The Mail Bag
Lets keep Carsley
Comments (22)
As the curtain has finally come down on the 07-08 Season, the inevitable speculation will begin as to who we sign and who we sell / release. One player that I would hate to see leave is good old Cars. I agree he is no spring chicken but he is Mr Reliable and has never let us down and was a virtual ever-present this year. He rarely gets injured and the last time he did for any length of time we nearly got relegated!
Give him the two years he wants; next season is going to be a bit of transition because I am certain Bill will find some money for us to spend and we need old heads around to steady the ship when we reach the business end of the season. Take the example of Arsenal this year, all guns blazing with a very young squad but as soon as their confidence went, so did their season, when the chips are down you need players who have been there, done that and got the tee-shirt.
Carsley fits that bill and going into yet another season of European football quite frankly we need numbers so we can push on to the next level, have another good cup run and end the season with some silver wear and 4th place (hopefully at the expense of Liverpool!)
Sign him up!
Rob Hill, Posted 12/05/2008 at 17:33:22
Comments
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Matthew Lovekin
2 Posted 12/05/2008 at 21:31:52
2 Posted 12/05/2008 at 21:31:52
I’d offer Cars another year, his experience would be invaluable and currently he is the only defensive midfielder we have. Neville is a right-back and Jagielka is a centre-back. Fernandes is only on loan and even if we did sign him, Fernandes is more of a playmaker whilst Carsley is a destructive midfielder to the opposition.
We should have learnt from this season that we need plenty of players and plenty of options if we are to compete on all fronts.
We should have learnt from this season that we need plenty of players and plenty of options if we are to compete on all fronts.
Roy Coyne
3 Posted 12/05/2008 at 21:48:33
3 Posted 12/05/2008 at 21:48:33
I think the season he has just had warrants a contract offer and I hope he stays but will wish him well if he decides the prem is going to be to much for him next season.
Tony Rice
4 Posted 12/05/2008 at 21:52:32
4 Posted 12/05/2008 at 21:52:32
I think we should keep him....but it would have to be in a lesser role. If he is willing to scale back his playing time and we find a suitable replacement. Having Carsley as a squad player would demonstrate some improvement. If he is still our first choice holding midfielder...I think we’ll struggle to advance. Great servent to the club and could still help us compete on multiple fronts
Phil Roberts
5 Posted 12/05/2008 at 22:26:45
5 Posted 12/05/2008 at 22:26:45
And I am still waiting for someone to say - Thank You Walter Smith. You were right.
But I am not holding my breath and I could also add - Thank You David Moyes for getting the best out of the boy.
Anyone else read what SLC is doing this week? Taking his kid away for the week as his normal helper is not able to. I am glad we have normal players not superstars.
But I am not holding my breath and I could also add - Thank You David Moyes for getting the best out of the boy.
Anyone else read what SLC is doing this week? Taking his kid away for the week as his normal helper is not able to. I am glad we have normal players not superstars.
Kevin Mitchell
6 Posted 12/05/2008 at 22:42:50
6 Posted 12/05/2008 at 22:42:50
Totaly agree with Tony Rice, don’t mind keeping him as back up but we need more quality in his position if were going to improve as a team.
Mark Pendleton
7 Posted 12/05/2008 at 23:35:38
7 Posted 12/05/2008 at 23:35:38
I agree we should keep Cars and improve upon our options in front of him - let him sit in front of the defense and be our white Makelele. The other day I really thought he was going now today reading the excellent interview with him (on Teamtalk I think?) i am thinking he could well stay.
Garry Nickson
8 Posted 12/05/2008 at 23:45:47
8 Posted 12/05/2008 at 23:45:47
If he stays or goes, Carsely CANNOT be a first choice in our midfield next season.
We need to improve in the defensive midfield area and while the good ones don’t come cheap (look how much Hargreeves, Makalele, Obi Mikel, even Mascherano cost), they offer both defensive work and the ability to pass the ball.
Carsely has been a great servant, but he is they type of player - honest, hard working, but ultimately limited - that we need to replace with quality if we’re going to bridge the gap in the next few seasons.
