Left/Right wing options

[davek]

He hasn't shone as of late I will agree. Yet, I hope (maybe it is sentiment...) this is simply due to lack of games and consistency through injury.

If he could find or rebuild build his relationship with Baines, then he may still add worth to our left. He's still probably one of our best passers.

However, as you mentioned his forward momentum is somewhat lacking. If we're playing counter attacking football then he should be benched.

I think he found his level on Thursday, tbh.

He's been a good player for us though, so I wouldn't be too critical. That said, he really shouldn't be anywhere near an Everton shirt next season.

 

[PhilM]

That said, he really shouldn't be anywhere near an Everton shirt next season.

Reluctantly once I've removed my splendid nostalgia glasses, I agree with you on this point. His worth is diminishing with every month.

This season I think he still has something to offer, although to what degree is clearly up for debate. But moving on...

I'd be disappointed if we were having the same discussion next season. We desperately need to invest in a natural wide player with pace.

McGeady would then obviously be the back up player, competing for rotation etc. Another season of the current status quo isn't good enough.

Again with the nostalgia glasses, it would be 'nice' to maybe have Pienaar around for experience or for last resort, but that's not feasible.

His wage would be better spent next season on contributing towards a new players wages, or new contracts for a kid (not a goat) or two.

 

[davek]

Reluctantly once I've removed my splendid nostalgia glasses, I agree with you on this point. His worth is diminishing with every month.

This season I think he still has something to offer, although to what degree is clearly up for debate. But moving on...

I'd be disappointed if we were having the same discussion next season. We desperately need to invest in a natural wide player with pace.

McGeady would then obviously be the back up player, competing for rotation etc. Another season of the current status quo isn't good enough.

Again with the nostalgia glasses, it would be 'nice' to maybe have Pienaar around for experience or for last resort, but that's not feasible.

His wage would be better spent next season on contributing towards a new players wages, or new contracts for a kid (not a goat) or two.

If Mirallas feels like leaving we'll have an enormous task next summer.

It's strange, because if there was one area I thought would be nailed down when Martinez arrived it was wing play. He got it right last season with Deulofeu (who has been an enormous loss), but this season he's let everyone down. I honestly think that's the work of a manager who's lost a bit of confidence. We made a poor start and he responded by becoming conservative and playing players out of position. The knock on effect has been to demolish any notion about what we should expect out wide this season.

Al this winger problem IMO should be dumped where it belongs: the door of the manager's office.

 

[PhilM]

He got it right last season with Deulofeu (who has been an enormous loss)

I do not think people realised how much of an influence the young lad was last season. I've only come to realise it this year.

Let's not get carried away, he was sometimes extremely frustrating with his decision making. He is a fair away from being the complete player.

However, his pace and ability got us some vital points last season. Arsenal away and Sunderland away to name two, where he was major factor.

He was a major influence at at Newcastle away and Stoke home too. When he came off the bench, you thought he could make an impact.

Unfortunately, Atsu and others have not fulfilled this criteria. We lack pace and talent in reserve: our bench is less of a threat without him.

 

[Seanjd]

Is there much goss about Deulofeu coming back? How's he getting on at his current loan club? Not very well last I heard.

 

[chicoazul]

@Clint Planet / @Bruce Wayne

 

[Furey1878]

Mirallas and McGeady should start.

Naismith/Pienaar off the bench if we need something different.

 

[bluegirl]

Of those listed I'd play Oviedo and Mirallas purely because neither Naismith or Barkley are wingers.

I'd much rather we just signed a boss winger in Jan though.

 

[Azza]

McGeady but we really need a new signing as Pienaar is only good for 20 minutes off the bench.

 

[bluemangroup]

Pienaar is only good for 20 minutes off the bench.

Based on what exactly?

 

[Deleted member 28206]

Nigel Farage​

 

[LinekersLegs]

6 starts in 15 in a team crying out for width. Not good enough. And neither has been Martinez's in-game handling of the situation: often subbing a player doing well and looking to build up some confidence and consistency.

Martinez is at fault here. He had all that time at Wigan and then Everton to determine how he'd use McGeady if he got him. To pursue someone so long then not put any faith in them is poor leadership.

Think his use of him was fine up until he got that virus away with Ireland. He was our only decent and fit winger for that period, if he hadn't subbed him for games he could well have run him into the ground as McGeady played all through preseason and most of the Ireland/Europa games.

Martinez almost always subs the winger during a game, he does it a lot with Mirallas for example.

But his lack of appearances over the last month has been odd.

 

[ijjysmith]

Is there much goss about Deulofeu coming back? How's he getting on at his current loan club? Not very well last I heard.

Hardly getting a game in a struggling, well not struggling but not doing all that well, Sevilla team.

If he can't get in that then maybe that says something. Sadly.

Plus he's on a seasons loan there. Can't see how it would work without getting dead complicated.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

I'd personally play Oviedo on the left with Mirallas on the right

 

[davek]

Think his use of him was fine up until he got that virus away with Ireland. He was our only decent and fit winger for that period, if he hadn't subbed him for games he could well have run him into the ground as McGeady played all through preseason and most of the Ireland/Europa games.

Martinez almost always subs the winger during a game, he does it a lot with Mirallas for example.

But his lack of appearances over the last month has been odd.

He hasn't done it by accident.