Setting an example

Owen Evans 11/11/2007 13comments  |  Jump to last
What are the pre-requisites of a great captain? Inspirational leader? Excellent communicator? Self-disciplined and reliable? Probably all of those qualities and more. But in my opinion, a captain should encapsulate the character of the club he leads.

For me, Tim Cahill is Everton. His sole ambition for each match is to impose his will on the competition ? regardless of how 'celebrated' the opponent. The draw at Chelsea was significant for many reasons. Resilience is something we've come to expect under Moyes. The solidity of our two exceptional centre backs against one of Europe's premier strikers, and Moyes's decision to make 'active' rather than 'reactive' substitutions were also satisfying.

However, the decision to bring Phil Neville off at half-time stands out. After all, sacrificing Hibbert and moving the ex-United full back would not have shocked many blues fans.

Pub talk about possible Toffee line-ups is invaraibly hindered by the fact that ? whether we like him or not ? Phil Neville has to play. He's Moyesy's favourite, always guarenteed a starting spot.

Forget The Blues recent upturn in form since Cahill's return, and look further back. Cahill's proved himself to be relied upon when it comes to the crunch. Specifically away games against the top sides. The Australian has an attitutude where he has no respect for names and venues. He gets in the face of opposition, and has no desire to accept defeat.

As a fan, my biggest frustration is watching your own players intimidated by star names when all you want to do is get on the pitch and put a two-footer on the Portuguese ponce whose tearing us to shreds.

Cahill knows his limits and plays to his strengths. He has a winners attitude, and the other players respond to him. Give him the armband, and see how many people he pisses off!!!

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Nigel Gregson
1   Posted 11/11/2007 at 21:21:18

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I am from Australia and I agree (without an iota of bias). His main characteristic is his determination, he always scores when the chips are down. That is what you need in a captain.
Steve Ryan
2   Posted 11/11/2007 at 21:46:43

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Excellent post mate. While many blues eulogize over Arteta who, in my humble opinion, is inconsistent and rarely performs against the big clubs especially away from home, Timmy invariably delivers the goods when it matters. I would have him in my team ahead of Arteta anyday.
Louis Huglin
3   Posted 11/11/2007 at 21:49:42

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Phil Neville is a great role model for the kids coming into the game - enthusiastic, determined and hard working. He deserves to be in the side, but I fear Moyes plays him more because he feels he should than because he is there on merit. After all, you can’t have an International, ex-Man U player warming the bench, can you?! Would it be going too far for me to suggest that certain things were said when Moyes was selling Everton to Mr. Neville? "Midfield role... potential to be club captain... does that make your decision easier, Phil?"

But Phil Neville is not an Everton Captain, because he was never, is not, and will never be an Evertonian. He is still a Man U fan, and that grates me, even though I know that he is a professional and as such will always give his all for David Moyes and his teammates.

You are spot on - Tim Cahill should be the captain, if not now than next season at the latest. He has everything you would expect of an Everton Captain, and has already stated his desire to play out his career with the club. He would be an inspirational leader. Moyes, can you hear us!!
John Lloyd
4   Posted 11/11/2007 at 22:35:13

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A good team has a number of captains on the pitch, leaders who can lift spirits, raise team-mates spirits etc etc.

Man Utd in 99 had Stam, G Neville, Keane, Scmheichal and Beckham. All very different types of leaders but leaders none the less, closer to home. Our most succesful team in the mid 80’s had the Rat, Reidy, Big Nev & Sharpy. Again all very different but leaders again.

So although only one can wear the armband every ’top’ team has to have a number of leaders on the pitch.

Howard, Yobo, Cahill and even Neville provide leadership in different ways. Doesnt matter who wears armband I think.
Peter Pridgeon
5   Posted 11/11/2007 at 22:39:30

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Owen
I agree with some of your assessment but Tim for all his effort and winning mentality he will not make captain at Everton.
While I like him as a player who never gives up and scores some very special goals, he strikes me as a player that will follow rather than lead. Arteta will dictate the game that Cahill plays and Cahill will willingly allow this.
It would seem that Moyes is grooming Yobo as the next captain and it would make sense that a centre half would be Moyes choice of captain, baring in mind that this was his position as a player, anecdotally every trophy we have won since 1966 we have had a centre half as captain.
Ben Brown
6   Posted 12/11/2007 at 01:03:18

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Timmy really is a fucking hero. He’s got that attitude that when you listen to him giving an interview you can’t help but think, "YES TIM, TOO FUCKING RIGHT MATE!". Even if he’s talking about something totally non-football.

Whereas old Phil is more like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWAAUIWCmsc
Michael Tracey
7   Posted 12/11/2007 at 01:07:32

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Tim Cahill will go down as an Everton legend when he finishes his career with the club! He epitomizes everything that we Evertonians want. Never gives up, always 100% commited and is world class! He is an incredible leader and I don?t think he needs the armband to show leadership. I agree that Yobo is being groomed and would make an excellent captain, lets just leave Timmy to worry about his superb last minute equalizers and incredible knack of scoring goals from midfield. COYB!!!!!!
Steve Carter
8   Posted 12/11/2007 at 03:45:55

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"...The Australian has an attitutude where he has no respect for names and venues. He gets in the face of opposition, and has no desire to accept defeat." You could have said it in two words, Owen: he’s Australian.
Owen Evans
9   Posted 12/11/2007 at 08:20:19

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Peter,

Ever since Yobo’s debut against Fulham I too thought that he would be captain under Moyes. However, I have doubts about his vocal ability to organise his back line and hand out a rollocking if necessary.

I see Yobo first and foremost as a tremendous athlete who best performances come when he’s allowed to concentrate on his own game. He always seemed happiest when alongside Stubbs than anyone else, stepping to the veteran’s lead much like Cahill and Arteta.

To be fair though, he has captained Nigeria for a couple of years and the partnership with lescott looks promising so.....
Mick Mac
10   Posted 12/11/2007 at 09:24:17

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Louis take your head out of the sand, so you need to be a Born Evertonian to captain Evewrton utter shit and if you know your history you will know Peter Reid who captained Everton on few occasions was infact a RS fan, Gerrard Everton fan the list goes on. If you feel that way about Neville because he is ex Man United then maybe you are supporting the wrong club and go across to the bigeted RS
Peter Mandrake
11   Posted 12/11/2007 at 09:31:44

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I agree with everything Michael Tracey says spot on. Leave Tim doing what he is doing scoring goals and getting in the face of defenders.
Louis Huglin
12   Posted 12/11/2007 at 10:08:04

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Mick Mac - you’ve got the wrong end of the stick mate. I don’t mean that a player has to be born evertonian to be captain, I just mean that when they play for the club they have to live and die for it - as Peter Reid did when he captained us, regardless of his RS supporting past.

It’s not that Nev is ex-united, its that sometimes I think he still wishes he was still at United, I think he always has an eye on how they’re are doing. Only my opinion, but i think Yobo and Cahill have more passion for Everton FC than Pip. I can’t question his determination, professionalism, team ethic, loyalty - I just think there is a little spot there that cannot ever be removed. Plus the fact that he’s by no means the best choice for captain anyway.
Tony Ateman
13   Posted 12/11/2007 at 12:41:20

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Neville is a good professional, but is probably being edged out of the team because we have better players. Why not do a Davy Wier and make him club Captain?

So who would become team Captain? I am not convinced that Joey has the confidence to marshall the back line, never mind the team. Cahill fits the bill.


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