The Gem in the Team Part 3

Stoke City: Robert Huth

Only Manchester United has scored against Stoke in the past six games and that is due to the collective efforts of the Stoke unit. One defender has stood out in particular though. Robert Huth has been a rock in defence for the team this season. With 8 blocks and 17 clearances, he has literally formed a wall between the opponents and the goal, one that will definitely be very hard to breach.

Swansea City: Leon Britton

Integral to the Swansea way of playing is to keep the ball moving and never ever lose it. The best player that shows this is Britton, who has managed the league's highest pass percentage. A dimitutive player, he might not be able to fully fulfill the duties of a deep lying defensive midfielder but with his team's style, it is not needed. Keeping the ball prevents the opponents from getting it and Britton is the player doing that best at Swansea.

Tottenham: Moussa Dembele

Watching Tottenham play against Manchester United and City, you could be forgiven for thinking that those were two completely different teams. In fact, it was largely the same team taking to the pitch, with the notable difference being Dembele, which caused the huge drop in performance. Despite not being in the team for long, he has carved out a role for himself as the player to keep the ball. Against City, when they were pressed heavily, Spurs lost a rythmn in passing and that is why they missed Dembele so much. Dembele provides a calm outlet which is sure to retain possession as he is as able to complete a pass as he is of skipping past a tackle. His replacement Huddlestone might be capable of the former but he is certainly less able to get past opponents.

West Bromwich: Steve Clarke

West Brom's great form this season is not due to any individual brilliance but mainly due to the great tactics deployed by their coach. Great plans do not always work out and the team's success is also due to his drilling of the team, making sure his team is very comfortable with executing the game plan. Lastly, he has also shown a knack for making crucial substitions, such as introducing the pacey Long when opponents tire, which swings games for his team. It is a surprise it took so long for him to be given the managerial role at a team after being assistant and doing well at so many clubs.

Wigan: Ali Al Habsi

Much has been made of the ability of Wigan's attackers to come good at the latter stages of the campaign and save the team from relegation. Yet, one should consider that the team would not be in a position to be saved were it not for the heroics of Ali throughout the season. The goalkeeper has been in terrific form this season as well, with the match against Everton seeing him pull off a few impossible stops. With the Wigan defence being not particularly strong, Al Habsi is vital to give his team chances to pick up points in matches.

West Ham: Mohamed Diame

He has gotten more license to roam forward ever since his move from Wigan and that has paid dividends for West Ham. His importance comes as he provides a different dimension to normal Allardyce teams. A Barcelona youth product, he is more than capable of moving the ball on the grass and is less tempted by long ball approaches. This provides West Ham with the break from route one balls to Carroll and provides unpredictability to their play.


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