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Striker? No, a midfielder
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Demba Ba, Boothroyd, etc... Why are we looking at forwards when a blind man can see we need a ball-winning midfielder? The above mentioned are clearly no better than the Yak.
We need a player who can sit in front of the back four, who can win the ball for the attacking midfielders and also protect our defence.
Fellaini is not the answer: too slow, cannot tackle. Rodwell? From a centre-half to a box-to-box midfielder...??? I feel a bit sorry for the lad but he could be the answer.
It was there for all to see, when Neville played in that position at the back end of the season... so, in my opinion, this is our problem area; and ? if we can sort it ? I'm telling you, we will be right up there.
COYB
Colin Malone, Posted 22/06/2011 at 09:53:09
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I couldn?t disagree more! Felliani is quality, it is no coincidence that the top Premier League and Spanish teams want him.
Anyone who knows anything about football can see we are crying out for pace on the wings (and in general) and someone to put the ball in the net. You say we need a ball winner to pass to our attacking midfielders, the problem being that we don?t have any. Osman and Arteta are creative but are not real attacking midfielders. Mister N?Zogbia on the other hand very much is.
Although I do agree that Ba was no big loss and Boothroyd is not the answer.
Anyone who knows anything about football can see we are crying out for pace on the wings (and in general) and someone to put the ball in the net. You say we need a ball winner to pass to our attacking midfielders, the problem being that we don?t have any. Osman and Arteta are creative but are not real attacking midfielders. Mister N?Zogbia on the other hand very much is.
Although I do agree that Ba was no big loss and Boothroyd is not the answer.
We do need a quality striker with the Yak looking to go, Vaughan gone, Anichebe hopeless and Straw legs Saha it will leave alot on Beckford's shoulders. I can see the point about abit of a dynamic ball winner in midfield. Fellaini has his qualities but i agree he is slow. Rodwell appears to play with some sort of apathy in the centre of midfield there doesn't seem to be the bite required from him to play the position. I would really love to see him tried at centre half because he just seemed off the pace and he was particulary poor for England recently. I think the question remains what is his best position.
I agree that a lot of the strikers we are being linked with are not as good as the Yak - I do think Ba was worth a punt though. He scored something like 9 in 16 in a poor West ham side that was going down, so he must have something.
The likes of Bothroyd and Mackail Smith can't even lace his boots though. We would only be interested in them cos they are free.
The likes of Bothroyd and Mackail Smith can't even lace his boots though. We would only be interested in them cos they are free.
or cheap in the case of Mackail Smith!
We need two wingers three strikers in my opinion and a young centre half, also back up for baines at left back. If i could choose being reasonable with the little money we have i would love us to get, Nzogbia, or Vicente, Joaquin or Eagles.And upfront Wickham, Defoe and Jelavic.
With the right players being sold i feel this could be feesable with Konchesky as backup left back.
With the right players being sold i feel this could be feesable with Konchesky as backup left back.
with Moyes sticking hard and fast to 4-5-1 at all costs its more of a goal scoring midfielder a sort of our own Stevie Me Laa, fatal problem is they cost money and we have none, Moyes should be ruthless and cut out players not making the grade or offering nothing such as Anichebe and Bily and see what Black Bill gives him from their sales.
"Anyone who knows anything about football can see we are crying out for pace on the wings (and in general) and someone to put the ball in the net."
I think there's much truth in what Colin has written and some danger in Jons comments.
Last game of the season against Chelsea Ancelotti had us sussed. Bombing on up the flanks (er ok flank....left one) with Bainsey providing the dink into the middle is something everyone has seen us do....Bainsey's stats prove how often we do that.
Ancelotti put a man on Baines (Essien if memory serves) to charge him down when Howard rolled it out to him. Wasn't completely successful, but, is something we can expect to see more of if we are too predictable with the wing play.
Last season Arteta seemed to be sitting a bit deep to collect the ball and try to make a pass out wide.....injury and a lack of form screwed things up but he's wasted back there anyway. I'd prefer him a bit further up the pitch, looking for a good forward pass from the defensive midfielder, using his awareness to pick out the pass to the striker. Beckford seems quite able to put himself in nice spaces to take the ball on....just seems to flap a bit sometimes when he has it.
