NICK ARMITAGE COLUMN
Captain Fantastic?
By Nick Armitage : 07/04/2008 : 
Comments (80) :
Football at the highest level is a hard game, it is hard mentally and it is hard physically. Getting to the highest level requires guts, determination, luck, ability and more luck. It takes a strange breed to make it as a top Premiership player; you really do have to have something special about you to forge a career as a top-flight footballer. And getting to the to the top level is only the start, staying there is even harder.
Comments (80) : So can someone please explain to me how on God?s earth Phil Neville is where he is now? I have watched him time and time again and it is simply beyond comprehension how such an average player has won six domestic titles, four FA cups, represented England fifty times and won the Champions League.
Sir Alex Ferguson may not be on many Christmas card lists at this end of the M62 but credit where credit is due, he can spot a good player. As can Moyes. Now I cannot for one-minute claim to appreciate the intricacies and subtle nuances of the game as well as these two jocks, but I have played and watched football since I can remember. So I don?t need Lawro and Hansen to tell me the difference between Claus Thomsen and Mikel Arteta.
In my opinion, over the last two seasons, Phil Neville has got worse and worse. You?d think such an experienced and high profile player would be capable of stamping his authority on a game or influencing a match by sheer force of will. He seems incapable of either. In midfield he lacks the guile, pace and drive to do anything other than become an obstacle, a job in which Lee Carsely is far more accomplished.
The only ability that Neville possesses is his undoubted ability to surrender possession more often that he wins it. Game after game he misplaces piss easy passes, piss easy passes that a junior player would get a bollocking for misdirecting. One of his favourites is his sand wedge chip onto an opponent?s head; we normally see that one at least five times every ninety minutes. If we are lucky we get one, maybe two decent crosses in a game. Neville?s one saving grace is that he is marginally better at crossing than Tony Hibbert. But then again Tony Hibbert is only marginally better at crossing than my cat.
I often listen to Barry Horne?s after match phone ins on City and week after week Horne says he fed up of having the same conversation about Phil Neville. He now refuses to enter into discussion about our highly paid captain and seems unable to work out why three or four fans a week ring up to discuss the limitations of Phil Neville.
At the last derby at the tin mine one of the redshite said to Neville, ?fuck of back to Manchester you Manc twat.? Now I do feel that was a bit harsh, but whilst in Manchester I wish Phil would pick up his banjo and practice smacking a cow?s arse once in a while. It also may help if someone politely reminds him that Everton play in blue shirts.
Up until last season Phil Neville was our highest-paid player; not bad for a player whose best attributes are pointing, waving his arms and quite a long throw. Whatever it was that Phil Neville has done to get where he is now, he needs to start doing it again, and if he doesn?t he?ll soon become pretty much redundant along with Everton?s other mediocre first-teamers.
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There always has to be a whipping boy !
When we were playing well and beating teams for fun, no one questioned his ability as a RIGHT BACK !
Here lies the problem.
He is not a midfielder. But give the lad his due he plays where he is asked and to the best of his ability.
His main attributes are organising from the back, hence when he plays there we don’t concede many goals.
If you have to have a pop at anyone. Have a pop at Moyes. He plays him out of position.
Pip never moans, unlike some other so called pro’s.
Steve G lar. To name but one.
He is a good pro and would run through brick walls for us.
Give him a break, there are a few so called "class" players at goodison who stink the place out on a regular basis who deserve more than the stick Neville gets.
When we were playing well and beating teams for fun, no one questioned his ability as a RIGHT BACK !
Here lies the problem.
He is not a midfielder. But give the lad his due he plays where he is asked and to the best of his ability.
His main attributes are organising from the back, hence when he plays there we don’t concede many goals.
If you have to have a pop at anyone. Have a pop at Moyes. He plays him out of position.
Pip never moans, unlike some other so called pro’s.
Steve G lar. To name but one.
He is a good pro and would run through brick walls for us.
Give him a break, there are a few so called "class" players at goodison who stink the place out on a regular basis who deserve more than the stick Neville gets.
Yep, also enjoyed that.
When will people listen though?
When will people listen though?
I cried when we signed him and i’ll cry when he goes.
They’ll be different types of tears.
They’ll be different types of tears.
According to opta the other week, he is the most accurate crosser of the ball in the premiership. I rate him at rightback but not in midfield. Although saying that in midfield he does break things up quite a bit. but his passing is poor. overall, he is a good makeweight central mid and a above average right back for the league.
Above all he loves the blues, works his nuts off and has taken a massive amount of abuse from our red neighbours. I do think he could do with a pay cut though,. maybe to the same as osman.
Above all he loves the blues, works his nuts off and has taken a massive amount of abuse from our red neighbours. I do think he could do with a pay cut though,. maybe to the same as osman.
To suggest that people didn’t question his ability from the start is just nonsense....I’ve been winding my united supporting mates up about him for the last 15 years..and they even admitted he was bloody pointless....Unfortunately it backfired and he came here.
You say that he’s not a midfielder...but i’ve seen several interviews over the years with Phil himself suggesting thats his best position...
And for those who state he’s a class right back...my answer to that would be that..we need a new right back.
You say that he’s not a midfielder...but i’ve seen several interviews over the years with Phil himself suggesting thats his best position...
And for those who state he’s a class right back...my answer to that would be that..we need a new right back.
I think the most perceptive paragraphs in your post are the 2nd and 3rd ones. For years it was unfathomable how the Neville brothers got the number of appearances at the Manure and England that they did (as I live well away from Manchester I am obviously surrounded by many Utd fans and even these glory-seekers have trouble explaining how they got the appearances they did). They are competent enough professionals, but I could never figure out what Fergie saw in them (especially Phil). Like you I assumed I was missing some off-the-ball influence or subtle insight not afforded to mere mortals like us put-upon football fans.
So when Fergie agreed to let him leave (as he did with Nicky Butt), I assumed this Manure cast-off would be a short-term utility stop-gap for Davey in his twilight playing years and might at best have some of his experience, professionalism and vision rub off on the less experienced members of our developing squad at the time.
To see him as not only our Captain or practically the first name on the team sheet after a number of seasons with us, is beyond my understanding. I don’t see any great pace, we never seem to get anything out of the long throws, his passing is both conservative and inconsistent, he displays little attacking vision, and his defensive stopper role is frankly not any better than Cars (who’s probably on half the wage). So am I missing any his leadership skills on the pitch? I don’t think so. I don’t get the feeling that I’m seeing other players getting inspired by him when the chips are down. That leaves only remaining option - he must be doing a hell of a job in the dressing room and on the training field - something we, as fans, are not privy to.
I’ve been more patient than most regarding Pip - as I do remember the odd games where he was good and I’ve trusted in Davey seeing something in him to keep him in this ’right-hand man’ role. However, what’s been getting on my wick the last year has been those dreadful pre- and post-match soundbites where he either says ’we’re really up for this one...’ (prior to a lacklustre display) or ’we need to play much better than this next time’ (where I often feel the ’we’ needs to become an ’I’ instead).
For an ex-Manure he genuinely seems a nice guy, and despite a disturbing lack of interior design taste, I don’t doubt that he’s become as ’true blue’ as most modern day footballers can aspire to. So I would honestly like it if any poster to this thread could come up with any views or experiences that suggest we would be a worse team off without him - because I’m willing to be convinced (as I eventually was with the Yak). Otherwise, for me it has to be a squad and bench-warming role for him next year.
So when Fergie agreed to let him leave (as he did with Nicky Butt), I assumed this Manure cast-off would be a short-term utility stop-gap for Davey in his twilight playing years and might at best have some of his experience, professionalism and vision rub off on the less experienced members of our developing squad at the time.
To see him as not only our Captain or practically the first name on the team sheet after a number of seasons with us, is beyond my understanding. I don’t see any great pace, we never seem to get anything out of the long throws, his passing is both conservative and inconsistent, he displays little attacking vision, and his defensive stopper role is frankly not any better than Cars (who’s probably on half the wage). So am I missing any his leadership skills on the pitch? I don’t think so. I don’t get the feeling that I’m seeing other players getting inspired by him when the chips are down. That leaves only remaining option - he must be doing a hell of a job in the dressing room and on the training field - something we, as fans, are not privy to.
