So Gareth Bale wins the PFA player of the year award. Even in victory however, there are still plenty of things to complain about as a Totter, like how he’d probably not even be OUR player of the year (that one should surely be Luka’s?), or how he isn’t even, statistically speaking, the most ‘productive’ Welshman in the league; an accolade that falls to Simon Davies who’s provided more chances and assists than our boys-own hero. While I’d go along with a lot of this, particularly the bit about him not being as consistent a performer as Luka, we have to bear in mind that this award was voted by his fellow players.
Two things to consider, given the timing. Imagine you’re a squad player at Wolves in January. You’ve just finished training, it’s bloody freezing and you want to get home. Someone hands you a piece of paper and asks you for your opinion on which of your fellow professionals you’ve been most impressed with, and you’re not allowed to vote for anyone at your club. Bearing in mind that neither you nor any of your pals have a chance of winning it, who do you vote for? You’ve got to vote for someone. Would you:
a) Check in with @optajoe and study all performance related statistics, cross-referencing with data from previous years winners and use your own judgement to assess the various demands related to the players individual position on the pitch, or would you…
b) Remember that Gareth Bale was really good in an important game a month back, and the papers are currently talking about him being the subject of a £50m transfer bid from some European teams with sexy names, then just say ‘that’ll do’, because it means you can get out of training a bit earlier and indulge your twin interests of shopping and playstations.
I’d say the Football Writers award might hold a little more gravitas.
In other news, Jack Wilshere managed to keep his tongue in his mouth long enough to pick up his own young player of the year award which, grudgingly; you’d be hard pressed to argue he’s not deserved. If only there was one for being an ‘orrible little ‘erbert as well. That trophy cabinet of his needs boosting from somewhere.
I realise this bear-baiting might not be the wisest course of action, given that we entertain the wounded goonies on Wednesday night, but come on, they’re great aren’t they? I feel bad having been thoroughly entertained by the Imaginarium of the good doctor without having bought a ticket. If the pitch-bound fare isn’t entertaining enough, we’re treated to the most wonderful encores without fail. Apparently you’ll DEFINITELY win games where you have no shots on goal, and apparently, stoppages within stoppage time don’t count as real time to be added. Oh, and tackling like a rhino on an oil slick in your own penalty area= no penalties. Ever.
Looking forward to Wednesday. I’m hoping that Sneezy gets injured again and Lehmann is selected.
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