Fellaini
Comments (30)
In light of the last couple of games, I think the time is ripe to write in defence of our record signing.
As has been pointed out before, £15m is a lot to pay out for a 20-year-old, and a pretty much untested 20-year-old at that. But the way in which some ToffeWeb readers ? and fans on other sites for that matter ? have written him off says more about them than it does about the big lad.
As far back as the 90s we have cried out for size and strength in midfield. I have seen us bossed by many an inferior team, simply because they have fielded some big planks in the middle of the park. How refreshing it was then to watch Fellaini at Arsenal and now against Man Utd causing problems all over the pitch with his size and awareness.
How many times have we seen Everton lose out in midfield because of aerial challenges that we dont stand a chance of winning? Now we have the solution, a big, ball-playing central midfielder, who seems to pop up in the opposition box more often than not.
Yes, he needs to work on his defensive positioning; yes, he still seems slightly off the pace. But he is not the first foreign player to experience this affliction.... cast your mind back to last season when Pienaar was widely dismissed as being lightweight, and even described as an inferior Osman, when it was simply a case of him becoming accustomed to the pace and physicality of the English game. When he finally came good ? (as did Yakubu at approximately the same time) ? we went on a fantastic unbeaten run which took us up the table. Hopefully, if the defence has sorted itself out, we can embark on a similar run.
We do need to make a couple more midfield signings... a proper winger for one, and potentially an experienced holding player to keep the position warm until young Jack Rodwell steps up. But to seek out blame for our woes at Fellaini's door, or even blame Moyes for signing him is misguided IMO.
As has been written here last week, a central midfield duo of Fellaini and Rodwell could be giving the so called Big Four nightmares for years to come, with their size and ability to pass the ball. Let's hope it is sooner rather than later.
John Williams,
London Posted 27/10/2008 at 13:41:32
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Michael Kenrick
Given the circumstances of his arrival ? completely unheralded at literally the last minute on and for an astounding fee deadline day at the end of a dreadful summer for Everton fans ? he was always going to be put under close scrutiny from the start of his Premier League career. People judged what they saw on the field, and ? as we all know only too well ? some are more patient than others when it comes to giving a new player time to settle. That, combined with the distinctly less-than-impressive start to the season has made it a difficult introduction for the lad.
But he's shown signs in most matches of huge potential; he's also shown signs of not being at the races. So it's probably more a question of which aspect sways you most ? again the classic division we see on here: glass half-full? or half-empty???
I think it seems as though Moyes has given up on replacing Carsley, and simply not playing a defensive midfielder. With Osman and Fellaini in the centre, Arteta and Pienaar either side of them, we probably won’t be as solid, but I’d rather that, than Neville, Jags, or the inexperienced Rodwell trying to fill the gap.
With an almost fully fit squad now, and good looking fixtures in the next month or so I expect us to climb the table. The same team that started against Utd, apart from the likely swap of Cahill for Saha, and we should certainly come away from Wednesday night at Bolton with 3 points. Lets hope so.
COYB
I think the lad's class and apparently he grew an inch since he has been here. By the age of 23 or 24 he will have bulked up as well and he will have become used to our game. He?ll be tough, suspended twice a season and I can see him as a future Everton captain. I have allways thought the main difference between us and the shite is Steven Gerrard. Who knows but I think we have a real gem here (though not a Midget Gem!!).
This might seem simplistic but Fellaini?s appearance does work against him. When he ?s have a stinker it?s it?s impossible for him to hide. When he?s playing well he still looks awkward. I thought he was a panic signing. I think I might be wrong.
I think you make a valid point there John. Only last Thursday, I was slightly scathing about Screech, but in retrospect, I can see how useful he can be for us. Two goals already, and he does have a happy tendency to cause havoc in opposition penalty areas, so I?m more than prepared to shift my opinion on him and recognise definite potential there. Good shout.
As soon as the lad can get used to the pace of the Premier League, I think he will be a great player.
The jury was out and still maybe but the big fella is showing signs of improvement. The next big thing? Who knows... but let's hope he does come through and makes a big impact because we need some size out in the middle of the park. A goal against the Mancs is not to be sniffed at so let's give Fellaini a pat on the back for a Big Dunc type effort.
