ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

Rodwell

I dont think I can recall a 17-year-old who reads the game with such maturity, he was outstanding today. There have been plenty at that age who have looked as promising, Wayne Rooney for one, but for very different reasons; Rooney was physically older than his actual age. As well as having the required physical attributes, Rodwell's got it upstairs too.

I had to keep reminding myself how old Rodwell is, his positioning and covering play were absolutely top drawer. You can just tell he is already a very intelligent footballer, get this lad a long term deal because he could end up saving us millions.
Ian Kearney, South Shields Posted 15/02/2009 at 16:49:10

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Dave Roberts
1 Posted 15/02/2009 at 20:44:07

Totally agree Ian. I won’t type it all again but take a look at my comments and others in the ’Andy in Ossie out’ thread.

George Sedlak
2 Posted 15/02/2009 at 20:40:47

Good points, Ian. I'm studying in Mexico this year and therefore didn't have the opportunity to see the game today but I rang my dad and my sister who were lucky enough to go to Goodison today and he said that Rodwell was absolutely outstanding, like an experienced pro.

It's amazing that the lad is only 17 years old, makes me feel old and I'm only 20, hahaha. But yea we need to get him, Gosling and Baxter on long-term deals, because even if Rodwell doesn't stay with us (although I see no reason why he would be going anytime in the next few years), he is gonna be worth a lot of money once he has become an established Premier League player. Gonna be crucial in the latter stages of this season as well, COYB!!!

Ian Kearney
3 Posted 15/02/2009 at 20:59:44

Just read your comments Dave, very well put.

Matt Bone
4 Posted 15/02/2009 at 21:02:30

Sshhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

We don't want to lose him

Alan Clarke
5 Posted 15/02/2009 at 21:25:35

I couldn’t work out which is his preferred foot today. He has two fantastic feet. This is such an ability, if you can shift the ball between feet, similarly to Arteta, you can take out the opposition with a simple switch in direction. Rodwell did this on several occasions today and engineered so much room on the ball for himself. He’s an awesome talent.

Keith Glazzard
6 Posted 15/02/2009 at 21:16:15

A few posts back, a couple of us ?senior? supporters were comparing Everton?s confident passing game not only to the great teams of the 80s but also to the late 60s. Comparisons between Arteta and Harvey, and Cahill and Ball were made. But where was Kendall? I wondered if Rodwell might fit the bill. Today this didn?t seem such a daft idea.

And Kendall played in an FA Cup final just before his 18th birthday ? Rodwell could do the same not long after his.

Leigh Hyman
7 Posted 15/02/2009 at 21:33:10

Totally agree; I thought Rodwell was class today and Jags looked solid again, no hangover from the England game. Brilliant day!

Dave Roberts
8 Posted 15/02/2009 at 21:35:57

I was the other senior Keith! Yep! We might have found him!

Matthew Lovekin
9 Posted 15/02/2009 at 21:31:41

All of a sudden by accident or not, we have an amazing central midfield in Arteta and Rodwell. Both are intelligent footballers who can keep and pass the ball. Arteta with his craft and Rodwell with his positioning and defensive capabilities. Hopefully Moyes will keep these two together in the middle of the park now for a very long time.

The only problem now is where to accommodate Fellaini. Still prefer Neville to Hibbert at right-back with Pienaar on the left-wing and Gosling on the right-wing and Osman on the bench. Cahill is still best just behind a striker.

Roger Osborne
10 Posted 15/02/2009 at 21:45:23

Anyone who went to Upton Park for the quarter final in 1991 will remember a player called Stuart Slater.

He was immense that evening, caused us problems all night, and was the most skillful and exciting player I had seen in years. How I wanted him in our squad after that night.

Rodwell brings comparisons with age, future aspirations and the expectations of the future. One to watch no doubt.

Micky Norman
11 Posted 15/02/2009 at 21:51:27

When more of the squad are available it will create real competition for starting places in the cup final team. It’s about time too but great to see that some of the players who not so long ago were certainties have now got to play really well to make or keep a place in the team.

Keith Glazzard
12 Posted 15/02/2009 at 21:47:29

Dave - thanks for the reminder.

While we are on the subject, has Gosling something of the Jimmy Husband about him?

Matthew - I’m afraid that injuries and suspensions are going to be major factors in team selection and deployment. But Moyes said that he couldn’t be sure how the lads he had available would fare today, and they did us proud.

ps - O’Neill’s comments about the game will probably make another thread, but Andy Hunter in tomorrow’s Guardian quotes them, makes no comment and then describes the game we all saw, not the one O’Neill claims happened. Oh, OK then, this is what he said -

"I thought we controlled the game after a frenetic start and were really unlucky," said the Villa manager. No comment.

Alex Dixon
13 Posted 15/02/2009 at 18:20:01

I have read that Rodwell is out of contract soon? Is this true? If it is, we need to tie him down quickly because this lad is starting to look like the real deal.

Sean McNally
14 Posted 15/02/2009 at 22:22:53

I've heard a rumour that Rodwell HAS been offered a contract of £12k a week but WON'T sign it.

That's the opinion of the lad who sits behind me in the match. He is part of the fanzine (so has better contacts than me).

Hope we get it sorted soon tho!

Joe Halligan
15 Posted 15/02/2009 at 23:03:58

Does anybody know anything about Rodwell?s heritage?? Just because on Football Manager it says his second nationality is Brazilian and he can speak Portuguese ? I was just wondering if there was any truth to this??

David Edwards
16 Posted 15/02/2009 at 23:21:30

He He...Nice One nickheady!

As for Rodwell - great composure and football brain - let’s hope he keeps it up, then he’s certainly worth a new contract.

I’m worried about the good media press Our ’Tater and Tiny Tim are getting and hope the summer vultures are not circling - hands off our lads!

Bernie Ashe
17 Posted 16/02/2009 at 00:20:37

No-ones going anywhere, unless they want out, or Moyes sez so. As for the kids: Lock the school gates, and don?t let them out!!!

Jason Lam
18 Posted 16/02/2009 at 01:24:55

I think Rodwell is left-footed. He has great composure and creates a lot of time on the ball for himself, either by running into space to collect the ball or good sheilding. He does look a bit lethargic, similar to Fellaini, though it could be his style of play. I hope he can develop some urgency in tracking back if he’s to play central mid. COYB.

Connor Rohrer
19 Posted 16/02/2009 at 01:27:06

I said it in Pre-season, he’s going to be a top player in the future, whether that’s in midfield or at centre back, he’s got a massive future.

He’s got the physique, he’s mobile and he can play. He keeps it simple but once he grows into the game you see more and more of what he’s about.

His partnership with Arteta in the middle will hopefully continue to develop, there was a great balance there.

Jay Harris
20 Posted 16/02/2009 at 04:23:46

Apparently he?s wanted by Arsenal but when we sail past them in a couple of weeks he?ll make his mind up to stay.

Patty Beesley
21 Posted 16/02/2009 at 09:08:57

Rodwell was outstanding today ? fair play to the lad. Gosling tried his best too but I thought Davey ought to have brought on Shandy Andy as Gosling isn?t much good with his left foot.

Dave Roberts
22 Posted 16/02/2009 at 12:02:02

Golly!

That was a bit harsh Patty...and straight to the jugular! Poor old Gozzy and that useless left foot!

I’m glad you’re not his mum!.

Brett Bradshaw
23 Posted 16/02/2009 at 12:50:24

Wiki states he was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It doesn’t mention anything about Brazil tho.