Season › 2012-13 › News Hitzlsperger trains with the Blues Michael Kenrick , 20 September, 60comments | Jump to most recent Former Wolfsburg and Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger trained with the Blues at Finch Farm yesterday, as David Moyes mulled over whether to offer him a short-term contract to boost his engine room with Darron Gibson facing another two to three weeks on the sidelines. Quotes or other material sourced from Liverpool Echo Reader Comments (60) 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 Jon Ferguson 1 Posted 20/09/2012 at 18:11:36 Pay as you play until January wouldn't be a bad move. Se do desperately need someone in midfield. James Morgan 2 Posted 20/09/2012 at 18:24:02 If it meant no Neville in midfield I'd have the effin caretaker play there! George Bromsgrove 3 Posted 20/09/2012 at 18:40:21 James, the caretaker is not a defensive midfielder, he would be better employed just behind the striker. Ciarán McGlone 4 Posted 20/09/2012 at 18:41:59 Pointless to be honest... he will be backup for Neville, not a replacement. Surely we have kids who can sit on the bench? Gary Creaney 5 Posted 20/09/2012 at 18:42:43 Hitz was only ever an average to decent prem midfielder but even if he was piss poor I'd still bring him in.... Absolutely anything to get Nev out of midfield. Plus he can score with that rifle left foot of his. Please please please please please no more Nev in midfield Jay Harris 6 Posted 20/09/2012 at 19:04:54 IMO Oviedo can play as the anchor with Felli to his right as the enforcers.That would then leave Pienaar,Naismith and Mirallas supporting the front man. Ian Bennett 7 Posted 20/09/2012 at 19:07:46 Jay, Oviedo is a full back or winger, and not an anchor man. James Carroll 8 Posted 20/09/2012 at 19:13:08 Pay-as-you-play - zero risk.Do it. Gavin Ramejkis 9 Posted 20/09/2012 at 19:15:19 He cant possibly be any worse than chuckle brother Pip Mark Pierpoint 10 Posted 20/09/2012 at 19:34:28 Can he Jay? is there any evidence that Oviedo can play in central midfield or is this just wishful thinking? Gavin Pryde 11 Posted 20/09/2012 at 19:36:06 The caretaker would be better employed as a sweeper. I'll get my coat...... Mark Tanton 12 Posted 20/09/2012 at 20:27:44 Jay, are you just guessing?! Allan Jones 13 Posted 20/09/2012 at 20:41:34 'Oviedo can play as the anchor with Felli'We have not even seen Oviedo play yet and if I'm not mistaken he's a left back or left midfielder? He scored some goals in the Superliga, shall we stick him up front?? Martin Handley 14 Posted 20/09/2012 at 21:56:59 The lad was good enough for the German national side so I'd give him a deal to the end of the season.And yes definately a decent dead ball option. Bob Willis 15 Posted 20/09/2012 at 21:58:43 Gavin 938 You should take some Pryde in that comment.I like it. Alan McGuffog 16 Posted 20/09/2012 at 22:08:09 Just don't get it. Irrespective of how good or bad the guy is, he is not match fit ( and knowing us he is probably carrying a knock or two ). We get him on board and he's ready to play sometime in November.Personally I would have liked us to have blooded a young, highly promising box to box midfielder...maybe a kid who had already had an outing or two for the first team. I guess if we had had a player like that though, he'd probably be out on loan someplace. Keith Slinger 17 Posted 20/09/2012 at 23:33:47 Alan, the manager knows best – no matter how good we think we know... And don't forget: he is getting paid for it – albeit by the supporters. Kev Johnson 18 Posted 20/09/2012 at 23:38:47 The thing about Hitzlsperger is that he has significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests...Oh no, hold on a minute, that's Asperger. Michael Guy 19 Posted 21/09/2012 at 00:18:59 fckin hilarious that kev, What child disability you gonna pick on next ?? Kev Johnson 20 Posted 21/09/2012 at 00:21:38 It's not a child disability, Michael. Any more than Tourette's Syndrome is. It's a lifelong thing affecting people of all ages. Is it wrong to joke about blindness, Bipolar Disorder, etc, etc? Where will it end? Nevertheless, I apologise if any offence was taken. None was intended. Julian Batti 21 Posted 21/09/2012 at 00:32:54 Hitzlsperger is a very likeable and articulate guy who cares about social issues. He is also a high profile gay; that was apparently the reason why he was forced out of Villa. Mick Davies 22 Posted 21/09/2012 at 03:18:06 There is someone in centre-mid who's worse than Neville....feckin Osman. Hitzlsperger is yet another