Season's selections

Skysports.com pick highlights from the campaign

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 22nd May 2008

The 2007-08 season is drawing to a close and the skysports.com team have been making their selections from another thrilling campaign.

Over the coming days, our journalists will be picking from a range of categories. We are also giving you the chance to comment on our choices.

The skysports.com series continues with the selections of reporter Rob Parrish.

Team of the Season

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Carlos Tevez Manchester United Premier League Football Blackburn

Tevez: No dummy

Also see

There's enough talent in this Premier League select XI to mean that even Steve McClaren would make a success of managing this select bunch. OK, maybe that's pushing it a bit.

David James may not have had a flawless season, but show me a goalkeeper who has. The England No.1 seems to get more flak than most for his mistakes, which is more due to his reputation and the now defunct 'Calamity' moniker he inherited during his early career. His displays in the FA Cup triumph at Manchester United and the league victory over Bolton were stunning.

The back four provides a solid base and a goal threat too. Rio Ferdinand has been immense for Manchester United this season, while the versatile Joleon Lescott deserves inclusion after some superb displays for Everton and his nine goals for the Toffees. Gael Clichy has made the left-back slot for Arsenal his own and makes regular raids down the right flank. Glen Johnson's inclusion may raise a few eyebrows, but his growing maturity makes him one to watch for the future.

I'll accept that the midfield lacks a traditional 'holding' player, but just think of the goals this quartet could provide. If I need to explain why Cristiano Ronaldo is in the team, you are on the wrong website. Cesc Fabregas continues to flourish despite his tender years and Steven Gerrard remains Liverpool's driving force, linking up superbly with Fernando Torres. Ashley Young's raw talent is blossoming under Martin O'Neill and he is relishing the recent free role he has been handed.

Up front, Torres' goalscoring exploits in his first Premier League season make him a certain starter, while Roque Santa Cruz deserves similar acclaim with his contribution for Blackburn Rovers.

Player - Cristiano Ronaldo

Two seasons ago, I always complained that Ronaldo lacked an end product to all his fancy footwork, flicks and tricks. It would be fair to say that those criticisms have been blown away. No-one has come close to matching what the prodigiously gifted Portuguese has achieved this term.

Manager - Slaven Bilic

Bilic helped Croatia breeze through their qualification campaign for Euro 2008, beating England home and away. The Croats should be regarded as real contenders for success this summer, especially with their manager having resisted various overtures from the Premier League and elsewhere to agree a new contract with his country. Bilic's team selections, tactics and style of play were always sound, while his touchline antics are a joy to behold. Mr McClaren, please take note.

Rising star - Freddie Sears

Sears enjoyed what can only be described as a memorable debut for West Ham. Five minutes after his introduction against Blackburn, the young striker showed predatory instincts to score at the second attempt after Brad Friedel had saved his initial effort to secure a thrilling 2-1 victory. The latest product of the Upton Park Academy will be one to watch next term.

Best buy - Fernando Torres

Admittedly, if you invest over £20million on a new signing, then you expect them to deliver. But Torres has exceeded all expectations in his first season at Anfield, and his first away from his native Spain. No acclimatisation was required as Torres produced goals galore, often in vital matches, to become an instant hero with the Kop and one of the most feared forwards in the land.

Biggest flop - David Nugent

One-time England international Nugent must have thought his big break had finally arrived after a £6million move to Fratton Park from Preston in July. But before the August transfer window had closed there were reports that Harry Redknapp was looking to ship his new No.10 out immediately. No deal emerged, but Nugent's fleeting appearances have seen him score just three goals, and the January arrivals of Milan Baros and Jermain Defoe pushed him further down the pecking order.

Best match - Liverpool 4 Arsenal 2 (Agg 5-3)

The UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg on Merseyside had everything. Superb football, end-to-end action, goals, late drama and almost inevitable controversy. Anfield was rocking throughout a breathless 90 minutes until Theo Walcott's mesmerising mazy run set up Emmanuel Adebayor for what appeared to be Arsenal's winner, only for the Reds to go straight down the other end and be awarded a contentious penalty. Steven Gerrard converted with aplomb in front of the Kop as the pendulum swung dramatically in the space of a few manic minutes.

Personal highlight - Gallas goes ga-ga

My twisted sense of humour makes William Gallas' one-man sit-down protest at St Andrews stand out. To see a professional footballer acting with all the maturity of a stroppy toddler was hilarious. The message the Arsenal captain sent out to their title rivals with his petulant display was clear and compelling - the pressure was too much and the Gunners were cracking. A five-point lead at the summit was quickly whittled away to leave Arsene Wenger's men back in third. It would be something of a surprise if the French coach were to hand his compatriot the armband again next season.

