Ryan in wait
It's been a hard few months watching Man United, hasn't it? They're on a brilliant run but I'm a bit gobsmacked as to why most commentators are purring about their excellence whereas George Graham's Arsenal won the title by being plain dull.
Hansen always treats a good bit of positioning by any centre-half like it was painted by blinking Rembrandt, but this time everyone else has just been banging on like Fergie's Flinty Back Four are the Rolls Royce of defenders. Even I get accused of being part of the OT love-in.
Let's be straight about it. The Blue Bell's chants of "Boring Boring Man-U!" felt a bit forced, I'll grant you, but there's no doubt that it's Vidic and Ferdinand who have created this run. I'm a little tired of praying for a Moses to part this Red Sea. (In fact Remi would have fitted in nicely).
Still, they can show a bit going forward when they need to. None more so than this jinking little whippersnapper Giggs. I dunno what job this bloke is going to walk into behind the scenes at the 'Theatre of Dreams' but he'll deserve it.
Incidentally, where do you get off with this 'Theatre of Dreams' nonsense? It's a fine stadium but let's not get all Catherine Cookson about it. Everton have got this 'School of Science' thing 'n' all.
I can imagine Phil Neville nudging someone off the ball with the aid of a lit Bunsen burner, but it's all a bit much. Mind, if OT is the 'Theatre of Dreams' then what's the Riverside? The 'Empty Barn of Destiny'?
It's hard to believe it's 18 years since Giggs first trotted out, looking for all the world like a foal running on its hind legs. People raved about him then but I wasn't sure.
He had that running with your head down thing that SWP has that makes them look like they're trying to sneak past a tyrant of a deputy head without him noticing. Also his delivery was about as good as the Royal Mail's in snow.
Then there was the Wales thing. He represented England at schoolboy level and then dumped us for Wales as a 'grown-up'. Some say it was to hack off his dad, but it's just hacked off the rest of us.
All the more so cos we Englanders have been watching muppet after muppet cutting inside from a wide left position while the best left-winger in the country withers on the Welsh vine.
I know that sounds right cocky coming from an Englishman but if they decided to put a GB team together now it'd still be England plus Giggs (sorry Scotland but James McFadden wouldn't squeeze in there). Just as the Lions rugby team should be Wales plus O'Driscoll.
I was beginning to think the Glasgow Beetroot was getting sentimental in his old age when he kept Ryan on the books. It seemed that Fergie wanted him up there with Sir Bobby before he finally gave him the heave-ho.
I'm sure Giggsy'll be doing the ads for what can be achieved by fit old men if they eat the right stuff soon enough. But that's like looking for a tear in the eye of a Great White shark.
Whatever else the man is, he's no mug and Giggs has, from being a wide left player who's pace isn't quite what it was, turned himself into a midfield stroller with a trick or two.
It's 10 years since that goal, where he ran past the legendary back four of Arsenal - which given they had a combined age of 328, was a bit like outrunning the queue at a Bingo Hall - and rammed it above Seaman's bouffanted head.
It's 10 years since that celebration where the lad proved that he was all man now by running, shirtless, along the touchline like some fast-moving brillo pad.
He never looked like a lad who'd turn himself into summat new when his speed went, but he has. The best footballers do, mind you. And Fergie's deployed him craftily, and while Ronaldo's luminous boots twinkle away like a pair of gaudy ear-rings, Ryan keeps the team ticking over and clearly is a massive influence over the new boys who looked so damn good against Derby.
If Fergie gets one over most of the other bosses in the Premier League it's cos of the way he brings the youngsters through rather than just acquiring expensive mercenaries.
They'll be ready to offload the gelled tumbler in the summer. Is it me or have his prancing histrionics reached new levels of prissiness this season?
Trouble is, last season they couldn't do without him and this year he looks like the fairy on top of an already well decorated Christmas tree. Real Madrid, prepare your finance department.
Still, even with wily old souls like Giggs and Scholes, they can't win the lot. Can they? The wheels have got to come off somewhere and while I can't see them not winning the Carling Cup, or the Premier League - and although the Boro will lift the FA Cup, there is one man who we can all look to to stop the bandwagon.
Mr Mourinho. I look forward to a sneering, niggly, grim and gritty Inter Milan wresting the Champs League away from Fergie.
In fact, although there are a lot of cracking fixtures scheduled for Europe, nothing quite compares with the thought of Jose stomping back along the touchline at the 'Theatre of Dreams' - now I've wrote it again, it sounds more like a bed shop, doesn't it? - and celebrating another last-ditch away goal winner - possibly even from a Vieira toe-poke - to put them out.
And if that happens I won't be too sorry for Giggs. He won't be looking for work. I just hope he doesn't join the couches of TV studios up and down the country. He's a lovely lad but he's not exactly lively off the pitch. Which is another reason why we like the bloke.
I'm Derek Robson. People call me Robbo. Legend has it I was raised in the furnace and smog of Teesside. Some might say I took the hard road. I like to tell folk I had trials for Middlesbrough, for Hartlepool and for burglary (not guilty). I've always loved sport. My job is to say it as I see it - whether it's in the bar of the Blue Bell or on this blog. You won't find me calling a spade a soil-redistribution implement.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~24~RS~)
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I stand to be corrected, but as far as I'm aware Giggsy was never eligible to play for England. He only played for England Schoolboys as he went to school in England, or something like that! I don't think he ever had any English qualification, hence having to pick and choose the games he played for Wales! I may well be wrong and if I am I apologise.
He is a legend though, I'm a Derby fan and felt priveleged to watch him play again yesterday.
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First Poster...Pleeeease.
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Spot on Robbo.
As a non MU fan and non Welsh fan the boy (still a boy in my eyes) has done good. He can still embarrass the odd right back (young and old) Must say though if in years to come he gets lauded to the heights of Sir Bob, Sir Ryan does not sound right.
At that rate we could end up with Sir Brooklyn or Dame Chardonay or other Chav name. Roll on King Chuck & Prince Bill
See Sleepmasters for theatre of dreams. Titter ye not young man
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I tend to think Giggs is the best player the premiership has ever seen.
Not the most technically gifted , not the most prolific, but overall the best professional footballer to grace the modern game.
As much as I admire Ronaldo's sheer talent, you cant help but compare him to Giggs, I suspect when Ronaldo is 36 , football fans won't be looking on in such awe as they do with Giggs.
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Darn it!!! Anyway, Robbo I am surprised that as an English man you want an Italian team to wrestle the Champions League away from an English club. If you had said Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool I would ave understood. This just makes it sound like you are down right bitter about Man Utd winning and that you drink from Mourinho's cup of "charm". Good Blog though...I am a huge fan. I'd give up the EPL trophy to win the CL this year though; you don't win those things very often you know.
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Great blog, and, though it pains me to say it as a Chelsea fan I have to agree with you.
Great professional, great player, average personality.
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I have concluded, after lengthy and thorough research, that the probability of Derek Robson existing in real life can be expressed in numerical odds as 99999999.9 to 0.1 - which is quite a lot.
Nothing to do with this particular thread, I just thought I'd share............
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theboyhaywood (post 1) you are completely correct about Ryan Giggs.
Having been trying to explain this for the last 15 years or so to people I am starting to get a little bored.
Giggs never could play for England!!!! I am normally a fan of Robbos blogs and always take everything he says as a lighthearted joke, he really should get his facts right on this one as it is a myth that is spouted every month of every season by bitter English fans who assume Ryan chose Wales over England to spite his dad etc.
