So there you have it. According to the votes of his peers, Ryan Giggs, who has started a massive 12 games this season has been voted the Player of the Year in the English Premiership.
There are a number of things I have to take umbrage with here:
First of all, why cast the votes for player of the season whilst the season is still going on? Granted there isn’t much of it left, but what’s to say a player who was there or thereabouts for the award won’t cover himself in glory in the remaining games? Who’s to say Fernando Torres won’t shoot Liverpool to the Premiership title? Who’s to say Nemanja Vidic or Rio Ferdinand won’t put in huge performances to keep Liverpool at bay and keep the title with United? Who’s to say Frank Lampard won’t inspire Chelsea at home and abroad to more trophies? These are just a couple of names off the top of my head that could have come through with a late charge for the award, were the voting to be done later on.
Secondly, has Giggs actually been that effective when he’s played this season?
Sky Sports have inevitably conjured up a series of clips that lead you to believe Giggs has produced moments of brilliance like the goal against West Ham on a game-by-game basis. The reality is that the majority of the time he’s used (and he is used sparingly these days) he is solid, but unspectacular. He has become a safe pair of hands to tie up the left side of the pitch, a steadying influence when playing through the middle. He is a trusted friend for Sir Alex Ferguson to rely on, but a far cry from the game winning and inspirational talent of his youth.
Don’t get me wrong – Giggs has been a tremendous player throughout his career. The trophies he has won in his time at Old Trafford are staggering. Most players would be overjoyed at winning half of what Giggs has won. Most players can only dream of having the sort of impact on games that Giggs has regularly had since bursting on the scene as an exciting 17-Year-Old. You also have to mention, in this age of bile spitting, jewel encrusted nonsense that most footballers regularly subject us to, Giggs seems to be a quiet, decent, honest and professional man. You rarely hear anything non-football related about Ryan Giggs, save the odd mention of his role as a UNICEF ambassador. However, none of this qualifies him to win the Player of the Year award.
Personally, I would like to see more players lower down the league recognised. What about Phil Jagielka of Everton? He has been so impressive that he has drawn admiring glances from Fabio Capello. What about Shay Given? He week in week out keeps a startling number of shots out regardless of which circus of a back four Newcastle and Man City decide to “protect” him with. Martin Laursen of Villa? Gareth Barry of Villa? Emmanuel Pogatetz of Middles…. OK, well, you get the idea anyway.
I feel that the Player of the Year needs to be someone who regularly inspires his teammates. A player who is capable of taking a game out of reach of the opponents. A player who will almost single-handedly drag his team over the finishing line. A player who when the team is announced you notice his absence more than any other. Every team has one, and I won’t waste your time by listing them, but I wouldn’t say Giggs has fulfilled that role this season for United.
In truth, the award has been presented to him out of sentiment. There are mumblings that this season will be his last, and maybe the rest of his fellow professionals have seized on this and voted for Giggs to give him the tribute they feel he deserves. Maybe, just maybe, there is a shred of decency in some of the players that grace the Premiership. It is nice to think that they voted to him to recognise his contribution to United over more than a decade. However, for someone so well respected, would it not have made sense to create a lifetime achievement award, and give the PFA award to someone who has truly been the “player of the season”?
Sentiment is all well and good, but it does not mean you deserve this particular accolade.
