Setting an example
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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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!!
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.
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.
Whereas old Phil is more like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWAAUIWCmsc
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.....
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.
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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1 Posted 11/11/2007 at 21:21:18
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