The Mail Bag
Rodwell, The World Cup and becoming Rooney II
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If current press are to be believed, Jack Rodwell has a long list of admirers. The usual Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal but now City too.
I'm really concerned a call up to the England World Cup squad will trigger a similar chain of events which saw Rooney (at Euro 2004) and his agents engineer a big money transfer. Given our pathetic commercial and financial predicament, once again we will be powerless. Really depresses me just thinking about it.
I know he's currently committed to EFC but how long before he gets whispers in his ears from Rooney and Co? How big a platform is the World Cup and how will he feel about playing for a club who can't afford to buy before they sell? It would mean in just over five years we have produced and lost two WORLD CLASS youngsters.
Lessons learnt? Progress made? Or just another summer in the circus called Everton FC
Phil Martin, Posted 04/11/2009 at 08:52:30
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I think that we are all getting carried away with Rodwell. He is not yet good enought to be going to the World Cup. If he performs considerably better in the next 5 months than he has lately then he may warrant a shout.
I certainly don't rate him the same way Rooney was rated at the Euros when his head got turned.
I certainly don't rate him the same way Rooney was rated at the Euros when his head got turned.
Whhhoooaaaaah there Phil... let's not get ahead of ourselves....
Jack is a good footballer, and potentially the best we have, but at this moment in time, he is not world class, and I would hasten to add I personally don’t think he is close to getting an England call up, if that comes I reckon it will be next season at the earliest. I don’t even think he is in Capello’s thinking at all in terms of the World Cup either...
And the fact we got around £30M from the Shrek deal only served to save us, if the stories are true, from a similar style of fall from grace as Leeds.
I still believe JR will be with us in the next 3 - 4 years. and lets not forget, rumours mean fuck all nothing... until he is sat on some other clubs website wearing their shirt with a tippex smile, then he is ours to sell and thats that. (Call me naive if you wish!)
Jack is a good footballer, and potentially the best we have, but at this moment in time, he is not world class, and I would hasten to add I personally don’t think he is close to getting an England call up, if that comes I reckon it will be next season at the earliest. I don’t even think he is in Capello’s thinking at all in terms of the World Cup either...
And the fact we got around £30M from the Shrek deal only served to save us, if the stories are true, from a similar style of fall from grace as Leeds.
I still believe JR will be with us in the next 3 - 4 years. and lets not forget, rumours mean fuck all nothing... until he is sat on some other clubs website wearing their shirt with a tippex smile, then he is ours to sell and thats that. (Call me naive if you wish!)
Let's hope if he does become a player that Utd etc would be interested in that we get a price befitting his talent — not the peanuts we got for Rooney! Rodwell does look class from what I've seen of him.
Different players in different positions... but Rodwell's ability is sky high. Just listen to some of the quotes Moyes and some of the coaching staff have said about him.
At 18/19 was Steven Gerrard this good? No, he wasn’t in fact he generally played right back until his very early 20s.
I don’t think we have anything to fear this season. He is a good player comfortable with the ball but will not be anywhere near the England Squad come the World Cup.
Also, I said World Class youngster. Not in the defintion of a Messi or Ronaldo. But as one of a handful of emerging young players who have the potential to be world class.
Rooney, while amazingly gifted, was never truly world class at EFC. He has developed (with experience) into that category though. Rodwell, I believe, will do the same... unfortunately I’m sure SAF, Hughes and Co also know this.
Rooney, while amazingly gifted, was never truly world class at EFC. He has developed (with experience) into that category though. Rodwell, I believe, will do the same... unfortunately I’m sure SAF, Hughes and Co also know this.
There is a massive difference between Rooney and Rodwell. At 16 Rooney was already Everton's best player, at 17 he was England's best player. England were also short of quality upfront.
Rodwell is 18 and not even in Everton's best 5 players. There is no way he will make the England squad for the World Cup, the depth and quality of England's midfield is too strong.
Rodwell is 18 and not even in Everton's best 5 players. There is no way he will make the England squad for the World Cup, the depth and quality of England's midfield is too strong.
