Team "S" Takes its Place in the Premier League Alphabet and has more than a Hint of Liverpool

An abundance of “S” named players has made this the first of my alphabet teams where I have really struggled (with the exception of the strikers) to pick a first choice 11. The quality left on the bench or as squad players is ridiculous, especially in the attacking midfield and forward departments.

So, let’s have a look at the team.

Goalkeeper – Szczesny (Arsenal)

Defenders – Shawcross (Stoke City), Sakho (Liverpool), Skrtel, (Liverpool), Shaw (Southampton) Santon (Newcastle United)

Midfielders – Silva (Manchester City), Sidwell (Fulham), Sigurdsson (Tottenham Hotspur)

Forwards – Suarez (Liverpool), Sturridge (Liverpool)

Subs and Squad Players – Stekelenberg (Fulham), Smalling (Man United), Senderos (Fulham), Stones (Everton), Sagna (Arsenal), Schneiderlin (Southampton), Shelvey (Swansea City), Sissoko (Newcastle United), Snodgrass (Norwich City), Schurlle (Chelsea), Sagbo (Hull City), Sterling (Liverpool), Sessegnon (West Bromwich Albion), Soldado (Spurs)

Choice of goalkeeper was fairly straightforward and there probably won’t be any arguments there, although Stekelenberg and indeed Speroni are waiting in the wings if Szczesny has a wobbly spell.

Some of the other teams in this series have looked a bit weak at the back so I have opted for a 5-3-2 formation here to emphasise the strength in defence. Both Luke Shaw and Davide Santon (who can play on both sides) are very attack minded full backs so can easily supplement the midfield when called upon. Sakho, Shawcross and Skrtel provide plenty of power and strength in the central positions and offer a significant threat from set pieces.

Midfield was a really tricky puzzle to solve and there are sure to be plenty of disagreements over the selection here. Anyway, David Silva simply had to be in as one of the best creative midfielders in the Premier League. Steve Sidwell, who can score a goal two is really picked for his tenacity in the tackle and ball winning ability, while Gylfi Sigurdsson, who isn't a regular in the Spurs team, offers plenty of craft and invention and is great at striking the ball from distance.

The SAS partnership of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge just had to lead the line. Even as a non- Liverpool fan it’s impossible to play any of the other strikers ahead of them. Mind you, there are plenty of options for impact substitutions and if injuries play their part.

So, what do you think? Who would you have played in midfield? Would you have played a different formation? How does the team compare to the "J" team or the "R" team?