The Mail Bag
A joy to watch
Comments (24)
The phrase 'a joy to watch' is usually reserved for gifted attacking players or for a team that plays plays expansive flowing football. However, in recent weeks, it has been an absolute pleasure to witness Phil Jagielka's performances at the back and I don't think he gets the recognition he deserves for these performances.
Jags makes defending look so easy, which of course it is anything but. In terms of timing of a tackle, reading of the game, and sheer determination, Jags has no equal anywhere at the moment. He has an uncanny ability to get a foot in, make an interception before attacks become dangerous. In this respect, he reminds me of Sol Campbell at his peak. Put simply, he was head and shoulders above anyone on the pitch in the two derbies and must be the first name on the teamsheet at the moment.
Some will point out that his distribution is limited; however, if you look elsewhere in the Premier League ? John Terry, Jamie Carragher, Vidic he is comparable. Only the likes of Ferdinand and Carvalho stand out as being cultured passers of the ball, a different type of defender who are often criticised for taking risks in possession.
For those that like tricks and show ponies, there is Ronaldo, Joe Cole et al. For me the stand out player in the Premier League is our own Phil Jagielka, for whom England recognition must surely not be far away.
Carl Rutherford, Posted 27/01/2009 at 12:39:40
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
Nice article!
Fully agree!!!
Fully agree!!!
What the fuck is it with people wanting Everton players to be in the England squad? Firstly, the side is picked by Lampard, Terry and the London press. Secondly, the last time Kenwright called for a player to be picked by England, he was seduced by half the Liverpool squad when he was on international duty. I couldn't give a fuck about England and I think I?m not the only Everton fan to feel this way. Let's just concentrate on EFC! (Pause for breath).
I think you?re right Andy, international football has become meaningless. How many Evertonians can say they are pleased when the Premier League stops for an international break? I can?t explain the reason but twenty years ago I actually cared about the British nations and Ireland... now, I feel total indifference.
I think you?re spot on re Jagielka but I think you also answer your own question, Carl. In the hurly burly of the Premier League, Jagielka is immense but in international football where composure on the ball, good ball retention and distribution play a bigger part, I think you?d find Phil somewhat lacking. That is not to criticise Jagielka, he?s the first guy I?d have in the team any match.
Ray
Good point. One of the reasons I’m disappointed that our UEFA odyssey ended before it began this season. Another victim of the confusion & indecision around Moyes up to October.
The more exposure to European football the better & better Jags (and Lescott for that matter) will get. As it is, I think both these boys are almost unassailable at the moment. There is only one central defender that I might consider swapping either for (Rio) and even then I’d have to think about it.
They are such a good fit, both strong & fast, Lescott more cultured and grabber of important goals, Jags the epitome of great defending and reading of situations. Have you noticed how few fouls either of them give away?
They are class & should both be in the squad.
Good point. One of the reasons I’m disappointed that our UEFA odyssey ended before it began this season. Another victim of the confusion & indecision around Moyes up to October.
The more exposure to European football the better & better Jags (and Lescott for that matter) will get. As it is, I think both these boys are almost unassailable at the moment. There is only one central defender that I might consider swapping either for (Rio) and even then I’d have to think about it.
They are such a good fit, both strong & fast, Lescott more cultured and grabber of important goals, Jags the epitome of great defending and reading of situations. Have you noticed how few fouls either of them give away?
They are class & should both be in the squad.
Sorry guys but i think everyone?s giving Rio a little bit to much praise. Whenever he passes the ball from out of defence it?s usually no more than ten yards to a deep lying midfielder.
If we want to talk about international football then we have seen such football in the last two games at Anfield. This man (Jags) should I think be defo given a chance to play for England at least in the friendly against Spain. For me if I were Capello I would have the whole of the Everton back four. Why? it's obvious. We have seen this in years gone by with certain players from the same team being picked for England. IT WORKS! So for me even To. Hibbert deserves to be included in the England ELITE back four. Imagine the confidence the STRUT for our man and of course he cost us nothing!!