I’ve been more patient than most regarding Pip - as I do remember the odd games where he was good and I’ve trusted in Davey seeing something in him to keep him in this ’right-hand man’ role. However, what’s been getting on my wick the last year has been those dreadful pre- and post-match soundbites where he either says ’we’re really up for this one...’ (prior to a lacklustre display) or ’we need to play much better than this next time’ (where I often feel the ’we’ needs to become an ’I’ instead).
For an ex-Manure he genuinely seems a nice guy, and despite a disturbing lack of interior design taste, I don’t doubt that he’s become as ’true blue’ as most modern day footballers can aspire to. So I would honestly like it if any poster to this thread could come up with any views or experiences that suggest we would be a worse team off without him - because I’m willing to be convinced (as I eventually was with the Yak). Otherwise, for me it has to be a squad and bench-warming role for him next year.
Excellent post David....
I especially like the way you were able to be controlled about the situation,..... whenever most of his detractors (including myself) cannot see past the atrocious passing and horrendous soundbites....and lauch into a wave of abuse about his ability.
As you say the guy is obviously an incredibly affable bloke..but thats hardly gonna win us matches.
And by the way, Davey doesn’t have to play him!
So he must take all, if not some of the blame.
I especially like the way you were able to be controlled about the situation,..... whenever most of his detractors (including myself) cannot see past the atrocious passing and horrendous soundbites....and lauch into a wave of abuse about his ability.
As you say the guy is obviously an incredibly affable bloke..but thats hardly gonna win us matches.
And by the way, Davey doesn’t have to play him!
So he must take all, if not some of the blame.
In terms of leadership, pushing and prompting fellow team members to keep concentrated, and organising constantly in accordance to managers instructions for 90 mins lets see in the team who passes the test:
Howard yes
Yobo No
Lescott occasionally
Hibbert No
Baines No
Jags No
Arteta No
Carsley No
Pienaar No
Fernandes No
Osman No
Anichebe No
Johnson No
Yakubu No
Without a vocal organiser on the pitch we run the risk of coming apart at the seams.
I am not a fan of Neville but I can see what he brings to the side. It is no coincedence that we have one of the best defensive records in the league, and two important cogs in that are the Manc aquisitions that we have-Howard and Neville. They are schooled in organising, you only have to look at their back line down the years during a game to see that it is integeral to their success.
Howard yes
Yobo No
Lescott occasionally
Hibbert No
Baines No
Jags No
Arteta No
Carsley No
Pienaar No
Fernandes No
Osman No
Anichebe No
Johnson No
Yakubu No
Without a vocal organiser on the pitch we run the risk of coming apart at the seams.
I am not a fan of Neville but I can see what he brings to the side. It is no coincedence that we have one of the best defensive records in the league, and two important cogs in that are the Manc aquisitions that we have-Howard and Neville. They are schooled in organising, you only have to look at their back line down the years during a game to see that it is integeral to their success.
(Thats Manchester Utd’s backline i refer to incidently) Moran, Bruce/Pallister Gary Neville, Stam, Vidic, Ferdinand, Oshea, etc etc
i’ve seen your cat cross and he does it far better than you give it credit for..
I think Davey has it spot on. Whilst Neville may not be a good a as Weir, Stubbs were in recent history he is the best suited player of the regular first teamers. With any hope we’ll find a new Labone shortly, there was a true Captain.
aah mr lynch you have explained two myteries, how phil neville is so ugly and why he cant pass to a blue shirt, it is of course due to his habit if running through brick walls
I think he is not a bad right back and one thing about the lad is that he does not hide, I believe we need to invest in a top drawer right back and he would be a squad player ,but some of the stick he gets is totally out of order and thought he was one of our better players of a bad bunch against the shite, you expect your so called big players to rise up in these games, especially when their agents are touting them to the big four, but sadly the only one who ever does is Cahill, that other one, some people claim is not very good, when infact the two bad runs of the season seemed to happen when he was injured.
In response to Davey Miliwitch I see no mention of Tim Cahill. Cahill for me has the pedigree and Australian mentality of hating to lose, he is also vocal, gets stuck in and demonstrates passion. He may be one of Everton’s high rollers in terms of his salary but the guy genuinely bleeds Everton blue. Cahill IMHO is the natural leader within the ranks and deserves the captaincy.
Nick, as long as fans like Brian Richardson exist who are perfectly happy with his ’input’ and can justify this on the basis of spurious statistics, expect to see him in the side for a lot longer. Why is it that we have to end up with a David Unsworth scenario with the player getting barracked so much he has to be forcibly put out of his misery? Moyes seems to have got better and better in weeding out chaff so lets hope close season this guy is first to get the nudge. Jeez, Allardyce was rumoured to want to buy him for £5mill - what a fuck up that was!!!!
and another thing mr lynch, why should neville be allowed to stick his big fat arse in peoples faces when taking a throw in, if he stuck his arse in my face i would do more than push him
he’s shite!!
At last - another ante- Neville post. I posted ’Farewell Cap’n Pip’ the morning after the Fiorentina game, and had very positive replies in the morning, followed by more and more abusive ones in the afternoon. (do people on here start drinking at noon ??)
Dave Lynch, as in the Dave Lynch above called my opinion ’half-arsed’, although he now seems to blame Davy Moyes instead of me.
Phil Neville WAS a very astute signing by David Moyes, as he brought the Manure mentality, and a fair drgree of professionalism with him. He was a natural for captain initially because Weir and then Stubbs could not gurantee their places. He is a natural now because there does not seem to be anyone who stands out to replace him.
However, this does not get away from the fact that he is an average footballer, however comitted he is on and off the pitch.
He has done the job he was in itially bought to do, but I would repeat that he is now the type of player we must leave behind if we are to maintain and then push on from what we have now - which is the NUCLEUS of a good/great team.
Thanks and goodbye Phil.
Dave Lynch, as in the Dave Lynch above called my opinion ’half-arsed’, although he now seems to blame Davy Moyes instead of me.
Phil Neville WAS a very astute signing by David Moyes, as he brought the Manure mentality, and a fair drgree of professionalism with him. He was a natural for captain initially because Weir and then Stubbs could not gurantee their places. He is a natural now because there does not seem to be anyone who stands out to replace him.
However, this does not get away from the fact that he is an average footballer, however comitted he is on and off the pitch.
He has done the job he was in itially bought to do, but I would repeat that he is now the type of player we must leave behind if we are to maintain and then push on from what we have now - which is the NUCLEUS of a good/great team.
Thanks and goodbye Phil.
Anyway, I’m off to the Carlisle v Swansea match now to see 22 League one players pass the ball better than Phil. (they will all be in the Championship next season though - hopefully with Phil)
Come on West Ham and Arsenal !!!!!!!
Come on West Ham and Arsenal !!!!!!!
Well... he?s played in pretty much every game for us this season and we have one of the best defences in the Premier League.
Unless we?ve been playing with 10 men all season, I think he and the team have done pretty well when you look at it.
Unless we?ve been playing with 10 men all season, I think he and the team have done pretty well when you look at it.
Neville is average. The only reason Fergie kept him around so long was because he was so gullable to accept being a squad player. Before him it was Mike Phelan and after neville its Wes Brown. All average players who, if they werent wearing a Utd shirt would probably be viewed as just another average player playing in the championship. Fergie must have laughed his head off when he got so much from Moyes for him.
I also cringe watching this former chucklebrother representing us on TV, seems an ok bloke but hes not a captain. Hes more like one of those guys you have to put up working with who buts in on your conversations and gives you his opinion on anything and everything.
I also cringe watching this former chucklebrother representing us on TV, seems an ok bloke but hes not a captain. Hes more like one of those guys you have to put up working with who buts in on your conversations and gives you his opinion on anything and everything.
Like many others have suggested regarding Phil Neville, its nothing personal. He just can’t play football. If all he brings to the team is clapping and arm waving then don’t relegate him to the bench, promote him to assistant manager!
Today we were linked with Cosmin Contra, the right back from Getafe. (Purely because he scored that fantastic goal against Bayern last week in the UEFA cup). While, like many other rumours, it may all be a load of rubbish at least we are being linked with players in that position.
