It’s that time of the week again when BBC pundit, Garth Crooks, picks his ‘Team of the Week’.
Find out below who has made it and comment your opinions on his team!
GOALKEEPER – WOJCIECH SZCZESNY (Arsenal)
Last week I selected Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet, who had conceded three goals against Everton but was exceptional. This week I’ve gone back to the sort of performance that can win you titles. Wojciech Szczesny achieved what Manchester City’s Joe Hart and Manchester United’s David De Gea could not, and kept a clean sheet against Cardiff. Szczesny didn’t have to do a great deal in the 3-0 win but when he was called upon he was equal to the task and that is all that matters when you have title ambitions. Tottenham and Liverpool fans, please note: Arsenal’s form is to be taken very seriously.
DEFENDER – BRYAN OVIEDO (Everton)
It cannot be easy being an understudy to Leighton Baines, one of the best full-backs in the country. But in the absence of Everton’s regular left-back through injury, Oviedo was superb in attack and defence and capped an impressive display with a well-deserved goal.
DEFENDER – CURTIS DAVIES (Hull)
It’s not often you can say that Liverpool striker Luiz Suarez hardly got a kick, but that’s what Curtis Davies will have been telling his mates last night as he celebrated Hull’s first win over Liverpool. Not only did Davies play well but he looked like a defender with real authority.
DEFENDER – JOHN TERRY (Chelsea)
Whatever your thoughts on John Terry you cannot fault his commitment, enthusiasm or drive. When the chips are down and you’re in a battle there can be no better man on a football field. Against Southampton, his movement and headed finish in the 3-1 victory was superb. Without doubt, it was the turning point in the game.
DEFENDER – KYLE WALKER (Tottenham)
It wasn’t just his goal in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United that impressed me, although I do like my defenders to pop up with the occasional finish, but also his tireless raids down United’s left side. With United left-back Patrice Evra booked early in the first half and treading on thin ice, it presented Walker with an opportunity to take the game to the France international, and he did.
MIDFIELDER – SANDRO (Tottenham)
After the shambolic performance against Manchester City last Sunday, Tottenham looked like something resembling a Premier League team against Manchester United this week. One of the main features of Spurs’ well-earned point against United was Sandro, who was at the heart of everything worthy in Tottenham’s play. His 25-yard goal wasn’t bad either
MIDFIELDER – AARON RAMSEY (Arsenal)
I don’t think there can be any greater accolade than when a former player acknowledges respect for his former club by not celebrating a goal. Aaron Ramsey scored two against Cardiff and didn’t celebrate either in the midst of what could only be described as a masterclass. The response by Cardiff City fans was typical of football supporters from years ago, appreciatively applauding their former player even after he had scored for the opposition. Well done Cardiff fans, you were almost as impressive as Ramsey.
MIDFIELDER – GERARD DEULOFEU (Everton)
It looks like Barcelona might have another diamond on their hands, and one they are happy for Roberto Martinez to polish. The teenager only came into the Everton line-up in place of Kevin Mirallas and he looked immense in the 4-0 win over Stoke. Martinez needs to be careful because with Deulofeu and striker Romelu Lukaku both at Everton on loan, he could find two of his best players back with their original clubs next season. And then what?
MIDFIELDER – MOHAMED DIAME (West Ham)
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is well known for using his statistics sheet wherever possible in football. So what was he doing waiting for over an hour to bring on Carlton Cole, his only recognisable centre forward, when the striker’s goal scoring record against Fulham is superb? It’s a good job Mohamed Diame was in tremendous form. He practically carried the Hammers on his own for over an hour in the 3-0 win over Fulham and was arguably the man responsible for making sacked manager Martin Jol’s position untenable.
MIDFIELDER – SAMIR NASRI (Man City)
City fans have been waiting for Sami Nasri to start playing like we all know he can and his two goals against Swansea were evidence he is starting to flourish again. In a season when the title race looks like it could go to the wire, Nasri might be the piece in the City jigsaw that gives Manuel Pellegrini’s men a chance. They cannot keep relying on David Silva and Yaya Toure alone.
FORWARD – WAYNE ROONEY (Man Utd)
I was speaking to my uncle Ben on Saturday and said that Aaron Ramsey was almost certain to be the unanimous choice for footballer of the year. He took the glass of champagne out of my hand and said: ‘You mean Wayne Rooney, don’t you?’ I told him that he had made a very good point and promptly went home.
What are your thoughts on this team then?
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
