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Give Castillo a run!
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I feel very sorry for Castillo. I reckon at the moment... he is our best defensive midfielder at the club, and apart from the game against Blackburn, he has put in some good performances. Unfortunately, if we're playing 4-4-2 Moyes would pick Fellaini over him, and in a 4-5-1... I don't think he can play that well with Fellaini... though, given time, that might change.
I just feel he deserves a chance, but I'm just wondering how to fit him in the team... Would you drop Fellaini? Or would you go back to 4-5-1 and play Fellaini or Castillo? I haven't got a clue to be honest.
In retrospect, I think we could've done better in buying M'bia at the transfer window as well, as he can tackle and has presence... and is a defensive midfielder!! But ah well.
Ben Jones, Posted 09/10/2008 at 19:08:12
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Simple solution would be to drop Osman and bring in Castillo. Fellaini I believe in time will become our playmaker. He clearly enjoys spraying the ball around, this is something we?ve not had for a while and is a must if we are to progress. He also has an edge and can put in a solid challenge. I?m not convinced Castillo is a defensive midfielder but he is certainly a physical presence which Osman is most definitely not.
I think if we deployed Cahill just behind Yakubu he could provide that added bit of steel in the midfield when necessary. If I where to single out our greatest weakness currently I?d say we are simply not physically strong enough in the middle and that I?m afraid is where games are often won and lost.
The problem with Castillo ? as shown against Liege ? is he can't tackle, which makes his role as defensive midfielder a fucking joke.
That's right, drop OSMAN. At least Castillo won't be knocked over by a gnat's fart. Osman should've been sold years ago; he is crap. Too small and slow for this level. As for M'bia, do you really think he will come when we are at the arse end of the league???
We should have got M?bia, I read on the BBC that City now wants him, for only £9.6M, so he is cheaper the Fellaini and obviously better... oh well.
Has anyone actually seen M’Bia play for any length of time? He seemed to be one of those players whose name was mentioned by the papers and all of a sudden he is a world beater that we cant do without! Also, he seemed to be forgiven of the foreign money grabber tag just because he admitted that he was only after the cash! I say 4-5-1 with Castillo and Fellaini in the middle should be given a chance!
Play both Fellaini and Castillo and give Arteta and Pienaar a license to go forward.
Brett,
How exactly is M?Bia "obviously better" than Fellaini?
I can?t believe some of the crap thrown at Fellaini by some of our supporters. Give him a chance to settle and I?m sure he will be fine.
How exactly is M?Bia "obviously better" than Fellaini?
I can?t believe some of the crap thrown at Fellaini by some of our supporters. Give him a chance to settle and I?m sure he will be fine.
Drop Osman? I'm sorry to say it, Tony Marsh, but you know nothing. Osman has been one of our best players consistently over the past few years and to be perfectly honest is one of the only ones who looks arsed sometimes about fighting for the shirt!
It's simple really: drop Neville or Osman from midfield and play Castillo. He has already shown he is far more capable there than either Neville or Osman. I like Neville at right back ? he is miles better than Hibbert ? and Osman just does not contribute enough over 90 minutes to warrant a starting place. May as well give Castillo a chance.
Surely Moyes will plump for Neville in the defensive midfield role. In spite of the antipathy shown towards him on this site, he has played the role very effectively at Man Utd, England and Everton. And he is better captaining the side from the engine room rather than at full-back.
Osman won’t be dropped, nor should he be.
I think we’ll go 4-5-1 against Arsenal with Fellaini playing in the "Cahill role" and Osman and Neville in the middle. Pienaar and Arteta in the wide positions.
I don’t think Moyes trusts Castillo, the more he plays him the more he sees his weaknesses. I’ve noticed that he has a tendency to take up the wrong positions and leave us exposed.
I could be wrong but I don’t think we’ll see him against Arsenal unless Neville is still injured. I can’t see Moyes going 4-4-2 against Arsenal either so Saha will probably drop to the bench.
I think we’ll go 4-5-1 against Arsenal with Fellaini playing in the "Cahill role" and Osman and Neville in the middle. Pienaar and Arteta in the wide positions.
I don’t think Moyes trusts Castillo, the more he plays him the more he sees his weaknesses. I’ve noticed that he has a tendency to take up the wrong positions and leave us exposed.
