James I think that your majorly confused Darren Fletcher is not an underated player he is credited alot with uniteds success. In England everyone knows he’s vital to uniteds success as he has been impressive in the last 2/3 years now. In England they give him rave reviews whilst your trying to inform people over here that’s he’s an underated player.I’m sorry but your wrong I can say this as I reside on both countries.
Sanj, I understand Fletcher is respected in football circles, but there is just no doubt that he is under-appreciated on a global basis. This has been his breakthrough campaign, so he is not in the mainstream concience yet, but he will be.
Agree fully with James. Fletcher does not get ANY of the public / mainstream credit that he deserves. Name me the top midfielders in England, and, after Gerrard, Lampard, Essien, and Fabregas, most people would consider Fletcher, Carrick, Barry, Fallaini, etc for the 5th spot, which is ludicrous. Fletcher has been in better form this season than Essien and Gerrard for sure. And has been top 5 midfielder for the past couple of years. Yet no credit from the public. He was the only United player who distinguished himself in the 2nd leg of the Champions League loss to AC in 2007, and has pretty much gone from strength to strength ever since.
The goal seems under represented. Sometimes, if it weren’t for those fellas some of these teams would be worse off. Schwarzer and West Ham’s minders keep the goal against levels down. Sure they’re not the best, but the differentials speak volumes for the keeper. Could just be me though.
I agree with the list for the most part. However, I do not agree with De Jong, I think he gets more credit than you think. The one player who I would put on that list instead of De Jong, though he is currently not playing due to injury, would be Phil Jagielka of Everton. He is never mentioned when talking about Everton, even though, when playing, he is praised constantly by David Moyes. But, that is just my opinion, Overall, great list.
Benayoun would be a good call. It’s a bit easy to fill the list with defensive players because they’re never going to get the amount of praise. A few that stand out to me: Tim Cahill (can I nominate most of the Everton team?), Sebastian Larrson, Tom Huddlestone, and I still think Shay Given does not get the regard he deserves.
I don’t mean to say easy as in it’s a poor list. Definitely an enjoyable piece.
I’ll throw James Milner in there as well. I know KJ obviously talks him up but in the greater conscious I’m not sure people know just how good he is. He should be a lock for England for his versatility if nothing else.
Good names mentioned lads, here’s some thoughts:
Jagielka – I’m a huge fan of his, but he’s been out for almost a year.
Parker – he was on my prelim, but I think he’s well known enough, and already made a big move to Chelsea based on his rep.
Benayoun – great call, tough to leave him off.
Cahill – big rep already, albeit not on ‘big 4.’
Milner – his emergence on all fronts is just beginning, gonna be a stud!
I hear you with Jagielka being out, hard to put him on the list with him having been injured for so long and not playing. The other ones I really agree with is Tim Cahill. I am a huge fan and he is by far my favourite player, because of his ability to head the ball. Also caocao, Benayoun was a good mention. Totally agree.
I would agree with the list for the most part, but would probably add J.S. PARK in there somewhere. He is definitely one of the top “12th men” in the league. Always gets put into the big games for United.
I’m as big a Danny Murphy fan as there is, but I think he’s well respected, we know what he is at this point in his career. Warnock’s a good call, but he’s really broken through this season (with all due respect to his Bburn career,) let’s give him some time to keep it up.
Good list and its clear you did your research. I really liked the Palacios call as an Arsenal fan. Three players I feel should definatley be on the list:
Diamanti – the best player on West Ham and constantly performs, even against the big teams. He is a good crosser, excellent at set pieces and is a fiery type of guy who gives it his all.
Cattermole or Cana – Sunderland was one of the best teams at the beginning of the year when these two played together. They have great respect for each other and good team chemistry. After Cattermole got injured, Sunderland’s form dipped.
Christian BenÃtez – not a goal scorer, but his play speaks for itself
I think Cameron Jerome is definitely an underrated player; he always turns up to play and has great touch for a big man…he’ll definitely get a mention for England’s 2014 WC squad, possibly even Euro 2012?
I think the whole Man United team is underappreciated. I am very anti Man United, but I cannot ignore the fact that these players with limited skill (Valencia-Evans-Carrrick- Fletcher-etc) do their job, don’t try anything extra ordinary, and find the skilled player on the pitch (Rooney-RVP) to make get results. This is the difference between Man United and the other teams in this league. Guys like Zabeleta are given that honus of providing magic, when they shouldn’t even be part og the creative attacking process.
Good list. I wanna try and find a player to fit in there but cant. Cheers.
so sick i called fletcher right away, sure enough he’s #1, hire me james!
James I think that your majorly confused Darren Fletcher is not an underated player he is credited alot with uniteds success. In England everyone knows he’s vital to uniteds success as he has been impressive in the last 2/3 years now. In England they give him rave reviews whilst your trying to inform people over here that’s he’s an underated player.I’m sorry but your wrong I can say this as I reside on both countries.
