Michael Bradley

Comments (6)

Just finished watching PSV vs Heerenveen and was impressed with the player Bradley. I know he has been linked with us before but coming to the aftermath of the crucial 3-pointer with Reading, I seriously feel that we lack attacking options in midfield.

I have been following the recents threads and agree with some that this is not about toothless strikers but a lack of 'forward-moving', creative and lethal-finishing midfielders. Knowing that Cahill is off-form, Osman is lightweight in the flanks and is better off in central midfield, Pinaar is injured, Arteta is tightly marked by the whole opposition team and Fernandes who is yet to prove his point...who is going to be the next option for Moyes to ring the changes?

McFadden used to be one, even though he doesn't contribute that much! Don't think AvdM or Gravesen would light up the midfield contigent as well!

This is where I feel, Moyes should keep backups... when the chips are down, someone to turn around things. I'm not talking of someone who is worth a dozen million, a star player who played for a european giant or a superkid who is in all the top clubs' shopping list. Here we need a player who is willing to be on the bench, someone who could create an impact coming off the bench, someone who could add another dimension in midfield.

I have seen this Bradley bloke play and he seems to have the fitness and 'comittment to cause' attitude which is in the Moyes mould. His flick-ons, backheels and through passes to his forwards would definately be a positive attribute to Everton's game. He goes back to defend whenever he's needed, a la Cahill. He is someone who can start a move in midfield and also could be at the end of it(he's goal-scoring record of 13 goals can be a living proof...the 13th just arriving today, which was the equaliser against PSV!)

What Moyes needs is this type of young players (he's only 20) to make sure there is an attacking threat as well as a good ammunition supply for the forwards to bang in those goals. Having a playmaker on the right (Arteta),having a creative midfielder on the left (Pienaar), having a combative midfield general (maybe Fernandes?) and having an attacking midfielder who runs the opposing defence ragged (maybe Ashravin??) Moyes might need different options to change games.

He should analyze opposition's weakness and play around with his formations. Maybe opting for a 4-5-1 formation he might as well use Cahill just behind the lone striker or could bring in an anchorman (Carsley?) But what if Cahill is injured or Carsley is suspended or something like that. Then players like Bradley might give a new dimension. He plays behind 2 strikers..like the lil' Argentina player we all know..and he can play in a Cahill's position as well..whatever it is he can provide option... and that's what Moyes really have to shuffle with..Hopefully we won't be bringing this problem up next season. COYB!!!
Vinod Kumar, Singapore     Posted 09/02/2008 at 20:44:23

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