Dimitri Payet, Jamie Vardy, Chris Smalling - Soccer Saturday pundits' Premier League picks so far

Best forward? Best goal? Best game? With 10 games of the Premier League season down, we asked the Soccer Saturday pundits to pick their top 10 highlights of the campaign so far...

Best goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Charlie Nicholas)

Image: Petr Cech has played every minute in the league for Arsenal

My first instinct would be Cech and I have to stick with that. He saved Arsenal two points last weekend, kept them in the Champions League a few days before that and is the reason why they have the joint best defensive record in the league.

Pundits predict...

Find out what the pundits are predicting this weekend in their Sky Bet tips here.

Best defender: Chris Smalling (Matt Le Tissier)

Image: Thierry Henry believes that Chris Smalling has beceome a leader for Manchester United

It has to be Smalling, with they way he has come on leaps and bounds this season. He's barely put a foot wrong for Manchester United, which is why they've got the joint best defensive record this season.

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Best midfielder so far this season: Dimitri Payet (Paul Merson)

Payet has been outstanding. The lad is top drawer and there will be a lot of managers around the country wondering how they missed him. I wouldn't say he's carried West Ham because they're a good team with good players, but he's just brought that added touch of class and guile. He has been absolutely outstanding.

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Best forward: Jamie Vardy (Phil Thompson)

Image: Jamie Vardy has scored in seven successive Premier League games

You couldn't look past Jamie Vardy, especially when you consider where he comes from. Millions and millions have been spent in the Premier League and yet Vardy stands above them all. He works so hard and is reaping the rewards.

Best manager: Slaven Bilic (Charlie Nicholas)

Image: Slaven Bilic has overseen victories over Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea

Looks like he's had a night out when he turns up at grounds but he's got a clear direction of what he wants from his side. He's got awareness, style and uses his options. He's been brilliant.

Charlie predicts...

After recently landing 70/1 and 14/1 accas, find out what Charlie is predicting this week here.

Best impact: Dimitri Payet (Matt Le Tissier)

Image: Dimitri Payet has scored five times already this season

His all-round game has been superb and he's a massive reason why West Ham are doing so well. His work rate is extremely high and passing is fantastic, there's not really a weakness in his game.

Best goal so far this season: Carles Gil v Leicester (Paul Merson)

I'm not a fan of long-range strikes, I prefer chips over the 'keeper and bending shots into the far corner. That's why I have to pick Carles Gil's strike for Aston Villa against Leicester, it was a great strike which started outside the post before beating the 'keeper.

Game of the season: Arsenal 3-0 Man Utd (Charlie Nicholas)

Image: Arsenal romped to a 3-0 win over Manchester United

It was obviously my favourite on a personal level but I'm sticking with it. It wasn't just the fact that it was a big scalp but also the style and how they played and even the neutral must have appreciated how good Arsenal were. Arsenal, when they press like everyone is raving about Liverpool doing, have the quality to take advantage when they win the ball in dangerous areas.

Best moment: West Ham's 2-1 win at Man City (Phil Thompson)

That is just picking out the best of their string of fantastic wins, also winning at Arsenal and Liverpool and then also beating Chelsea. To do what they've done is absolutely astonishing, beating the sides they've beat, predominantly in their own back yards. A special mention also has to go to Slaven Bilic for the job he's done.

Biggest disappointment so far this season: Chelsea (Paul Merson)

Image: Chelsea have suffered four defeats in six in all competitions

To lose the amount of games they've lost already is staggering. Biggest disappointment so far has to be Chelsea. Let's not forget, they won the title last season.

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