The Mail Bag

Rodwell?

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Can anyone tell me what he does? I'm fed up of people telling me how good a player he is. I know he's young but I see fuck all in him at all. He can't head the ball, tackle, defend... and half his passes find the other team. Any answers?
John Hanlon, Liverpool     Posted 08/11/2009 at 09:45:35

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Ian Tunstead
1   Posted 08/11/2009 at 14:44:27

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I have thought exactly the same for a long time but as he is a young lad and still developing his game i feel it is harsh to get on his back especially in the circumstances with out the quality of Arteta next to him or the experience of Neville.

No doubt he has massive potential and shows real moments of class but most of the time he has looked out of his depth. Far too often he doesnt track back or close people down, he looks as though he is hiding.

What i want to see from a holding midfielder is something like what Lee Carsley offered the team. He was always the spare man, covering the full backs when they went forward, and double team against the opposition wingers not allowing crosses to come in.

Rodwell needs to be much more urgent and break everything up in front of him. A prime example was a few occasions in the Benfica game when the likes of Di Maria sprinted with the ball towards goal and the defence just backed off him but did enough to slow him down for some one like Rodwell to sprint after him and take the ball from him. Instead Rodwell just casually and half heartedly jogged back. I thought to myself if Carsley was on the pitch that would never be allowed to happen.

Fran Mitchell
2   Posted 08/11/2009 at 14:55:11

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In the last few games he has looked tired, add to the fact he’s playing in a team low in confidence and form he has been below-par recently.

But he looks sublime. He has composure when receiving possession, he is excellent at making space for himself in midfield. He is also very big, and as he ages will become a very strong player.

When he recieves possession he never looks worried, this first touch and composure on the ball is the one thing that makes him stand out. Look at Iniesta when he was 18/19, it was the same sort of thing and was just a matter of waiting for him to mature.

If he remains in midfield he could be a fantastic asset. The sort of midfielder who keeps possession and with a great range of passing. Similar to Alonso maybe.

I haven’t really seen him in defense, so cant comment on that, but I feel he has potential to be a world class midfielder.

He also has a great shot on him.

He’s only 18.
Gareth Atkinson
3   Posted 08/11/2009 at 14:57:41

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The kid has got a lot of responsbility on his shoulders at the moment and is bound to make mistakes but to slag him off like that is a bit harsh.

The way I see it he’s the only one in that side who wants to play the game the correct way and the fact the manager and players round him want to play this longball bollocks is bound to have a negative affect on his own game
James Stewart
4   Posted 08/11/2009 at 15:24:39

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What a load of absolute rubbish!

He was the best player on Thursday for me.

Made a few great tackles and is a neat and tidy player.

Ian seems to remember Carsley with rose tinted specs. Rodwell is already twice the player he ever was.
James Stewart
5   Posted 08/11/2009 at 15:26:48

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I guess its Rodwell’s turn to be slagged off as there has been a thread about pretty much everyone else!

Pathetic.
Dick Anderson
6   Posted 08/11/2009 at 15:30:01

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I must admit it is weird that for the last few seasons Everton have been a Top 5 team.

Now we are closer to the bottom 5.

Its almost the same team except that Rodwell has become a regular.

Of course I’m not blaming Jack who looks a useful player. But it is odd that since he’s become a regular Everton have become pretty pants.
Ian Tunstead
7   Posted 08/11/2009 at 15:29:04

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Sorry James but it is you who is talking rubbish, Carsley was much more effective than Rodwell and in his final 2 or 3 seasons he was one of our most important players.

Rodwell may develop over the next few years and become just as important but at the moment games are just passing him by.
Ian Tunstead
8   Posted 08/11/2009 at 15:39:32

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Since Moyes took over Carsley was an integral part of the side that finished 7th 4th 6th 5th, he was injured the entire season we finished 17th, and injured half the season we finished 11. Coincidence?
Fran Mitchell
9   Posted 08/11/2009 at 15:36:42

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Carsley was effective, he closed men down and gave the defense an extra man.

His passing however was woeful, he offered nothing in an attacking sense and he didn’t offer a goal threat.

Some of the worst games i’ve ever watched were with a midfield of Neville and Carsley.

But he was effective, but only in a certain style of play. basically, passing long, thus bypassing the need of midfelder that can pass.

Rodwell on the other hand has technique, composure on the ball and creative passing ability. They are different, he is not a defensive midfielder but more of a cultured central midfielder.

But at the moment he needs to be rested, Moyes probably planned to play him 20-25 times in all competitions, maybe 30 including subs, but injuries have forced him to play more regularly.

Hopefully Pienaar will return, Yakubu and Heitinga can start playing more and Rodwell can get some rest over winter.
Martin Mason
10   Posted 08/11/2009 at 15:55:06

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Absolutely, lets sell the plonker. first teamer at 17 and still not as good as Pele in what must be Everton’s strongest team of the last 100 years. and fancy that idiot Alex Ferguson lining him up for a big money buy for United next season. I’d say he’s our worst young player since that plonker Rooney.
Ian Tunstead
11   Posted 08/11/2009 at 15:55:41

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Fran your missing the point. He was a holding midfielder, his strength was his defensive attributes, he wasnt there to offer a goal threat just like Makelele and Mascherano offered no goal threat.