The fact is that Ryan was born to two welsh parents in Wales and only played for England school boys becuase the rules dictate that you play for the Nation that you live in. ie Ryan played and lived in manchester so therefore he plays for England Schoolboys. End of.
His grandparent (not sure which one) is from Sierra Leone so he could always have played for them mind.
He has also always said that he was proud to have played for Wales and never takes any interest in England results. How true this is, is up for debate and as always, myself and fellow Wales fans will sometimes question his dedication to the ales cause but the truth is that he always played for Wales in competetive games and it was generally the friendlies he missed. How much of an influence Sir Alex had on that we will probably never know either but then when you look at his talent and trophies he has won it is a decision that has been proved a wise one. Had he played every game for Wales, would we have qualified for any major tournament? Doubtful and it was Mark hughes tactical ineptness that prevented Giggs from actually appearing in one major tournament when he chose to play 4-5-1 against a Russia team that we could have easily beaten if we had been brave.
Ryan Giggs I salute you, you are a true great of the modern game!!!
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The real guvnor
thanks for typing all that saved me doing it!!
ignorance again robbo? as a "journalist" have you heard of research???
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superNightshift82
No worries, someone would have said it eventually.
Wales fans don't have great deal to should about at the best of times so when people try to claim our best players from us it does wind me up. The best since John Charles? - a completely different debate and one that will never be resolved I guess.
For the record (Michael Owen is English - another myth - this time from Wales fans saying he should have played for us!!!)
Other than that Robbo, a good article.
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sorry, should have said 'shout about' not 'should about'
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By the way, I don't think Robbo is a journalist. He's just a common man contracted to do weekly blogs on the beeb; I'd love to know how he landed this gig though.
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What a player he is. I saw one of his first games when ManUtd played Arsenal at Highbury got a draw (McClair for the reds) which pretty much handed the title to Leeds.
But since then what a model professional. Let us think about recent stars; Terry, Lampard, Ferdinand, Ronaldo, Gerrard, Ashley Cole etc. How many times have we heard their contract negotiations aired in public? Their petulant selfish behaviour often laughing in the faces of the supporters that idolise them.
In 19 years does anyone really remember a Gigg's contract being negotiated? Or Paul Scholes or Gary Neville for that matter? They are old school pro's, one club heroes, playing for their local club (Giggs lived in Manchester when he signed schoolboy forms).
Then Lord Fergs golden age finally retire, I don't think we'll see their like again. For all you can say about ManUtd, the money they spend, the supporters from all over the country, the fact still remains that they have 6 or so members of the first team squad signed as schoolboys who lived within 10miles of the ground. For that the club should always be very very proud.
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with regards to the Blue bells chant of boring, boring Man Utd, there couldnt be anything further from the truth! The attacking wealth Utd have at their disposal is Awesome and although Utd keep clean sheets Utd are not a defensive side, neither fergie a defensive coach.... something the goatied manager down the road could count as his failure!!
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Don't worry Robbo, I'll never accuse you of being a Man U fan!
Giggs couldn't ever have played for England, however he is eligible for Sierra Leone through his grandad, sure they would have loved him too!
The boy is a pure gold legend, a model professional that everyone in football can look up to. A true great
PS I am a United fan, and Ronaldos a tit; thought id go on record!
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Spot on Robbo , he was hailed as a wunderkid all those years ago with a left foot to die for , but his crossing was ordinary , but his pace and ability to cut in caused havoc .
I take it old red face thinks he can play for another year and a half and maybe he can but he is in a winning squad at the momment , but all the talk of United winning everthing is way off , I think they will take the Prem and the Carling cup but that is all for me , I think they have too many going through the motions i.e Berbatov and Ronaldo , will Giggs be able to step it up when it matters .
When this season is over is the time to judge if Giggs is worth another year or two , he may be nothing more than a bit player next year as SAF refreshes a squad without Ronaldo who I am convinced wont be there next season and neither will Tevez
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Giggs is a legend. Shame he wasn't a scouser.
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"Giggs is a legend ... he wasn't a scouser."
These two facts are not unconnected. And, he's not dead yet.
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Hey, Robbo - surely you meant the Riverside could also be known as the "Empty Barn of Despair"?
Personally I think Theatre of Screams (due to the on-field horrors) would be more apt.
Actually, thats kind of harsh. Boro can and have been playing decent football of late. Its just they can't seem to keep it up for a whole 90 minutes.
#15 - I salute you, sir!
Cristiano Ronaldo...blessed with god-like talent and footballing ability, but as manly as Paris Hilton's lapdog and with acting abilities a RADA student would be proud of.
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Back on topic, I agree wholeheartedly...Ryan Giggs is a modern footballing icon who should be a role model for any young player aspiring to greatness.
He's one of the few Man Utd players I've never been able to dislike (Beckham and Scholes being the others).
Mind you, Phil Neville has always struck me as fairly inoffensive too.
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Would a GB team still really be England plus Giggs?
Is David James the only goalkeeper in Great Britain worthy of the top spot?
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#20 - Phil Neville's face is quite offensive though....
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Total respect to Giggs, as you say Robbo the best players reinvent themselves.
I share your belief that Inter may knock united out of the champions league. Watching the milan derby it is clear that Inter are a counter attacking team, as are united so it should be a cagey match.
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As a young Welsh boy growing up in the '90s he was quite naturally my hero and as such i supported Man Utd. That is until i grew up and supported my local team..
Giggs is in my opinion the 2nd greatest Welsh footballer ever. John Charles has to be the best but it's hard to say and is open to debate.
Incidentally i can't see Inter Milan beating Man Utd. We all thought they'd trounce Liverpool last year and the choked. They never do well in the Champions' League.
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Judging by the game last night, United will win home and away against Inter.
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Unfortunately for me Elland Road is quickly turning into the Arena of No Silver Linings... ho-hum.
On Giggs, his touch, vision and ability to deliver on that vision this season has been nothing less than outstanding. Some of the passes (especially first-time passes) I've seen him do this season are beyond words, it's the kind of thing you'd expect from your Pirlos, Fabregaseseseseses and Xavi's, not an aging ex-winger.
It reminds me of Roy Keane in his 30s (as much as it pains me to say it), in that along with those passes, his ability to do the little things effortlessly used to blow me away. You watch Giggs now and he'll rarely make a mistake in his touch or his choice of option.
P.S. There's one person who won't join in the Giggs love-in, one Mr Lee Sharpe...
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Ryan Giggs has been an outstanding professional for 17-18 years at the top level, and has adapted his style to suit the changing demands of the Premiership, and to compensate for the effects of getting older.
I take issue with criticisms of his crossing; he has always been able to whip in very good crosses when running at pace, and from corners.
The number of goals he created for Mark Hughes and Eric Cantona this way in the early to mid-90s bears witness to this.
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i'm amazed people are saying they'd rather win the CL than the league.
if we win it this year, we overtake Liverpool as the most sucessful english club in domestic football.
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The "Empty Barn of Destiny" well if it not the Riverside.... Ewood, The JJB and The Reebok are standing by to claim the accolaide!
Always a big fan of Giggs, no one has done more for Man United as a player and although people are always going to look at the Charltons and Bests as the greatest of United's player.. there is no doubt he is up there... and just like Best, he is cursed with being from a country with a less than illustrous record when it comes to qualifying for major tournaments....
