The Greatest Individual Premier League season ever?

Morzadec

Has Luis Suarez just completed the greatest Premier League season produced by a single player since the Premier League's induction?

Most would probably argue his main rivals for the honour would be Shearer (94-95), Henry (03-04) and Ronaldo (07-08).



The case for:


Taken on numbers alone, it's hard to argue against Suarez having produced the most impressive season

He has the joint most amount of goals in a 38 game season (31), and the best goals-per-game ratio ever (0.94). Unlike those that he has pipped (Ronaldo, Shearer, Henry) he has done it without taking penalties. If he had been on spotkick duty and even had a modest conversion rate, we would be talking about a 40-goal season and a goal per game ratio of over 1 - something most would have thought unimaginable at this level.

If Gerrard hadn't knocked in two assists on the final day, Suarez would have also topped the assist chart with 12 assists, something never done before (topping both goal and assist charts) and again something we might have thought impossible to achieve. Even with 12 assists, we're talking about a considerably higher contribution than Henry and Ronaldo in their standout seasons (7 each, no data available on Shearer).

To have a direct hand in 43 goals in just 33 games (not including the several penalties he won) is incredible and, as far as I know, is a figure no Premier League player can come close to matching (but feel free to dig some stats up and prove me wrong).

He won 14 Man of the Match awards, meaning he was the best player on the pitch in 43% of games he played. It's difficult to find the stats, but I imagine this is also unprecedented.

The goals contributed came in all sorts of forms - proving his versatility and ability to be a poacher, as well provide touches of genius, a threat from both set-pieces and open play.

Added to these incredible stats are the fact that he is not a luxury player - he is not someone who is there only to provide goals, but rather pitches in with at least the same amount of work rate as the rest of his team (probably more), arguably contributing to the overall effort more than some of his rivals.


The case against:


The number one case against would probably be that his efforts did not win his club the league. The other great seasons we talk about all ended in league-winning triumphs for the star players' clubs, but Suarez's Liverpool ultimately fell a little short. This arguably taints what was, by goals and assists, the best individual performance we have ever seen in a single season.

Another case that can be made against is the environment that Suarez is playing in, compared to the others. Whether it is a shift in tactics, or a decrease in the quality of defending, the Premier League has seen more goals in recent years. This season had 2.77 goals per game, slightly more than the 2.66 in Henry's stellar season, 2.64 in Ronaldo's and 2.59 in Shearer's - so it could be argued that Suarez's incredible records have been achieved in a slightly more open league.

Also there is the issue of his total goal contribution to his team. Liverpool have been an ultra attacking force this season scoring an unprecedented amount of goals for them in the Premier League era, but at the same time shipping a huge amount too. It could be said that Suarez's figures were boosted by an ultra-attacking approach, compared to other players who achieved it playing in more balanced sides.

For example, in 07-08 Ronaldo managed to score 31 goals while playing for a team that was one of the most defensively-sound teams ever seen in the Premier League (United only conceded 22 goals that season - compare that to Liverpool's 50 conceded this season). Henry too delivered his star season playing in an Arsenal side that conceded very infrequently. So these players were able to achieve stats nearly as good as Suarez while playing in a style that was not quite as gung-ho as Liverpool 13/14.

It could be said that, overall, these players contributed more to the ultimate victory of their sides. Here are the stats for goal contribution (% of players' goals to overall team goals).

1. Shearer 94/95 - 42.5%
2. Henry 03/04 - 41%
3. Ronaldo 07/08 - 39%
4. Suarez 13/14 - 31%

If we took into account assists as well, it would be:

1. Henry - 50.5%
2. Ronaldo - 47.5%
3. Suarez - 42.5%
Shearer - ??? (No stats on assists available)


So the others were arguably more important to their teams' goalscoring than Suarez was to Liverpool. One could argue that any striker would score a lot of goals with the approach Liverpool took (Sturridge's 21 goals possible evidence for this), while scoring goals in a team that focuses as much on keeping goals out as putting them in is more difficult.

