The Mail Bag
Rodwell's Best Position
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I was thinking that, knowing Moyes's position on strong defending, the answer to where to play Rodwell could well be to play him in a 1-4-3-2 as the sweeper.
Moyes says he could end up at the back so deploy him there where he could read and intercept the play and not give the ball away as he's a good passer.
Of course, whilst the defending side of this suggestion could appeal to Moyes, the attacking side of wing backs and two up front could scupper this idea. But knowing how strapped for cash we are (and all teams knowing we are 4-5-1), I think for us to progress we need to try something different.
Of course I don't know if the players could adapt to this idea...
Tony Cornmell, Posted 30/06/2011 at 03:04:24
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I think he is a centre back in the making. Out of our current players, I would pair him with Heitinga. He would compliment Heitinga?s lack of height and pace, but Heitinga is a fighter at the back and would organise Rodwell into position. They are both capable of passing out of defence, allowing us to build attacks. I rate Jags as a defender but Moyes (or someone) needs to teach him to keep it on the floor.
Rumours abound that a 20m+ deal had been agreed with Man U but they pulled out. I reckon Moyes and Kenwright were relying on this money to fund new moves and are now desperately having to re-think....
As for his future....i'm just not sure he's quite good enough for the CM role. I prefer Fella and Osman there for now. Maybe if Distin or jags get injured its time to move him back to CB?
Oh, wouldn't it be great if it was that simple.
Its no coincidence that since all this speculation about his potential value and the type of clubs that are constantly linked with him, he hasnt do a tap for us.
He needs to realise quickly that has got an awful long way to go and should get back to setting himself small targets like stringing a couple of decent back to back performances for Everton.
Howard,Neville, Jagielka,Distin ,Baines, Anichebe Arteta, Fellaini, Osman, Cahill, Saha
That is provided that we dont sell any of the above. The problem I have with this is that it doesnt matter if Vellios or Geuye score 20 goals each in pre-season games, or Beckford scores 50 goals, the blueprint will not be ripped up untill we start getting the inevitable injuries.
Don't you just get the feeling that you have seen it all before?
Don't get me wrong I think Rodwell "looks the part" and may ultimately go on to fulfil his potential... or may not. However, I do feel that there is an element of "Emperors New Clothes" about him with anyone expressing any doubt that he will become "some player" obviously clueless about football
It would of course be wonderful to keep him. However, in our present financial state if someone offered £20-25m I'd take it and start addressing the issues of lack of a striker, winger etc.
That of course makes the assumption that it would be spent to strengthen the squad and not disappear into the file marked debt servicing. .
It would be great to keep him and see him develop, but we are skint (not his fault)
We need money and I would rather sell him, than any of the others rumoured to be getting sold
He contributed nothing last season, and doesn't look hungry enough
Cash in now
For that position you need the experience of reading the game and knowing the opposition.
IMO Rodwell is suffering from poor balance in the team.
When he and Felli played in the centre they both were very effective.
But with Arteta and his lack of pace and ability to go box to box throughout a game it is not an ideal pairing.
Rodwell has got a great engine and very rarely gives the ball away but he does need somone in front or alongside him that can break into space for a pass.
Unfortunately for him the "Everton way" is to get men behind the ball and we then do not have the pace to break forward.
With a combination of three from Gueye, Arteta, Osman, Coleman, Cahill, Anichebe being the attacking option.
"Of course I don't know if the players could adapt to this idea"
I'm sure the players could adapt, but not sure about the manager adapting though.
Howard
Coleman, Jags, Rodwell, Distin, Baines
Arteta, Fellaini, Cahill
Beckford, Saha
I think the wing back positions would get the best out of Coleman and Baines. The midfield three would get the best out of Arteta and Cahill. A front partnership will get the best out of Backford.
All we need is for Rodwell to step up and turn into Franz Beckenbauer!
If we could get that 10mill cash offer from City for Rodwell plus two of there players that would be perfect. Unfortunately i can see Baines or Felliani going as Rodwell looks like most of the young english players of today i.e Henderson etc and thats distinctly average.
Is Rodwell a centre back?
Is he a holding midfielder?
Is he a box to box midfielder?
Is Coleman a full back?
Is Arteta a wide right player?
Is Osman a wide right player?
Is Neville a holding midfielder?
Where should Fellaini play?
Is Cahill finished? Where should Bily play? (Russia?)
Is Saha done?
What does the coach see in Vic?
Who will play at left back if Baines gets hurt?
Is Baxter any good?
Does Mucha exist?
The board have many questions to answer. So it seems does the coach.
Take Baines out of that side, and what you have is a very very average looking side.
If there is an opportunity to sell Rodwell in order to add a bit of quality to the wings and / or up front, then to me, it's a no-brainer.
We all know what Shaun's team is capable of... and, let's face it, it isn't very pretty!
He is a young lad who is still finding his feet, we will never know his best position if he doesn?t try a few roles in the side. Moyes doesn?t have the luxury of a big squad so players will sometime have to fill gaps. It?s not like Moyes is the only manager to do it, every manager does it. Your other sarcastic questions are also ridiculous and not worth discussing.
Then Moyes came out some time later stating he sees Rodwell challenging Cahill for the attacking midfield role (NOT SECOND STRIKER ROLE!) amazingly enough during this time Rodwell was deployed as a winger and a defensive midfielder.
The reasons above are why Rodwell?s development has suffered. I certainly wouldn?t sell him ? last time we had £24 million we from a big player sale all the signings were shite: Bily, Heitinga, Distin.
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