The Mail Bag
Mc Fadden and our starting eleven
Comments (25)
Just watched Mc Fadden deliver another outstanding performance for Scotland. A superb delivery from a wide area to set up the first goal and a wonderful finish to seal the result. Couldn't help but notice how the fans get behind him and cheer him on - a stark contrast to the boo boys at Goodison who at times it seems can't wait for the lad to make a mistake so they can have a go.
Perhaps if we were get behind him we might just see more of the player who does so well for Scotland. Of course all this assumes he's given a starting birth in the team and receives any kind of support in terms of quality balls from the middle of the park, what a wonderful player he could be.
Gerry Western, Posted 13/10/2007 at 17:16:07
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
Stefan Tosev
2 Posted 13/10/2007 at 21:11:26
2 Posted 13/10/2007 at 21:11:26
The way Scotland played today impressed me, there were no hoofballs,no scrap fight, inteligent play and really impessive McFadden. Well done
Iain Thomson
3 Posted 13/10/2007 at 21:29:28
3 Posted 13/10/2007 at 21:29:28
The Scottish crowd cheer him on because he plays well,at Everton he tends not to. MacFadden I think suffers more from the way we play than any of our forward players. As an Everton and Scotland fan I think it?s a waste that Moyes tried to make him a winger, while persevering with forwards who were hardly prolific.
I cant help think that the way we play and the way our team is coached has inhibited MacFadden. He plays with a smile on his face for Scotland as he is appreciated and knows the manager understands what he is all about.
Was interesting comparing our fullbacks ..Rangers youth product right back Hutton who bombs forward ,overlaps,.takes time on the ball, isn?t afraid to drop the shoulder and take the ball past an opponent even in his own defensive third. On the left ex-everton player Naismith who long balled and looked unsure in poossesion. Might be a while before the Moyes/Irving full back coaching wears off.
If MacFadden doesn?t play a lot this season then I would imagine he will look to move, and based on international form im sure we would get a reasonable fee. Id consider it a great shame as Moyes has largely failed with him, as you could argue he has with other attacking/creative players. This isn?t a Moyes bash, I just wish the Scotland MacFadden got to play for us
I cant help think that the way we play and the way our team is coached has inhibited MacFadden. He plays with a smile on his face for Scotland as he is appreciated and knows the manager understands what he is all about.
Was interesting comparing our fullbacks ..Rangers youth product right back Hutton who bombs forward ,overlaps,.takes time on the ball, isn?t afraid to drop the shoulder and take the ball past an opponent even in his own defensive third. On the left ex-everton player Naismith who long balled and looked unsure in poossesion. Might be a while before the Moyes/Irving full back coaching wears off.
If MacFadden doesn?t play a lot this season then I would imagine he will look to move, and based on international form im sure we would get a reasonable fee. Id consider it a great shame as Moyes has largely failed with him, as you could argue he has with other attacking/creative players. This isn?t a Moyes bash, I just wish the Scotland MacFadden got to play for us
glen strachan
4 Posted 13/10/2007 at 22:13:22
4 Posted 13/10/2007 at 22:13:22
I think McFadden has just been unfortunate at Everton with our long ball style doing nothing at all for players like Faddy and Yakubu.
Since Mr Moyes looks set to be Everton’s manager for a long time to come , it seems like a matter of time before both of these strikers are moved on.
I’ve always been a big fan of Yakubu but he is not the winger that DM seems to believe him to be and McFadden has always insisted that he hates playing as a midfielder and is a striker or nothing at all.
Like Beattie , you can imagine both Faddy and the Yak scoring freely when they move to teams that offer a passing game to create scoring chances.
I think that would be a shame but the manager picks the team and dictates the tactics so there it is.
I think David Moyes is a decent man who will remain controversial in Everton supporters’ opinions but really only one opinion will matter to DM and Bill K has always pledged his full support !
Since Mr Moyes looks set to be Everton’s manager for a long time to come , it seems like a matter of time before both of these strikers are moved on.
I’ve always been a big fan of Yakubu but he is not the winger that DM seems to believe him to be and McFadden has always insisted that he hates playing as a midfielder and is a striker or nothing at all.
Like Beattie , you can imagine both Faddy and the Yak scoring freely when they move to teams that offer a passing game to create scoring chances.
I think that would be a shame but the manager picks the team and dictates the tactics so there it is.
I think David Moyes is a decent man who will remain controversial in Everton supporters’ opinions but really only one opinion will matter to DM and Bill K has always pledged his full support !