Whats this? Some positiveness from Tony Marsh?
Only joking
Seriously though this Fella looks class. I only hope he keeps getting better and better and one day an Everton Legend
Well that was the type of goal that we were crying out for when Beattie was here. A great cross from the byline and an astronomical leap and talismanic header ? only thing was the cross never came from the flying winger onto the head of the big center forward that we all expected.
I think Fellaini will become a really big player for Everton. He had a slow start, yes, but then again everyone was expecting a similar type player to Carsley and I could have told anyone that was not going to be the case. I actually think Fellaini would have went well next to Cars last season.
He is obviously a player that has potential and knocking in a vital equaliser in a game against United will give him even more confidence. I still say given time to get used to us, we will see the player that tormented the arse off Liverpool in both Champions League qualifiers and then we will really have a player.
All new signings need time to get used to their teamates and to the way they play. This is even more relevant when they are youngsters, but he looks a good prospect and by the way don't we look better when the ball is on the deck!
It will be interesting to see how Moyes fits him and Cahill into the side as they both seem quite similar players, both like to get in the box! I just think if the 2 of them are on the pitch together, then thats when we may need more protection just behind them!
Fellaini needs to improve his positioning. He is a great tackler but a ’european tackler’, meaning he wont dive in but will harry the player and nick the ball away. With better positional sense gained from experience in our league this will improve.
We need another box to box player next to him. Lorik Cana would be my first choice as he is more defensively minded yet is a big chap who would be a talismanic figure.
I’ve always expected him to come good, I saw the game against Stoke on TV and thought he looked very composed in possession. It’s a shame he got booked in the derby so early on, you could see how it affected his game as he was scared to go for the ball after that. I think that’s the reason he’s had so much flack. It was a cracking header on Saturday though!
A midfield of Peanuts Big Fella - Cana / Arteta. Has a great potential to mix it up in the prem. I’d love to see that, mind you Castillo looked alright as well. Bearing in mind that Fellaini is the same age as Vaughn, I reckon the lad is doing really well.
I think one thing that will stand against Fellani more than anything is the fee.
I think he has had ups and downs so far, but I guess that is to expected from someone who is to quote Moyes ’One for the future’.
The question for me was are we in a position to spend 10 15mil on one for the future when we really could do with one for the here and now?
Good luck to the lad though, I think he has ability so be interesting to see how he gets on. Seems to be learning quick which is good.
Unfortunately I think because of his size Fellaini gets rather unfair treatment in terms of free kicks and cards waved at him (as much as I dislike him Peter Crouch suffers the same). I certainly don?t think he was a panic buy though as regardless of what we spent Moyes has continually spent his budget as if it were exactly that, his own!
He came into a struggling side and has had to try and adjust to the pace and get used to his colleagues without even speaking the language. All told I think he?s doing really well and it?s just unfortunate that we?ve not been doing well and as such seeking to find out why, hence the assessment of him.
I think we still need to decide whether 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 is the order of the day, especially with Cahill available again this week. Regardless though, i think Fellaini has proven so far that he can be an aerial threat going forward and hopefully with a bit of decent positioning a good defensive player.
Oh how that goal reminded me of the big man.
I said 2 months ago when we signed him that he would need 2 -3 months to settle in - he’s only 20 , he cant speak English and he’s living in a bloody hotel, and he’s joined a team totally lacking in confidence. He is now starting to show some form and I believe he will blossom to become our top performer over the next 6 months.
Moyes problem is how to fit Arteta,Pinnear,Cahill,Osman, and Felliani into a 4 man midfield as I think he’ll stick with Saha and Yakubu for a while.
I’ve a sneeky feeling Castillo will miss out on his time here and will join the likes of Fernandes and not get a contract. Rodwell will join the above 5 players fighting for 4-5 positions by early 2009.
He’s gonna be a big player for us over the next few years, he has quality, no doubt about that, but he will still take time fitting in to a new team, culture, style of football, language etc. I do feel though that he is not a dominating midfielder, I think he will need a Scott Parker beside him, or someone like him who gets stuck in, before we see the best of him.