The other argument would be that Suarez is not responsible for the defensive mishaps which led to Liverpool leaking a lot of goals and letting the league slip, and that his job as an attacker is to score and create goals, and therefore his numbers are just as valid as the others.



To be honest I'm not quite sure what my personal view is on this. As a Liverpool fan, I'd like to say Suarez and really he has produced some incredible performances this year and some unimaginable statistics that we all thought were reserved for the two players who were (are?) considered on another level to anyone else in world football - Ronaldo and Messi.

However, the fact that his contribution did not deliver ultimate glory, and the argument that perhaps this ultimate glory was not achieved as a result of the approach that allowed Suarez to be involved in so many goals, might stand against him.

Poll to follow - there are of course others who I haven't mentioned who could be considered for this, but I feel these are probably the main contenders, so I will leave it to these 4 and an 'other' option.

I'll read some more arguments for and against before making up my own mind.

(Also, it would be good if this didn't turn into a Liverpool vs United pissing contest it would be great, but that's probably asking too much isn't it?)

Timmyctc

Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 13-14

What about defensive players / goalkeepers. There's more to a good season than goals / assists.

Out of the players you've selected. I'd say henry or Ronaldo. There's only so much stats can help you extrapolate. Henry and Ronnie played with a certain flair that i think was somewhat unparallelled.

Lukker-

Probably a bit too much to ask but could you compare their goals scored against the Top 6 teams in the league?

Interesting thread though OP.

Iang87

Other

Timmyctc wrote: »

What about defensive players / goalkeepers. There's more to a good season than goals / assists.

Out of the players you've selected. I'd say henry or Ronaldo. There's only so much stats can help you extrapolate. Henry and Ronnie played with a certain flair that i think was somewhat unparallelled.

Not to completely derail this best team debate but that arsenal team were the invincibles and that united team were in my view the best united side I ever seen.

I chose suarez mostly because i'm incredibly biased, partly because this liverpool team isnt close to those two teams, a little because wasnt shearer in a 42 game season and because I'm right

bucketybuck

These stats were posted in another thread:

- Suarez failed to score in all 6 games against the top 4.
- Almost half his goals (45%) came against the bottom 5 teams.
- If you take away all his goals against the top 10, Liverpool would have still finished 3rd. (-4 points)
- 24 of his 31 goals came against the teams which have stoke as the highest placed team.

I would have voted for him as player of the season, but the facts above are significant in my view, so no way could it be said to be the greatest individual season ever.

Average-Ro

I would argue for Henry or Ronaldo. I believe they had more of an individual impact on their teams; dragging them through some tough fixtures and pulling the sublime out of their back pocket when the pressure was on.

Morzadec

Timmyctc wrote: »

What about defensive players / goalkeepers. There's more to a good season than goals / assists.

Out of the players you've selected. I'd say henry or Ronaldo. There's only so much stats can help you extrapolate. Henry and Ronnie played with a certain flair that i think was somewhat unparallelled.

Of course there is. But goals and assists win games and win leagues, and is a more specialised skill set in some way (there's a reason why attacking players go for fees far greater than defensive players - their skills are rarer and in a greater demand).

Like I said, there is an 'other' option, so just click that and say who you're going for, (maybe Terry 04-05, or Keane, Viera or Gerrard could be worth shouts too, even maybe Yaya this season who has been incredible).

I think these are probably the seasons of standout excellence though and it would be between one of these - if I'm wrong and loads of people vote 'other' then we will know if I've left someone important out, but I doubt it, I'd say most would vote for one of these

Lukker-

Drogba in 2009-2010 is in with a shout too.

29 goals, 10 assists, didn't take penalties either.

A good few crucial goals against the top teams too. I think Rooney undeservedly beat him to the Player of the Year that season too, but then Drogba wasn't English.

Cookiemunster

Average-Ro wrote: »

I would argue for Henry or Ronaldo. I believe they had more of an individual impact on their teams; dragging them through some tough fixtures and pulling the sublime out of their back pocket when the pressure was on.