As far as the captaincy argument goes Everton are a team and have a good team mentality and work ethic, unlike some clubs in the Premiership who are a collection of individuals who happen to wear the same coloured shirts. Our captain doesn’t necessarily need to be incredibly vocal or give a good team talk, our captain should lead by example out on the pitch. Its exactly what Yobo does as captain of Nigeria...
Today we were linked with Cosmin Contra, the right back from Getafe. (Purely because he scored that fantastic goal against Bayern last week in the UEFA cup). While, like many other rumours, it may all be a load of rubbish at least we are being linked with players in that position.
As far as the captaincy argument goes Everton are a team and have a good team mentality and work ethic, unlike some clubs in the Premiership who are a collection of individuals who happen to wear the same coloured shirts. Our captain doesn’t necessarily need to be incredibly vocal or give a good team talk, our captain should lead by example out on the pitch. Its exactly what Yobo does as captain of Nigeria...
I agree about Phill Neville, then I read this "Lee Carsely is far more accomplished" and did not bother to read any further.
Eric,
Lee Carsley does a job vital to our team. Without him winning the balls he does and blocking the shots he does we wouldn?t be where we are in the league today. Phil Neville?s contribution to our success on the other hand... I can only imagine some of the other posters on here are correct in saying his off the pitch influence must be fucking amazing! Half decent right back... yes; captain of my beloved club... NO!
Lee Carsley does a job vital to our team. Without him winning the balls he does and blocking the shots he does we wouldn?t be where we are in the league today. Phil Neville?s contribution to our success on the other hand... I can only imagine some of the other posters on here are correct in saying his off the pitch influence must be fucking amazing! Half decent right back... yes; captain of my beloved club... NO!
Paul,
I totally agree with you without Lee Carsley we would be higher in the league and still in the UEFA cup.
He is a waste of space no skill can’t tackle any more and couldn’t hit a barn door from 5 yards.
PS he can’t pass either.
I totally agree with you without Lee Carsley we would be higher in the league and still in the UEFA cup.
He is a waste of space no skill can’t tackle any more and couldn’t hit a barn door from 5 yards.
PS he can’t pass either.
As no one here considers Phil Neville a midfielder and his "best" position at right back our webmasters here include him as a midfielder in the first team squad section in this website!!
All I seem to do is write in defence of P. Neville... Do you actually know what you are talking about Armitage?
I refer you all to yesterday?s post.... at United, Neville was seen as a quality holding midfielder. He was with good players and had to do the simple thing. At our club, he is not with good players and clearly is found wanting in the playmaker role that everyone thinks he should be. He is not a midfielder unless a defensive one with someone like Scholes. He doesn?t have Beckham to back him up on the right. EFC don?t play with a right sided midfielder, Arteta is constantly infield. That is why Hibbert / Neville are always in crossing positions. Why not support a player who is rated by managers and professionals rather than a small minded "we hate Mancs and he can?t play the killer ball every time he has it". YES he makes errors, but who can tell me that he did not make a vital interception v Derby covering the rest of the back 4? Who can say that they hear Yobo, Lescott and the others shouting when the fantastic fans of Everton are quiet when the team needs them?
YOU CAN?T.... Neville may not be everyone?s cup of tea and may not be the best on the ball but he is the best all round right back we have had since Gary Stevens and the best leader since Kev the Rat.
GET BEHIND HIM RATHER THAN SLAGGING HIM OFF ALL THE TIME.
ps. For the guy who made reference to P. Neville and disabled kids on NSNO today, if you read this, you should be ashamed.
5 games = 15 points.... BELIEVE.
I refer you all to yesterday?s post.... at United, Neville was seen as a quality holding midfielder. He was with good players and had to do the simple thing. At our club, he is not with good players and clearly is found wanting in the playmaker role that everyone thinks he should be. He is not a midfielder unless a defensive one with someone like Scholes. He doesn?t have Beckham to back him up on the right. EFC don?t play with a right sided midfielder, Arteta is constantly infield. That is why Hibbert / Neville are always in crossing positions. Why not support a player who is rated by managers and professionals rather than a small minded "we hate Mancs and he can?t play the killer ball every time he has it". YES he makes errors, but who can tell me that he did not make a vital interception v Derby covering the rest of the back 4? Who can say that they hear Yobo, Lescott and the others shouting when the fantastic fans of Everton are quiet when the team needs them?
YOU CAN?T.... Neville may not be everyone?s cup of tea and may not be the best on the ball but he is the best all round right back we have had since Gary Stevens and the best leader since Kev the Rat.
GET BEHIND HIM RATHER THAN SLAGGING HIM OFF ALL THE TIME.
ps. For the guy who made reference to P. Neville and disabled kids on NSNO today, if you read this, you should be ashamed.
5 games = 15 points.... BELIEVE.
Get Rid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can hardly get my Dad to come to the match these days. Neville does not help.
I was watching the away leg against Fiorentina with him and he pointed out (i had no argument) that the referee was more likely to get a pass from Neville than an Everton player.
Kevin Kilbane seemed a nice bloke who gave 110% but we all knew he did not quite have it. Is it because Neville played for United that some people have a different opinion of him?
I was watching the away leg against Fiorentina with him and he pointed out (i had no argument) that the referee was more likely to get a pass from Neville than an Everton player.
Kevin Kilbane seemed a nice bloke who gave 110% but we all knew he did not quite have it. Is it because Neville played for United that some people have a different opinion of him?
Here we go again. You have to remember that at United he was playing with better players and therefore his shortcomings may not have been so obvious.
As far as being gullible for being a squad member here is the choice. Win loads of medals or don’t win loads of medals. Difficult choice eh ?
Gareth, Are you on some sort of medication ? As good as Weir ? You must have been watching a different Weir to the one I had to endure for far too long. He may have been good initially but he carried on for far too long and in the end was a total embarrassment !
There was talk on another forum that he was in fact Moyes’ love child and that is why he got so many games. He was useless, in fact worse than useless.
When you consider some of the great No. 5’s that have worn the Everton shirt then Weir would come about 501st !
As far as being gullible for being a squad member here is the choice. Win loads of medals or don’t win loads of medals. Difficult choice eh ?
Gareth, Are you on some sort of medication ? As good as Weir ? You must have been watching a different Weir to the one I had to endure for far too long. He may have been good initially but he carried on for far too long and in the end was a total embarrassment !
There was talk on another forum that he was in fact Moyes’ love child and that is why he got so many games. He was useless, in fact worse than useless.
When you consider some of the great No. 5’s that have worn the Everton shirt then Weir would come about 501st !
Good point, Dan. I?m gonna fix that right now!
The problem with neville is moyes he made him captain and he,s the one who picks him every week.
Neville is alright as far as right-backs go. He does a fairly decent job for us, but I can agree with his shortcomings.
As everyone points out, he was part of a side that won everything, so as a team member he must be up to the top end of the game.
I think the big problem is that everyone expects him to be a player who can massively influence a game single-handedly. But it’s obvious that he’s not up to that techincally. He’s a decent organiser and he is a winner, that much you can’t take away from him.
Don’t forget that at the other dirty reds, he was one of the lesser players. Here is is captain and that adds to the expectation, it’s maybe a bit unfortunate for Pip, that Moyes doesn’t really have too much else to choose from in that department.
But you can all be sure that he’s going nowhere anytime soon, so the least you can do is support him. Getting on any player’s back does nothing for them and nothing for the team. Get behind the captain and the other players, cos it seems that right now, they need all the support they can get!
As everyone points out, he was part of a side that won everything, so as a team member he must be up to the top end of the game.
I think the big problem is that everyone expects him to be a player who can massively influence a game single-handedly. But it’s obvious that he’s not up to that techincally. He’s a decent organiser and he is a winner, that much you can’t take away from him.
Don’t forget that at the other dirty reds, he was one of the lesser players. Here is is captain and that adds to the expectation, it’s maybe a bit unfortunate for Pip, that Moyes doesn’t really have too much else to choose from in that department.
But you can all be sure that he’s going nowhere anytime soon, so the least you can do is support him. Getting on any player’s back does nothing for them and nothing for the team. Get behind the captain and the other players, cos it seems that right now, they need all the support they can get!
Richie, your argument seems to be that he would be less exposed in a better team. Surely that’s no defence?
