Underrated Premier League XI

Mark Schwarzer - Fulham
After over a decade of consistent service to Middlesbrough, Roy Hodgson got one of the best free transfers of the summer in Mark Schwarzer. Excellent displays against Arsenal, Wigan and Liverpool have underlined just how good a signing he has become.

Michael Turner - Hull City
The new Michael Dawson? He's been solid so far this season and his fellow professionals have not been shy about it. A future England defender, but will it take a big money move to a more fashionable club for him to get noticed?

Ryan Taylor - Wigan
A young defender who only cost 3/4 of a million pounds to Wigan back in 2005, he's played 8 games this season and scored twice, a good return by any means, including a wicked free kick against Newcastle. Wigan have won their last 3 games and look to open 2009 with a bang.

Sylvain Distin - Portsmouth
Almost ever present so far this season alongside Sol Campbell, he's always been a hard worker, but was his last ditch tackle against Adebayor at the Emirates a "come and get me" plea to other clubs? Portsmouth are definitely up against it this year only 3 points above the relegation zone and sinking. It will need for him to remain at Fratton Park for Portsmouth to have a chance of staying up this year.

Tony Hibbert - Everton
A no nonsense defender, brought through the academy at Everton, having had last season disrupted by injury, he's played 8 times so far this season for the Toffees, showcasing the style of football he's been known for in past seasons. An old-school type, who's type of play is a breath of fresh air.

Mikel Arteta - Everton
A free kick specialist, who has to wonder what he needs to do to get a Spain call up. For the 2 million pounds that Everton paid for him from Real Sociedad, they got a hell of a deal.

Matthew Taylor - Bolton
Every game that Taylor has scored in so far this season, Bolton have won. After 6 years service to Portsmouth, Taylor is now coming up to 1 year playing for Gary Megsons unfashionable outfit, but boy is he doing it well.

Geovanni - Hull City
Discarded by Man City at the end of last season, he starter this one just as he did last. In recent weeks his goal tally may have dried up but he did way in with important contributions in the wins against Arsenal and Tottenham. He's the catalyst for the leagues surprise package so far this season.

Stephen Ireland - Man City
He's having a break out year after all the controversy that surrounded him last year. In the match against Hull on boxing day, Ireland weighed in with 3 assists and a goal, a tremendous effort and his best performance arguably in a City shirt.

Amr Zaki - Wigan
Unheard of before Steve Bruce signed him on loan from some obscure team in Africa, but 10 goals in 16 appearances have got the likes of Chelsea sniffing around during the transfer window. A superb brace against Liverpool at Anfield in October has been the highlight of his season so far.

Jason Roberts - Blackburn Rovers
Perhaps a surprise inclusion, only 4 goals so far this season but his contribution in a lagging team that is Blackburn Rovers will be very important over the coming months, for them to avoid relegation. He scored a great header against Man City that had everyone thinking they'd have 3 points only for defensive frailties to set in and City grab a draw.