Anyway if you check out past comments, you will see that I advocated a draw for the league, a draw for the cup and a win at home for the replay. Guess what! I put a £100 quid on this happening. If I win I pay my debts off (credit crunch shite) If I lose then what the fuck... I?m married to Everton anyway.
In terms of our lord and master "Watch this space"
COYB
If we want to talk about international football then we have seen such football in the last two games at Anfield. This man (Jags) should I think be defo given a chance to play for England at least in the friendly against Spain. For me if I were Capello I would have the whole of the Everton back four. Why? it's obvious. We have seen this in years gone by with certain players from the same team being picked for England. IT WORKS! So for me even To. Hibbert deserves to be included in the England ELITE back four. Imagine the confidence the STRUT for our man and of course he cost us nothing!!
Anyway if you check out past comments, you will see that I advocated a draw for the league, a draw for the cup and a win at home for the replay. Guess what! I put a £100 quid on this happening. If I win I pay my debts off (credit crunch shite) If I lose then what the fuck... I?m married to Everton anyway.
In terms of our lord and master "Watch this space"
COYB
Jags has been solid as fuck this season. It’s been mentioned that his distribution is piss poor, but being in the England squad and working with Capello and the other England coaches can only be a good thing for us. He will be told that you don’t have to hoof it up all the time, and that you can bring it out of defence, and look for a pass. He is not up to the level of Ferdinand yet, he is probalby just as good when defending, but Ferdinand has a bit more to his game than Jags.
Andy Flanagan - if you seriously believe what you say about who picks the England team, then you don't know anything about Fabio Capello mate!
He picks the team, you can be sure of that.
He picks the team, you can be sure of that.
We had a little chat about the Jag on here a couple of months back when he was clearly becoming a top class centre back. He was compared to Ratty, Watson, Terry and others in glowing terms. And he?s kept on getting better. He?s a credit to himself, the team, the club and all its supporters.
England? Of course he?s qualified ? but he?ll go there with Joleon, and I don?t think anyone will dare try to tap them up.
England? Of course he?s qualified ? but he?ll go there with Joleon, and I don?t think anyone will dare try to tap them up.
Having international players can only raise awareness of the club and increase their value should we ever want to sell them. I would love a first 11 of international players, it would show we are moving in the right direction. I personally think Leighton Baines has been playing as good as any English left back in the Premier League this season.
For all the excitement that a couple of draws at Anfield have created, I can?t help feeling that most of us are acting like non-league supporters who?ve seen their team nick something of the big boys. All the dignity that marked out our kin has long disappeared and we have now to be proud that another Alamo performance steals a point/replay.
How far we have fallen!
He?s gone from being a poor man's John Terry to John Terry being a poor man's Jags... long may it continue.
Henry Malpas, spot on, one realistic blue amongst a flock of deluded, success starved fools.
Completely agree.
Apart from his first six months at the club (remember him playing RB & CM!), Jags has been immense and still getting better all the time.
He is without doubt one of the very best central defenders in the league if not the best on form and deserves all the credit he gets.
He may be small for a central defender, relatively slow and can’t pass for shit, but one thing he does and does it brilliantly is defend.
Special praise must also go to Baines who has been superb recently and grabbed his chance, whilst Lescott has regained his confidence and probably had his best game in the centre against Liverpool in the Cup.
As for Hibbert, his tackling has always been good, and he has been impressive recently but (Jon Cox) he is not England standard. It’s great to win the ball and so superbly but what’s the point in then giving it straight back to the opposition?
Apart from his first six months at the club (remember him playing RB & CM!), Jags has been immense and still getting better all the time.
He is without doubt one of the very best central defenders in the league if not the best on form and deserves all the credit he gets.
He may be small for a central defender, relatively slow and can’t pass for shit, but one thing he does and does it brilliantly is defend.
