Goalkeeper: Robert Green (West Ham)One of the individual performances of the season from any player in any position came from Robert Green against Arsenal in September and the former Norwich stopper is undoubtedly one of the main reasons why the Hammers are mid-table despite a catalogue of injuries - if only for the three (yes, three) penalties he's saved.
Right-back: Glen Johnson (Portsmouth)We admit we've been happy to take a few pot-shots at Johnson in the past, but this season for Pompey he has been nothing less than excellent, making it inevitable that Lauren will be shipped out of the club in January. Defensively sound but also dangerous going forward - his goal against Wigan was an absolute beauty. We'll even forget the toilet-stealing if he carries on like this.
Centre-half: Martin Laursen (Aston Villa)Let's face it, you have to be good when Zat Knight is your defensive partner. Laursen's heading of the ball has been exemplary at both ends of the pitch, chipping in three goals to add to some towering defensive displays. The way he dealt with Didier Drogba at Villa Park should serve as a lesson to all top-flight centre-halves.
Centre-half: Sylvain Distin (Portsmouth)Pompey have conceded only three goals in their last nine Premier League games and massive credit must go to the Frenchman, who has that rare talent for making defending look ridiculously easy in the way that Rio Ferdinand can at his very best. Has formed a fantastic partnership with the evergreen Sol Campbell.
Left-back: Joleon Lescott (Everton)It was a toss-up whether to include Joseph Yobo or Lescott for their outstanding form, but Lescott gets the nod on the basis of his versatility. Forget the England debacle - Lescott has been brilliant for Everton this season and we at F365 would like to see him alongside Ferdinand at the centre of the England defence. Not that we have anything against John Terry, of course...
Right Midfield: David Bentley (Blackburn)Blackburn's reigning Player of the Year has kept up that form this time around - and has already matched his Premier League goals total for the season, showing an eye for a set-piece reminiscent of another DB. Also gets extra points for showing remarkable intelligence (for a footballer) in working out that the general public are rather less keen on footballers than they would like to generally believe.
Central Midfield: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa)We know it's no longer fashionable to like Barry, but you cannot argue with the consistency of the man. Outside the Big Four he is undoubtedly the most complete central midfielder - the glue that holds the Villa team together, the player who is just as likely to be providing a raking pass for Gaby Agbonlahor as making a last-ditch tackle to help out Zat Knight.
Central Midfield: Elano (Man City) Hamann subbed outElano joined Manchester City in the summer from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk for a fee of £8 million. He has made an immediate impact at the City of Manchester stadium, quickly becoming a fan favourite. His link up play with the City midfield and attack has been splendid and is definitely a candidate for player of the season so far.
Left Midfield: Martin Petrov (Man City)More left-footed than Elton John, but he petrifies the life out of right-backs up and down the country. From the opening day against Jonathan Spector to poor Nicky Hunt on Saturday, they are all left in tangles by the Bulgarian who has scored four goals and made five in the Premier league this season. If they had a half-decent striker they'd be in the top four...Oh. Should Liverpool be worried yet?
Striker: Gaby Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)As tempting as it was to include Robbie Keane for scoring a load of goals in a poor side, I have to pay tribute to the Villa striker who must be amongst the quickest in the country. Having seen him live at Middlesbrough - when he made Jonathan Woodgate look cumbersome - the idea that he should not be included in an England squad frighteningly low on pace is ridiculous.
Striker: Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn)After the outrageous success of Benni McCarthy last season, Mark Hughes has pulled another one out of the hat in the Paraguayan. The last player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League and still end up on the losing side was Dwight Yorke, and the two players have another thing in common - the sheer joy of playing football which in turn is a joy to watch. Seven goals and five assists in the league this season for Santa Cruz. Now that's what you call a bargain.