Yeah. Suarez' goals only actually won Liverpool 12 points this season (Scored winner or equaliser). With Ronaldo it was 23 points and Henry it was 25 points. http://www.espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/14595?cc=5739

SM01

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United) 07-08

Liverpool supporter - Henry for me. Stunning player.

Morzadec

Lukker- wrote: »

Drogba in 2009-2010 is in with a shout too.

29 goals, 10 assists, didn't take penalties either.

A good few crucial goals against the top teams too. I think Rooney undeservedly beat him to the Player of the Year that season too, but then Drogba wasn't English.

I was looking through stats, saw that season and thought it was very impressive and possibly worth a shout.

Looking through the stats now, a bit absurd that Drogba didn't win it (though not as absurd as Bale winning it the following year), especially given the fact that Chelsea won the league. Lampard too had more impressive figures than Rooney (22 goals, 14 assists to Rooney's 26 goals and 3 assists)

grumpymunster

No brainer Petr Cech 2004 / 05

21 clean sheets
15 goals conceded
10 consecutive clean sheets

Overall record 50% of his premeir league games result in clean sheets.

legend.

Morzadec

A couple of interesting stats swaying me away from Suarez, although I do think if the disadvantage of penalties were taken away they might not look so damning.

Anyone have any figures for the amount of penalties taken/scored by Henry and Ronaldo in their respective seasons?

Some videos to maybe help us decide:

Mickeroo

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United) 07-08

Suarez is the best player in the league for me at the moment but I genuinely don't think he's quite at the level of Henry or Ronaldo at their peak yet. He doesn't have that quality that makes me want to watch a game just because he's playing they way they did.

Numbers wise it's hard to argue though and he's deserved every award he's gotten plus he could very well improve over the next few seasons which is pretty frightening.

I'm biased as a Gooner but it's Henry 03 - 04 for me.

Morzadec

grumpymunster wrote: »

No brainer Petr Cech 2004 / 05

21 clean sheets
15 goals conceded
10 consecutive clean sheets

Overall record 50% of his premeir league games result in clean sheets.

legend.

My argument against that would be that those incredibly impressive achievments was more of a team, and particularly defensive, effort. In how many of those 21 games did Cech have to make a big save?

This would be backed up by the fact Terry won the PFA that year. He was probably the stand out of that incredible defense (don't forget Makelele as well), with also the approach and the ability of Mourinho being a massive factor.

Quite probably the greatest goalkeeping performance (thought maybe Schmeichel and van de Saar could be in with a shout) and most definitely the greatest defence in the Premier League era, without question, conceding just 14 goals is unbelievable, but Cech as the greatest individual season? Not a chance imo.

JerCotter7

Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 13-14

Morzadec wrote: »

Of course there is. But goals and assists win games and win leagues, and is a more specialised skill set in some way (there's a reason why attacking players go for fees far greater than defensive players - their skills are rarer and in a greater demand).

Like I said, there is an 'other' option, so just click that and say who you're going for, (maybe Terry 04-05, or Keane, Viera or Gerrard could be worth shouts too, even maybe Yaya this season who has been incredible).

I think these are probably the seasons of standout excellence though and it would be between one of these - if I'm wrong and loads of people vote 'other' then we will know if I've left someone important out, but I doubt it, I'd say most would vote for one of these

Funny argument to make when a lot of people point to Liverpools terrible defense being the main reason behind them losing. Arsenals unbeaten season, they scored almost 30 goals less than Liverpool yet they earned more points than Liverpool this season. I'm not sure how you can argue that defense isn't just as important. Even look at Chelsea this season.

You need a good balance really.

grumpymunster

Morzadec wrote: »

My argument against that would be that those incredibly impressive achievments was more of a team, and particularly defensive, effort. In how many of those 21 games did Cech have to make a big save?

This would be backed up by the fact Terry won the PFA that year. He was probably the stand out of that incredible defense (don't forget Makelele as well), with also the approach and the ability of Mourinho being a massive factor.

Quite probably the greatest goalkeeping performance (thought maybe Schmeichel and van de Saar could be in with a shout) and most definitely the greatest defence in the Premier League era, without question, conceding just 14 goals is unbelievable, but Cech as the greatest individual season? Not a chance imo.

