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?

Premier League Football Alphabet – F for Fulham, Fellaini, Fletcher and Fernandinho

Fulham have started the new season in typical Fulham style – unpredictable and inconsistent with signs of both promise and concern. 4 games in, they have 2 defeats, a victory and a draw.

Comparing the new squad to last season’s you would certainly say it’s looking stronger this time out, with Scott Parker and Adel Taraabt added to the midfield offering both defensive and attacking options. Up front, Darren Bent has been added to the already useful Berbatov, Ruiz and Rodellega but the challenge will be to get Bent on the pitch for long enough to strike up what could be a very useful partnership with the skilful Berbatov. If Fulham can get that duo firing on all cylinders, there could be plenty of goals to follow.

New goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, should prove to be a useful replacement for the now departed Mark Schwarzer but he was injured on his debut and hasn’t featured since. Elsad Zverotic and Fernando Amborebieta have been brought in to add some more experience and cover to an already experienced (ageing?) defensive unit. Overall, however, the new signings look promising and if manager Martin Jol can encourage the best out of them, then Fulham should have a relatively comfortable season – but a lot will depend on this team “gelling”.

Fellaini – Marouane Fellaini secured his much expected move to Old Trafford on deadline day and became Manchester United’s sole summer signing and there are great expectations from the 25 year old Belgian who cost the Red Devils in excess of £27 million. His last 2 seasons at Everton were probably the player’s best and if he can take that sort of form to his new club then United might finally have that dynamic midfielder they have been craving.

Fletcher – Steven Fletcher, from early season evidence, will have a real struggle on his hands this year along with the rest of his Sunderland team. Granted, it’s far too early to make sweeping judgements but manager Paolo Di Canio doesn’t yet seem to have a grip on this radically altered Black Cats squad. With just 1 point from 4 games it already looks like a long, hard season ahead. Fletcher’s goals (if he gets enough game time) will be just as crucial as they were last season.

Fernandinho (or Fernando Luiz Rosa) started the first 3 league games for Manchester City this season but was left out of the starting 11 for their 0-0 draw with Stoke City. In Negredo, Navas, Jovetic and Demichelis, there are plenty of potential new stars in the City squad and it might be difficult for Fernandinho to make an impact. At 28, the Brazilian only has 5 international caps, which suggests there are a whole host of Brazilian midfielders ahead of him in the cue for a place in the World Cup 2014 squad in Rio. With Yaya Toure, Nasri, Navas and David Silva all laying claims to a starting position, perhaps the Brazilian (who cost City £30 million by the way) might be more of a “cup” player this season.