Will Premier League Team "F" be Fabulous or Flops?

If you were with us for the Team “E” post, you will remember that they were possibly the weakest squad in this series of alphabetic Premier League teams (essentially squads made up entirely of players with surnames of a particular letter of the alphabet). I am not sure I would label team “F” as fantastic but they certainly look an improvement (on paper at least) over team “E”.

Let’s have a look at the starting eleven.

Goalkeeper: Fabianski (Arsenal)

Defenders: Flanagan (Liverpool), Ferdinand (Man United), Fonte (Southampton), Fabio (Cardiff City)

Midfielders: Flamini (Arsenal), Fernandinho (Man City), Fer (Norwich City), Fellaini (Man Utd) Darren Fletcher (Man Utd)

Forward: Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)

Squad Members/Reserves: Friedel (Spurs), Fryers (Spurs), Faye (Hull City), Fryatt (Hull City), Fox (Norwich)

With a lack of strikers in this category, we have once again opted for a 4-5-1 formation. If all of them play to their potential though, it’s a pretty tasty midfield! In fact there isn’t an awful lot more depth to this squad than there was for Team “E” but at least there are a handful of substitutes to just about keep the squad fresh.

I have opted for Fabianski in goal. Friedel would be another solid choice but he is 42 now so I have opted for the younger goalkeeper.

Rio Ferdinand (I still don’t understand why he isn’t featuring more often under David Moyes) and Jose Fonte are the two centre backs - No spring chickens but entirely capable with bags of experience. The full backs are Jon Flanagan of Liverpool who is enjoying a good run in the side at present and Fabio who hasn’t really fulfilled his potential yet but a recent move to Cardiff City might kick start his career.

The midfield five is strong. Flamini can sit just in front of the defensive unit and provide valuable cover whilst also using his ball winning skills in midfield. Fernandinho, after an unconvincing start at the Etihad Stadium has now won the fans and critics around with his busy and effective performances. Fellaini and Fletcher are two of the misfiring Manchester United midfielders but if form returns are both classy midfielders. Leroy Fer meanwhile has enjoyed a solid start to his Norwich career in a season of struggle for The Canaries.

The lone striker is Steven Fletcher who enjoyed a more productive season last time and is struggling for game time but he is our only available striker in this category.

What do you think of the line-up?

Can Premier League Team "E" Assemble a Squad to Challenge? Probably not!

If team “C” was perhaps the most well stocked squad in this series so far, then team “E” is certainly the least. With only 11 realistic choices, this team has no back up, so injuries or suspensions would be a disaster! Let’s have a look at the team we can assemble.

Goalkeeper: Elliott (Newcastle United)

Defenders: Evra (Man United), Johnny Evans (Man United), El Ahmadi (Aston Villa), Elmohamady (Hull City)

Midfielders: Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur), Etherington (Stoke City), Eisfeld (Arsenal), Emnes (Swansea City)

Forwards: Elmander (Norwich City), Eto’o (Chelsea)

That really is it – the full squad! So, we have Arsenal attacking midfielder Thomas Eisfeld, who has only one league cup appearance to his name, as part of the midfield. We also have Matthew Etherington who is far from first choice at Stoke these days and Emnes of Swansea who is perhaps more of a forward, also in midfield. Thankfully, we have Christian Eriksen who is definitely a creative midfielder who can perhaps hold them all together and provide the international class.

Meanwhile in defence, we have El Ahmadi and Elhohamady who are both probably more comfortable in midfield positions but can play at the back if required. At least Johnny Evans and Patrice Evra have bags of experience between them, although Evra might have to fill in at centre back in this team to allow El Ahmadi and Elmohamady to operate as attacking full backs.

In goal we have to look to Newcastle’s bench to find Rob Elliot but he is not totally untried. At least we have some genuine strikers in the forward positions, although again, they are both well past their prime but at least Elmander and Eto’o will deliver some threat in the attacking third.

Certainly looks like relegation fodder here, so let’s hope for more scope with Team “F”!

Premier League Football Alphabet - The "K" Team

After the relatively successful experiment last time out of compiling a functional team of current premier league football players whose last names begin with the letter “J”, I thought I would try it again with the letter “K”. Off the top of my head, I was struggling but I think I found enough players to probably form a better team than team “J”.

Think of the past and names such as Keegan, Kennedy, Klinsmann, Keane, King, Kanu and Kuyt have all graced the top flight of English football, but what of the current “K” team?

How they line up:

Goalkeeper – Krul (Newcastle United)

Defenders – Koscielny (Arsenal), Kompany (Man City), Kolorov (Man City), Kaboul (Spurs)

Midfield – Kasami (Fulham), Kagawa (Man Utd), Karagounis (Fulham), Kacaniklic (Fulham)

Forwards – Kone (Everton), Kozak (Aston Villa)

Subs: Kane, Kim, Ki, Kebe

There wasn't much in the way of available substitutes for team “J” but the “K” team has strength in depth for starters.

This defensive unit is truly impressive although one of those centre backs is going to have fill in at right back in order to play a flat back four. You could play a 3 at the back and push Kolorov into midfield so there is flexibility too.

The midfield is perhaps a little but Fulham heavy – so perhaps Kebe (Crystal Palace) in for Karagounis (since he is getting on a bit) might work a bit better. An in form (his Borussia Dortmund days) Kagawa adds a touch of class to a team that is full of seasoned internationals but is perhaps erring on the side of solid rather than spectacular.

The front two perhaps indicate that the long, aerial ball might better suit this team but you could probably swap out the currently injured Kone for Tottenham’s Harry Kane if you wanted a bit more guile.

I personally thing that this “K” team could certainly hold its own in the Premier League with plenty of 1-0 victories and draws away from home. Put them head to head against team “J” and there is only one winner – what do you think?

2013/2014 Football Alphabet - A

A

Arsene Wenger and Arsenal – With the other big “A”, Sir Alex Ferguson, retiring at the end of the 2012-2013 season, the Arsenal manager becomes the current longest serving manager in the Premier League in what is surely yet another “crucial” season for the Gunners.

Without a trophy since 2005 and a history of selling their best players, there seems to be a different mood around the Emirates as the new season approaches. The manager himself has admitted he has more money to play with this time around and there have been some big names linked with a move to the club, with Luiz Suarez and Cesc Fabregas amongst those that have been mentioned. It remains to be seen who will sign on the dotted line but the names and amounts being talked about are clearly a statement of intent. 

With 8 trophy-less seasons behind them, Wenger will be keen to end that streak in what will be his 18^th season in charge at Arsenal. If the boss can bring in 2 or 3 high calibre signings, then Gunners fans have every reason to be optimistic with the outline of a good squad already in existence. Old Trafford has seen a changing of the guard and both Manchester City and Chelsea have new managers at the helm, so it might be a perfect time for Arsenal to exploit any transition periods at those clubs.

Alphabet to be continued...