Steven Gerrard had barely had time to digest the news that he had been named Footballer of the Year before some critics had started questioning the Liverpool captain’s right to the award.
Just like an A-level student who has just got a string of A grades only for the usual parade of mealy mouthed media mouthpieces to take the wind out of their sails by claiming exams ain’t what they used to be, Gerrard discovered that success in this country may well have a thousand fathers it also has many more naysayers.
It was the same for Ryan Giggs when he won the PFA version of the award even though the Manchester United star had come out on top after a democratic vote of his peers.
Surely, whatever misgivings anyone has about these decisions you have to yield to the right of those who are making them, particularly if they are the very people who actually play the game.
The question marks raised about the country’s football writers electing Gerrard as their annual player of most distinction seem to be based on the fact that the Anfield hero’s team is likely to end the season empty handed.
To be the best individual, the logic seems to go, you have to be part of the best team and in this case the chances are United will again be out in front of the rest of the pack and as such one of their players should have won the award.
But what is the point of an individual award if it isn’t about individuals?
No fewer than five Old Trafford stars were in the running for the football writers gong, suggesting United have more top class, top performing players than any other club in the country, as their status as likely league champions and Champions League finalists suggests.
Surely that means it is easier for their big names to shine than it is for players at other clubs who do not have quite as much quality in their ranks?
By contrast, Gerrard was Liverpool’s only nomination – despite the very obvious claims of Xabi Alonso who has enjoyed an outstanding season – and the fact that he was the sole representative of his club is a very clear indication of what a fine individual campaign he has had.
A running total of 23 goals in all competitions put the Reds skipper level with Nicolas Anelka, a player widely viewed as the most natural of goalscorers, and just a couple behind the moody but magnificent Cristiano Ronaldo who was last season’s top scorer.
This in a campaign when niggling injuries have meant that Gerrard has played fewer games than both of his main rivals for the golden boot.
It isn’t just his prowess in front of goal which makes Gerrard such a worthy winner though, it is the whole package you get from a player whom even Zinedine Zidane has described as the best in the world.
Look for a weakness in his game and it is more difficult to find than an MP without an expenses form.
Power, pace, technical ability, versatility, leadership skills – Gerrard has got the lot and what’s more, unlike many footballers, he displays his talents on an almost weekly basis.
There was a time earlier in his career when question marks were somewhat unfairly placed over his performances in big games with one former Liverpool coach arguing that Gerrard’s desire to do well in them was so big that it became all consuming and stopped him from producing his best.
Arguably, equally important was the fact that back then Liverpool relied on him so much that it became easier for their rivals to negate his influence on games.
The comparatively recent additions of Alonso and to an even greater extent Fernando Torres mean that Gerrard is no longer the sole focus of opponents' attentions and this is the main reason why his game has reached another level in the last couple of seasons.
So when the 28-year-old said that he could not have won the writers award without the help of his team mates he was absolutely spot on because the current Liverpool team is bringing out the very best in him.
Never was this more evident than against Man United at Old Trafford and Real Madrid at Anfield where Gerrard produced the biggest of performances against the biggest of clubs.
Those two displays highlighted all that is good about Gerrard as his free running style created numerous opportunities for his team and his ceaseless ambition and peerless talent rendered Liverpool’s opponents powerless.
If you can perform like that on such massive occasions then the player of the year crown should be worn with the most immense pride because not only have you earned it, you also richly deserve it – no matter what the naysayers may say.
Just like an A-level student who has just got a string of A grades only for the usual parade of mealy mouthed media mouthpieces to take the wind out of their sails by claiming exams ain’t what they used to be, Gerrard discovered that success in this country may well have a thousand fathers it also has many more naysayers.
It was the same for Ryan Giggs when he won the PFA version of the award even though the Manchester United star had come out on top after a democratic vote of his peers.
Surely, whatever misgivings anyone has about these decisions you have to yield to the right of those who are making them, particularly if they are the very people who actually play the game.
The question marks raised about the country’s football writers electing Gerrard as their annual player of most distinction seem to be based on the fact that the Anfield hero’s team is likely to end the season empty handed.
To be the best individual, the logic seems to go, you have to be part of the best team and in this case the chances are United will again be out in front of the rest of the pack and as such one of their players should have won the award.
But what is the point of an individual award if it isn’t about individuals?
No fewer than five Old Trafford stars were in the running for the football writers gong, suggesting United have more top class, top performing players than any other club in the country, as their status as likely league champions and Champions League finalists suggests.
Surely that means it is easier for their big names to shine than it is for players at other clubs who do not have quite as much quality in their ranks?
By contrast, Gerrard was Liverpool’s only nomination – despite the very obvious claims of Xabi Alonso who has enjoyed an outstanding season – and the fact that he was the sole representative of his club is a very clear indication of what a fine individual campaign he has had.
A running total of 23 goals in all competitions put the Reds skipper level with Nicolas Anelka, a player widely viewed as the most natural of goalscorers, and just a couple behind the moody but magnificent Cristiano Ronaldo who was last season’s top scorer.
This in a campaign when niggling injuries have meant that Gerrard has played fewer games than both of his main rivals for the golden boot.
It isn’t just his prowess in front of goal which makes Gerrard such a worthy winner though, it is the whole package you get from a player whom even Zinedine Zidane has described as the best in the world.
Look for a weakness in his game and it is more difficult to find than an MP without an expenses form.
Power, pace, technical ability, versatility, leadership skills – Gerrard has got the lot and what’s more, unlike many footballers, he displays his talents on an almost weekly basis.
There was a time earlier in his career when question marks were somewhat unfairly placed over his performances in big games with one former Liverpool coach arguing that Gerrard’s desire to do well in them was so big that it became all consuming and stopped him from producing his best.
Arguably, equally important was the fact that back then Liverpool relied on him so much that it became easier for their rivals to negate his influence on games.
The comparatively recent additions of Alonso and to an even greater extent Fernando Torres mean that Gerrard is no longer the sole focus of opponents' attentions and this is the main reason why his game has reached another level in the last couple of seasons.
So when the 28-year-old said that he could not have won the writers award without the help of his team mates he was absolutely spot on because the current Liverpool team is bringing out the very best in him.
Never was this more evident than against Man United at Old Trafford and Real Madrid at Anfield where Gerrard produced the biggest of performances against the biggest of clubs.
Those two displays highlighted all that is good about Gerrard as his free running style created numerous opportunities for his team and his ceaseless ambition and peerless talent rendered Liverpool’s opponents powerless.
If you can perform like that on such massive occasions then the player of the year crown should be worn with the most immense pride because not only have you earned it, you also richly deserve it – no matter what the naysayers may say.
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