Mr Reliable
Comments (35)
The only player to have played in that first game under David Moyes against Fulham when David Unsworth scored that 27 second screamer and who is still in the team now, Tony Hibbert is the longest serving Everton player in the current squad.
Let's start off with the good stuff, the lad is bloody quick, I don?t know any defenders in the whole time he?s played for us that have been able to skin him for pace, not one. And timing of tackles ? he?s old school, and generally times it very well with his sliding tackles especially.
Now with the bad ? He hasn?t been able to pass more than 5 or 10 yards without losing possession. Generally going forward he?s been pretty useless, preferring to stay back and look to go sideways at best, or back to the keeper. Often if he?s trying to play it over the top it goes out. All his great work in defence is worthless at times.
I often thought he had England potential and had hope for the lad and wanted to dismiss the boo boys but his distribution was chronic.
However, since he has come back from his long term injury this year, is it just me or is Tony Hibbert playing some of the best football he?s played? I know our back four is (all round) playing fantastic football, but I just want to discuss Hibbert in this post. He?s been getting forward a lot more, especially recently with Gosling. He?s been putting in a lot more crosses. Playing against Liverpool and Utd he did very well, especially again Ronaldo. I?ve noticed in the ground all the criticism of him has disappeared. Is it just me?
And finally on a tangent a bit ? Is Glen Johnson really that much better than Hibbo?
Stuart Downey,
Liverpool Posted 11/02/2009 at 10:18:45
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Michael Kenrick
I think the improvement in Hibbert has been widely recogonised, and naturally this leads to fewer critiques of his performances. In fact, this has been extensively discussed already among these pages... but let's all hear it again for Hibbo our Hero!
No-one ever gets past Hibbo. He is defensively very solid but I still think he lacks composure on the ball, in fact he shits himself when the ball comes to him. That’s why he’ll never get an England call.
But he is excellent defensively and well worth his place on our team.
The past few games have surprised me in that he actually seems capable of putting decent crosses in.
If this is the case why didn’t he try it before?!?
I hope this run of form is sustained for the rest of the season and beyond...
Much better levels of performance coming from Hibbo. Long may it continue. Has he been getting tips on crossing from Leighton Baines?
I am sure you are correct, I just wondered where Yobo was? I thought he was around at this time, or am I mistaken?
Rich - Yobo was signed by Moyes (initially on loan) the summer after his appointment.
In fact, if you look at the stats, even though Hibbert is our longest serving player, Yobo is our record appearance maker (out of the current squad of course).
I know this isn’t one for this thread, but speaking of Yobo, I still think he’s our best centre back!
In last week's Derby at Goodison, Hibbert put himself about in decent fashion, won plenty of 50-50 balls cleanly and got up and down the wing all game.
The trouble with Tony though is he spoilt all the good work through lack of concentration by giving the ball away 3 times in about 5 minutes straight to a Red shirt. This left his flank exposed and the shite burst clear on 3 occasions.
Everyone seems to have forgotton this due to all the euphoria surrounding the win and these mistakes could of proved costly. We could all have been here slaughtering Hibbert for his mistakes if his team mates had not bailed him out.
Decent player without the ball but too clumsy when in possession.
Going forward Hibbo has come on leaps and bounds since he returned from injury. He has always been fantastic defensively but found wanting with his distribution. I believe he’s had the "ability" to put in decent crosses but would never really get into any positions to do so. His distribution has improved considerably this season (along with Pip’s). He is now getting forward more often and providing support to the midfield constantly (a la Baines). I even saw him do a nice one-two not too long ago!!!!
Ah Tony, I wondered you’ve been since all has been going well. Good to have you back to put your negative spin on things and keep the positivity in check!!!
Well Marshy that?s the quote of the year vis a vis Hibbert...."decent player WITHOUT the ball but too clumsy in possession". Not much point in turning out then really! Brought a smile to my face.
Lower Gwladys seems to have warmed to him lately; lots of ’good lad Hibbo! gerrin!’ on Sat when his no-nonsense attitude put a stop to any opposing player who got attacking ideas above their station
There was even a raucous chant for him to take the final penalty - God knows what would have happened if he had done and missed!
