The Mail Bag
Cahill in a 4-man midfield
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This has been said and argued about many times.
Most of us would understand Moyes's preoccupation with five in the middle comes from the fear(?) that we don't or didn't have four good enough to do the job (5@80% = 4@100%). Do we in fact have four good enough now given his new found love affair with 442? (although that is for another thread).
Cahill can only play in a five-man midfield, he can pop up with the goals whenever and have his so-called deficiencies covered for. So far so good... When fit, he CAN play in a four-man midfield AND pop up with the odd goal. So play him in the Carsley role.
Fellaini is out injured and could, given our finances, have even kicked his last ball for us. Rodwell? Not ready... may never BE ready ? that is the downside of potential, it's all yet to happen. Johnny H? ? iffy at best. Neville, injured for how long, be it ribs or hammy.
Small squad means that Cahill, when fit won't be on the bench for too long. If we need a Carsley, who else have we actually got ??
Derek Thomas, Posted 07/03/2011 at 07:48:49
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But then who else? Not a fan of Heitinga there at all. Would love to say Bily but he's looked woeful in his last few run outs.
Maybe you play Rodders as holding and Timmy as attack-minded centre-mid. Though I kind of agree with Andrew and Alisdair and the idea that maybe his best position at the moment might be coming off the bench.
Cahill is NOT a midfielder. He supports the main striker and links back to midfield BUT he is not a midfielder.
I prefer Tim supporting Saha or our next striker (not Beckford) to an outright two-pronged strikeforce like Beckford and Saha 9 times out of 10.
Thats the reason Moyes uses the 4-5-1 formation with Cahill playing just behind the striker.
It works because Cahill can score goals but it's always been problematic because it means Moyes cannot field two strikers.
Luckily for Cahill, Moyes has rarely had two decent strikers so Cahill has enjoyed a starting place for most of his Everton career.
If Moyes ever has two quality strikers at Everton then he will be forced to play 4-4-2 and I think that will see Cahill on the bench.
Because, with a 4-4-2 formation, there's no way Moyes can pick Cahill over Arteta, Fellaini or Rodwell.
A fit Cahill should always be included in a first choice 11. It's not just his goals, but also his passion and his 'never lie down' attitude, his aerial ability when defending set pieces. These qualities are often overlooked on this site.
Unfortunately, Timmie may be getting past his best. The Australia trips and his injuries have contributed to a lacklustre period since Xmas and many defences are now hitting on him harder in the box. Moyes should not be in any hurry to get him back in and let him get fully fit, which he wasn't when he came back from the Asian Cup.
He does far more harassing of defenders than Saha and Beckford put together and is quality at helping the defence from set pieces.
Every player has his good qualities and Tim (unlike most pros these days) always puts a full shift in and contributes goals.
I have no complaint with him in a 4-4-1-1 with Arteta and Rodwell in support.
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1 Posted 07/03/2011 at 13:10:23
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He should be judged as a Support Striker as that has been his main role for us for the last 3/4 seasons now!
There is a difference between a 4-4-1-1 and a 4-4-2, however and it is questionable whether Tim could be as effective in a 2-man attck as he is playing just behind and making those perfectly timed runs!