Luis Suarez' Reputation Not Helped By Well Meaning Debates

 There’s been plenty written about why Luis Suarez should be considered a valid candidate for PFA player of the year, people saying he doesn’t stand a chance because players simply won’t vote for him and that’s not fair. But in my opinion even writing articles on this debate is offensive to our Uruguayan striker, it’s ‘Player Of The Year’ and what has he actually done this season that should be overlooked so his performances alone can be voted on?

 I think it’s pretty well expected that the six candidates for the award will be Michu, Fellaini, Bale, Mata, Van Persie and Suarez. All that springs to mind for this season with Suarez was his ridiculous dive against Stoke, which didn’t earn him a penalty so he didn’t gain from it. The ‘handball’ at Mansfield was an accidental incident blown out of proportion by the press. As far as I can recall there’s been nothing else. Bale has been repeatedly cautioned for diving, Mata is no stranger to ‘winning’ penalties, Fellaini’s headbutt and other various assaults at Stoke were worse than anything Joey Barton has ever done on a football pitch and Van Persie has put in some pretty bad studs first challenges this season that should have resulted in red cards. As far as I can see only Michu of the group has kept his nose clean. So I repeat my question, why the debate about Suarez?

 Liverpool fans, current and ex players and journalists have been quick to say Suarez should be judged on performances alone, and despite these pieces being written with the aim of supporting the striker, I don’t think they help with his reputation. He has done no more wrong this season than probably half of the players in the Premier League and these debates do nothing other than enhance the myth that he’s the lone sinner in the sea of purity which is the English football.

 I’ve defended Suarez on several occasions, just have a read back over some of my previous posts, but this time I won’t, because there’s absolutely nothing to defend him for.

 As for the Player Of The Year award itself, it’s not an easy one to call. Any of the previously mentioned six players have done enough to win it. It’s probably between Van Persie, Suarez and Bale. I think Bale has been awesome recently but I’m not sure he’s been on top form the entire season so it’s down to the other two, who will almost certainly finish the season as the league’s two top goalscorers.

 A couple of simple questions, if Van Persie had been in the Liverpool team this season would he have scored more or less than he has done? And if Suarez had been in the Man Utd side would his current total be more or less than it is? Pretty easy answers to those two which tells you how much of the players performance is down to the team, rather than the individual, meaning the clear winner should be Suarez. But his goals haven’t won us anything, Van Persie’s goals have landed his team the title. So how do you decide? You can’t really, whoever wins it will have deserved it.