We need to improve in the defensive midfield area and while the good ones don’t come cheap (look how much Hargreeves, Makalele, Obi Mikel, even Mascherano cost), they offer both defensive work and the ability to pass the ball.
Carsely has been a great servant, but he is they type of player - honest, hard working, but ultimately limited - that we need to replace with quality if we’re going to bridge the gap in the next few seasons.
Glen Strachan
9 Posted 12/05/2008 at 23:36:54
9 Posted 12/05/2008 at 23:36:54
Absolutely agree with that Rob.
Just think about the midfield players we have contracted for next season.
Arteta and Cahill have had ?significant surgery? in the close season and nobody could really forecast how they will be in the rest of 2008.
Hope for the best but plan for the worst and we should not be caught short.
One thought on Cahill might be to use him as the ?second forward? next season , playing off Yakubu.
If we try to throw him back into midfield and he breaks down again as he now has three times in two years he could be looking at finishing his career much sooner than we could hope for.
Bradley seems to have become ?the new Nugent/Richardson/Smith/Koumas? and you have to wonder how often the posters who want Moyes to throw money at this player have seen him play.
Bradley is younger than Carsley but is he a better player ?
Is he even as good right now ?
I?m not at all sure about that !
Much is made of Carsley?s age but look at the stats and see how his ?games played? figures stack up in the last two seasons compared with say Arteta , Cahill , Osman.
Simply looking at players? ages can be confusing.
With players leaving Valencia in droves Fernandes knows that he made a big mistake last year but he will probably look for a better option than Everton just as he did the last time and if nobody else offers more dosh he could end up here as his last resort.
Last thought on Carsley...........if he starts next season the way he finished this time.........forget about back up.
He will be a major part of our midfield.
Somebody has to do the tackling , get the ball back and give it to our ?midget gems? so that they can do their tricks.
Just think about the midfield players we have contracted for next season.
Arteta and Cahill have had ?significant surgery? in the close season and nobody could really forecast how they will be in the rest of 2008.
Hope for the best but plan for the worst and we should not be caught short.
One thought on Cahill might be to use him as the ?second forward? next season , playing off Yakubu.
If we try to throw him back into midfield and he breaks down again as he now has three times in two years he could be looking at finishing his career much sooner than we could hope for.
Bradley seems to have become ?the new Nugent/Richardson/Smith/Koumas? and you have to wonder how often the posters who want Moyes to throw money at this player have seen him play.
Bradley is younger than Carsley but is he a better player ?
Is he even as good right now ?
I?m not at all sure about that !
Much is made of Carsley?s age but look at the stats and see how his ?games played? figures stack up in the last two seasons compared with say Arteta , Cahill , Osman.
Simply looking at players? ages can be confusing.
With players leaving Valencia in droves Fernandes knows that he made a big mistake last year but he will probably look for a better option than Everton just as he did the last time and if nobody else offers more dosh he could end up here as his last resort.
Last thought on Carsley...........if he starts next season the way he finished this time.........forget about back up.
He will be a major part of our midfield.
Somebody has to do the tackling , get the ball back and give it to our ?midget gems? so that they can do their tricks.
Steve Williams
10 Posted 13/05/2008 at 00:04:55
10 Posted 13/05/2008 at 00:04:55
I’ve posted here before and I’ll post the same again:
Carsley has been great for us in the transition from also rans to nearly men. He has played the holding role with few equals. However if we really have a desire to move forward, we need to have someone in there that is as comfortable on the ball as Carsley is off it, whilst still maintaining the destructive influence. That may be a tall order in the short term, which is why I believe another year (not two) would be a wise investment.
Carsley has been great for us in the transition from also rans to nearly men. He has played the holding role with few equals. However if we really have a desire to move forward, we need to have someone in there that is as comfortable on the ball as Carsley is off it, whilst still maintaining the destructive influence. That may be a tall order in the short term, which is why I believe another year (not two) would be a wise investment.
