Barkley did more in 50 minutes than Rodwell has in over a year.

Summerskin · August 6, 2011

Rodwell has got to be the biggest ball watcher i've seen, always 2 seconds behind every move.

Barkley missed a glorious chance, looked lively and had some lovely tricks/passes up his sleeve, i'm afraid Rodders just doesn't cut it here.

DISCUSS.

davek · August 6, 2011

I thought all those taking a turn in the centre of midfield were just mesmerised by the opposition. They gave Villarreal far too much respect and stood off. They took the piss in that 2nd half and it wasn't good to see us surrendering territory so easily.

Phenom · August 6, 2011

It looks to me like Barkley is going to use this reputation he has and become the player everybody expects, where as Rodders didnt really shine with the pressure on him.

Hopefully with the spotlight on Barkley, Rodwell can slowly start becoming the player we all hope.

Hibbert&Ernie · August 6, 2011

Rodwell is a centre back. It is time to get used to that fact.
The state of the expectation at Everton is becoming a greater nuisance. The hype and pressure loaded onto the academy stars is unreal, Rodwell was to be the new Pele at one point, Baxter the nest Ronaldo (Brazilian), now Barkley.
Why not take our foot off the gas-pedal and announce these players when they actually step up and prove it week after week.

MapleLeafEvertonian · August 6, 2011

Hibbert&Ernie said:
Rodwell is a centre back. It is time to get used to that fact.
The state of the expectation at Everton is becoming a greater nuisance. The hype and pressure loaded onto the academy stars is unreal, Rodwell was to be the new Pele at one point, Baxter the nest Ronaldo (Brazilian), now Barkley.
Why not take our foot off the gas-pedal and announce these players when they actually step up and prove it week after week.

Got to let the fans be excited about something, can't exactly get excited over transfer season can we

.

Hibbert&Ernie · August 6, 2011

"if you try sometimes you get what you need"
I am looking forward to the coming season, im glad the side is as it is (meaning players havnt left), I am sure we will spend (has never been a summer we havnt), and so long as we arent flogging our backside to the banks to afford some foreigh no-mark then I am glad we are stable and working towards operating on an even keel.
We don't do galacticos, and galacticos rarely do success.
Consolidation and stability may not be hyper-exciting, but im glad we arent dicing with death at the end of every season and having our better players picked off like a vulture does to a rotting carcass.

RFUS · August 6, 2011

They are admittedly different types of player. It's always easier to look good when you're an attack-minded flair player.

Plus Barkley's no doubt been building those skills for years whereas Rodwell grew up as a CB.

That said, I'm much more excited about Barkley than I ever have been for Jack.

ToffeeBlueNose · August 6, 2011

another rodders bashing thread eh give the kid a bloody break he is 20, i find it astonishing the grief he gets on here and wonder what some of your realistic expectations are.

GrandOldTeam · August 6, 2011

Rodwell was built up and billed as something that he was never going to be.

Maybe I won't be as mocked as I have been in the past when I say this again;

"If we're lucky, we have another Michael Carrick on our hands".

Chang Elephant · August 6, 2011

GrandOldTeam said:
Rodwell was built up and billed as something that he was never going to be.

Maybe I won't be as mocked as I have been in the past when I say this again;

"If we're lucky, we have another Michael Carrick on our hands".

I was hoping Rodwell could build on his physique and athleticism to make himself a midfield beast, totally different from Carrick. But that mentality just isn't there and it's not being coached into him.

kenada_blue · August 6, 2011

Uckin hell!

What a difference a season makes

chicoazul · August 6, 2011

GrandOldTeam said:
Rodwell was built up and billed as something that he was never going to be.

Maybe I won't be as mocked as I have been in the past when I say this again;

"If we're lucky, we have another Michael Carrick on our hands".

I'm liking your clear anguish at being mocked. You've bookmarked all the offenders, no doubt.

He was awful last night. I don't know where his best position is, but he needs to find it. He is absolutely horrid at making space for his team mates to pass to and has no ambition with the ball. I'd start Barkley before him, I would.

BlueTak · August 6, 2011

We can't write Rodwell off now, he has the coming season to prove himself.

I think he'd be better off at centre back though.

Goat · August 6, 2011

Yeah cos at 20 hes the finished product.

Tut, tut, tut.

Everton fans, build players up to just to bring them down.

GrandOldTeam · August 6, 2011

chicoazul said:
I'm liking your clear anguish at being mocked. You've bookmarked all the offenders, no doubt.

He was awful last night. I don't know where his best position is, but he needs to find it. He is absolutely horrid at making space for his team mates to pass to and has no ambition with the ball. I'd start Barkley before him, I would.

So will Moyes mate.

Nothing like my anguish towards Toccy and Goat with Fellaini! :lol: