The Mail Bag
Fellaini; what's going on?
Comments (35)
Let me say right at the start that I am very much an Armchair fan these days so my opinion is formed from what I have seen from TV. However, when are we going to see something approaching the form that should expect for a player that cost £15m?
Moyes must have seen something that encouraged him to pay what he did yet I just don't get it. You would think, given his height that he had natural advantages but I fail to see what he does. He lumbers about and is not really good at anything.
Thanks to Sky+ I was able to watch the Villa goal several times at the weekend; Fellaini is in the vicinity but just doesn't seem bothered. I keep hoping he will come good but I don't think he ever will.
Jonathan Tasker, Posted 02/11/2009 at 10:12:38
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Jonathan
I bet you werent complaining last season when he was our joint leading scorer helping us to limp to 5th.
The problem this year is there is no settled side or pattern of play and I guess he’s not used to playing in different positions.
Nobody covers more distance than him over 90 mins but I do agree he’s a bit lethargic covering back.
We need to start playing to his strengths and I believe the only time we can judge him is when the team is playing well.
Also as Michael has pointed out they were only asking 15 million euros for him so how we are supposed to have paid £15 million is nonsense.
Romour has it that it was £2.5 million down and the rest on the drip.
IMO the price doesnt matter he will get better during the season and I’m sure will win the fans back over.
I bet you werent complaining last season when he was our joint leading scorer helping us to limp to 5th.
The problem this year is there is no settled side or pattern of play and I guess he’s not used to playing in different positions.
Nobody covers more distance than him over 90 mins but I do agree he’s a bit lethargic covering back.
We need to start playing to his strengths and I believe the only time we can judge him is when the team is playing well.
Also as Michael has pointed out they were only asking 15 million euros for him so how we are supposed to have paid £15 million is nonsense.
Romour has it that it was £2.5 million down and the rest on the drip.
IMO the price doesnt matter he will get better during the season and I’m sure will win the fans back over.
Hes not a bad player but he aint suited to the role Moyes is expecting him to play. You can’t expect a guy of that size and frame to look any good if hes running his arse off all over the pitch (which is what Moyes’s whole philosophy). Fergie doesnt expect it from Carrick. Redknapp doesnt expect it from Huddlestone. They are slightly different types of players but Fellaini would be best suited to just sitting in front of the back 4 and playing it simple and making sure we kept possesion. He controls the ball quickly (usually) and is quite a neat and tidy player when his confidence is up.
Fellaini proves that Moyes often buys round pegs to fit in square holes if you ask me. I wouldnt have wasted even 5 million on Fellaini but as Michael has pointed out I think it was a last minute make do and hope the fans stop moaning buy.
Fellaini proves that Moyes often buys round pegs to fit in square holes if you ask me. I wouldnt have wasted even 5 million on Fellaini but as Michael has pointed out I think it was a last minute make do and hope the fans stop moaning buy.
Hes crap!!!! End of story!!
Jonathan,
I said the exact same thing as yourself in the post-match thread after the Villa game. The lad just doesn’t impress me. It doesn’t matter what he cost, I just feel that the guy is an average player at the end of the day.
Jay,
Yes we weren’t complaining when he scored a few goals last season but I think the goals simply glossed over the fact that he is average to say the least.
I also mentioned on Saturday that Tim Cahill’s game has really suffered since Fellaini’s arrival. Tim has made his name as an attacking midfielder supporting the front man and is far more dangerous than Fellaini in that role. Now he’s playing all across the midfield and as a result has no real effect on the games anymore. Can't remember the last time he ’assaulted’ a cornerflag!!
I said the exact same thing as yourself in the post-match thread after the Villa game. The lad just doesn’t impress me. It doesn’t matter what he cost, I just feel that the guy is an average player at the end of the day.
Jay,
Yes we weren’t complaining when he scored a few goals last season but I think the goals simply glossed over the fact that he is average to say the least.
I also mentioned on Saturday that Tim Cahill’s game has really suffered since Fellaini’s arrival. Tim has made his name as an attacking midfielder supporting the front man and is far more dangerous than Fellaini in that role. Now he’s playing all across the midfield and as a result has no real effect on the games anymore. Can't remember the last time he ’assaulted’ a cornerflag!!
