Premier League Team of the Week – Gameweek 12

Based on the performances in the 10 matches played during Gameweek 12 of the Premier League, as well as utilizing stats from WhoScored, Squawka and TransferMarkt, here’s my team of the weekend:

Goalkeeper

Fabianski – [Swansea City] – Lukasz Fabianski has been in great form for Swansea City this season.  As the Swans number one, Fabianski has conceded the third lowest goals [13] of any Premier League keeper.  His performance against Manchester City, despite the club’s 2-1 loss, saw him make 8 saves and 3 claims on dangerous set pieces.  He averages an impressive 3.09 saves per match and has five clean sheets to his name.  Swansea will hope he can continue his excellent form, as they are sitting rather comfortably in 7th place which is in no small part thanks to his efforts.

Left-back

Ward – [Burnley] – Stephen Ward, who signed on a three-year deal by Burnley from Wolves prior to the start of the season, was then quoted as saying he couldn’t wait to return to the Premier League.  Having spent eight seasons with Wolverhampton, Ward was no stranger to the Prem and he proved that at the weekend.  Facing a difficult Stoke City side at the Britannia is no easy task for any club.  For Burnley, who won just their first match of the season in the fixture prior, it was to be a mountainous challenge.  Stephen Ward met that challenge head on.  Making two successful tackles when Stoke were looking to break out, and winning all four of his aerial duels, Ward kept a usually dangerous Peter Bardsley rather quiet.  Manager Sean Dyche will be hoping Ward can replicate his form over the next few matches as Burnley do their best to inch out of the relegation zone.

Right-back

Kelly – [Crystal Palace] – Martin Kelly, after some promising showings at Liverpool last season, failed to impress Brendan Rodgers enough to earn a spot in the Liverpool side, and left for Crystal Palace in search of playing time.  Ironically, the defender was quoted as saying one of the main reasons he left Merseyside for London was because of Palace’s memorable come from behind draw at Selhurst Park last season.  At the weekend, Kelly and his new club did the same against Liverpool, coming back from a one-goal deficit and scoring three unanswered goals to win the match.  Kelly was instrumental in thwarting Liverpool’s forays forward, as his solid no-panic defending served to relax his teammates and helped put the pressure squarely on the visitors.  Rodgers, who is desperately in need of better defending, may wish he never let Kelly go.

Center-back

Dummett – [Newcastle United] – Paul Dummett has probably received a ton of praise from his manager Alan Pardew over the last month.  The Toon have now won their sixth match in a row, and are sitting comfortably in fifth place.  Four of those wins have come with a clean sheet.  Dummett has been instrumental in helping thwart opposition attackers, and his four aerial duels were crucial in denying Zamora goal-scoring opportunities.  Even more commendable is the fact that Dummett is not a natural center-back, but has done an admirable job there.  Injured captain Fabricio Collocini, and manager Alan Pardew as well, should be pleased to see that there’s a player who can do the necessary defensive work for the team.

Center-back
Shackell – [Burnley] – Jason Shackell probably isn’t a name most fans of the Premier League are used to hearing.  After his performances in the last two weeks, that may be about to change.  Shackell was at the heart of the Burnley defense, repelling Stoke City’s attacks and marshaling his defenders throughout.  His six aerial duels won were a match high and his discipline in defense made it very difficult for Stoke to carve a way through.  He made two key tackles late on to deny the fans at the Britannia any consolation as Burnley ran out 2-1 winners.  Shackell’s consistency will be key for a Burnley team who are just now getting off the bottom of the table.  If they mean to fight relegation, he will need to contribute similar performances in the fixtures to come.

Center Midfield

Jedinak – [Crystal Palace] – Mile Jedinak has quietly become one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders.  For the first eight fixtures of the season, Jedinak made the most tackles and had recorded the second highest passes completed of any player in the league.  Neil Warnock, whose side have faced a difficult past few weeks, can take heart in the performance of his midfield general who scored a sensational free kick and broke up Liverpool attacks all over the middle of the park.  Especially notable is the fact that the Australian neutralized Liverpool’s Joe Allen and Steven Gerrard, keeping them quiet for the majority of the match.  He has grown in stature this season, and the future looks bright for Jedinak.  Palace fans will surely hope he can remain as consistent for the remainder of the season.

