The Mail Bag
Is Bilyaletdinov a Left Winger?
Comments (28)
I have just been reading one of my old World Soccer Magazines from 2008 and I came across one from Euro 2008. It gives a profile from every squad member of each of the teams. Interestingly this is what they wrote about 'Bily':
"Attacking midfielder best in the centre but sometimes made to cover the left flank, which he does not like."
I wonder if DM has done his home work here and got this Billy mixed up with the Russian fellow at Chelski 'Zhirkov' who played left back, left wing for Russia and NOT 'Bily'?? £10 million well spent??? Only time will tell!!
Roger de Nobrega, Posted 30/08/2009 at 16:45:50
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Tony Marsh
2 Posted 30/08/2009 at 21:20:39
2 Posted 30/08/2009 at 21:20:39
Well £10 million only earns you 2 minutes in the side these days so guess we have to wait and see.
Tony Williams
3 Posted 30/08/2009 at 21:31:38
3 Posted 30/08/2009 at 21:31:38
Are you actually being serious, Tony? The lad turned up yesterday/Friday so why would he just bang him straight into the team?
Distin has been in the Premier League for nine years so it’s a safe bet he knows the score. This lad has just turned up.
Please stop talking bollox
Distin has been in the Premier League for nine years so it’s a safe bet he knows the score. This lad has just turned up.
Please stop talking bollox
Tony Marsh
4 Posted 30/08/2009 at 21:38:47
4 Posted 30/08/2009 at 21:38:47
Tony Williams, I wonder where we find the likes of you lot, I really do. If Bily is only fit or available to play 2 minutes of a game then he shouldn't be on the bench. We were bottom of the league this morning and needed all the fit players out there or as subs.
You shoot yourself with your dumb reply. It's you talking bollocks, mate, not me. Learn the basics of the game before you try to indulge me again son.
You shoot yourself with your dumb reply. It's you talking bollocks, mate, not me. Learn the basics of the game before you try to indulge me again son.
Tony Williams
5 Posted 30/08/2009 at 21:42:43
5 Posted 30/08/2009 at 21:42:43
No, Tony, you are talking absolute shite mate. Distin is a proven Premier League defender and Bily is a player that most of us have never even heard of before, yet you seem to believe because we payed £8/10 million for him he should go straight into the team, even though he has probably trained with them for a few hours.
I am glad we don’t find the likes of you too often. It has nothing at all to do with being fit but everything to do with never playing in the Premier League ever before. Read the post carefully before spouting your shite mate.
I am glad we don’t find the likes of you too often. It has nothing at all to do with being fit but everything to do with never playing in the Premier League ever before. Read the post carefully before spouting your shite mate.
Mark Stone
6 Posted 30/08/2009 at 21:44:14
6 Posted 30/08/2009 at 21:44:14
Tony Marsh, has Bily even trained with the rest of the squad yet?
I don’t think it would have been a good decision to play a lad who only arrived yesterday, and has never played in the Premier League. Especially given that there was already one player in the team making his debut. That being said, I will be disappointed if I don’t see a lot of him in coming weeks.
I don’t think it would have been a good decision to play a lad who only arrived yesterday, and has never played in the Premier League. Especially given that there was already one player in the team making his debut. That being said, I will be disappointed if I don’t see a lot of him in coming weeks.
Ben Jones
7 Posted 30/08/2009 at 21:49:10
7 Posted 30/08/2009 at 21:49:10
I’m afraid, Tony Marsh, the other Tony is right... Osman played well against Sigma so did deserve to stay. The thing is if we played Bily straight away and didn’t play well, confidence is dented and that may affect his whole season. I think bedding him in slowly is a great way to make him adapt in the league.
As the other Tony said, Distin is experienced enough in the EPL, and I’m glad he played well.
Saying that though, I had hoped Bily got about 20 mins on the pitch today.
As the other Tony said, Distin is experienced enough in the EPL, and I’m glad he played well.
Saying that though, I had hoped Bily got about 20 mins on the pitch today.
Tony Marsh
8 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:01:35
8 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:01:35
ARRRGH, I am not saying Bily should've played... What I am saying is don't waste a place on the bench with a player you feel is not fit and only worth 2 minutes if he is selected. It's fucking common sense but it's not the first time Moyes has given a player only seconds on the pitch, is it? He does it all the time and it annoys the shit out of me.
