Billy's future

[ToxtethBlue]

If you remember his debut for us in the Europa League/UEFA Cup, every time he put the ball in the box it looked like we were going to score. For whatever reason (maybe it's been coached out of him), he's stopped doing that. I couldn't tell you what Moyes expects from him when he plays him wide midfield. He's definitely not a winger. He's more like Sheedy. One of Sheeds' biggest strengths was getting forward to grab a goal. We wouldn't expect him to cover Van den Hauwe too much or to weave his way past players. I think we need to let him get on with his game and not to try and make him fit a rigid and regimented (predictable) system.

I remember it well, and was very excited about us having that type of delivery in our team. The more he took them, the worse they got though. He put in some real shockers and was quickly took off them. It wasn't just like Moyes one day decided that he was going to punish Bilyaletdinov and not let him take set pieces.

He probably is similar in style to players like Sheedy and Beckham but his level of delivery is nowhere near that standard. He could get by if he had any level of trickery or dribbling ability like Arteta, Pienaar or Osman but he doesn't. He struggles to create space for himself and doesn't have that willingness to take the ball under pressure.

The system he's playing in should be suited to him. He played outwide in Russia, and even if he is a central player, he wasn't being asked to 'play as a winger' anyway. One thing Moyes does do is give his wide players freedom to drift centrally and influence the game. He tried Bilyaletdinov from the right and the left, and he failed to deliver.

Coleman, Pienaar, Donovan, Anichebe, Arteta and Osman have all been used before him during his time here, speaks for itself really. He doesn't have it, and isn't worth persisting with.

 

[FinchFarmBlue]

I remember it well, and was very excited about us having that type of delivery in our team. The more he took them, the worse they got though. He put in some real shockers and was quickly took off them. It wasn't just like Moyes one day decided that he was going to punish Bilyaletdinov and not let him take set pieces.

He probably is similar in style to players like Sheedy and Beckham but his level of delivery is nowhere near that standard. He could get by if he had any level of trickery or dribbling ability like Arteta, Pienaar or Osman but he doesn't. He struggles to create space for himself and doesn't have that willingness to take the ball under pressure.

The system he's playing in should be suited to him. He played outwide in Russia, and even if he is a central player, he wasn't being asked to 'play as a winger' anyway. One thing Moyes does do is give his wide players freedom to drift centrally and influence the game. He tried Bilyaletdinov from the right and the left, and he failed to deliver.

Coleman, Pienaar, Donovan, Anichebe, Arteta and Osman have all been used before him during his time here, speaks for itself really. He doesn't have it, and isn't worth persisting with.

It was the game against AEK wasn't it?

IIRC he set Pienaar up for a goal with a spot- on ball through the middle after starting the game on the left. I think thats the problem with Bily though- that pace of game suited him just fine on what I saw of him that night-but he's just not able to get his game together for the pace of the Prem- as much as you can try and will him on from your seat when you see the games passing him by- the step up just never happens. Its all a bit 'what if'? unfortunately. A model pro without a doubt who doesn't whine on in the press, but an expensive use of Evertons meagre resources right now. FWIW I still like Bily as a player even with his short-comings but even 1 more season with us isn't going to do the club or player any favours.

 

[micknick]

I so want him to do well but just cant see it. He cant beat a man, he gives the ball away far too often and doesnt have any pace.

He has a decent cross and can smash them in from time to time but its not enough. I hope we have the ability to give him until Christmas in his last chance salon..

 

[FinchFarmBlue]

I so want him to do well but just cant see it. He cant beat a man, he gives the ball away far too often and doesnt have any pace.

He has a decent cross and can smash them in from time to time but its not enough. I hope we have the ability to give him until Christmas in his last chance salon..

Its a strange one isn't it? He has been as frustrating as Vic to watch if not moreso, but I just can't get mad at the bloke however much I try. It's more the disappointment that there is a quality player in there somewhere but the fans have only seen a mere glimpse of what he is capable of.

 

[Evertim]

I think we need to give Billy a chance with a decent run in the team. The question for me is why isnt Moyes getting the best out of him as the guy has got more than just potential. He's proven to be a good player already from his time in Russia. Young player of the year 2004 in the russian league, captain of Lokomtiv as well, over 40 games for the Russian National Team. There's a good player in there trying to get out I'm sure.

The only reason I can think of to get rid of him is if we can get Krancjar instead to replace him, but I dont think we'll get enough for Krancjar from his sale.

 

[billycopper]

Can you become his agent, I reckon we'd get £12m for him now?!!

Thanks, but no thanks! ha

 

[billycopper]

Like Bily mate?

Lets just admit defeat in this one, he's had two seasons and is in his mid twenties. We can't excuse him being just potential, he's continually underwhelmed.