Left Midfield

Bolasie – [Crystal Palace] – Yannick Bolasie’s names has been on the lips of many an admiring pundit for much of the season.  His fearlessness in taking on defenders has set him apart from many attack-minded midfielders and for good reason.  Few players have so direct an approach in their attack.  Also, his innovative style and willingness to work hard for his teammates makes him rather indispensable.  For Liverpool’s defenders at the weekend, Bolasie was a nightmare to defend, appearing on the left and right sides, overlapping with enthusiasm and generally providing 150% effort.  Dejan Lovren found out just how tricky the Congolese can be, after his cheeky Chapeau made the Croatian slip and fall prior to assisting Joe Ledley for Palace’s second.  Neil Warnock will hope he can hold onto the midfield playmaker as he has undoubtedly drawn some interest from elsewhere this season.

Right Midfield

Touré – [Manchester City] – Yaya Touré, for much of last season, was simply unplayable for opposition defenders.  Popping up all over the pitch, providing assists, scoring classy free kicks and generally terrorizing back fours, Touré was in scintillating form.  This season, he has started somewhat more slowly, failing to emulate the form which many have said was his best.  The Ivorian has likely heard his critics and decided to show them he can still perform at his best.  In City’s match against Swansea at the weekend, Yaya was once again back to his normal self.  Tormenting the Swans back line, his trademark run and finish capped off a fine performance for the Noisy Neighbors, and had many tongues wagging.  Whether he can produce this form on a weekly basis is yet to be seen, but manager Manuel Pellegrini will surely hope he is starting to hit his stride.

Forward

Hazard – [Chelsea] – Eden Hazard has been showing a confidence and deadliness to his game long wanted by Chelsea fans and long feared by fans of their opponents.  That Hazard is consistently the most fouled, yet completes the most take-ons, of any player in Europe speaks volumes about his form.  Teams often defend against him with two or three players, but to no avail.  José Mourinho, who believes Hazard can be even better, spoke about wanting him to have more of a killer instinct for Chelsea, suggesting that he needs to score more goals.  It seems Hazard has been listening.  In Chelsea’s match against West Brom, Hazard’s goal in the 25th was more of a result of The Albion’s horrendous defending than anything else.  Still, being in scoring positions and converting is easier said than done.  Hazard’s run of form so far this season has been nothing short of impressive, if not excellent.  Mourinho and the Chelsea faithful will hope he can maintain it.

Forward

Rooney – [Manchester United] – Wayne Rooney arrived at the Emirates for United’s match against Arsenal as a man on a mission.  Pre-match, as the cameras focused on the United captain, Arsenal fans could be heard yelling, “Rooney, you’re rubbish!”  They would eat their words.  Rooney, who captained a resilient United side to a 2-1 victory at the Gunners’ home ground, embodied the phrase ‘lead by example.’  His classic counter-attack goal and commitment to defending the lead until the very last, are just the things to endear a club to its captain.  Rooney, who many have said hasn’t been at his best since signing a new contract with United, silenced the doubters and naysayers with a masterful performance.  United, who had a dismal start to the season, now sit in 4th place, and should continue to look to Rooney to lead them even further up the table.

Striker

Ings – [Burnley] – Danny Ings scores goals.  It’s a major reason for Burnley’s even being in the top flight of English football this season.  Now in the Premiership, Burnley have largely struggled in the start to their season, winning their first and second matches in the last two fixtures.  Danny Ings has been a huge part of their recent successes.  In his last five starts for club and country, Ings has scored five times, and his two strikes in two minutes against Stoke were typical of his hunger for goals.  Burnley manager Sean Dyche will need to keep the young frontman scoring, especially if he wishes to improve on the club’s recent form.