John O’Shea
Sanj, I understand Fletcher is respected in football circles, but there is just no doubt that he is under-appreciated on a global basis. This has been his breakthrough campaign, so he is not in the mainstream concience yet, but he will be.
Agree fully with James. Fletcher does not get ANY of the public / mainstream credit that he deserves. Name me the top midfielders in England, and, after Gerrard, Lampard, Essien, and Fabregas, most people would consider Fletcher, Carrick, Barry, Fallaini, etc for the 5th spot, which is ludicrous. Fletcher has been in better form this season than Essien and Gerrard for sure. And has been top 5 midfielder for the past couple of years. Yet no credit from the public. He was the only United player who distinguished himself in the 2nd leg of the Champions League loss to AC in 2007, and has pretty much gone from strength to strength ever since.
Brad Friedel would be a good shout, one of the main reasons why Villa have always been in with a shout for top 4 contention for the past 2-3 years.
Sanj, you’re daft (Note the use of you’re).
Great list, James. I couldn’t agree more about Kuyt, the man is a trooper.
The goal seems under represented. Sometimes, if it weren’t for those fellas some of these teams would be worse off. Schwarzer and West Ham’s minders keep the goal against levels down. Sure they’re not the best, but the differentials speak volumes for the keeper. Could just be me though.
Fair enough on a global basis I guess so
Hi footy guys! I’m watching LUIS SUAREZ at work, how good is SUAREZ of AJAX ,comparing him to KUN AGUERO of ATHLETICO MADRID.
Scott. Parker.
I agree with the list for the most part. However, I do not agree with De Jong, I think he gets more credit than you think. The one player who I would put on that list instead of De Jong, though he is currently not playing due to injury, would be Phil Jagielka of Everton. He is never mentioned when talking about Everton, even though, when playing, he is praised constantly by David Moyes. But, that is just my opinion, Overall, great list.
Good to see Hunt being mentioned with some big names. Davies has always impressed. I’m thinking that Benayoun could be up for the list too.
Benayoun would be a good call. It’s a bit easy to fill the list with defensive players because they’re never going to get the amount of praise. A few that stand out to me: Tim Cahill (can I nominate most of the Everton team?), Sebastian Larrson, Tom Huddlestone, and I still think Shay Given does not get the regard he deserves.
I don’t mean to say easy as in it’s a poor list. Definitely an enjoyable piece.
I’ll throw James Milner in there as well. I know KJ obviously talks him up but in the greater conscious I’m not sure people know just how good he is. He should be a lock for England for his versatility if nothing else.
Good names mentioned lads, here’s some thoughts:
Jagielka – I’m a huge fan of his, but he’s been out for almost a year.
Parker – he was on my prelim, but I think he’s well known enough, and already made a big move to Chelsea based on his rep.
Benayoun – great call, tough to leave him off.
Cahill – big rep already, albeit not on ‘big 4.’
Milner – his emergence on all fronts is just beginning, gonna be a stud!
I hear you with Jagielka being out, hard to put him on the list with him having been injured for so long and not playing. The other ones I really agree with is Tim Cahill. I am a huge fan and he is by far my favourite player, because of his ability to head the ball. Also caocao, Benayoun was a good mention. Totally agree.
I would agree with the list for the most part, but would probably add J.S. PARK in there somewhere. He is definitely one of the top “12th men” in the league. Always gets put into the big games for United.
Danny Murphy?? hello. Stephen Warnock is worth a mention too.
I’m as big a Danny Murphy fan as there is, but I think he’s well respected, we know what he is at this point in his career. Warnock’s a good call, but he’s really broken through this season (with all due respect to his Bburn career,) let’s give him some time to keep it up.
peter crouch
nice list, but Stephen Hunt a fullback?? really?
granted, I don’t watch Hull week in, week out but I usually see him playing in the mid.
Good list and its clear you did your research. I really liked the Palacios call as an Arsenal fan. Three players I feel should definatley be on the list:
Diamanti – the best player on West Ham and constantly performs, even against the big teams. He is a good crosser, excellent at set pieces and is a fiery type of guy who gives it his all.
Cattermole or Cana – Sunderland was one of the best teams at the beginning of the year when these two played together. They have great respect for each other and good team chemistry. After Cattermole got injured, Sunderland’s form dipped.
Christian BenÃtez – not a goal scorer, but his play speaks for itself
Just thinking, since you did an underrated players list, you should definitely do a top 10 overrated players list.
I think Cameron Jerome is definitely an underrated player; he always turns up to play and has great touch for a big man…he’ll definitely get a mention for England’s 2014 WC squad, possibly even Euro 2012?
I think the whole Man United team is underappreciated. I am very anti Man United, but I cannot ignore the fact that these players with limited skill (Valencia-Evans-Carrrick- Fletcher-etc) do their job, don’t try anything extra ordinary, and find the skilled player on the pitch (Rooney-RVP) to make get results. This is the difference between Man United and the other teams in this league. Guys like Zabeleta are given that honus of providing magic, when they shouldn’t even be part og the creative attacking process.