Roy coyne
5 Posted 13/10/2007 at 23:52:57
5 Posted 13/10/2007 at 23:52:57
Like I keep trying to point out to the people that moan and abuse,No player ever improves when his own fans are on his back and Yes I know you pay your money and make your own choice I just think its helping the opposition
John Andrews
6 Posted 14/10/2007 at 01:05:46
6 Posted 14/10/2007 at 01:05:46
I have to admit that so far this season McFadden has proved me wrong. I have lambasted him on this, and other forums due to his innate inability to stop trying to beat players several times.
However if anybody could fondly imagine that anybody would pay £10m for him they need therapy !
However if anybody could fondly imagine that anybody would pay £10m for him they need therapy !
Ajay Gopal
7 Posted 14/10/2007 at 06:01:38
7 Posted 14/10/2007 at 06:01:38
Can somebody please enlighten me on which position McFadden plays for Scotland?
it certainly is not as a striker. Quoting the BBC website: "McLeish had fielded a cautious line-up, with Miller in a lone striker’s role, as he sought to keep Scotland top of their group." Also McFadden took the curling free-kick that resulted in the 1st goal by Miller. If he was played as a striker, he should have been in the box, surely?
From match reports, it appears that he plays a free roving mid-fielder role, some what akin to Timmy Cahill or Frank Lampard for Chelsea.
If that is so, is this something that DM should try to do to get the best out of him ?
it certainly is not as a striker. Quoting the BBC website: "McLeish had fielded a cautious line-up, with Miller in a lone striker’s role, as he sought to keep Scotland top of their group." Also McFadden took the curling free-kick that resulted in the 1st goal by Miller. If he was played as a striker, he should have been in the box, surely?
From match reports, it appears that he plays a free roving mid-fielder role, some what akin to Timmy Cahill or Frank Lampard for Chelsea.
If that is so, is this something that DM should try to do to get the best out of him ?
Jason Heng
8 Posted 14/10/2007 at 06:46:45
8 Posted 14/10/2007 at 06:46:45
He played as a striker yesterday, a roving striker if you like.
In this form, he should be playing as a striker everyday. He certainly has an eye for the goal.
In this form, he should be playing as a striker everyday. He certainly has an eye for the goal.
Richard Parker
9 Posted 14/10/2007 at 08:42:21
9 Posted 14/10/2007 at 08:42:21
All our strikers suffer from the team that is behind them. There is way too much pressure on Arteta to produce every attacking play, once his threat is nullified as seen in recent weeks, we’re clueless.
In my humble opinion, we need Arteta and Gravesen in the same midfield for attacking purposes, which by default I would say means Carsley in the holding role with one other of probably Pienaar and Cahill. With Cahill in, that leaves us desperately short of natural width. With Pienaar in it leaves us desperately short of presence........
I think with the signings of Yakubu, Pienaar and Gravesen Moyes has signalled his intention to correct the style of play and lack of penetration in the side, but it’s still difficult to see where the balance will come from. Maybe the only option is a 4-5-1, which begs the question of how Yakubu, Johnson and McFadden will fit in.
I know that Gravesen was brought in as a quick fix, but he’s the only player who can really slow things down in the middle and pick a killer pass from deep. I would say he’s even better than Arteta at that aspect of the game, Arteta needs to be around the opposition box causing havoc, as he does so well.
I really think that in the transfer window, Moyes needs a midfielder with physical presence who isn’t averse to put his foot on the ball and pick a pass......
But that’s just my take on things.
In my humble opinion, we need Arteta and Gravesen in the same midfield for attacking purposes, which by default I would say means Carsley in the holding role with one other of probably Pienaar and Cahill. With Cahill in, that leaves us desperately short of natural width. With Pienaar in it leaves us desperately short of presence........
I think with the signings of Yakubu, Pienaar and Gravesen Moyes has signalled his intention to correct the style of play and lack of penetration in the side, but it’s still difficult to see where the balance will come from. Maybe the only option is a 4-5-1, which begs the question of how Yakubu, Johnson and McFadden will fit in.
I know that Gravesen was brought in as a quick fix, but he’s the only player who can really slow things down in the middle and pick a killer pass from deep. I would say he’s even better than Arteta at that aspect of the game, Arteta needs to be around the opposition box causing havoc, as he does so well.
I really think that in the transfer window, Moyes needs a midfielder with physical presence who isn’t averse to put his foot on the ball and pick a pass......
But that’s just my take on things.
Billy Simpson
10 Posted 14/10/2007 at 08:23:12
10 Posted 14/10/2007 at 08:23:12
As a jock that follows the Scottish game it is plain to see what makes Mcfadden tick. At Motherwell he was played as a roving striker, was loved by terry butcher, was loved by the crowd and bagged plenty of goals. for scotland he plays the same position, is supported by the manager even when he loses the ball, he is loved by the fans and scores plenty of goals against top class opposition.
