THE GILES FILES: Not a shred for the Reds
by Giles Elliott, FOXSports.com
In London on Sunday, meanwhile, a new "Footballers' Footballer of the Year" will be crowned. Since 1974, PFA (Professional Footballers' Association) members have cast their votes for the teammate or opponent most deserving of the accolade as the league's star performer.
Or not the most deserving, if recent history is anything to go by.
For the last four years, the journalists' and soccer players' associations have been in unanimous agreement over whom the award should go to. That has to make you suspicious for starters.
The choices of the voting pool of failed players and future pundits have also been of an increasingly bizarre nature.
1998 - Dennis Bergkamp.
You can hardly argue with the feting of the Ice Berg, coming as it did in the year Arsenal won the Premier League and FA Cup Double. With 22 goals in all competitions, the non-flying Dutchman even made Nicolas Anelka look shy.
1999 - David Ginola.
What? Ginola's three EPL goals that year helped Spurs top the table, the bottom half of the table! Yes, Le Magnifique did get one on the way to Tottenham's Worthington Cup triumph, but leading your club to an 11th place finish hardly qualifies you to be 'Player of the Year,' no matter how lovely your hair looks.
2000 - Roy Keane.
If my memory serves me correctly, it was in 1999 that Manchester United won the Treble of EPL, FA Cup and Champions League. Still, better late than never. Keano got his usual quota of cards in 2000 and yes, he was the most devilish of the Devils. He was just honored a year late.
2001 - Teddy Sheringham.
Steady Teddy's award was clearly a nod to lifetime achievement, rather than for being the absolute best last season. Sheringham was, after all, only the sixth top scorer in the EPL. And what about the "sets a good example, on the field and off" clause that is meant to be one of the criteria in bestowing the award? You certainly wouldn't invite him home to meet your granny!
This year's choices for Footballers' Player of the Year for once exclude Spurs players. And the nominees are…
From Man Utd - David Beckham, Roy Keane and Ruud van Nistelrooy…
What Keane is doing there, especially as a previous winner, is quite beyond me, unless he sent the boys round to have a word.
Van the Man is an easy vote after a standout first season in the English game. An uncomplaining team player, the Dutch striker has emphasized value for money, just as Juan Sebastian Verón tried to put the phrase out of fashion. He's even nice and a bright spark too.
The Spice Boy has to be the favorite. The only Englishman nominated, Beckham has notched a career high 16 goals for the Devils in all competitions, putting in captain's performances for his country on the side. A certain free kick against Greece was quite remarkable too.
From Arsenal - Thierry Henry and Robert Pires…
Two players who would be in any fantasy eleven. The awesome pace required of a top striker and the sublime skills needed by a world class winger are perfectly embodied in the Gunners' French duo.
But perhaps a third Frenchman currently plying his trade in North London was slighted in the process? We were recently told that without the suspended Henry and the injured Pires, Arsenal would not be the same.
In their absence, the Gunners have only romped to eight straight wins and to within sight of the EPL crown. That leaves just two words to be said.
Patrick Vieira.
Would someone please tell me why he's not on the list?
Finally, from Chelsea, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Well, the EPL's top scorer has to be a nominee, but The Gangster's 23 goals will get him as close to an acceptance speech as his 23 goals last year did.
As you might have noticed from this list, you have to be a midfielder or, preferably, a forward, to be Player of the Year.
Forget what Sol Campbell has brought to Arsenal or the importance of Rio Ferdinand to Leeds. The only defender to be named best EPL player was Aston Villa's Paul McGrath, in 1993, and that was another long overdue accolade.
Want to be a goalkeeper? You can be outstanding all season, like Newcastle's Shay Given, and not get a bit of notoriety. Not since Peter Shilton in 1978 has a net-minder received his dues.
Also, you should apparently forget about being named Player of the Year if you happen to be coached by Gérard Houllier (or Phil Thompson).
Yes, after five pieces of silverware in 2001, the only club finally to offer a realistic challenge to the dominance of Man Utd and Arsenal has been completely ignored.
What's the name of that striker? You know, the young one. Owen Something.
I think he scored a hat-trick when England won 5-1 in Germany. Can't remember for sure.
Oh, I seem to recall he became the first English player for 22 years (and the first from an English club for 33 years) to be named European Player of the Year.
No, can't remember his name.
That Pole who leads the EPL in shutouts this season - what's he called?
The big Finn and the Swiss bloke in the center of defense, best tandem in the league, they are. Their names? Ah, it's on the tip of my tongue.
That brilliant Norwegian. The English midfielders.
No, can't remember even one of them for the life of me.
Derby versus Newcastle and Villa versus Leeds are on the EPL menu this weekend, but the main game is at the Stadium of Light. It features Sunderland against…
Damn. Forgotten their name now too.
When not complaining about the voting at this year's Oscars, Giles Elliott can be reached at gelliott@foxsportsworld.com
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