PS I hate every man i have ever met in a pub who says "Giggs was an English schoolboy you kno... if we had had him in 1996/98/00/02 we would have won the cup!"
Probably not but at least your excuse list would be shorter....
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The last thing Robbo says - about Giggs not being lively off the pitch - is actually not true. It's part of his professionalism that he keeps a very straight persona in front of the cameras. However, throughout his years with United, Giggs has been known as one of the dressing room's liveliest players with a penchant for practical jokes. He often leads the revelling at parties, for example.
If anything, that makes him an even more impressive character. He enjoys a laugh and a party, but never seems to draw any unwanted attention to himself.
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Mark Hutch #28, I think they will equal it if they win, but either way ur spot on man, makes me laugh how Man Utd fans seem to overlook how big a milestone this season could be for them.
As for Giggs, yeh, hes never been brilliant technicaly. But u can never fault his professionalism, or his desire. He probably has deserved a little more credit, but its typical that in this day and age, with the way footballers behave off the pitch, and move from club to club for the highest wage they can get, that Giggs all of a sudden sticks out like a sore thumb, because he is loyal and commited to the club. Though it is amazing that he has played for quite so long
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Sorry to get all "chip on the shoulder Scotsman" about this - but I reckon Craig Gordon would get a look-in on a GB team. Especially when you consider his international form (particularly compared to his fairly uninspiring stint at Sunderland so far).
Other than that though, fair enough.
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I'd also like to add that I'm very disappointed that Robbo trotted out the old myth that Giggs "chose" to play for Wales. When will this go away? It's simply not true.
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The mention of a GB team consisting of England plus Giggs in this blog is quite laughable, and quite obviously reflects the arrogance of the blogger when it comes to English players. The fact the blogger fails to complete any research before making a statement surrounding Giggs eligibility for England is at best unprofessionalism. In fairness there are a few positions the that can be argued within a hypothetical GB team .Scotland most definately have a shout over the Goalkeeping position as both Craig Gordon and Alan Mcgregor are more reliable than what England have to offer. I also would expect Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale would have a look in for Midfield and Full back respectively. I think many would be more inclined to have a Darren Fletcher than a Frank Lampard in their side who never seems to give his all at International level. Just a thought...
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I've always liked Ryan Giggs, a man who seems to be the only one playing a sporting game from OT surrounded by a bunch of players who just want to win and don't really care how it happens.
More power to one of the few men left in football who understands what sportsmanship is. He is only player in their team I can think of who genuinely deserves the praise and prizes which they win. Keep on trotting Giggsy!
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#34
What about Healy? Ok he is not the best club player but no one can deny at International he is the best in the UK.... European Championship goal record holder and we arent talking small teams he scored against either... brace against Sweden, hat trick agianst eventual winners Spain. He has a record the current England forwards can only dream of!
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Re: 34
You're right with regards to the goalkeeper but Ramsey and Bale are laughable suggestions. They are only on the fringe of their club teams so how is Bale likely to dislodge Ashley Cole and Ramsey/Fletcher bump out either Lampard, Gerrard, Carrick or Barry???
In the future they may, and probably will, become very good players. But right now they would get nowhere near the squad.
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Oh and I would take Bellamy though, he's deadlier than anything we have up front at the minute.
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With regards to this whole team GB thing (where Scotland, Wales, & N Ireland are reluctant to take part because they might lose their independent nation status) then one way to sort it out is to have a Home Nation tournament with the winners going on to represent Team GB at the Olympics.
This also gets past the whole arguing about how each nation should be properly represented.
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No question Ryan Giggs is a great player, but please stop all this nonsense. He has scored more than 10 goals in only 5 of his 19 seasons in the top flight (about 1 in every 5.3 games). This is an out and out right winger, playing for the most prolific scoring team ove the past 19 seasons. Ronaldo scored more in one season than Giggs did in the past 5, and Ronaldo is the right winger!
Its right to point out his medal haul, his exemplary disciplinary record, especially given what has surrounded him at Utd, and his overall conduct as a player, but lets not get silly here. He is a good 8 out of 10 for his overall play, was for a few seasons a 9 out of 10. Is now a 6 out of 10. he scored a nice little goal against West Ham when a couple of ballet dancing defenders forgot he had a right foot, but since then its just been hilarious to hear the reactions.
He has in my view, let Wales down ove the years, by feigning injury to get out of playing, and that is a serious stain on his character. Also in my view his curly hair remains something of a fashion embarassment.
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With the plethora of 1-0 and tight victories this season, surely it has been the defence rather than the attack that has excelled this season. That's why I would say Vidic has been your best player this season and would be a candidate for player of the year.
(As a fan of LFC I am choking on vomit and breaking out in hives as I write this)
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Robbo,
Your blog is easily the best on the BBC site. An hilarious read every week.
However, although others have already done so I have to question your knowledge as a football journalist if you are unaware that Ryan Giggs was NEVER eligable to play for England. This story was dealt with ten years ago or more!
I am not a UTD fan......can't stand them actually, but I know full well that Giggs was an England schoolboy player because, erm, he was a schoolboy......in England. His nationality is Welsh.
The story about him wanting to annoy his dad was nothing more than an urban myth.
I have to say, this has been very disappointing, finding out that someone whose work you respect displays a very poor knowledge of the industry which provides his livlihood, and is apparently incapable of a small piece of basic invesgative journalism to ensure he gets his facts right!
That said, keep up the good work. I'd still rather read ur blog than Chick Young or Gavin Strachan!
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It's amusing that Giggs can receive so much justifiable praise only to have it all stripped by the comment 'average personality'. This simply isn't true, and anyone who has met the man in a relaxed environment knows full well that he has the most brilliant sense of humour imaginable. Apart from the perhaps the most dreadfully unattractive women in the world, this absurd tendency to cut to critique in any possible way, justified or not, is the worst part of being an Englishman.
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#40 - Your post is a little bit contradictory at times. Without wanting to get into an argument - as your opinion is as valid as anyone elses - I do not understand what you are trying to say.
He has only scored more than ten goals in season on 5 occasions. That is true but then he is a winger and United have been blessed with many strikers over the years that have grabbed all the headlines for all their goals. Besides he is a winger who has never played in the same way that Ronaldo does. Ronaldo has many more shots and ventures a lot further forward than Ryan does (you say that Ronaldo is a right winger - he is nearly always employed as a forward player these days). However he has scored in every season and made more of an immediate impact than Ronaldo did in hist first couple of seasons.
Contrast that to Giggs' 289 assists in 535 games and you see how valuable a team player he has been over the years.
You also rate him as a 9 out of ten player at his peak - with that sort of rating would it not be unusual for people to suggest how great a player he was? And although you suggest he is only a 6 out of ten player these days (though I would say at least a 7) at 35 years old to drop from a 9 to a 6 is not shameful - but as I said i still feel you are being a little harsh.
With regards the Wales point, this is a very debatable issue. Did Fergie get involved here? And remember giggs did have a few years where he suffered horrendously with injuries. as I mentioned before he did play most of Wales' competetive games for us and served us well as a captain but even if he had played every game, would it have made Wales any better? Very Doubtful. If a player had to choose between representing a very uncompetetive country in every game for very little and cutting his playing career short by a few years or cut short his international career in order to prolong his career at a club that has paid his wages and in turn go on to win more medals what would most choose?
And I say this as a very proud Welshman who would give anything to play for his country. However I am hindered by the fact that I am useless at football - mind you it never stopped Savage did it?