Ian’s hit the nail on the head. In the centre of England’s midfield you have to choose Lampard, Gerrard, Barry, Carrick, Joe Cole, Hargreaves, all of whom are much more developed than our Jack. He simply won’t be ready now for the World Cup. Euro 2012 is a decent shout though.
The thing I cant understand is that people are saying he is a future centre-half.
Having seen him play there once, it was enough to convince me he is NOT a CH. No doubt the lad is talented but I disagree with Phil.
Rooney was world class at the age of 9 never mind after he left EFC. By comparison, Rodwell is one of a handful of useful young lads coming through the England ranks but will never be a naturally talented as Rooney.
Having seen him play there once, it was enough to convince me he is NOT a CH. No doubt the lad is talented but I disagree with Phil.
Rooney was world class at the age of 9 never mind after he left EFC. By comparison, Rodwell is one of a handful of useful young lads coming through the England ranks but will never be a naturally talented as Rooney.
I paid nearly £400 for 2 new tyres on my BMW the other day. I’m already wondering how I’m going to pay for the other two even though they have 20,000 miles in them, and of course what about the Gas Bill in 2015 or the Phone Bill in 2017???
This post is pointless. We have far too much to worry about in the meantime like winning some matches and getting our season back on track. I’m convinced some people are not happy unless they are worrying themselves silly over anything they can think of.
This post is pointless. We have far too much to worry about in the meantime like winning some matches and getting our season back on track. I’m convinced some people are not happy unless they are worrying themselves silly over anything they can think of.
Jay is quite right — Rooney was already ’the saviour of English football’ as the press liked to call him, as an Everton player. Whether he has gone on to be a truly ’world class’ player can be questioned.
The MUFC myth machine has its own way of presenting what they do to the world. Ronaldo was bought at 18 for about £12m, partly because he could turn a game with free ficks and headers. Headers? For a little lad (as he was always presented)? He’s about 3 inches taller than Tim Cahill, less than an inch shorter than Jack Rodwell, generally regarded as a ’big’ player.
Speaking of whom — of course he will be tapped up if he keeps getting better. Perhaps we do need some benefactor to come from the Middle East, Russia or somewhere with people with bottomless pockets, or money to launder, to say keep him at any cost. We will have to wait and see.
The MUFC myth machine has its own way of presenting what they do to the world. Ronaldo was bought at 18 for about £12m, partly because he could turn a game with free ficks and headers. Headers? For a little lad (as he was always presented)? He’s about 3 inches taller than Tim Cahill, less than an inch shorter than Jack Rodwell, generally regarded as a ’big’ player.
Speaking of whom — of course he will be tapped up if he keeps getting better. Perhaps we do need some benefactor to come from the Middle East, Russia or somewhere with people with bottomless pockets, or money to launder, to say keep him at any cost. We will have to wait and see.
In the last few games, he is has been exposed as a pretty average player in all honesty. If the team is playing well, it can make him look more efficient. But when we are not playing well, he does not have the ability to conjure up any magic to change the game. Rooney had the ability to win matches by himself.
When Arteta comes back, Jack won't even be in the side. He needs to develop his game a lot more before he can even be considered a world class player. Right now, he is nowhere near.
But, going back to the original point, unless Everton are fighting for the title or playing regularly in the CL, if the big boys come knocking, there is no chance of keeping him. The same applies to all players at the club, not just Rodwell.
When Arteta comes back, Jack won't even be in the side. He needs to develop his game a lot more before he can even be considered a world class player. Right now, he is nowhere near.
But, going back to the original point, unless Everton are fighting for the title or playing regularly in the CL, if the big boys come knocking, there is no chance of keeping him. The same applies to all players at the club, not just Rodwell.
200 quid a tyre... what the fuck are you driving, Karl.... a McClaren tuned M5?
To those who say the kid isn’t one of our top five players. Obviously you never saw how good he was against the RS, Villa and United. And this was at 17/18. For me his confidence has dropped. 1) due to the players around him, and 2) perhaps because when he was on top form he should have started in the Cup Final but our darling manager decided he wasn’t good enough for that game, despite dominating in the big games.
