Toffeeweb - Talking Points - Should Mirallas stay out on the left?

Should Mirallas stay out on the left?

He was simply outstanding, the most exciting Everton player since – well I can't quite think actually.

Should he now stay out on the left and displace Pienaar elsewhere? Or can he do the same from the right, with Coleman – emulating the relationship between Baines and Pienaar?

I just hope he isn't injured for long.

Mark Tanton, Hull Posted 29/10/2012 at 09:40:41

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John Dubay
103 Posted 29/10/2012 at 15:53:29

Pienaar & Baines on the left; Mirallas & Coleman on the right but Coleman needs to up his skill and control level. Also it can't be done with him as a right back, this should be Hibbert. Coleman could replace Neville in midfield.

Roberto Birquet
104 Posted 29/10/2012 at 16:01:09

No. Probably the chief reason we have had a stronger start to this season than in recent years comes from two strong flanks: Pienaar and Baines on the left, Mirallas and whoever on the right. We didn't have it for much of the QPR game, and only half had it for the first half yesterday.

I hope he's back on the right, with Pienaar out left for the Fulham game. we need to get back to winning, not drawing if we're serious about beating Spurs and Arsenal to 4th.

Nick Entwistle
113 Posted 29/10/2012 at 16:17:04

What RB said. He did no more on the left than what he's been doing on the right. Liverpool had some kids at FB and either side of the pitch he would have done the job.

Coleman is looking better and better so that combo should be explored more and more.

Paul David
121 Posted 29/10/2012 at 16:25:47

I thought he looked more comfortable coming in from the left and looked more willing to run with the ball. I think there is a case for leaving him on the left. I've said before that Baines and Pienaar is probably the best partnership down the flanks in the league but they don't need each other. If Pienaar was on the right he would still play well as would Baines without him.

Personnally I would like to see Oviedo given a chance on the left and have Mirallas or Pienaar replace Fellaini in the hole. Fellaini doesn't have the technical ability to consistently play well there, move him back where he is most effective.

Terry Downes
130 Posted 29/10/2012 at 16:52:18

When Gibson's back, Coleman will be on the bench. There has to be a place for Pip, worst luck.

Domino Darkley
146 Posted 29/10/2012 at 17:35:54

It looks like that is his best position.

Now, we had this whole debate last week about moving Pienaar into the middle at QPR and as some of us pointed out at the time, the game plan went out the window when they scored so early.

The key thing is, though, that we now have a Plan B on the left.

If things ain't going well in agame, we can change style.

Be it Baines/Pienaar playing together or Kevin marauding down the left flank, there aren't many teams in the league carry the same threat we do in that area.

But one of the great things about yesterday's game, IMO, was how well Seamus and Naismith were linking up down the right.

We have the makings of a good partnership there.

Mike Allison
153 Posted 29/10/2012 at 18:01:30

No. He should do the same thing on the right, and he'll probably be even more effective playing on his natural side in the old fashioned way.

Paul Johnson
155 Posted 29/10/2012 at 18:14:07

I despair, Paul David. Fellaini has been Player of the Month for 2 months now and for me has been our stand out player, all from playing off the forward. Why would we move him back?

Jon Ferguson
158 Posted 29/10/2012 at 18:13:13

I wasn't 100% sure about Mirallas until yesterday, I'm now really looking forward to seeing him develop. How nice that we are discussing the best way to accommodate our talent rather than lamenting the lack there of.

We have 4 winnable games coming up, I'd hope for 8 pts minimum.

It would be great going into December still in 4th. A signing or two in January and we could push on.

Mark Tanton
159 Posted 29/10/2012 at 18:19:42

If stay in the top six for the opening of the window, it will be the biggest January for the club in years. A real test of ambition and clout.

Shane Corcoran
180 Posted 29/10/2012 at 19:31:56

I thought he looked better on the left and it gives him a better chance to get his shot away cutting in from that side. However, it's hard to justify breaking up the Pienaar-Baines relationship so I'd leave him on the right.

I''m more than surprised by the upturn in people's opinions on Coleman. Fair enough, he does offer us something different going forward from RB but, unless Moyes plans on playing Hibbert against the top sides, then I think Coleman will be badly exposed.

Not much mention of him jumping in in the lead up to the first goal yesterday either.

Joe McMahon
185 Posted 29/10/2012 at 19:50:16

Terry (130) the Golden question... when is Gibson back? I can't help thinking there must be a reason why SAF let him go, was it his injury record? I don't know but he's a good player when fit.

Patrick Murphy
189 Posted 29/10/2012 at 20:07:47

I've heard a rumour and it is only that: Apparently he would have been in good company with Whiteside, McGrath and Robson.

Ian Bennett
199 Posted 29/10/2012 at 20:37:13

He looks more effective on the left as he can go down the line, or cut in on his right. However, baines and pienaar, have that settled so let's hear no more about it.

Mike Allison
203 Posted 29/10/2012 at 20:49:03

I much prefer him on the right, I'm a bit sick of the recent trend for playing wide men on the 'wrong' flank. The theory seems to be for them to cut in and shoot, which Mirallas certainly tries to do, but its much easier for a defence to pack themselves and close down any spaces then. It works much better with a tricksy, clever passer like Pienaar, and Joe Cole back when he was England's best player and played in that position.

