Who are the unsung Premier League heroes?

Branislav Ivanovic has become a terrific player for Chelsea

Alex Johnson looks at some of the players who don't get the credit they deserve in the Premier League.

The big Premier League superstars are well-known around the world, but some lesser names are just important to their clubs.

Take Southampton for example, a host of top players departed the scene over the summer, but the Saints have barely missed them and have in fact kicked on to an even higher level.

Coach Ronald Koeman has a lot to thank Jose Fonte and Morgan Schneiderlin for, with the former helping gel together an otherwise all-new back four which conceded a mere six goals in their first 12 league games.

And midfield shield Schneiderlin was equally as important, having knuckled down superbly after seeing a summer move rejected by the Saints - these are the sorts of players that managers dream of and depend on.

Schneiderlin's importance may be seen quite starkly in the coming weeks, as he is set to miss a tough run of fixtures due to a hip injury, with Southampton likely to be pushed to the limit.

League leaders Chelsea may be blessed with a plethora of big names and star attractions, but behind the limelight Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic is another of those players that all managers want in their dressing room.

Fiercely committed to the cause, versatile and very rarely injured, Ivanovic is without doubt one of the best defenders in England, but he is not the first name on the marketing man's list.

The same could be said for Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, who has been a steadying influence at Old Trafford for more than eight years and his absence in the opening weeks of the season was as big a blow as any that Louis van Gaal has had to face.

Carrick started out at West ham and another Irons midfielder is another of those players whose name is first on the teamsheet - Mark Noble.

Still only 27, Noble has racked up more than 250 league appearances for the Hammers and is now the all-time appearance record holder for the club in the Premier League on 205 - that is the mark of an unsung hero, with Noble yet to secure a senior England cap.

Heading to South Wales, Swansea have attracted plenty of praise for their fluent passing game and attacking flair, but just as important is the rock-solid presence of Ashley Williams at the heart of defence.

Signed for a mere 400,000 from Stockport County in 2008, Wales international Williams is closing in on 300 appearances for the Swans, representing outstanding value in a market place full of inflated fees.

An even bigger bargain can be found at Goodison Park, where midfielder Leon Osman came through the ranks, spent time out on loan and emerged as a dependable and versatile part of Everton's plans.

Rarely does he hit the headlines, but 46 goals in 360 Premier League appearances is a record which few can match and ensures that Osman is appreciated all across the Blue half of Merseyside.

The role of unsung hero is ideally suited to a solid midfielder, hence the previous mentions of Schneiderlin, Carrick, Noble and Osman, and Crystal Palace skipper Mile Jedinak is another cut from the same cloth.

The Australian has sprung to prominence with five goals in his last eight games, but he is usually happy to skulk in the shadows, doing the donkey work in the Eagles' engine room.

Jedinak is the epitome of the unsung hero - a leader, someone who can inspire and drive his team-mates on, and someone happy to step up and take the responsibility from the penalty spot when needed.

If Palace survive in the Premier League this season, you can be sure that Jedinak will have played a big part and in the process, possibly losing his status as an unsung hero along the way.