The Mail Bag
Good News Continues
Comments (18)
I am properly overjoyed to hear that Mikel is back in full training. I hope his knee is as strong as ever and he can quickly overcome the psychological hurdles as those first tackles come flying in. Remember he was the Premier League's most fouled player prior to his injury.
I cannot tell you the number of times during a match thinking "this is exactly when we need Arteta." Well, now his return is nigh.
Anyway, I know this has been bandied about on other threads, but perhaps a few thoughts on where to ease him back onto the pitch.
He flourished in the middle of the park after spending many seasons on the right of midfield. I have to admit to reservations at first of moving him to the middle as I thought he would get battered, especially against the likes of Blackburn and, at the time, Newcastle and similar ilk. We did not, and still do not, receive the protection referees afford the Top 3/4/5 (whatever it is now). Anyway, those fears were groundless and he really was knocking on the World Cup squad for Spain and its majestic midfield.
The waters are clouded by a couple of factors. Donovan may be here beyond his initial 10 weeks. His speed is very welcome, and as his touch improves he may prove invaluable on the right. I am sure inquiries are being made as to the possibility of a permanent move. I have also heard unsubstantiated rumours/hearsay that he has an opt out clause in his MLS contract.
Also, there is the issue of Pienaar. He is doing well in the middle, and I would be hesitant to play him out of his preferred position as his contract is quickly expiring and would not want that issue to prod him toward the exit door.
For my money, I would like to see Arteta eventually take up residence in the middle next to Pienaar with Donovan and Bily out wide. Fellaini would "anchor" the midfield. (I'll leave the niceties of the defensive midfield moniker to the active thread being discussed and currently descending into hand-to-hand combat). That central midfield triangle actually makes me salivate.
It does pain me, but in a fully fit squad (I know, never going to happen) I would put Cahill on the bench, perhaps as a super-sub role.
Luckily, we have the luxury of being in form at the moment, and Arteta in no way needs to be rushed back into action. These selection headaches will be quite welcome to Moyes as the good news continues to flow and we start our assault on the second half of the season.
Will Leaf, Posted 19/01/2010 at 21:44:17
Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
I’m not entirely convinced by Donovan. He has great pace but the control is lacking. I am hoping this is just because it is pre-season for him, but not sure that touch is something you lose so easily. Happy that he is in the squad, but some of the raving about his contribution seems a bit over the top. So I still think we have room for improvement on the flanks
Arteta was our main man for a couple of years — the squad has grown in his absence with Fellaini and Pienaar eventually filling the gap left by his absence. Wherever they play it would be great to have all 3 on the pitch — fit and in-form.
I think he needs to build a better understanding with some other teammates (and be indulged a tad more by them — Saha often seems totally out of patience with his glory-hunting) and to work on (or get help with) his attitude, but I don’t think he’s a dud. I think there is real potential there (unlike, for instance, Jo).
I think he has more class than Cahill, but Cahill has more heart (although I think Cahill totally sucked as captain: could not motivate or inspire team at all). Like David, I wouldn’t overrate Donovan: I think he has shown what we need on our right; I’m not sure if he’s entirely delivering yet. But, its only his second game: an absurdly big ask to have a player come for 10 weeks settle in and contribute.
Pienaar is great in the middle, but he’s great wide too with Baines behind him, and he might be more amenable to it with Arteta and Felli just inside him.
Fellaini was on the day world class with that performance the man didnt put a foot wrong, Billy had his best game by far and the unsung hero is Phil Neville, our results during his spell out injured were poor but the good run has coincided with his return. Maybe he isnt the best player in the league but his leadership qualities are without doubt the best in the league and I hope he stays at right back his true position.
I have heard a lot of people behind me giving Cahill stick — he can't do this, he can't do that — but what he does do is work tirelessly and non-stop for the team and he never gives up chasing and harrying opponents and like he proved against Carlisle he can have a stinker of a game but he scores the winner.
In the words of the late, great James Brown.........I feel good !!!!!!!!
Looking at the players coming out I’d like to ask a couple of questions to my fellow Blues:
1. Come mid-May will be looking down on the Redshite?
2. With the luxury of a fully fit squad looking more likely in the coming weeks, which 4 senior players would you leave out of our full strength squad?
Howard & Nash are certain, but who is left out of the remaining 16 places?
Baines, Hibbo, Coleman, Neville, Heitinga, Jags, Yobo, Distin.
Arteta, Pienaar, Felli, Cahill, Billy, Osman, Rodwell, Gosling, Donovan (for now).
Yakubu, Saha, Vaughan, Anichebe, Jo (for now).
The real plus point for me is with all these players fit, Neville has to play right back meaning Hibbert stays in the reserves.
For now, we’d have to leave out Hibbo, Gosling, Big Vic and Jo.
That’s one hell of a good matchday squad!
Fellaini defensive with Arteta and Pienaar just in front with Osman/Donovan/Bily attacking wingers. Saha up top with Yak and Cahill to sub on to mix it up.
Top 4 worthy all year long...
My preference would be for a fluid central three of arteta, Fellaini and Billy — with Piennar staying on the left and a big signing (or donovan) for the right...
However I’d certainly accept Pienaar in the middle and Bily on the left... I just think that proportionally Pienaar gives more on the wing than Bily.. . and that Bily’s creative potential is slightly wasted in that role... however this is slightly offset by Bily’s superior crossing...
So, it’s up in the air — but it’s a hell of a problem to have for once...
I know Moyes wouldn’t have him ahead of Hibbo in the pecking order, but I feel Coleman a better player to have on the bench - as we know, he can be very effective when we’re chasing a game.
I would play Felli and Arteta central with Pienaar and Donavan on the flanks with either Cahill, Bily or Ossie supporting Yak or Saha depending on who and where we are playing and injuries. I would also play Jags with Heitinga and have Neville or Hibbo RB if Donovan is playing and Coleman if he isn't. I would also like Coleman to be given a runout on RM at some point.
When you think we’re going to have Distin, Rodwell, Anichebe, Gosling, Vaughan (and Beckford?) to add to that squad it makes a mouthwatering prospect.
I agree with Ciaran’s statement that Bily would be better played central however. But I still think he needs to prove an awful lot still to justify his 9m price tag. Awful miss after Fellaini’s towering header summed him up against City for me.
Cahill/Pienaar/Rodwell or whoever else over Bily anyday.
Except that Bily’s done more than threaten, he’s scored goals. There’s a whole thread about him I’ve already posted on so I won’t repeat it again here. Would like to agree about Donovan and point out what a difference having that winger on the right makes though, just having a threat and an outlet out there makes us much harder to defend against, and makes an opposing left back think very hard about charging forward. Eagles, Bentley, Pennant, maybe even that Belgian kid (Lestienne) would all provide something we haven’t had until borrowing Donovan.
I would play Felli in front of the back 4 and have Bily, Mikky and Peanuts sort it out amongst themselves in midfield.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment to the MailBag, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and MailBag submissions across the site.
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