Season lowpoint - Steve McClaren

This man should never have been appointed England manager in the first place, but his constant buffoonery during an inevitably hapless reign took the national team back several steps. Defeat in Russia left qualification for Euro 2008 out of our hands, before McClaren was thrown an undeserved lifeline when Guus Hiddink's men were beaten by Israel. All England needed to do was draw at Wembley against Croatia. Could McClaren lift his troops? Could he deliver to an expectant nation? Would we all have a spectacular summer of football to look forward to? No.

Best goal - Carlos Tevez v Middlesbrough

Manchester United produced some exhilarating attacking football as they overwhelmed Middlesbrough back in October, but Tevez's first goal was a class apart. Their flowing football and precise passing cut the Boor defence to ribbons and ended with Rooney back-heeling to release the Argentinian striker. The finish may have been regulation, but the build-up was anything but.

Comments

Daniel Mircevski (Arsenal fan) says...

Why isn't Adebayor in the team. Everyone deserves their spots besides RSC, JL, Glen Johnson and Rio. Why isn't Essien in the team and Wiiliam Gallas. Rio Ferdinand is ONE OF the most OVERRATED players in the world in my opinion. What about Fernando Torres sure he probably deserves the spot but he scored most of his goals in just a couple of games against easy teams big whoop. I don't care what anyone says when Robin Van Persie is at his best he is better than Cristiano Ronaldo. He creates more chances than him and could score as much goals as CR with no injuries.

Posted 11:56 7th June 2008

Ben Greasby (Charlton Athletic fan) says...

I personaly believe that the best player of the premier leauge season was David Bentley, i no he doesn't score enough goals but if you look at his assists and the way he lifts the team is brilliant. He drives at the defenders and wip brilliant balls in the box. I strongly believe that if he went to a higher club he could flop (look at swp) so i think he should stay at Blackburn or go to a club like Spurs.

Posted 12:29 28th May 2008

Sean Wheatley (Manchester United fan) says...

How can Lescott be picked as a centre back when he has played left back for nearly the entire season! I also agree Gerrard probably doesnt deserve his place in the team, although i wouldn't go as far to say he has been poor but he has been quiet by his own standards ands this place in the team would me more deserved by Michael Carrick or even Ballack.

Posted 09:59 28th May 2008

Adam Sweeney (Manchester United fan) says...

Whilst i mostly agree that - that 11 is probably corrrect, i think there should be a sub bench!! for those hard decisions like left back and striker, with lots of talent like patrice evra, gael clichy, adebayor and some of the tottenham players you should have a season 16!! and the different topics like best player and best match, should include best substitution, where the substitute who has made most impact every appearence they come on!!:D just a bit of feedback! :D

Posted 23:57 26th May 2008

Robert Vernon (Arsenal fan) says...

I completely agree with the inclusion of RSC. He is of a dying breed I think. He reminds me of Alan Shearer in some ways (not just because of the colours). I also think there were players more deserving of a midfield berth than gerrard. I'm one of his biggest fans but compared to his own extremely high standards, I don't think he had the greatest of seasons. As for clichy, I went to over 10 home games this season and clichy was by far our most consistent performer. As someone has rightly pointed out when he and sagna were missing, points were dropped. A villa supporting friend of mine came to watch arsenal vs portsmouth and i told him he would be very surprised by clichy. I said he would probably be man of the match BUT that when he watched the game on motd it would seem as if he barely played. It was absolutely true. He was invloved in everything but on the highlights he was relatively anonymous. The only way you could objectively compare evra and clichy would be if you had seen every game invloving the two live. Basically though, they both had great seasons...

Posted 16:02 25th May 2008

Emmanuel Umaigba (Arsenal fan) says...

as much as i'm unhappy about flamini's departure from emirates, i think he should replace steven gerrard because the midfield will be HELD more efficiently and allow the other three midfielders supply the goals and assists.

Posted 11:14 25th May 2008

Tommy Smith (Arsenal fan) says...

Once again another view biased for Manure. I have seen every goal this season and to be honest I don't remember that Tevez goal so it can;t have been amazing. I remember shots like Readings agianst L'pool. Or if its the build up you base it on then why not Adebayor's goal set up by walcott as the goal of the season. And the team of the year is messed up. Sagna should be right back. Gerrard has done hardly anything this year compared to previous years. Adebayor should clearly be up front, no Santa Cruz

Posted 14:08 24th May 2008

Oli H (Ipswich Town fan) says...

why isnt flamini in the team rather than gerrard. Gerrard was good towards the end of the season with torres but didnt do much else. He was put in the team of the season because of his reputation not his performances. Good to see two pompey players (who are english) in the team of the season. How many goals did adebayor get in his first season it sure as hell werent near 19 that roque santa cruz got in his first season. Well done mark hughes for getting him for 3.5 million.

Posted 10:27 24th May 2008

Qasim Hameed (Manchester United fan) says...

