Team of the Season - Premiership 2011/12

So, here ends the 2011/12 Premiership season. And what a campaign it has been. From the opening few matches, to the last dramatic seconds, it was a truly gripping spectacle right the way through. How fitting that Sergio Aguero should score the goal that won the title, 9 months after he’d lit up the scene in August with two debut goals. There will be happiness, coupled with heartbreak and disappointment, but nobody can deny the overall standard of entertainment has been nothing short of spectacular. It wouldn’t be a complete season though, without a team of the year to end it. Here’s our selection.

GK – Joe Hart

While honorable mentions go to Michel Vorm and Ali Al Habsi, two under-rated keepers who had huge parts to play in their respective sides success, there really is only one option for this position. A stalwart of the Manchester City side who won their first title for 44 years, Englishman Hart was right at the middle of the success. Crucial saves earned Mancini’s men important points along the way, memorably at Aston Villa, Wigan and Liverpool.

RB – Kyle Walker

Another young English talent, Sheffield born Walker earned the title of PFA Young Player of the Year, and had a great season in the full back role for Tottenham Hotspur. Solid defensively, he was always offering a good outlet wide and in aggressive areas for Spurs, and crowned his season with two stunning goals, one of which proved the winner in the North London Derby.

CB’s – Vincent Kompany and Fabricio Coloccini

After lifting the title on the final day of the season, the towering figure off Vincent Kompany simply had to make every team of the year, didn’t he? A superb leader on and off the field, he gave some magnificent defensive performances, and also popped up with a few crucial goals at the other end. His partner in our side is Newcastle skipper Coloccini, another captain who led his team superbly. Solid and dependable, much of what the Magpies achieved this season wouldn’t have been possible without him.

LB – Leighton Baines

Not an easy position to pick, this one, although mostly down to the lack of run-away candidates. Jose Enrique of Liverpool did well for large parts of the season, but had a terrible end to the season. Baines was always there for Everton, setting up numerous chances with his great left foot, and also helps contribute to a good back-line that David Moyes’ men possess. A useful asset, and could find himself a transfer target from the big guns.

RM – Antonio Valencia

Sweeping both Player of the Year awards for Manchester United at their end of season dinner is no mean feat, and that’s why he’s a justified pick in our XI of the season. A willing contributor defensively, he always manages to cause danger to great effect in opposition territory. It spoke volumes that his selection – or lack of it – was one of the main talking points in the Derby defeat to rivals City in the ending weeks of the season.

CM’s – Yaya Toure and Yohan Cabaye

Two recently new arrivals to the Premiership, both who had had tremendous impacts upon their sides success. Ivorian Toure epitomizes everything powerful about Manchester City, and his performances have been nothing short of exemplary. His two goals against Newcastle went a long way to securing the title, and he is now one of the best players in the division. Cabaye came into the league on a very small transfer budget compared to Toure, but has shown his brilliance. His range of passing is phenomenal, he’s shooting from distance memorable, but he also made the most tackles out of any other midfielder in the Barclays Premiership this season.

LM – Juan Mata

The only player in the league to create over 100 chances this season – the last four to do so have all been Chelsea players – deserves his spot in this end of season ‘elect’ eleven. In a troubled and at times farcical campaign, Mata was always there for Chelsea causing problems and tirelessly working. He might have struggled to impact on the bigger games, but his stunning goals against Arsenal and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge suggest otherwise.

ST’s – Robin van Persie and Sergio Aguero

It must be noted that Wayne Rooney had a very good season, and there were other great candidates like Grant Holt or Danny Graham, but there is simply no getting past these two. Van Persie ended with the golden boot, and Aguero hit 23 goals – including that winner at the weekend to clinch the title. Without these players, respective sides Arsenal and Manchester City would have been hard placed to achieve the same as they did.

Manager – Alan Pardew

Yes Mancini has won the league, but in terms of money spent and un-thinkable success, it has to be Londoner Pardew. Nobody’s choice when he took over, he’s taken the Toon into fairytale land – aka the Europa League with a 5^th placed finish. Those barmy fans will relish a few nights out across Europe, and it’s well deserved.