In Praise of James Rodriguez

To see him wearing the blue of Everton will get the fans rocking again and hopefully the team a real lift. After all quality is quality and class permanent. Hola James !! and welcome back !!!

I grew up with Sheedy, Reid and Trevor Steven.

You know a good player when you witness one.

A shame that many Everton supporters didn't get to see him in the flesh. That take and pass at Analfield in front of the Kop was sublime. Pure instinct.

We are creating chances, just not got anyone who can put it in the back of the net.

If anyone thinks James will make a huge difference, I have to disagree. At this moment in time, fighters like Gueye and Doucouré is what we need.

Now if there was an out-and-out striker available right now, we can bring in I would say go for it.

We are already walking on hot coal with the P&S Rules; throw James's wages and Dele Alli's into the mix and it could take us way over.

If we had half a season left, I would agree with bringing James in; right now, we are in a real fight and for me it's the wrong time to bring James in.

Just my own personal opinion.

James Rodriguez, was a great talent who was on easy street, Wayne Rooney was a 17 year old scouse kid who was forced out of Everton, by the world's greatest Evertonian.

My own guess is that Bill Kenwright was a boyhood Liverpudlian, the narrative changing bastard.

I could only imagine (dream) of a few splitting through passes to a galloping Simms based on where we are now - but in reality...

James, one of the top ten most gifted players I've ever seen. Sadly plagued from earlier than is often suggested with a fragile physique I believe, the main criticism levelled being a poor attitude from many years ago. I don't know the details of that but he's done himself no favours in recent years, with social media amplifying it.

His vision, control and passing, often on the run with no first touch is staggering. Some of the moving past players, often unreadable by defenders, even without pace. The finishing too.

If only...

Ive been fortunate to see some enormous talents at GP - Pele, Eusebio, Alan Ball, Roy Vernon, The golden vision, Sheedy, Trevor Stevens, Kanchelskis to name but a few but none of the current squad get me off my seat except to shout abuse.

The decline since Kenwright took over is there for all to see unfortunately.

If Kenwright had wanted him, there was surely a way the 27-30 million (wherever it ended up) could've been worked around.

Wanted the money.

For everything he did and the incredible success, I still think Rooney never quite became what he looked to be heading for here. Looked like we had the next Maradona - but maybe I'm dreaming.

That type of play was what we have been starved of and what we crave. The only other player in the PL who can do what James can do is Kevin De Brunye, one of the world's best midfielders.

After a while though opponents cottoned on, fouled him heavily out of every game , he's not as strong or robust as say De Brunye , and got no protection from referees whatsoever. He carried injuries or was out injured. Half way through the season mentally and physically it became too much. The game was up.

We had Eto'o "A Gift from God," not that long ago and he had some amazing games. But when he left, no one waxed lyrical about him because we knew he was a past it, unreliable, expensive luxury. James was no different. At least Kanchelskis was fit during his entire year, helped us into the to six, and was sold for profit. James like Warzycha had some memorable moments in a season where we were going nowhere and doing nothing whilst paying him and his colleagues money we didn't have.

I consider James Rodriguez the best ball player I've seen since Harvey. He would have graced both the early 60s and late 60s sides, fitting them like a glove.

Fans who are more accepting of mediocrity and dull football might have a different view, but given my upbringing, as far as I'm concerned if you don't have players like Harvey and Rodriguez, then football is barely worth watching. After all, it's supposed to be entertainment, and the beautiful game.

Fucking go for it! It worked for Bournemouth

A lot of our players are deficient in the basics – movement off the ball, passing into space, even laying off a 10-yard pass. So I agree that not only are we down but we'll go down playing like an ale house team but without the fight.

I then had Duncan MacKenzie and Andy King giving me hope. Bob Latchford.

Then Reid, Sharp, Bracewell, Steven and of course Sheedy came on the scene. There is my Sheedy mention for the day, but what a player Bracewell was and could have been if not for injury.

On Kanchelskis, I'm not sure about being fit all of the time. Didn't he get injured weeks in and was out for a month?

But what a great player of Lithuanian descent who was born and grew up in Ukraine and opted to continue playing for the Soviet Union / Russia. One the few genuinely class players we've had in the last 25 years.

Destroyed Liverpool at Anfield. That was a good day.

Had the supporters got to watch him, I guarantee that even his critics would have forged a different view.

There are very few players who play every game, especially in the modern game.

I'd take 14 James Rodriguez performances this season.

Was it not also the case that he did not want to play at the back end of Carlo's regime?

Kevin Sheedy or Trevor Steven he was not!

I have had 3 knee operations, 1 ankle op, broken my back twice, have a spinal implant and a small bleed on the right side of my brain. I still reckon I'd bag a few!

That's how good James is. I'd take him back for a few games – fuck it, we're likely to be going down anyway so what's the worst that could happen – other than me getting injured.

All those serious injuries you've had and got on with and you're praising a man(?) who didn't want to play because he felt a twinge somewhere.

Should have been felt from a kick up the arse by the man who brought him here then washed his hands of him and then did one to a more safe and lucrative job.

There's about as much chance of me getting a game, with all my injuries and turning 50 in August!

Fair enough, but even at 50, your spirit could give some life to some of our present players. While I appreciate the skill Rodriguez had, if he had your spirit, I'd have appreciated him a lot more.

Let's hope the team has a good go on Thursday and lifts all our spirits.

Undoubtedly, a very fine footballer and a shame I never got to see him play live, but honestly – why would anyone want an overpaid, injury-prone, couldn't-be-arsed footballer back in a blue shirt?

I loved Kanchelskis too but there's also an over-sentimental reaction to him too. He couldn't wait to get away in his second season.

Move on, the past has gone. I love tradition and my memories but they're history! I'm more concerned about the next 6 matches, starting with Thursday.

Just a shame that we didn't get to watch him.

I don't think many expect him back. But he could have made more of a difference in 10 matches than some who have taken to the field this season.

The only thing that matters between now and the end of May is the next 6 matches.

We now have the worst scoring record of any English team.

I wonder why?

Why not pay Rodriguez to stroll about looking elegant for 6 games – who, for all his faults, always knew where Calvert-Lewin's head or foot was, or anybody's for that matter – and had the wherewithal to drop it right on to him.

We are playing Sunday I hope!!

Christine. I would take him back tomorrow.

Even if we only got to watch him 10 times, most Everton fans would love it.