Not may people are as naturally talented as Rooney but to say Rodwell has been exposed as average in last few games is a joke. He will be world class in a couple of years and already is superb. He’s not good enough for the World Cup squad yet but I think other clubs already sniffing around.
James, Moyes had planned to start Rodwell in the final but instead on the day of the final decided to start Saha because he had been so sharp in training and he scored in the 1st few seconds so it might have been considerd a good call we wont know how different the game might have been had Rodwell started but i doubt either way that we would have won the game..
You mention 3 games were Rodwell played well but where has he been for the other 30+ games? You mention the RS game but we were playing against 10 men when he came on for the last 20 mins, The Villa game the whole team played well that day and Arteta was at the peak of his powers making everyone look twice as good as they realy are.
I understand he is a young player and he will be inconsistant but most of the time he has been quite and gone missing. I can count his good games for Everton in the league on one hand, the rest have been for England under 21s against 3rd word countries.
When were these so called big games that he supposedly dominated?
You mention 3 games were Rodwell played well but where has he been for the other 30+ games? You mention the RS game but we were playing against 10 men when he came on for the last 20 mins, The Villa game the whole team played well that day and Arteta was at the peak of his powers making everyone look twice as good as they realy are.
I understand he is a young player and he will be inconsistant but most of the time he has been quite and gone missing. I can count his good games for Everton in the league on one hand, the rest have been for England under 21s against 3rd word countries.
When were these so called big games that he supposedly dominated?
Peter, can you please back up your point, and let me know exactly what he has provided us this season? I really don't remember any game where he has stood out, or even been man of the match....
Im with Dan Brierley on this one, yeah he has looked a solid enough player in a few games, but I cant think of too much contribution from him this season, and he has been on the pitch every game. He either goes missing completely or just does things that anybody could do like pass it 5 yards either side of him. Im yet to see this world star that has been likened to Beckenbauer on here!!! There has been talk of £30 million - bite their hands off in my opinon, and I dont think for 1 second that he will be anywhere near the England team come the world cup. He will be lucky if he is in the Everton one once Arteta and Neville are back.
Ian while making the right decision in starting Saha in the final Moyes went and undid that by taking him off when we were chasing the game. Rodwell should have started infront of Osman as far as I was concerned with Neville defending the right just as he did against Villa.
When Rodwell came on in semi he dominated Scholes. I don’t recall our supposed best player Arteta ever doing that. Also despite Osman scoring both goals against Fulham on final day Rodwell was the 1 who dominated. The 1st month of the season Rodwell was the 1 player who was doing something worthwhile while the rest were shite (Pienaar and Saha aside). Also when he 1st started for Everton at 17 his quality was there for all to tell despite being thrown in at the deep end. I also recall him playing rather well at the Emirates just a few months later. Towards the end of the season he was our best player. It certainly doesn’t help when he has that shower of shite next to him in Fellaini. Rodders is on another planet.
The 1 time to make the most of how well he playing was by playing him in the Final but Moyes failed here. It is not to say we would have won but I just maintain that it was the time to play the kid,
Even when all are fit he should be in the side.
When Rodwell came on in semi he dominated Scholes. I don’t recall our supposed best player Arteta ever doing that. Also despite Osman scoring both goals against Fulham on final day Rodwell was the 1 who dominated. The 1st month of the season Rodwell was the 1 player who was doing something worthwhile while the rest were shite (Pienaar and Saha aside). Also when he 1st started for Everton at 17 his quality was there for all to tell despite being thrown in at the deep end. I also recall him playing rather well at the Emirates just a few months later. Towards the end of the season he was our best player. It certainly doesn’t help when he has that shower of shite next to him in Fellaini. Rodders is on another planet.
The 1 time to make the most of how well he playing was by playing him in the Final but Moyes failed here. It is not to say we would have won but I just maintain that it was the time to play the kid,
Even when all are fit he should be in the side.
Come off it James, that semi fianl was Man U reserves, Scholes may have a big reputation but he is well past his best and Man U were still clearly the better side, i dont even remember Rodwell playing in that game thats how good he was, i remember us getting it out of our own half once though....
Although i do agree with you that i would have started Rodwell over Osmen, but from Moyes point of view Osmen has a lot more experience and perhaps deserved his moment to play in a final for his contribution over the last 6 or 7 seasons, Rodwell will have plenty of time to reach another final.
