The wall" Ivanovic
This guy was an absolute monster against Liverpool, he stopped anything or anyone that came towards him, Mourinho was supposedly forced to play a weaker side against Liverpool and moved Branislav back into his natural position in the centre of the defence and no one got a look in for Liverpool, they may have had the complete control of the possession game, but they were not on control of the game, Chelsea did the controlling and stop Liverpool, and Ivanovic had Suarez and Sterling in his pocket for the game. Whilst watching the game my brother, a Liverpool supporter, called Ivanovic the Wall, so that's where that came from.
Centre Back - Younes Kaboul
Well then, if Kaboul had performed like this more often this season, then they may have been much higher up in the table. A good defence is just as important as a good attack and Tottenham didn't really have either for a team that is in that part of the table, but if Kaboul had put in more shifts like that they most likely will have been able to grind out a few more wins. Against Stoke he handled anything that they were able to throw at him, and probably to me looked like one of the best defenders in the Premier league with a performance like that. Kabouls season has been marred by injuries and fitness struggles so it is kind of understandable why he hasn't been able to get to his top gear this season but if he can finish this season on form like this, whoever is Spurs' manager next season will definitely have to look at Kaboul with some serious intent.
Left Back - Luke Shaw
This was actually such a hard decision for me, I was going to go with Ashley Cole originally but then read an article about Luke Shaw after the Chelsea game and it threw my decision right out the window. It took me so long to decide who I was going to put here, I personally love Cole and feel that he is still England's first choice left back but Luke Shaw is definitely the man to replace him when that time comes for Cole to leave the England scene, and maybe the Chelsea side too. It took me picking down every single statistic that both players added to the game and it went down to the wire. Eventually I picked Shaw, his defensive statistics were not as high as Ashley's but he was able to help Southampton get forward to and whilst I realise Chelsea played a counter attacking game at Anfield, Cole still didn't really help the team move forward, Shaw was up there and was crossing balls in like he was a winger himself.
Right Mid - Steven Davis
Another Southampton Lad but this time on the right side. Steven Davis against Everton was immense, he played fantastically well. He was up and down the pitch and was a true midfielder, he was putting in the shift of his Career and I bet Pochettino couldn't of been happier with him to put that performance in against a team fighting for fourth. Whilst he did miss a glorious chance to kill off the game, he was still awesome when getting forward, showing that not only can he cross the ball but he is just as capable when he cuts in and has to use his weak foot, if he can put in consistent performances like that every other week, I am sure he might move up a level in the Premier league elite sooner or later.
Centre Mid - Yaya Toure
Case closed.
Yaya Toure is easily the best African player playing Football at this moment and he is hitting some serious form right at the best time for Man City. His game against Crystal Palace was amazing, he dominated the Palace midfielders and his goal was something I could only dream of my team doing, ever. The ball to Dzeko was just as good as his goal too, the ball was perfectly timed to the Bosnian striker who got his head on it. Yaya could be in contention to be my captain in this side and if he puts up another performance like this against Everton next week, then I am sure the title is theirs.
Centre Mid - Nemanja Matic
Yaya Toure is my attacking talent in the centre of the field and I was planning to have a less powerful attacking midfielder in there with him in the form of fellow Welshman Aaron Ramsey, but maybe it is best in terms of tactics to have a defensive outlet in my midfield and this is where Serbian Matic comes in. The defence for Chelsea was a key factor in their win against the Kop, but amazingly enough on multiple occasion the ball didn't even reach the back four because of one man. Nemanja Matic was not only able to stop the opposing team attacking the Chelsea goal, he was a black hole too, sucking in any loose balls and sending his team onto the counter. He easily walks into my side.
Left Mid - Ashkan Dejagah
The midfielder came off the bench and helped Fulham to what was supposedly going to be another 3 points in their relegation battle, but Hull really pulled their fingers out and managed to get a share of the points. This was in no fault Dejagah's, this lad has been on fine form and he looked really menacing to Hull as soon as he got onto the pitch, and maybe if Fulhams heads hadn't dropped after Hull's first had gone in they may have pushed on to get another to close the game out, but Dejagah was awesome for the Cottagers and has managed to carry on his rich goal scoring form under former boss Felix Magath.
