The recipients of the annual PFA awards are always cause for great debate and argument amongst fans and the media alike. Club supporters always feel some of their players are most worthy, and the winner is never completely unanimous.
Last nights announcement that Ryan Giggs has won the Player of the year award, and Ashley Young has received the Young Player equivalent are both up for debate.
Ryan Giggs. There is no way that his greatness as a footballer and person over the last 17 Premiership seasons can ever be questioned. If this award was for Premiership player of the last 17 seasons, he would be the unanimous winner.
However its not. What is the point of a trophy which recognises the best player in the league over the course of a season, being given to someone who has been used as a bit part player at best? He has started only 12 premiership games and featured in just 24. In that time he has scored 1 goal. Surely those sorts of statistics suggest he might not have had the biggest impact.
There is serious argument to say he hasn’t even been Manchester United’s most influential player this season, let alone best in the whole league. Out of the six players nominated, 5 play for league leading United.
Last Years winner, Cristiano Ronaldo is once again Premiership top scorer. While not being as dominating as he was to gain the previous two awards, his 17 goals have been a massive contribution and more marked then Giggs. Even if at times he has left fans enraged at his lack of team ethic, he has still been pivotal in United’s attempts to win 5 trophies this season.
Manchester Uniteds run of games in the middle stretch of the season was a key reason for Edwin Van Der Sar’s nomination for the award. His record breaking run of not conceding a goal in 1,311 minutes, was well worthy of recognition. That contribution over a period where United’s rivals were stuttering has definitely helped United maintain their position at the top of the table. It also has put them in good stead for the run in, as they managed to create enough of a cushion to afford home defeats to rivals Liverpool and at Fulham.
Rio Ferdinand’s role in United’s success has often been overlooked. He has featured in only 24 games this season, the same as Giggs. But his role as captain of the side cannot be overlooked. He has been the leader of the team in their quest for league and European glory once again this season. Together with Nemanja Vidic, they have held United together. Their absence was particularly notable in the recent game against Aston Villa.
At one point this season, Nemanja Vidic was the media darling being given much of the credit for United’s great defensive record this season. In his 30 Premiership appearances this season, United have only conceded 17 goals. His claims to the PFA crown were somewhat diminished after his performance in United’s 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool where he was sent off and at fault for two Liverpool goals.
In that game, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard were responsible for leading the biggest upset of the season. Torres didn’t make the list, as he was considered to have not played enough games. Incidentally, he has scored 13 goals in 20 league appearances, 4 less then Giggs.
Steven Gerrard did make the list and could perhaps be the most aggrieved not to have won this seasons honour. He has carried the team throughout the season, in pushing United all the way in the title race this season.
His contribution of 13 goals and 7 assists don’t tell the whole story of what has been a fantastic season. He has rescued 7 points with decisive goals, and inspired them to victory with decisive goals at Old Trafford, St. James’ and the Reebok stadium. With Torres’ injury problems throughout the year, Gerrard has been the catalyst for numerous Liverpool performances over the season.
One of the main problems with the PFA system is the nominations are given out in February. It explains why the United players have dominated the nominations, with others such as Lampard, Torres and Everton’s Joleon Lescott having strong arguments for at least receiving nominations for their vital role in their sides this season.
The timing of the nominations also overlooks the most important part of the season in which the destination of trophies is decided. It counts out Torres' role in Liverpools surge up the table, Lampards key performances in Chelsea reverse in fortunes and Lescott' stewardship which has seen Everton reach the FA cup final.
It also explains why Ashley Young won the Young players award. Villa fans will tell you that up until February he was fantastic. The problem has been that Villa’s slump in form has coincided with him not scoring for 5 months prior to last Saturday, as well as a number of lethargic, ineffective displays from the undoubtedly talent winger.
Manchester City’s Stephen Ireland has a strong case for receiving the award, being a key performer for them over the entire season. He in long spells of the season has outshined £32 million Robinho, which in itself speaks volumes for the level of his performances.
Next year, perhaps the PFA will wait till the end of the season to decide the true recipients of the seasonal awards. Perhaps they could also consider giving the awards to someone who has had a massive part to play in the success’ of his side over the course of that season.
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