ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Arteta's Everton

Although I like him, am I wrong in thinking that Phil Neville should relinquish the captaincy in favour of Mikel Arteta by the end of the season?

Mikel embodies the passion and direction the club should be going in, has the respect of his peers throughout the game, and would influence new players like Fernandes (hopefully) to realise their true potential.
Jason Broome, London Posted 14/08/2007 at 18:29:16

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Mike Mulhall
1 Posted 14/08/2007 at 22:15:12

Dont be silly mate, Phil Neville has been a very capable captain, you cant give the arteta the captaincy because he is our best player.... but my word what a player!

Mike Hunt
2 Posted 14/08/2007 at 22:14:49

I’m not sure, ’if it ain’t bust don’t fix it’ springs to mind. The extra responsibility may take his mind off playing freely, which is one of his great qualities I think.
If he really fancies it though and would not find the extra mantle a burden at all then yes, I’d be all for it :-) (Micky was Awesome again tonight btw was n’t he :-))

Ben Brown
3 Posted 14/08/2007 at 22:20:34

Great performance. Bar a 10 minute spell at the start of the second half we very rarely gave the ball away for no reason and I counted very few defensive errors. People talk about us being hard to break down and it usually pisses me off because it makes us sound boring. I have to say though, whoever coaches spatial awareness at Everton is very, very good. I rate knowing when to close down and make challenges and knowing when to back off as a very important quality in a player and pretty much our whole team is excellent at it. People like Ossie and Mikel never used to be good at this, so someone is definitely doing something and deserves some credit for it.

Danny Broderick
4 Posted 14/08/2007 at 22:37:42

1st post says it all. Don’t be silly mate!

Stan
5 Posted 14/08/2007 at 23:30:39

I think Phil?s doing a decent job, but I do see what your getting at.

Arteta is a smashing player and tonight he was a class apart. Don’t get me wrong Ozzy had a stormer too and the team was brilliant, but Mikey stood out almost every time he got the ball. His cross for the 1st goal was perfect, he rarely gave the ball away and the way he waited and looked up for the cross that lead to the 2nd goal, when so many of his peers would have fizzed one in without looking speaks volumes for his vision and intelligence on the pitch.

I’m so glad he’s on our team and happy to be here. Lets hope Manny Fernandes is playing along side him soon.

Great result

Blue Swede
6 Posted 15/08/2007 at 00:35:19

Never mind him being captain.Accept £4m.Bring in Manny,style.Alternate Jags+Cars for the crunch!!!Nevs got a big heart put his passing is appalling.
Building up a nice head of steam.Now keep it going.

roger
7 Posted 15/08/2007 at 01:02:13

dont bog arteta down with captaincy let the genius play

Ajay Gopal
8 Posted 15/08/2007 at 06:41:37

Arteta’s performances have got me worried.

With 16 days left for the transfer deadline, what chances of one of the big clubs making a bid for him ?

Ray
9 Posted 15/08/2007 at 09:40:52

In todays market Arteta should be worth 40 million..He would be if he was at one of the ’media darlings’. Carrick did sit all in two seasons at Spurs and then went for 18 million..Even Rooney, apart from goals against Arsenal and Leeds he didnt make a mega huge impact at Everton really..It was all just potential..Arteta is the most important player to have worn an Everton shirt for years..Priceless..

jesper jenkins
10 Posted 15/08/2007 at 12:40:00

Neville should not only give up the captaincy, but his starting role in midfield.