With 801 appearances for Manchester United under his belt (and counting) plus 10 Premier League titles, 2 UEFA Champions League medals, 4 FA Cups and an UEFA Cup (I’m leaving out some of the smaller titles) Ryan Giggs is a footballer apart who richly deserves many accolades and a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award. However, on the basis of 12 league starts and one goal (the stats have risen to 13/2 after the weekend) the Welsh Wizard was somewhat fortunate to be crowned PFA Player of the Year last weekend. In my mind, the likes of Vidic, Lampard and Gerrard were more deserving but I don’t have a vote! Equally, in the ‘Young Player’ category I would have ticked Stephen Ireland’s name on the ballot box in preference to Ashley Young.
Having set out my stall that Giggs should not be the Player of the Year, I would now like to justify his selection and pay tribute to him! The PFA award comes from the professional footballers themselves and this gives it credibility. Perhaps players were influenced by the Manchester United PR charm offensive and the concerted media effort back in January to crown Giggs but, nonetheless, players know what goes on during matches and they clearly value what Giggs has done over the past 12 months. Even if there was some sentimentality attached to the decision, so what? The second point I would like to make came to me yesterday afternoon as Leinster were destroying Munster in the Heineken Cup at Croke Park. The young Brian O’Driscoll was known for his dash, his cutting line breaks and his pace. Due to bulking up, regular injuries and getting older, O’Driscoll can no longer do on a rugby pitch what came so naturally to him 10 years ago. But he has not disappeared. Instead, O’Driscoll has accepted Father Time and adjusted his game accordingly and he now relies on other strengths – experience, anticipation and tackling. It takes a certain type of character to carry this off, a person who has natural talent, mental strength and a great intelligence. Ryan Giggs also possesses these characteristics. His re-invention and longevity surpasses even O’Driscoll. Giggs cannot gallop up the left wing in the thrilling fashion of old but, as a central midfielder, he offers quality, class and – that word again – intelligence. Maybe he’s not the true Player of the Year but can we really begrudge him the honour?
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The award has been justified in all sorts of ways, but ultimately it is wrong to have awarded it to Giggs. It devalues the whoile thing somewhat and is an insult to the true performers of the year.
Vidic, Gerrard, Lampard were easily the best performers this year. Looking beyond the top four I'd say the likes of Phil Jagielka, Danny Murphy and Stephen Ireland come ahead of Giggs in the pecking order.
Amazingly even the Football Writers had him a close second to Gerrard. Not sure where they found their sentimental sides from all of a sudden.
p.s. Utd have never won the UEFA cup, just the old Cup Winner's Cup in 1991.
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