Firstly, I think he showed some balls to hop off the Man Utd gravy train and take a challenge (most comments above indicate he was forced out - I specifically remember that not being the case). He’s also been a success in that sense. Like him as a footballer or not, he’s always been committed and appears to do his best to improve Everton. And he has clearly been appreciated by Moyes.
Unfortunately his footballing abilities are mostly out of his control. He can’t pass, can’t cross, is a bit headless and gets himself out of position. I say ’mostly’ out of his control because he should be aware by now that he’s not left footed yet seems to be trying to master that skill during games.
Time to day thanks Phil, and move you to the position you occupied for Man Utd and England - versatile bench player.
Firstly, I think he showed some balls to hop off the Man Utd gravy train and take a challenge (most comments above indicate he was forced out - I specifically remember that not being the case). He’s also been a success in that sense. Like him as a footballer or not, he’s always been committed and appears to do his best to improve Everton. And he has clearly been appreciated by Moyes.
Unfortunately his footballing abilities are mostly out of his control. He can’t pass, can’t cross, is a bit headless and gets himself out of position. I say ’mostly’ out of his control because he should be aware by now that he’s not left footed yet seems to be trying to master that skill during games.
Time to day thanks Phil, and move you to the position you occupied for Man Utd and England - versatile bench player.
THis was far to general you need to break his game down I dont know if you go the mtach or if you do if you understand the game but he is a good right back, the best right back we’ve had in years, defensivley hes strong he supports the attack well, his passing is inconsistent, but hes a good crosser of the ball. Alot of the issues this season has been with Arteta being off form and going wandering losing his position this has left Neville exposed.
Also he is often he is the one who recieves the ball when there is nothing else on meaning he has to hit it long or try an impossible pass.
He is a much better right bak than the other option we have.
Also he is often he is the one who recieves the ball when there is nothing else on meaning he has to hit it long or try an impossible pass.
He is a much better right bak than the other option we have.
In Defence:
He is a good pro, who when signed has brought a good mentality with him from a very successfull club, decent enough right back who is at least willing to get involved further up the pitch.
Prosecution:None of the above masks the fact that he isnt good enough for the first team of any club who has European (CL or UEFA) ambitions. Plain & Simple!! His passing ability seems to have deteriorated this season, he is NEVER, EVER a midfield player as his on the ball ability is not up to scratch.
Basically we dont have to so therefore shouldnt sell him as I believe his attiutude in & around the club could be helpful especially to the youngsters and he is, as I say, a decent enough right back to come in & do a job (better than Hibbert will ever be IMO) so keep him, as club captain if needs be or even a coaching role but he shouldnt be first name on sheet & to quote chris jericho he should never EEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVEEEEEEEEERRRR be allowed to play in midfield.
He is a good pro, who when signed has brought a good mentality with him from a very successfull club, decent enough right back who is at least willing to get involved further up the pitch.
Prosecution:None of the above masks the fact that he isnt good enough for the first team of any club who has European (CL or UEFA) ambitions. Plain & Simple!! His passing ability seems to have deteriorated this season, he is NEVER, EVER a midfield player as his on the ball ability is not up to scratch.
Basically we dont have to so therefore shouldnt sell him as I believe his attiutude in & around the club could be helpful especially to the youngsters and he is, as I say, a decent enough right back to come in & do a job (better than Hibbert will ever be IMO) so keep him, as club captain if needs be or even a coaching role but he shouldnt be first name on sheet & to quote chris jericho he should never EEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVEEEEEEEEERRRR be allowed to play in midfield.
Kieth.
How on earth could i blame you for Neville ?
With all due respect Kieth.
If the post you are talking about was constructive instead of damning, i may not have called your opinion 1/2 arsed.
No offence meant and sorry if it was taken that way.
I think we where all on downer that day.
How on earth could i blame you for Neville ?
With all due respect Kieth.
If the post you are talking about was constructive instead of damning, i may not have called your opinion 1/2 arsed.
No offence meant and sorry if it was taken that way.
I think we where all on downer that day.
i love phil neville!!!!
Type or paste your comment here. No txt-speak, please try to use proper grammar, all-lowercase posts are likely to be deleted
i was going to say something witty about Phil but words seemed to lose me, a bit like phils football ability has seemed to be lost on Moyes?. im sure when he played for the mancs we used to sing that if he could play england then so could we?. So now he doesn’t seem to make the sqaud anymore maybe Capello is the right man for the job, and sees what we all see that the man is shit.
I 100% agree with this article, I have been saying for the past 2 seasons that Neville is shite, complete and utter shite.
I would have Hibbert at right back every day of the week, yes Tony is limited but he’s a local lad and an Evertonian.
If all you have to do to be Everton Captain is scream and shout, clap your hands and pass to the opposition at every given opportunity then there is still hope for me !!!
I would have Hibbert at right back every day of the week, yes Tony is limited but he’s a local lad and an Evertonian.
If all you have to do to be Everton Captain is scream and shout, clap your hands and pass to the opposition at every given opportunity then there is still hope for me !!!
The fact that OPTA rate him as one of the most successful crosses obviously indicates that the majority of his crosses are so bad that they not recognised as "crosses" by an independent judge but more as "clearances"
Neville seems like a great pro and gives every match 100% effort, determination and commitment....... but IMO he just is’nt good enough for the first team especially in a midfield role.
I think he was Moye’s third choice for DM back in 2005/06. After Parker chose Necastle over us Moye’s went for Sissoko. It seemed like a done deal until Rafa B pinched him from under our noses. So he went for option C as the season was nearly upon us and plumped for Neville and unfortunaetely he’s being playing like the third choice defensive midfielder.
I don’t expect flair, creativity or devastating through passes from our Captain just a certain level of compentacy on the ball and footballing ability on the field, which in my opinion he’s lacking.
His passing as many have said is haphazard to say the least. His tackling is often likely to result in a free-kick awarded against us. Technically he allows the ball to bounce too far from his body because of a poor first touch. He doesn’t possess any pace nor heading ability.
These are just some of the basics and not covering the skill or flair aspects of his game as he isn’t that type of player. He’s a fairly decent right back and has good crossing ability and gets up to support the front players well. As long as he’s confined soley to the right back spot (although I’d like to see Jagielka given a run out in that position) he isn’t too bad.
Although if we wish to progress players of limited ability like Neville, Hibbert and Carsley need to be replaced with quality. Ferguson, Moye’s and successive England Managers have obviously seen something in Neville.
He’s won lots of trophies and medals and been a success in his career. I just wish that we possessed the Phil Neville that those managers see on the training ground and in the dressing room and not the one we see on the pitch every Saturday.
I think he was Moye’s third choice for DM back in 2005/06. After Parker chose Necastle over us Moye’s went for Sissoko. It seemed like a done deal until Rafa B pinched him from under our noses. So he went for option C as the season was nearly upon us and plumped for Neville and unfortunaetely he’s being playing like the third choice defensive midfielder.
I don’t expect flair, creativity or devastating through passes from our Captain just a certain level of compentacy on the ball and footballing ability on the field, which in my opinion he’s lacking.
His passing as many have said is haphazard to say the least. His tackling is often likely to result in a free-kick awarded against us. Technically he allows the ball to bounce too far from his body because of a poor first touch. He doesn’t possess any pace nor heading ability.
These are just some of the basics and not covering the skill or flair aspects of his game as he isn’t that type of player. He’s a fairly decent right back and has good crossing ability and gets up to support the front players well. As long as he’s confined soley to the right back spot (although I’d like to see Jagielka given a run out in that position) he isn’t too bad.
Although if we wish to progress players of limited ability like Neville, Hibbert and Carsley need to be replaced with quality. Ferguson, Moye’s and successive England Managers have obviously seen something in Neville.
He’s won lots of trophies and medals and been a success in his career. I just wish that we possessed the Phil Neville that those managers see on the training ground and in the dressing room and not the one we see on the pitch every Saturday.
Hang on a minute!
You are not seriously telling me that you think Phil Neville is no good?
Granted, he is not the best passer of the ball, but there are two things I think that you lot are forgetting.
Firstly I would like to say in his defence that if I was playing full back with Mikel Arteta in front of me then I think i would be feeling the pressure because defensively Arteta is about as useful as a handbrake on a cannoe and he gets no support at all.
