The Mail Bag
Great Expectations
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While contributing to another thread, I had reason to mention Phil Neville and the way he captained the defence against Villa when we were under the cosh a bit in the second half.
It got me thinking about Pip's contribution of late and how his overall play has improved. I am sure the lad himself would agree that he is not the greatest footballer in the world but he does understand the game and that is the area where his contribution is most effective.
It must have been difficult for him when he came to Everton because even though he hadn't been a regular at Old Trafford for a while, while there he was accustomed to playing in a passing side with world class players around him doing all the fancy stuff like winning games and where the expectations upon him as an individual were not too great. When he arrived at Goodison we were purely a hoofball team and it must have been a culture shock for him.
As we have improved, however, he has obviously become more comfortable overall and more confident in the players around him. I thought he played very well on Sunday just as he has for a few big games recently. His passing accuracy has improved no-end and his authority on the pitch is self-evident. I think the crowd sense this too as the groans and moans (which were usually justified!) every time he got the ball have disappeared and we no longer hear the verbal abuse questioning his ability!
I say well done Pip, and while I have no doubt that when he finally retires he will take his spectator's seat at Old Trafford, his attitude, commitment and now his performances on the pitch in the Everton cause will ensure that he will be remembered at least as a gutsy, knowledgeable player who gave his all, late in his playing life, for his second team. Above all that, he is a bloody good captain who was not averse to a word or two in Arteta's ear on Sunday for a bit of wayward defending!
And then there was always that tackle on Ronaldo and the way he poo-poohed the protestations of his former team mates! (Was it one or two fingers?) An Honorary Evertonian at least!
Dave Roberts, Posted 16/02/2009 at 15:03:44
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Personally I would like to see him kept on in some sort of capacity as I think he may eventually blossom into a good manager.
I think Vince is right ? there?s definite management potential there and I?m really glad that he?s our captain at the moment. A top bloke in every way and probably one of the main reasons for the tremendous spirit at the club at the moment.
We maybe haven?t had the money to go out and buy our way to glory (although I would never begrudge Ferguson his achievements) but everything he gets with Everton is earnt 100% honestly and he exemplifies that quality as much as anyone in the squad.
I would go as far as to say he?s as much a Mr Everton as a certain Mr Cahill is, and honestly there?s not many pros who could set a better example to our youngsters as he does. So I thank you pip and....COYB?S!!
If Phil?s yellow card count can be reduced by adapting the way you play then surely there is hope for Fellaini? Phil may not be the best footlballer but he is a very good captain and has a great influence on the players around him.
He has blossomed in the midfield role now that Mikel has moved along side him. He no longer is the suposed forward thinking player, as he was with the Carsley combination and he can play his natural game of sitting deep helping the defence and passing the simple ball to the playmakers.
Also showing his leadership skill when he gave young Rodwell a bollocking, which was then backed up with a Moyes bollocking.
Great captain who has eventually won me over, it’s only took 3 years.
More of the same please.
In the current system Neville is playing right centre and Arteta linking with the left players, Pienaar and Baines. Most of our play these last months have been on the left leaving Neville in space to receive easy ball in the right middle. This was similar to how he played for Man U and that form and confidence is showing now.
He never shirks a tackle and is always there to bollock any player that deserves it. They all respect him and get on with it. He is as crucial to our team now as Carsley was, not just his play but his overall influence.
Rodwell and the other young lads should watch him closely because if they have just half of Neville?s total professionalism they will have fine careers. Moyes was right to give him 5 more years!
Later that same season, I was told by numerous Manure fans (wife's side of the family), "We shouldn?t have let Pip go, we as a team are missing him". He has and is serving us well and I agree that he could be a manager in the making. Most importantly, he is a voice on the pitch that we haven?t had for a long while and THAT makes a difference.
Oh, he?s a dead nice bloke too.
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1 Posted 16/02/2009 at 20:42:27
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