left-footed player, but could do a job while Gibbo's out. And with a nickname like 'The Hammer' he's sure to get stuck in, not like Leon fairy toes... He's made over 50 caps for Germany so it's worth a punt. What we really need is a right back – or Coleman – and a first team coach. Paul Ward 23 Posted 21/09/2012 at 05:46:20 Spot on Mick Davies, powder puff Osman's time is up. Then offload Howard and Hibbert. All three have been loyal servents but Everton is not a charity. Peter Jones 24 Posted 21/09/2012 at 06:45:29 How Osman is now worse than Neville in midfield is beyond me. Neville has made 4 tackles in as many games. Yeah. Way to get stuck in. Combine that with the fact that he isn't half the player Leon Osman is technically or going forward, I don't really see how you can make the argument that Neville is better in the center of the park. Here's an idea: Make Leighton Baines the captain. He's our most consistent performer, reliable defensively, and vital to our attack down the left with Pienaar. Then Moyes won't get guilt-tripped into starting a player that is past it in every way and a serviceable backup at right back at best. Howard and Osman just had off days. It happens. They aren't consistently bad or even mediocre usually. Fellaini needs to return to the middle of the park. It's that simple. I thought that was the point of having all this versatility. Naismith slides in behind the striker. Then you have the option to play Anichebe or Mirallas at striker. If you play Mirallas, then you can put Coleman in front of Hibbert on the right. Having Neville in the center ruins all of those possibilities and keeps better players that can help us field a better eleven on the bench. I don't get it. Peter Jones 25 Posted 21/09/2012 at 06:57:56 Oh and by the way, Leon Osman has made 9 tackles to Neville's 4 and 11 clearances to Neville's 7 all while being involved in our attack. Osman also passes at a 2% higher rate while passing forward more often than Neville, who is either going sideways or backwards most of the time. He's pretty much been better in every way to start the season according to whoscored.com. Who's the powder puff now? Dave Williams 26 Posted 21/09/2012 at 07:39:49 Surely this is the time to try Junior? He looked very good in pre-season and not a pushover physically. We have plenty of experience to help him along and much better to try him than the thirty-plus boys who have served us well but cannot be paired up again in centre midfield. Jim Harrison 27 Posted 21/09/2012 at 07:56:56 Incidentally, the commentators where I live were speculating why Osman hasn't been called up for international duty. Tony Graham 28 Posted 21/09/2012 at 08:51:42 James @ 920, I think the caretaker would be best as a sweeper... COYB David Nicholls 29 Posted 21/09/2012 at 08:54:13 Yeah I really don't get this picking on Osman. I think he's looked good so far this season and it's obvious he's better suited to a central role instead of the right wing.I'm not convinced by Neville in midfield these days, I'd rather we either brought Felli back or played Heitinga there although I'd much prefer Johnny at the back alongside Jags. Either way, we have options. I'm not convinced we need to bring in a 'Freebie'. Hopefully Gibbo will be back soon and the promising Fransisco Junior. If we hang on until January I'd like to see us resurrect a deal for Odjidja-Ofoe. Steve King 30 Posted 21/09/2012 at 09:08:17 His nickname "The Hammer" was first coined on Canal Street in Manchester and has nothing to do with his left foot............that's what Graham Le Saux told me anyway... Kev Johnson 31 Posted 21/09/2012 at 09:07:12 OK, so it was a weak tackle from Osman that gave Newcastle the ball for their first goal. That doesn't automatically make him a "powder puff" player! No one accuses Iniesta of not being a bastard in the tackle.Yes, yes - I know he's not on the same level as the diminutive Spaniard, but he's that kind of player - which is why Jack Wilshere compared them last year. You might as well demand that Pienaar scores more with his head or Jelavic plays more defense splitting passes. He justifies his selection most weeks, in my opinion. It's all about the balance of the team, not individuals. Drew O'Neall 32 Posted 21/09/2012 at 09:32:27 Ciaran and Gavin have brought the sunshine from their recent holidays back to ToffeeWeb... Thanks lads.I'd like to see Naismisth tried in the centre of the AMF three as he's clearly got an eye for movement and can pick a pass. Pity Jelavic is out because SN obviously