Bale the best in England?

Since the award of the PFA Players' Player of the Year to Gareth Bale was revealed this week, many journalists have questioned the vote and commented upon a number of high-profile omissions to the shortlist. Many have questioned the voting system for the award, whilst others have defended the decision, regarding Bale to have been the only stand-out performer over the past year.

Undeniably, Bale has, at times, been exceptional to watch. His lightning pace combined with his pinpoint crossing, talents which prompted manager Harry Redknapp to deploy him in a more advanced role, have been a joy to behold. Bale's big game performances, particularly in Europe, have been instrumental to Tottenham's achievements this year, most notably their efforts in the Champions League. Further eye-catching performances in the league, against Arsenal in particular, have boosted his reputation, with many placing an astronomical price tag on his head in January.

Critics have argued, however, that the majority of Bale's key performances this season have been reserved for the Champions League, and that his influence in the League has been limited. A look at the league table would appear to support this argument, with Spurs currently languishing in fifth place, one place below their finish last season. A closer look at Bale's individual statistics, which show he has only managed 1 domestic assist this campaign, despite contributing 7 goals, seems to support this argument further. Compare this to fellow winger Luis Nani, who was sensationally left out of the PFA main award shortlist after producing 9 goals and 18 assists this year. Or even when compared to fellow teammate and nominee Rafael Van Der Vaart, who now has 12 goals and 7 assists, it could be argued that Bale has not even been his team's top performer, let alone the league's.

And then there are the omissions. Along with the aforementioned Nani, teammate Dimitar Berbatov was left out, despite enjoying his most productive season in a red shirt, along with being the league's top scorer, and has arguably done no less than the nominated Carlos Tevez. From the other side of Manchester, Vincent Kompany, who many would argue has been the best player at Eastlands this year, was also omitted. Even Leighton Baines, who, despite his team enduring an underwhelming season up to March, has managed to impress at left-back, particularly by contributing 11 assists.

When looking at the other nominees for the top prize, however, no player stands out in a manner previous winners have done. Perhaps the most prominent candidate is United captain Nemanja Vidic, who has been a rock at the heart of the United team over the last few seasons. Or even Arsenal's Samir Nasri, who has proved himself of almost equal importance to Fabregas in the Arsenal XI this season, and certainly firing his team closer to the league title than they have been for years. With the lack of a Ronaldo or Rooney-type candidate for the award, it isn't altogether surprising therefore, that it was awarded to a British player, with it being given to a foreign player only 8 times in the past 38 years.

There is, however, one burning question that remains unanswered: If Bale was the best player in the Premier League this season, then why did he not also win the PFA Young Player of the Year?

The Demise of Paul Scholes?

Following Paul Scholes' recent dismissal in United's FA cup semi-final defeat to local rivals Manchester City, reports have been circulating that this is finally the end of Scholes' illustrious career. After all but ending United's treble hopes on Saturday with a reckless challenge on City's Zabaleta, which resulted in his tenth career red card, he must now make the decision whether to call time on one of the Premier League's most celebrated careers.

Since his debut for Manchester United in 1994, Scholes has risen to legendary status within the British game, winning 9 Premier League trophies and 2 European Cups and playing a crucial role in each season he has been fit to play in. At the beginning of the season it was widely appreciated that this could be his last year at Manchester United, with his 36th birthday imminent and the likes of Anderson, Gibson, Fletcher and Cleverley waiting in the wings. His form in the early half of the season, however, particularly that which earned him the August Player of the Month Award, coupled with the superb performances of fellow veteran Ryan Giggs, served evidence that the two players still have some years left in them at the top. With 59 appearances between the two so far this season, it is certainly evident that the two have played more than a bit-part role in United's quest for further silverware.

The statistics would also appear to favour the Salford-born magician; with him having played in 20 of United's 32 Premier League games so far, including key title matches against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City which would appear to imply that Sir Alex Ferguson still relies upon the 'wiser' head of Scholes in the bigger games. Delivering one goal and four league assists (only one less than Steven Gerrard, and one more than team-mate Dimitar Berbatov) in the league, this evidence alone would appear to imply that Scholes' playing days are far from over.

It is the case, however, that whilst Scholes' range of passing has been something to behold over the past 17 years, displaying an air of calmness and control when in possession of the ball - envied by any playmaker, his Achilles heel has undoubtedly been his decision-making when not in possession; most notably his tackling. His disciplinary record is undeniably as poor as his passing is good; He has received more yellow cards in the Champions League (32) than any other player, including the booking in the 1999 semi-final which caused him to miss the final; He is the third most yellow-carded player in Premier League history, (behind Kevin Davies - 92, and Lee Bowyer - 99), with 89 to his name, which includes the 10 domestic yellow cards he has received in this campaign, for which he has already served a two-match ban.

Although there is a case that he has always been a fiery character, serving a ban for the 1999 Champions League Final at only 25 years old the obvious example, it is evident that the less he is able to influence games positively as he ages, the more his negative elements have crept into his game. After only receiving one red card in the first 10 years of his career, he has since seen 8 red cards in his last 7 seasons. This does, incidentally, coincide with the crucial departure of Roy Keane in 2005, a player who Ferguson has found extremely hard to replace. The loss of Keane, combined with the tiring legs of Scholes, has led to him occupying an increasingly deeper position in the team, with him often being deployed as the holding midfielder - a role which suits his passing repertoire, yet not his defensive abilities.

Furthermore, despite appearing in 27 games this season, 7 of those appearances have been from the bench, and although the season is not yet over, this is some way down on his average of 40 appearances a season since 1994. His influence when playing would also appear to have diminished considerably, with United winning 75% of the PL games he has not featured in, compared to only 55% of the matches he has played in. Although his legs are often saved for the bigger and more difficult tests, it is certainly a statistic which represents a fall from grace from one of Ferguson's most trusted employees.

With his contract expiring this summer, we are yet to see whether he will follow in the footsteps of Giggs, who signed a one-year extension in February. Always a humble player, however, it is realistic to suggest that, despite being younger than Giggs, Scholes' performances have not matched the welshman's in recent months, and that it may be time to draw an end to a fantastic career. It would be a shame to see the player, who Zinedine Zidane once named as his 'toughest opponent', bow out from the big stage without a big send off, and it would be perhaps fitting for his last game to be in the Champions League final at Wembley. After being exposed and outrun by the likes of De Jong and Yaya Toure on Saturday, however, it remains to be seen how much faith Ferguson will place in him, should they reach the final.