Keith Glazzard
11 Posted 12/05/2008 at 23:59:08
11 Posted 12/05/2008 at 23:59:08
I suspect that if Lee Carsley posted into this one he would say much the same himself. If we are going higher he should find the challenge for his role close to impossible to match.
How long is it now? Seven years? A good pro but perhaps one who has improved year on year with good people around him. And if we go away to, say, Stockport in a cup game next year, would you have him on our side, or perhaps theirs? I hope there is room for him in our expanded squad next season.
How long is it now? Seven years? A good pro but perhaps one who has improved year on year with good people around him. And if we go away to, say, Stockport in a cup game next year, would you have him on our side, or perhaps theirs? I hope there is room for him in our expanded squad next season.
Ciaran Duff
12 Posted 13/05/2008 at 00:45:57
12 Posted 13/05/2008 at 00:45:57
Agree 100% Rob. There is no point in throwing out a proven and reliable, albeit aging, player who we know does a good job in a specialist position. I too hope that we can sign a newer shinier version of him but even if we do, we still need cover for injuries and to help with transition.
Steve Pendleton
13 Posted 13/05/2008 at 02:12:37
13 Posted 13/05/2008 at 02:12:37
Unreal year, but if we are to move forward we should only use him as back up.
Jason Lam
14 Posted 13/05/2008 at 03:19:06
14 Posted 13/05/2008 at 03:19:06
If we’re keeping Cars it’ll be 5 in the middle with Cahill bombing up the field. Not sure if this tactic will work again in case we’ve been found out by the opposition by now. It’s the points against the other 15 that we live on.
Michael Brien
15 Posted 13/05/2008 at 07:16:09
15 Posted 13/05/2008 at 07:16:09
Remember how after qualifying for the CL by finishing 4th in 2004-05 we lost Stubbs and Watson ? We really missed those two and whilst you would want to bring in good young players - the ideal squad has a good mixture of youth and experience.
You shouldn’t just get rid of a player because of his age.I for one was very glad that Stubbs came back to Goodison in 2006 - and he did a very good job for us for the next couple of years.
Everybody remembers Hansen’s "you don’t win anything with kids" remark in 1995/6 and of course the kids that Ferguson brought in got all the limelight - but Man United also had experienced players in their squad at that time e.g. Schmeichel,Bruce and Cantonna to name but 3.And they had an important part in their success - not just the young players.
Lee Carsley did a good job for us last season - he certainly played his part in what the team acheived.Is he worth a place in the squad ?- The answer to that one is most definately YES.
You shouldn’t just get rid of a player because of his age.I for one was very glad that Stubbs came back to Goodison in 2006 - and he did a very good job for us for the next couple of years.
Everybody remembers Hansen’s "you don’t win anything with kids" remark in 1995/6 and of course the kids that Ferguson brought in got all the limelight - but Man United also had experienced players in their squad at that time e.g. Schmeichel,Bruce and Cantonna to name but 3.And they had an important part in their success - not just the young players.
Lee Carsley did a good job for us last season - he certainly played his part in what the team acheived.Is he worth a place in the squad ?- The answer to that one is most definately YES.
Adam Cunliffe
16 Posted 13/05/2008 at 07:37:52
16 Posted 13/05/2008 at 07:37:52
Agree compltely.He will be a great squad player next season.
Matt Bone
17 Posted 13/05/2008 at 08:44:15
17 Posted 13/05/2008 at 08:44:15
Phil Roberts. Didnt Walter Smith bring in Carsely and play him as a Right Midfielder? If you want thanks for Smith then it was a sheer stroke of luck.
Alan Prior
18 Posted 13/05/2008 at 09:12:13
18 Posted 13/05/2008 at 09:12:13
Typical supporters? sentimental twaddle. If people like you ran the club we?d still have Big Dunc, Unsey and Stubbs here ? oh,and probably Duncan McKenzie as well. Leave it to the Moyestro!
Nelly Blythe
19 Posted 13/05/2008 at 10:05:54
19 Posted 13/05/2008 at 10:05:54
I agree Alan....
Carsley’s been a great servant but now’s the time to say thanks alot but go and enjoy yourself at Derby, you desreve it .
