The Mail Bag
Can this finally be the team and formation?
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One thing was evident, we played brilliant football against a very very good side... Here in South Africa the clash was dubbed ”Tradition vs Ambition” and I'm loving the fact that all my Toffee brother and sisters are happy!
I think DM was very smart playing Bily wide next to Pienaar, followed by the Big Fella. Saha and Cahill I personally think had an excellent game, they were giving the City defence endless problems.
Saha’s coming back to the form that earned him a move to OT a few seasons ago. If Saha can start finishing the great movements he is always involved with, then I’m sure he’ll be among the top three strikers in the EPL season. He really looks class when on the ball!
I can’t see DM splitting Pienaar and the Big Fella in the middle, not even for Arteta. These 2 have been brilliant in the last 3 games. It’s about time DM gave Pienaar the central role that made him a hit at Ajax — Pienaar’s preferred role.
One thing is evident; you can’t compare Pienaar and Arteta. When Pienaar arrived in England 2 years ago, he couldn’t tackle, always got endless yellow cards... now he’s developed into a really tough player with balls of steel. Always involved in defending, breaking down the opposition, and playing fantastic attractive football...
Not the same that can be said about Mikel... the guy still can’t defend of tackle and track back when needed, this after being in the EPL for how long — 4-5 years?
I personally can only see injury preventing the Big Fella and Little Peanuts not playing in the positions they played in yesterday. It would be great to have all our injured players back and finally have some competition for places within the squad.
Lastly, Bily was fantastic to watch, I have a feeling this dude’s gonna develop into one of the EPL’s best left-footed wide players!
Ricardo Humphries, Posted 17/01/2010 at 02:50:16
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Still unsure about Distin so another centre back and possibily another striker are other priorities.
Pienaar has one more year left on his contract so he can't go for nothing this summer. However, I agree we MUST get his contract situation sorted ASAP. In fact, it is ridiculous that we have not already got him signed.
If we do nothing more than make sure Pienaar and to a lesser extent Saha sign new deals, I will be happy.
The players just need to drift, exchange positions, cover, depending on the situations. Arteta can start on the right, Pienaar can, Bily can, but all players drift during the game. It's not like oh... he's a central midfielder so he has to stay there!
Do you get me?!!
Touch of nepotism there mate. Pienaar is quality but he’s not in Arteta’s league. Not in the middle anyway.
I’d like to see Mikel slot into the middle with the Big Fella and move Pienaar forward into the floating free role in which he has so excelled with SA.
Of course that would mean there’d be no room for Timmy but then we’ll probably never have all of these guys fit at the same time anyway!
I have read a lot of positive reviews of Bily but I personally thought he was piss poor. Wasted like 3 half decent chances. (Give him time to settle, I guess...)
Why not a MF/ATTACK like this:
Fellaini
Pienaar Arteta
Osman/Cahill Donovan/Bily
Saha/Yak
Piennar and Mikel working the ball from deep will be like Arsenal magic. Fella, Pienaar, Mikel playing triangles.
Sounds good!
He also distributed well and got himself into positions where people could actually pass to him (something he has been really poor at in other games). And he is improving defensively, including a really brave and effective tackle just outside our own box in the second half.
I was totally annoyed by his attempt to follow up after Fellaini’s header. Skyed it over looking for glory rather than slide it to Saha. He needs to temper his glory hunting, but in terms of quality (though not commitment), I think he had a better game than Donovan. Less glory-hunting and more fire in his belly and he will do well.
The big lesson I learned this season is that people have to give new players time. Read the vast majority of assessments of Heitinga and Fellaini at the start of the season. If we don’t get quality out of Bily, I can assure you that another team will. He is not Jo.
Pienaar should ideally play on the left where he has a good understanding with Baines. I agree with Rob & Simon. Arteta is best in the middle of the park where he can dictate the pace of the game and thread through his immaculate passes.
PS Ricardo, Let’s start the South African supporters club. I saw an Everton flag at the cricket with the Barmy Army but couldn’t find the lads when they were in CT.
Until Arteta got injured he was the best midfielder in the country when playing in the centre.
I agree, we need to start a supporters club.
I can be contacted on 0829082229
or email humphries13@liveco.za
Cheers,
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1 Posted 17/01/2010 at 17:03:19
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He’s top drawer but I can’t see how we can hold onto him unless we get investment. Somebody please convince me.