The Mail Bag
The new 'new Carsley'
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Marouane Fellaini is on a great run of form. He could become a real talisman for us. I can see Fellaini goals becoming events in themselves, in the same way Big Dunc's were — he has a knack for big goals, important strikes — his goals are always high octane and he should probably score more headers than he does. However, the goals aren't the big deal with the Big Fella because, as we all know, he is a defensive midfield player. Looking around the Prem, he could become one of his generation's top defensive midfield players (if Rodwell doesn't get there first).
Fellaini himself is clearly relishing his 'new' role and is busy telling journalists it is his best position. We knew this, of course, because we'd read the reports and seen him in action against the shite a week before he joined us — he was outstanding that night. I recall that having lost Carsley, there seemed genuine satisfaction that we had busted our transfer record for this guy — the new Carsley.
And yet, one man didn't see it that way. Mr Moyes (and I do love Moyesy, but I have a bee in my bonnet about this) went to great lengths to stress that Fellaini was not Carsley's replacement. In fact, I think I rememeber a quote that went something like, "people seem to think he is here to replace Lee, that is certainly not the case". Now I know he is not similar to Cars in terms of style, but undoubtedly he should occupy the same area of the pitch as Super Lee did.
Moyesy was certain in his conviction and consequently Fellaini has spent 18 months looking even more awkward than his gait insists, sometimes doing rather well (there have been hot streaks of form and goals) but, more often than not, standing out like a sore thumb — mainly to do with his unique style of 'tackling', which I can't help but feel isn't helped by the fact he has found himself running back into positions he is more comfortable occupying in the first place.
It has taken a terrible run of injuries for Fellaini to start in the defensive midfield role — he excels here — he's imposing, physical, can play a great pass from deep and links well with his team mates. It's always been a no-brainer. But am I alone in wondering how much better we'd have been with Felli as the "new Lee Carsley" 18 months ago?
David McEvoy, Posted 12/01/2010 at 14:34:16
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We all know(?) that the only reason to play 5 in MF is coz you haven’t got 4 good enough to do the job eg 5@80% = 4@100% and if the said 4 share the duties of MF correctly and play as a unit, as seems to be the case recently ( why even the much malighned Ossie looked half decent ).
Some of course will do a bit more of one of the components that is the MFers job than others. Just as some will be more right. sided or Left sided. The parts make up the whole and depend and inter depend on each other...and, as we saw Vs Arsenal, job done...
Except for deflections which is a function of the way we let them come at us ALL the time by virtue of having even the forward(s) in the box defending and thus the lack of an ’out ’ to hold the ball up.
IMHO, you require 2 players out of the box, 1 10yds out for the short clearance and 1 on the halfway line to keep the opposition from pressuring us too deep and to get on the end of the long clearance.
In recent weeks, I’ve seen improvements but I’ve yet to see him completely destroy a team or drag the team to victory on his own. The good thing is he has the potential to be that good (Lucas cough, cough).
There can be no stopping Everton challenging for the title over the next few years with these two in tandem in centre midfield. They will take every game by the scruff of the neck and empower us to victory (especially since ’The Old Sky 4’ are skint).
I hope they are wrong, but I don’t see them staying here too long (a few good peformances, and already MF’s dad is spouting off about Chelsea showing interest in the lad).
I hope the Sky 4 implode, and they all get relegated....
And if you remember, when we first bought him, we did play him in defensive midfield, and he was crap, hence why Moyes moved him further forward.
I reckon he’ll be a fine player once he matures — we all seem to forget he’s only about 22 (?) or something because he’s such a big old lump.
As a holding midfielder, he’s clearly a better player than if he’s asked to attack —- that said, he still can't tackle.
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