In the wake of Ryan Giggs being crowned football of the year, we revisit our initial article on the subject – when Giggs was available at a juicy 8/1. We thought it would be a vote for sentiment rather than a true reflection of the season’s form; but deserved for his incredible record. Most now seem to agree with us…
16 February, 2009 @ 9:47 by Boomano
Soon, football writers across the UK will be polled for their player of the season (no ballot paper for us thus far but we live in hope). Nemanja Vidic is the outstanding candidate, and rightly favourite in the betting, but can a case be made for Ryan Giggs after a vintage season and incredible Premier League pedigree? There’s certainly an argument for it. The current betting is:
Nemanja Vidic (Man United) 5 – 4
C Ronaldo (Man Utd) 4 – 1
S Gerrard (Liverpool) 4 – 1
R Giggs (Man Utd) 8 – 1
Van Der Sar (Man Utd) 10 – 1
A Young (Aston Villa) 16 – 1
F Torres (Liverpool) 20 – 1
F Lampard (Chelsea) 20 – 1
W Rooney (Man Utd) 25 – 1
D Berbatov (Man Utd) 33 – 1
R Ferdinand (Man Utd) 33 – 1
G Barry (Aston Villa) 40 – 1
N Anelka (Chelsea) 40 – 1
J Terry (Chelsea) 50 – 1
R Van Persie (Arsenal) 50 – 1
Robinho (Man City) 66 – 1
S Ireland (Man City) 100 – 1
This seems to be just a generic list of big name Premier League players – who could seriously vote for Ronaldo, who has been severely under par, or Torres, who has missed half the season with injury, or Robinho, who has been completely uninterested in recent weeks and entirely uninterested away from Eastlands?
Nemanja Vidic is the outstanding candidate, with his monumental performances at centre back central to United’s record breaking defensive run. But defenders so rarely win the award. It is likely to be a United player, as the title winning side (as they look ever more increasingly likely to be) – again pointing to Vidic. Ronaldo has been out of sorts, Ferdinand the less impressive of the two centre backs (though still immense) Berbatov not quite firing, Tevez largely benched, Rooney injured… it’s surprising that Carrick is not in the voting at all.
The one that stands out is Ryan Giggs, fourth favourite at 8/1. Not his best season, but certainly a throwback after his more mediocre campaigns of recent years – one last season in the sun, a dominant performance against Chelsea to wrestle the initiative for United, the winning penalty in last year’s Champions League final, the only goal in the crucial recent victory against West Ham… it’ certainly been a year to remember for the Welshman.
It would be a vote for sentiment, a nod to achievement – but also one based on good performances – and as more weeks pass without an outstanding candidate, the more likely the veteran will win it through a combination of poignancy and admiration. If I was a football writer (hang on…) he would get my vote – not just for this season, but for the 17 years previously. Although Vidic would be a deserving winner it would be no means an outrage were he denied, and lacking anyone in that category, Giggs is in with a serious chance.
Do you think a vote or Giggs is a vote for sentiment? Or is he truly deserving? Or should Vidic not be denied just because of Giggs’ Premier League pedigree? Drop us an email or comment below with your views…
commenting usually isnt my thing, but ive spent an hour on the site, so thanks for the info
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