Squarefootball's Team of the Season: Manchester City, Newcastle or Swansea - you decide
Every side in the Premier League has its great individual players. Arsenal have Robin Van Persie, Spurs have Luka Modric and Liverpool have Steven Gerrard. However, football is a team game. Unless your star players can work in a cohesive unit, their talent will go unrewarded when the silverware is being dished out.
With that in mind, we at Squarefootball want to honour the Team of the Season. There have been many top class teams during this campaign. We've had the champions Manchester City, who have managed to pull together as one to overcome an eight-point deficit to win the league, Newcastle United, who have defied all the pundit to finish in fifth place, and Swansea City, who were tipped to go down with the fewest points ever.
Norwich City, Wigan Athletic and Tottenham have also put in some remarkable performances over the past nine months, but who has been our Team of the Season?
I've asked a number of football fans from around the country for their views on the winners and losers over the 2011/12 season, and here is their verdict.
Squarefootball writer and Birmingham City fan Steve Coulter believes there's only one team worthy of a mention here, Swansea City.
"It has been a wonderful season for Brendan Rodgers's boys. They have played some great football. However, it will be interesting to see if they can avoid the second season syndrome. They may have to alter their style of play slightly. Even Barcelona are considering changing their approach."
Fellow Squarefootball scribe and West Ham follower Mitch Waddon agrees.
"Most people thought we’d see Swansea go straight back down this season. I must now proudly and smugly proclaim that I believed Swansea would still be in the Premiership next season, yet even I couldn’t see them doing it with such flair and creative football. Congrats Swans!"
The Swans also get the blessing of Spurs fan Mike Richards. Although that would have nothing to do with the fact that Brendan Rodgers is being linked as a possible replacement for Harry Redknapp now would it?
"Team of the season for me has to be Swansea", he said. "The way they play is like Barcelona and a real pleasure to watch."
However Sunderland fan Tony Ratton believes the accolade has to go to the champions Manchester City.
"Roberto Mancini's men showed some bottle in the 'big' games. For example the two games against Manchester United and Newcastle. And their home record was exceptional."
Bolton fan Dave Blackburn believes there have been some worthy contenders for the accolade, but he too has to plump for the champions.
"If it was on the second part of the season alone it would be Wigan, but I think it has to be Man City for their flair and goals and the fact Manchester United have got competition. Newcastle would be up there as well."
In fact the Geordies have proved to be a big hit with our panel. Leeds United fan Phil Bundy believes Newcastle United thoroughly deserve the award.
"Newcastle have to be team of the season, who would have thought they would be competing for a Champions League berth at the start of the season after having only been back in the PL for a season before. Acute purchases and fantastic team spirit have led Alan Pardew’s team to be the surprise package of the season."
And West Brom fan Andy Wakeman totally agrees.
"Newcastle have massively exceeded expectations and played some great stuff. I saw them first hand at the Hawthorns where they were superb. I also have to mention Liverpool who I think have been the best side I have seen at the Hawthorns this season. They absolutely played us off the park. For whatever reason they have been unable to maintain that form over the season."
Even Manchester City fan Callum Rothwell and Chelsea's Joe Tyler have to praise Alan Pardew for his work on Tyneside.
"It has to be Newcastle," said Mr Tyler. "Like I said before, no-one would have put a bet on Newcastle finishing above Chelsea at the start of the season."
However, Squarefootball editor Antony Melvin is caught in two minds and the outcome of Saturday's Champions League final will ultimately sway his decision.
"It is a difficult choice between the champions and Chelsea. If Chelsea go on to win the Champions League then I can't see past them."
Personally I have to give it to the champions Manchester City. Many a side would have collapsed after going eight points behind with only weeks left to play. But the way Mancini kept them together and did a United on Manchester United is remarkable. They played the best football overall and the table never lies.
Swansea City and Norwich City performed miracles and Alan Pardew deserves every bit of praise coming his way at the moment, but City just shade it for me.
However, who was your team of the season? We'd love to hear from you.
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