Also why play a 17/18 year old out of position against the strongest team in Europe at the time. The experience could have destroyed his confidence for a long time if he was destroyed on that right hand side the way Osmen and Hibbert were embarrassed that day by Cole and Malouda. Moyes would have been crucified.
I think you must be wearing rose tinted spectacles because i dont remember any of these great performances and as for Fellaini Rodwell has been no better or worse, both have been inconsistant, one game playing poorly the next average and once in a blue moon playing well. Rodwell’s performace would improve greatly playing next to Arteta but so would Fellaini’s, infact Fellaini just edges it for me over the past 4 months. I would also say Fellaini was our MOM in the cup final and remember what a disaster it was to everyone when he got booked against Hull and couldnt play against Liverpool, Moyes took a lot of stick for that.
Although i do agree with you that i would have started Rodwell over Osmen, but from Moyes point of view Osmen has a lot more experience and perhaps deserved his moment to play in a final for his contribution over the last 6 or 7 seasons, Rodwell will have plenty of time to reach another final.
Also why play a 17/18 year old out of position against the strongest team in Europe at the time. The experience could have destroyed his confidence for a long time if he was destroyed on that right hand side the way Osmen and Hibbert were embarrassed that day by Cole and Malouda. Moyes would have been crucified.
I think you must be wearing rose tinted spectacles because i dont remember any of these great performances and as for Fellaini Rodwell has been no better or worse, both have been inconsistant, one game playing poorly the next average and once in a blue moon playing well. Rodwell’s performace would improve greatly playing next to Arteta but so would Fellaini’s, infact Fellaini just edges it for me over the past 4 months. I would also say Fellaini was our MOM in the cup final and remember what a disaster it was to everyone when he got booked against Hull and couldnt play against Liverpool, Moyes took a lot of stick for that.
No sorry Ian you are wearing rose tinted spectacles. Rodwell most definitely was our best player in semi and we hardly had our strongest line up now did we? And the difference was they had a choice we never. And I clearly said that Neville should have played on right of midfield like he did against Villa with Rodwell in the Centre. Fellaini was rightfully kept out of the side by Rodwell in the winter of this year albeit only for a few games.
I don’t know whether you are just saying this to defend Moyes decision for not picking him when all are fully fit. Your opinion but in my opinion the guy should definitely be in the side.
I don’t know whether you are just saying this to defend Moyes decision for not picking him when all are fully fit. Your opinion but in my opinion the guy should definitely be in the side.
Typical Rodwell performance tonight, virtualy invisable, 1 good tackle, 1 good turn out of danger then sloppily give the ball away twice, hardly any closing down.
Fellaini on the other hand has been everywhere and involved in everything, tracking back, getting forward winning flick ons. 1 sloppy pass i can think of all game.
Personaly from what i can remember about the semi final piennar was by far our best player.
Fellaini was playing poorly and rightly so kept out the side, but he was suffering from a virus and then had a problem with his wisdom teeth he also had back problems last season, so whats Rodwells excuse for his poor performances?
Fellaini on the other hand has been everywhere and involved in everything, tracking back, getting forward winning flick ons. 1 sloppy pass i can think of all game.
Personaly from what i can remember about the semi final piennar was by far our best player.
Fellaini was playing poorly and rightly so kept out the side, but he was suffering from a virus and then had a problem with his wisdom teeth he also had back problems last season, so whats Rodwells excuse for his poor performances?
No sorry Ian I cannot accept that all. I thought Rodwell was our best player. I also thought Fellaini had a good game.
I don’t know whether you are just being stubborn to defend your arguement.
I don’t know whether you are just being stubborn to defend your arguement.
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1 Posted 04/11/2009 at 16:26:48
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He’s a hell of a long way to develop before getting anywhere near Rooney’s natural talent and unlike Rooney he’ll have to work at it...
As for our club’s predicament... yes, of course we are vulnerable to big money offers — and our heirachy are clearly capable of bullshitting fans into thinking it was all the players making...
But let's cross that bridge when we come to it...