Sorry, Gents, but I think you're all wrong, I think Fellaini is and will be a great player for us. He covers more ground than anyone and has had to operate in a midfield carrying Tim Cahill all season. He creates chances, is neat and tidy with his footwork and is involved for the 90 minutes. He scores goals and is a young man in a still relatively new country.
In years to come he will dominate the midfield together with Jack Rodwell. Get off his back, it's not his fault Moyes bought a promising midfielder and threw him in to the team and then played him out of position.
Fellaini is a star and I will bet before long someone from the likes of Madrid or the Arse will attempt to sign him — that's how high I rate him.
I think Fellaini is very deceptive. He is slower than what people think !
It’s all a game of opinions! I was at the Villa game and agree that Fellaini wasn’t outstanding, but I thought he played well overall, he’s generally been pretty good since we’ve had him and I think he has more than enough potential to be a really really top player for us.
We don’t have ANY pace in our team really, but this was explained (for me anyway) in Fellaini’s case by a recent post on The People’s Forum where it was pointed out that Fellaini was an accomplished middle-distance runner in his early teens, which apparently conditions the body in such a way that no matter how much sprint work you do, you’re never going to be able to convert to be a sprinter (hey - it sounded plausible to me anyway !)
The price tag (in whatever currency!) is largely irrelevant to me anyway - I just look at the player and whether he is talented enough to improve us and whether he is putting the effort in - a resounding Yes in both cases for me regarding Fellaini.
We don’t have ANY pace in our team really, but this was explained (for me anyway) in Fellaini’s case by a recent post on The People’s Forum where it was pointed out that Fellaini was an accomplished middle-distance runner in his early teens, which apparently conditions the body in such a way that no matter how much sprint work you do, you’re never going to be able to convert to be a sprinter (hey - it sounded plausible to me anyway !)
The price tag (in whatever currency!) is largely irrelevant to me anyway - I just look at the player and whether he is talented enough to improve us and whether he is putting the effort in - a resounding Yes in both cases for me regarding Fellaini.
So a 21-year-old midfielder moves to a new country, scores 8 goals in 28 appearances and helps guide the side to 5th in the Premiership and an FA Cup final. In the first 11 games of his second season - after a nasty illness in the summer - he scores a few more goals including a wonder strike against Bolton.
Yet this site is full of people saying he’s a waste of money, "crap" and every other insult under the sun. The fact is, he’s tall and gangly and that means he doesn’t run with particular grace. But he’s incredibly effective - and I’m certain he’ll be one of our most important players again this season.
Yet this site is full of people saying he’s a waste of money, "crap" and every other insult under the sun. The fact is, he’s tall and gangly and that means he doesn’t run with particular grace. But he’s incredibly effective - and I’m certain he’ll be one of our most important players again this season.
Football Fans are so Fickle ... I remember uproar on here when David Moyes didn’t substitute him at half time at home against Hull when we were cruising 2-0. Fellaini subsequently got a yellow card (his tenth of that season) and missed the two away derbies. People on here were livid calling Moyes a bad manager for risking Fellaini as they thought Fellaini was integral to us being successful over the enemy. First sign of his second season syndrome for him and fans have turned already despite his summer virus and playing with infected wisdom teeth and in about 4 positions in a short Everton career (DM, CM, AM, FWD.)
I rate Fellaini, I think he’s a really good ball player when it’s played on the deck and has potential for simple passes and killer passes. He links play well left to right and back to front with the ball and when he’s not in possession is always 10 - 20 yards away from the person on the ball. He never hides from wanting the ball and is always willing to take it, even when he’s having a bad game, (I do realise its hard for him to hide with his OJ Simpson in naked gun haircut.) This comparison of a Carrick, Huddlestone role is a good one, not necessarily their teams’ star midfielder but often integral in keeping things ticking over and keeping possession. His goals are a plus point as well. I remember him crying at Wembley as well down the tunnel so I’m glad we haven’t got a typical Johnny Foreigner who isn’t arsed, he also proved commitment on the last international fixtures fucking the Wednesday game off so he’d be fit for the weekend game for us.
