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The Mail Bag

The Fellaini Enigma

This guy can do so much for Everton if he is coached correctly. He still has old habits but has improved somewhat. Unfortunately, he is tall and awkward which means he stands out in his aerial challenges and referees find it easy to penalize him rather than the opponent around the penalty area, similar to what happens to Crouch and also happened a lot with Big Dunc (although Big Dunc could dish it out far to obviously).

I believe too many referees cop out when these players are competing strongly and give the decisions the wrong way. Unfortunately, football has to live with a percentage of inept referees, just as it has to live with dirty defenders.

In the Newcastle game, Fellaini got some poor decisions against him. One thing he has to learn in the Premier League is not to antagonize referees after he is penalized fairly or unfairly by remonstrating too much which will only make him more of a target for referees.
Tom Bowers, Canada Posted 28/09/2010 at 17:36:34

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Gaute Lie
1 Posted 28/09/2010 at 20:07:51

Fellaini will always be on the ref's checklist, because of his size and style of playing.

However, he's more in control when playing DM, and seems to get fewer cards when playing DM rather than AM.

And, one has to remember he's still a very young player. It's easy to forget this because of his size, transfer fee and hairdo (he he).

He's not a agressive player a la Duncan, who mostly scared the shit out of the opponents before smashing them to the ground ( or tried to strangle them ( Freund)). I miss Duncan.. Lots of fun watching him.

Jamie Tulacz
2 Posted 28/09/2010 at 20:16:14

Agree completely your point Tom. The problem is he does get quite wound-up as well, which only means that other teams go out to antagonise him even more.

To be fair to him though he does seem to have cleaned up his act somewhat, and seems to be getting a few less cards nowadays.

Charles King
3 Posted 28/09/2010 at 20:36:50

The Fellaini enigma really needs the Bletchley Park treatment.

I'm here all week.

Gaute Lie
4 Posted 28/09/2010 at 21:00:02

By the way, Why call him an enigma?

I don't see him as a big?? Just a player that has yet to be all that he can be.

Steve Cotton
5 Posted 28/09/2010 at 21:57:53

Has anyone ever seen him smile??? Or laugh??? That might help with the refs...

Eugene Ruane
6 Posted 28/09/2010 at 22:05:07

Charles, that made me smile.

It also made me wonder if at some stage there'll be a Hollywood version of The Fellaini Enigma, but in the Hollywood version he'll be playing for LA Galaxy.

(and played by John Turturro)

Ian Kearney
7 Posted 28/09/2010 at 23:08:32

To be honest, if I was a top class holding midfielder (no laughing!), I'd probably show signs of frustration if I got played upfront while a centre-half was in my position.

Gavin Ramejkis
8 Posted 29/09/2010 at 00:04:41

Dont agree Tom, you need to remonstrate with these bastards in black if they get it wrong otherwise they'll think they got it right penalising you and carry on doing it, the top sides get right into the ref, sod this respect bollocks when the top sides dont bother why should we?

James Stewart
9 Posted 29/09/2010 at 00:18:37

Ian Kearney spot on!

Peter Bourke
10 Posted 29/09/2010 at 00:43:43

Tom, I'm pretty sure I get your point but what different type of coaching would you suggest that will stop him being a target by referrees? I think he is victimised somewhat by certain ref's but what do you mean by coached correctly?

Rog Benn
11 Posted 29/09/2010 at 03:19:27

When he turned Bellamy last season, the lad laughed wholeheartedly. He is a magic lad who is terrific to watch ? intense, skillful, tactical. Too many of us have been down on him. I fear he will be playing in another strip by the time he can be truly appreciated.

Anthony Hughes
12 Posted 29/09/2010 at 07:55:32

Ian@7, spot on, Fellaini is our best defensive midfielder and should be playing there.
How many other managers play their defensive midfielder up front?...Mascherano, Essien, Palacios, Fletcher, Barry, Song. None of their managers at any time have played them out of position, put Fellaini where he belongs and see him blossom into the player he can be.

Anthony Millington
13 Posted 29/09/2010 at 11:41:52

Anthony, I agree with you, but Fellani is a liability and may get found out playing there because unlike the players you have mentioned Fellaini doesn't mark up all the time and doesn't track runners enough.

Joseph Strumm
14 Posted 29/09/2010 at 12:16:43

The only enigma is why Moyes plays him out of position. His name should be first on the teamsheet; his recent frustrations are understandable given the shape and tactics we've recently employed. Also, it must be disheartening to play in a team with no ambition or desire.

