ToffeeWeb - Season 2009-10

The Mail Bag

If Games Were 45 Minutes...

I thought last night's first half performance was as impressive as any I've seen from the men in blue for a long time. The second half was a bit lacklustre, but being 3-0 up by half-time you can afford to do so, as long as you're in control of the game, which I feel we were.

I've thought for a long time that this is a continuing trend in our football: one good half followed or preceded by a bad half. With this said, there usually tends to be one or two players who are very consistent throughout the whole game. Last night saw most players putting in a very good shift, but in particular I feel Fellaini and Rodwell deserve special mention.

I thought Rodwell was superb in the holding role, sweeping up, protecting the four behind him, whilst providing those in front of him with real quality, confident passes. Fellaini meanwhile I thought showed absolute quality in his first touch and ball retention.

Fellaini seems to be a bit of a scapegoat for some people but last night he was excellent. We all know how good he is in the air, but I don't think enough people give him credit for the undoubted ability he has with the ball at his feet. He also demonstrated very good fitness, linking up in all areas of the pitch, especially down the left where I thought Baines and Bily offered a little glimpse of what could become a devastating partnership.

Fellaini is a very good footballer, and I think he deserves the recognition of a very good footballer, especially after performances like last night's.
Joe Carroll, Wallasey Posted 18/09/2009 at 13:54:40

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David Holroyd
1 Posted 19/09/2009 at 10:20:43

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Quite agree Rodwell looks to have it all, and once he gets stronger (after all hes only 18), he is going to be some player.

Fellaini also had a good game. When the ball comes onto his chest, his control is first class, he never panics when he has the ball. Only a couple of passes went astray, he is getting used to the Premier League and is not getting booked.

Eric Myles
2 Posted 20/09/2009 at 02:43:09

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I didn’t see the AEK game but in all the games that have been televised this season and last I have yet to see Fellainin win a header, not even jump to try to win a header.

Eric Myles
3 Posted 22/09/2009 at 02:38:45

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Saw the second half of the Blackburn game and in only one time Fellaini was required to head the ball the Blackburn defender ’out-jumped’ him to win the header. I say ’out-jumped’ as Fellaini never made any effort to jump, both feet were rooted to the pitch.

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