His passing wasnt woeful. His job was simple; close people down break up play and give it simple to Arteta to make the forward attacking passing. Carsley only passed backwards and sideways but didnt give the ball away often.

All Rodwell does is pass backwards and sidewards but offers far less in the defending department.

I wouldnt say Rodwell offered much more of an attacking threat either, apart from 1 Europa match all his shots have gone all over the place, usually way over the bar.

As for ’’Some of the worst games i’ve ever watched were with a midfield of Neville and Carsley.’’
From what i read on here we are playing some of the worst football and isnt Rodwell in this side? At least those games against the likes of Stoke and Wolves of the world with Neville and Carsely in the side we would have won 1-0 instead of the 1-1 draws we are getting. I seem to remeber Neville and Carsley being in the midfield that beat Liverpool 3-0, i dont remeber that being a crap game.
Ian Tunstead
12   Posted 08/11/2009 at 16:08:49

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Martin no one is saying get rid, but some people are bored of hearing all this praise Rodwell is recieving when he hasn't earned it, whilst other members of the side who are playing much better and getting a slagging. It's just constructive criticism and pointing out another reason why we are not doing so well at the moment.
Richard Murray
13   Posted 08/11/2009 at 16:23:57

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Jesus. If you can’t see the potential that Rodwell has got you really know nothing about football.
Fran Mitchell
14   Posted 08/11/2009 at 16:17:27

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Did I or did I not say Carsley was effective.

I was simply stating that your comparison of Rodwell and Carsely is not valid. They are different players.

Rodwell is 18. Carsley was 33.

Also, if when Carsley was in the team there was no Arteta and co who would he have passed it to.

We are injury ravaged, low in confidence and you put the blame on the 18 year old kid who was playing excellent until recently.

Watch Rodwell perform in a team with Pienaar, Arteta, Fellani (playing in a deeper role), a fully fit Yakubu and you will see why he is rated so highly.

We are in poor form, stop looking to blame individuals, its a number of reasons but mainly injuries.
Ian Tunstead
15   Posted 08/11/2009 at 16:27:54

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I agree with you Fran read how i begin my first post, im just making a point that unfortunatly Rodwell has been thrown in at the deep end because of injury when he is not yet ready.

Carsley would win all the scaps and the 50:50 battles in the middle of the park, to help us get a hold of the game but Rodwell has been unable to do that so far, which is understandable for a kid his age, but i would like to see more tracking back from him and closing down, id rather see him get the basics right and do the job hes been put there to do which is a holding midfielder than see him score the odd wonder goal.
Martin Mason
16   Posted 08/11/2009 at 16:41:44

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Ian, it’s not Jack Rodwell’s fault that he’s receiving praise from fans who have precious little else to be positive about. Constructive critism is good but this is destructive criticism of a top class player and very nice lad who’ll be with us for a criminally short time. He is playing in a demoralised team in what isn’t is best position but one in which he could still be world class. I’ll take any bets that he will become one of the best defenders seen in this country in the Ferdinand mould.
Gareth Humphreys
17   Posted 08/11/2009 at 18:00:27

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Apart from being 2 footed, tall, strong, able to pass, tackle, shoot and run with it I don’t think he has got much to his game either and at his age he should be able to do much more.
I have no idea why Phil Neville thinks he is the best player he has seen at that age.
And as for that Giggs fella - all left foot if you ask me.
Paul Thompson
18   Posted 08/11/2009 at 18:03:09

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The Rodwell situation is a repitition of a familiar pattern on this site (and among fans more generally) - over-praise, then over-criticism. Jack was wildly over-praised during our earlier good run, with some comparing him to Beckenbauer etc. As others have noted, he is young and inexperienced. There is no way that Moyes would be playing him every game if we weren’t down to our bare bones. He can certainly tackle and pass, but at the moment lacks positional awareness and plays too many square passes. More importantly, like most of the team, he is knackered and his confidence is shot. He is good and will almost certainly become better, but he needs a rest (not least from the burden of expectation).
James Stewart
19   Posted 08/11/2009 at 18:41:30

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Ian - Carsley was a very very limited player. Chalk and cheese to Rodwell so a comparison is stupid and futile.

Carsley was a a journeymen and average at best. He happened to have an indian summer late in his career with a switch of position to DM.

Matt Garen
20   Posted 08/11/2009 at 19:50:05

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Jesus H Christ. Carsley couldn't pass water, let alone a football. Yes, he got in people’s faces and made a nuisance of himself and admittedly he was effective but he was just a poor man’s Robbie Savage. I don't remember Cars playing top flight football when he was 18?

Comparing him to Rodwell is like comparing a Ford Fiesta and an Audi R8. Both will got you where you want to go, but one does it with a bit of class. He must be shit if Manure, Chelski and Shitteh are looking at him eh?? Unbelievable some of the pony on here sometimes...

