The 2011/12 Premier League season will go down as one of its finest, with great games, goals, sackings and spats ensuring there's never been a dull moment. Our Football Desk never agrees at the best of times and it's no different here, as we choose our unsung heroes of the season.
Thursday 17 May 2012 08:49, UK
Our Football Desk select their unsung heroes of the season for 2011/12 and invite you to pick your own.
Joleon Lescott, Manchester City: Manchester City boast the Premier League's meanest defence and, while Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart get the credit, the stats speak for themself. City's win percentage drops from 81% to just 43% when Lescott is absent. As Hart says of his team-mate: "Sometimes it frustrates me, not because I don't want people to get praise. But it is frustrating that people don't see the hard work that others do." AB Grant Holt, Norwich City: Silenced his doubters in League One, then in the Championship and now in the Premier League. It may have taken him until the age of 31 to see his talents recognised, but there was talk that his 17 goals this season made him deserving of a place in England's squad for Euro 2012. CB Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester City: Before anyone accuses me of getting misty-eyed, I made this selection before the Argentine's goal on a remarkable final day of the season. With Micah Richards clearly not trusted, Zabaleta played almost all of his club's important games on the way to the title. The full-back is a consummate professional, defends immaculately and is also capable of getting forward. PF Clint Dempsey, Fulham: The American has been Fulham's stand-out performer this season netting 23 goals in all competitions and 17 in the Premier League. The fact he often plays as a midfielder or behind a striker makes his goalscoring record all the more impressive. Dempsey's form is sure to see him attract major interest this summer. PO'R Alex Song, Arsenal: Captain Robin van Persie has, deservedly, hogged the headlines for the Gunners this season but Song's contribution should not go unnoticed. The Cameroonian has developed a fluid passing game with Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky in midfield, while also combining effectively with Van Persie up front, providing 10 Premier League assists. RG Michel Vorm, Swansea: The Dutch keeper has proved a steal following his £1.5million move from FC Utrecht in the summer. Swansea have proved one of the season's surprise packages and while their passing game has attracted plenty of praise, it is Vorm's displays behind his defence that have given the Swans a fine platform. His saves to shots percentage of 74% proved the best in the Premier League during a testing first season in the top flight. CH Posted by Adam Bate, Chris Burton, Pete Fraser, Peter O'Rourke, Rachel Griffiths & Chris Harvey
