Who would make your Premiership team of the year?
The choices of the players themselves were announced at the PFA awards on Sunday night, and they make controversial reading.
The fact that the final deadline for votes was 17 March left the nominations looking somewhat dated as the season enters its final weeks.
On the day that Manchester United went five points clear at the top of the table, the PFA XI contained just one United player - Paul Scholes - and five from Arsenal.
Each individual position is also open to debate, none more so than up front.
Few will quibble with Thierry Henry's place, but if the voting were to take place now, Ruud van Nistelrooy would surely be taking the other berth alongside him, rather than Alan Shearer.
This is not to denigrate the Newcastle striker, who has once again led the line with distinction and complete commitment for Sir Bobby Robson.
But Van Nistelrooy, particularly in the last two months, has been the complete centre-forward.
PFA TEAM OF THE SEASON Brad Friedel (Blackburn) Stephen Carr (Spurs) Sol Campbell (Arsenal) William Gallas (Chelsea) Ashley Cole (Arsenal) Patrick Vieira (Arsenal) Paul Scholes (Man Utd) Kieron Dyer (Newcastle) Robert Pires (Arsenal) Thierry Henry (Arsenal) Alan Shearer (Newcastle) |
In the barest terms he has scored the goals which have carried United to within touching distance of the title.
But it is the way he has done it - holding the ball up better than any forward in Europe, dangerous from positions where other strikers seldom threaten - that has made such an impression.
Elsewhere in the side our alternatives may be somewhat less clear-cut, but you might still fancy our choices to give the PFA's selection a going-over in a one-off match between the two.
James Beattie gets the nod up front ahead of other contenders like Wayne Rooney on the basis that Beattie has consistently scored goals from August onwards, rather than in spectacular bursts.
Options on the right
David Beckham goes on the right hand side of midfield regardless of the speculation about his Old Trafford future, and would keep PFA choice Kieron Dyer out of most people's ideal XI.
Damien Duff's inclusion on the left is another easy choice, while in the middle Steven Gerrard sneaks in despite being below his best for the first five months of the season.
Jermaine Jenas takes the final place in recognition on the impact he has made at St James's Park, although the claims of Gianfranco Zola playing in a free role are persuasive indeed, and Scott Parker also comes close.
At the back it's relatively simple.
John O'Shea has to get a place in the side, and since it is at left-back that he has done most service for his club, it is there that he must play for us - although most would be just as happy to see him at centre-back.
Those berths instead go to Jonathan Woodgate and John Terry, who have come back from well-publicised off-the-field problems last year to push hard for England places.
Only on the right of defence do the options get tricky. West Ham's young Glen Johnson would make some lists, but we plump for Bolton's Bernard Mendy - who has admittedly been impressing in recent weeks as a winger, but can tackle back equally well.
And in goal? Paul Robinson, left exposed all season by the paucity of talent in front of him but continuing to learn and develop as a keeper of the highest quality.
MMIX
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Van Nistelrooy should definitely be in the PFA team