IT’S the personal accolade players cherish; to be acknowledged by their fellow pro’s for the stellar performances which dotted the calendar and earned the back page hyperbole-spouting headlines.
To look across at all eleven of his opponents week in week out with a confidence as to say ‘my football prowess is superior to your talent, I will run you ragged today and there is next to nothing you can do about it!’
Is he the genuine article, or a man enjoying a the most vivid of purple patches? Hot-shot superstar Luis Suarez is our representation in this race for personal glory but he won’t win for many reasons. I am not saying I agree with it as I feel he has been on top of the pile for some time now, but there are other circumstances and attitudes that stand in his way.
Players Player of the Year is a funny one. I can remember swelling with pride winning the award of the same name, albeit at a very minor level as a 15 year old. Kids that age don’t delve into the dark arts of politicking and you don’t have to contend with negative headlines about yourself as a Dublin and District under age footballer!
Suarez has players from 19 other sides judging him and his perceived behaviour, not his appreciative team-mates. If Swansea’s Ashley Williams’ somewhat threatening comments in his recent book claiming he wished to “knock out” the Uruguayan during the Swans visit to Anfield last season are the general thoughts of the rest of the Premier League masterminds, it will be one less trophy adorning the Reds number 7’s mantelpiece.
I think the fact that this defender, who I would describe as average at best, has a book out more galling than his thuggish comments though, but that’s a rant for another day!
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The football community is a very insular place. Footballers tend to vote for their friends or the flavour of the month, which is why the smart money has to be on Gareth Bale, who I really like. He comes across as a decent bloke who puts the team first in interviews and has that x-factor which Suarez and Robin van Persie have – the bravery to take the game to the opponent, not waiting for something to happen but to make things happen.
The fact that the voting took place in February certainly gives a non-threatening, non-controversial figure such as Bale the upper hand over the red rag to a bull that Suarez represents to the press, players and public. Since Christmas I believe the pair have eclipsed the Man Utd man in influence and stature.
The build-up to Sunday’s clash between Liverpool and Spurs will no doubt be billed as a shoot out between the top and fourth top scorers in the league, two of the more explosive poster boys for the English game. The two have dragged their sides through games, inspired their team-mates and have wowed spectators, week in, week out. Van Persie has been described as the difference between Man Utd last and this season and is seen as the catalyst that has pulled them away from the chasing pack. Outsider Michu is the romantics’ choice, signing of the season and a credit to Swansea’s scouting system; his twisty hand celebration has been a familiar sight this year.
The other individual prize worth noting is the Football Writers Player of the Year which I believe is more noteworthy. The candidates will be exhaustively analysed, column inches will have been raked and stacked up. Bale’s apparent diving has escaped the rabid indignation Suarez’s perceived play-acting has attracted, while regular plaudits follow United’s Dutch striker’s achievements on the pitch. The more we see our go-to guy play in the opponents final third, the more we see the fiery determination written all over his face to win at all costs.
This burning desire to do whatever it takes to win is awesome to see but unfortunately this will not be recognised by the voters. Perhaps this is the price he will have to pay for not bending to his detractors who don’t respect him anyway.
Comments welcome.
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One thing is for sure . Ashley Williams Is a pri@k and won’t be welcome at anfield ever in my opinion.
Superb article! Suarez hasn’t got a chance of either award, sadly. Proof in the daily mirror today. Donkey kong jr dives last night, gets himself booked and banned for the return, and what did the paper say? “spurs won’t need him for the second leg”. Double standards? Pathetic London and Manchester based media bias has a lot more to do with Luis Suarez’s I’ll-perceived reputation than the man himself.