For all the people who are saying that Adebayor deserves to be in this team and RSC doesen't should look at Arsenal's stats ad then at Blackburn's stats. What u will see wil be Arsenal With at least 100 more shots attempted than Blackburn! Lets say that Arsenal attempted 500 shots(just supposinG). Adebayor would have had attempted 50% of arsenals shots but he only managed to score 24 premiership goals. Compared to Adebayor RSC's attempts are more succesful. I would also add that Adebayor only scores goals against the lesser teams(6 of his goals have come against Derby). RSC was the one who scored against Manu and LIverpool. Adebayor's goal against Manu was with his HAND!! David Bentley and Patrice Evra should be in the team instead of Young and Clichy. Stevey G should be replaced by Lampard who scored 20 goals inthe season.

Posted 07:48 24th May 2008

Ivor's Tache (Fulham fan) says...

Santa Cruz has been consistent and quite brilliant for the whole season. Whilst Adebayor was sensational upto the African Nations he withered along with the Arsenal team after. Berbatov is a superb player but has gone missing for far too many games to be considered.

Posted 23:39 23rd May 2008

Adam Whyte (Arsenal fan) says...

Michael Duchebag - Having a backup or not isn't considered when rating a player's performances over the course of a season. And how can you say Evra didn't have a backup? John O'Shea has played at left-back, and SILVESTRE! I mean I suppose I would have forgot about him because he's crap and can't walk anymore. That's 2 back-up's the same as Clichy who has Gallas (who can play there) and Traoe (who's 19). If you want to use your point Clichy has played more league games and minutes than Evra because he has actually had no proper back up.

Posted 18:16 23rd May 2008

Mr Kraal (Aston Villa fan) says...

I agree with basically all of the team except Gerrard- he hasn't had a good season at all by his own standards, so get Barry or Flamini in there instead. Evra and Clichy have both been immense so i think it's 50/50 between the two, although Sagna has been far better than Johnson. I would prefer to see Vidic instead of Lescott, but the latter has been very good admittedly. Finally, a great shout about Santa Cruz, he has been magnificent this season.

Posted 15:07 23rd May 2008

Daniel Fieldsend (Liverpool fan) says...

In relation to a comment that ponders why Gerrard has been selected in the team over Carrick, SG has managed to rake in over 20 goals this season, Im not sure how many MC has scored but I know his tally is nowhere near that, considering he is in a team where goals are easy flowing. Also I would like to say that Patrice Evra has been far greater than Gael Clichy this season, other than that I totally agree with the team

Posted 13:20 23rd May 2008

Lee Hague (Arsenal fan) says...

Glen Johnson ahead of Bacary Sagna you must be mad Sagna has a world class find by arsene yet again and has backed this up

Posted 12:53 23rd May 2008

Jake Bristol (Manchester United fan) says...

Umm... it was Ronaldo who bacheeled the goal for tevez

Posted 12:33 23rd May 2008

Magic Johnson (Arsenal fan) says...

I agree with Evra being instead of Clichy, and RSC instead of Adebayor. What about Glen Johnsen ? I mean he's had a good season but i see Bacary Sagna had a way better season then him.

Posted 11:17 23rd May 2008

Dean Chalk (Manchester United fan) says...

Load of rubbish.........its quite clear that every position should be occupied by united players, total dominance in every third of the pitch. English champions, european champions say no more. Oh and how many chelski players are in the team HAHA. . . . . . . THEY HAVE BROUGHT A NEW DRINK OUT ITS CALLED JOHN TERRY VODKA.......ITS BREWED IN ENGLAND AND BOTTLED IN MOSCOW! LOL

Posted 11:05 23rd May 2008

Connor Tonnor (Manchester United fan) says...

there is no chance of getting any of those two do you think fiergie will sell tevez after they just won the champions leauge and the priemere leauge and also arsenel have no chance of getting torres he makes liverpool and they are nothing without him.

Posted 11:04 23rd May 2008

Phil A (Manchester United fan) says...

I am fairly happy at this team as it does manage show sum of the players this season, although I don't see how Clichy gets picked ahead of evra his contribution going forward from left back is unmatched, his dribbling is very impressive.I liked watching RSC this season incredible in the air, torres no doubt best debut season ever, Gerrard dissapionting i think his reputation has gave him that spot, Ronaldo awesome I say no more,fabregas what a talent although he arsenal was in the dark near the end of the season, young pacy and a constant threat on the wing also surpised not to see vidic he probarly the best defender in the world for aerial ability and is very strong.

Posted 10:47 23rd May 2008

George Curtis (Arsenal fan) says...

Adebayor, clichy and fabregas best arsenal players this year fabregas at the start was magnificent adebayor goal best against the scum we beat them 3-1 clichy best left back this year go on clichy

Posted 09:58 23rd May 2008

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