Owl Form Team – 2/5/2011

Adjusted weekly -ish and supposed to be a reflection of a sustained period of form – please no more Saturday night emails after single performances…

Fairly obvious principle, players playing well stay in, players who are not drop out. Thankfully not done in that BBC/SKY way that only allows players from United/Chelsea/Arsenal/Liverpool to be included.

Ordinarily found here…

1. Ali al-Habsi

You would shudder to think where WIgan would be if not for their Omani stopper – Jussi Jaaskelainen faces competition for his place next year at Bolton.

2. Seamus Coleman


Christ, if he was English we wouldn’t have to play Glen Johnson – worth including just for that lovely thought. Can play further up the pitch, but included here to set-up the Johnson gag.

3. Leighton Baines

Great crosser, under-rated defender. Manages also to play for Everton without getting injured continuously.

4. David Luiz

An immediate impact after joining Chelsea from an inferior league, and those sneering at the stereotype of a Brazilian defender are currently eating their words. Great hair too.

5. Laurent Koscielny

After yesterday’s faultless performance against Man United, his Carling Cup nightmare is gradually fading to black. Actually far better with the ball at his feet than he’s given credit for.
6. Yaya Toure

Just a monster. Included off the back of making Nemanja Vidic look like a Championship player at Wembley

7. Joey Barton

Included more to be provocative than much else – definitely has learnt to concentrate on playing though. Did an under-appreciated but brilliant job shackling Wayne Rooney recently also, interestingly.

8. Luka Modric

So we’re going for a midfield three, and Tottenham’s smallest Croat is the best of the lot. Technique, vision, and very dainty – this is how God made midfielders. Can you imagine having to play five-a-side against him?

9. Wayne Rooney

Yes, that’s f***ing right! Hard to argue with his current goalscoring record. Looks constantly angry which we quite like.

10. Javier Hernandez

As a friend of the website is prone to saying: ‘He just scores goals’. Not the worst attribute.

11. Dirk Kuyt

Even when Liverpool were abysmal Kuyt was playing at an acceptable level, and his work-rate and goals have a lot to do with where his team now are in the table. Recently the recipient of a new contract, which is fantastic news for Liverpool fans – he would leave a far bigger hole in the team than most appreciate.