I am sad to say that i dont think he will ever be that player for everton. DM is hell bent on knocking flair out of all our maverick players. Mcfadden knows that if he loses the ball then he might not be in the team next game.
I was at his first game for us against leeds and he was unbelievable. some were saying he was the new rooney. since then DM has ground him down. has four years under moyes improved him as a player? i think not.
I am sad to say that i dont think he will ever be that player for everton. DM is hell bent on knocking flair out of all our maverick players. Mcfadden knows that if he loses the ball then he might not be in the team next game.
I was at his first game for us against leeds and he was unbelievable. some were saying he was the new rooney. since then DM has ground him down. has four years under moyes improved him as a player? i think not.
James Byrne
11 Posted 14/10/2007 at 09:15:52
11 Posted 14/10/2007 at 09:15:52
I have to say that I have never really been a big fan of McFad although his performance and goals for his country have been superb. I guess this all comes back to one person, David Moyes! He is responsible for the shite hoofball we play and the reason why we ruin so many strikers.
He was in the ground yesterday watching his country, lets hope he picks up a few pointers from the overall performance; mind you, don’t hold your breath!
He was in the ground yesterday watching his country, lets hope he picks up a few pointers from the overall performance; mind you, don’t hold your breath!
Peter Singer
12 Posted 14/10/2007 at 09:27:34
12 Posted 14/10/2007 at 09:27:34
It’s funny, innit? Moyes’s allegedly miserable coaching that’s responsible for Faddy performing poorly for Everton, yet he has nothing to do with him performing brilliantly for his national team.
Now, let’s just add up the days he trained with the Scottish national team over the last four years and compare it to the time he spent at Bellefield.
Doesn’t it cross your mind that it has been actually Moyes who turned his raw talent into the finished article Faddy looks like nowadays?
Now, let’s just add up the days he trained with the Scottish national team over the last four years and compare it to the time he spent at Bellefield.
Doesn’t it cross your mind that it has been actually Moyes who turned his raw talent into the finished article Faddy looks like nowadays?
dave t
13 Posted 14/10/2007 at 11:23:17
13 Posted 14/10/2007 at 11:23:17
who do we buy in jan?
i know we need a tough tackling midfielder who can pass but to be honest the only ones i can think of who are any good wouldn’t be interested
people like mascherano and alonso
the problem with what we need is that EVERY club needs it and its hard to find
i know we need a tough tackling midfielder who can pass but to be honest the only ones i can think of who are any good wouldn’t be interested
people like mascherano and alonso
the problem with what we need is that EVERY club needs it and its hard to find
si ord
14 Posted 14/10/2007 at 11:33:10
14 Posted 14/10/2007 at 11:33:10
Peter you don’t train someone like mcfadden. He is a special natural talent and that talent has been throttled by moyes with his tactics and team selection. Without knowing him personally i would say he seems a humble person who needs the support of both his manager and the fans to bring the best out of him.
I wouldnt only blame moyes on that count. I have seen time and again how evertonians get on his back for ’running down blind alleys’, when the lack of support from midfield and the options given by other players around him is chronic. You won’t get the best out of mcfadden playing him in midfield or wide or in a 3 man attack. He needs to be given a free role alongside another more out and out striker.How are you supposed to get the best out of any player starting him in less than 10 games a year, giving him 15 minutes to try and rescue lost causes. If there are any doubters to his ability now after his recent performances for scotland and everton they are surely blind. He deserves a decent run in the side, but more importantly he deserves the fans getting behind him.
I wouldnt only blame moyes on that count. I have seen time and again how evertonians get on his back for ’running down blind alleys’, when the lack of support from midfield and the options given by other players around him is chronic. You won’t get the best out of mcfadden playing him in midfield or wide or in a 3 man attack. He needs to be given a free role alongside another more out and out striker.How are you supposed to get the best out of any player starting him in less than 10 games a year, giving him 15 minutes to try and rescue lost causes. If there are any doubters to his ability now after his recent performances for scotland and everton they are surely blind. He deserves a decent run in the side, but more importantly he deserves the fans getting behind him.