Play Bily when he is ready but don't put the lad as a sub and waste soap powder washing his kit after 120 seconds on the pitch, for fuck's sake.
Play Bily when he is ready but don't put the lad as a sub and waste soap powder washing his kit after 120 seconds on the pitch, for fuck's sake.
Tony Williams
9 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:07:17
9 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:07:17
How is he not fit, you dozy melt? Their season kicked off in March.
Or would you rather have Jose Baxter or Keiran Agard on the bench instead of an international player who was the captain of the side he just left?
He has now experienced Goodison and had a few minutes on the pitch, better than watching it from the stands.
"Play Bily when he is ready but don't put the lad as a sub and waste soap powder washing his kit after 120 seconds on the pitch for fuck's sake".
How exactly would we know when he is ready? Isn’t it better to get him straight into the game and experience the Premier League. What else would you have Moyes do?
Or would you rather have Jose Baxter or Keiran Agard on the bench instead of an international player who was the captain of the side he just left?
He has now experienced Goodison and had a few minutes on the pitch, better than watching it from the stands.
"Play Bily when he is ready but don't put the lad as a sub and waste soap powder washing his kit after 120 seconds on the pitch for fuck's sake".
How exactly would we know when he is ready? Isn’t it better to get him straight into the game and experience the Premier League. What else would you have Moyes do?
Roger de Nobrega
10 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:19:16
10 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:19:16
Back to the topic guys...only time will tell if £10 million has been well spent on Bily! Game vs Fulham will be a good chance to see if he fits in.
Steve Pugh
11 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:17:26
11 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:17:26
If we had been cruising he probably would have come on earlier, but we needed players who know each other's game to drag a win out of a less than convincing performance. DM’s tactic left what he considered the most suitable players on the pitch whilst still giving Bily a taste of Goodison, and the fans a chance to say hello.
This tactic has been seen all over the world for decades, as any football fan would know.
This tactic has been seen all over the world for decades, as any football fan would know.
Ben Jones
12 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:25:22
12 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:25:22
Fair enough, Tony, but I reckon he is fit, the Russian season was still going on when he moved to us, so he has had plenty of match fitness. As other Tony said, the atmosphere on the pitch would have been good for him.
At least I can call you Tony, Tony Marsh, instead of other Tony.
At least I can call you Tony, Tony Marsh, instead of other Tony.
Gavin Ramejkis
13 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:39:17
13 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:39:17
Giving a £10m player 2 minutes in a game being chased hard for a winner is the fucking joke, with barely a chance to warm up anyone could tell you that risks more chance of injury than being given 20 mins and time to warm up. ridiculous substitution, only glad some prick like Scharner or that predator twat Melchiot didn't try and cut him in half with one of the sly tackles they played most of the game.
Mike Allison
14 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:54:05
14 Posted 30/08/2009 at 22:54:05
It was right that Bily started as a sub today but he should have come on earlier, and not as a replacement for Pienaar who was our most likely player to create something. Moyes was extremely conservative in his substitutions today and it was very frustrating.
I disagree with you that he barely had chance to warm up though Gavin, with half time and the second half he seemed to be warming up for 50+ minutes before he finally came on.
I disagree with you that he barely had chance to warm up though Gavin, with half time and the second half he seemed to be warming up for 50+ minutes before he finally came on.
Kristian Boyce
15 Posted 30/08/2009 at 23:02:35
15 Posted 30/08/2009 at 23:02:35
I was surprised to see him even in the match squad. I was expecting the customary walk out and wave to the fans before the game with the player in some sort of dodgy Armani outfit. I knew Moyes wouldn’t've played him this match, he probably has had one session with the lads. Imagine the stick he’d get if he had an Osman-like performance as he wasn’t up to speed on how the team plays.
Will Green
16 Posted 30/08/2009 at 23:34:34
16 Posted 30/08/2009 at 23:34:34
Break him in gently, for god's sake, He was in moscow yesterday, at a club he has been at all his life, where his dad is reserves coach. He is on a 5-year contract. What’s the rush? Stop panicing.
Pablo Mc
17 Posted 30/08/2009 at 23:34:40
17 Posted 30/08/2009 at 23:34:40
To answer the question asked in the original post....
In the interview with "Bily" on EvertonTV (when he also says it is fine to call him Bily!) he describes himself as a left-sided player but "not a winger" — he says "inside, outside, inside, outside". He said he can also play on the right, but he prefers to play on the left. He said playing on the right gives him more chance to cut inside and shoot, or he can cross from the left.
