Mirallas move was precautionary

Michael Kenrick , 10 December, 22comments | Jump to most recent

Taking Kevin Mirallas off at half-time against Spurs was primarily a precautionary move by David Moyes to reduce the risk of sustaining a more serious hamstring injury.

"We don't think Kevin's done his hamstring," the manager said after the Blues' dramatic win. "We just felt as if he'd tightened up completely.

"It'll be a miss, because what he offered us in the first half at times was something we've probably missed.

“It might even have shown up in our play at times in the second half. We just missed that something he brings to us.

“We'll see how it is. We don't think it's as bad as that, but the last thing you want is a recurrence of a hamstring injury. It's something we're going to have to look at."

Quotes or other material sourced from EvertonFC.com

Reader Comments (22)

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Phil Sammon
1 Posted 10/12/2012 at 14:40:11

He was certainly feeling it just before the break. I'd have him rested at the weekend to be sure.

Brian Harrison
2 Posted 10/12/2012 at 15:00:21

Lets hope by taking him off at half time will speed up his recovery. He has become a very important player for us, his pace will always create problems and his link up with Coleman has really flourished.

I am always slightly concerned when a player gets hamstring problems as they always seem to reoccur on a regular basis. We only have to remember the problems that Rodwell has with hamstrings, and is still having.

Sam Hoare
3 Posted 10/12/2012 at 15:16:57

Hope he's fit. Think he could be the player we need to break down a very stubborn stoke and west ham. Table is so tight a bad few games could see us drop into bottom half of the table.

Dan McKie
4 Posted 10/12/2012 at 15:53:21

Although he looked excellent in the first half, I had a great view of all of his play and I thought he seemed tentative on a few occasions and reluctant to give himself a good burst of acceleration. Hopefully he will feel no after affects and get his confidence in his hamstrings back. Hell of a player we have there.

Tony Cheek
5 Posted 10/12/2012 at 16:27:03

He gives us another dimension on the right....one week its Hibbo and Naismith, next its Coleman and Kevin, quite a difference there. For once opponents are having to worry about us on both sides of the pitch.
Christ, last time that happened it was Morrisey and Husband playing!

Andrew Ellams
6 Posted 10/12/2012 at 16:45:15

Bit unfair on Sheedy and Steven there Tony

John Ford
7 Posted 10/12/2012 at 18:08:11

Amen to that Andrew, and they were considerably letter than our current two. Having paid the necessary respect to two of our finest, a healthy Miralles will be a right nuisance and if Coleman can sort out his final bal (i.e see what's in front of him!) we may be on to something.

Jamie Barlow
8 Posted 10/12/2012 at 18:15:54

I'd rest Marillas for Stoke and play Hibbert at full back with Coleman out wide.

It'll keep him away from those nasty horrible big lads as well.

Bring him back for West Ham where he'll play against those, er, nasty horrible big lads.

Tom Bowers
9 Posted 10/12/2012 at 18:23:15

Mirallas cannot be replaced with what we have at the moment although we may get by.

Coleman is my selection with Hibbo coming back in but Naismith should not start.

Stoke are always tough for any team and as they and the Blues are the draw specialists in the Prem. at present I wouldn't be surprised if they shared the spoils.

However, the Blues are finally back in the win column and should take care of business at Stoke who have very little up front.

Ian Bennett
10 Posted 10/12/2012 at 19:47:01

It would be money well spent that he strengthens those hamstrings, and has routines for during the match and before it. We don't want this becoming a regular problem. Kanchelskis was a speed merchant, and never had such problems due to conditioning work he did (as well as gambling).

Derek Williams
11 Posted 10/12/2012 at 20:14:55

Bainesy and Peanuts down one side, Seamus and Super Kev down the other, it's hard to think of a better combo in the premiership. Pace, flair, and width, happy days.

Ian Bennett
12 Posted 10/12/2012 at 20:26:20

Speed, Limpar and Kanchelskis were pretty good wide men.

Roberto Birquet
13 Posted 10/12/2012 at 20:29:37

I have disparaged Coleman many times, but always for his defending, never for his attacking. He can have a tendency not to look up before crossing, certainly comparted with Baines, but even Hibbert.

He had a stormer yesterday. But apologies, he still ain't a defender. I'd still prefer him as back up to Mirallas, rather than as partner. Maybe he can be the latter against weaker teams who'll not put us under too much pressure. I don't see him as an answer to the post-Hibbert RB position.

Brian Murray
14 Posted 10/12/2012 at 21:57:03

How would you compare Mirallas to one of my all-time favourites, Dave Thomas?

David Ellis
15 Posted 11/12/2012 at 04:15:28

Brian - Dave Thomas and K Mirallas. Very different players. Thomas was an out an out winger, one of the last of his kind in (when was it 77-79?). He hugged the left touch-line and just provided cross after cross, and bounced them off Latchford's head into the goal.

I don't remember Thomas ever scoring or shooting or cutting inside or tackling. But he had good acceleration and was able to beat the right back of every team in the First Division and his crossing was superb. Pushed the excellent Ronnie Goodlass out of the side if memory serves me, and was well supported by Mike Pejic at left back.

Mirallas is faster than Thomas, and also two footed and probably a better all round football player than Dave Thomas. But where it really matters - delivery of the cross - Thomas was better, as good as Beckham in that department.

Brian Murray
16 Posted 11/12/2012 at 06:17:45

Thanks, David, for that info on Thomas,

Peter Bell
17 Posted 11/12/2012 at 09:03:34

Dave @479

" I don't remember Thomas ever scoring or shooting or cutting inside."
Can you honestly say you ever seen Dave Thomas play ?
Dave Thomas was the best two footed winger I have ever seen. No matter which side a defender showed him, outside or inside, he could cross with either foot.
Watched every game of the Gordon Lee era and can recall Thomas scoring at Leeds, Leicester and Villa.
Miralles is a class act, but not in the same league as Dave Thomas ( at the moment anyway )

Paul Mackie
18 Posted 11/12/2012 at 09:21:19

I wouldn't risk starting Mirallas against Stoke. If I were DM I'd stick Oviedo on the left and play Pienaar on the right. Bring Mirallas on at around 65 minutes and switch Pienaar back to the left.

As those annoying meerkats are fond of saying, "simples".

David Ellis
19 Posted 11/12/2012 at 09:48:19

Peter Bell
Yes I can honestly say I saw Dave Thomas play. But re-collecting what I saw is another matter!
Certainly the best out and out winger I ever saw.

Gavin Ramejkis
20 Posted 11/12/2012 at 10:08:45

Brian, Dave, Peter (and anyone who never saw Dave Thomas), classic stuff from him and his unmistakeable socks rolled down here taking Coventry apart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC-a-rdUMiA

Jon Ferguson
21 Posted 11/12/2012 at 10:24:01

Coleman is not a winger. Granted he needs to polish his defending as well, but that can come with experience. Coleman offers an alternative to Baines, attacking from deep, something we have lacked. Teams used to be able to shut down our left side in the knowledge that nothing would come down the right.

I don't think we have been 4th at this stage of the season since we finished 4th. That suggests to me that what we have given up in defensively (and we do look more shakey as a team) we more than make up for going forward. Surely everyone wants to watch the more exciting football?

Barry Rathbone
23 Posted 11/12/2012 at 10:27:20

Must admit I watched Dave Thomas and have him in my memory as an out and out winger.

Dave Ellis don't compare him to the underwear model frustratingly feted for taking corner kicks and free kicks Beckham - Thomas was infinitely better than that posturing chump (as were 90% of footballers from that era).

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