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”!

Can Premier League Team "C" Challenge and be Champions?

Team C probably has the largest squad of any of the teams in this particular series and with so many options, you could arguably play a number of different formations and styles. Let’s have a look at the starting eleven that I have selected, then we can argue about who should have been included later.

Goalkeeper: Cech

Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Coloccini (Newcastle United), Gael Clichy (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Coutinho (Liverpool), Cattermole (Sunderland)

Forwards: Andy Carroll (West Ham United), Peter Crouch (Stoke City)

Squad Players/ Reserves: Cuellar (Sunderland), Chico & Canas (Swansea), Collins, Collison & Carlton Cole (West Ham), Caulker, Cowie & Campbell (Cardiff City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Cameron (Stoke City), Chiriches, Capoue & Chadli (Spurs), Clyne, Chambers & Cork (Southampton), Cleverly (Man United), Clark (Aston Villa), Chester (Hull City), Chamakh (Crystal Palace), Cisse (Newcastle United)

There shouldn't be any arguments with the goalkeeper. Not only is Petr Cech the only “C” goalkeeper available but at the age of 31, still has plenty of years at the top left in him and there is no denying Cech is still a great goalkeeper.

The defensive unit is also very strong with plenty of interchangeability on the bench but Cahill and Coloccini are a pretty solid unit. Seamus Coleman has arguably been the best fullback in the Premier League this season, so gets the nod and I have opted for Clichy over Ashley Cole at left back. Neither of them are regulars for their clubs any more but with Clichy being 5 years younger, that’s my choice. Vlad Chiriches and Steven Caulker are able deputies in the centre back position.

In the starting positions in midfield, we have passing ability (Carrick), flair (Cazorla and Coutinho) and ball winning ability (Cattermole). Capoue and Chadli of Spurs are high profile alternatives, but neither have set the world alight this season during Tottenham’s stuttering campaign. The same could be said of Tom Cleverly and his season at Old Trafford.

With capable passers and creators in midfield, you would hope there would be plenty for Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch to feed on but might two tall strikers limit the team’s style of play? Possibly, so Frazier Campbell or Papiss Cisse could step in and replace one of the big men if it all got a bit predictable.

What do you think? Is this the right starting eleven or would you change things up a bit?

The "A" Team Brings its "A" Game to the Premier League

Let’s go right back to the start of the alphabet to see if we can create teams of current Premier League players with some of those early letters, starting with the A Team.

Goalkeeper – Adrian (West Ham United)

Defenders – Azplilcueta (Chelsea), Agger (Liverpool), Amat (Swansea), Alonso (Sunderland)

Midfielders – Arteta (Arsenal), Joe Allen (Liverpool), Charlie Adam (Stoke City)

Forwards – Aguero (Man City), Adebayor (Spurs), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)

Subs or Squad Players – Albrighton (Villa), Alcaraz (Everton), Assaidi and Arnautovic (Stoke), Aluko (Hull City), Altidore (Sunderland), Anita (Newcastle)

There’s not a lot of defensive cover on the bench but that’s not a bad side, especially in an attacking sense. With Sergio Aguero, Emmanuel Adebayor and Gabby Agbonlahor bearing down on an opposing defence, there are sure to be goals, with a supply line coming from Arteta in particular.

There weren't many “A” goalkeepers to choose from, in fact West Ham’s Adrian was the only one currently playing. However, he has been in fine form so certainly an inspired choice! Defensively, there is a mixture of experience and inexperience so it would be up to Agger and Azpilicueta to guide the other defenders through each game. There are plenty of options on the bench for an attack minded team but there isn’t a lot of depth to this squad.

It’s not often the B team is stronger than the A team but we will find out soon. Stay tuned.

Football Alphabet - Premier League "R" Team is Full of Attacking Flair

I might go back through the alphabet and do a few more of these. I, at least find them quite intriguing - to see the kind of team/s that can be created with players whose names all start with the same letter of the alphabet. I already did a “J” team and a “K” team and below you will find the “R” Team.

Goalkeeper – John Ruddy (Norwich City)

Defenders – Rafael (Man United), Danny Rose (Spurs), Liam Ridgewell (West Brom), Winston Reid (West Ham)

Midfielders – Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Ramires (Chelsea), Thomas Rosicky (Arsenal), Gaston Ramirez (Southampton)

Forwards – Wayne Rooney (Man United), Loic Remy (Newcastle United)

Subs and Squads Members or Reserve Team

Robles, Riise, Rosenior, Rat, Reither, Rangel, Richardson, Rodwell, Routledge, Rodallega, Rodriguez

Without intending to be critical of central defenders Ridgewell and Reid, I can’t see this team keeping many clean sheets, although possession statistics are likely to be the roof with that midfield! However, with Rafael and Danny Rose bombing forward at every opportunity, they could be susceptible to counter attacks.  John Ruddy has flirted with the England squad on a few occasions and despite Norwich’s poor form this season, he is a solid number one.