So there you go — straight from the horse’s mouth :)
Incidentally, the fact that he can already speak excellent English hasn’t been mentioned much and will be a MASSIVE bonus to us for bedding in quickly.
In the interview with "Bily" on EvertonTV (when he also says it is fine to call him Bily!) he describes himself as a left-sided player but "not a winger" — he says "inside, outside, inside, outside". He said he can also play on the right, but he prefers to play on the left. He said playing on the right gives him more chance to cut inside and shoot, or he can cross from the left.
So there you go — straight from the horse’s mouth :)
Incidentally, the fact that he can already speak excellent English hasn’t been mentioned much and will be a MASSIVE bonus to us for bedding in quickly.
David Sheen
18 Posted 30/08/2009 at 23:57:56
18 Posted 30/08/2009 at 23:57:56
To answer the question. My Russian friend says that Bilyaletdinov is better in the centre. Like it says in that magazine.
Rob Hollis
19 Posted 31/08/2009 at 00:38:33
19 Posted 31/08/2009 at 00:38:33
Whether we play a new signing straight off the plane, one of our injured players, one of the Ladies team, my dog, ANYTHING BUT OSMAN!
I don’t care if he is out of position or not. He is slow, does not read anything and is just terrible.
I don’t care if he is out of position or not. He is slow, does not read anything and is just terrible.
Second half was going well until he spooned a cross. I don’t like slagging him off but he is at least a division above his ability and he puts us on the back foot too often.
A one way ticket to Leeds or somewhere is required.
David Ellis
20 Posted 31/08/2009 at 03:33:39
20 Posted 31/08/2009 at 03:33:39
Wingers went out of fashion before the mini skirt came in.
Formations and roles change over the years — the left sided midfielder in a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 is not really a "winger" — a term that dates back to the 2-3-5 formation. So the fact that he is not a "winger" is itself not too much to get worried about.
In any event, lots of excellent wide players prefer to play in the centre because they get more of the ball — Martin O’Neill as a player with Forest; our own Trevor Steven — doesn’t mean they are better in the centre; both those two were better on the flanks.
So I wouldn’t worry too much about his preferences either, but good to hear he is adaptable.
Also the crticism of having Bilya on the bench and giving him 2 minutes of time on the pitch — the most moronic discussion I have ever bothered to skim through!!
Formations and roles change over the years — the left sided midfielder in a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 is not really a "winger" — a term that dates back to the 2-3-5 formation. So the fact that he is not a "winger" is itself not too much to get worried about.
In any event, lots of excellent wide players prefer to play in the centre because they get more of the ball — Martin O’Neill as a player with Forest; our own Trevor Steven — doesn’t mean they are better in the centre; both those two were better on the flanks.
So I wouldn’t worry too much about his preferences either, but good to hear he is adaptable.
Also the crticism of having Bilya on the bench and giving him 2 minutes of time on the pitch — the most moronic discussion I have ever bothered to skim through!!
Jason Lam
21 Posted 31/08/2009 at 07:49:28
21 Posted 31/08/2009 at 07:49:28
You don’t thrown an unproven midfielder to a pouring afternoon Premiership 6-pointer! He’s not exactly Kaka is he??
Billy needed the 2 minutes to feel part of the group, whether we will or lose.
It’s called team building ffs.
Billy needed the 2 minutes to feel part of the group, whether we will or lose.
It’s called team building ffs.
Mark Pendleton
22 Posted 31/08/2009 at 08:38:34
22 Posted 31/08/2009 at 08:38:34
Oh, how easy it is to turn on the home grown players. Yes, Osman may not be the complete player and it’s also a sign of how the rest of the team has moved on that he is seen as a weak link (same goes for Hibbo) but both players still have their merits. Osman has come up with some sublime finishes over the last few seasons and is very quick footed. Hibbo is dogged in the challenge and again in the last season or so when fully fit (important this one as he’s another who has played a lot part fit through necessity) he has improved his crossing tremendously. Yesterday he fizzed in some excellent crosses.
As for Bily, I didn’t think he would make the bench yesterday but playing him much earlier would have been a mistake, although if we had been a few goals up I would have done. Yes, he may be fit but he has had no time to work with his team mates and work on tactics and positioning. I think Moyes wanted to involve him quickly and give him a taste of the action. Pienaar has been playing with a knock the last few weeks too.