John Power its not negativity to state facts mate. The fact is Hibbert is not very good when in possession. If you don't want better players with more skill at the club then it's you who is being negative. TH is a 7 out of 10 player at best but there is no denying he gives 100% when he plays.
The trouble is most of Tony's career he has struggled to maintain a consitent level of form. John, learn the game before you are critical of others fans' views. Then you won't sound like a tit when you post.
Maybe Hibbo is feeling more under pressure to keep his place because of the signing of Jacobsen who has been on the way back for a few weeks now. He’s on the bench and if Hibbo has a stinker, would be expected to come straight in. For too long Hibbo has been without a real competitor for his position, even though Neville has been RB, we know he really wants to be in midfield. Wasn’t Gosling also a RB when he was signed? I for one didn’t expect to see Hibbo play much this season but fair play to the lad, he’s been brilliant and deserves to keep his place.
Yes Hibbo is playing much better and yes Glen Johnson is much better than him.
He had a serious illness which perhaps he has only just recovered from 100% both physically and mentally.
He was shite but that could have played a part in that.
In 2006 he was diagnosed with having the cryptosporidium parasite, transmitted through infected water or food. It was described as "rare"... not sure where you are getting the "serious" bit from.
Cryptosporidiosis is typically an acute short-term infection; it makes you ill.... but not for two years!
Hibbo is playing awesome, he’s better than Glen Johnson defensively, which is good for a defender!
I am just happy he has finally come through because I was finding it hard to see what David Moyes saw in the lad. Credit to both player and manager for persevering.
Tony Marsh: [[ John, learn the game before you are critical of others fans’ views. Then you won’t sound like a tit when you post. ]]
Alanis would be oh so proud.
Hibbert has new confidence and I honestly believe that Pip has helped him by covering when he goes forward..Baines has the same freedom with Pienar covering lots of ground..Baines is in the same class as all the top full backs, he has speed,ball control and takes corners...his lack of inches makes him fast just like Ashley Cole and he complements Hibbert who has more steel in his game. Lescott looks miles more happy at centre back with Jags and Joey could slot right in if either of the two centre backs were suspended, injured or lost form...competition for places should be the aim for every top coach and we still lack cover for Arteta, Cahill, Howard and Fellaini...BUT bit by bit we are getting there so long as no one is sold and we manage to find some decent extra squad members.
Things are indeed looking brighter :0)
I’m in agreement with most of the posters on here. I’d go as far as saying that Tony Hibbert is the most improved player this season (Baines not far behind - probably due to an extended run of games). I don’t know who’s been coaching him but they’re doing a damn fine job!! At least he no longer needs a map to cross the half way line!!!
Anyhow, I’d just like to point out that I feel this recent improvement in Hibbert’s performances has come about since Arteta slotted into centre-midfield, relieving the passing responsibility on Neville and allowing Neville to cover Hibbert whenever he goes on one of his new marauding runs. Osman / Gosling also now offer similar protection for Neville in midfield. Backs up the theory why Moysey likes players who are comfortable in a number of positions
Just my observation though.
Heath Pearson are you reffering to Alanis Morrisette the Canadian warbler???
Tony M, I remember you had written before the derbies that if Moyes is unbeaten and wins one, you will forgive all his mistakes.. I think it has happened, so where is yourn post.. Just checking...
Anyways I think TH is a really good player.. very good in the job thats needed (defending) and increasingly reasonably neat in possession..
Always been good tackler.
Better gonig forward than he was.
He has never been good at distribution from the back and never will be, but now that we’ve stopped playing hoofball (permanently I hope) then someone can come short and pick the ball up off him.
Tony I remember you saying months ago that we would be signing Joey Barton? What happened to that?
On the JB thing it was a done deal but JB wouldnt take a £25k a week paycut to come here.He is one £65 per week at the barcodes so that was that
Like many on here, I can not recall any player who has ever done Hibbert for pace and if on the rare occasion a winger gets past him due to his brilliant timing of a tackle they don?t get very far.
