The Premier League is one of the greatest leagues in the world, with fans flocking from far and wide into the Transfer Tavern to watch the live games at the weekend.
We see punters from every corner of the country through our doors here at the Transfer Tavern and there is a real sense of community in the bar.
Whilst many players in the top flight are thrown in our faces every day in the way of back pages, websites and other digital outlets, there are also several other players plying their trade in the top flight, desperate for some form of recognition.
This upset our resident football nerd Lee Clarke and he gathered his thoughts here in the Transfer Tavern to bring us a team full of stars, who deserve more recognition for their efforts this season.
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE UNDERRATED PL XI!
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GK – Heurelho Gomes
The stopper endured a torrid time some years ago during a spell with Tottenham Hotspur but his performances for Watford this season have been a joy to behold.
Previously known for his eccentric, haphazard repertoire of goalkeeping, Gomes has worked on his game and returned to English football with the Hornets, where he led them to promotion last season.
His performances this season have been consistent and composed, with the Hornets establishing themselves back in the Premier League during their maiden campaign back in the top flight.
RB – Adam Smith
Bournemouth have been one of the success stories of the Premier League during the 2015/16 campaign, having won promotion to the Premier League for the first time last season.
With seven games left to play in the league, Bournemouth have a 12 point gap between themselves and the bottom three and with many fancying them for an instant return to the Championship, boss Eddie Howe deserves a lot of credit.
One man has slipped under the radar for the Cherries and that is right-back Smith, who has really kicked on this season.
The ex-Spurs youngster had his doubters as to whether he could perform in the Premier League but he has proved them all wrong this season.
CB – Wes Morgan
The strapping central defender has been one of the unsung heroes of Leicester City’s rise to the summit of the Premier League.
‘Big Wes’ has been a model of consistency at the heart of the Foxes’ defensive unit and his quality has shone through at the back.
The ex-Nottingham Forest defender has built up a fine partnership with former Chelsea defender Robert Huth, with their performances offering strength in abundance.
It really would be something special should Morgan be the one to lift the Premier League trophy aloft come the end of the season, but it would be thoroughly deserved for this central defender.
CB – Scott Dann
The Crystal Palace skipper has been touted by some sections of South London for an England call-up during the current campaign, and given his efforts for the Eagles this campaign, it is easy to see why.
At 29-years-old, some may say that the international ship has sailed but if he keeps up his current performances then Roy Hodgson’s hand might be turned.
The Eagles have struggled since the turn of the year but Dann’s performances have remains consistent, making him an important player for Alan Pardew’s men.
LB – Aaron Cresswell
The West Ham United left-back has been a mainstay in the Hammers’ team since his arrival from Ipswich Town in 2014, making 67 appearances for the club.
Cresswell was playing for lowly Tranmere Rovers just five years ago but he is now showing what a quality Premier League player he is.
The 26-year-old is a future England player in the making and it looks to be only a matter of time before the call comes for him to join up with the national squad.
RM – Michail Antonio
Eyebrows were raised in the summer when the Hammers parted with £7.5 million to secure the services of Nottingham Forest winger Antonio.
The Reds had paid just £1.5 million for the player the year previous and many were unsure whether he was cut out for Premier League football.
After struggling to break into the side early in the season an injury to Victor Moses offered him an opportunity to show the Hammers faithful what he is all about.
Six goals in 17 appearances later and very few are now questioning whether the speed merchant is cut out for Premier League football.
CM – Andrew Surman
The ex-Norwich City midfielder has stood up to the mark this season as the Cherries have embarked on their maiden season in the top flight.
An assured performer on the ball, Surman has been the heartbeat of the Cherries’ midfield and their success this season has been largely down to the 29-year-old.
A former England Under-21 international Surman has made the step up to Premier League football with ease, and it is somewhat surprising that bigger clubs haven’t taken much notice of him.
CM – Gareth Barry
Everton have struggled when it comes to keeping clean sheets this season but Barry has rolled back the years in the middle of the park for the Toffees, during the current campaign.
The Blues have a semi-final to look forward to at Wembley later on in the season and it is well earned in Barry’s sense after a decent season.
With Everton boasting players such as Romelu Lukaku, John Stones and Ross Barkley, little tends to get made of the other players, but Barry has been a really steady influence for the Toffees during 2015/16.
LM – Marko Arnautovic
The Stoke City player is experiencing his best form in front of goal for several years at the Britannia Stadium, and the 11 strikes he has so far this season make it his best return for eight years.
If he goes onto get three more it will be his best return ever from a single season, and considering he has played out wide on occasions this season it is pretty impressive.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes has needed to manage the Austrian carefully as he has been known to go off the rails somewhat in the past, but he looks as though he is really enjoying life at the Potters at present.
ST – Troy Deeney
Whilst much is made of Jamie Vardy’s rise from non-league football to Premier League stardom, let us not forget that Watford striker Deeney was playing for Chelmsley Town just ten years ago too.
The powerful striker is now the Hornets’ captain and has adapted superbly well to life in the top flight this season, keeping up his impressive partnership with Odion Ighalo.
He has amassed 10 goals during his maiden season in the top flight but it is the other aspects to Deeney’s game which must be deemed most impressive, with leadership and his ability to bring others into play integral pieces of his game.
ST – Jermain Defoe
Without the goals of the ex-Tottenham Hotspur man Sunderland would have been relegated weeks ago.
When Defoe is on form there are few to rival him in front of goal and in scoring 14 times this season, he has given the Black Cats real hope that they can haul themselves away from the relegation zone.
Many still believe that Defoe could still do a job for England and if we are judging a striker purely on instinctive finishing, then few would back against the pint-sized striker.
