EPL Week 8: Team of the Week
A team consisting of Ronaldo, Messi, Falcao and Iniesta indeed looks thunderous and in a much more realistic sense, infeasible. Often the fantasy of every FIFA 12 or 13 player, is to get in all these superstars into his team; and in the game this team will definitely be unbeatable. But in modern football, if Ronaldo and Messi team up along with Falcao for the front 3 ranks, a clash of egos notwithstanding, one can expect a complete ruckus upfront.
In a more domestic sense of the term, a TRP Team of the Week for the EPL will not consist of all the Hazard’s and Rooney’s and RVP’s, but will enlist a set of top performers of the week who will be a ready for combat if put on the pitch together.
TRP Team of the week for EPL Week 8:
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper - Tim Howard (Everton): Howard maintained his tremendous repute as one of the best keepers in the league. He was pro-active in coming to get the long balls, and was only beaten when Baines deflected in a shot from Hoillet. Howard later on saved many more shoots from the Canadian and won Everton a point, even after being a man down.
Tim Howard
Centre Backs - Phil Jagielka (Everton) and Gary Cahill (Chelsea): the English pair were individually impressive against fast and pacy opponents. Cahill scored for Chelsea and was dominating in the air in the absence of Terry. Even though David Luiz beside him had lapses in concentration, Cahill was able to hold off Defoe on many occasions. Jagielka had a superb game at Loftus Road along with Distin. Jagielka, even though being on the slower side, was able to cover up for the mistake-prone Baines on the left. Jagielka was also good in the air against Zamora and put in many last ditch tackles.
Phil Jagielka
Left back - Javier Garrido (Norwich): Though not the fastest on the wing, Norwich’s left back had an impressive outing against the likes of Gervinho and Podolski. He prevented the Gunners to launch even a single attack from the left. And the only crosses that came in from his wings, was when Jenkinson crossed in while Garrido tracked the in-cutting Podolski. Garrido was also impressive in attack, as he floated in a few delicious crosses past Jenkinson.
Javier Garrido – Norwich City
Right Back - Jose Bosingwa (QPR): Severely criticized over the past few season for his lack of defensive prowess, Mark Hughes’ new signing had an impressive night against Everton. He played against the likes of Baines and Piennar, who are considered as the best left wing pairing right now in the league, but still Bosingwa camp up trumps. He did not allow any crosses to come in from the wing, and though he didn’t provide much in attack, QPR were able to get a point against a team in the top 5.
Jose Bosingwa
Central midfield duo - Mark Noble (West Ham) and Ramires (Chelsea): Mark Noble, a shining product of the Hammer’s youth academy has deserved a place in this team of the week. His distribution from the centre was intelligent, and it was his aerial balls that Carroll latched on to so often. His link up with captain Kevin Nolan was also admirable in the second half. Ramires has been selected as his partner in this team due to the Brazilian’s willingness to make those box to box runs. Ramires was the key runner in every one of Chelsea’s counters and improved greatly from his earlier performance. He provided a much greater energy to the midfield than Lampard and was always the spare man in attacks.
Mark Noble
Advanced midfielder - Wayne Rooney (Man United): Rooney has made a tremendous comeback after injury, and even though he played in the front 3 against Stoke, his linkup play with RVP at times, was magical. His role in TRP’s team will be much clearer after you read the striker’s description. Arriving timely in the box is Rooney’s main threat right now, as his pass and run to get to RVP cross for the 1st goal was brilliant.
Wayne Rooney
Wide Forwards - Wayne Routledge (Swansea) and Juan Mata (Chelsea) : Routledge has made a scintillating start to the season for the Swans, and has filled the hole left by Sinclair. The diminutive winger come central attacker is a bag of tricks and always ran the channels against the slow Wigan defense. Juan Mata was at his peak against Spurs and with 2 goals and an assist steamrolled the opposition.
Juan Mata against Tottenham
Striker- Grant Holt (Norwich): The Norwich captain was at his terrorizing best and completed dominated the gunners in the air. Hughton used Holt intelligently on the short Mikel Arteta, where Holt could win every header and could flick it onto Hoolahan, who was playing in front of the defence. This left Holt space to run into after Hoolahan held up the play well.
Grant Holt
Notable mentions: Danny Rose (Sunderland – LB), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa – CB), Charlie Adam (Stoke – Midfielder), Rahim Sterling (Liverpool – Left Foward).