I'd say him and Cahill are the only two winners in the team, the rest are happy to become rich aspiring to mediocrity, as are the majority of players in this "con" we call the Premier League, predictable premiere bore!

Brian Waring
15 Posted 29/09/2010 at 13:40:15

Refs may pick on him because of his size, but at the end of the day, the lad is no angel, he is far too handy with that elbow of his.

Tom Bowers
16 Posted 29/09/2010 at 14:20:07

The use of elbows has become a disease these days, whether jumping for a high ball or challenging for a through ball. Arms are coming across people's faces and what is happening in the box from free kicks and corners is nobody's business. All players need protection and referees who are inept are encouraging defenders to continue their dirty work.

Yes, I appreciate there is great pressure which says defend at all costs but referees also have responsibilties to clean up the game a little. Williamson against Fellaini was a prime example of desperate defending by a limited defender which constantly went unpunished by an inept referee.

I believe Fellaini was bought because of his height but he should only be a deep midfielder and not go forward except on set pieces. When forward he is generally static. He needs to learn about timing and making a run for the high ball at the right time.

Helikaon Bow
17 Posted 29/09/2010 at 16:45:10

"The use of elbows has become a disease these days wether jumping for a high balL"

Lifting your elbows when jumping is a human instinct we've developed over thousands of years. Live with it clown. It won't change.

Jon Cox
18 Posted 29/09/2010 at 18:26:15

"Live with it CLOWN" Whats all that about. No need for it mate.

I hear you've a book comming out called "How to make friends and influence people"

We all know about elbows being used to elevate. "Live with it clown" will not endear you for very long on this website.

As a fellow Evertonian, I'm gutted to read that.

Gerry Quinn
19 Posted 29/09/2010 at 18:59:44

Helikaon - where you, perchance, the Entertainments Officer on the Marie Celeste?

I disagree with your statement - I believe that It depends on how high and how "bent and pointed" your elbow becomes! Yes, modern day footballers do have to lift their arms to jump - but not to the extent some of them take it to. Thugs, purely out to hurt others.

Similar comments remind me of that RS thug - who absolved himself by trying to convince everyone that he "pulled out " of the tackle on Naismith - and the RS goalie who brought the art of lifting one leg to jump (considered normal) to a fine art of thuggery.

There are far too many people accepting these types of things as "normal" - they would make perfect candidates to join the FA steering commitee!

Jon Cox
20 Posted 29/09/2010 at 19:12:21

Gerry, no, I see it more like the swimming instructor on the Titanic

Derek Thomas
21 Posted 30/09/2010 at 07:55:45

Fellaini DOES NOT NEED COACHING ? especially by the muppets we have.

On the one hand, you have a God given talent, co-ordination and reflexes. You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear.

But at this Club and others plenty have been the other way.

You teach the basics to them as kids the 3 G's, pass and move, support the guy with the ball, give him an option, more than one if poss.

They will, if the have half a football brain, learn by doing. The half-time and full-time debrief aka bollocking will put them right... along the lines of and no doubt prettied up in PC nice speak..wtf were you thinking of doing (or not doing) whatever.

Too much coaching ruins the game and some of the players.

It's a simple game.

Oi teacher, leave those kids alone...cue guitar lick.

Ian Kearney
22 Posted 30/09/2010 at 11:00:40

The very best coaches, and I'm talking about the elite, will realise that at some point preparation will take you only so far, you will reach a point once you've got the players you wanted, coached and drilled them into a team, that you will have to take a leap of faith and give them their heads.

Chris Fisher
23 Posted 30/09/2010 at 11:25:04

I think most of the time and this was evident in the Newcastle game and I've seen it happen in a few other games as well, he gets constantly fouled and nothing is given for him. He then makes a few fair challenges that he gets punished for, he gets wound up and then starts throwing his weight around and throwing some elbows. In short, refs are dickheads.

James McGlone
24 Posted 30/09/2010 at 15:09:15

I'm not sure if he isn't being 'coached properly' or have you heard something?

The Big Fella playing out of position is something we've all had to do when there are injuries ? I'm sure he'll get over it.

I can't think of anyone who has had a decent start to the season, but I've great belief that it will be turned around.

Helikaon Bow
25 Posted 30/09/2010 at 16:55:44

"Fellaini is our best defensive midfielder and should be playing there"

Have to agree with you there. Last season he was immense in that position.

What we need is a striker! :-)

Tim Kells
26 Posted 30/09/2010 at 19:37:07

He certainly played well on Saturday at Fulham.

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