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The Premier League is up and running, and six game-weeks have flown by us. Chelsea sit at the perch of the league table with a three point lead over Everton, the season’s surprisingly strong starters. David Moyes’ boys aren’t known to hit the ground running but they certainly have, this time around.
West Brom and West Ham have certainly shown zeal in grinding out results, while the two Manchester clubs are yet to hit their stride. The first full month of this season has passed, and these are the players that make our list for Team of the Month for September, 2012.
West Bromwich Albion have enjoyed their best start to a Premier League campaign this season, and the backbone to their success has been a miserly defense which has conceded only 2 goals in 6 matches so far this term, and only 1 in the month of September. 3 solid clean sheets by the former Red Devil, and commanding performances between the posts certainly makes him deserving of the inclusion to the team of the month. His hands will have a big bearing on West Brom’s future success this term.
The wily old guard at left side of the pitch is proving his pedigree to all and sundry once again, that’s if there is anything left to prove, of course. Chelsea’s defense has looked as strong as ever, with Cole being ever-present in the Blues’ backline. A match-winning goal against Stoke, and constant forays down the left flank to keep the opposition’s defensive forces awake, certainly doesn’t hurt his case.
Another appearance for one of Chelsea’s defensive stalwarts. Starting off his career at the centre of the backline, the Serbian bulldozer has certainly adapted well to his role at right back, and looks much more comfortable now than at the centre. Like Cole, Ivanovic is not only a source of worry for the opponents to get by, he also does his bit on the offensive end as well. Truly deserving of his place in the list.
Another unsung hero of the Premier League this season, his presence at the back and threat from set pieces is another cause for the flying start for the Baggies under new coach Steve Clark. Only a deflected Assou-Ekkoto goal was what stood between an Albion defense lead by McAuley, and five consecutive shut-outs. His goal against against Everton was instrumental in turning the tide in the Midlands side’s favour. The Irishman has become a vital cog in the Baggies machine, a real success story for the Baggies. He has come a long way from his previous occupation of being a technical drawer for a commercial glazing firm.
Another guy who has stepped it up big time, and is showing that he can rub shoulders with the big boys. The Hammers are another team which has been quick off the blocks, and credit goes to the back-line for holding the fort. Reid has succeeded in displacing last year’s Player of the Year for the Hammers (James Tomkins), and has emerged as one of the promising new centre-backs in the league. With 3 clean-sheets in the first 6 games, has certainly looked promising.
Wow! That’s the first thing that comes into my mind when I have to describe Fellaini’s performances this season so far. The tall and lanky Belgian has flourished in his new role in the Everton side. Given the freedom to express himself in a position previously occupied by Tim Cahill, Fellaini has hit the ground running, on being presented such an opportunity by Moyes.
Using his aerial ability and above par technical skills, Fellaini has succeeded in linking the midfield with the strikers, held the ball up well when asked to do so, looked threatening at set-pieces and gobbled up goals for himself. Practically done it all, he’s the prime reason for Everton sitting second in the table.
Cazorla’s presence in the Gunner’s midfield has really rejuvenated the team and is proving to be quite a buy for Arsene Wenger. Cazorla, right now, is the most accurate passer in the final third in the whole of the Premier League, and has chipped in with a goal as well. The results may not have been ideal for Arsenal as of now, but this team is a work in progress after two big stalwarts went away in search of new challenges. Cazorla along with Wilshere, certainly looks to be the future at the Emirates.
Ben Arfa’s twinkle toes have been lighting up opponents so far. Except for a couple of bad games, he has sometimes been unplayable. He along with Demba Ba have been the only bright spots in Newcastle’s gloomy season so far. With Cabaye suffering a lack of form, he has taken on the mantle of the primary creative force for the Magpies.
His belief in his own abilities was always there, but now with him being used effectively, and him believing in Pardew’s philosophy of team football, he may use this season as his coming out party.
In Alan Pardew’s own words: “Hatem is really on fire for us at the moment. He’s just a special talent, and he’s been our best player.”
We certainly didn’t get to see Bale during the early goings of the season. He certainly has picked up his game since the international break, and we again have the pleasure of seeing the man now in the no. 11 shirt storming forward, raising hell in the final third.
His performance against United was the Bale we all have come to know and love. He ran the Manchester defense ragged.
It’s that time of the year that Demba Ba puts a stamp of authority at that position, while his striking partner Cisse looks utterly clueless. 5 goals in the month, and heading the Premier League goal scoring charts, certainly makes for his inclusion in the team.
It’s 6 in 6 now for Demba Ba in the PL this season, a goal every 81 mins. He’s got 28 in 52 in his PL career, a goal ever 1.86 games. He had a similar start last season, let’s see if he can bring it home down the homestretch this time around.
“The one man Sunderland army” – that’s the apt description for what Fletcher has really been up to at the Teeside. The Black Cats have scored 5 goals so far this season, and all have come courtesy Steven Fletcher. It seems certainly a £12 million well spent by Martin O’Neill, as Fletcher might be the only thing that may be keeping O’Neill’s job in the North-East safe at the moment.
Five shots on target this season and five goals. Steven Fletcher has been the epitome of clinical at Sunderland.
So here it is, our Team of the Month for the month of September,2012. Comment. Discuss. Burn.