It basically depends what type of player it is, and the type of player Mirallas is will stretch defences more on his natural side, this will open up more gaps and make it harder for teams to pack a defence. I actually like both wide men being of the same foot, as you get the two different types of threat then, especially if the full backs offer something. I think Pienaar/Baines and Mirallas/Coleman will threaten anyone and everyone we play this season.

The possibility always remains of course of switching things during the course of the game as well.

And Paul, I would have agreed with you about Fellaini at the start of the season, but sometimes you've just got to believe the evidence of your own eyes. I think of him as a cross between Peter Crouch and Zinedine Zidane. (Is that my credibility disappearing over there...?)

Pablo Connelly
204 Posted 29/10/2012 at 20:52:24

I think when fit Peinaar will always start from the left with Mirallas right, but what an option to switch them during games if even for short periods. The lonliest place for opposing players at Goodison this season with be the right backs!

James Martin
207 Posted 29/10/2012 at 21:09:15

God I've seen it all now, Fellaini being compared to Zinedine Zidane dear me. I think Fellaini's best contribution is his mental one. Everyone seems to play better just because he walks out of the utnnel with them, apart form nuisance value he didn't really do much with the ball against Liverpool. Indeed form and fitness wise you'd argue that Pienaar Naismith and Mirallas could start behind Jelavic for a really technical attacking forward line. He might lift the team in the same way that Cahill used to and he does add to our physicality but he couldn't even buy a shoelace for Zidane let alone lace his boots.

Paul Andrews
208 Posted 29/10/2012 at 21:13:20

IF the big bids come in I would sell Fellaini.£20-25 Million.Play Mirallas behind the forward,buy a right back,a box to box midfielder and a wide right midfielder.3 for the price of 1

Sam Hoare
213 Posted 29/10/2012 at 21:42:26

No news on his injury. Are we likely to have Gibson and him fit for coming weeks or not? If so then I think things could be looking quite tasty...

Berry McWilliam
216 Posted 29/10/2012 at 21:56:44

Paul Andrews – Do you really think our wage system could support one player out, three in? Transfer fees and wages are not synonymous with the latter quickly eating the former up.

Gavin Ramejkis
227 Posted 29/10/2012 at 23:52:05

He has two great feet and can play either side, was great watching him turn Norman Wisdom inside out until that buck toothed prick crippled him, I'd start him on the right and switch him and Pienaar back and forth to screw the opposing defenders inside out

Iain Love
228 Posted 30/10/2012 at 00:17:52

Agree with Gavin (#227), but would point out he had one of the best left backs going behind him and was against Sterling, who is great going forward but shite defensivley... and Wisdom aint no great shakes.

No way would I break up Baines & Pienaar on the basis of one match.

James Morgan
257 Posted 30/10/2012 at 08:24:40

The good thing is he gives us options all across the front line. With Pienaar, Mirallas, Naismith and Oviedo there is no end to the possibilities! Mwahahahahaha!

Sorry.

I see that top class A grade wank shaft small foreheaded nob rash Gerrard has compared us to Stoke, saying it was only them that wanted to play football and we were long balling it, and that there is no way we are better than them!

Look at the table you ding bat! God I hope we finish above them again.

Andy Meighan
287 Posted 30/10/2012 at 11:56:57

Classic that. Comparing Fellaini to Zidane... I don't know about Crouch – that freak of nature is useless. But Zidane? I mean, come on...

I thought he was poor on Sunday. Is it just me or does he seem to have no urgency or pace about him? I'm still trying to work out what his best position is. I know there's loads on here who love him. But I just don't get him at all.

Maybe it's just that languid laid back style of play that I don't get. I like my players to be more direct and dynamic, à la Mirallas on Sunday. Now that sort of wing play would have me on the edge of my seat every week He could be pivotal to our season if he carries on in that vein of form.

Knowing our luck, he'll probably be out for a while ... and what the hell has happened to Gibson? It's all gone quiet on that front — maybe someone earlier was right. Is that why Taggart got shot of him? He must know something we don't...

Tom Bowers
381 Posted 30/10/2012 at 17:22:59

Mirallas has pace and skill. He is a big asset now and in the Derby Ratboy knew what he was doing when he crocked him.

Personally I think this lad will do well as an attacking midfielder or winger and if we can keep him fit along with Jela and Fella then we will always score goals.

Everton have the offensive mobility that has been lacking for so many years. Only Andy Johnston had some pace but was forced to play on his own so often.

Mike Allison
482 Posted 31/10/2012 at 10:27:44

"apart form nuisance value he didn't really do much with the ball against Liverpool"

Except set up the equaliser and win the corner from which we scored the first goal, but hey...

"Maybe it's just that languid laid back style of play that I don't get"

Just like Zidane, no-one seemed to mind it on him!

Bill Griffiths
621 Posted 01/11/2012 at 10:24:07

I love the diversity of views and opinions offered up on TW, it's amazing how views and opinions can be so diverse. Anyway I enjoy reading them, even when the views are well opposite to those of myself.

Just a comment regarding the comparison of Felli with Crouch and Zidane. Crouch in my opinion is/was a pretty decent player when in a decent side and is greatly under-rated. As far as I am concerned, Zidane is one of the greatest players of all time who consistently controlled and ran games many times almost single handed.

It amazes me when people try and compare Rooney to players like him; when has anyone seen Rooney totally dominate a game? I think Felli is getting a lot of unfair stick (maybe self-inflicted due to is ill-thought-out comments); while I think he is an important player for us, he will have to up his game and be far more consistent to be compared with Zidane.

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