We now require midfield players who cannot only win the ball but are comfortable in possession and alas Carsley just isnt.
The time has come for Moyesie to prove that he really can become a truely great manager ( in the Ferguson mould) and sometimes that involves making cruel decisions regarding players who have served him well but are now past their sell by date.
Ferguson does this on a regular basis (....remember how he axed both Bruce & Pallister in one fail swoop when he realised ,despite their form in the premiership, they would NEVER win the Champs Lge with those two in the heart of his defence & there have been many more Robson, Ince, Hughes etc were all let go when perhaps some felt the could ’still do a job’) Moysie has yet to prove he has this ruthless streak but he HAS to do it for the progress of the team. To be honest by various comments attributed to him (Carsley) in the press recently and by his post-match reaction on Sunday I think Carsley knows this aswell.
IMO the next 6-8 wks are crucial to the continued developement and progress of EVERTON FC and with that in mind we have to sign better players and not just keep the average ones we have just for sentimental reasons.
Let’s not forget football is now a business and the most successful are the most ruthless.
So I say THANKS Lee you’ve done us & youself proud (especially this season) but the time has come for us all to move on.
Carsley’s been a great servant but now’s the time to say thanks alot but go and enjoy yourself at Derby, you desreve it .
We now require midfield players who cannot only win the ball but are comfortable in possession and alas Carsley just isnt.
The time has come for Moyesie to prove that he really can become a truely great manager ( in the Ferguson mould) and sometimes that involves making cruel decisions regarding players who have served him well but are now past their sell by date.
Ferguson does this on a regular basis (....remember how he axed both Bruce & Pallister in one fail swoop when he realised ,despite their form in the premiership, they would NEVER win the Champs Lge with those two in the heart of his defence & there have been many more Robson, Ince, Hughes etc were all let go when perhaps some felt the could ’still do a job’) Moysie has yet to prove he has this ruthless streak but he HAS to do it for the progress of the team. To be honest by various comments attributed to him (Carsley) in the press recently and by his post-match reaction on Sunday I think Carsley knows this aswell.
IMO the next 6-8 wks are crucial to the continued developement and progress of EVERTON FC and with that in mind we have to sign better players and not just keep the average ones we have just for sentimental reasons.
Let’s not forget football is now a business and the most successful are the most ruthless.
So I say THANKS Lee you’ve done us & youself proud (especially this season) but the time has come for us all to move on.
Seamus Murphy
20 Posted 13/05/2008 at 11:57:40
20 Posted 13/05/2008 at 11:57:40
Did anyone else see the Interview on Everton tv with Lescott? Cars comes in joking and messing - he seems to be a huge character in the dressing room and he seems to be a very positive effect on the team - you can even see this whenever he scores the way everyone celebrates with him.
I think he should be kept for that as well as being a good squad player - he doesnt have to play every game - the only thing i would be afraid of would be that if he did stay he would end up playing every game where as if he goes Moyes will have to find a new replacement which could improve us.
I think he should be kept for that as well as being a good squad player - he doesnt have to play every game - the only thing i would be afraid of would be that if he did stay he would end up playing every game where as if he goes Moyes will have to find a new replacement which could improve us.
Robert Wise
21 Posted 13/05/2008 at 14:03:52
21 Posted 13/05/2008 at 14:03:52
I completely agree with Rob, Carso has had a season that has earnt him another season at least. If he is onl;y willing to sign on a two year basis, EFC should investigate the option of initiating him into a player/coaching role. With losing Irvine it is imperative that we keep these stalwarts of the EFC ’revolution’ around.
Bottom line we don’t want another one of our ’salt of the earth’ blue boys going to Derby.
In fact, who is in favour of bringing back Stubbo for another 5 years!
Bottom line we don’t want another one of our ’salt of the earth’ blue boys going to Derby.
In fact, who is in favour of bringing back Stubbo for another 5 years!
Collins John
22 Posted 13/05/2008 at 16:07:35
22 Posted 13/05/2008 at 16:07:35
Rob, Great article. You have inspired me.
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1 Posted 12/05/2008 at 21:28:03