I could be wrong but I don’t think we’ll see him against Arsenal unless Neville is still injured. I can’t see Moyes going 4-4-2 against Arsenal either so Saha will probably drop to the bench.
After playing both Castillo and Fellaini in the centre for two games, Moyes has decided that they can't play together... so, with Fellaini having more potential and possibly because of his price tag, he gets the nod and Segundo is the fall guy.
Which is the right decision, because Fellaini needs more games to work his way into Premier League football. If Castillo doesn't make the grade, he returns to his club at the end of his loan and we lose nothing.
Which is the right decision, because Fellaini needs more games to work his way into Premier League football. If Castillo doesn't make the grade, he returns to his club at the end of his loan and we lose nothing.
Connor, I’d say you may be pretty close with that line up, but in saying that it scares the shit out of me. The idea of Neville and Osman in the middle is a nightmare, one can’t pass and the other either goes missing or gets pushed off the ball despit his best efforts. As for Fellaini I won’t critisise him, he is young and has potential but he can’t fill Cahill’s role. He started as a centre back and has played most of his career as a defensive midfielder.
If we go with 4-5-1 I’d like to see Castillo as the defensive midfielder, Arteta and Piennar on the wings, Felaini in the middle and the likes of Baxter or Osmon in Cahill’s role.
If we go with 4-5-1 I’d like to see Castillo as the defensive midfielder, Arteta and Piennar on the wings, Felaini in the middle and the likes of Baxter or Osmon in Cahill’s role.
The sad thing is Neville and Osman will always play when fit coz they?re Moyes?s pets. I would like to see Neville earn and fight for his place in the team, whether right back or midfield. He is totally shite in defensive midfield and thus in my mind Moyes is too, for still playing him there.
No mention of Rodwell, Baxter and Co? Right you are... they are just too young and not good enough to be playing at the senior level. Castillo in the holding role is a good shout but being on season loan and Fellaini?s record signing, who do you think Moyes will place his faith in?
Every player needs to earn his place. They all wear the same blue jersey. I?ll tell you what, the reason for the poor start is because of Neville?s 4-year contract! Confidence shot, right through the team!
Neville has played as a defensive midfielder in the past and I believe he can still do a job there. I would prefer to give Castillo a go however but Moyes is obviously reliant on his tried and trusted and I cant blame him. The reason for our bad start is that we were slow in the transer market and what with injuries we had kids in the team that were not going to play regularly. Easy really. To carry on our form from last season we had to add to what we had early to bed them in but we didnt do that. Hopefully in the next few weeks we can settle down and find some form.
ITS SIMPLE.
Fellaini protects the back four as the defensive midfielder, providing he cuts out those rash challenges, the defensive can pass out to him, and we know he distributes well already his physical presence is right for it, his height will also be an asset there. There is nothing to stop him getting forward when appropriate
As for Castillo, he plays behind the striker/s in forward midfield role,( a bit like the grave digger did in his prime), we know he can pick a pass out, let him spray the ball around, an of course he can put the shot in as well. You want me to suggest it to Moysie ?
Fellaini protects the back four as the defensive midfielder, providing he cuts out those rash challenges, the defensive can pass out to him, and we know he distributes well already his physical presence is right for it, his height will also be an asset there. There is nothing to stop him getting forward when appropriate
As for Castillo, he plays behind the striker/s in forward midfield role,( a bit like the grave digger did in his prime), we know he can pick a pass out, let him spray the ball around, an of course he can put the shot in as well. You want me to suggest it to Moysie ?
Castillo must be as sick as a sea-going parrot
Imagine watching people like Neville and Cahill give the ball away with virtually every attempted pass ? or Osman continually getting muscled out of it, imagine watching a side that can barely string two passes together, Knowing your boss still doesnt think your can improve anything
Imagine watching people like Neville and Cahill give the ball away with virtually every attempted pass ? or Osman continually getting muscled out of it, imagine watching a side that can barely string two passes together, Knowing your boss still doesnt think your can improve anything
WTF do people still keep saying put Neville in the DM position? He's a shite right back at best and certainly no DM. Nearly every game he's played in that position, we have lost or drew when we should have won. It hasn't worked for a long time now, yet some people still say play him there. Open your eyes, its fucking obvious that we struggle when he plays there!!!!!
