Hello. This blog has company again. Freelance journalist James Appell has returned once more, this time to help Never Mind the Bolsheviks pick its Russian Premier League team of the season.
Enjoy/agree/dispute/slateâ¦
Goalkeeper
Andriy Dykan, Terek Grozny/Spartak Moskva
James: âÂÂDykan has made a phenomenal transformation from a journeyman in the twilight of his career at Terek to Spartak's number one and a Ukraine international - all in less than six months.âÂÂ
Right-back
Aleksandr Anyukov, Zenit St Petersburg
James: âÂÂThere's no one to touch Anyukov in the Russian league. He's the archetype of the modern full-back, as dangerous bombing forward as he is secure at the back."
Left-back
Georgi Schennikov, CSKA Moskva
NMTB: âÂÂLeft-back wasn't the easiest of positions to fill; there wasn't really a stand-out candidate. Renat Yanbaev has certainly improved at Lokomotiv Moskva this season, but weâÂÂve opted for Schennikov. The 19-year-old was young player of the year in 2009 and was almost ever-present in the CSKA defence this time round.âÂÂ
Centre-back
Nicolas Lombaerts, Zenit St Petersburg
NMTB: âÂÂDid a sterling job at the back for Zenit this season. He was a regular in Luciano SpallettiâÂÂs defence that only Rubin Kazan conceded less than in Russia. A former law student, Lombaerts speaks four languages and fans in his native Belgium have nicknamed him âÂÂMountainâÂÂ.âÂÂ
Centre-back
Sergei Ignashevich, CSKA Moskva
James: âÂÂThis is the 10th season in a row that 31-year-old Ignashevich has featured in the league's official team of the year, and deservedly so. Russia's best defender, and he has to be, with the dodgy Berezutsky twins alongside him.âÂÂ
Right midfield
Danny, Zenit St Petersburg
NMTB: âÂÂMy player of the season. After his long spell out injured Danny came back with a bang. He scored a superb solo effort on the opening day away to Krylya Sovetov Samara to announce his return and didnâÂÂt look back. Ten league goals and six assists is a great return.âÂÂ
Left midfield
Alan Kasaev, Rubin Kazan
James: âÂÂIn a league short of left-sided talent, Kasaev has distinguished himself on the flank since his switch to Rubin last season. Sports a cracking mullet too.âÂÂ
Centre midfield
Roman Shirokov, Zenit St Petersburg
James: âÂÂHas converted himself from a competent centre-half into a top-class holding midfield player this year, the bedrock of Zenit's title-winning side. The new Anatoliy Tymoshchuk?âÂÂ
Centre midfield
Olexandr Aliyev, Lokomotiv Moskva
NMTB: âÂÂAliev has been excellent in Russia since joining Lokomotiv from Dynamo Kyiv and especially in the earlier part of the season, his goals were crucial for Yuri SeminâÂÂs side. The Ukrainian international scored 14 times from midfield.âÂÂ
Centre forward
Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Zenit St Petersburg
James: âÂÂNever looked like getting near the team of the year until Zenit signed Aleksandr Bukharov in August. Since then, 17 goals in 18 matches in all competitions has made him indispensable.âÂÂ
Centre forward
Welliton, Spartak Moskva
NMTB: âÂÂOnce again, Welliton has had a fine season leading the line at Spartak. He scored successive hat-tricks in August and his form has sparked debate about whether the uncapped Brazilian should represent Russia. Dick Advocaat could probably do with a striker whoâÂÂs scored 19 goals in 25 league games this yearâ¦âÂÂ
Subs: Sergey Ryzhikov (Rubin Kazan), Viktor Vasin (Spartak Nalchik), Ibson (Spartak Moskva), Christian Noboa (Rubin Kazan), Vladimir Bystrov (Zenit St Petersburg), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moskva), Vágner Love (CSKA Moskva).
Manager
Luciano Spalletti, Zenit St Petersburg
NMTB: âÂÂIt might seem an easy choice, picking the manager of the champions, but Spalletti has done a super job in his first season at Zenit. He was able to implement his ideas quickly and got the team playing the way he wanted to from the off; Zenit were arguably the most consistent side in the Premier League this year.âÂÂ
Have we missed anyone out? Let us know, for goodnessâ sake.
James Appell is a freelance journalist and blogs regularly over at the Football Ramble and ITV.com. By his own admission, he is a sports-obsessive Russophile northerner with a soft spot for Spartak Moskva. Take a read of his blog, The Cynical Challenge; youâÂÂll probably really like it.