Fellaini is quality raw material is decent in the tackle and has pretty good close control, but, I think he's still got work to do on his passing game.
I think there's much truth in what Colin has written and some danger in Jons comments.
Last game of the season against Chelsea Ancelotti had us sussed. Bombing on up the flanks (er ok flank....left one) with Bainsey providing the dink into the middle is something everyone has seen us do....Bainsey's stats prove how often we do that.
Ancelotti put a man on Baines (Essien if memory serves) to charge him down when Howard rolled it out to him. Wasn't completely successful, but, is something we can expect to see more of if we are too predictable with the wing play.
Last season Arteta seemed to be sitting a bit deep to collect the ball and try to make a pass out wide.....injury and a lack of form screwed things up but he's wasted back there anyway. I'd prefer him a bit further up the pitch, looking for a good forward pass from the defensive midfielder, using his awareness to pick out the pass to the striker. Beckford seems quite able to put himself in nice spaces to take the ball on....just seems to flap a bit sometimes when he has it.
Fellaini is quality raw material is decent in the tackle and has pretty good close control, but, I think he's still got work to do on his passing game.
Steve have to agree, and before Pienaar left any side that wanted to stifle us going forward man marked him and Baines and we went stale devoid of ideas, it's easier now. We need pace and creativity, we need players who can run at and past opposition players.
We have Fellaini, Rodwell, Heitinga and Neville on order of preference that can call play there and do a job.
Every man and his dog knows we need one or two decent strikers. Our start to the season last year would have been different if we'd had someone who can stick the ball in the net.
Until we offload Yak and Yobo we're not going to bring one in. The Yaks situation is the most worrying as he's the 2nd highest paid player at Goodison and we dot move him on it's seriously going to hinder our chances and bringing new blood in.
Every man and his dog knows we need one or two decent strikers. Our start to the season last year would have been different if we'd had someone who can stick the ball in the net.
Until we offload Yak and Yobo we're not going to bring one in. The Yaks situation is the most worrying as he's the 2nd highest paid player at Goodison and we dot move him on it's seriously going to hinder our chances and bringing new blood in.
My take is that we need:
1. Striker
2. Defensive Midfielder
Arteta, Rodwell and Fellaini are all attacking midfielders and not defensive, ball winning midfielders
The team is cryingout for a midfielder who is able to break up play and make a meaningful pass to our own team.
1. Striker
2. Defensive Midfielder
Arteta, Rodwell and Fellaini are all attacking midfielders and not defensive, ball winning midfielders
The team is cryingout for a midfielder who is able to break up play and make a meaningful pass to our own team.
Jon, where are all these top premier and Spanish teams that want Fellaini?
Really? we have loads of potential DCMs. Arteta, Rodwell, Fellaini, Neville, Heitinga.
Admittedly none of them has made the position their own but i would say it was lack of goals and cutting edge more than anything that hurt us last season.
I'd much rather see a striker than a DCM.
Admittedly none of them has made the position their own but i would say it was lack of goals and cutting edge more than anything that hurt us last season.
I'd much rather see a striker than a DCM.
STEVE #6 - Ancellotti sussed us out? Won one nil with ten men! Will be ecstatic if the rest of the league suss us out like that next season.
We haven't got any money!!
Brian@9 - I'm with you, who exactly IS after Fellaini?!
It's not my preferred position, but i'll happily sign as a DM if i'm needed!
Cheap as fook as well!
Cheap as fook as well!
It's not my preferred position, but i'll happily sign as a DM if i'm needed!
Cheap as fook as well!
Cheap as fook as well!
I just heard on five live that Hartlepool have made Everton a offer for the lump known as "Big Vic" on a pay as you score deal....Everton tried to get a pay as you fall over deal but even Hartlepool aren't that thick.