Laurie Hartley
15 Posted 14/10/2007 at 12:19:58
15 Posted 14/10/2007 at 12:19:58
Sorry lads but I can’t help myself. Can you put this in the "I told you so" folder.
http://www.toffeeweb.com/season/07-08/comment/fan/article.asp?submissionID=1067
Richard Parker is bang on about what this team needs
"A boss in the midfield"
Essien would be good, or Veron, or Riquelme, or Ballack or someone like that:)
Come on the blues - Hope the Grav is back next week.
http://www.toffeeweb.com/season/07-08/comment/fan/article.asp?submissionID=1067
Richard Parker is bang on about what this team needs
"A boss in the midfield"
Essien would be good, or Veron, or Riquelme, or Ballack or someone like that:)
Come on the blues - Hope the Grav is back next week.
Peter Singer
16 Posted 14/10/2007 at 13:06:56
16 Posted 14/10/2007 at 13:06:56
Every young footballer needs training, there’s no exception to that. And playing young and lightweight strikers in a wide position is pretty much usual. (Wenger did the same with Henry and now with Walcott. I don’t think it hurt any of the two.)
The problem is, as always, the midfield. To accommodate a free-role striker, you have to have a pretty good midfield which we don’t have at the moment.
And that really is Moyes’ fault.
The problem is, as always, the midfield. To accommodate a free-role striker, you have to have a pretty good midfield which we don’t have at the moment.
And that really is Moyes’ fault.
dave t
17 Posted 14/10/2007 at 13:40:03
17 Posted 14/10/2007 at 13:40:03
"A boss in the midfield"
Essien would be good, or Veron, or Riquelme, or Ballack or someone like that:)
you think they’d be interested?????
be realistic man!!!!
Essien would be good, or Veron, or Riquelme, or Ballack or someone like that:)
you think they’d be interested?????
be realistic man!!!!
glen strachan
18 Posted 14/10/2007 at 15:50:42
18 Posted 14/10/2007 at 15:50:42
John Andrews
Where did you get the £10 million figure for McFadden from ?
You say therapy but recently nobody in Middlesborough believed that they could get nearly £2 million more than that for the faltering Yakubu but they did - the transfer market is a funny place these days.
I think January will be a huge transfer window - in and out - for this club of ours that normally prefers to make its sweeping changes in the summer .
If Chelsea is serious about Arteta...........they would surely be willing to part pay for him with Steve Sidwell.
Sidwell has been on Moyes wish list for a long time and is certainly more of a Moyes kind of muscular player than Mikel.
There is a lot of unrest in our dressing room right now and maybe even an extended run in the UEFA will not be enough to keep the unsettled at Goodison beyond next summer.
BK had something to say about movement on the ’bid for Everton’ front this week but don’t discount a further move by the same individual and if Everton’s ownership changes ,that could also change everything on the manager , player and stadium front.
Kirby is far from a done deal and David Moyes has not been offered a new contract. Everton 2007 is a very fluid situation and many things are possible in the next few months.
Boy would I like to be a fly on the wall in our board room and dressing room right now ?
Interesting times , my fellow Blues !
Where did you get the £10 million figure for McFadden from ?
You say therapy but recently nobody in Middlesborough believed that they could get nearly £2 million more than that for the faltering Yakubu but they did - the transfer market is a funny place these days.
I think January will be a huge transfer window - in and out - for this club of ours that normally prefers to make its sweeping changes in the summer .
If Chelsea is serious about Arteta...........they would surely be willing to part pay for him with Steve Sidwell.
Sidwell has been on Moyes wish list for a long time and is certainly more of a Moyes kind of muscular player than Mikel.
There is a lot of unrest in our dressing room right now and maybe even an extended run in the UEFA will not be enough to keep the unsettled at Goodison beyond next summer.
BK had something to say about movement on the ’bid for Everton’ front this week but don’t discount a further move by the same individual and if Everton’s ownership changes ,that could also change everything on the manager , player and stadium front.
Kirby is far from a done deal and David Moyes has not been offered a new contract. Everton 2007 is a very fluid situation and many things are possible in the next few months.
Boy would I like to be a fly on the wall in our board room and dressing room right now ?
Interesting times , my fellow Blues !
Tony Marsh
19 Posted 14/10/2007 at 16:07:47
19 Posted 14/10/2007 at 16:07:47
Like it or not Mcfadden turns in to a lump of boiled haggis when ever he pulls an Everton shirt on.Is it the horrrible tactics Moyes employs?Probably is because all of our players struggle to maintain a decent level of consistency.My advice would be cash Mcfadden in to Ranger or Celtic for £10 million and buy a ball winning midfieder.Faddy has had 5 years and he aint getting any better in our jersey. Then again who is.Tell you what sack Moyes and keep Mcfadden that should do the trick
Brian Waring
20 Posted 14/10/2007 at 17:15:13
20 Posted 14/10/2007 at 17:15:13
Iain,funny that,I thought the same when Naismith was just hoofing the ball up front,and the other full-back was passing the ball out of defence and making runs down the line.I said to my other half after another punt upfield by Naismith "Can’t you tell he used to play for Everton".