Opinion difference always good and this is actually an interesting topic but it is always a team effort. But to concede so few in your first season in a new league whilst displacing the incumbent keeper is a hell of an achievement and I would have thought up then with Henry, Ronaldo and Suarez.

Morzadec

JerCotter7 wrote: »

Funny argument to make when a lot of people point to Liverpools terrible defense being the main reason behind them losing. Arsenals unbeaten season, they scored almost 30 goals less than Liverpool yet they earned more points than Liverpool this season. I'm not sure how you can argue that defense isn't just as important. Even look at Chelsea this season.

You need a good balance really.

Defence is really important but I find it tends to be more of a team effort, less reliant on one individual's brilliance.

Whenever we think of a great defence, we usually think of a centre-back duo, or the whole back 4 and goalie, or the organisation and discipline of the whole team.

Examples:

Early 90s Milan - We always talk of both Maldini and Baresi (and of course there was Costacurta as well)

Chelsea 04-05 - Terry, Mourinho, Makelele, Cech, Carvalho and the whole team really. Terry was acknowledged individually for his brilliance, but it was definitely a team effort, and you could probably have subbed in another decent player in his place that season without a huge difference being made (something that could not be said of the special individuality of Henry, Ronaldo, Suarez).

Italy 06 - Cannavaro, Nesta Buffon - again Cannavaro deservedly got recognised individually, but the main emphasis was on that back trio, with the supporting cast of Grosso and Zambrotta out wide, with Pirlo and Gattuso in front.

To clarify, of course defence is just as important as attack, but when it comes to one individual making the difference on his own, it's invariably an attacker. Defence is always a bit more of a group effort

pickarooney

Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 13-14

I don't even think his was the best individual overall performance this season. Yaya Touré had an immense year.

Will I Amnt

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United) 07-08

I'd honestly have last season for RvP ahead of this season for Suarez and neither close to Henry.
I know I'm going to be accused of bias but I don't really care TBH.
Important goals make the difference.

eagle eye

I'm a Rovers fan and I didn't vote for Shearer in this, I had to go other because for me the best individual season by a player was the year Ronaldo scored 31 Premier league goals but it wasn't him that I thought was the most outstanding that season. For me Wayne Rooney was just incredible that season and was the best performer over a season that I've seen since the Premier League began.

Washington Irving

Suarez reached levels of performance this season that none of the other three achieved in their respective seasons (Ronaldo has since), but overall I wouldn't begrudge voting for Henry or Ronaldo (or Drogba 09/10).

The argument for Suarez not scoring versus the big teams is total bollocks imo. He has assisted goals, won penalties and put in brilliant performances in those games. For example, he was easily the best player on the pitch for Liverpool's visit to the Etihad.

Ronaldo, Henry and the rest all played against weaker sides too. Suarez scoring such a high percentage of his goals against those sides shouldn't be a point against him.

I think Suarez' lower % in contribution towards his team's total goals somewhat offsets him playing in a more attacking system.


Probably slightly biased due to club allegiance (far from the only one, looking at the poll).

MaroonAndGreen

Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 13-14

Found this very interesting, said id post it in a few of the relevant soccer threads, see what ye think.

This is the table of Premier League's top scorers (top 15):
1. Suarez - 31
2. Sturridge - 21
3. Toure - 20
4. Rooney - 17
4. Aguero - 17
6. Bony - 16
6. Dzeko - 16
6. Giroud - 16
9. Lukaku - 15
9. Rodriguez - 15
11. Hazard - 14
11. Remy - 14
13. Gerrard - 13
13. Lambert - 13
14. Van Persie -12

Now, when you look at how many of these player's goals were actually game-changing goals (a goal scored when behind, an equaliser or a goal scored to go 1 up) you see a very different table. Percentage of goals scored that were game changing is in brackets.

