Ryan Giggs - Player of the Year?

Tom84 · 15 Feb 2009 at 23:41

I thought I'd start this thread here rather than over at the obviously biased RedCafe but I've heard this shout from a couple of well placed pundits on the box so could it be a real possibility?

Obviously the player of the year is usually based on form over that season and should Giggs win it this year it would be more of a sentimental award albeit although used sparingly this season Giggs is still turning out Man of the Match performances like today against Derby and to a better extent against Chelsea a couple of weeks ago

There is also an argument that apart from Vidic there's not really been anyone that has really took the league by storm like Ronaldo did last year or the likes of Henry has in the past

So is there a chance that Giggs could be named Player of the Year?

TheCenturion · 15 Feb 2009 at 23:43

he's been doing well, and obviously scored in every premiership season, there's no reason why not

FrankJH · 15 Feb 2009 at 23:46

He will never get it - but I think he deserves something of that nature just from his longetivity

I was actually surprised that DJames (and Gary Speed) had more EPL appearances than RG, its pretty close but cant see Ryan getting that one (given that DJ will undoubtedly play next season in the EPL also)

Shamikebab · 15 Feb 2009 at 23:52

He definitely has a chance, his performances have been fantastic this year. Having said that, it should be Vidic who gets it. I can't see them giving it to a defender though.

Pigeon_Killer · 15 Feb 2009 at 23:57

No chance. He's had a few good performances recently but he's not consistent enough.

Owenb · 15 Feb 2009 at 23:57

No chance, it would be a disgrace if he got it on what he has done so far this season. Gerrard has single handly kept liverpool in the title race and Lampard looked like a inspired player for the first few months of the season. I haven't seen much of Villa but there was a lot of praise heaped on young.

However you probably have it right, Vidic has been the standout player.

Tom84 · 15 Feb 2009 at 23:58

Shamikebab said:
He definitely has a chance, his performances have been fantastic this year. Having said that, it should be Vidic who gets it. I can't see them giving it to a defender though.

Terry won it a few years back didn't he? The 03/04 season when Chelsea won their first premiership.

I think due to their being no attacking players that have really stood out (Ronaldo, Fabregas, Adebebayor, Torres) Vidic or Giggs could really have a chance. Would be great to see

Rotty · 15 Feb 2009 at 23:59

not a chance

Tute · 16 Feb 2009 at 00:08

Pigeon_Killer said:
No chance. He's had a few good performances recently but he's not consistent enough.

Agreed. When Giggs plays well he can be one of United's top performers. Sadly it takes too long for him to hit form, and when he does it's usually short-lived.

elroberto · 16 Feb 2009 at 00:18

Well he's been 'in form' for nearly two months now and at the moment looks a touch above everybody else when he steps on the pitch. I don't care if he wins it, like the player himself I'm more concerned about United's trophy haul at the end of the season. He should be knighted though. About time a player was made a 'Sir' while still playing...and there's no more deserving player in the land.

[ASSE]Hinchy · 16 Feb 2009 at 00:19

Heard it mentioned on the radio before. I certainly don't think so. A lot of fuss seems to be being made about him recently. I think if he were to get it it definitely would be a sentimentel gesture...

wedgie · 16 Feb 2009 at 00:20

He's been doing alright of late, nothing even close to player of the year material though

elroberto · 16 Feb 2009 at 00:28

wedgie said:
He's been doing alright of late, nothing even close to player of the year material though

Nothing close? I think Vidic is definitely ahead but don't think there's any other candidates who have been better. Gerrard and Lampard were mentioned earlier but I think he's been better. He might not score as many as that pair but his contribution to his team has been unbelievable. He dribbled past 4 derby players as if they weren't there today. Gerrard and Lampard couldn't do that in their wildest dreams.

Tom84 · 16 Feb 2009 at 00:33

wedgie said:
He's been doing alright of late, nothing even close to player of the year material though

It goes back to my original point of what qualifies as player of the year material? Ok so he hasn't scored 20+ timesbut he's 35 years old, still playing for the World Champions in the very biggest games and not only being picked for these games he's excelling in them

It would be a great advert for football and a fitting tribute should Giggs win it IMO

Pigeon_Killer · 16 Feb 2009 at 00:33

He's only started 9 Premiership games, scored 1 goal and got 4 assists. That goal and 2 of his assists have come in the last month. His contribution to United until recently has been minimal at best.

Tom84 · 16 Feb 2009 at 00:43

Pigeon_Killer said:
He's only started 9 Premiership games, scored 1 goal and got 4 assists. That goal and 2 of his assists have come in the last month. His contribution to United until recently has been minimal at best.

Those stats are meaningless and besides which as it's a domestic award, so including FA and Carling Cup he has 12 assists (which FYI is more than anyone at UTD this season) and 2 goals

elroberto · 16 Feb 2009 at 00:45

Pigeon_Killer said:
He's only started 9 Premiership games, scored 1 goal and got 4 assists. That goal and his assists have all come in the last month. His contribution to United until recently has been minimal at best.

No he's been quite consistent all season, it's just since christmas he's really kicked it up a notch. Made nine appearances from the bench too so appeared in the majority of our league games. Would have had several more assists already this season if the country's linesman didn't have some sort of curious vendetta against Ronaldo scoring. Giggs has been playing him in metronomically.

wedgie · 16 Feb 2009 at 00:47

Tom84 said:
It goes back to my original point of what qualifies as player of the year material? Ok so he hasn't scored 20+ timesbut he's 35 years old, still playing for the World Champions in the very biggest games and not only being picked for these games he's excelling in them

It would be a great advert for football and a fitting tribute should Giggs win it IMO

Or a poor reflection on the current standard of the Premier League. Fitting tribute it may well be, but if Giggs wins it when at least 5-6 years past his prime then it says more about the performances of the other candidates than it does about Giggs'.

Pigeon_Killer · 16 Feb 2009 at 00:48

Considering the amount of stick United fans gave him up until Christmas it's hard not to think some of you have been blinded by his recent performances.

Had it not been for injuries he wouldn't have played as many games as he has. He's a bit part player and nothing more.

wedgie · 16 Feb 2009 at 00:51

Pigeon_Killer said:
Considering the amount of stick United fans gave him up until Christmas it's hard not to think some of you have been blinded by his recent performances.

Had it not been for injuries he wouldn't have played as many games as he has. He's a bit part player and nothing more.

Agree with that.

Giggs does one or two things recently to show he isn't entirely useless at 35 and all of a sudden he's a candidate for player of the year. Can't get on board with that at all.