Most Improved Players

[dww]

Following on from Shaggy's thread about teams of the year. I think I will enforce a rule of no new comers to the PL as including them rather clouds the issue.

My shortlist:

Ashley Young: Turned his obvious promise into a decent goals return and the most assists in the league.
Wes Brown: I know he started at a low base but has been solid all season for United. If he improves at the same rate next year they will not be worried about the loss of Neville any more.
Glen Johnson: Again no signs of being a world beater but far less prone to comical errors and has kept decent attacking attributes for a fullback.
Stewart Downing: Rather quietly added goals to his game. Still not a world beater but a solid player who probably will now never get the respect he deserves due to early exposure as a hope for Englands left hand side which he disappointed.

I was very tempted to include Rooney who I think has become far more intelligent this year but he lost out on the basis of it being a smaller percentage increase in ability in my eyes.

[Shaggy]

David Wheater - granted I never saw him play last season but he was on loan at Darlington. Enough said. Or is he a newcomer to the Prem?

Joleon Lescott.

However the outright award simply has to go to Emmanuel Adebayor. A complete transformation.

[dww]

David Wheater - granted I never saw him play last season but he was on loan at Darlington. Enough said. Or is he a newcomer to the Prem?

Joleon Lescott.

However the outright award simply has to go to Emmanuel Adebayor. A complete transformation.

Wheater counts and I should have thought of him. He has been at Middleborough on odd occasions in the past so he is perfectly eligible. He used to look like he always lacked confidence I imagine the loan did him the world of good.

[Rich]

Cristiano Ronaldo

He knew he was good, we kinda knew he was going to be good, but the whole of this season and about the last 4 months of last season he's been on another planet in the league. He'll win the league for United this season, say-no-more.

Cesc Fabregas

Similarly to Ronaldo, he'd been earmarked for greatness years ago, but this season is where he finally stepped up to the plate (and out of Henry's shadow.) Sublime player, capable of scoring 15+ goals a season from central midfield, and just as importantly starting attacks and contributing assists. An obvious choice but merited IMO.

Joleon Lescott

Big, strong, pacey and an eye for a goal (or two) now recognised by England. He might never be quite top, top class, but he's an excellent premiership defender.

[Joe King]

Mathieu Flamini

A peripheral member to the title chasing Arsenal side. He was shafted to left back a few times in the last couple of seasons but waited his chance and displaced the once excellent Gilberto in that holding role. The Frenchman runs the most in the Premiership, an average of 13km per match. Absolutely staggering.

[dww]

Mathieu Flamini

A peripheral member to the title chasing Arsenal side. He was shafted to left back a few times in the last couple of seasons but waited his chance and displaced the once excellent Gilberto in that holding role. The Frenchman runs the most in the Premiership, an average of 13km per match. Absolutely staggering.

Actually bollocks - I have been raving about him all season and his improvement. I'm rubbish at these sort of lists early in the morning. I'm going to recompile one later using all the suggestions from this thread.

[Joe King]

Actually bollocks - I have been raving about him all season and his improvement. I'm rubbish at these sort of lists early in the morning. I'm going to recompile one later using all the suggestions from this thread.

Bollocks

Gael Clichy

Coming from the shadows of Ashley Cole, the Frenchman has now become one of the most consistant left backs in the Premiership. He always had that physical ability but his technical side was questioned however this season he seems to have improved on his final product.

[Lee]

Bollocks

Gael Clichy

Coming from the shadows of Ashley Cole, the Frenchman has now become one of the most consistant left backs in the Premiership. He always had that physical ability but his technical side was questioned however this season he seems to have improved on his final product.

You sound like a sports writer! Where have you copy & pasted that from?

[Joe King]

You sound like a sports writer! Where have you copy & pasted that from?

Its my university English.

[Bob]

If you were to do one including newcomers Hutton would win it hands down. Seen glimpses of the Scotland game against Croatia and he was superb at times.

A total transformation in one and a bit seasons.

Without it Ronaldo/Adebayor would get it for me.

[Rich]

Martin Laursen perhaps.

[Tee]

Richard Dunne.

[Joe King]

Richard Dunne.

Your post doesn't count as there is no description next to it.

[Tee]

Your post doesn't count as there is no description next to it.

He has improved. Alot.

Happy now?

What you having for lunch today?

[Joe King]

He has improved. Alot.

Happy now?

What you having for lunch today?

A Mexican-style chicken wrap. What about you?