1. Sturridge - 13 (62%)
2. Bony - 12 (75%)
3. Rooney - 11 (65%)
3. Giroud - 11 (69%)
3. Remy - 11 (78%)
6. Aguero - 10 (59%)
6. Hazard - 10 (71%)
6. Lukaku - 10 (66%)
6. Gerrard - 10 (77%)
6. Van Persie - 10 (83%)
11. Dzeko - 9 (58%)
11. Suarez - 9 (29%)
11. Rodriguez - 9 (60%)
14. Toure - 6 (30%)
15. Lambert - 5 (38%)

So Sturridge scored the most important goals, followed by Bony.

Amazingly 10 players scored more important goals than the Player of the Year Luis Suarez, and 13 players scored more important goals than Yaya Toure.

83% of the time Van Persie scored was an important goal, itd make you wonder what if he'd been fit all season.

Itd also make you wonder was Suarez worth his Player of the Year award?

Morzadec

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

Found this very interesting, said id post it in a few of the relevant soccer threads, see what ye think.

This is the table of Premier League's top scorers (top 15):
1. Suarez - 31
2. Sturridge - 21
3. Toure - 20
4. Rooney - 17
4. Aguero - 17
6. Bony - 16
6. Dzeko - 16
6. Giroud - 16
9. Lukaku - 15
9. Rodriguez - 15
11. Hazard - 14
11. Remy - 14
13. Gerrard - 13
13. Lambert - 13
14. Van Persie -12

Now, when you look at how many of these player's goals were actually game-changing goals (a goal scored when behind, an equaliser or a goal scored to go 1 up) you see a very different table. Percentage of goals scored that were game changing is in brackets.

1. Sturridge - 13 (62%)
2. Bony - 12 (75%)
3. Rooney - 11 (65%)
3. Giroud - 11 (69%)
3. Remy - 11 (78%)
6. Aguero - 10 (59%)
6. Hazard - 10 (71%)
6. Lukaku - 10 (66%)
6. Gerrard - 10 (77%)
6. Van Persie - 10 (83%)
11. Dzeko - 9 (58%)
11. Suarez - 9 (29%)
11. Rodriguez - 9 (60%)
14. Toure - 6 (30%)
15. Lambert - 5 (38%)

So Sturridge scored the most important goals, followed by Bony.

Amazingly 10 players scored more important goals than the Player of the Year Luis Suarez, and 13 players scored more important goals than Yaya Toure.

83% of the time Van Persie scored was an important goal, itd make you wonder what if he'd been fit all season.

Itd also make you wonder was Suarez worth his Player of the Year award?

They certainly are interesting stats but don't make ma change my mind that Syarez deserved his award or that Yaya was a clear 2nd.

RVP is obviously going to have scored more "important" goals as his team was so poor that he was always going to be involved in equalizers and winners as they were not good enough to put 2 plus goals against their opposition bar the odd rare occassion.

Also I feel goals to go 2 up or even 3 up should nit be discounted as worthless, as with a team like Liverpool who have played ultra attacking football, this is the way they have gone about killing off games and these goals were very important

Liam O

eagle eye wrote: »

I'm a Rovers fan and I didn't vote for Shearer in this, I had to go other because for me the best individual season by a player was the year Ronaldo scored 31 Premier league goals but it wasn't him that I thought was the most outstanding that season. For me Wayne Rooney was just incredible that season and was the best performer over a season that I've seen since the Premier League began.

Rooney did a lot of donkey work as an enabler for Ronaldo and was hugely important to the effort but Ronaldo was far and away better than him that season.

osarusan

Fowler in 94-95 was amazing. 25/42 in the league, 31/57 in total. Played every game, won the league cup, socred the fastest EPL hattrick ever. He was only 19 for most of the season.

tmc86

Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 13-14

Whilst Suarez has been sublime this season, Ronaldo would be my choice.

One of the most impressive attributes (for me) that Suarez demonstrated this season was his ability to score a variety of goals of which demanded different technical abilities. I thought that this season he seemed so mentally alert meaning he was able to read the game a lot quicker than I'd previously seen.

However, my case for Ronaldo is based on overall team impact contributing not just to the league title but also the European Cup.

