The McFadd-end

I should qualify what I?m saying here. For firstly, McFadden didn?t actually make a monkey of me yesterday because I spent most of the game totally mute (for various reasons) and I didn?t air one single criticism of him (enough around me were doing that anyway). But when he scored, I felt as though he knew I?d been inwardly slagging him all game and, not for the first time, he made me feel guilty(ish) for even daring to question a player who, undoubtedly, has a sublime talent.

Further, when I mention Kevin Sheedy?s ability to make a monkey of me, I am actually only referring to the early-1982 to late-83 part of his Everton career.

Once everything started to click (and, for me, I first noticed a ?different? Everton in the heartbreaking ?Frank Stapleton Quarter Final? at Old Trafford in March '83, even though that was a side still featuring the likes of Arnold, McMahon and Irvine and even though we still had the dark days of winter '83 to endure), I wasn?t bothered by Sheedy?s monkey-making talents.

And there?s the difference with Faddy. For once it became obvious in early '84 that Everton were taking to the field with a goalie, nine outfield players and Kevin Sheedy, it didn?t bother any of us in the slightest... Because everyone knew Sheeds was the ultimate luxury. It was clear, though, that the side was collectively strong enough to accommodate him (note: Sheeds was accommodated, whereas Faddy is ?carried?). It didn?t bother us that we never saw Sheeds make a tackle in his whole Everton career because we knew what he was capable of and we knew that he generally delivered. Virtually every game. You could witness Sheeds having not so much a mare of a game as a totally anonymous one. And then: left-foot:? bang!

Witness the Luton semi-final at Villa Park for the ultimate masterclass of Kevin Sheedy doing Sweet Fernando Alonso for 89 minutes and then, as Motty said, ?he drove one? into the only spare inch of the Luton net in the 658th minute of injury time.

The last time I ?allowed? Kevin Sheedy to make a monkey of me was 6 December 1983 when he prima-donnaed his way around Goodison against a there-for-the-taking-from-the-off West Ham in the 4th Round replay (Mark Higgins?s last game?) of the League Cup run that would ultimately end in Souness-inspired misery at Maine Road. It?s fair to say that, as a hearty near 17-year-old, I ?issued forth? my strong feelings about Sheeds from the front step of the Paddock that night; only for him to simultaneously unlock the Irons? lumpen defence with a gem of pass to Andy King which duly saw His Majesty slot home. ?That?s shown you, lad ? watch and learn, kidda!?, said 50 or so bucolic fellas around me and I resolved there and then never to question Sheeds again. And I was glad I learned that lesson relatively early because, later in extra time, Sheeds slotted one in for himself anyway and it was beginning to be crystal clear that Kendall had spotted a Rolls Royce at the back of Bob Paisley?s dealer?s yard and bought it for a song and a bag of balloons.

From then on, with a Blue carpet rolled out in honour before him, Sheeds was afforded the whole sovereignty of Goodison and we just waited for him to deliver, even in those games where he?d obviously decided to pitch a deckchair out on the wing, open his newspaper and start smoking a big fat one. That was the deal with Sheeds. And it was beautiful.

And I truly hoped that we?d be able to enter into a similar contract with Faddy. It?s a peculiar feature of Evertonia that we?re only too willing to be so flexible with players who possess the finer gifts. But after yesterday, I?m afraid it?s clear that it?s never gonna happen with Fad. His performance yesterday, in many ways, was straight out of Kevin Sheedy?s top drawer. He stunk the gaff out and then produced a finish that very few players are capable of ? and without wishing to swear, it had a certain Mr Rush stamped all over it.

But, whereas Sheeds would deliver moments from the Gods 200 times a season, and then some, Faddy doesn?t even get into double figures. And it?s just not enough for him to even think about raising a proverbial two-fingered salute (and no-one ever did that better than Sheeds anyway!) to any critics in a ?that?s what I?m capable of? type of way.

Yep, we all know what?s in his locker. We can all see how he was obviously destined to become a professional football player. We can even see why David Moyes has persevered with him for so long. But it?s time to face up to it, after four years and countless chances to ?stake a claim?, Faddy is never gonna cut it consistently. And as for comparisons with Sheeds, well he?s not fit to lace his boots. But, of course, we?ll all cherish the beauty of Fad?s Charlton goal forever To be honest, I?ve even got serious doubts whether Fad?s a Premier League player ? but perhaps that?s being a bit harsh.

What isn?t harsh is that I reached the end of the road with Faddy yesterday. And the irony of it all was that it took him to score an absolute gem for me to finally realise it.

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