Billy's future

[Allezfan]

I think, with respect for Bily, Fellaini and Osman in the middle and Arteta on the left wing has to be what we start with, at least until it proves not to work.

Who we play right wing and whether we go Cahill and a lone striker or a front two are the bigger questions.

(Also, while I'm a huge Nev fan, if we are playing Coleman at RB I hope Moyes isn't going to crowbar him into midfield just to get him on the pitch.)

But I honestly like the look of our midfield. Right wing's still a problem position and we need a new player for that. But, if moyes is willing to not play either Heitinga or Neville there, we have an excellent central pairing. Fellaini and Osman as first choices, with Rodwell and Bily as cover if needed.

It would be a shame to lose any of those four, though I suppose selling either Bily or Rodwell for a decent winger might be relatively intelligent.

 

[Toffe3m4n]

He looked great in the centre of midfield last night, looked energetic and was playing some ace through balls. Highly doubt he'd get much game time there this coming season though tbh..

 

[billycopper]

The likes of Luka Modric and Jack Wilshere are very similar in terms of stature and style of play. Osman's had two runs in that position before and has done well on both occasions. That 13 game unbeaten run during the 07-08 season and a spell towards the end of the 09-10 season. We beat the likes of Manchester Utd, Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon during that period.

As for Bilyaletdinov, I'm still unconvinced, but it was definitely a promising performance, and that's all he can do really. If he did things like that everyweek I'd have no problem with him. For the first time he did actually look like a Beckham esque player in a central position. Interesting...

Fair point. I guess part of my concern is that he's been with us for 10 years and you could count his standout performances on one hand. Maybe he's finally reached his peak and he's capable of controlling a game more?

I think Bily is a lot like Ossie. He's got the raw talent to be a great little player. I think they both need a good run in the side to get their confidence up and to start expressing themselves more freely. I think Bily's still trying too hard to impress.

 

[billycopper]

I think, with respect for Bily, Fellaini and Osman in the middle and Arteta on the left wing has to be what we start with, at least until it proves not to work.

Who we play right wing and whether we go Cahill and a lone striker or a front two are the bigger questions.

(Also, while I'm a huge Nev fan, if we are playing Coleman at RB I hope Moyes isn't going to crowbar him into midfield just to get him on the pitch.)

But I honestly like the look of our midfield. Right wing's still a problem position and we need a new player for that. But, if moyes is willing to not play either Heitinga or Neville there, we have an excellent central pairing. Fellaini and Osman as first choices, with Rodwell and Bily as cover if needed.

It would be a shame to lose any of those four, though I suppose selling either Bily or Rodwell for a decent winger might be relatively intelligent.

I'd probably start the season like this:

_________Howard
_Neville Jagielka Distin Baines
Coleman Fellaini Osman Arteta
________Cahill
____________Beckford

I think we need to get the midfield right first before we start changing other positions. Arteta seems so much happier with the freedom that he gets on the left. Ossie has earned the right to a central midfield berth, although I reserve judgement in the longer term. Rodwell might turn out to be a better option. Cahill started last season on fire. If he's fit, then we're going to have to include him. I'd like to see Bily regularly understudy him though. We can mix and match things a bit once the basic shape has been bedded in.

 

[LTblue]

Bily should not be sold this summer, he has alot of ability and needs to be given a run of games, his performance last night, friendly or not, highlights this.

 

[billycopper]

Bily should not be sold this summer, he has alot of ability and needs to be given a run of games, his performance last night, friendly or not, highlights this.

I'm glad that he's winning a few people over. Hopefully he'll go from strength to strength during preseason.

 

[toffeetower]

I'm a big fan of Cahill, I really am. His attitude is spot on, and you need his type in the team to keep everyone around him well grounded.

But I can't help but think when he isn't in the starting XI we play a much more expansive style of football.

If reality was akin to Football Manager, i'd be tempted to retrain Tim as a central midfielder! He'd hold a place there well as he has the ideal attributes to do so but would also free up an extra position further up the pitch for a more rounded player, or maybe even a second striker.

I'm not getting carried away with Bily's performance yesterday due to the level of opposition, but I've always advocated his inclusion in a more central position rather than stranded out on the flank where he seems to struggle.

And after watching yesterday, there's every chance he would succeed in a more advanced central position with two more defensively disciplined players behind him.

 

[Kay20]

Bily should not be sold this summer, he has alot of ability and needs to be given a run of games, his performance last night, friendly or not, highlights this.

It was one game, in pre-season, against Bury. If he holds it together through the entire pre-season I'll begin to get excited.

 

[Bigmaclad]

Apparently Bily looked shoite today, I wish so so so much he was boss but it's looking less and less likely, time to flog him?

 

[Ring master]

He did seem to be quite surprised to be subbed to me today-he looked a bit gobsmacked

 

[Silas]

Didn't he play on the left though? Played in the middle he's looked decent. Play him on the left he looks shoite. Simple?

 

[orchard]

Didn't he play on the left though? Played in the middle he's looked decent. Play him on the left he looks shoite. Simple?

Have to agree with you Silas,not just on the left,but he seemed to be acting on instructions to hug the line in parts...

 

[Allezfan]

Didn't he play on the left though? Played in the middle he's looked decent. Play him on the left he looks shoite. Simple?

In the whole ten minutes he's been there against teams not from Bury?

 

[RFUS]

In the whole ten minutes he's been there against teams not from Bury?

And whose fault is that?

Mhhhhmmm.

Steve Round's.

 

[stefanefc]

Bily....

A player who I would love to prove the doubters wrong, however, even know I'm getting frustrated. I generally agree that his best position would be in the middle, however, its not exactly an area we are short of numbers in and I think his days in an Everton shirt are numbered.