P.s As big a Giggs fan as I am and it appears that I am constantly gushing over him on this blog, I am able to see things objectively and the curly hair, you are right it is a big no no - but the chest hair was worse no?
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"this absurd tendency to cut to critique in any possible way, justified or not, is the worst part of being an Englishman."
Very, very true.
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My last post should have read
'would it not be unusual if people did not comment on how great a player he was?'
there is a lot to be said for proof reading
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#41 Thorpao - I would agree with you, Vidic has been immense this season and he would get my nod over Giggs. Perhaps sentimentality is ruling people's heads with that one but for Giggs not to have ever won player of the year defies belief sometimes. But then a lot of players have played exceptionally for a very short period of time and therefore giving the impression of greatness only to burn out a few years later (M Owen, D Ginola etc). Giggs has played well consistently and this is something that although perhaps stops him winning player of the year, because he does not make the same noticable impact, is an even greater achievment in itself.
Player of the history of the premiership?
Are there any other worthy contenders
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I like the fact that grounds have these slightly made up names. Especially Stuart Hall's for Man City's old ground:
"That's why I call Maine Road the Theatre of Base Comedy. A sense of humour is essential. It's a roller-coaster ride."
Oh the days of inflatable bananas and inevitable relegation...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/1344824.stm
I'm not sure what he'd call Eastlands, although the East seems somehow appropriate these days. The characters are more likely to slip on an oil slick than a banana skin these days.
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Giggs has been a model pro (although anyone remember the celebrity stories prior to Beckham?) and a terrific player.
However, Giggs has never been the best player in a United squad so let's all just calm down a little.
Giggs has had a decent season but i'm sure he's had many better and, for sure, there have been more influential players than Giggs this season.
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Yes, the results say that Man Utd are winning games 1-0.
But there is a difference between defending properly and playing defensive football.
Man Utd do not play defensive football, they play attacking football. Where they have met opponents that have attacked them this season, there have been goals galore- look at Hull, Gamba Osaka, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Derby County, Blackburn in League Cup games, plenty of examples.
In most cases, Man Utd's opponents have played defensive football, putting men behind the ball and forcing Man Utd to be patient before they can break them down.
United's defenders and keeper have dealt with any limited threats the opposition have mustered, and invariably Man Utd's attack has found the breakthrough.
If you look at Utd's games, more goals have come in cup competitions where the opposition are forced to attack them (in cup ties, you don't get a point for 0-0)
Sure, the defence have set an impressive record and they are defending well when they need to- but the point is that credit has to go to the midfield and attack too, because the defence has not been under massive pressure either. I think people need to understand why this record has been created- it's a team effort.
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As good as ever Robbo. Keep it up. BUt do you really want an Italian side to beat an English side?
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Oh look. I'd love the Boro to be the ones to deprive Man U of their quintupular glory but I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe, Inter have a better shot at it.
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Re; Giggsy could never have played for England - well if he was a cricketer we'd have made the bloody effort.
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#34. At 4:44pm on 16 Feb 2009, Attila? wrote:
What is laughable is your Darren Fletcher better than Fat frank call?
Im an Everton fan but always astonished how the lad gets disgracefully booed when he has scored some important goals, dragged Chelsea by the heels week in week out the same way Gerrard does for the reds.
Goalkeeper wise totally agree. James for all his fine saves will always have the capacity to make a huge error in a huge game. If a saviour doesnt arrive my prediction is her will flap on a cross in a semi final in South Africa and forever be back to clown status...
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for chrissakes ... he played for england schoolboys because he went to school in england ... hence the term 'schoolboys' and not under 16s, under 17s, under 19s, etc. he was born in cardiff and his dad is welsh so why it'd hack him off i dunno. get your facts straight robbo.
you don't hear the welsh moaning about michael owen, and we've only got a handful of players to choose from, so give up on this 'giggs being english' rubbish.
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Great long stories for know-it-alls above criticising Robbo for saying Giggs could have played for England. All of you should stop relying on Wikipedia and do some proper research!
Yes he could have played for England actually, based on the same residency rules (he moved to Greater Manchester aged 6) that allowed Marcos Senna to win Euro 2008 for Spain this year, and for instance, allow Manuel Almunia to qualify for England.
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re: no. 54
south africans, new zealanders, aussies, afghans, malawians, martians ... be hard pressed finding an 'english' cricketer wouldn't you?
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The Real Guv'nor...I am not sure if I put my point across as clearly as I menat to. Giggs has been a great player and servant to United. Less so to Wales, and if ferguson got involved then worse for Giggsy, because he should have stood up to him.
I simply mean that the kind of statements we are seeeing from the likes of Hansen, and now Robbo, are a little over the top. 9 out of 10, is a good score and its subjective. He is a 6 out of 10 for me now. he doesnt play too often and when he does he is a bit of a makeweight. Lets face it he is still at Old Trafford because its cheaper to keep him than replace him, and Fergie is a little bit of a traditionalist.
Ian Callaghan was a very similar player for Liverpool in the 60's and 70's, and then they sold him to Swansea. He got a testimonial, Gigsy will and that will be the end of it.
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Wouldn't you love to see some of that "One club dedication" plus the dedication to the source of the income rather than outside interests rub off on that one legged show pony who is currently trying to wriggle out of his contract with LA Galaxy ?
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I got as far as your wales O Driscoll comment and realised, much as like your musings, you know diddly squat bout rugger, even if the Irish consider as a class d sport.
Ireland for the grand slam, giggs for player of the year on sentiment only.
United for a lot of trophies only cause all the others shot themselves in the whattits!
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What stands out about Giggs in recent years, apart from his immense commitment and fitness, is his capacity to adapt, to find new ways to contribute to the team and threaten the opposition when his great strength of running hard and straight at them has declined.
Never the greatest player in a single season, but truly a great in terms of sustained contribution over so many years. Never write him off.
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I agree with others. Giggsy was NEVER eligible to play for england. As a "professional", you should know that!! In fact I am surprised that you fell for that: like others, I doubt your integrity. But, having said that, what a fantastic performer. He is playing the best tactical game of his career. Those deft touches and flicks are not just Ronaldo-type tricks - they actually are pre-determined AND they work! Can you believe it, he never won a player of the year award?? Let's make sure he DOES this year!!!Ryan Giggs:the best footballer ever!
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Giggs and Scholes have probably had the strongest characters in and among a lot of fantastic players at Man. Utd.
They have concentrated on the job and kept away from the media nonsense. Must take a lot of character to give "fame" a miss and actually being famous for what matter.
Great personalities!
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It's not just about Vidic and Ferdinand its about the whole squad and the ability of players to come in and out of the first team almost at will without compromising the ability to win matches.
The team seems to be steeped in confidence without being cocky or too complacent. Their ability to control matches is very scary and does not bode well for other clubs.
Admittedly they got off to a shaky start and perhaps it is fortunate for those who still have a shout at the championship that Man Utd didn't start the season in this type of form otherwise they would have been so far out of sight by now that everyone would be crowning them champions in March?
Ryan Giggs is an exceptional footballer. Even now he always seems to have so much time when he has the ball. That is the sign of a gifted footballer. What most people forget is his work rate. In his younger days both Giggs and to his credit Beckham too were all over the pitch like a rash. It was almost as though Man Utd were fielding 13 players!
That work rate dropped off far too soon for Beckham and is probably why Fergie spat the dummy out after some of Beckham's performances. However, Giggs has maintained that work rate until fairly recently. Even now you can see him trying his hardest to replicate that work rate in bursts of energy that defy his age.