He is one of us a fan who is living the dream of playing for Everton and as a local lad he gets his fair share of stick but never hides and just gets on with it.
As a product of the academy, he has not cost a thing and is currently playing better than ever.
Well done, Tony ? more of the same lad.
Tony Marsh,
So Joey Barton is on £65 a week at the Barcodes is he?
Even at that rate he is still overpaid if you ask me.
"Play to your strengths ? coach your weaknesses" should always be the mantra of a team builder. Never forget that Moyes is first and foremost a coach. He will always work with players to improve their game. We?ve seen Hibbo as a fine defender, and I suspect that we are going to see him get better going forward too.
EFC?s England back 4? Let?s face it ? the national team could do a lot worse.
TM knows his footie... What he said a few posts back about Hibbo is absolutely spot on. I don?t know if you saved any of the matches to watch again, but look what happens when Tony goes deep into the opposition half with the ball. Firstly, they give him so much room he could stand there all day without a tackler in sight. Secondly, when invariable the ball ends up not crossed so well, the break is on! His speed does cover up for it though.
I will agree there isn?t a forward or winger on that side of the pitch who relishes playing against him though. As someone said on this board a couple of weeks ago, can you imagine how berserk the Press would be if Chelsea, ManU, the Arse or the RS was fielding an all-England back four and all four doing fantastic? BTW, one was the last time an injured Everton player (starter) lost his place when fit?
I hope Hibbert puts Ashley Young in his socks on Sunday!
Tony do you work for Everton or something?
Thomas Christensen
Posted 11/02/2009 at 21:55:41
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Stuart D, Tony has improved his performances recently I for one hope it continues.
Tony Marsh, Spot on with your first post. Tony was a real liability ? last season I thought he?d be better off in the championship. However, this season he is looking good.
Clyde, First teamer to lose his place. AJ last season.
"I?m in agreement with most of the posters on here. I?d go as far as saying that Tony Hibbert is the most improved player this season (Baines not far behind ? probably due to an extended run of games). I don?t know who?s been coaching him but they?re doing a damn fine job!! At least he no longer needs a map to cross the half way line!!! "
Perhaps Steve Round?
At last people are seeing what I have been watching for months now. Hibbert is not as bad as some want to make out but their hatred for him is so entrenched it will not leave without a fight.
Once again I suggest people actually watch the games and watch Tony, when he gets the ball his first instinct is to look for Arteta to pass to and then run the line. He only lumps it forward when no-one is showing and it is either that or to try and take someone on, something all defenders are not known for.
His passing has improved, as has his crossing but his day job... ie, defending has never dipped ? but then why let the facts get in the way of a good slating hey?
Limited player but not many right backs in the league better than him.
My biggest problem with Hibbert has been defending crosses from the left at the far post ... he seems to get outjumped and overpowered. This hasn?t happened for a while ? so kudos to the coaches and the lad himself. He?s having a good run and good luck to him. It?s meant that Pip Neville can try to play the ?Carsley? role too... so it?s like having two new options in the squad. Let?s hope this Seamus Coleman kid can learn a bit from him.
Okay lets not get carried away. Hibbert has been playing quite well but like Osman has bad flaws that still cost Everton. Tony perhaps in hindsight should have gotten in the recent England squad but if Joleon couldn?t then why Tony? Both Terry and Johnson have been poor for their respective clubs in recent weeks and it showed against Spain. Capello is no Messiah and his recent squad selection was very poor although he was missing Rooney and Gerrard.
"Can the real Tony Hibbert please stand up!"
Can some one pinch me, or am I seeing Tony Hibbert making short inter-changing passes and actually taking on and beating opposing players??
Was it that skillfull midfielder Xabi Alonso that actually clipped Tony Hibbert's ankles in the last derby, as he sailed past him on a foraging forward run, and earned himself a yellow card??
This is Tony Hibbert we are talking about here, isn't it?? The same Tony Hibbert who had 'hoof' as a middle name?? Is he just trying to out-do Leighton Baines, or has the penny finally dropped and he finally has some belief in his own ability?
Keep it up Tony, you are doing us proud!
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