Secondly, since Alan Stubbs departed, there is noone at the back with propper leadership qualities so I think he is needed to organise the back line. The clean sheets statistics dont look too bad since hes been captain do they?
In addition I would like to mention that instead of criticising our defensive players (Neville, Carsley etc...) we should occasionally look at the supposed creative start in our midst!
Mikel Arteta has been nothing short of USELESS this season. His dead balls have been shocking and he hasnt scored hardly any goals. I also think I can count on one hand the amount of times he has found a striker with the ball this season! He swaggers round Goodison like he owns the place with no reason, not this season certainly
Lay off Neville! Hes a good captain!
You are not seriously telling me that you think Phil Neville is no good?
Granted, he is not the best passer of the ball, but there are two things I think that you lot are forgetting.
Firstly I would like to say in his defence that if I was playing full back with Mikel Arteta in front of me then I think i would be feeling the pressure because defensively Arteta is about as useful as a handbrake on a cannoe and he gets no support at all.
Secondly, since Alan Stubbs departed, there is noone at the back with propper leadership qualities so I think he is needed to organise the back line. The clean sheets statistics dont look too bad since hes been captain do they?
In addition I would like to mention that instead of criticising our defensive players (Neville, Carsley etc...) we should occasionally look at the supposed creative start in our midst!
Mikel Arteta has been nothing short of USELESS this season. His dead balls have been shocking and he hasnt scored hardly any goals. I also think I can count on one hand the amount of times he has found a striker with the ball this season! He swaggers round Goodison like he owns the place with no reason, not this season certainly
Lay off Neville! Hes a good captain!
I will hold up my hand and say I was chuffed when we first bought Neville, because I thought we had a reasonable player who could play anywhere across the back four as well as in midfield, with European experience, for a mere £3.5M.
I still maintain he?s been a good signing because apart from the first season when we bought him, our defence has solidified a lot because in two years as captain he?s organised our defence to become one of the meanest outside the Sky Four. Part of this is also down to Howard, Lescott and Yobo as well but Neville certainly plays his part in organising them as club captain.
However, I also agree that if we are to progress as a team, then Neville needs to be demoted to bit-part or shipped off completely. His professionalism (example: not going down like a ton of bricks when punched in the back last Sunday) papers over the cracks in his footballing ability, which is limited at best. I still think he can do a job here but ultimately he needs replacing as he?s getting on (31 I think he is) and RB is becoming a worry this season as Arteta?s been AWOL on the right.
I still maintain he?s been a good signing because apart from the first season when we bought him, our defence has solidified a lot because in two years as captain he?s organised our defence to become one of the meanest outside the Sky Four. Part of this is also down to Howard, Lescott and Yobo as well but Neville certainly plays his part in organising them as club captain.
However, I also agree that if we are to progress as a team, then Neville needs to be demoted to bit-part or shipped off completely. His professionalism (example: not going down like a ton of bricks when punched in the back last Sunday) papers over the cracks in his footballing ability, which is limited at best. I still think he can do a job here but ultimately he needs replacing as he?s getting on (31 I think he is) and RB is becoming a worry this season as Arteta?s been AWOL on the right.
Chris Kearns, we keep a lot of clean sheets with Neville in defense because he?s not in midfield. If you took him out the team completely and put Tony Hibbert in I think we?d keep the same amount of clean sheets.
Hibbert?s problem is whenever he plays right back Neville plays in midfield with Carsley and opposition teams put alot of pressure on us.
Personally I think Hibbert should be given a go with Neville completely removed from the team. Its only fair in my opinion. Neville?s form has been poor all season and for that he should be dropped.
I think your talking bollocks about Arteta. Neville has had either Pienaar or Arteta in front of him all season and both cover there fullbacks well. Neither are lazy players and there always covering and doubling up on the opposing winger.
If anything having technically gifted players like Arteta and Pienaar in front of him should help him. Both have good movement, they show for the ball and they can keep hold of it.
I think you?ll find that our creative players have come in for a lot of stick this season. Fernandes is supposedly shit, Arteta supposedly shit and Pienaar and Osman are too small.
But at least they are all capable of keeping the ball and passing to a player regularly. Neville just doesn?t do that. A big reason why our midfielders go missing is because they are bypassed by his hoofs up field. Football's not played in the sky and Neville must realise this.
Neville shouldn?t be in the team next season...... simple as. His form doesn?t deserve it.
Hibbert?s problem is whenever he plays right back Neville plays in midfield with Carsley and opposition teams put alot of pressure on us.
Personally I think Hibbert should be given a go with Neville completely removed from the team. Its only fair in my opinion. Neville?s form has been poor all season and for that he should be dropped.
I think your talking bollocks about Arteta. Neville has had either Pienaar or Arteta in front of him all season and both cover there fullbacks well. Neither are lazy players and there always covering and doubling up on the opposing winger.
If anything having technically gifted players like Arteta and Pienaar in front of him should help him. Both have good movement, they show for the ball and they can keep hold of it.
I think you?ll find that our creative players have come in for a lot of stick this season. Fernandes is supposedly shit, Arteta supposedly shit and Pienaar and Osman are too small.
But at least they are all capable of keeping the ball and passing to a player regularly. Neville just doesn?t do that. A big reason why our midfielders go missing is because they are bypassed by his hoofs up field. Football's not played in the sky and Neville must realise this.
Neville shouldn?t be in the team next season...... simple as. His form doesn?t deserve it.
Good article that made me smile, I just wished you hadn?t mentioned Claus Thomsen in it, I?m already unable to sleep with the worry of Portsmouth catching us without being reminded of past nightmares.
As to Pip I have to admit that when we signed him I thought it was a good move but have been really disappointed in him this season. I think the main problem is having made him captain, Moyes accomodates him in the starting 11 no matter what, rather than than just picking him or bringing him on when he can do a job for us. As a squad / utility player like say Harper in the 80s he?s ok but nothing more.
As to Pip I have to admit that when we signed him I thought it was a good move but have been really disappointed in him this season. I think the main problem is having made him captain, Moyes accomodates him in the starting 11 no matter what, rather than than just picking him or bringing him on when he can do a job for us. As a squad / utility player like say Harper in the 80s he?s ok but nothing more.
Hang on a minute!
You are not seriously telling me that you think Phil Neville is no good?
YES, that is about the height of it.
Especially whenever your defence of Neville amounts to a ridculous attack on Arteta.
You are not seriously telling me that you think Phil Neville is no good?
YES, that is about the height of it.
Especially whenever your defence of Neville amounts to a ridculous attack on Arteta.
I agree that Pip has been crap of late but he is a right back - not a midfielder!
no matter what anyone says.
He’s our best right back by a mile (don’t even mention Hibbo) and when he plays there he generally does a good job - simple as that.
I think he should be used more as a squad player next year, being short on numbers as we are (or not according to DM) a couple of utility players are a must.
In my opinion we should be going after a quality holding midfielder who can PASS THE BALL! (Carsley is past his best and Neville just cant regularly perform in midfield - note that neither of them are known for their dynamite passing!!!)
Look at the "big 4" they all have holding midfielders that are comfortable with the ball and can distribute it well. Pip and Cars get the ball and punt the f*cking thing before someone tackles them!!!
To sum up all that waffle, there is a place for Neville in the squad, there is a place for him in the first 11 (right back!) and he’s one of our few players with a history of winning major trophies.
no matter what anyone says.
He’s our best right back by a mile (don’t even mention Hibbo) and when he plays there he generally does a good job - simple as that.
I think he should be used more as a squad player next year, being short on numbers as we are (or not according to DM) a couple of utility players are a must.
In my opinion we should be going after a quality holding midfielder who can PASS THE BALL! (Carsley is past his best and Neville just cant regularly perform in midfield - note that neither of them are known for their dynamite passing!!!)
Look at the "big 4" they all have holding midfielders that are comfortable with the ball and can distribute it well. Pip and Cars get the ball and punt the f*cking thing before someone tackles them!!!
To sum up all that waffle, there is a place for Neville in the squad, there is a place for him in the first 11 (right back!) and he’s one of our few players with a history of winning major trophies.
Dave Lynch. Apology accepted mate, I was simply trying to put in the article exactly what this article said. I think I still owe you 200 Lambert from last year as well if memory serves me right?