likes loading the gun for him to fire. That would free Fellaini to play alongside Osman and free Neville to sit in the bench. Big Vic and Mirallas could alternate during the match in the lone frontman role with Mirallas starting out on the right at the whistle on Saturday. Drew O'Neall 33 Posted 21/09/2012 at 09:43:09 Neville's alright when we aren't going to have the ball, á la against Man Utd, or to break things up and keep his discipline but his distribution is weak for games where we have plenty, eg, at home under the lights against Newcastle... Horses for courses. I suggest we are going to have to muscle Swansea out and hit them on the counter, so take your pick... Paul Smith 34 Posted 21/09/2012 at 09:57:44 Why isn't Junior even been on the bench? We need to try and give him some game time to build confidence in case he is needed in the future. Why oh why we didn't try for Vadis earlier than the last day of transfer window? We all knew we were short in centre mid. Tony J Williams 35 Posted 21/09/2012 at 10:07:35 Not defending Neville, as he played a stinker, but the lad who gives me info about Everton was told that Neville and another player, forgot who, were throwing up before the game with a bug. Can explain a little bit why he was shitter than normal. Sam Jennings 36 Posted 21/09/2012 at 13:04:58 Hitzlsperger has got a howitzer of a left foot... maybe he could blast Howard's hands off in training so we are forced into signing a new keeper. Craig Walker 37 Posted 21/09/2012 at 13:08:36 Excuse my ignorance but have we ever had a German player play for us before? Really struggling to remember any. Julian Batti 38 Posted 21/09/2012 at 13:22:32 We had a German goalie some years ago and this German-Albanian youngster we signed from HSV. Tony J Williams 39 Posted 21/09/2012 at 13:49:01 Stefan Wesells, did he ever play? Julian Batti 40 Posted 21/09/2012 at 14:15:16 I believe he played in the League Cup. James Elworthy 41 Posted 21/09/2012 at 15:39:38 Did he not play when Tim Howard was not allowed to play v Man Utd was on loan? Or was that Ian Turner? Julian Batti 43 Posted 21/09/2012 at 17:05:11 I see now that Wessels played one league game against Villa. I do not recall who it was that had a very bad day in goal against United. Jamie Tulacz 44 Posted 21/09/2012 at 17:55:05 Looking at Hitzlsperger's record last few seasons + not great- only 35 appearances in 3 years or so. Plus 3 year contract with Wolfsburg terminated a year in according to Wiki. So not holding out much hope that he'd be up to much + with match fitness nowadays John Byrne 45 Posted 21/09/2012 at 17:57:03 I think people need to give Neville & Osman a break. After the Man Utd game each & every player was being praised big time by all our fans & as far as I can remember both Neville & Osman played in midfield that night, albeit Osman on the right wing. I'll admit I was cursing Osman for giving the ball away for the first goal but he's been brilliant for us over the years & had Ba not scored in the last minute then we'd have won the game & everybody would be praising the team again & full of optimism with no complaints. There is no point in typing IMWT & complaining at every one of his team selections. I genuinely DO trust the man & his/our players. John Byrne 46 Posted 21/09/2012 at 17:57:03 I think people need to give Neville & Osman a break. After the Man Utd game each & every player was being praised big time by all our fans & as far as I can remember both Neville & Osman played in midfield that night albeit Osman on the right wing. I'll admit I was cursing Osman for giving the ball away for the first goal but he's been brilliant for us over the years & had Ba not scored in the last minute then we'd have won the game & everybody would be praising the team again & full of optimism with no complaints. There is no point in typing IMWT & complaining at every one of his team selections. I genuinely DO trust the man & his/our players. Ken Crowther 47 Posted 21/09/2012 at 19:03:35 Michael Guy #992 - get a life.Kev Johnson #994 (all the way from West Kent?) a very gracious apology when none should have been necessary. Adam Luszniak 48 Posted 21/09/2012 at 19:16:18 Totally agree with Peter Jones regarding Fellaini. I'm pretty sure he was quoted recently saying he prefers to play in the middle of the park. He can do a job up front on occasion like his imperious form in the first game of the season, but his performances up top recently have not merited him staying there. Paul Johnson 49 Posted 21/09/2012 at 19:37:48 