What we need is a quality central midfielder to apply to Everton for a job as an out-and-out winger and be adamant that he won't play in any other position. Moyes would then play him at full back or as an emergency striker.
About 28 games into the season, when the injuries start piling up, Moyesie will be forced to play him as a makeshift midfielder... we will start to pick up points and Moyesie will be recognized as a tactical genius and once again crowned manager of the year.
Nah, that's silly!
I disagree, Fellaini is brilliant. I reckon primarily we need a striker and a winger.
Clearly anyone with an ounce of football sorts can see we need a forward more than anything else. Then pace out wide.
I seriously cannot understand anyone who does not think Yak is finished as a Premier League forward.
I seriously cannot understand anyone who does not think Yak is finished as a Premier League forward.
Colin Malone, absolutely spot on.If Roy Keane ,at his best had been playing for us last season we might actually have achieved something. We need a leader on the pitch(Neville is fine off it) We need someone who is hurt by losing. Someone who will scare the shit out of our opponents. We are soft and a team who play 4-5-1 cannot be soft.
We need two wingers and a striker. Preferably none of the strikers we've been linked with so far. I'd rather spend the money on N'zogbia. I also think Fellaini is a great player and is gonna be world class.
I'm just hoping we make the "WoW" double signing striker swoop for Lee Trundle and David Nugent.
Barton and Defoe would be possibilities for me , I suspect around 15m in transfer fees and sales required to generate. Wages may be a problem
I'm baffled by the original post. It is widely acknowledged that last season, our failure to break into the European places was mainly attributed to our inability to unlock the defences of teams set up to "park the bus".
I'm struggling to see how even the greatest holding midfielder on the planet could help us in this department.
As others have mentioned, pace, width, and a quality goal scorer must be our priorities.
Sadly, I can see Moyes sharing Colin's views and focus on improving our defensive capabilities before he looks up front. I shall truely despair if this is the case!
I'm struggling to see how even the greatest holding midfielder on the planet could help us in this department.
As others have mentioned, pace, width, and a quality goal scorer must be our priorities.
Sadly, I can see Moyes sharing Colin's views and focus on improving our defensive capabilities before he looks up front. I shall truely despair if this is the case!
Finishers. This is still a point to be argued? We all know why we're in the group just outside and looking in these years. We don't have Finishers.
We have everthing but the guy(s) to put it in the net playing teams who know it too. Why we get open play against top sides and "park the bus" against lower sides.
We don't have a Predator.
We have everthing but the guy(s) to put it in the net playing teams who know it too. Why we get open play against top sides and "park the bus" against lower sides.
We don't have a Predator.
Brian #12, just what I was wondering.
And as for 'good in the tackle' I guess someone must have been watching him fishing in Sefton Park Lake.
And as for 'good in the tackle' I guess someone must have been watching him fishing in Sefton Park Lake.
Fellaini is absolute class. I rate him, as well as Jags & Baines as essentials to our team. We don't need a defensive midfielder. We need a winger & a striker. I would take N'Zogbia & Long if we could get some cash
Ryan Holroyd,@22.
The Yak may not be finished physically but mentally he lost interest at Everton ages ago, just as he lost interest at Portsmouth and Middlesborough before he joined us. He also ran his bollocks off in his first couple of games at Leicester, but once he thinks he's impressed enough to warrant a big pay packet he puts his feet up. If he had the mentality of say, Bellamy or even Kuyt, and a desire to run and chase he would be fantastic, but he is basically lazy.
The Yak may not be finished physically but mentally he lost interest at Everton ages ago, just as he lost interest at Portsmouth and Middlesborough before he joined us. He also ran his bollocks off in his first couple of games at Leicester, but once he thinks he's impressed enough to warrant a big pay packet he puts his feet up. If he had the mentality of say, Bellamy or even Kuyt, and a desire to run and chase he would be fantastic, but he is basically lazy.
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Id take Joey Barton, he maybe a wrongen but theres no doubting he would make us better. I would 100% rather have him in that position than Neville, or Heitinga because that is not their natural position.
Chris, you're stuttering.
