Are Cahill's days as a starter numbered?

[McBain]

Most overrated Everton player in recent history. His goals (which dried up a bit last season) have been his one saving grace. Fact is, he's about as useful as a chocolate fireguard in midfield...and we all know it. Both he and Neville would be coming off the bench in a world ruled by logic. And I cant fathom why Moyes practically broke the bank (such as it is at EFC) hammering out a long, costly contract extension for a 30 year old player with such obvious limitations.

I'll wade in on this comment alone. This is probably the dumbest thing you've ever said, and you've had some whoppers. Dave, your setting yourself up here, and it isn't going to be pretty.

People need to stop thinking that Cahill must start. I'd love to see Rodwell play but I think that the starting lin e-up should be selected on their last performance, not due to their reputation.

Arteta has a shocker, gives away a penalty, keeps giving the ball away...do you drop him next week?

 

[davek]

Because - along with Arteta, Neville and Moyes himself - he is the heartbeat of the club. Like Keegan, he makes himself better than he really is by sheer force of will. He has that Australian sporting mentality that refuses to contemplate defeat and respects no reputation and the rest of the team feeds off that.

Yes, but tangibly that's no argument. There's no case to be made for him starting in midfield, in my view. An emergency striker is something he can do, though, as he's strong and can be a handful for defenders.

If he is so bad, why do other players and managers fear him so much?

People who dont follow Everton dont realise his limitations - all they see are the eye-catching moments, which are few and far between.

I'm not saying he isn't good enough for Everton, I'm saying he shouldn't be a first choice selection.

 

[Matt Damon]

OH FFS not another one of these threads.

 

[Matt Damon]

Have you been drinking , young Sir . I KNOW its Bank Holiday an' that , but , lid ,...????

There's one or two on here that only need a whiff of an alcoholic beverage ol' cocker!

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Cahill's completely changed his style of play over the last few years, if you go back and watch games during his first season here the obvious difference is there for everyone to see. He was very much a 'midfielder' then, box to box, alot more involved in possession and he actually was coming from deep as opposed to being upfront already. He even made the occasional driving run through the middle, Stevie G esque.

Now he plays like a slightly withdrawn target man, alot of the time with his back to goal as opposed to facing the play like a midfielder would. He's our battering ram really, he spends alot of time wrestling with six foot plus centre backs.

Not a criticism, just interesting to see how and why he's adapted his game. I'm guessing injuries played there part, he's nowhere near as mobile as he once was, and he did have deceptive pace back then, he was a surprisingly powerful runner for his size.

Occasionly he gives an old School Cahill performance, the energetic, combative Cahill of 04/05. I'd like to see more of that this season, if he does that, then fair play, I'd have him in my team. As people say though, it all comes down to performance.

 

[Topblue]

Most overrated Everton player in recent history. His goals (which dried up a bit last season) have been his one saving grace. Fact is, he's about as useful as a chocolate fireguard in midfield...and we all know it. Both he and Neville would be coming off the bench in a world ruled by logic. And I cant fathom why Moyes practically broke the bank (such as it is at EFC) hammering out a long, costly contract extension for a 30 year old player with such obvious limitations.

IMO you my friend are on drugs.

loyalty is what this club gives and expects.

 

[davek]

Cahill's completely changed his style of play over the last few years, if you go back and watch games during his first season here the obvious difference is there for everyone to see. He was very much a 'midfielder' then, box to box, alot more involved in possession and he actually was coming from deep as opposed to being upfront already. He even made the occasional driving run through the middle, Stevie G esque.

Now he plays like a slightly withdrawn target man, alot of the time with his back to goal as opposed to facing the play like a midfielder would. He's our battering ram really, he spends alot of time wrestling with six foot plus centre backs.

Not a criticism, just interesting to see how and why he's adapted his game. I'm guessing injuries played there part, he's nowhere near as mobile as he once was, and he did have deceptive pace back then, he was a surprisingly powerful runner for his size.

Occasionly he gives an old School Cahill performance, the energetic, combative Cahill of 04/05. I'd like to see more of that this season, if he does that, then fair play, I'd have him in my team. As people say though, it all comes down to performance.

Right on the money, this.

The pivotal moment was when he picked up the foot injury. I think it was around that time Moyes had a striker injury/suspension crisis and Cahill played as a lone forward and he bulldozed some formidable defences. The other thing is, he's just cracking on. It's hard for a player to surge box to box (or even half way line to box) as they get older.

 

[davek]

IMO you my friend are on drugs.

loyalty is what this club gives and expects.

Loyalty doesn't win games. As I say, he has his uses, but if a team is seeking a more fluid game Cahill is a passenger in midfield.

 

[Neiler]

* Waits for double figures this season.

 

[Matt Damon]

I think Davek's days of "surging" from thread to thread are coming to an end...

Have seen the evidence on here. He's getting past it is our Che Davek.

 

[davek]

* Waits for double figures this season.

I'd be delighted if he got them.

 

[Clint Planet]

I'd be delighted if he got them.

He managed it last year, even if his form was iffy at the start of the season.

 

[Neiler]

I'd be delighted if he got them.

9 to go mate, i wouldnt back against him. But i take your point, Cahill inclusion dictates the system - it does have an impact on our main strikers isolation and also the midfeild - hes a terrific player and will do as well as always well into his 30s - but he has serious compitition in Rodwell. It is very hard to leave out someone who has the capacity to do say what Lampard and Gerrard have done for their perspective clubs (and i use that term loosely for the former) over the years.

That said the season before last, he was prob our most influential player over the course of the season in finishing 5th and getting to the cup final - especially with no fit strikers.

 

[Matt Damon]

He's as fit as he ever was. Davek's talking nonsense.


He takes care of himself and keeps himself fit and he'll be a top player until he's 34 or 35 because most of his game is based on positioning.

And as for him being "not a midfielder". Aston Villa (H) in the FA Cup 2009. Middlesboro (H) FA Cup.

Turned the game in both for us. Middlesboro he played deep and we came from behind.

Just shows what crap Davek spouts on here.

Davek's past his best... it's got to be said.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

He played upfront (as the lone striker) against Villa in the FA cup.