Special praise must also go to Baines who has been superb recently and grabbed his chance, whilst Lescott has regained his confidence and probably had his best game in the centre against Liverpool in the Cup.
As for Hibbert, his tackling has always been good, and he has been impressive recently but (Jon Cox) he is not England standard. It’s great to win the ball and so superbly but what’s the point in then giving it straight back to the opposition?
Personally, I can pay him no higher compliment than to say he could be this side?s Dave Watson.
I?d also say it?s a long time since we were blessed (and I do mean blessed) with two current first teamers you?d be glad to have as Captain for many years to come ? our two current centre-backs, Phil & Joleon.
I?d also say it?s a long time since we were blessed (and I do mean blessed) with two current first teamers you?d be glad to have as Captain for many years to come ? our two current centre-backs, Phil & Joleon.
We will need more of the same against Arsenal as they can slice open any defence but I think the returning Fellaini wil prove the match winner versus the gunners.
To think he looked average when he first came to us, when playing midfield. Now I wouldn?t swap him for any centre back in Britain. Lescott also looks back to his best and can?t help but think he is enjoying playing in his preferred position.
Sigh... Jags is good... he really is...
But why didn’t he break Torres leg before he made that stupid backhell to Stevie Gayrrard?
We were SSSooooooooo close....
But why didn’t he break Torres leg before he made that stupid backhell to Stevie Gayrrard?
We were SSSooooooooo close....
Thankfully we have a great manager in Capello in charge of the National side.
Ask any Italian and they will tell you that this man does it his own way, and is not swayed by the press, or public opinnion.
With this in mind he must have been immensely impressed with Jags and Joely over the derby performances, and he will put them in if he feels they are good enough.
Dont forget this man has seen/managed the best strikers and defenders in Europe and he knows what is required.
Our boys will get the recognition they deserve from him
COYB’s
Ask any Italian and they will tell you that this man does it his own way, and is not swayed by the press, or public opinnion.
With this in mind he must have been immensely impressed with Jags and Joely over the derby performances, and he will put them in if he feels they are good enough.
Dont forget this man has seen/managed the best strikers and defenders in Europe and he knows what is required.
Our boys will get the recognition they deserve from him
COYB’s
Just ask yourself this, name one centre halve in the EPL who you?d swap for Jags. The only one I would even consider would be Vidic from Man U and would he fit in with Joleon!
Our back 4 at the moment are playing brilliantly and "only for Howard?s mistake on Sunday, Liverpool would never have scored" and that?s a quote from a Red season ticket holder. Yes one or two of them do watch the opposition.
Our back 4 at the moment are playing brilliantly and "only for Howard?s mistake on Sunday, Liverpool would never have scored" and that?s a quote from a Red season ticket holder. Yes one or two of them do watch the opposition.
The main reason our defence lack composure and distribution on the ball is because all too often, we have no midfielders demanding and showing for the ball. Since Arteta has moved to CM, we have built attacks steadily as he is a perfect outlet. At England, Gerrard, Lampard etc would give Jags this option, thus making his distribution look better.
More strain on our tiring squad; however, I don't mind if he's included either way!
More strain on our tiring squad; however, I don't mind if he's included either way!
Jags is great reminds me of John Hurst who played alongside Labby in the 1970s. Unfortunately for John, we ranted about Ball Harvey & Kendall. He was a class act who never played for England. Jags & Lescoot are the main players in our team at the moment as Sunday proved!
Well remembered Joey - and the list a quality players the Jag has been compared to goes on.
You?re quite right about Johnny Hurst. With the company he played in he was something of an unsung hero, but like Jagielka, he was a ?right place at the right time? player making it look much easier than it was.
You?re quite right about Johnny Hurst. With the company he played in he was something of an unsung hero, but like Jagielka, he was a ?right place at the right time? player making it look much easier than it was.
© ToffeeWeb
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 27/01/2009 at 17:26:22
Report abuse