Giggs is a true professional both on and off the field and deserves all the accolades he is receiving now, a pity he didn't get the full recognition that he deserved when he was at his more youthful peak?
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Re: Giggs - form is temporary, class is permanent
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Dont wanan look like an idiot just incase im wrong... but im allmost certain Giggs was indeed eligable to play for England... Im sure i watched something where Ryan giggs explained his choice. But hey! im open to be proved wrong.. but pretty sure thats right
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aaaargh! did pele snub england as well?? and maradona? and best? GIGGS DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR ENGLAND!!!
and he didnt cheese his dad off either... how would playing for wales cheese off a welsh international rugby league player from cardiff???
sort it!
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born in wales, welsh mother, welsh father... played for england schools cos he'd moved to manchester as a teenager....
the only way giggs could even possibly have played for england is through 'residency', the rule that allows jokers like almunia and cudicini to claimin the press that they'd "consider england", and that rule doesn't apply between the british associations...(i think there's an english lad in scotland at the moment who wants toplay for the jocks but can't due to the residency rule not applying...)
there, job done...i'm off to persuade lionel messi toplay for wales!
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Nice to see a touch of recognition for Giggs at this stage of his career.
For me , he and Scholes were always a class above Beckham (which is not actually intended as any kind of slant @ the latter), and their professional integrity etc has been as admirable as their talent.
Will be sad day when he retires.
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6 Out of 10? Has anyone agreeing with this actually watched him play this season?
Against Chelsea he ran the midfield alongside Fletcher (interesting that Fletcher was preffered over Carrick for this major game...). Against Derby he effectively played an effective lone striker role. Add to this the record of having scored in every season of the Champion's League and Premiership and I think you can understand why he is lauded as such a great player.
For him to be playing as well as he is at the age of 34 in what is arguably the hardest, highest quality, most physical league in the world in three different roles is surely testament to his greatness.
Fergie gets rid of players who are passed their best (even Stam as he was injured and looked like not being able to compete anymore). He doesn't do the sentiment thing and it is easy to see why Giggs has been given a new contract.
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I have been watching Giggsy since i was 10 years old, and even though Scholes is my favourite player, when i see giggs in the starting 11, i know we got a good chance of winning.
For everyone who doesnt support United, and do not give giggs the accolade he deserves is because your plainly jealous.
1st you look at the fact he has played for one of Englands top clubs for 17 years, in one of the hardest positions on the pitch. You then look at his assist record which when contrasted with his goal record shows a team player. You then look at the example he leads on and off the pitch.
And for those that still cant swallow their pride, youtube him.
My favourite game by the way, i believe was in 1998, against Juventus at home, we went 1 nil down after 30 seconds, giggsy simply destroyed them to win 3-2
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Ferdinand and Vidic have indeed been immense and it has been a case of 1-0 United so far this season.
They have shown they can still turn on the style and score a few in they need to as well. You know that they're ready and waiting to pounce should they need a few goals to win a game.
And that lad Giggs, he's got a chance of making it, you know.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
He's a lovely player Giggs, but all this fuss is a bit cringey. The United players seem to be taking it in turns to take a bow this season, and yet nothing's been won yet.
Giggs is a wonderful player to have in the squad and a lucky addition for Ferguson to be able to rely on the lad at his age.
Scholes, Giggs and Neville are great servents to United and Ferguson's next trick will have to be figuring out how to replace them because there is £60m of footballers there in the current market that he will have to replace to keep the squad at the current level.
Don't be surprised to see Ferguson stand down before he has to do that.
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#57; that's nonsense, the reason why Senna plays for Spain and Eduardo plays for Croatia despite both of them being born and raised in Brazil is because both the Spanish and the Croatian Football Associations accept players for the national side based on having residency and then getting a passport.
The English FA demands that to play for the senior England side, a player must have been in England or be of English descent.
Giggs played for England Schoolboys because the rules at that level stipulate that the boy plays for the country he lives in; any other way would be largely unworkable because of travelling.
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Ryan giggs is Welsh. Born in Wales, Welsh parents & Grandparents and could never have played for England. So, get over that! And, how insulting to say he beat and ageing Arsenal defence. A great, great goal. The man is a legend. Don't be foolish enough to think Fergie kept him for nostalgia!!!
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Giggs is WELSH, and forever will be,.
also sumbody before mentioned how the fergie fledglings (scholes, neville, giggs etc) never tried negotiating contracts but when giggs had turned around 30 or 31(im unsure precisely) there was a big furore about whether a contract for more than a 1 year extension should be offered (as was the policy).
giggs wasn't interested in the money just to be able to play for longer and longer. but thats just me being pedantic.
great player, will always be my favourite. only disapointment is perhaps he never got the international recognition he deserves. beckham nearly got european player of the year but il always rate giggsy (from a technique and peformance stand-point) above him.
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#76 - Karl-C, exactly right, Giggs couldn't play for England through residency rules, they do not apply to British Nationals. For example, the ex-Everton player, Pat van den Heuwe moved to England from Belgium when he was six. He qualified for a British Passport, became elegible for all four home-nations, and then chose to play for Wales. The only players born in the British Ilses who have a choice are those born in The Channel Islands or The Isle of Man, as they do not have a National Assocaiation/Team.
Oh and Giggs has never lived in Manchester, he has always lived in Salford, a seperate city.
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"Scholes, Giggs and Neville are great servants to United and Ferguson's next trick will have to be figuring out how to replace them"
I reckon the only one he hasn't replaced so far is Giggs. Da Silva plays ahead of Neville these days and Scholes is getting less and less starts. Once Hargreaves is fit, he'll get even less.
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FAO robbo robson...
would you care to come on here and explain exactly what you meant by ryan giggs 'choosing' Wales to annoy his father?
even the most cursory research would reveal that Giggs has NEVER been eligible for england. still, i look forward to your explanation
thanks mate.
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The goalkeeper of GB would be Craig Gordon, then Alan McGregor...oh and they are both SCOTTISH! Oh dear!
And I'd say that Ross McCormack and Steven Fletcher would be as good as any Englishman to partner Rooney up front!
...and yes I am Scottish!
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good article robbo, but you are missing one point, that needs to be made, is it better to be a part time player in a great team, or a full time player in a good team?
Giggs is still so good that he could walk into most premiership teams and be first choice in midfield, whereas at Man U he is not, he is only part of the squad, he is not in, and would not be picked in the 'first choice eleven' at fergies disposal.
There are plenty of other players who change their team for regular footy, and to me that is more admirable, than hanging around and waiting / hoping to be picked. e.g. Dean Windass, Gary Speed, Phil Neville etc...
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Whoever said Giggs has never been the best player in the United squad is deluded. In the two great United teams that Giggs has been a part of ('94 and '99), if there was a player you'd hope would be on the top of his game, it would be Giggs. Not Cantona, Scholes, Keane or Beckham, but Giggs. Simply unplayable at his best, which is why many United fans feel he has under-achieved despite his success - his inconsistency ultimately never led to him fulfilling the enormous potential he had. Players like Zidane, Figo and Del Piero have openly spoken of Giggs as one of the finest of their generation.
Why do people speak as though Giggs is lacking in technique? You make him sound like Kevin Nolan. The craft, guile and creativity on his passing is sublime.