Paul Gladwell
21   Posted 08/11/2009 at 19:51:55

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Keith Roberts, I could not have put it better myself.

Rodwell WILL be the business you can see it a mile away, put him with Arteta in the middle and watch them take the piss and if he is not ready yet than how come he has had a far better season so far than 90% of our squad and yet we should drop him, do these people go the games?

He has look tired at times but last Thursday he was one of the few who tried to keep it on the deck and have a go, unlike the rest of our experienced internationals, un-fucking-believable.

Denis Byrne
22   Posted 08/11/2009 at 20:27:25

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Ok, bit of a jammy one this but on the tube back from Upton park this afternoon I was sitting face bollock level with none other than Jack Rodwells dad. Just in time to over hear Jack calling him after the match and a very sweet dad-son chat. The jist of which is that Rodwells groin has really been playing up over the last few weeks but he has been told its not serious and has asked to carry on playing. His dad suggested he needs to rest but Jack was dead keen to see Baz tomorrow to sort things out as he desperately wants to play against Portugal at Wembley next week. Dad was anxious about the impact on his groin, it sounded like Jack just wants to keep playing now he has the opportunity. Also, Moyesy was dead chuffed about the result and Dan was really happy. There you go, industrial espionage on the District line. My view, which is now perfectly and correctly irrelevent following my gob stopping coup, is that Rodwell is top class and will fill a stupendous Makele type role for England (and agonisingly) for Manure, in the not too distant future
Ciarán McGlone
23   Posted 08/11/2009 at 20:37:35

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Anyone who can’t see Rodwell’s potential should really take up gardening or some other pastime..instead of football..
Ian Tunstead
24   Posted 08/11/2009 at 22:04:47

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James

Carsley was an International who was a 1st team memeber of our squad and was one of the most underated but most important players in the side over a 6 or 7 year period who helped us finish no lower than the top 7 except when he was injured.

How can comparrison between the 2 be stupid when they play in the same position? Obviously Rodwell is too classy to do the dirty work, as long as he looks prity in the middle and sprays a few nice passes about the place dont expect him to do any tracking back though or defending even though he is a DM, yes good call James
Ian Tunstead
25   Posted 08/11/2009 at 22:12:44

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Matt, I don't remember a lot of players playing top flight football at 18, Cahill Lescott, Jags, etc but they are all internationals now. Your point is irrelavent. Danny Cadamarteri, Francis Jeffers, Micheal Branch all played top flight football at 18.... so what... where are they now?
Ernie Baywood
26   Posted 09/11/2009 at 01:58:42

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Christ. The lad has been about the only bright spot in this season and some want to slag him off.

I agree with Ciarán... if you can’t see Rodwell’s obvious potential then you simply shouldn’t be commenting on football. Find something else to do with your time because 11 men and a ball is beyond you.
Jack Francis
27   Posted 09/11/2009 at 02:02:37

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Here we go, all the knobheads having a go at Rodwell now are yis? The kid is only 18 and carrying half the team! Cahill is out of form (hopefully about to come good), Fellaini not good enough! Give the kid a break! You'll be sorry if he ends up at Man Utd! Good result today lads! COYB
Ian Tunstead
28   Posted 09/11/2009 at 11:54:21

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Jack, how can you come on here and have a go at people for having a go at Rodwell but then go an have a go at Fellaini?

Rodwell has not carried the team at all, the team has been carrying him, which is why we have struggled. Fellaini has contributed more the Rodwell over the last 9 months.

Anyone can see the kid has potential but he has long way to go, and needs to start getting the basics right if we are going to improve. It's no good ignoring the fact that he has been playing poorly whilst it's ok for everyone else to get a good slagging.

Guy Wilkinson
29   Posted 09/11/2009 at 12:53:44

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I really despair. How people can watch his performances and see a problem is totally beyond me.

He has been pushed into a centre-mid role from playing as a defender. He makes himself available for passes, buys himself space and opens up play time after time. He’s got 2 good feet and reads the game well.

The problem is that we don’t have an outlet for him. The midfield is useless at present with players scared to get ahead of the play — this is Moyes’s fault for playing two midfielders deep in centre mid and allow teams to come onto us.

He’s not perfect, he needs to work on his tackle, headers and build stamina to make surging runs.

He’s been asked to play a Makalele type role, but he's not that sort of player. Fergie has scouted him repeatedly and is lining him up as a replacement for Ferdinand — Imagine him in the current Arsenal team, the media would be salivating over this new England prospect...

I totally agree with Ciaran for once.

Ian Tunstead
30   Posted 09/11/2009 at 16:10:21

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Guy, why is David Moyes playing two holding midfielders? Most teams only need obe, the fact is Moyes has to play two because most of our attacking players are injured.

But the main reason is because Moyes does not have enough confidence in Rodwell to play him as a lone holding midfielder because he is not good enough; he would get bulied, allowing the opposition to dominate the game.

Thankfully Moyes playes Heitinga who gets stuck in, he's reminding me of a more rounded version of Lee Carsley, just what we needed.

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