Chris Kearns - I manufacture handbrakes for Canoes, alongside Motorbike ashtrays, and that sort of libel can get you into serious bother my lad !!!!
In the article mentioned by Dave, I also questioned Mikel’s free kicks, but Chris my boy, you’re way over the top. Mikel is an all round class act, just knackered like the rest of our threadbare squad.
I have a feeling Pompey might even squeeze us out of 5th - unless we win at Brum this weekend.
Chris Kearns - I manufacture handbrakes for Canoes, alongside Motorbike ashtrays, and that sort of libel can get you into serious bother my lad !!!!
In the article mentioned by Dave, I also questioned Mikel’s free kicks, but Chris my boy, you’re way over the top. Mikel is an all round class act, just knackered like the rest of our threadbare squad.
I have a feeling Pompey might even squeeze us out of 5th - unless we win at Brum this weekend.
Christ tonight....
Why exactly are a couple of utility players a must?
How about doing what logic dictates and finding the positions we need strenghtening in and locating good quality players who naturally play in those positions?
The alternative of wasting more time trying to shoehorn players into foreign positions they are clearly not inept at.. fills me with more than dread...
How many utility players does any team need!
In my opinion the ?utility player? tactic is well past it?s sell by date.
Why exactly are a couple of utility players a must?
How about doing what logic dictates and finding the positions we need strenghtening in and locating good quality players who naturally play in those positions?
The alternative of wasting more time trying to shoehorn players into foreign positions they are clearly not inept at.. fills me with more than dread...
How many utility players does any team need!
In my opinion the ?utility player? tactic is well past it?s sell by date.
I will stand-up and be counted and admit that I like Phil Neville as a footbaler and as captain of EFC;
1. He is a good right-back, not a great right-back
2. Numerous Managers of both club and country have afforded Pip a place in their side at right-back/left-back
3. He organises the Everton defence
4. He leads and captains Everton the team and EFC the club in a way that is professional and admirable.
However, I will admit that he has played poorly in the last 5-6 matches, as have a lot of players.
He plays far better away from Goodison where he can gallop up the line and create attacking positions for us down the right flank. In the two West Ham fixtures in 4 days earlier in the year with the exception of Pienaar and Yakubu he was the best Everton player on the pitch. His pride in himself, his team mates, the fans and his Everton shirt shone brightly that day.
He is not perfect and he is not the best right-back in the country and he has given the ball away too frequently in recent fixtures but Fergie, Moyes and numerous England managers have seen something in him that should be respected.
Get-off his case
1. He is a good right-back, not a great right-back
2. Numerous Managers of both club and country have afforded Pip a place in their side at right-back/left-back
3. He organises the Everton defence
4. He leads and captains Everton the team and EFC the club in a way that is professional and admirable.
However, I will admit that he has played poorly in the last 5-6 matches, as have a lot of players.
He plays far better away from Goodison where he can gallop up the line and create attacking positions for us down the right flank. In the two West Ham fixtures in 4 days earlier in the year with the exception of Pienaar and Yakubu he was the best Everton player on the pitch. His pride in himself, his team mates, the fans and his Everton shirt shone brightly that day.
He is not perfect and he is not the best right-back in the country and he has given the ball away too frequently in recent fixtures but Fergie, Moyes and numerous England managers have seen something in him that should be respected.
Get-off his case
When watching Everton we rarely refer to Phil Neville - he?s usually called "Neville - you tart!!"
Thanks so much this just proves I am not insane.
He is without a shadow of a doubt one of the luckiest men on the planet. No talent, no pace, no vision and no touch. I would rather have my misses playing for us.
I have to say this. I never made it as a pro and was nowhere near but I reckon I can cross a ball better than Phil Neville and pass it better as well. Heres a tip I picked up at cub football when I was 8. Those nine other blokes who wear the same colour shirt as you ? pass the ball to them.
Fantastic column, Phil Neville is without a doubt the worst player I have seen in my life....has anyone else noticed our play continually going down the left so as to avoid the infamous "sand wedge" chip...making us so damn predictable....we have so many fantastic players at Goodison at the moment, its time to get rid of this muppet....right back, midfield, bench....he is an awful player and a crap captain.
Neville is a decent right back. But oh my God, he is useless in midfield. Pure passanger. Much is made of his poor passing, but his tackling and tracking is worse.
When played in midfield isn?t his primary role to protect the back four? he doesn?t. He just jogs around not really doing anything, taking up positions that are totally useless. He marks dead space.
Just because he "gets it" and plays to the fans should be reason enough to warrant a start in midfield.
Seriously, Wessels would do a better job in midfield...
When played in midfield isn?t his primary role to protect the back four? he doesn?t. He just jogs around not really doing anything, taking up positions that are totally useless. He marks dead space.
Just because he "gets it" and plays to the fans should be reason enough to warrant a start in midfield.
Seriously, Wessels would do a better job in midfield...
Get a midfield enforcer in and we won’t be even concerned about which 10 players are around him. Peter Reid plus 3 or 4 inches in height - you get the idea!!
Ciarán, be fair mate, we need a couple of utility players because we only have cover in a couple of areas (actually, maybe just left back).
I hate the idea of utility players, I wish we could have a squad like Man Utd (who have got 1 or 2 utilities and haven?t done too badly on it) but realistically unless the Russian Mob decide to invest in the Toffee?s that aint going to happen.
Getting back to the thread - Phil Neville, decent right back, not a bad captain - shit midfielder.
I hate the idea of utility players, I wish we could have a squad like Man Utd (who have got 1 or 2 utilities and haven?t done too badly on it) but realistically unless the Russian Mob decide to invest in the Toffee?s that aint going to happen.
Getting back to the thread - Phil Neville, decent right back, not a bad captain - shit midfielder.
I think Moyse is intimidated by Neville’s past. I don’t think he’d make a squad player as he thinks he’s good enough to be playing top flight weekly. I wouldn’t get shut untill we get a quality right back. (maybe their kid)
This is laughable, and it shows unfortunately that the majority of fans do not understand the game - possibly because they have not REALLY ever played it at a decent level.
I nearly stopped laughing when you recounted the honours that Pip has won at Manchester United.... then you say you are amazed that the most successful manager EVER plus Everton?s best manager in years (who has worked miracles by the way) both continue to play him.
Do those two facts not make anyone think that there must be something in this...? Maybe he has a HUGE value to the team... perhaps an intangible that helps ?glue? a team together... maybe experience at the VERY HIGHEST LEVEL?
No, of course not, the illiterate masses are right in their judgement of a footballer compared to those two managerial heavyweights - oh, and the England managers who granted him 50+ caps....
It hardly bears a response in fact, it i so ridiculous.......
Here?s is to our club captain, a fine ambassador for the club, a willing servant, a decorated player at every level and someone who is willing to do a shitty job on behalf of the team.
I don?t even think the bogotry against him is due to the Man Utd connection, most people do not care in truth. It is simply a lack of understanding and knowledge.
I pity you all.
I nearly stopped laughing when you recounted the honours that Pip has won at Manchester United.... then you say you are amazed that the most successful manager EVER plus Everton?s best manager in years (who has worked miracles by the way) both continue to play him.
Do those two facts not make anyone think that there must be something in this...? Maybe he has a HUGE value to the team... perhaps an intangible that helps ?glue? a team together... maybe experience at the VERY HIGHEST LEVEL?
No, of course not, the illiterate masses are right in their judgement of a footballer compared to those two managerial heavyweights - oh, and the England managers who granted him 50+ caps....
It hardly bears a response in fact, it i so ridiculous.......
Here?s is to our club captain, a fine ambassador for the club, a willing servant, a decorated player at every level and someone who is willing to do a shitty job on behalf of the team.
I don?t even think the bogotry against him is due to the Man Utd connection, most people do not care in truth. It is simply a lack of understanding and knowledge.
I pity you all.
I was gutted when we signed him as was not a fan of him or his brother, but to be honest I kept an open mind and reluctantly hoped Man U?s average cast off might be able to do a job for us, and confide in Davie how Fergie does various important aspects of coaching.
Damian, Quinton Fortune probably has a similar honours list to our captain, and Blomqvist was playing that fateful night in Barcelona against Bayern. To suggest that honours guarantee that an average player cant be carried by his far superior team-mates is nonsense. The fact that Ferguson got rid is maybe testament to that - how many players has he got rid of (for footballing reasons, rather than book writing / criticism) who have gone on to reach lofty heights again?