His negatives are there to see as well, last season’s stupid fouls (although without them this season he has lost that bit of bite he had, I’d rather have that bite back personally) His languid style appears as if he isn’t bothered. Having him in the team does neutralise the threat of Cahill although if all midfielders were fit I don’t know if Cahill would be a certain starter anyway. There is a tendency to hit it long with him because of his height and aerial ability. He is typical young player - very inconsistent; brilliant one week, frustrating the next. He tends not to track back (It took Moyes about 3 years to knock this out of Arteta and Pienaar about a year and a half - Moyes will sort this with Fellaini I’m sure!)
Whether you’re a fan or not of him, we need to get behind the lads at the minute, its back to the walls time with the season threatening to go either way at such an early stage. COYB!
I rate Fellaini, I think he’s a really good ball player when it’s played on the deck and has potential for simple passes and killer passes. He links play well left to right and back to front with the ball and when he’s not in possession is always 10 - 20 yards away from the person on the ball. He never hides from wanting the ball and is always willing to take it, even when he’s having a bad game, (I do realise its hard for him to hide with his OJ Simpson in naked gun haircut.) This comparison of a Carrick, Huddlestone role is a good one, not necessarily their teams’ star midfielder but often integral in keeping things ticking over and keeping possession. His goals are a plus point as well. I remember him crying at Wembley as well down the tunnel so I’m glad we haven’t got a typical Johnny Foreigner who isn’t arsed, he also proved commitment on the last international fixtures fucking the Wednesday game off so he’d be fit for the weekend game for us.
His negatives are there to see as well, last season’s stupid fouls (although without them this season he has lost that bit of bite he had, I’d rather have that bite back personally) His languid style appears as if he isn’t bothered. Having him in the team does neutralise the threat of Cahill although if all midfielders were fit I don’t know if Cahill would be a certain starter anyway. There is a tendency to hit it long with him because of his height and aerial ability. He is typical young player - very inconsistent; brilliant one week, frustrating the next. He tends not to track back (It took Moyes about 3 years to knock this out of Arteta and Pienaar about a year and a half - Moyes will sort this with Fellaini I’m sure!)
Whether you’re a fan or not of him, we need to get behind the lads at the minute, its back to the walls time with the season threatening to go either way at such an early stage. COYB!
Like you Jonathon I watch most games on TV these days but am sometimes amazed by the flack Felliani gets. There’s a few games recently where I thought he had a pretty good game and yet reading on here the following day he is slated. I think it was against Wolves when he picked out a near perfect ball through to Saha I think which should have been a goal, but got know credit.
I think people will always love him or hate him, it is worth bearing in mind though he is still only 21/22 so will get better also like others have said he was joint top scorer for last year which for a 1st season in the prem ain’t bad. The 15m price tag wasn’t his fault either it was up to us to pay it.
Lastly I think Moyes has suggested on the official site that he would ideally not have both him and Cahill in the same side and use as an either or, if we had that luxory i’m sure we would start to see more from both
I think people will always love him or hate him, it is worth bearing in mind though he is still only 21/22 so will get better also like others have said he was joint top scorer for last year which for a 1st season in the prem ain’t bad. The 15m price tag wasn’t his fault either it was up to us to pay it.
Lastly I think Moyes has suggested on the official site that he would ideally not have both him and Cahill in the same side and use as an either or, if we had that luxory i’m sure we would start to see more from both
Yeah, he’s just really crap, deceptively so (even more crap than he seems). I mean, the first touch bringing that long ball down at Bolton, was that crap pr what, and as for the feint and then smashing the ball in the net, I mean, just how crap or jammy does he need to get before people can see it?
And as for those goals last season, leading scorer, played out of position, still only a kid, bad back injury as well, come on boys, this kid is shite. I mean, aside from his work rate, goals, skill and endeavour, what has he ever done for us?
And as for those goals last season, leading scorer, played out of position, still only a kid, bad back injury as well, come on boys, this kid is shite. I mean, aside from his work rate, goals, skill and endeavour, what has he ever done for us?
