Now that Robbie Savage has waved goodbye to top flight football it's time for someone else to take on the mantle of most hated league player. Here are the contenders:

El-Hadji Diouf

A rank outsider given that most of his bad behaviour happened a few years ago but will life on Wearside drive him back to his old habits? Shipped out of Liverpool for spitting at a Celtic fan he then went to Bolton and targeted Arjan De Zeeuw who famously said "I'd rather he hit me in the face than spit me in the face."

Joey Barton

There surely won't be a ground in the country who lets bygones be bygones with this lovely chap. As well as recently spending some time at her majesty's pleasure he has also destroyed ex team mate Ousmane Dabo's face and stuck a lit cigar in a former Man City youth player's eye. Thug

Lee Bowyer

Another rank outsider like Diouf given that he's out of the spotlight now for being rubbish at West Ham. Who can forget his time at Leeds though when he battered an Asian man outside Majestyk nightclub in Leeds as well as receiving a six match ban for stamping on a Malaga player's head.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Undoubtedly a quality player but his demeanour on and off the pitch make him a less than likeable fella. Jealousy may play a part in some quarters but you can't escape the arrogance that exudes from the leather skinned Portuguese international. His summer antics only served to highlight what a prat he can be.

Craig Bellamy

Arrogant nark whose on the pitch moaning and snarling leaves him short of admirers. Famous for a bust up with Alan Shearer as well as taking a golf club to John Arne Riise's leg before a vital Champions League game.

Ashley Cole

From one of the most highly regarded players in the country to the most highly despised in one fell swoop. Got greedy at Arsenal and manufactured his move to Chelsea, brought out a horribly ill advised and snide book called My Defence, and also turned his back to a referee like a spoilt brat last season.