I watch Hibs and Nev needlessly pass the ball to the opposition match-in, match-out and pray that Moyes is going to find us a right back soon. And despite that I agree RB is Pip?s best position...
For me, his ?great professional? moniker isn't and never has been convincing or enough to justify his position as our high-paid captain.
Damian, Quinton Fortune probably has a similar honours list to our captain, and Blomqvist was playing that fateful night in Barcelona against Bayern. To suggest that honours guarantee that an average player cant be carried by his far superior team-mates is nonsense. The fact that Ferguson got rid is maybe testament to that - how many players has he got rid of (for footballing reasons, rather than book writing / criticism) who have gone on to reach lofty heights again?
I watch Hibs and Nev needlessly pass the ball to the opposition match-in, match-out and pray that Moyes is going to find us a right back soon. And despite that I agree RB is Pip?s best position...
For me, his ?great professional? moniker isn't and never has been convincing or enough to justify his position as our high-paid captain.
I'm not saying Phil Neville is the best player in the world or even at our club but the people critisising him this much are way off the mark. He's a valuable member of our team and he's a good captain. There's not one player out there right now who could replace him at the moment... maybe in time but not at the moment.
And why the fuck are people getting on Arteta's back? It's like Ronaldo having a few bad games for Man U and there fans telling him to fuck off!!!! Come on, he's our best player and the fact that he's having a few bad games does not warrant this kind of reaction. I really hope he ignores the fans at Goodison who are giving him a hard time cos if he leaves we?re fucked!!!
Tx - MK -- see e.mail thread
This is pathetic.
Thanks Damian and the few others up there amongst the 8000 or so who wouldn?t rush to condemn a kid who?s given his all for our club.
This is why we?ll not win anything anytime soon.
We?ve got our team captain, like him or not, and he gets a rabbit punch in the back and spat on a few times by the shite. And what do we do?
Some thing like this tired ?article?, and everything else that goes the guy?s way. Times were we?d do something (anything) about it. But now this is it. The Kopites slug our player and we pile on him, too.
This is what losers do.
I love this site, and Michael, Lyndon and the great Colm have my greatest respect, and I?ve crossed the lines of decency with respect to my fellow posters recently. For that I apologise. But I can?t help but call this out for what it is, and it?s dogshit.
We have five more games to make something of this season, and this is what we get? Something tells me LFC doesn?t act this way.
Jim,
Here?s a logical alternative to the pointless brief of bringing more utitlity players to the club.... buy quality players for the positions of Carsley, Osman and Neville at right back. (Before anybody starts, Osman?s been relatively bright this season - but he?s no central midfield dynamo!)
Hey presto, the players displaced become squad players... It?s not rocket science.
Here?s a logical alternative to the pointless brief of bringing more utitlity players to the club.... buy quality players for the positions of Carsley, Osman and Neville at right back. (Before anybody starts, Osman?s been relatively bright this season - but he?s no central midfield dynamo!)
Hey presto, the players displaced become squad players... It?s not rocket science.
Damian Carville,
An altogether ridiculous response.
I?m trying hard to figure out why you?ve actually posted, because it?s quite clear that someone with your attitude never ventures into the area of thinking for themselves, and also clearly disagrees with the entire ethos of this forum and other forums which encourage individual cognitive reasoning.
It must be a dull little world in your head when you opinion amounts to being complicit with every piece of bad decision making served up to you...When you honestly believe that Alex Ferguson doesnt make Kleberson-sized mistakes or that David Moyes doesn't make Krøldrup sized mistakes.
And not only that, you have the cheek to label those not in agreement with our manager's bad decisions as somehow ?illiterate? (a somewhat hilarious petard, considering the primary school writing in your post).
Grow up, and either grow a set of balls or a set of eyes.
ps: Phil Neville won most of his medals from the bench... and his England caps on the back of his Manchester United bench warming ? a point which seems to escape you. I bet you if he?d played for West Brom he?d have won nothing, and we?d likely have forgotten his name a long time ago.
An altogether ridiculous response.
I?m trying hard to figure out why you?ve actually posted, because it?s quite clear that someone with your attitude never ventures into the area of thinking for themselves, and also clearly disagrees with the entire ethos of this forum and other forums which encourage individual cognitive reasoning.
It must be a dull little world in your head when you opinion amounts to being complicit with every piece of bad decision making served up to you...When you honestly believe that Alex Ferguson doesnt make Kleberson-sized mistakes or that David Moyes doesn't make Krøldrup sized mistakes.
And not only that, you have the cheek to label those not in agreement with our manager's bad decisions as somehow ?illiterate? (a somewhat hilarious petard, considering the primary school writing in your post).
Grow up, and either grow a set of balls or a set of eyes.
ps: Phil Neville won most of his medals from the bench... and his England caps on the back of his Manchester United bench warming ? a point which seems to escape you. I bet you if he?d played for West Brom he?d have won nothing, and we?d likely have forgotten his name a long time ago.
Crap article. Even the heading isn’t relevant. Phil Neville is never going to set the world alight but since he arrived from Utd, we are a better side. Also, his treatment at shitefield was discraceful. Back him don’t boot him!!!!
Could we please just drop this Neville shit?
We have some important weeks ahead. Why is this necessary at this point?
We have some important weeks ahead. Why is this necessary at this point?
Phil Neville is the best we have in terms of captain material - fact. Not that many right backs in the world can pass like Zidane so people getting on his back re his passing are talking bollocks because great passing full backs dont exist very often.
Someone said it earlier, we ARE a better team since we bought him and we?d be worse without him no matter how shit his passing is (and it is).
Bitter blues? You betcha. Give it a rest lads and support your team for Gods sake.
Someone said it earlier, we ARE a better team since we bought him and we?d be worse without him no matter how shit his passing is (and it is).
Bitter blues? You betcha. Give it a rest lads and support your team for Gods sake.
I for one think that Phil Neville does a decent job. He plays best at right back. Better than Hibbert. I do believe that the problem we have is that our captain should be a blue. An Evertonian. Someone who?s going to lead by example and show what Everton football blub means to them and us. A Fan. Leon Osman maybe? Jagielka perhaps. My opinion is that a change has to be made over the summer and that any new captain should be a blue.
I?ll bet PompeyWeb or whatever it must be didn?t waste 5 billion words of hatred on their captain this week.
Let?s all check out where all this good energy gets us this week...lookin good boys.
Let?s all check out where all this good energy gets us this week...lookin good boys.
2 THINGS WHICH PISS ME OFF ABOUT MY EVERTON AT THE MINUTE IS...
FANS WHO ARE HAPPY WE ARE 5TH.
MOYES PLAYING NEVILLE IN MIDFIELD AND ALSO THE FACT HE WILL STAY LOYAL TO HIM NEXT SEASON.
FANS WHO ARE HAPPY WE ARE 5TH.
MOYES PLAYING NEVILLE IN MIDFIELD AND ALSO THE FACT HE WILL STAY LOYAL TO HIM NEXT SEASON.
OI ROBBIE MULDOON:
TWO THINGS THAT PISS ME OFF ABOUT MY EVERTON:
FANS WHO HATE OUR PLAYERS.
MORONS WHO CAPITALISE EVERYTHING.
TWO THINGS THAT PISS ME OFF ABOUT MY EVERTON:
FANS WHO HATE OUR PLAYERS.
MORONS WHO CAPITALISE EVERYTHING.
One thing that pisses me off is people writing in capitals.
I beleive it would be in the best interests of EFC to drop Phil Neville as captain. Which ever club you play for the captain is/should allways be a banker to start E.g Terry-Gerrard-Ferdinand. Phil is a weak link in our team but because he is captain Moyes always finds a place for him in the team. I even think that Moyes changes his tactics to accomodate his captain. I can not remeber one single game in 3 years where Phil has started on the bench. But I do think he should stay as aquality squad player as he covers rb/lb cm and he even played against Chelsea 2 years ago in the FA Cup at centre half and was actually man of the match for that game.
The guy has been part of what will probably be our record-setting clean-sheet defence. And still you moan. John Crook, I don?t see him as a squad player; I see him as our right back until someone better comes in to take his place. Who do you got?
