Hard Work or Outstanding Class?

Too many times I hear commentators and pundits comment on how vital a player is to the team, because they work hard and do "the dirty work" for the team— surely this effort is a pre-requisite for getting in the squad!

As a Sunderland fan, I hear it from Roy Keane that Michael Chopra works hard and never stops running, however this is what I expect from the players in the EPL. 

This is just an excuse for players who fall short on talent to keep their place in the team as they work hard.

Dirk Kuyt is another fine example of this, as his "work rate" has forced the talented Peter Crouch out of Anfield.

I’m sure many of you will agree with me in saying that Crouch is the better striker, so much so that Kuyt has been moved out to the wing, because he is not good enough to play up front, exactly the same as Michael Chopra.

When you look at Manchester United's team, which one of their players get in the team for good effort?

Wayne Rooney? Carlos Tevez? Ryan Giggs?

Certainly not.

These players apply the same effort as every other player in the EPL, with having the added quality of being able to play stunning football.

Obviously, not every team can find or afford the talent that Manchester United have at their disposal, but surely a team like Liverpool who are striving to win the League and certain the Champions League can find a player who works hard and can produce quality football.

I always wonder what Steven Gerrard thinks when players on his team get praised for putting in 100 percent and not stopping running as when you consider the amount of times Gerrard has almost single handedly saved Liverpool from defeat with strong running and fantastic ability.

To end what has become a little bit of a rant, I feel singling players out for putting in those hard yards is very disrespectful to players who put in the same effort but have more talent, therefore their hard work goes slightly less noticed.