We created a lot of chances yesterday and one or two more additions in the next day or so and we now have time to work together as a squad before the next match. We will improve.
As for Bily, I didn’t think he would make the bench yesterday but playing him much earlier would have been a mistake, although if we had been a few goals up I would have done. Yes, he may be fit but he has had no time to work with his team mates and work on tactics and positioning. I think Moyes wanted to involve him quickly and give him a taste of the action. Pienaar has been playing with a knock the last few weeks too.
We created a lot of chances yesterday and one or two more additions in the next day or so and we now have time to work together as a squad before the next match. We will improve.
Ray Roche
23 Posted 31/08/2009 at 09:28:19
23 Posted 31/08/2009 at 09:28:19
David Ellis.
You’re wrong. Wingers went out of fashion with Ramseys’ "Wingless Wonders" in 1966.
I was trying to get me hand up Anne Fosters mini-skirt well before that....
You’re wrong. Wingers went out of fashion with Ramseys’ "Wingless Wonders" in 1966.
I was trying to get me hand up Anne Fosters mini-skirt well before that....
Gavin Ramejkis
24 Posted 31/08/2009 at 12:15:53
24 Posted 31/08/2009 at 12:15:53
Mike, from where I sit in the Park End I saw Bily run up and down the line for about ten minutes during the first half with Fellaini, Jo and Gosling who were out at least 5 or 10 mins longer then. Correct me if I’m wrong but the half-time lasts 15 mins where a pass and trap kick about isn’t warming up and nowhere near 50 minutes. I stand by my worry that the substitution gave him no time to get to match prep and risks injuries.
Howard Don
25 Posted 31/08/2009 at 15:40:19
25 Posted 31/08/2009 at 15:40:19
Watch it Ray. I married Anne Foster in 1971 !!
Nah only joking.
Tony Marsh you could cause an argument in a nunnery. To me having Bily on the bench was a good move on several fronts. Gets him bedded into the team and routine, and had we got the cushion we could and should have had he could have had 20 mins or so. It’s not as if we’re blessed with a strong bench anyway.
Nah only joking.
Tony Marsh you could cause an argument in a nunnery. To me having Bily on the bench was a good move on several fronts. Gets him bedded into the team and routine, and had we got the cushion we could and should have had he could have had 20 mins or so. It’s not as if we’re blessed with a strong bench anyway.
David Holloway
26 Posted 31/08/2009 at 17:48:34
26 Posted 31/08/2009 at 17:48:34
I totally agree, he should've been used even if he never came on. a good experience for him. most new players at every club don't walk straight into the side and as said distin has 9 years experience.
back to the question: YouTube is not the best place to scout players... for some reason, you never see the fuck-ups but he definitely looks like he plays LM. Only time will tell. I trust Moyes 100% and I don't think he would spend most of his kitty on someone who wouldn't bring anything to our squad. COYB.
Kevin Mitchell
27 Posted 31/08/2009 at 20:26:37
27 Posted 31/08/2009 at 20:26:37
Let's be honest, it was 1-1 with 28 mins to go; if Bilyaletdinov was fit enough to be in the squad then Moyes should have at least given him the last 20.
He’s come with a good pedigree who’s played most of the Russian season so why did Moyes not have the balls to try something different? He’s not a trialist, we paid £10 mill ffs.
It would be nice to break him in gently like in pre-season games but we’ve got gangsters running our club that makes life very difficult for everyone who wants to see progress.
Mike Allison
28 Posted 01/09/2009 at 13:53:57
28 Posted 01/09/2009 at 13:53:57
Well Gavin you’ve got a better view of that than I had from the Top Balcony but every time I looked for him to be coming on in the second half (which was from about the 60th minute) he seemed to be out warming up.
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1 Posted 30/08/2009 at 16:39:35
Yes, we won, bit there were a few jitters on the way and most teams would take advantage of a 5 against 2 breakaway ....lucky there I thought!!
Would like to say though, I thought Tony Hibbert had a great game, he gets a lot of stick on this site but today he was worth his place, put in great crosses under pressure and could easly have had 3 assists. As for Jack the lad, well, just proved what potential he has, no longer one for the future, he HAS arrived!!
And Davey, when players slide tackle you, jump up then land on their ankles, wake up lad !!!