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goodwill_the_blue - Giggsy can't play every single game because of fitness and keep him sharp for the games he does play. Don't know how you can use Phil Neville as an example as Giggsy at Neville's age was playnig regularly. So it has nothing to do with him not being good enough, its to do with fitness and his age. He is no longer a world class force at left wing but still pretty good in a central role. All you have to do is to look at how quality he was against Chelsea. I don't see how you can compare Giggsy to Speed and Windass as they are nowhere near Giggsy's quality. Giggsy is good enough to play for us, whereas Windass isn't good enough to play for Hull in PL, let alone United
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Thefootyoracle - aww, nice to see your so concerned about United when Giggsy and co retire. Fergie can handle it, just like he handled the departure of Keano, Cantona, Stamn and Becks and United still survived to achieve glory
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McCormack and Fletcher in the GB team............what world do you live in...
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Bangforyourbuck - Lee Sharpe suffered from Giggsy's emergence but he also had injury problems and most importantly, didn't have the right attitude to push himself. He could've been a great winger at another club if he didn't have the injury problems or that relaxed wayward attitude. You know what, funnily enough, i don't think Sharpe would change a thing about his career as that is what he is like and was/is a good mate of Giggsy. Just goes to show, its not enough just having the talent, you need the attitude and work rate. Will be remembered by United fans for giving some great moments such as his hat trick in 6-2 win over Arsenal and the back heel against Barca
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Worst blog I've seen in a while. Even people who don't follow football now understand Giggs, born of Welsh parents in Wales, would have had a tough time trying to represent England.
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#76
A good attempt at clarification on the main point, but though we live in the British Isles and have to tiptoe around such truths in pretty silk slippers, there's another rather more pressing reason why Senna plays for Spain and Eduardo for Croatia, and, like Garth Crooks and his role at the BBC, it has rather more to do with politics than football. And before anyone barges in with very loud complaints, do some research, particularly in the case of Eduardo.
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@81
I wouldn't wait too long for an answer, Robbo mainly talks utter rubbish and half of it is just made up on the spot.
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#79: Salford is definitely part of Manchester, just like Westminster is part of London, Santa Monica is part of Los Angeles and Buda and Pest are part of the same city (Budapest). Maybe a hundred years ago there were fields separating them and they were two distinct, separate places, but not any more!
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Sorry Westdrop, Salford IS a seperate City. I should know, I was born and lived there for 26 years, although from both my child-hood homes, I could actually see Old Trafford. Admitadely, I now live in France, but Salford has it's own City Council and City Hall (OK based in Swinton) and it's natural border with Manchester, is the River Irwell. Salford used to be a part of GREATER Manchester, like Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale and Oldham. Wanna say those towns are part of Manchester?
Second point, ever hear of Giggs playing for Manchester Schoolboys? Of course not, because he played for Salford Schoolboys. You don't hear of Burnage Schoolboys, or Moss-Side Schoolboys do you? Because those areas ARE districts of Manchester.
Voila Quoi, as we say in Dammartin sur Tigeaux.
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Robbo
Why ruin the enjoyment of one of your better blogs by mentioning 'that' goal v us Gunners in 99. I was there and ive never fully recovered!!!!
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Ryan Giggs went to school in Swinton, part of Salford City an older place than Manchester.
He is being considered for a Freeman of the City. Also FYI, the original Red Devils - Les Diable Rouge- are Salford City Rugby League club. United pinched the name from Salford. They were named this in the 1930's after a successful rugby tour in France
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Rightful plaudits for Ryan's longevity - but it does make you wonder about Sir Stanley Matthews - yes, the game was slower then but 50 years old? What was he on?!
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Re #37 I wouldn't sniff at either Bale or Ramsey both of those players may not be automatic selections for a GB but they certainly would have a chance. That is all I suggested. I think possibly my suggestions were with the proposed GB team at the London Olympics in mind too though...
Re #55 Fletcher is a far more consistent player at international level than Lampard who never seems to quite perform the same for England as he does for Chelsea. I would suggest you also need to look no further than Fergie in terms of who he would pick between Fletcher and Carrick. He often picks Fletcher before the latter.
Anyways, the point in my post was originally to reflect the arrogance of the blogger in assuming all English players would be the automatic choice. This is just simply not the reality of the possible scenario.
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Can't believe no one has mentiond GIVEN!!!!!
My Great Britain team would be:
Given
Brown (Wes)
Ferdinand
Terry
Cole
Bentley/Beckham
Gerard
Carrick
Giggs/Young
Rooney
Keane/Defoe
Subs:
Gordon
Richards
O'shea (only because of his versatility)
Lampard
Brown (Scott)
Bellamy
Owen (if he can stay fit)
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Meant to write Gerrard
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england plus giggs? despite the fact england have no decent gk's which has been repeatedly blogged about on this website and england have only 1 decent forward who can keep fit.
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i HAVE to ask, why is it, that when one of you lot write about someone everyone has to do it. I mean at the beeb. We have Hansen and Robbo on the same page lauding the talents of the same player. It makes for boring internet in that there is not enough diversity.
Good blog nonetheless, how anyone who posts here knows what giggsy personality is like is beyond me, are you all mates with him or something?
Please Robbo stop writing in Slang. You are doing no favours to the uneducated masses out there and the beeb is after all a public service, and no, intelligence of the masses is greatly over estimated, while that of the individual alwasy under estimated.
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errr #98.... Given and O'shea would'nt be eligible for a GB side.
They Play for the R.O.I which is not part of GB.
England,Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.
I do agree with the keeper choice tho... Given is awesome, if only he could play...
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Ferdinaldooney I have to say if Giggs ain't English O'Shea and Given and Keane, are certainly not british. Not part of your team as they don't qualify.
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Another mediocre effort by this Robbo fella. No wonder he writes anonymously.
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Oh yea, Keane aswell, didnt spot him, all IRISH unfortunately, and cant be part of your squad.
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I wish I could understand that. Being from America though, it's hard for me to read. I think I got the gist of it. Good stuff.
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Giggs is from Bury (Gtr Manchester). Didn't he play for Wales because his grandparents were Welsh? Anyway, he probably dodged a bullet there, considering the England 'fans' and rag tabloids tendancies to blame United players for Englands shortcomings in tornamnents.....
Giggs - a United legend.
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'Given? O'Shea? Keane?' I'm sorry, I really don't wish to be rude, but why do you Americans even bother trying to keep up? Even a duck can quack.
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Re: 97 Attila - really? why is it Carrick has got the most starts in central midfield since he has been here? Fergie rates Fletcher but Carrick has started more games than any other central midfielder at United since he came from Spurs. But i guess your not bothered about the facts, as long as you can get your anti-English point across
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Robbo, something you don't mention - and neither do any of the posters surprisingly - is that in almost 800 games for Man Utd, Giggs has never been red-carded.
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Giggs was born in Cardiff., Welsh mother, Welsh father. He did not qualify to play for England! As he is Welsh!!
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I really can't believe that someone who is paid by th BBC can't check their facts and come up with an anti welsh article about Giggs!
By the way Robbo the welsh also pay a licence fee to pay your wages!!
GIGGS IS WELSH!!
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#95 - Salford6, thank you very much. Giggs went to Moorside High School, in Swinton where my neice goes now. Dwayne Benzie, #107 you may be thinking of the Neville Brothers?? To confirm what Salford6 wrote, Salford Rugby League Club for the Super League Era were supposed to merge with Oldham and be called Manchester. However that caused such anger in both places that the idea was scrapped (my Dad wrote his one and only ever letter to our MP to complain) and Salford were allowed their place in Super League as Salford Reds.