@ Jason Lam
you say Osman is Moyes pet. Moyes has said from the beginning that he thought he was too light weight for this league. Osman is in the team purely through merit!
you say Osman is Moyes pet. Moyes has said from the beginning that he thought he was too light weight for this league. Osman is in the team purely through merit!
With the situation at Westham, maybe Scott Parker an option in January.
Aren’t some of us forgetting that the days of a first XI - the same 11 players playing week in week out are gone. With 3 subs allowed from a choice of 7 on the bench it’s very much a "squad " game at the moment. Clearly we need to have strength in depth in all areas of the team. I think Castillo should be given a chance to show what he can do. Players often take time to settle at a new club. That can be the case even with British players. The only way that Castillo will adapt to the English game is by playing matches or by being brought on as a sub for 20 or 30 minutes etc.
As regards Osman - well it seems to me that whenever we are going through a bad patch he is one of the players people like to single out for criticism.
As regards Osman - well it seems to me that whenever we are going through a bad patch he is one of the players people like to single out for criticism.
The problem is playing Cahill in a 4-4-2 means leaving Castillo out.
I thought in an interview he said he wasn’t a defensive minded player, and his goal sort of proves that. wheareas, screech said he was. Perhaps Moyes got them mixed up.
I too would liek to see him back in for Osman who needs to rest his knee.
I too would liek to see him back in for Osman who needs to rest his knee.
Castillo and Fellaini in the middle in a 4 man midfield I think would be really good... given time to gel.
Arteta - - Castillo - - Fellaini - - Pienaar
In a 5 man midfield, I would drop Castillo in behind... and bring in Osman perhaps.
I would really like to see Arteta being played in the middle. I think he is a lot more productive there than out wide. We’ve seen recently that his crossing and free kicks are rarely beating the first man.
-------------------- Castillo -------------------
Osman ------ Fellaini ---------------Pienaar
-------------------------Arteta -------------------
Might work? Only thing is, I don’t know how effective Osman would be on the right...
Arteta - - Castillo - - Fellaini - - Pienaar
In a 5 man midfield, I would drop Castillo in behind... and bring in Osman perhaps.
I would really like to see Arteta being played in the middle. I think he is a lot more productive there than out wide. We’ve seen recently that his crossing and free kicks are rarely beating the first man.
-------------------- Castillo -------------------
Osman ------ Fellaini ---------------Pienaar
-------------------------Arteta -------------------
Might work? Only thing is, I don’t know how effective Osman would be on the right...
I?m completely perplexed by the Fellaini guy. Is he a defensive midfield player or isn?t he? Fellaini says he is and Moyes says he isn?t. I?m trying to think back to when he played against Liverpool in the Champions League game. What position did play then? Can anyone help me out?...
I hope Moyes isn?t trying to fit square pegs into round holes again. I mean the guy definitely thinks he?s a defensive midfield player, he said so. For that matter what position dose he play for his country?
Noble from West Ham, considering their future looks worse than ours we could get him in January if we have any money.
He doesn’t look like a defensive midfielder to me, Moyes said yesterday that he’s more Cahill than Carsley. So I’m guessing box to box midfielder.
For Standard from what I remember he played in a deeper role but whenever Standard broke forward he’s get into the box. So he’s not what you’d call disiplined, he likes to drift and move around the pitch.
For Belgium they have Fellaini, Kompany, Defour and Mundingayi. Mundingayi and Kompany are both defensive, I’m guessing Fellaini and Defour where the box the box midfielders.
Russell Buckley, I agree about Neville but he is our only midfielder who puts his foot in, he’s the closest thing we have to Carsley and I’m guessing Moyes will use him in the defensive role this season. He usually plays well against Arsenal anyway, I don’t think he likes them that much.
With him holding and Arteta, Osman, Fellaini and Pienaar attacking I think it could work well away from home. Osman does well in a 5 man midfield and I’m guessing Fellaini would be used as a target man like Cahill does when he plays.
For Standard from what I remember he played in a deeper role but whenever Standard broke forward he’s get into the box. So he’s not what you’d call disiplined, he likes to drift and move around the pitch.
For Belgium they have Fellaini, Kompany, Defour and Mundingayi. Mundingayi and Kompany are both defensive, I’m guessing Fellaini and Defour where the box the box midfielders.
Russell Buckley, I agree about Neville but he is our only midfielder who puts his foot in, he’s the closest thing we have to Carsley and I’m guessing Moyes will use him in the defensive role this season. He usually plays well against Arsenal anyway, I don’t think he likes them that much.
