Andy Gray & Richard Keys: EPL predictions - Week 13
Ryan Giggs celebrated his 40th birthday on Friday but remains a key part of Manchester United’s squad and is expected to lead the team out against Spurs tomorrow.
Here Andy Gray and Richard Keys who front Al Jazeera’s English Premier League television coverage pay tribute to the longevity of a brilliant career.
Andy Gray: Giggs is a phenomenon and it’s a measure of how he has looked after himself, with his diet, his fitness, and his desire to keep going. To be able to continue playing at this level is incredible and we are very unlikely to see a player do anything like he has done again.
Ok, maybe some will play until they are 40 years old but at Champions League level? At top of the Premier League level? I don’t think so. He may be fading as a player but he is still key to the future of Man United because he is the one who can teach and inspire the new players coming into the club.
He can lead by example and show them the standard that is required every time you pull on that shirt. I think that’s why David Moyes has brought him onto the coaching staff.
Respect is earned, not given and Giggs has earned every bit of respect he will get from any new player who comes into Old Trafford.
Some might say that staying at Manchester United all his career and not playing in Spain or Italy leaves a gap of his cv. I don’t agree. What could he have won elsewhere that he hasn’t won multiple times at Manchester United? Nothing.
Ok, he hasn’t done what Ronaldo has done in playing in different parts of Europe and succeeding wherever he goes but Lionel Messi hasn’t done too badly as a one-club man and I can’t see him going anywhere else.
I think the only thing that is missing on Ryan Giggs’ cv is playing in a World Cup and that’s nothing to do with his playing ability.
There are giants in the Premier League and he is right up there. He is likely to start against Spurs on Sunday in what should be a cracking game.
Most people will expect United to triumph after their 5-0 victory at Leverkusen while Tottenham got taken apart at Manchester City but I think that result is the one reason why Spurs won’t get beaten.
I think the Spurs players will respond to that terrible experience and what should be a fascinating battle will end 2-2.
Richard Keys: What Giggs has achieved is extraordinary. It’s a wonderful personal achievement marked by some amazing moments of pure genius. I’m not surprised that he never chose to go and play elsewhere because when he was at his peak Manchester United was the club to be at.
He won’t have any regrets apart from, as Andy says, not playing in a World Cup and I think his Welsh compatriot Gareth Bale may well end up in the same situation.
The highlight of Giggs’ career for me was the goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final replay in 1999; it was such a wonderful game and his goal was an iconic moment.
But as much as you look in awe at what he has done I don’t think a club of Manchester United’s stature should be in a position where he is arguably still their best midfield player at the age of 40.
I don’t understand why United have not addressed the problem before it got to this stage. In the old days when Liverpool were winning everything you wouldn’t have had a 30-year-old running around in midfield let alone a 40-year-old.
At the very highest level it is crazy that United should rely on a player who is clearly not as quick or effective as he once was. He will play against Spurs who must surely respond after that ridiculous result against Man City last week.
It looked like the players downed tools. I hope that’s not the case and I don’t like the current witch hunt against Andre Villas-Boas. I think Spurs will prove that 6-0 thrashing was a one off and will win this one 2-1.
CHELSEA v SOUTHAMPTON
AG: I’m not too worried about the Southampton lost to Arsenal last week. Both the goals were silly mistakes; an awful error by the goalkeeper and the second was a cheap penalty.
They won’t be frightened going to Chelsea but Jose Mourinho will demand a response from his players after their poor performance against Basel in midweek and he’ll get it. 2-1 Chelsea.
RK: You never know what you are going to get from Chelsea at the moment. I don’t think Southampton did badly against Arsenal last week despite losing and although I can’t see them winning I think they can nick a point. 2-2.
CARDIFF v ARSENAL
AG: Cardiff know how to make life difficult for the big boys and they will do it again but Arsenal’s ability to keep possession might be the difference here. Cardiff could find themselves chasing the game so I reckon the Gunners will win 2-0.
RK: I can’t see Arsenal losing this. I know Cardiff did well against Man United and were unlucky not to win last week but Arsenal are a better side and the quality gap is enough for them to win 2-1.
HULL v LIVERPOOL
AG: Hull had a poor result against Crystal Palace last week and playing Liverpool is going to be a bigger test for them. They don’t score many goals and I think Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez will be too good for them. 2-0 away win.
RK: The wheels came off for Hull last week but there is something going on at Liverpool with Brendan Rodgers not too happy with Sturridge and he wouldn’t be the first to complain about that player’s attitude. However, Luis Suarez is just a different class and will be too good for Hull. 2-0 away win.
MAN CITY v SWANSEA
AG: City are an irresistible force at home with a staggering 26 goals so far at the Etihad Stadium, a remarkable record. I can’t see Swansea stopping Aguero and Negredo so although I don’t expect six again I can see a 3-0 win.
RK: It’s hard to imagine that City can keep on racking up the goals at home but with Aguero on magnificent form Swansea will be overwhelmed. 3-0.
ASTON VILLA v SUNDERLAND
AG: Sunderland look a bit tougher with Gus Poyet in charge but their habit of getting players sent off is worrying. If they can keep eleven on the pitch against Villa they will have a chance of getting something from this game but my gut instinct is that Villa will sneak a 1-0 win.
RK: I think Sunderland will win this because Villa are at home where they struggle. It’s not going to be pretty but with Christian Benteke struggling I think Villa lack firepower. 1-0 away win.
EVERTON v STOKE
AG: Stoke seem to be caught between playing a softer, prettier kind of football that Mark Hughes wants and the harder, resilient style that Tony Pulis instilled in the side. Everton were terrific against Liverpool last week and on the back of that they will be full of confidence. 2-0 home win.
RK: Everton were the better team against Liverpool last week but Roberto Martinez hasn’t got the depth of squad he would like so if Everton pick up injuries they might find themselves in trouble. But at the moment with Lukaku in frightening form and Gareth Barry doing well for them they will have too much for Stoke. 2-0.
NORWICH v CRYSTAL PALACE
AG: Palace are rock bottom but they had a good result at Hull last week and with Tony Pulis now in control they will have more self belief. This won’t be a pretty game but I’m backing Norwich to win 1-0 because of home advantage.
RK: I can see Palace winning this because of the Pulis effect. Tony is a good manager and his players will want to impress him. Norwich are pretty but not gritty and they might struggle against a dogged Palace. 1-0 away win.
WEST HAM v FULHAM
AG: Sam Allardyce will know that West Ham fans are starting to complain about the way his team is playing. Both teams are struggling but I think Sam will get a performance from his players when it matters against a rival London club. 2-0 home victory.
RK: Because both managers are desperate for a result I think it will end 1-1.
NEWCASTLE v WEST BROM
AG: It’s extremely difficult to win three Premier League games back to back, which Newcastle have managed to do, and two of them against top quality opposition, Chelsea and Tottenham. West Brom are a well disciplined side and because the stats will tell you that winning four in a row is unlikely I’m going for a 2-2 draw.
RK: Like Andy, I cannot believe Newcastle can win four on the trot. The Baggies will be flat after letting Villa back into the game last week but they are good enough to take something from this game. I think 2-2 is on the cards.
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