They later changed the name to Salford City Reds, to remind people that Salford is indeed a City in it's own right and not part of Manchester. Sir Matt Busby adopted the nickname Red Devils in 1963, after hearing Salford called that.
Just to clarify, my posts may seem pedantic, but saying somebody from Salford, is from Manchester, is like asking a Welsh person, what part of England he is from. Unofrtunately, some of my current colleagues have made that mistake and I have had to help find their teeth. Encore, Voila Quoi.
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98 - how would given play for a GB team?
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Urm, just to correct myself, the original Red Devils were the Belgian National Footy Team, who were named such after playing France in 1904. But what Salford6 says is correct, Salford were also named Les Diables Rouges, by the French press after their tour here in 1934.
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Robbo, you clearly don't know much about rugby so I would stick to football if I was you.
Having said that, Ryan Giggs is the prince of modern day footballers with amazing skill, tempremant and modesty.
Absolutely one of a kind.
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Robbo Robson, please read the following.
Ryan Giggs was born in Wales.
He is Welsh.
He played for Wales.
He played for England Schoolboys because he went to school in England.
We are that little bit of land attached to Bristol, just on the left hand side of your country.
He didn't 'dump' you for Wales, he was always from Wales.
We wish you all the best in your hunt for an English left winger.
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Just to clear up for a few posts about Ryan Giggs being able to play for England because of residency in the same way Almunia could play for England. This is not possible because
A)as far as I am aware this rule was brought in after Giggs had represented Wales.
B) The home nations have an agreement not to select players due to residency. He would have needed to have had at least 1 parent or grandparent who was English which he does not. This is down to the same reason they are against a GB Team in terms of if they select players based on residency criteria it may effect their independent status.
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"Ryan keeps the team ticking over and clearly is a massive influence over the new boys who looked so damn good against Derby."
Robbo, you brought tears to my eyes reading this...
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Robbo wrote one careless paragraph about Giggsy and England - I think it's been flogged to death now; can't we move on.
How about appreciating some of his witty one-liners such as, "this year he looks like the fairy on top of an already well decorated Christmas tree."
That's why I read and enjoy these blogs, not to nit-pick.
I think what's not fully appreciated is that whilst he may not have been United's greatest ever performer on the pitch, behind Gigg's supposed bland public demeanor (which in itself is surely wholly commendable amongst all these egotistical prima donnas), like Red Neville, his influence on the younger players in the dressing room must be immense - I'm sure he is a key part of that 'X-factor' that helps newbies like the da Silva brothers to blend in so seamlessly. The pair of them along with Scholes must surely be kept on at the club to join Solskjaer in bringing on the next generations of youths, thus continuing their legendary status within the club.
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One quote from Giggsy sums him up as player and a person. And also lays to rest the myth about him "choosing" Wales over England:
"I'd rather never play in an international tournament than play for a country that isn't mine. I'm Welsh, end of story"
Welsh Legend
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Great blog Robbo, always makes me chuckle. I have to admit I watched the Derby game with a mixture of frustration and awe. Not being a Utd fan I get that deep down 'not again' feeling whenever I watch them play recently. But I have to admit watching Giggs and company reminds you why they're the champions. Great display - even if it pains me to say it.
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Regarding Giggs eligibility to play for England, or lack thereof...
Doesn't a player qualify through residency after 5 years? Since Giggs went to school in England, I assume he would also have been living this side of the border??
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As far as the Wales vs England debate, i reckon it was worth it just to see him nutmeg Gary Neville a few years ago when playing for Wales. Classic.
Giggs is and has been the greatest player in a Utd shirt for me. And there is no shortage of choice. For the talent, excitement, discipline and success he has bought to the team, i would still pay just to go watch him play.
Giggs. Simply the best.
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I think it is quite clear that Robbo is rather extremely stupid or a genius in generating responses to his blogs.
If the latter, I guess that is how he namages to con the BBC for the drivel that he calls sports writing.
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#110 - I think I remember one red card along the way - can anyone clarify?
#94 - I completely agree - when he was on song United flew.
Interestingly at the start of the season I thought I'd be reading blogs like this on Scholes. It was he rather than Giggs who seemed to be the heartbeat of United. But he picked up a nasty injury in the CL and since coming back, although he has had some good games, seems to have found himself on the edge.
As to player of the year - giving it to Giggs would be a bit like giving Denzil Washington the oscar for Man on Fire when EVERYONE knows he should have got it for Hurricane.
From United Vidic has to be the real choice - and you'd have to throw in Gerrard, Cahill and one or two others as well. Giggs has been outstanding in the last couple of months, but is simply not playing enough to be anything other than a romantic choice.
But a special one off lifetime or premiership award - no one would disagree with that.
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Giggs was never eligible for England full team.
GB Squad would not have an English goalkeeper.
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#126 - I think his only red card was playing for Wales - two yellows. Don't remember him getting one for United.
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no.98
O'Shea is Irish. Therefore could not play for a GB team.
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So is Given!!! Did you even know that Ireland is not part of the British Empire????
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He does have a cracking sense of humour.
In his first season, Notts County drew 1-1 with Man U at Meadow Lane - as a 16 year old he was serenaded from the terraces with 'there's only one spotty virgin' - and he turned Chris Short inside out all match.
At 90 minutes and delighted with a point, Short commented that Giggs shouldn't worry as they might win at the Lane next season.
Displaying a dry wit and maturity far beyond his years, Giggs replied 'I very much doubt it'.
Notts haven't played in the top division since.
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"Doesn't a player qualify through residency after 5 years?"
Interesting. Living in England, assuming you’re not British already, can qualify you for British citizenship. At which point, if you were Aluminia or Novo for example, do you pick which home nation you qualify for? Or does one have to qualify for citizenship and a specific home nation through residency? If the latter then perhaps you’re right!
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#126
Giggs was never sent off while playing for Man Utd. His one red card (two yellows) came while playing for Wales against Norway in 2001. In 2003 he received a two-match suspension from international football after video evidence showed him elbowing a Russian player.
In 2003 he was fined £7,500 by the FA for his part in the (in)famous brawl between ManU and Arsenal players after Ruud van Nistelrooy had missed a last-minute penalty. Giggs was caught on camera pushing some Arsenal players but he claimed that he was acting in defence of RVN.
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You should read the Daily Bung on the Telegraph website. You may learn a thing or two about mixing acerbic wit and valid observation. It'd open up a whole new world for you. Potentially.
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no.113 Shorty7fr
The term 'Red Devils' was coined long before 1963, in fact it was as early as the Babes 1957 title winning team the phrase started being used. It is not known which journalist actually coined the phrase, however it wasn't Sir Matt Busby.
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Thanks Kingeric, I always remember an American Football commentator slagging off a player because he'd given himself his own nickname. He said when you're great, others give you a nickname!!!
I would had hoped that Busby had far too much class and wa far too BUSY to have thought of such trivial matters.
Whether Busby did or didn't coin the phrase, I don't know I read that he did, but He Ho. I personaly thought it came about around 1956, when the match programme had the player shaking hands with the supporter. BUT we both may be wrong.
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Even as a liverpool fan always felt we needed someone like giggs on the wing... fantastic footballer... never liked it when he played us, always looks like he's going to make something happen.... especially in the 90's!
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As post 1 said. Giggs is Welsh through and through, he was not eligable to play for Wales Schoolboys because he went to school in England but was probably not eligable at the time to play for england at full levels either.
