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The Professional Footballers' Association recently announced their Premier League Team of the Year and there where very few surprises as Manchester City and Tottenham players took up seven of the 11 available places.
It was hard to argue about the inclusion of the two top scorers in the league with Robin van Persie currently on 27 league goals, while Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is just one goal behind on 26.
There were well deserved inclusions for the always reliable Leighton Baines, who was cruelly overlooked by Fabio Capello for the 2010 World Cup squad, and Fabricio Colocinni who has marshalled the Newcastle defence with a string of commanding performances this year.
While all eleven players merit their inclusion, we felt it was time to put our own nominations forward as we select our alternative Premier League Team of the Year.
Here is Adrian Back's (@aidyback) Team of Year.
Michel Vorm - Swansea City
Swans' manager Brendan Rodgers was worried last summer when he lost first choice keeper Dorus de Vries to Wolves. He knew he needed to bring someone to the club and that ended up being Dutch international Michel Vorm. Signed from Utrecht there was little known about the 28-year-old but he quickly engrossed himself to the fans with some impressive individual performances. Perhaps his finest display was against Liverpool at Anfield as his man of the match performance earned the Welsh side a 0-0 draw.
Danny Simpson - Newcastle United
Newcastle have been the surprise package of the season. They are pushing for Champions League football and only one outfield player has played every single league game, that man is the ever-reliable right-back Danny Simpson. His pace allows him to support attacks while he has been brilliant all season in covering the very few mistake that the two centre-halves have made.
Brede Hangeland - Fulham
The towering Norwegian has often been linked with moves away from Fulham but he has remained a loyal performer for the west London club. Another ever present in the league he has marshalled his defence superbly and has helped Martin Jol play a number of attacking midfielders and forwards without having to worry about leaking goals at the back.
Jonny Heitinga - Everton
David Moyes' Everton side has always been based on a good defence. Jolean Lescott was superb before joining City, while Sylvain Distin is always reliable. However, this season Heitinga has been the man to lead the defensive unit. The Dutch international has shown a touch of class and helped the Merseyside club boast the third best defence in the league.
Ashley Cole - Chelsea
Chelsea have impressed in cup competitions this season, while their league form has been decidedly unspectacular. David Luiz's defensive qualities have been called into question, as has Branislav Ivanovic and Jose Bosingwa. Cole is never questioned. He repeatedly excels about the best attackers in the league and there is not a right winger in the Premiership that wants to come up against the England defender.
Junior Hoilett - Blackburn Rovers
The fans have called for the managers head all season and they have struggled at the foot of the table for most of the campaign. However, there has been one shining light and that is Hoilett. The 21-year-old has scored seven league goals and has caught the eye of many a Premiership manager with his directness and ability on the ball.
Yohan Cabaye - Newcastle United
There should have been more clubs interested in the midfield maestro last summer after he helped Lille win Ligue 1. He has demonstrated a fantastic range of passing, mixed with a work rate that makes him an old fashioned throw back to central midfielders of a by-gone age. His recent display against Stoke summed up his ability with two super goals and the pass of the season to find Papiss Cisse.
Alex Song - Arsenal
After the departure of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, Arsene Wenger hoped that Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey would step into the role of provider. Instead it has been the performances of Song that have caught the eye. His all action style means he is vital to the side and with nine assists he has been the chief provider for Robin van Persie.
Clint Dempsey - Fulham
The American midfielder has improved season upon season. Last year he scored 12 league goals. Fast forward 12 months and he has 16 in the league and 22 in total. Powerful in the air, intelligent when playing on the left-hand side of midfield, he has taken up the mantle of Frank Lampard as THE goal scoring midfielder in the Premier League.
Sergio Aguero - Manchester City
If someone told you a diminutive Argentinean for Man City had set the league alight with superb goals, classy flicks and a great work rate, you would have thought of Carlos Tevez. You would be wrong. Aguero has shown just why he cost £38million as he has taken to the Premier League with ease, scoring 22 goals and helping the club push for their first Premiership title.
Yakubu - Blackburn Rovers
Another Blackburn player who has excelled under difficult circumstances. His 16 Premier League goals means he has outscored the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko. He has scored out of nothing and showed Everton exactly what they have been missing. Feed the Yak and he will score - 95 Premier League goals to be precise.
