Features

Hail the unsung heroes

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 09/05/2010
Football betting

The Premier League team of the year rewards high-profile players who have made headlines this season for clubs doing well in the top half of the table.

But what of those less exulted top-flight players who have emerged from nowhere or journeyman careers to enjoy best-ever seasons.

Mark Schwarzer (Fulham)

At 37, Schwarzer has been in the Premier League for well over a decade but the big Australian has been at his consistent best this season.

The former Bradford City and Middlesbrough keeper has been a key reason why the sportsbook underdog Cottagers have reached a first-ever European final.

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Leighton Baines (Everton)

Baines has appeared in all but one of Everton's Premier League games this season and goes about his business with steely efficiency.

The 25-year-old left-back arguable deserves a place in England's World Cup squad ahead of the likes of Wayne Bridge or Joleon Lescott as he has also chipped in with nine assists.

Jody Craddock (Wolves)

Craddock's Premier League experience with former club Sunderland was hardly anything to write home about but the veteran centre-half has certainly buried that ghost this season.

The 35-year-old has brought a calf assurance to the Wolves defence in 32 appearances and he has also helped himself to a career-high five goals.

Barry Ferguson (Birmingham City)

Eyebrows were raised when Alex McLeish took a chance on an ageing midfielder who seemed to have excess baggage when he signed Ferguson from Rangers last summer.

However, his decision has been fully vindicated as the former Scotland captain has rarely had a bad game in his 42 appearances in all competitions and his form is one of the key reasons why the Blues avoided relegated by such a wide margin.

David Dunn (Blackburn Rovers)

Dunn would surely have won more England caps had he played for a more glamorous club than Blackburn.

The 30-year-old is Rovers' nine-goal leading scorer after being made the focal point of the attack by Sam Allardyce this season, but is still unlikely to add to his one-cap haul at this summer's World Cup.

Bobby Zamora (Fulham)

Nineteen goals from a striker who has been written off in the past as not good enough for the Premier League is some accomplishment.

Add into the mix the fact that Zamora has been playing with a long-running Achilles injury since the turn of the year and it's all the more impressive.

The 29-year-old former West Ham and Tottenham striker will now be hoping to cap his season with a Europa League Final goal and a place in England's World Cup squad.

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