I must admit, I'd have Barton in a heartbeat now he seems to have grown up.
I must admit, I'd have Barton in a heartbeat now he seems to have grown up.
We need a striker & a left sided midfileder with pace. N'Zogbia would be perfect but he's going to cost 9 million+.
I'd offer Nugent a contract, he's on a free & can play out wide as well as through the middle. We know he's not great but he'll work harder than anyone for us, a good squad player.
I'd offer Nugent a contract, he's on a free & can play out wide as well as through the middle. We know he's not great but he'll work harder than anyone for us, a good squad player.
I stopped reading when I read that "Fellaini can't tackle!"
Ridiculous.
Ridiculous.
Andrew #14 ....the problem is predictability and its a familiar one for us. As an example everyone in the Prem now looks, from Everton set plays in the opposition half, for Cahill running into the box late. Cahill's main value to the team is therefore diminished as he's been 'sussed'..
We seem to have lost the ability to play the ball forwards out of defence through the middle and SFA goes out to the right flank to go up the line there.
If you play predictable, repetetive football then the other side is already positioned to cut you off. Your ONLY option then is blistering pace to try and do, what they know you are going to do, before they can stop you. Martin O'Neil's playbook at Villa - relying on pace down the wings and stuff all else.
If you can mix your play and send the ball up either flank OR through the middle you dont have to rely on speed and force quite so much. At the moment we are too one dimensional and dont always have the pace either.
For my money we need to re-model Coleman into the same kind of pacey attacking full back that Baines is on the left. We need a technically capable right winger ahead of him - Wijelwhotsits from Feyenoord looks the part or young Weiss from City if we could spring him loose before he has to endure another season in the SPL!.
If Osman is happy on the left, as he seems to have been latter half of last season, and we have Bilyaletdinov as cover that sorts the flanks out. The pace and width coming from the full backs bombing on.
Fellaini can do the in-front-of -the-back-four job. I'm still at a loss as to why Heitinga doesnt do better at it as he does seem to be one of the better passers of the ball we have?.IF Arteta can recapture his top form and Fellaini learns to pass forward with some consistency we're ok there too.
A decent finisher to take up the Saha slack would be enough to round it out.
Right winger and a traditional centre forward, in the big dunc stylie, would do the job I think.
We seem to have lost the ability to play the ball forwards out of defence through the middle and SFA goes out to the right flank to go up the line there.
If you play predictable, repetetive football then the other side is already positioned to cut you off. Your ONLY option then is blistering pace to try and do, what they know you are going to do, before they can stop you. Martin O'Neil's playbook at Villa - relying on pace down the wings and stuff all else.
If you can mix your play and send the ball up either flank OR through the middle you dont have to rely on speed and force quite so much. At the moment we are too one dimensional and dont always have the pace either.
For my money we need to re-model Coleman into the same kind of pacey attacking full back that Baines is on the left. We need a technically capable right winger ahead of him - Wijelwhotsits from Feyenoord looks the part or young Weiss from City if we could spring him loose before he has to endure another season in the SPL!.
If Osman is happy on the left, as he seems to have been latter half of last season, and we have Bilyaletdinov as cover that sorts the flanks out. The pace and width coming from the full backs bombing on.
Fellaini can do the in-front-of -the-back-four job. I'm still at a loss as to why Heitinga doesnt do better at it as he does seem to be one of the better passers of the ball we have?.IF Arteta can recapture his top form and Fellaini learns to pass forward with some consistency we're ok there too.
A decent finisher to take up the Saha slack would be enough to round it out.
Right winger and a traditional centre forward, in the big dunc stylie, would do the job I think.
Its true we neeed more headcases in the squad someone who will bite and kick back and want to win at all costs.
Were a squad full of gentlemen and we need to toughen up and stop being so friggin nice.
But ultimately if you dont score you dont win.
We have a championship strikeforce and it needs addressing.
We need a striker first thats gotta be a priority imagine if Beckford got injured as well as Saha...........................that would leave Big Vic as our only recognised striker.