Centre Forward - Wayne Rooney
Rooney was pivotal in them beating Norwich, this game meant a lot to both sides. Norwich needed something to stay up, and Manchester United needed it to finish on a high and maybe if they can carry on like this Manchester United fans will be full of hope for the season to come. Rooney played amazingly in creating goals for the side and was unplayable, especially with his goal, it was a wonderful strike. In this role he is awesome and not only scores but creates the goals for whatever side he plays in, and for this weekend he definitely fits into my side.
Striker - Connor Wickham
Well where did this come from? I felt that Poyet bringing him back from loan was a desperate move to find a goal or two, instead he has been given five goals and they look like they just might carry on coming. It pains me to say, and trust me this really hurts, that his performance against Cardiff was unstoppable, his goal was great and he was a menace to the Welsh Sides defence. I don't believe he now merits a place on the plane to Brazil like some Idiots are saying, but he definitely merits a place in this side and might even be cementing himself a starting spot next season for the black cats, Premier League or not.
Finally I have decided I am going to add a Captain and a manager to the side for each feature from now on, my Captain for this week is going to be Branislav Ivanovic. Like I said I would have given it to Yaya but I feel Ivanovic was just as good as Yaya this week and if he had been given the freedom too might even have been able to get a goal knowing his ability.
My Manager is the Special one himself, some bitter Liverpool fans are saying that what he did wasn't tactics, but the fact he has the ability to force his team to close down the opposition and make his defence tighter than a... well you know what I mean, shows he not only can play pure Counter attacking football but can also play that disgusting ugly tight defence football which he showed against Liverpool.
Easy choice for me this weekend, last time I did this feature I found it easy to give Seamus Coleman the nod two times in a row, but his performance against Southampton was, let's say, less than convincing for me to even consider really giving him the hat trick of appearances in my team of the week. I nearly thought about giving it to his Southampton counter part Nathaniel Clyne, and I was adamant it was going to be him... Until I sat down watched those casual 90 minutes at Anfield this weekend. Azpilicueta, or Dave as he is affectionately by Chelsea fans, had a star performance in the full back position. José moved Ivanovic into the Centre Back role against Liverpool and put the young Spaniard out onto his more comfortable natural position of right back, and boy did it pay off helping Chelsea to a 2-0 win and blowing this title race sky high.
Centre Back - Branislav "The wall" Ivanovic
This guy was an absolute monster against Liverpool, he stopped anything or anyone that came towards him, Mourinho was supposedly forced to play a weaker side against Liverpool and moved Branislav back into his natural position in the centre of the defence and no one got a look in for Liverpool, they may have had the complete control of the possession game, but they were not on control of the game, Chelsea did the controlling and stop Liverpool, and Ivanovic had Suarez and Sterling in his pocket for the game. Whilst watching the game my brother, a Liverpool supporter, called Ivanovic the Wall, so that's where that came from.
Centre Back - Younes Kaboul
Well then, if Kaboul had performed like this more often this season, then they may have been much higher up in the table. A good defence is just as important as a good attack and Tottenham didn't really have either for a team that is in that part of the table, but if Kaboul had put in more shifts like that they most likely will have been able to grind out a few more wins. Against Stoke he handled anything that they were able to throw at him, and probably to me looked like one of the best defenders in the Premier league with a performance like that. Kabouls season has been marred by injuries and fitness struggles so it is kind of understandable why he hasn't been able to get to his top gear this season but if he can finish this season on form like this, whoever is Spurs' manager next season will definitely have to look at Kaboul with some serious intent.
Left Back - Luke Shaw
This was actually such a hard decision for me, I was going to go with Ashley Cole originally but then read an article about Luke Shaw after the Chelsea game and it threw my decision right out the window. It took me so long to decide who I was going to put here, I personally love Cole and feel that he is still England's first choice left back but Luke Shaw is definitely the man to replace him when that time comes for Cole to leave the England scene, and maybe the Chelsea side too. It took me picking down every single statistic that both players added to the game and it went down to the wire. Eventually I picked Shaw, his defensive statistics were not as high as Ashley's but he was able to help Southampton get forward to and whilst I realise Chelsea played a counter attacking game at Anfield, Cole still didn't really help the team move forward, Shaw was up there and was crossing balls in like he was a winger himself.
