Where is Everton's central midfield?

Comments (3)

Is it just me or when you look at Everton's squad list is there only one fit recognised central midfielder?

It is quite alarming when you consider that the midfielder in question is a poor mans 'makalele' who has a particular weakness in creative/incisive passing. Losing Cahill is a blow but his weakness I believe is also the art of passing a ball so i can find no excuse as to why Everton have not prioritised a ball playing central midfielder this summer.

For whatever reason Moyes wasn't convinced by Fernandes but himself and Irivne must have seen at the very least he gave us a spark in the middle and provided a link between defence and attack. I read this website and articles about Everton daily and I did not subscribe to the silly season concerns but this is almost down to a week before kick off and we are already struggling for players. To say Jagielka and Neville can play there is to paper over the cracks because if anything they are cover for Carsley and not Cahill.

I was at the Werder Bremen game the other night and watching how their midfield passed and moved albeit in a 'friendly' atmosphere was interesting to contrast against Everton's more workman like approach with the ball. I've read how 'well we played' but they played seemingly within themselves.

Generally a friendly is used to showcase new arrivals; giving them a feel for the ground and the fans but the twelve thousand of us who showed up got to see just one player in Jagielka. A noticeable absentee was Vidaarson purely because the lad is a central midfielder who at 19 if he isn't good enough for a lark about on Goodison Park for 10 to 15 minutes in a friendly then what good will he be in a competitive premier league game?

I feel the stadium debate has been too great a distraction and has allowed the Everton board to get away with transfer inactivity so far. We've all been guilty of waiting to here what Keith Wyness and Co have had to say about Kirkby but to be honest as fans we've lost focus on what keeps a club operating which is fundamentally the ability to field a first eleven and fill a substitutes bench with worthy replacements.

Anyway, I'm glad the season starts a week earlier this year as it might be our saving grace when Moyes does wake up and say to Bill and Alan; "We're a wee bit short of players in the middle park are we not?"

PS I'm the biggest Evertonian in the world just like my 'mate' Bill Kenwright. I couldn't resist as Bill says it all the time I wanted to lay claim to the crown too! I've realised this last note demeans a fellow Evertonian in 'Dos & Don'ts' but I'm unwilling to retract it. Thanks
Andrew Evans, Liverpool     Posted 03/08/2007 at 11:13:16

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