Just the same (but in reverse) as Michael Owen.
Regardless of all that, Giggs is THE premiership player. Others may have had more talent (Cantona, Zola, Bergkamp etc.) or been more prolific and impactful (Shearer, Ronaldo etc.) but few have brought the total package that Giggs does, combining talent, dedication, longevity, humility, determination and ultimately success. I have severe doubts that his haul of medals will ever be bettered, especially now that players seem to be having shorter careers at the top of the game.
The reason for his success is simple, he has always worked hard. He has changed his game to do whatever has been required of him by Ferguson, when he burst onto the scene it was raw pace and talent, he needed to improve his use of the ball and he did. Then he needed to improve his striking and he did, then he needed to get more involved in leading the team when the Fledglings came along and he did. Then he started to slow down so tailored his game to sit more, make the play more instead of running. Now finally he has reborn himself as someone who can play in the centre or as striker as well.
I hope that when he retires he does not take up a position with Man U but rather with the FA/PFA. They should employ him and send him out to every club in the football league system in turn to speak to the young players, spend a session or two in training with them, show them how a footballer should be and behave both on and off the pitch.
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Good article. As ever, a ironic, light hearted blend of half truths. I have to disagree with your GB +EIRE* team though. My squad would also include Given, Gordon, Hutton, Bale, O'Shea, B.Ferguson, S.Ireland, Fletcher McGeady,Bellamy, Keane, McFadden... perhaps even one or two others
*I say GB+EIRE because Robbo's earlier comparison with the British Lions rugby team who adopt this particular selection format
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hi robbo robson
i'm still waiting, patiently, for you to respond to my earlier question.
how can it be the case that someone born in Wales with two Welsh parents and three Welsh grandparents (the other being from (Sierra Leone) can qualify to represent england at football?
obviously, the answer is that they cannot. but what i'm interested in is why on earth you implied that he could?
you're a journalist. act like one.
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Now I could be wrong, but:
If Giggs had not played any international games for Wales or any other country, and he was married at the time to an English national, then he could have been eligible to play for England.
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Giggs is not only a United legend but is a legend in the game of football and should be knighted for his accomplishes without a question!
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According to these statshttp://www.premiersoccerstats.com/Records.cfm?DOrderby=OPAss&DYearby=All%20Seasons, Beckham has a better assist ratio than giggs. And he has a better goal ratio too, both at utd and taking the rest of his career into account. (not to mention beckham's ridiculous dead ball assist record).
Anyway, I like giggs, but he sure as hell shouldn't ne knighted. Nor should beckham, or any other current footballer.
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Dearie Me
Interesting stuff and what an education.
Here was me thinking that us Scots were the touchy ones and that the Welsh were all psuedo Englishmen.
You don't half labour a point though
TCP
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If I read one more comment about Giggs and his Welsh parents, I shall throw up.
The man is a terrific part of a terrific team and has made a valued contribution.
I'm a Liverpool fan, but there we go.
Just wish readers would NOT slag Beckham off every chance they get. He was a one team man until Ferguson stressed him away... throwing boots, criticising his wife and behaving like a thug. Beckham was right to move on....... but he has always said his heart was with ManU and that he was always honoured playing for England.
The man referred to here as a "one-leg pony" is an inspiration - but it has taken the Italian team to truly appreciate him. No wonder he wants to stay fit and stay in Italy playing with the best. He is working his ass off to do just that. He's a star. Sorry about that but nobody made a film called Bend it Like Ronaldo....
While I'm at it, Robbo is funny and bright and yes, his humour is wicked at times...but he has never been malicious nor mean-spirited. It ain't heart surgery, fellas....
and he earns his pay. Enough said.
Congrats to Ryan Giggs, he's deserving.
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i dont like him as his greatest goal was against arsenal but i cant mock it. Good on him for making such a career out of himself. But some time or another hes going to have to think about retirement. A great credit to "british football and fair play to him for staying welsh.
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Bring on 'Mr Mourinho'
You forget that was also the night that Scholes has a perfectly good goal disallowed!
The way United are playing we will destroy Milan.
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Giggs started in pro ranks when back passes were still allowed - make you feel old.
A fantastic player and excellent role model - on and off the pitch. Is it just me though in 800 apps I don't ever remember him diving?
BTW
braunstone - United are playing Internationale not (AC) Milan.
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RobVilla - I know.
(Inter Milan) - Milan....
More than 1 milan just like in England there's more than 1 United.
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# Braunstone -
It's universally agreed that Internationale Milan is Inter and AC Milan is Milan, to avoid confusion I think.
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ryan giggs is the best there is, there was and there ever will be. He definantly deserves the plater of the year award.
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@ 145:
As far as I know Fergie never criticised Beckham's wife, at least not publicly. That was tabloids. And you can't have a go at him for kicking a boot that, by fluke, managed to hit Beckham. United weren't playing well then, of course he was going to be angry. Look what happens to the ones that don't show their fangs when they lose, such as Adams. And when did he act like a thug?
I've got a huge amount of respect for Beckham, I remember a time when I was a lot younger and thinking that United hadn't had a decent match unless he'd grabbed a goal. But he's a career footballer at the end of the day. I think most United fans still feel sore over the fact that he only left for around 16 mil, as opposed to the bids of over 20 we were getting for him before that. There's nothing wrong with a player wanting to play all over the world, but when tries to deflect the obvious "is it just for the cash" questions that inevitably arise by saying he'd dreamt of playing for "x" as a schoolboy, it gets a bit annoying, considering at one point he was calling United the best club in the world, and that he'd never dream of leaving.
By the way, how does having a film named after you're set piece play make you decent footballer!? Once again, not saying he isn't. But Ronaldo is by far and wide a better player than Becks ever was. He's got speed, which Becks never had, not even in his prime, can play with both feet, and is a fantastic technical player. I think even Beckham would agree with me on that one.
I think "never malicious or mean spirited" goes a bit far too, have you ever seen his disciplinary record!
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why would it hack is dad off playing for Wales when is dad is welsh, get your facts right, do a bit of research!!!!!
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I read Robbo's blog quite often - and quite like 'em.
To all those telling him to get his facts straight:
If you want facts, do not read a blog. Scientific Papers/Journals might be more to your flavour.
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Whenever any united fan talks about football, even when its about Giggs (who is a ledgend) they cant help but bang on about Ronaldo... he is an arrogant show pony and WHEN he leaves you will wish that perhaps you had mroe players like Giggs who show loyalty and seem to have moral values rather than a walking step over like Ronaldo.
#151
how can he deserve the player of the year award when he has only started 9 games for united this whole season. fantastic super sub but not player of the year you tool...
in conclusion:
Giggs is a ledgend of the premier league era.
Ronaldo is an arrogant fashion disaster
and Vidic should be player of the year
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I find it very hard to believe your actually a journalist Robbo, you appear to get some sort of lift out of trash talking other teams and genuinely good players.
I'd personally try taking a lesson from journalists who actually have something good to say to enlighted a blog as opposed to having nothing decent to say in a single sentence.
Giggs should have is own personal award and Vidic should be player of the year.
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Just to put slight cat amongst pigeons re. welsh/english you should all relember Wales was incorporated into England with the Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542, creating the legal entity known today as England and Wales.
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Wasn't the whole "annoy his Dad" thing actually that he changed to his Mothers name from his dads (Wilson) when he became an adult
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