Is your claret corked this evening Alan? Straight to the point today?
I think he’s pretty good.
Good player, getting better, the Sky’s the limit. He’ll prove the doubters wrong.
Some of our fans though:
Bad support, getting worse, how low can you go?
’’ He’s crap!!!! End of Story!!!!’’ WTF?He’s 21, a regular international player, scores goals, rarely gives the ball away and keeps calm under pressure. Start SUPPORTING the lad.... that’s our job.
Some of our fans though:
Bad support, getting worse, how low can you go?
’’ He’s crap!!!! End of Story!!!!’’ WTF?He’s 21, a regular international player, scores goals, rarely gives the ball away and keeps calm under pressure. Start SUPPORTING the lad.... that’s our job.
He is a bit of an enigma , isn’t he ? Our ’ Marmite ’ player , He definitely has skill and a good range of passes and crosses , is dangerous in the penalty area and has a decent shot but he also has a habit of losing the ball in some dangerous places and he really lacks pace and this , on top of the probably wrongly reported fee paid for him and the fact many choose to ignore his age and inexperience of Premier League football all combine to add fuel to his critics arguments .. I might add that very few of our players have covered themselves in glory this season , understandably due to not having a settled side or system .. I think we need to cut him some slack for a while longer , I’m hoping he does come good but even if his only contribution this season is 10 goals , highly possible , then I think he’s worth sticking with and watching him develop
I think one of the problems with Fellaini is that most of us first saw him playing for Liege againt the RS in the Champions League qualifier when he seemed all action and played brilliantly in both games. On that display and given his size he looked like he could be the new Vieira. I certainly haven’t seen him play like that since we signed him. I’m not sure if its the pace of the Premiership or the fact that he is playing further forward but he seems a lot slower than he looked in those games. Or maybe we just shouldn’t sign players who look good against the RS.
Still feeling the unpleasant after effects of flu Gavin. I could strangle a claret, but sadly still a few days away.
Leave the lad alone! :)
Leave the lad alone! :)
Karl,
Excellent response.
Good man
Excellent response.
Good man
Cheer up fellas, I told my wife that when I left this mortal coil that when I go I want to be making love to her. The cheeky bint said well at least it’ll be quick. FTRS
I have been a fan and argue his cause every week with my mates at games but I am admitting defeat of late, just watch his half arsed slow reaction to Villas goal and this is happening far too often.
I think he has a superb first touch and still hold hope for him but the simple fact the balance of our team has suffered and Cahill is far better than him just behind the front man.
Sadly I dont think we will reap the benefits until Cahill leaves.
By that I mean he will have one position only to work on, not the one he was bought to do though.
I think Fellaini is one of our best attacking players (I do agree he needs to work on his defensive play, which isn’t a problem as he is 21).
He isn’t playing well because he is playing in midfield with other players that do not have the same level technical skill as him, for example Tim Cahill, scorer he can be, passer of the ball he isn’t. Captain Pip, defensive player he is brilliant at, expansive playing creative force he isn’t. Osman, gifted on the ball, but loses posession so much it is annoying. with Pienaar, Bily and Arteta along side him we will see a great player come forward.
Arsene Wenger nearly sold Fabregas to Barcelona the season we bought Fellaini. He has stated on the record that he would have seriously looked at Fellaini. Now, Arsene knows what a footballer is!!
He isn’t playing well because he is playing in midfield with other players that do not have the same level technical skill as him, for example Tim Cahill, scorer he can be, passer of the ball he isn’t. Captain Pip, defensive player he is brilliant at, expansive playing creative force he isn’t. Osman, gifted on the ball, but loses posession so much it is annoying. with Pienaar, Bily and Arteta along side him we will see a great player come forward.
Arsene Wenger nearly sold Fabregas to Barcelona the season we bought Fellaini. He has stated on the record that he would have seriously looked at Fellaini. Now, Arsene knows what a footballer is!!