With him holding and Arteta, Osman, Fellaini and Pienaar attacking I think it could work well away from home. Osman does well in a 5 man midfield and I’m guessing Fellaini would be used as a target man like Cahill does when he plays.
The disregard for Leon Osman is utterly astonishing.
Osman has talent but is too lightweight to make much impact, apart from his 2 or 3 goals a season. He?s a Moyes favourite along with Neville so we are stuck with them both on long contracts.
Neville will be in central midfield for the next two games. Moyes will be forced to play Hibbert and Baines at full back in our upcoming games against Arsenal and Man Utd. They are the only players quick enough to cope with Walcott and Ronaldo. Neville wouldn’t stand a chance at full back but Moyes needs him in the team as he seems to be the only talker out there.
As mentioned above though, a central midfield of Fellaini and Castillo, with Pienaar and Arteta on the flanks with Osman, Cahill or Saha just behind Yakubu would be the "dream ticket". IMWT
As mentioned above though, a central midfield of Fellaini and Castillo, with Pienaar and Arteta on the flanks with Osman, Cahill or Saha just behind Yakubu would be the "dream ticket". IMWT
I suspect Moyes has already decided Castillo isn?t up to it and, like Gravesen last year, he will see out his loantime on the bench. I haven?t the slightest doubt that the line-up for the Arsenal game will be:- Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines; Arteta, Fellaini, Neville, Osman, Pienaar; Yakubu.
Moysey may spring a surprise and introduce Victor to the fray on 70mins when we shall inevitably be 0-2 down! That?s what you get if you only pay £70k a week to your manager!
Moysey may spring a surprise and introduce Victor to the fray on 70mins when we shall inevitably be 0-2 down! That?s what you get if you only pay £70k a week to your manager!
Wouldn?t you think that Moyes would have worked out by now that Arteta takes a dreadful corner nine times out of ten... I mean it's not rocket science. He can?t get the ball past the first defender and when he does, it's into the keepers hands. His free kicks aren?t much better... I mean this has gone on for yonks now. Maybe the plan is to lull the opposition into a false sense of security. It really is getting beyond a joke. Is there nobody else in the team that can take a corner?
Can?t say I?ve been overexcited by Castillo but then I could say the same about Fellaini. I think Moyes might have done better to give Carsley the two-year contract he was after and kept the club?s money to pay his own wages!
If you watched Castillo in Ecuador games, he?s used to teams coming at them with no pace, slow but technically movement. His job was to cut down the space, he is not a man-marker, tackler or energetic enough to protect the back 4.
Sorry about this but again he ain't no Carsley ? more a better Neville ? IN TIME.
Sorry about this but again he ain't no Carsley ? more a better Neville ? IN TIME.
Has anybody mentioned his and Fellaini?s inability to speak English yet? If so, I apologies. I think Moyes has said Fellaini is a Cahill and Castillo a Carsley replacement. However, non comprende in the middle of the park is a receipe for disaster
The flak that Fellaini & Castillo is not justified. Remember, they barely know our team, they don?t speak the lingo and not having a pre-season hasn?t helped. Give them a chance and we?ll see the best of them.
Now here?s an idea: why not play Yobo RB and a give Castillo a run at DM? With a right guidance, Yobo could be effective. With Jags, Lescott & Baines completing the defence, Fellaini, Cahill, Arteta & Pienaar in midfield with Castillo and Yak up-front own his own. 4-5-1 has its critics but at this moment it is best for us and allows flexibilty to go more attacking if needed. Certianly with Vaughany, Vic, Saha, Osman on the bench.
Until further developments, this seems the best solution. At least I won?t be tortured seeing Phil Neville ?gracing? Goodison Park!
Osman, Castillo, Arteta, Fellaini, Pienaar
Osman has been our best player when he has played this season; it's Arteta who is struggling. He can't cross, he ain't running at players, he has no urgency about him, and Cahill needs to learn to chase back and tackle more ? they are supposed to be our top boys
Why has Joseph Yobo been made the scapegoat for our recent performances when its blindingly obvious to everyone its Lescott that needs a break of some sort. On the other hand how good has jagielka been now for the best part of 12 months?
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1 Posted 09/10/2008 at 20:10:53
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