Right Mid - Steven Davis
Another Southampton Lad but this time on the right side. Steven Davis against Everton was immense, he played fantastically well. He was up and down the pitch and was a true midfielder, he was putting in the shift of his Career and I bet Pochettino couldn't of been happier with him to put that performance in against a team fighting for fourth. Whilst he did miss a glorious chance to kill off the game, he was still awesome when getting forward, showing that not only can he cross the ball but he is just as capable when he cuts in and has to use his weak foot, if he can put in consistent performances like that every other week, I am sure he might move up a level in the Premier league elite sooner or later.
Centre Mid - Yaya Toure
Case closed.
Yaya Toure is easily the best African player playing Football at this moment and he is hitting some serious form right at the best time for Man City. His game against Crystal Palace was amazing, he dominated the Palace midfielders and his goal was something I could only dream of my team doing, ever. The ball to Dzeko was just as good as his goal too, the ball was perfectly timed to the Bosnian striker who got his head on it. Yaya could be in contention to be my captain in this side and if he puts up another performance like this against Everton next week, then I am sure the title is theirs.
Centre Mid - Nemanja Matic
Yaya Toure is my attacking talent in the centre of the field and I was planning to have a less powerful attacking midfielder in there with him in the form of fellow Welshman Aaron Ramsey, but maybe it is best in terms of tactics to have a defensive outlet in my midfield and this is where Serbian Matic comes in. The defence for Chelsea was a key factor in their win against the Kop, but amazingly enough on multiple occasion the ball didn't even reach the back four because of one man. Nemanja Matic was not only able to stop the opposing team attacking the Chelsea goal, he was a black hole too, sucking in any loose balls and sending his team onto the counter. He easily walks into my side.
Left Mid - Ashkan Dejagah
The midfielder came off the bench and helped Fulham to what was supposedly going to be another 3 points in their relegation battle, but Hull really pulled their fingers out and managed to get a share of the points. This was in no fault Dejagah's, this lad has been on fine form and he looked really menacing to Hull as soon as he got onto the pitch, and maybe if Fulhams heads hadn't dropped after Hull's first had gone in they may have pushed on to get another to close the game out, but Dejagah was awesome for the Cottagers and has managed to carry on his rich goal scoring form under former boss Felix Magath.
Centre Forward - Wayne Rooney
Rooney was pivotal in them beating Norwich, this game meant a lot to both sides. Norwich needed something to stay up, and Manchester United needed it to finish on a high and maybe if they can carry on like this Manchester United fans will be full of hope for the season to come. Rooney played amazingly in creating goals for the side and was unplayable, especially with his goal, it was a wonderful strike. In this role he is awesome and not only scores but creates the goals for whatever side he plays in, and for this weekend he definitely fits into my side.
Striker - Connor Wickham
Well where did this come from? I felt that Poyet bringing him back from loan was a desperate move to find a goal or two, instead he has been given five goals and they look like they just might carry on coming. It pains me to say, and trust me this really hurts, that his performance against Cardiff was unstoppable, his goal was great and he was a menace to the Welsh Sides defence. I don't believe he now merits a place on the plane to Brazil like some Idiots are saying, but he definitely merits a place in this side and might even be cementing himself a starting spot next season for the black cats, Premier League or not.
Finally I have decided I am going to add a Captain and a manager to the side for each feature from now on, my Captain for this week is going to be Branislav Ivanovic. Like I said I would have given it to Yaya but I feel Ivanovic was just as good as Yaya this week and if he had been given the freedom too might even have been able to get a goal knowing his ability.
My Manager is the Special one himself, some bitter Liverpool fans are saying that what he did wasn't tactics, but the fact he has the ability to force his team to close down the opposition and make his defence tighter than a... well you know what I mean, shows he not only can play pure Counter attacking football but can also play that disgusting ugly tight defence football which he showed against Liverpool.
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