I’ve grown tired of some of the comments relating to Fellaini to be honest. The clincher for me was the recent away game at Spurs. A guy behind me berated him for most of the game. At one point he jumped to his feet and screamed "You fuckin' twat, Fellaini, you’ve given it away again" only problem was it was actually Rodwell who’d given the ball away as he had done for much of the game.
It's hard to be too critical of fans like these they are after all strikingly similar in appearance. What with Fellaini’s afro and Jack's number 1 cut. I guess it's a mistake any of us could make.
Personally, I thought we were poor against Spurs with a lot of players running on empty. Fellaini was one of our better players on the night. Yet when I read the post match comments by some I was left wondering if these people had even watched the game or if like the guy behind me they are simply blinded by hatred.
He’s actually one of our best footballers, playing in a team that lacks the ability to play football.
At Standard, he had the likes of Defour to supply, look for and do the legwork. He controlled the middle of the park and joined in with attack and defence as a box to box player.
For Everton, he’s expected to dash around, disrupt play, get a head on long smashes forward and arrive late in the box.
It’s a completely different game for him. If anything, blame Moyes or the injuries to Arteta - as well as the much more lamentable Tim Cahill, who has been dreadful this season.
What’s Fellaini supposed to do? Turn water into wine? Because to be effective in this Everton side, he’d need to be a six foot foor Messi.
At Standard, he had the likes of Defour to supply, look for and do the legwork. He controlled the middle of the park and joined in with attack and defence as a box to box player.
For Everton, he’s expected to dash around, disrupt play, get a head on long smashes forward and arrive late in the box.
It’s a completely different game for him. If anything, blame Moyes or the injuries to Arteta - as well as the much more lamentable Tim Cahill, who has been dreadful this season.
What’s Fellaini supposed to do? Turn water into wine? Because to be effective in this Everton side, he’d need to be a six foot foor Messi.
I was at the villa game and he seems to have been told to hold him self back it can be the only excuse for letting a player 2 yards away bring a ball down and walk passed him without so much as putting a foot in he also seems unable to get his feet off the floor when going up for a header. I would like to see him putting it about abit like last season. On the plus points Jonny H and Lucus Neill both looked really solid.
Michael Jennings - spot on mate. I completely forgot about that last season when Moyes didn’t substitue him and he missed the two derbies because he collected another booking. He’d already had a warning off the ref and he also got away with an elbow in a defenders face and still Moyes left him and he did eventually get booked. There were a lot fans, myself included that were pissed off with Moyes about this.
He’s the first midfielder on the teamsheet at the moment. All these Fellaini bashers seem to be giving Cahill a wide berth for his lack of performance in midfield saying he’s tired, needs a rest, blah blah blah. Whereas Fellaini has had a serious illness in which he lost a lot of weight plus has beeen on anitbiotics for 3 months because of his wisdom teeth/infection. There are people that sit near me waiting to slag him off. They’re often up to shout before the ball has even got to him.
He’s the first midfielder on the teamsheet at the moment. All these Fellaini bashers seem to be giving Cahill a wide berth for his lack of performance in midfield saying he’s tired, needs a rest, blah blah blah. Whereas Fellaini has had a serious illness in which he lost a lot of weight plus has beeen on anitbiotics for 3 months because of his wisdom teeth/infection. There are people that sit near me waiting to slag him off. They’re often up to shout before the ball has even got to him.
Sorry but it drives me mad when people say he is playing poorly because he doesn’t have the players around him!
Rubbish!
Was it because Arteta wasn’t playing that he gave the ball away twice on the edge of the area against Benfica?
Is it because Jags isn’t there that he isn’t using his size and out muscling players?
He’s painfully slow, doesn’t look at all committed to the cause and is uttlerly frustrating.
He has all the natural ingredients to be a very good player. Size, technique, youth... but yet we consistantly see misplaced passes and... oh I give up.
Rubbish!
Was it because Arteta wasn’t playing that he gave the ball away twice on the edge of the area against Benfica?
Is it because Jags isn’t there that he isn’t using his size and out muscling players?
He’s painfully slow, doesn’t look at all committed to the cause and is uttlerly frustrating.
