Monday, 27 April 09, 06:19 AM · Comments(2)
By Michael Sinnerton
Now I realise it's PFA Players' Player of the Year not PFA Bloggers' Player of the Year but its hard not to laugh when someone who has been chosen by his manager to start just a third of his sides league games wins. More influential players in Manchester United's (presumed) title triumph are Rio Ferdinand (24 starts), Nemanja Vidic (29 starts), Darren Fletcher (22 starts), Wayne Rooney (22 starts) and Cristiano Ronaldo (28 starts).
I don't want to vilify Ryan Giggs (12 starts), and someone of his stature will obviously not look out of place in the record books in 15 or 20 years time, but that's not the point of this award. I think Giggs' place in football history is more than assured already and rightly so. If football wants to have a system where all the best players have been honoured at some point it should look no further than Wisden's Cricketers of the Year. Five players are chosen each year, and you cannot be chosen more than once, the list therefore reads like a who's who of international and, in some cases, domestic cricket. I don't think that's neccesary though, particularly not for one of the most decorated footballers ever to grace our game.
Nemanja Vidic, one bad performance against perhaps the best striker in the world aside, has had a phenomenal season. Almost single-handedly holding the United back four together when it went through that record-breaking run without conceding. Whilst Evra and Ferdinand missed much of the run through injury, Vidic was outstanding, marshalling Jonny Evans superbly. United's defence is the reason they will win the league this year and that rather than a handful of good performances by a veteran should be rewarded.
I struggle to remember Giggs' last real contribution of note, I doubt it has been in the last two months ("the business end of the season").
Congratulations to Ashley Young for picking up the Young Player of the Year, I probably would have gone with Stephen Ireland who has been excellent in a mediocre Manchester City side. Young has tailed off somewhat form wise but is still one of the best wide men in the division.....in fact he has as many assists and five more league goals than......Ryan Giggs.
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2 Comments · Add yours
They just need a "for services to the game" award or "lifetime contribution" or something similar. I would think Giggs has never been their best player in a season but their most consistent over 17 years, which is some feat.
Reply to BaselGooner:
Exactly, whilst I'm not sure we need a "lifetime contribution" award, that's exactly the kind of recognition Giggs deserves. His consistently is wonderful and he has been part of every "great" Manchester United team under Ferguson and his medals show a wonderful career far more than this award. Ask Shearer if he'd swap.