ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

N Ireland game synopsis

I attended the Northern Ireland game on Saturday to get a look at some of the younger players we were promised to see on view. Yeah sure enough there were plenty on show and in particular an impressive performance from Jack Rodwell at the back, in years to come he will definitely develop into a Premer League player but it was other squad players who impressed me more.

A certain Andy van der Meyde looked head and sholders above the rest as the game developed and played out. His tackling wasn't up to much but when he did receive the ball his distribution and willingness to attack impressed me. He seemed fairly trimmed down and was always looking to get the ball, I hope this could be the Van der Meyde we have heard about but never seen since his return. I think that if he shows the same willingness and determination then come the start of the new season osman will find he warms the bench a lot more.

Silva was another on view I thought he done fairly decent and his passing and timing were pretty good but doing nothng spectacular. All in all I was fairly impressed and think that if these two continue to develop it will be like having two new additions to the squad, given our short numbers this will definitely be a positive.
Paul McMullan, Belfast Posted 15/07/2007 at 11:49:39

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Simon Boyd
1 Posted 16/07/2007 at 10:08:41

I?m sorry, but I was at the match myself and wasn?t particularly impressed with any of the players you mention. Fair enough Andy van der Meyde looked half decent, but lets not forget the opposition. Also let's remember he?s supposed to be an attacking player. Can you remember anything positive he did in the final third? Also wasn?t impressed at all with Da Silva. He looked quite tidy on the ball but his movement and willingness to tackle didn?t impress at all. In fact on numerous occasions I could hear Carsley getting on his back. I wouldn?t expect too many appearances from him next season.

I?ll not be too critical of young Rodwell, as I thought he was OK. I?ll give him the benefit of the doubt as he is still young, but he didn?t look overly strong in the tackle and he certainly isn?t commanding in the air. As I?ve said I?ll give him the benefit of the doubt as he?s young, but I feel he has some way to go before we can say he?ll definitely cut it in the premiership.

All in all best performers were two Mr consistents - Lescott- excellent positioning and calming influence- and also Mr Carsley who has really grown on me in the last couple of years.

Man of the match - James Vaughan. Excellent work rate and hold up play. He looks to be getting more ability on the ball and proves an excellent foil for AJ.

Also Mr Tony Marsh (if you?re reading this). I know that you?re a big fan of young Molyneux, and I was really looking forward to seeing him in action, but after his performance I would say he has a long long way to go before he can even threaten a 1st team place. Let's hope he proves me wrong.