I recall a certain Emmanuel Petit having a ’mare’ in his early days at The Arse.
Imagine a midfielder of that stature and ability bossing our midfield, scoring goals and looking imperious.
We can all only wish the lad well and not try to put our own frustrations on the young lads shoulders. I think he has something of the Vierra about him and maybe will prove to be an astute buy. After all it would be very un- Moyes like to spend that amount of money without proper research.
Fellaini apart we played our best football of the season in the 2nd half...but we are still only playing well for 45 minutes at most..the game is 90 minutes and our squad is still small with not a lot of options. Fellaini could well develop into a top player for us but its early days to start mentioning him in the same breath as Vierra..I just hope we continue to play through the mid field and keep possesion. Even Jags was passing to feet and I thought he also played really well.Neville was a revelation and had his best game in an everton shirt. A few more games like that and he will be a worthy captain....I really hope this has been a big confidence boost to the whole squad and we start to play to our full potential and push up into the top half. I was really surprised and delighted at the spirit shown and the way the whole team tried to beat United with football along the ground with plenty of invention from Arteta and Pienar...COYB.
Whilst as ever I am positive Davey will have seen something in the lad us mere mortals have missed,I was as surprised as anyone that he chose to spend virtually all his transfer budget on this one player. Shows what we know, doesn?t it?
I remain unconvinced with Fellaini. He was at fault for Utds goal. Fletcher streaked past him and Fellaini let him go and Lescott was then wrong footed .
His workrate and passing was poor
’Might have been the view from where we were, but it looked like Fellaini was struck in the nuts by the ball about two seconds prior to Fletcher waltzing by him, hence being a little flat footed?
Joseph McNicholas
Posted 27/10/2008 at 21:44:02
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Sorry for being off the pace of the game a bit here fellas (bit like the subject of this thread for his 1st 3 games !!) but whats the score with the "Screech" shout ?
I think you have to look at it as a glass half-full situation. He clearly has a great amount of potential and certainly the physique to develop into a top class player in the next five years, but it is still far too early. I agree with some that his workrate is not great, but if Moyes is good for anything, is that he will make him work harder as he acclimatizes to Everton and the English game. Same with Rodwell. However, I am optimistic that they both turn out good for us.
Humble pie being eaten! The difficult part will be keeping hold of him when he improves even more!
Anthony, my thoughts entirely.
Sorry, but he looks flat-footed and decidedly mediocre to me. He?s scored a couple of goals and won a couple of headers but, other than that, nothing much.
In the context of his price tag, he?s proving to be a let-down.
Of course we have to give him time, because we have no other options in our tiny squad.
But no matter how much we try and big him up, for £15m I expect someone who can make an instant impact.
An excellent 2nd half, a decent result and we can look on the bright side - over optimistic?. Perhaps, but I think many of the comments about the lad in this thread are justified. He’s young, talented, in a strange land and league, and is learning quickly. His committment to the cause looks to be as good as you get. Two goals and he is on his way, and there must be much more to come.
Our squad, small as it is, is at least, just about up to full strength now and we have the players to get us up the table. Fellaini will be part of that - Saha could be a good one, Castillo seems to have strength and Jacobsen may play his first game for us in the new year. Plus Rodwell has valuable experience to add to his potential.
A few good results and we may be on our way.
For the first 6 games Fellaini looked like a player who cost about £6million... since the Newcastle, Arsenal and United games he now he looks like a player who cost about £7million.
He has a hell of a long way to go to justify his price tag... that is the problem.
The writer of the article suggests that he has ?awareness?... I have never seen a player in that price bracket with so little awareness of players around him ? resulting in him losing possession. He?s better than what we had as a central midfield player, but an improvement on sod all is hardly great leap!
I also don?t think it helps that he is being played in some sort of advanced role as I certainly don?t think thats his natural position ? and neither does he apparently!
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But he's shown signs in most matches of huge potential; he's also shown signs of not being at the races. So it's probably more a question of which aspect sways you most ? again the classic division we see on here: glass half-full? or half-empty???