A second significant factor for me was that Ronaldo's natural position isn't as an out and out striker whereas the other three candidates would be. Ronaldo had the ability to influence the game from the middle of the pitch and continue that momentum to convert to the back of the net. Whilst it could be argued that Suarez is a goalscorer and contributor I think that Ronaldo was so impressive on so many different aspects of the game (and that's without even mentioning set pieces).

Here's another stat that I don't think has been posted yet;

Suarez attempts 5.6 shots per game in the Premier League, double the amount of his nearest competitor in this table (Sergio Aguero with 2.8 shots per game)

5.6 shots per game and 0.94 goals scored brings a bit of humility back to his goal scoring ratio.

Will I Amnt

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United) 07-08

tmc86 wrote: »

5.6 shots per game and 0.94 goals scored brings a bit of humility back to his goal scoring ratio.

That's a nonsense argument TBF. I wouldn't care if my striker took 15 shots to get a hat trick every game as long as he's getting the hat trick every game.

kryogen

Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 13-14

Very close between Henry and Ronaldo for me, and maybe a bit of bias, and it being fresher in the memory (plus him not actually being a striker) made me choose Ronnie. He was unbelievable that season.

Drogba has been mentioned as being worthy of a shout, RVP last year also I believe, Suarez was incredible for most of the season, his figures tailed off toward the end and the other statistical figures that put him in a negative light make it easier to put this down to Henry or Ronaldo for me anyway

Alan Shearer wouldnt win an Alan Shearer look a like contest with me. No time for him

SlickRic

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United) 07-08

Henry 03-04.
RVP 12-13
Ronaldo 07-08.
Suarez 13-14.

I have to put those 3 ahead of Suarez as they won titles.

Suarez, as brilliant as he was, didn't quite make the difference in the run-in. if he had, he may well have jumped to 1st.

the Henry of 03-04 was the best player in the history of the Premier League, and I don't say that lightly at all.

I think it's already been slightly forgotten how incredible RVP was last year.

Ronaldo scored tons and made THE difference in that title run-in.

geeky

Morzadec wrote: »

My argument against that would be that those incredibly impressive achievments was more of a team, and particularly defensive, effort. In how many of those 21 games did Cech have to make a big save?

This would be backed up by the fact Terry won the PFA that year. He was probably the stand out of that incredible defense (don't forget Makelele as well), with also the approach and the ability of Mourinho being a massive factor.

Quite probably the greatest goalkeeping performance (thought maybe Schmeichel and van de Saar could be in with a shout) and most definitely the greatest defence in the Premier League era, without question, conceding just 14 goals is unbelievable, but Cech as the greatest individual season? Not a chance imo.

You can also make that argument about goalscorers in an excellent attack - I doubt Suarez would have made the same impact playing for Norwich!

It's an interesting thread but it's never going to be quantifiable in the same way that some other sports are, because every player relies so much on his team-mates. Suarez has had one of the best seasons ever IMO, but not quite Henry in 03-04, or Zidane in his pomp, when he looked like he was on a different plane of existence.

Paully D

Kevin Phillips, 1999-2000. 30 goals in 36 games for Sunderland.

TheDoc

Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 13-14

Ronaldo pips it for me.

Not only through his goal scoring, but his just presence and general play was a major factor in driving United to the title and beating rivals.

I also find it hard that year to separate his form in Europe which was sensational, helping couple a title and Champions league.

Suarez work and goals were of course impressive and he is a very good player, but I struggle to subscribe to the hype seeing him flounder against better opposition.

But that is nitpicking a highly impressive season for the guy.

bullvine

Eric Cantona 1996, almost single handed won the league for United, scored the winner in around 6 matches in a row for one nil wins.

K-9

Will I Amnt wrote: »

That's a nonsense argument TBF. I wouldn't care if my striker took 15 shots to get a hat trick every game as long as he's getting the hat trick every game.

He tends to try the outrageous and spectacular more which would go a long way to explain that stat.

eagle eye

Clearly I read the title of the thread. Thought it was best season performance but obviously it's best goalscoring performance and that was Alan Shearer.

darced

Other

This post has been deleted.

