Mirallas has struggled with PL intensity

Richard Buxton, Click Liverpool , 5 April, 20comments | Jump to most recent

David Moyes believes Kevin Mirallas has struggled with the intensity of the Premier League this season.

The Belgian is rated as "touch and go" for Everton's clash with Tottenham on Sunday after suffering a groin strain during last weekend's win over Stoke, when his individual effort proved the difference.

Mirallas's debut campaign with the Blues was somewhat hindered by a recurring hamstring problem and Moyes feels while the playmaker will be stronger for the tolls of the English top flight this year, he could still become influential in his side's push for a European place.

He said: "He's got a groin strain which he's coming to terms with. Hopefully he's going to have a good chance.

"But I think generally he's finding the whole Premier League quite a bit of strain. Quite regularly, late in the games, he's struggling to complete the games.

"I think, hopefully, he'll be better for it next year. He'll understand what's expected and the level of fitness which is going to be required because he's got the ability to win us games, score us goals and he can make the difference like he did against Stoke, with a great individual goal.

"We have to try and get him ready for that and hopefully he can be the one come the end of the season that could make the difference."

Quotes or other material sourced from Click Liverpool

Reader Comments (20)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

Mark Pierpoint
1 Posted 05/04/2013 at 16:28:06

David Moyes has been struggling to deal with the intensity of the Premier League for 10 years and struggles to finish off a full league campaign — bet that one won't improve next year either!

John Smith
2 Posted 05/04/2013 at 16:48:55

He does seem to single out Mirallas for criticism.

Tony Lea
3 Posted 05/04/2013 at 17:08:14

What a pathetic comment about a Manager who has finished strongly for a number of years now. You do not appreciate what a great job he has done and deserve to see him leave to be replaced by god knows who.

Brian Harrison
4 Posted 05/04/2013 at 17:10:45

I think anyone who has watched Kevin Mirallas this season will know that he is a very good player, but I agree with David Moyes Kevin seems to struggle in the final 15 minutes of games. He wont be the first player that has taken time to adjust to the intensity of the Premier league, and I think he will be better equipped next season.

Hopefully he will be fit for the Spurs game, I think they are vulnerable to pace out wide and hopefully Kevin and Seamus will have Spurs on the back foot.

Paul David
5 Posted 05/04/2013 at 17:22:34

What a load of shite, his fitness levels don't seem any lower than the other players to me. Osman can disappear from games as early as the half hour mark but is never taken off.

Bobby Mallon
6 Posted 05/04/2013 at 17:56:04

Well stick him on the bench, then bring him on after 15 mins for barkley. Kills two birds with one stone, Barkley gets 15 mins (that he won't get if he stayed on the bench from the off) and Mirallas will get to play till the end. Sorted.

Nick Entwistle
7 Posted 05/04/2013 at 19:13:23

Bobby, I like your thinking!

I presume if Mirallas is out the team would include Neville... hopefully at RB and not in the middle with Jags pushed wide.

James Flynn
10 Posted 05/04/2013 at 20:47:36

Now that would be something. Give the kid his first start?

I like it.

James Martin
11 Posted 05/04/2013 at 22:40:59

Yes because Barkely and Mirallas play the same positions don't they?

Ian Smitham
12 Posted 05/04/2013 at 22:51:42

Our best player. Finding his feet in the Prem, will only get better and adapt to the challenges of this league. The only problem is that others with deep deep pockets will come after him. I said it about my fave player, Fella, and say the same here too, he can achieve what ever he wants to.

Ian Smitham
13 Posted 05/04/2013 at 22:55:28

Also, if you watch the comments made by Moyes, he often has a little digat the players in form and also builds up players who are struggling. I think he likes everyone to be kept in check and not get carried away with themselves but help the strugglers. No evidence that I can bring here, but I am sure there are those who can add some.

Colin Wainwright
14 Posted 05/04/2013 at 23:03:32

You may be right Ian, but I am struggling to comprehend why he would have a dig at players in form. I've seen him do it but never understood it.

Ian Smitham
15 Posted 05/04/2013 at 23:11:00

Colin, not sure he is having a dig but more trying to moderate things as everyone around gets carried away with themselves. I think, that is think, it is an effort to get more from the players.

Brendan McLaughlin
16 Posted 05/04/2013 at 23:16:28

Seriously, Mirallas has had a good season but there is a question mark over his fitness. Moyes is simply putting it down to adapting to the rigour of the Premier League... what's the problem?

James Flynn
17 Posted 05/04/2013 at 23:44:07

Ian (424) - Dead on.

John Daley
18 Posted 06/04/2013 at 00:29:04

"I agree with David Moyes, Kevin seems to struggle in the final 15 minutes of games."

Probably because he's never on the pitch for them? I wonder if Mirallas himself agrees he's incapable of seeing out 90 minutes?There have been a number of games where he's been taken off despite still looking the teams most potent attacking threat and no more shagged than anyone else. Yes, it's probably a precaution on the manager's part but is it necessary every game?

James Flynn
19 Posted 06/04/2013 at 02:35:41

JD - It's happened enough that I'll accept Moyes' explanation. Greece aint the EPL. Rather Moyes tick Miralles along the rest of the season so he can contribute. We'll see about next season.

Been wondering about Jela too. Cruising in a minor league is a different thing then the demands in England.

James Stewart
20 Posted 06/04/2013 at 04:37:48

If he doesn't play at Spurs then we are really doomed. I can't see us getting anything without Pienaar, Mirallas, Fellaini. Too big an ask.

John Nelson
21 Posted 06/04/2013 at 08:59:50

I can understand Moyes' comments, but at the same time I find it rather hypocritical as for the best part of 10 years now Osman has been incapable to play at full tempo for half a game yet still stays on the full 90 minutes.

Bobby Mallon
22 Posted 06/04/2013 at 20:37:40

James Martin – it was tongue-in-cheek.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.

About these ads