As I've said many times, I think his goals are probably his main strength. He needs games and he needs to be played within range of the opposition goal to demonstrate that. His record is about 1 in 6 for the appearances that he has made, which is far superior to Osman, Anichebe and Rodwell. He has the same ratio as Arteta, which is quite impressive considering he rarely gets a full game.

 

[chicoazul]

But he's a passenger and at times a downright liability in most games mate.

I'd rather start any of those players you mentioned there in front of him.

I desperately want him to come good but he's gave no good of that thus far. I admire your optimism but it defies logic a bit.

 

[teppic]

But he's a passenger and at times a downright liability in most games mate.

I'd rather start any of those players you mentioned there in front of him.

I desperately want him to come good but he's gave no good of that thus far. I admire your optimism but it defies logic a bit.

I could link you to at least 3 YouTube videos where he has been boss if I wasn't on my phone.

Tbh the best thing for Bilys is if someone from Russia offers 6 million for him.

 

[Alio]

Sadly, don't think it's really in our first XI

Never wanted a player to succeed more than Bily, there's something I like a lot about the fella. He scores awesome goals, but it can be in between 5 or so games, where he's nowhere to be seen. You could argue other players go missing too, just seems very obvious when Bily does...

But we didn't buy him to defend, he's a great option in some kind of attacking role, just need to get him in as many shooting positions as possible, where he's got the ball at his left foot. Pretty much that simple

 

[billycopper]

I remember it well, and was very excited about us having that type of delivery in our team. The more he took them, the worse they got though. He put in some real shockers and was quickly took off them. It wasn't just like Moyes one day decided that he was going to punish Bilyaletdinov and not let him take set pieces.

He probably is similar in style to players like Sheedy and Beckham but his level of delivery is nowhere near that standard. He could get by if he had any level of trickery or dribbling ability like Arteta, Pienaar or Osman but he doesn't. He struggles to create space for himself and doesn't have that willingness to take the ball under pressure.

The system he's playing in should be suited to him. He played outwide in Russia, and even if he is a central player, he wasn't being asked to 'play as a winger' anyway. One thing Moyes does do is give his wide players freedom to drift centrally and influence the game. He tried Bilyaletdinov from the right and the left, and he failed to deliver.

Coleman, Pienaar, Donovan, Anichebe, Arteta and Osman have all been used before him during his time here, speaks for itself really. He doesn't have it, and isn't worth persisting with.

If you listen to Baines speak, Arteta always gets first dibs on set pieces. If it was decided purely on effectiveness then Baines would get a lot more of a share. Bily is still trying to establish himself in the side and would be way down the pecking order. If you watch youtube clips of him he was a penalty expert in Russia but, because he's so humble, he probably wouldn't make a claim for taking them with us.

I disagree that his delivery is below standard. I think he's got an excellent left foot and could be a great supply line for us. Baines is always taking up that position though, so we don't get much of a chance to see it. If you look at Beckham, he can't beat a man, but he doesn't need to. Lennon is another example. Redknapp coached him out of taking people on and told him to get the ball in early instead.

Bily is a 'forward', effectively a wide striker. Watch clips of him playing in Russia and he'll pick the ball up in midfield, drive forward and smash an unstoppable shot at goal, very much like he did against Wigan and United. Perhaps, because we play with 5 in midfield when Cahill drops deep he's finding himself too wide to get the angle that he needs on goal or it's too congested for him to get a strike in? His other strength is coming in round the back, as we've seen a few times. If there's nothing coming in from the right, he's got nothing to feed off though. He can create goals, but I think that he'd rather be finishing them.

I don't think Moyes knows what to do with Bily. If we had a forward three with someone like Saha to hold it up and Donovan on the right to supply the ammunition, Bily would smash it.

 

[chicoazul]

I could link you to at least 3 YouTube videos where he has been boss if I wasn't on my phone.

Tbh the best thing for Bilys is if someone from Russia offers 6 million for him.

Hahaha.

 

[Abraders]

I like Bily, good player, he has his faults and we've established he's not the best winger in the prem.. but let's compare him to other wingers, N'Zogbia, Valencia, Young etc - They're all completely different players and Bily doesn't play like any of those mentioned. Maybe he would prefer a more free role where he can try and feed balls through from the middle and have long shots!

 

[Alio]

I like Bily, good player, he has his faults and we've established he's not the best winger in the prem.. but let's compare him to other wingers, N'Zogbia, Valencia, Young etc - They're all completely different players and Bily doesn't play like any of those mentioned. Maybe he would prefer a more free role where he can try and feed balls through from the middle and have long shots!

He's our Arshavin kind of player, if you will. We just don't play that type of system, sadly for Bily the Lid....

 

[chicoazul]

All I've heard is he has a boss shot from long range.

Unfortunately that's not enough to play him. His possession retention's that bad that half the other players are hesitant to give it to him.

Watch closely next time Baines has him as a pass option, he usually swerves him.