Bruce Foster
21 Posted 14/10/2007 at 17:46:56
21 Posted 14/10/2007 at 17:46:56
With the relative success he has brought to Everton over the past five years,i cannot understand why people continue to doubt David Moyes.All managers have their preferred styles of play and Moyes favours the more direct approach that negates the need for undue dalliance by midfielders.This means that he can concentrate the defence on moving the ball quickly to forward players who can exploit any gaps or uncertainty in their opponents rearguard.
It’s not pretty but it has brought excellent results with high league positions achieved from low goal quotients.It relies on ’forwards’like McFadden being able to capitalise on half chances in the way he does for Scotland.It also demands all-out effort from the team and,unfortunately,several big signings (Faddy,Beattie,Yakubu)have found difficulty in adapting.
Whilst too many writers to this column seek the perfect mix of results and ’quality’football,it has to be recognised that the whole ethos of how we play would have to be changed (along with the personnel)before this could happen.
In the meantime ,lets just try to enjoy winning football and leave the ’fancy dan’stuff to the Arsenal!
It’s not pretty but it has brought excellent results with high league positions achieved from low goal quotients.It relies on ’forwards’like McFadden being able to capitalise on half chances in the way he does for Scotland.It also demands all-out effort from the team and,unfortunately,several big signings (Faddy,Beattie,Yakubu)have found difficulty in adapting.
Whilst too many writers to this column seek the perfect mix of results and ’quality’football,it has to be recognised that the whole ethos of how we play would have to be changed (along with the personnel)before this could happen.
In the meantime ,lets just try to enjoy winning football and leave the ’fancy dan’stuff to the Arsenal!
Brian Badrock
22 Posted 14/10/2007 at 18:05:26
22 Posted 14/10/2007 at 18:05:26
No striker Yakubu, Beattie, AJ, Faddy, Vaughan, Anichebe etc etc, will ever flourish in an Everton team devoid of tactics. Tactics come down to the manager and Moyes lacks the vital ingredients to bring us on any further.
The hoofball mentality we play, the lack of creativity due to the fact we purchase too many so called versatile players like Jagielka who fill in here and there, rather than flair players is down to the manager.
Players with flair and ability always seem to have bust ups with Moyes, from Blomquist to Rooney to VDM to AJ who the press are reporting is unhappy with Moyes. No wonder Gazza quit the day Moyes joined us. I wont be surprised if Yakubu complains shortly about the service and the style of play Moyes employs.
The hoofball mentality we play, the lack of creativity due to the fact we purchase too many so called versatile players like Jagielka who fill in here and there, rather than flair players is down to the manager.
Players with flair and ability always seem to have bust ups with Moyes, from Blomquist to Rooney to VDM to AJ who the press are reporting is unhappy with Moyes. No wonder Gazza quit the day Moyes joined us. I wont be surprised if Yakubu complains shortly about the service and the style of play Moyes employs.
Michael Newton
23 Posted 14/10/2007 at 18:16:13
23 Posted 14/10/2007 at 18:16:13
Bruce Foster: Maybe you should go and watch Sunday League Footie if your happy with cutting out the midfield and players hoofing the ball from the back to the strikers, maybe we should sign back Unsworth for you and buy two racehorses to play up front. Having creativity and flair is what puts bums on seats. If you buy quality players with that attribute results will happen, the ball just keeps pinging back to us with our present style and our defence is under constant pressure with the midfield being bypassed.
Roy coyne
24 Posted 14/10/2007 at 18:18:35
24 Posted 14/10/2007 at 18:18:35
Bruce may be like me that crave to see proper football IE pass and move or a bit of magic like Mannys little cameo against Arsenal,Yes Moyes has taken us on but we are now at the stage were we should be at least attempting to play it around I accept that we cant against the top teams but we dont do it against any one Arteta apart midfield is a perspiration as opposed to inspiration.
Richard Dodd
25 Posted 14/10/2007 at 19:43:08
25 Posted 14/10/2007 at 19:43:08
Thank god for someone like Bruce Foster for seeing it like it is.With our resources we can never hope to play pretty football-when we do we get tonked-but Davey has brought us to league positions we could never have dreampt of under previous managers.We are in Europe for god’s sake-what more can we possibly hope for?The Moyesiah reigns supreme.
© ToffeeWeb
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 13/10/2007 at 17:36:42