The midfield is, in my opinion, fabulous! Aaron Ramsey was arguably the player of the season until he picked up an untimely injury and Thomas Rosicky although not a frequent starter has shown something like his best form this season. Gaston Ramirez has had a fairly stop-start Southampton career so far and is not a guaranteed starter but the Uruguay international has plenty of ability and adds plenty of flair to an already creative midfield. Chelsea’s Ramires is perhaps the only one of the quartet that adds a bit of steel and defensive cover, so he would be absolutely essential in this team.

Up front we have two of the in-form strikers of the season so far. Wayne Rooney has been far and away Manchester United’s best player this season and Loic Remy is enjoying his spell with the Magpies and proving he is a genuine Premier League quality striker.

If there is an injury crisis, there are plenty of decent options on the bench in most positions – so the “R” Team on the whole has plenty of strength in depth. Check out the J and K teams to see which you think is the best.

FA Cup 3rd Round Weekend - Glory Goals, Glamour, Money and Dreams of Wembley

The 3rd round of the FA Cup is perhaps one of the most famous dates in world football and even the sporting calendar. It’s probably fair to say that in recent years, for many Premier League teams, it’s lost a bit of its lustre but for everyone else the FA Cup is massive!

For those teams outside of the elite few at the top of the Premier League, it’s a genuine chance to win a trophy, play on the hallowed Wembley turf, make a bit of money and indeed qualify for European competition. For those outside of the top flight altogether, a good run in the FA Cup can not only draw attention to a club or town that may be deemed “unfashionable” by some but also bring massive reward in terms of cash, which in some cases could literally save a club from extinction.

As a Wrexham FC fan, I have many fond (as well as plenty of dismal) memories of FA Cup fixtures down the years. Who could forget standing on the KOP on a cold January afternoon as the team who just the season before, finished 92nd in the football league had put Arsenal (who had finished the previous season as First Division/Premier League Champions) to the sword. A wonder free kick from Mickey Thomas and a scrambled goal from Steve Watkin (who I once spent the day with on an accountancy course) ensured there was a giant killing act that 3rd round weekend. The Dragons (they were the Robins back then) went on to take West Ham to a replay in the 4th round and narrowly lost by the odd goal.

The team from North Wales fell to Oxford United at the 2nd round hurdle this season so in 2014, another club will be hoping to make the headlines. Looking at the 3rd round draw makes you wonder if the true giant killing might have to wait until round 4, with perhaps Oldham playing Liverpool and Carlisle taking on Sunderland the best sources for a potential upset. Grimsby, Kidderminster and Macclesfield (all with home ties against Huddersfield, Peterborough and Sheffield Wednesday respectively) would be considered giant-killers if they can be victorious but all 3 Conference sides will be hoping for an even bigger challenge if they can make it to the next round.

Arsenal v Spurs, Man United v Swansea, Newcastle v Cardiff, Norwich v Fulham will ensure that Premier League representation will be at least 4 lighter when the 4th round draw is made.

Let’s hope the wild and windy weather sweeping the UK doesn't decimate the fixture list too badly but with a chill in the air, it’s definitely a weekend for those football scarves.

Whoever you are following in the FA Cup this year, I wish you all the very best!

D for Dembele, De Bruyne and Dzeko - Premier League Football Alphabet 2013/2014

At the time of writing, we have seen all but two of this year’s Premier League teams in action, with Manchester City and Newcastle United in action tonight. We are working our way through the alphabet and have reached the letter "D". Slim pickings I am afraid but there are still a few exciting players we can talk about.

Mousa Dembele is now in his second season with Spurs and he will hope to be as influential in the Tottenham midfield as he was last season and perhaps even more so, now that the landscape is changing around him. With Tom Huddlestone, Jake Livermore and Clint Dempsey already departed and Scott Parker likely to follow suit, Dembele will now be accompanied in the centre of the field by the likes of Brazilian playmaker Paulinho and Etienne Capoue. The Belgian is big and strong and gets through an enormous amount of work but Spurs fans will be hoping he can weigh in with more goals, especially if Gareth Bale leaves the club.

Another Belgian, another midfielder and another great player - Kevin De Bruyne is not a new Chelsea signing but he might as well be given that his first season was spent out on loan at Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. It seems that Jose Mourinho likes the look of him and after notching 10 goals for the German side last season, it seems the Blues have yet another goal scoring midfielder on their hands.  He is still only 22 and already has 3 goals for the Belgian national team and his place in the Chelsea starting line up for the opening day victory against Hull City might have a few Fantasy Football managers checking out his value.

Edin Dzeko is a goal scorer. He struck 66 times in 111 appearances for Wolfsburg and so far has 30 in 76 appearances for Man City. That’s almost 1 in 2 for City and many of those appearances came from the subs bench, so his goals per on field minutes will be very high. Carlos Tevez has departed but Negredo and Jovetic have arrived, whilst Sergio Aguero is still at The Etihad Stadium so the competition for places is stronger than ever for a starting place in the starting City eleven. If new City boss, Manuel Pellegrini gives the Bosnian striker more pitch time, he could score an absolute hat full this season.