Were a squad full of gentlemen and we need to toughen up and stop being so friggin nice.
But ultimately if you dont score you dont win.
We have a championship strikeforce and it needs addressing.
We need a striker first thats gotta be a priority imagine if Beckford got injured as well as Saha...........................that would leave Big Vic as our only recognised striker.
Completely agree with Steve @38 about Weiss. Young and hungry player who is quick and can play on either flank.
Wouldn't be against bringing in Hargreaves on pay as you play - chances are we would never have to pay him, but if he somehow recovers, he would do a great job.
I also think we give the Yak one final final chance. It looks like he is going nowhere fast, so get him a proper pre-season under his belt, remind him how good he is, and get him ready for the start of the season - we have nothing to lose with him and it is his last chance and he knows it. IF he comes good, it would mean less pressure to buy a striker right now, and give us the chance to make sure we make the correct decision in buying a striker for the long term, not a last minute panic buy as we have no-one else
Wouldn't be against bringing in Hargreaves on pay as you play - chances are we would never have to pay him, but if he somehow recovers, he would do a great job.
I also think we give the Yak one final final chance. It looks like he is going nowhere fast, so get him a proper pre-season under his belt, remind him how good he is, and get him ready for the start of the season - we have nothing to lose with him and it is his last chance and he knows it. IF he comes good, it would mean less pressure to buy a striker right now, and give us the chance to make sure we make the correct decision in buying a striker for the long term, not a last minute panic buy as we have no-one else
Pace down the flanks and a striker and that would please me. Stephen@6 mentioned Jelavic, i liked the look of him when ive watched Rangers. I dont know if he has that yard of pace that helps in getting goals in the Prem but he looked a clever player with a good touch and could be worth a shout?
We looked a much better side with the pace of Donovan plus long hoofs can sometimes be turned into a chance with it. Apart from goals pace was imo what we lacked most last season. Teams are happy to let us have the ball if its slow passing its just to easy to get men behind the ball and defend.
We looked a much better side with the pace of Donovan plus long hoofs can sometimes be turned into a chance with it. Apart from goals pace was imo what we lacked most last season. Teams are happy to let us have the ball if its slow passing its just to easy to get men behind the ball and defend.
Steve Jones # 38.
Fellaini can do the in-front-of -the-back-four job???.
Thats just it, he cannot,. Ok when we have the ball, he can do all the things a top holding player does, spreading the ball ect, but he goes missing, i dont mean hiding, he wanders out of position and when its time to defend, its down to the back four.
Dont you remember when Jags and Disten were getting stick? yes it was when Felli was going wandering, getting in Arteta,s way, leaving a gaping hole between midfield and defence and although Neville aint the answer, he improved the team.
Fellaini can do the in-front-of -the-back-four job???.
Thats just it, he cannot,. Ok when we have the ball, he can do all the things a top holding player does, spreading the ball ect, but he goes missing, i dont mean hiding, he wanders out of position and when its time to defend, its down to the back four.
Dont you remember when Jags and Disten were getting stick? yes it was when Felli was going wandering, getting in Arteta,s way, leaving a gaping hole between midfield and defence and although Neville aint the answer, he improved the team.
All this talk of Arteta and Fellaini together in midfield is just like having Gerrard and Lampard together. It just isn't going to work as they are the same player. May be Rodwell when he's playing well might fit with one of them but not both!
Colin
Fellaini definitely wants to play higher up the pitch and his inability to track back at speed gets him in trouble. He is not afraid of committing to the challenge and winning the ball though.
Positional discipline is something that can be learned on the training pitch and beds in with experience.
We'd be daft to overlook the quality he does posses because he's a young lad that goes walkabout on occasion.
Fellaini definitely wants to play higher up the pitch and his inability to track back at speed gets him in trouble. He is not afraid of committing to the challenge and winning the ball though.
Positional discipline is something that can be learned on the training pitch and beds in with experience.
We'd be daft to overlook the quality he does posses because he's a young lad that goes walkabout on occasion.
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1 Posted 22/06/2011 at 15:18:38
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