Season 2011-12
The Mail Bag
Fellaini: the key man?
28 Comments: Who do you think will be the key man for Everton this season?
Leighton Baines was, hands down, the best player in a blue shirt last time around and I think he will actually push on again. He seems to have found the confidence in his own ability that eluded him early in his career, and the ridiculous Ashley Cole finally has some serious competition for his England place (not that I give a toss about that).
However, there is one player in Everton's ranks who I believe has the potential to be an even bigger influence than Baines, provided he can stay both injury- and suspension-free: Fellaini. I was pleasantly surprised to see the big-topped Belgian being hyped up on the 'Mirror Sport' website as being probably the best midfielder in the Premier League right now...
Surprised because (a) it's unusual to see an Everton player receive such praise from the 'Sky 4' obsessed press; and (b) I presumed everyone outside of Goodison would view Fellaini as basically a big, dirty, talentless, grock (a view strangely still held by some of our own supporters).
Anyway this is what the Mirror had to say about the lad:
Key player: Marouane FellainiJesus, it's nearly even stirred a bit of enthusiasm in me for Saturday... bet you the motherfucker goes and gets himself injured now!
He?s not only got the best hairdo in the Premier League, he?s also got the talent to match. Over the past two seasons, in between depressing bouts of injury that have hit Everton?s prospects badly, Fellaini has offered glimpses of an all-round game to match any midfielder in English football.One game stands out in particular, where he dominated Manchester City?s pampered millionaires, to suggest he is a natural heir to Patrick Vieira when the Frenchman was in his pomp.
The injuries though, have become a problem for both player and club. His all action style has forced him to miss big chunks of the past two campaigns, and there is little doubt the team suffered in his absence. Who wouldn?t miss a player who can tackle, head, pass and score goals with the best of them?
The good news is, he?s almost back to full fitness, and the current injury has at least discouraged any summer bids? for one more transfer window at least. The bad news though, is he hasn?t yet agreed a new contract, and at the end of this season will only have one year left on his current deal. Talks are progressing, and if he signs an extension, then expect the Belgian international to confirm, this season, his immense talent by proving himself the best all-round midfielder in the Premier League.
John Daley, Posted 15/08/2011 at 21:34:24
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The lad is class. He needs a full, injury free season (keep him away from shitebag greek carthorses), and we may glimpse his true potential.
Then Bill can sell him to Utd.
He should be offered the same wages as Arteta and told, "Have a great season, sign now, and we will look after you when you go." For, believe me, he will go and, if the record of this board is anything to go by, it will be for free or for (pardon the pun) peanuts, just like Pienaar.
i don't mind who it is though they are all blue, just hope we have a decent season with what we have!
What i have seen of the big man is the most exciting player in Everton since........... Kanchelskis? That some people still doubt the big man´s talent is a wonder to me.
Sadly, if he stays injury free this will be his last season for Everton. And he will sign and dominate for a proper big-club with muscles to sign, well anyone...
Felli would take a throw in and and get a round of applause??.
At one stage when Everton were on a bad run, even though Falliani was head and shoulders our best player he would get the blame for our defeat. Its only right that he now gets a round of applause for taking a throw in to make up for the times he wasnt appreciated when he was our best player.
Now he is in that holding role which suits him, BUT in my opinion, lacks pace to get back and he is not the best tackler, hence he,s two bad injuries. We need a Lee Carsley type player to assist our midfield.
Moyes has tried Jagielka, Heitinga and Rodwell in the role but in my opinion Fellaini has been the most suited to the role.
Also Fellaini was our top scorer when playing behind the striker and didn't do too badly but not enough for some because of his price tag. He was still criticised when playing deeper by many on here. It was as though they had just jumped on the bandwagon and only seemed to remember his early performances, not acknowledging his obvious improvement and development.
Do you not get the impression sometimes that Beckford is a sulky moody sod? I'm not talking on the scale of Anichebe, but I think also that he doesn't have much awareness/vision in terms of bringing other players into the game. Or in fact he'd rather go solo than create a pertnership up front?
Given plenty of encouragement to get forward to support Louis, that could be an effective unit.
This is a really big season for Fellaini, certanly more so than Rodwell who I wouldn't actually put in my team. If he's fit we could see something to get excited about.
I hope that the lessons from last season can be learned and my hoped for improvements would be;-
1) That Arteta is busy practising corners with Andy Hinchcliffe as we speak.
2) Beckford is working on his 1st touch
3) Anichebe to go a whole game without banging the floor like a spoilt little girl
4) Hibbo has become a master at crossing onto the back post/penalty spot.
5) Bily has learnt how to put a shift in & is allowed to drift inside.
6) Barkley- give him license to play how & where he wants.
7) Heitinga to only be used at centre-back
8) Howard to concentrates from the first minute of the first game.
9) Ossy to continue his form from Xmas onwards
10) Louis to stay fit
(number 3 might be a bit optimistic like)
"Carsley was shite and only shone because he was with Gravesen." ? The most outrageous statement I have read on this site.
I think he has potential to be a decent player, but he is also a liability; one of the dirtiest players I have ever seen. If he didn't play for us, we would hate him.
Felli will never ever be one of the best players in the world. Neither was Lee Carsley, but he was the best defensive midfielder I've ever seen at the club (since late 80's).
Why can't gobshites read properly? I said the article claims he is ' PROBABLY the best midfielder in the Premier League right now'. The actual phrasing, (which appears earlier in the article) is 'just about the best..'.
" Fellaini is just about the best midfielder in the Premier League right now, so when he is back fit and firing, it will offer a massive boost, and if Mikel Arteta is anywhere near top form, Everton have a midfield to rival any club?.".
I could put the link up for you Ciaran but I really can't be arsed, and i'm sure you're not bothered either. I also happen to think the guy is going a bit over the top with his praise but, as I said, it makes a welcome change to see an Everton player actually being talked up by the press for once.
...
www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/.../Everton-Premier-League-season-preview-Can- David-Moyes-and-Marouane-Fellaini-get-Everton-into-the-top-six-... -
Say what you like about whether you think he is 'class' or not, but you CAN'T argue with the facts.
He's fuckin' shite. Get shut.
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1 Posted 15/08/2011 at 23:34:15
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