Must I write this again?: what must PompeyWeb (or the like?) be thinking of this thousand-post anti-captain nightmare we?ve made here. We?re in-fighting suckers. Begging for sixth, us.
Leave the fucking guy alone. He?s not as bad as your favourite player has been.
Must I write this again?: what must PompeyWeb (or the like?) be thinking of this thousand-post anti-captain nightmare we?ve made here. We?re in-fighting suckers. Begging for sixth, us.
Leave the fucking guy alone. He?s not as bad as your favourite player has been.
Oh Michael, you must be joking?!
What did I do?
What did I do?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWAAUIWCmsc
I went looking for Phil Neville highlights on youtube and there weren’t too many to be found!
I went looking for Phil Neville highlights on youtube and there weren’t too many to be found!
I think we have many captains who could replace Neville at the club. Lescott definatly springs to mind. He drives us forward, he’s a leader and he’s very very consistent.
To say we have no one who can take over from Neville is bollocks. We have a few candidates. There is more to being captain than organizing and being vocal. You have to be consistent and actually offer something different to the team and Neville does neither.
To say we have no one who can take over from Neville is bollocks. We have a few candidates. There is more to being captain than organizing and being vocal. You have to be consistent and actually offer something different to the team and Neville does neither.
I think that Phil Neville has conducted himself in an excellent manner since he came to Everton. I agree that his passing is "interesting!" but, as a full back I think he has served us well and as a captain he has been a good ambassador for the club. I think that he has helped improve our team enormously, both in attitude and in organisation. If you can remember, it wasn?t so long ago Moysie was saying that there were no winners in the team and that is one of the major attributes he looks for in a player.
Phil Neville, if given a run at full back, has done well for us. I?m sure Moysie knows his shortcomings, as he will with any of our players. At this time though we will probably have little money to spend in the Summer and we?re not in the position of having the luxury of buying 5 or 6 top class players, Moyes will probably have to concentrate on getting maybe one or two top class players (if we?re lucky) and I would think that we are screaming out for a midfielder who can get a bloody grip of a game and intimidate the opposing midfield and who is over 5ft 2"!!
As he?s an Everton player and picked by our manager, I?d hope we?d get off his back until Moyesie can get a better fullback, he?s the best RB at the club.
I think Phil Nev has been the best captain since Waggy was seen in a blue shirt. There was a stat in one of our daily rags which stated that Phil was the best crosser in the Prem! this stat was given to Mr Moyes on Sky news who agreed and was not surprised at the stat. Phil is a great leader on the pitch & off it but is a better right back than midfielder. Get off his back and let give our captain our full support.
Come on people...........Ok Phil isn?t the best but he is out there playing for the shirt........Surely we need to back the team........They are all knackered and getting on individuals backs cannot help the cause......
We need to encourage not discourage......We all want the best, but in the meantime lets get behind whoever is wearing our shirt and give them our full support.............
We need to encourage not discourage......We all want the best, but in the meantime lets get behind whoever is wearing our shirt and give them our full support.............
I totally agree with you Nick.
Neville is poor in most games. Acceptable at best. He shows passion in chunks but not enough for a captain.
Tim Howard has potential. He shows passion and can redirect his defence when they make a mistake. You see it week in week out, as he screams his orders around the field.
Lescott & Jags also have the same potential, but there is the question that they haven’t been at the club long enough to be candidates. But that said, Neville was captain in the first season he was in a blue shirt.
Yobo & Carsley has been known to take the armband when Nev isn’t on the field so they should also be considered. But there is the language barrier for Yobo and he is prone to the odd mistake and Carsleys place in the side, hasnt exactley bin 100% assured has it?
A change is needed for the club to progress further, but Davey Moyes has a difficult decision to make, whether it be to remove Nev of the captaincy and hand it to his predecessor or continue on how it is atm.
Neville is poor in most games. Acceptable at best. He shows passion in chunks but not enough for a captain.
Tim Howard has potential. He shows passion and can redirect his defence when they make a mistake. You see it week in week out, as he screams his orders around the field.
Lescott & Jags also have the same potential, but there is the question that they haven’t been at the club long enough to be candidates. But that said, Neville was captain in the first season he was in a blue shirt.
Yobo & Carsley has been known to take the armband when Nev isn’t on the field so they should also be considered. But there is the language barrier for Yobo and he is prone to the odd mistake and Carsleys place in the side, hasnt exactley bin 100% assured has it?
A change is needed for the club to progress further, but Davey Moyes has a difficult decision to make, whether it be to remove Nev of the captaincy and hand it to his predecessor or continue on how it is atm.
The term "utility player" makes me laugh! In Neville?s case, it?s because he is equally crap in all the positions he plays in. The reason, I think, that he is played is that he cost us so much money, Moyes thinks he has to play him.
David Edwards great post mate its spot on.
To anyone who defends Neville you alll need to open your eyes we carry this bloke, to say he is better than Hibbert is hardly anything great and to say he is our best right back since Stevens......well thats hardly hard now is it (Earl Barratt, Tony Thomas, Marc Hottinger etc
We need to sell him and continue to progress no time to stand still with average players like Neville.
To anyone who defends Neville you alll need to open your eyes we carry this bloke, to say he is better than Hibbert is hardly anything great and to say he is our best right back since Stevens......well thats hardly hard now is it (Earl Barratt, Tony Thomas, Marc Hottinger etc
We need to sell him and continue to progress no time to stand still with average players like Neville.
I think he’s an averge right-back, but a good captain. He’s better than Hibbert so he’ll get a place, but we should be looking to bring in a younger quality right-back this summer with a view to replacing Neville next year.
To the person who said Phil Neville is the worst player he has ever seen, How long have you been watching Everton? Must be about one season if you think he is the worst, I?ve been lucky to see a great Everton team and some terrible ones. There have been many worse players, such as Angel, Barlow, Phelan, Thomson etc ? the list goes on and on. As somebody says, Everton love to have a whipping boy and right now its Neville.
He is a good enough right back but is rubbish in midfield; eventually he needs to be replaced if we want to move on but we have far more important problems to sort out at the club... such as our midfield.
not bad at right back but rubbish in the middle cant cross and isnt a good passer.if moyes doesnt drop him he should at lest give the arm band to some one who?s a good leader
When we signed Neville I was in Amsterdam and was checking the club website on the inetrnet and when I saw he had signed II thought I was halusinating. The man is an inept footballer who waves his arms in the air. The only positive part of his game is his throw-ins! it also annoys me when Moyes persistently moves the team around i,e, taking hiibbert off and stickIng ?nev? in the middle of the park to accommodate him!
A nice guy no doubt but who cant be nice for £40k a week?
PS I loved the lovely Versace carpets and the lovely P and J on his house gates ? nice touch. Let's hope he leaves soon!
Damian Carville....I?m sorry buddy, but I think the pity is mutual here....if you see any future for a player who has no touch, vision, ability and is completely incaple of making a simple pass at a club which is so close to breaking the top four, then I think you should perhaps look towards a team of the Wigan, Bolton ilk for entertainment. Phil Neville is like a weight holding us down, we have evolved past players like him. There can be no real debate here I?m afraid.
I found this article very poor and quite childish.. like most other Nick Armitage posts
Congratulations to Phil for keeping up his 100% record ? even his goal found an opposition player!
I don't agree with the picking on one player and tend to agree with the writers who pointed out the fact that we do not have any really top class players... Neville does a JOB as does Hibbert, Carsley, Jags, Yobo etc etc. We mainly succeed by stopping other teams from playing as did Bolton under Allardyce and DM has played to the teams limitations over the past seasons. We have over achieved a couple of times and let's face it, when we finished 4th we were the only qualifying team with a NEGATIVE goal difference. Very seldom do we play sides off the park as we used to do years ago and the present day emphasis is on hard work. I'm a bit nervous about the upcoming season due to the tiny squad we have and the injury list... we are going to need all the fighters we can muster if we dont buy some quality very soon!!
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1 Posted 08/04/2008 at 15:31:26
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I don’t buy all this model pro rubbish. He isn’t a great captain. Where was he when we were struggling in Fiorentina? Did you see him pulling the players together into a huddle?
Did you see in the derby thundering into tackles trying to provoke a response.
No.