Soups123

Personally I dont think thats Suarez is even close to some of the others mentioned, players like Henry/Ronaldo/Drogba at there prime seasons where also deliverying in the CL and TBH against the really big teams.

He has had a brilliant season but I agree with calls for Yaya this year as being immense, I also think Sturridge was key for Pool this year and seemed to pop up with more goals in the bigger games when needed.

Great season but to be the best in all of the premier league not even close

SlickRic

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United) 07-08

darced wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

i'm a Liverpool fan, and we really have.

glued

Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 13-14

darced wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Henry and Ronaldo have both had better seasons while playing CL football...

Skylinehead

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United) 07-08

glued wrote: »

Henry and Ronaldo have both had better seasons while playing CL football...

Yeah that was bizarre. We've not seen anything like it even when he slowed down? Henry and Ronaldo didn't slow down, they kept scoring until the last day.

machiavellianme

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United) 07-08

SM01 wrote: »

Liverpool supporter - Henry for me. Stunning player.

Snap. He had it all.

Knex*

Other

Between Henry and Suarez for me. I went with Suarez in the end as I feel Henry was probably in the better team, overall.

Suarez does more than what the stats simply show as well. Rest assured, without him we'd be far worse off.

Soups123

Knex. wrote: »

Between Henry and Suarez for me. I went with Suarez in the end as I feel Henry was probably in the better team, overall.

Suarez does more than what the stats simply show as well. Rest assured, without him we'd be far worse off.

I get Liverpool fans loving him, if he was my player I would but all biase aside he is nowhere near having had the best season of any player in the history of the premier league.

So many other players would be on a par and others a step above, even Paully Ds honourable mention to Philips is on par.

edit: I also think RVP last season should be in the Poll

Utopia Parkway

TheDoc wrote: »

Suarez work and goals were of course impressive and he is a very good player, but I struggle to subscribe to the hype seeing him flounder against better opposition.

This seems to be a narrative emerging that Suarez somehow doesn't score against the best teams but to be honest I think it was just a statistical coincidence this season from a small sample size that could easily be reversed from the previous season or the following season.

And sure enough last season he scored against Man City, Arsenal and both games against Chelsea.

Soups123

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

This seems to be a narrative emerging that Suarez somehow doesn't score against the best teams but to be honest I think it was just a statistical coincidence this season from a small sample size that could easily be reversed from the previous season or the following season.

And sure enough last season he scored against Man City, Arsenal and both games against Chelsea.

Quite possible be interesting to see those stats

But the stats for this season are very relevant to the OPs claims on him being the greatest player of all time this season.

Sheepy99

Other

IMO this is a very biased poll.
While i'd say there's very little to separate Shearer(only seen his season through premier league years), Henry and Suarez, there's no way Ronaldo's season should be rivaling the others in a poll, let alone leading it (bias, what!?)

Soups123

Sheepy99 wrote: »

IMO this is a very biased poll.
While i'd say there's very little to separate Shearer(only seen his season through premier league years), Henry and Suarez, there's no way Ronaldo's season should be rivaling the others in a poll, let alone leading it (bias, what!?)

In fairness he was immense that season along with T Henrys season they are the most obvious 2. But there will always be biase in these votes as fans love there own player and would watch more of him than anywhere near what they would watch of a rival player

darced

Other

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Skylinehead

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United) 07-08

darced wrote: »

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I'm pretty sure Sergio Aguero had something like that early this season alone, so yes.

but I am incredibly biased.

Aren't we all :pac:

Godge

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United) 07-08

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

This seems to be a narrative emerging that Suarez somehow doesn't score against the best teams but to be honest I think it was just a statistical coincidence this season from a small sample size that could easily be reversed from the previous season or the following season.

And sure enough last season he scored against Man City, Arsenal and both games against Chelsea.

It is certainly true this season that he did not score against the best teams. Since this thread is about whether his performance this season ranks among the best ever Premier League performances, it is material to the discussion.

I would put Henry first but even this season I would have put YaYa Toure's 20 goals from midfield ahead of Suarez.