He has all the natural ingredients to be a very good player. Size, technique, youth... but yet we consistantly see misplaced passes and... oh I give up.
’What’s the harm in embellishing the price a little if it makes them feel big money was finally spent? ’
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Is this a serious comment?
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Is this a serious comment?
’What’s the harm in embellishing the price a little if it makes them feel big money was finally spent? ’
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Is this a serious comment?
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Is this a serious comment?
Jonathan
It is important for players to have other good players around them. Fella always demands the ball often in tight situations. This is vital if we are to play the ball through the midfield. The problem is when there are no others around him demanding the ball of him. When Pienaar is playing he has that. Against AEK he had Billy, Pienaar, and Osman. In the future Arteta.
It is important for players to have other good players around them. Fella always demands the ball often in tight situations. This is vital if we are to play the ball through the midfield. The problem is when there are no others around him demanding the ball of him. When Pienaar is playing he has that. Against AEK he had Billy, Pienaar, and Osman. In the future Arteta.
At present, he receives the ball and has few if any options. He won’t just get rid like lesser players but waits for an option and sometimes gets caught in posession. Cue the moans from those who can’t wait for him to fail.
We will see the best of him when we have a midfield of Rodwell, Arteta, Pienaar, Bily and Fella. I think then we will be second only to Arsenal for playing good football on the ground.
Michael, I notice that once again you are very quick to point out that Fellaini cost 15M Euros not Pounds. It is interesting that the OS states clearly in the transfers section that he cost £15M! Either way, it looks far too much to me.
He’s tall.
That’s it.
There isn’t much else to his game.
Poor technique, can’t pass, can’t tackle, elbows always flying, and unconvincing as a midfielder or a forward.
Moyes needed ’stature’, so he bought the stature, but frig all else...
That’s it.
There isn’t much else to his game.
Poor technique, can’t pass, can’t tackle, elbows always flying, and unconvincing as a midfielder or a forward.
Moyes needed ’stature’, so he bought the stature, but frig all else...
Baz, are you seriously going to suggest that he can’t pass? He is one of the more technically astute players in the team, as Graeme says he always wants the ball, the problem is when he gets it no-one else seems to want it off him so he either has to pass it back or sideways or try and dribble it onwards, which is obviously the more risky solution and he does lose the ball a lot but so does Pienaar, at least they are trying.
I've still yet to see what potential Fellaini can achieve, I just don't see it. Peter Crouch for a tall man is gifted and has skill but for the most part Fellaini just seems to be the type of player that had a presence about him but that's all there seems to be. He has scored and some say he ’can’ pass but I dont think he ever will have the vision to play killer balls like the midfielder we all wish we had signed... Manny!!!
Rob Jones, regarding Fellaini’s price, I think Lyndon looked into this and confirmed that the price quoted at the time of his purchase, was €15M (around £11.9M), but that lazy journalism or whatever meant people flashing around the £15M figure pretty quickly. And like these things do, it seems to have assumed the stature of "common knowledge".
I remain convinced that he actually cost nowhere near this much, that the purchase of this relative unknown "who Moyes had been tracking for two years" or whatever, right at the death of close of the 2008 summer transfer window was turned into a self-serving publicity stunt by the club, who had promised us so much more.
Fellaini became the Big-Money purchase we’d all been promised... when all the others fell through. So of course it was imperative that he had been purchased for Big Money. And the club more than anyone has happily bought into this deception.
What better than to have people say he cost £15M rather than €15M? — That’s even more Big Money!
I remain convinced that he actually cost nowhere near this much, that the purchase of this relative unknown "who Moyes had been tracking for two years" or whatever, right at the death of close of the 2008 summer transfer window was turned into a self-serving publicity stunt by the club, who had promised us so much more.
Fellaini became the Big-Money purchase we’d all been promised... when all the others fell through. So of course it was imperative that he had been purchased for Big Money. And the club more than anyone has happily bought into this deception.
What better than to have people say he cost £15M rather than €15M? — That’s even more Big Money!
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Other than that, pretty much spot-on. His style is 'deceptive' to say the least... languid. But he can make some great passes.... and of course the odd goal now and again.