Premier League Team of the Season (so far)? 2/3

MIDFIELD:
What better place to start than here at God's very own team. So far this season Craig Bellamy has been the obvious surprise package. We all knew he was a tremendously talented player, but with a good run of games under his belt he's taken his performances to another level, often proving our most vital asset. It says something about his contribution that Robinho is on the verge of moving on and Martin Petrov has had to make do with starting most often on the opposite flank. If he carries on his form over the latter half of the campaign then he'll have to be a serious contender for Player of the Year, and to think he was a signing mocked in some quarters on the back of failed bids for some Brazilian or other.

Sticking with left-wingers for the time being, Spurs Niko Kranjcar and Stoke's Matt Etherington have been two in cracking form. At £2.5m the Croatian from Pompey has to be the steal of the summer, he's excelled at his new club, not least during their recent victory over us at White Hart Lane. Drifting across the midfield he's a constant goal threat. Etherington has always had the potential to be one of the best about. He's got 'head down' pace, a powerful left foot, and is probably playing the best football of his career.

Aaron Lennon's form at Spurs can't have escaped anyone's notice. Over the last eighteen months or so his end product has increased drastically, so much so that he's now pretty much a cert to be on the plane to South Africa. No-one ever doubted his ability, but under Redknapp he's come into his own and at times has been, sorry for the use of a newly fashionable term, unplayable.

James Milner at Villa is another who has really put his foot on the gas as the World Cup edges nearer. He too has bettered his final ball and goal threat, but also shown that he's at home anywhere in midfield, having his most productive season so far in a central role. Most admirable is his work ethic, something that's always been obvious but has been harnessed especially well under Martin O'Neill, to the extent that he's now the heartbeat of their side.

Others that have caught the eye include Birmingham trio Larsson, Bowyer and Ferguson. The Swede showed last time round that he's a threat going forward at this level, but Bowyer and Ferguson are two players written off by most who have found a new lease of life under McLeish. Ferguson even looked poor at Rangers towards the end of his tenure there, but now looks a lively, competent Premier League midfielder, and Bowyer's tally so far brings back memories of his terrific form at Leeds.

Yossi Benayoun has been the only real bright spark in Liverpool's poor season. He's always been a player i've admired, in part due to his obvious similarities to countryman and former Blue Eyal Berkovic. He's someone i'd love us to bring to the club, an exquisite player who somehow remains underrated. His eye for a pass is unrivalled, he makes the game look easy and his goal record speaks for itself. Without him they'd have been even further off the pack.

Talking of unsung heroes, Abou Diaby and Alex Song are perhaps two who won't get as many plaudits come the end of the season as colleague Fabregas. I've gone for the Spaniard, but i'm sure Gooners who go every week will tell you that the two arrivals from France have been equally consistent. Both seem to have suddenly matured, though that may be ignorance on my behalf. Diaby in particular once looked cumbersome and unsure, now appears to be maturing into a commanding midfielder capable of both the donkey work and influencing attacks.

Over the road, despite many of his recent awards being daft, token gestures, Ryan Giggs, pushing forty, has carried a creaking United side over the last year. The man's exceptional, even hardened Blues couldn't deny that, to be able to dictate games has he often does whilst in the winter of his career deserves praise. I sincerely hope he does sod all on Wednesday, mind. Darren Fletcher also continues to do a superb job of proving the 'ratter' in their midfield. Anyone suggesting he'd be such a key player for them not so long ago wouldn't been laughed away.

Honourable mentions to David Dunn at Blackburn, who's shown patches of his best form for hometown club Blackburn. Clint Dempsey, sadly suffering a serious injury last week, is surely one of the neutrals favourite Premier League players. Him and club-mate Danny Murphy continue to excel under Roy Hodgson. Jordan Henderson at Sunderland, and Jack Collison at West Ham are two youngsters who have made a real impression.

To end on a City-related note, however, Nigel de Jong has kicked, harried and chased his way into contention, proving invaluable this season in a holding role that can at times go unnoticed by those who don't watch a side regularly. His selfless performances have quickly made him a cult hero at the club, and whatever the fee might've been, he's already looking a bargain.

Picks: Lennon (Spurs), Milner (Villa),
Fabregas (Arsenal), Bellamy (City)