The Mail Bag
Neville to take a back seat?
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I think Philip Neville has done pretty well for Everton in the past but think his time as a first team regular is behind him. He's good to have around as a squad player, as is cover for both full-backs and can hold in midfield and will do a decent job with 100% commitment. But we have better options in all these positions.
Hibbert is a better right-back, if only because he is a better defender as both Hibbert and Neville are suspect when going forward. I would also like to see Coleman given a chance but feel Moyes will take his time with him, as his defending needs improving.
Baines is a much better left-back!
Holding midfielder? I would put Neville behind Fellaini, Heitinga and Rodwell in this position. They all offer something more, with passing and composure key.
I was against the signing of Phil Neville at first, but will now agree he has been and still is a useful player and has been a leader to the players around him. I don't want to get rid of him, but hope Moyes sees the team as better with him on the bench.
So, if he is benched, should he be captain? But that's another argument with other candidates likely to be Jags, Arteta, Cahill and Heitinga. With Neville perhaps being the club captain?
Martin Clark, Posted 07/06/2010 at 00:23:03
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I will probably get slaughtered for this, but.
I think Neville is worth his weight in gold to Everton.
He is an organiser and a winner by nature, not the most gifted of players, granted.
But neither have some of the most succesful footballers in british football been.
Everton would be a poorer team without him.
I wouldn't want Heitinga as captain, though I do think he is a typical footballer and looking for the next step up, but he is also a good authoritative player who doesn't need the armband to motivate himself or others. Would personally prefer the Jag, Cahill or Arteta as think it would mean more to them.
Neville has been a trooper but just feel we have better options!
I'm sure there are stats somewhere that show when he plays we are 10% more likely to win or some bullshit, but the fact of the matter is when I see him play in the flesh he quite often can't make a basic pass.
Don't get me wrong, I would like to see him on the bench but he is a very competent defender and obviously a good captain, unfortunately it is going to end up like Davie Weir (I don't mean going to Scotland and winning the Player of the Year award!!!) in that he is played too long after his use-by date.
Coleman is obviously the player to step up but is only a season out of the Orish leagues and is still learning his trade after a late start; Hibbert is a far better defender but is as useless going forward.
To summarise, I haven't got a clue what I am talking about but I know it is daft to suggest Neville is a liability and is a crap footballer.
If the the armband was taken away from Neville, I'd give it to Arteta (simply cos I'm a big sentimental softie, and love the little fella!).
Also, Phil gives his 100% every match no matter with his passion and loyalty. He is one of the best captains in the league with very strong motivation skills and gets the lads fired up when necessary. For these reasons alone, Phil should easily make the starting 11.
Coleman is an excellent prospect but most people seem to judge him on that cameo against Spurs. Yes, he looked great going forward but is his defending Premier League class yet?
I had hoped that Cahill would step up to the mark and earn the captaincy but he seemed to lose form with the armband. Heitinga was touted as many as a replacement and he was excellent last season at CB but, as mentioned above, he seems to be looking for an out already — well, if he walked away from Atletico after a season to join us, why wouldn't he do the same when another opportunity comes along? One more year of Pip then give it to Jags or Arteta — assuming they are not playing for Arsenal by then!
Pip's best chance of a game is at right back only — so, if Hibbert can get a run or Coleman gets the chance to impress, then at least we have a decent all rounder for the bench — and he is someone who won't complain. I still feel Pip will start the season as first choice right back though... if he is fit.
An interesting thought!
Honestly, he'd barely make a mid-table Championship side on footballing quality alone. As it is, for some reason the lads at the club like him and he's worth being around the place for that reason alone. But if Moyes persists in giving him a guaranteed starting position...
Davey has often said that Neville brings so much more to the team than his playing competence and I'm sure the record book reflects that results improve when he is in as team leader.
Let`s just leave the time of this great player's demise to our manager, shall we? After all, he must know better than us mere mortals, surely!Add Your Comments
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1 Posted 07/06/2010 at 12:20:48
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Is that a fucking joke?
Heitinga would cycle with a flag to join Barcelona. How could we accept him as Everton Captain now.
I use to like Heitinga but after his recent interview I dont want to see him play for Everton again let alon Captain the side.
Let him piss off to Barcelona or Liverpool. I'd take Phil Neville anyday of the week. At least he's loyal to the club.