I genuinely think that Hitzlespurger has something to offer coming from deep, he could be the thrust we need that can penetrate the opposition deep in their own territory forcing them onto the back foot. Opening them up to whatever we care to throw at them.Everyone's a winner... Terry White 50 Posted 21/09/2012 at 19:40:47 Julian, #997, to put you out of your misery, it was Turner. Everything was going swimmingly after Fernades's goal at 2-0 when Turner dropped a corner and the rest is, well, history! Tom Bowers 51 Posted 21/09/2012 at 19:58:47 Osman is crap. His woeful attempt at a tackle on Monday cost Everton.His tackling throughout his career has been a joke.Sure, he has talent... but not good enough for Everton. James Martin 52 Posted 21/09/2012 at 20:11:36 Tom, he's played for Everton for 10 years in a period that ha sproduced teams being coined as the best since the 80s. he clearly is good enough for Everton, it might not be the Everton you want, but its the Everton that has been running out on a Saturday for the last 10 years. Peter Jones don't cloud this issue with facts, there's no place for them here. Neville and Osman are terrible players regardless of the standard of their performance, a semi retired Aston Villa cast off will automatically be better than two of our longest serving players despite anyone seeing him play in the last year or 6. I know they were good enough to play against Man U but Osman and Neville are not premier league quality and that's prevailing opinion which in ToffeeWeb becomes fact. Paul Johnson 53 Posted 21/09/2012 at 20:23:56 James he would certainly keep the dressing room on their toes. Terry White 54 Posted 21/09/2012 at 20:26:23 Tom, #140, I think the real problem was the lack of control (something which is normally his forte) which allowed the ball to run away from him and forced him to make the tackle on the stretch with the Newcastle player already moving the ball away from Osman. Andy Meighan 55 Posted 21/09/2012 at 20:28:15 How come all of a sudden this has turned into a homophobic debate? Where has this scurrilous rumour come from?!? Shocked of Huyton. Ian Bennett 56 Posted 21/09/2012 at 21:12:07 I think Osman is a decent player, but I wouldn't say he would be first choice in a midfield either now or over the last 10 years. Arteta, Cahill, Fellaini, Carsley, Fernandes, Gibson, all get ahead of him, in sides that have won nothing/been best of the rest. Ossie is a good pro, and has played a lof of games as we haven't had the money for a decent wide right (Donovan is another ahead of him), and he is decent cover across the midfield. He is a decent mid-table player, who may have been a super star if he hadn't had a bad injury as a kid. He's a barometer of Everton's health; if he's playing a lot if games we are: A. Skint; B. Injury-ridden. Julian Batti 57 Posted 21/09/2012 at 22:40:09 Paul Johnson: I am wondering if people here follow you. Julian Batti 58 Posted 21/09/2012 at 22:42:50 Back to the real theme: it is not owing to a lack of footballing abilties that Thomas has fared poorly at Wolfsburg. Over the years he has become more and more and outspoken. He would like us to see that just because you are an athlete, it does not necessarily mean that you are also a bimbo. The lad has character and deserves another chance. Once we have him over, we could get him to convince Holtby to join along as well. Kev Johnson 59 Posted 21/09/2012 at 22:56:04 Julian - yes, I think people know what Paul is on about. Hitzlsperger is said to be gay. I don't know if that's true or a rumour because he hasn't made any statement as far as I know. Anyway, how do you know so much about him? Are you living in Germany by any chance?Personally, I don't care about his sexual preferences or whether or not he has "character" (whatever that means), only whether he can stay fit and do a job for us in the short term (maybe even in the long term). Julian Batti 60 Posted 21/09/2012 at 23:09:11 I live in Switzerland. I didn't know much about his off-the-field activities until I started googling him a few days ago. From what I can see, Paul knows him much better than I do. Mike Powell 61 Posted 21/09/2012 at 23:03:45 Hitizlsperger is crap so no thanks... and for the people who are saying Oviedo can play the anchor roll — a bit of news for you: he is a left back but can fill in at left wing. I hope he his better than what I have seen of him because he looks just average... Why should he get in the team before Junior? 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