The Mail Bag
Captain FAN-tastic
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Looking forward to being amongst the 6,500 Blues fans on Sunday... It was fantastic being amongst the 2,500 on Monday ? just to see the look on their faces walking home and hearing all their excuses. However, on Sunday, their Norwegian glory hunters will have never seen the likes of it before at home ? such noise coming from the Anfield Rd End; it will be frightening ? for them.
Anyway, I digress, the reason for this post is to acknowledge someone whom I have critisised in the past for lacking the skill, vision etc to be an ever present in our midfield let alone captain our great club. However, the demeanour, integrity, performances and bravery I have seen from Phil Neville of late has made me extremely proud to see we have such a great present day leader on the pitch ? long overdue credit where credit is due.
A 100% about turn for me. A captain does not necessarily have to be our best player ? there is more to it than that. What he has demonstrated to me is what I would want our captain to show ? true guts and drive to succeed and encourage, constructively critisize his team-mates.
Phil is probably well aware of the criticism he has received from our supporters; he is a football man and I am sure ? to a certain extent ? understands what the fans were babbling on about. He has risen to the challenge beyond what I thought he had in him and is on his way to being a true great Everton leader. A family man of massive integrity, let?s make him aware of how important he now is to us on the pitch and show our appreciation to an often-berated unsung hero. COYB.
Steve Callaghan, Posted 22/01/2009 at 09:21:54
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I don?t think he ever had the chance to shine whilst playing alongside Carsley as their jobs were too similar. I think he?s benefitted from having Mikky in there and a true partnership between the two is starting to blossom.
I?d love to see him score against the enemy on Sunday ? now that really would shut them up!
COYB!
Steve C, I’m with you. I think the criticism of Neville has been totally justified in the past especially after his own goals but he’s making a positive difference now and I’m sure he’s responsible for helping to galvanise the team.
Midfield also suits his Captains role as he is able to motivate/encourage/bollock from the centre of the park.
I say keep him there...it works.
Now Carsley?s left, Neville is now playing this role, which suits him. I mean Utd played him there for a while, so he must be rated quite highly there.
Though, once we have money, I?d like to see Moyes buy a holding midfielder and shift Neville back to right back. He?s not as good as going forward than Baines, but he?s better than Hibbert.. and I think Neville has provided a decent amount of assists there.
Anybody know the exact figures?
West Ham away you could see him driving and cajoling his team mates forward when the game was for the taking. That tackle on Ronaldo at Goodison ? it really did ignite our season ? especially in getting our home crowd going.
His attitude to us - the fans ? is absolutely faultless ? he is always 1st to show his appreciation at the end of a game ? win, lose or draw ? home and away.
I think he is a top man and consider us lucky to have him. Whether that is in midfield or his best position at full back, I don?t really mind.
I do fully agree to moving Pip back to RB, but not to accommodate a new holding mid ? I believe our best combination in the middle of the park would be Mikky behind Screech and Timmy, with one up front (if any of our ?proper? strikeforce is ever fit ever again.
With Baines and Pienaar covering the left flank and Pip and Ossie/Gosling (Gosling would be my choice) covering the right, we?d have a bit of width without necesarily dipping into the transfer market (which we know isn?t going to happen).
The two incumbent centre-halves (whichever 2 they happen to be at any given time) will keep the 3rd on the bench, until injury / loss of form dictates a change, and the CF role will fall to whichever of the buggers is fit.
Easy really, can I have my 65 Grand now? ta!
He’s turned it around this season though, he’s been consistent and he’s played to his strengths. His performances at both right back and centre midfield have been to a good standard. Fair play to him, he?s in the best form since he?s been at Everton in my opinion.
His partnership with Arteta in the middle is excellent. They are battling and protecting the back four and they are both looking for possession and making themselves available. This is something we?ve lacked for years, a link between defence and attack.
Keep it up Pip?
Rest assured that Stevie-lar will get totally pissed off and probably sent off.
Like others have said, alongside Carsley he took the responsibility to try and drive the team forward even though he was not really equipped to do it. Most players would have shrunk given the abuse he got but he has always come back for more.
Funny how most of the vitriolic comments I?ve heard at matches have included the word ?Manc? as well.
I myself have never been his greatest fan but you?ve got to admire the way he dragged us out of the early season mess and ?reinvented? himself for us fickle fans...
Phil Neville has been terrific all season, on & off the pitch. Perfect captain. I agree about his impact at RB rather than midfield, but fair do?s, he doesn?t decide that. I actually admire his flexibility as much as his dedication to our cause, which I believe is now beyond question. He is a blue, no doubt.
I have to say too that we seem to have a number of "captains" in the team these days (Cahill, Lescott, Yobo, Jags, even Howard). I think that explains much of our "spunk" & solidity.
I am new to the site is Ciarán McGlone a manic depressive?? He does talk some shite.
Anyhow Phil and Mikel are doing a great job in midfield, our recent upturn in form is not just down to Mikel moving to the middle. Phil has coved the back four very well and this has resulted in clean sheets. The man says the right things, keeps the team motivated home and away, never hides and sells the club positively each and every time he is involved in an interview top man.
I also happen to believe his brother would be a good addition to the squad, ensuring the recently excellent Hibbert keeps on top of his game. Bring on this crew, Sunday... I have seen nothing of late that suggests we should fear them, least of all their crazy manager. What?s he up to?? Screams "I need control of the finances" after over seeing the £20million signing of Keane?? Whatever, good luck with that... I hope he gets his way.
This is a great site would be improve less negative comments.
Up the blues
Nice post Steve... This is what being a good supporter is all about... Having a go at someone like Pip when his doing shite but then giving deserved plaudits when they are earnt. Captain Philip Neville does now indeed earnt some hearty praise and I for one salute him! Let’s hope this up-turn in form continues... including a 30 yard screamer in front of the Kop on Sunday! Shoooooot!
I’m not into violence but a captain needs to stamp his authority and send a message to his teammates. Stevie G is a well known celebrity with friends in various social classes, and it was a brave act from Pip in front of millions on TV around the world.
I have not been a fan of Pip, although was happy to see him at right back, because felt he could do a job there. Whenever he appeared in the middle of the park it would be my worse nightmare.
I too have been impressed with him recently. I think he does well with Arteta and has improved 100%. I don’t think he is a long term answer but while he plays like he is doing at present you can’t argue.
Keep it up Phil...
Howard
Hibbert, Jag, Lescot, Baines
Neville, Arteta
Gosling or (ADVM), Cahill, Pienaar
Baxter
Neville with Arteta works because Neville only has to win the ball, give it short/simple to Arteta or whoever else and that's it. He?s never gonna be Zidane but he?s certainly doing a decent impersonation of Makalele.
I hope we fuckin' smash 'em on Sunday!
Neville with Arteta works because Neville only has to win the ball, give it short/simple to Arteta or whoever else and thats it. He’s never gonna be Zidane but he’s certainly doing a decent ipersonation of Makalele.
I hope we fuckin smash em on Sunday!
I’m the same; I’ve given him stick in the past. But he is playing well in the middle for us and fighting the fight.
He’s go to keep it going though.
COYBB’s
FTRS
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1 Posted 22/01/2009 at 14:12:13
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He?s not a good midfielder in my opinion.