ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Gravesen ? Misunderstood?

Tommy has to be the most misunderstood player I have ever known. He has never, will never be a holding midfield player. I still laugh at the thought (and believe) that Real Madrid scouts were watching Lee Carsley when they were looking for a holding midfield player to replace Makelele.

Consistent and disciplined he is not but for all he lacks in these departments he has a superb engine and a football brain ? not to mention a fair bit of class to boot. The likes of Real Madrid and Celtic simply did not understand our Tommy and I am delighted he is back where he belongs.

I watched him at Real Madrid pinging passes around with ease but clearly suppressed as he was told to sit in front of back four and not cross the half-way line and you could see his frustration.

Tommy is as passionate about his game as we are ? now we have more quality in our team than he has experienced before ? I believe he will shine and again be regarded by the people who DO understand him as an essential component in Everton's midfield ? he will simply be too good to leave out of this team... watch this space!
Steve Callaghan, Liverpool Posted 02/09/2007 at 10:50:26

back Return to the Mail Bag

Comments

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

Jeremy Brindle
1 Posted 02/09/2007 at 15:47:54

I'm continually stunned at how rose-tinted the view on Tommy is. He had half a good season for us in his original spell ? just as he was up for a move elsewhere and it was shop-window time.

Same this time round ? he?s on loan and wants a move. By Xmas, he?ll be pants. Just like at Real, Celtic, etc etc.

If Tommy is so good, you have to ask yourself why he can't play in the relatively poor standard of the Scottish League.

Dave Harrison
2 Posted 02/09/2007 at 16:17:42

Steve, well said.

I still think that Gravesen has been signed by Real Madrid and Celtic to be a holding midfield player......latterly to be the anchor for Nakamura.....he was crap for 4 years for us when we thought he was a holding midfield player and I think it was only luck that Moyes found out that playing Gravesen in a free role with 5 men across midfield seemed to allow him to run freely and more advanced up the pitch.....it was what Cahill did after Tommy left......the main difference is Tommy can see and play the killer pass (tim can’t) and Tim is useful tracking back (Tommy isn’t).....so question will be when Tim comes back, how do you play with either player in a four man midfield......
Steve, I agree though a Makele he isn’t...

Lewis Barclay
3 Posted 02/09/2007 at 18:10:59

Not sure whether this adds fuel to the fire or not ... they appear to be taking the piss a bit with this video but the last few seconds shows some real flair...

Worth a watch!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HtJFI4Kb1Vw

I for one am really happy Tommy is back!

Roy Coyne
4 Posted 02/09/2007 at 19:14:03

Well I was disappointed that we got him back,only when he was looking for a new contract or club did he perform but hopefully as hes only on loan he will go out to prove hes worth a contract so in retrospect maybe Mr Moyes has got this right only time will tell

Carl Bloxam
5 Posted 02/09/2007 at 20:17:53

Tommy is a great signing for us. He was the central cog when he came on. What people don’t seem to realise is that he allows us to sit forward as a team and attack from midfield. He was hanging around the space between the centre circle and there 18 yard. He can move quickly into space and has the strength and skill to hold the ball and switch play. It was very good to see Everton mounting pressure by staying in Boltons half and not only relying on the Pace of Johnson and the magic of Arteta. Like it keep it up Tommy

Mark Pendleton
6 Posted 02/09/2007 at 20:28:11

I think he’s great.