Billy's future

[billycopper]

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.

He can sometimes get a bit lost, I concede, but then so can Osman and Rodwell. I think part of that is because his team mates haven't yet developed a trust in him. He'll be in acres of space and asking for the ball, but they don't see the pass and play their usual 'safe' ball to Cahill or Arteta instead. It must be incredibly frustrating for him, especially when he needs possession of the ball to prove himself. I can't remember which game it was, maybe Birmingham, but we'd suffered yet another drab draw when we'd failed to break down a packed defence. Afterwards Bily said that we "needed to play with more intelligence". He's absolutely right. Neville and Jagielka launching the ball to Osman will get us nowhere. I actually think that Bily is on a different wavelength to a lot of his team mates because he's seeing opportunities that they're missing.

 

[chicoazul]

Mate, he's generally crap in possession, that's why he doesn't get passed to. I covered that in the post above.

 

[billycopper]

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.

I think that is one of Bily's biggest weaknesses. Sometimes he does seem as if he's switched off mentally. The difficult thing to fathom is that he'll then suddenly come alive. Perhaps it's something that the coaches, nutritionists and psychologists can get to the bottom of?

 

[billycopper]

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.

How can you complain that he doesn't get involved if his teammates don't pass to him? Does he have to win the ball and take it all the way up the pitch himself every time?

 

[teppic]

Hahaha.

Tbh I don't think that one will EVER get old.

 

[billycopper]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...inov-confident-of-Premier-League-success.html

While I'm looking for stats for his time in England, here's his stats for Spartak Moscow. In 13 games, about a third of his shots were on target and half of those resulted in goals. His pass completion rate was a reasonable 73%. His cross completion and dribble completion were surprisingly poor (10% and 45% respectively), but he won 85% of his tackles.

 

[chicoazul]

How can you complain that he doesn't get involved if his teammates don't pass to him? Does he have to win the ball and take it all the way up the pitch himself every time?

I think you're possibly insane.

Read back my previous posts as I've covered pretty much everything that will answer your question.

Dear Lord. I wish my bird has as much faith in me.

 

[chicoazul]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...inov-confident-of-Premier-League-success.html

While I'm looking for stats for his time in England, here's his stats for Spartak Moscow. In 13 games, about a third of his shots were on target and half of those resulted in goals. His pass completion rate was a reasonable 73%. His cross completion and dribble completion were surprisingly poor (10% and 45% respectively), but he won 85% of his tackles.

He's playing in England now mate and has been for a wee while.

Bebe was boss in the Portuguese second division you know.

 

[billycopper]

I think you're possibly insane.

Read back my previous posts as I've covered pretty much everything that will answer your question.

Dear Lord. I wish my bird has as much faith in me.

To summarise, you're saying that he's crap in possession, so doesn't get passed to. Right?

 

[chicoazul]

To summarise, you're saying that he's crap in possession, so doesn't get passed to. Right?

Amongst a multitude of other things, yes.

 

[billycopper]

The Executioner's Bong is the man to defer to for this. He has Bily's pass completion rate for us at 77%.
http://theexecutionersbong.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/time-for-billy-to-take-centre-stage/

The club average is 76% and the best passer in the side is Arteta with 83% pass completion. So, he's above average.

 

[chicoazul]

You do realise that retaining possession and pass completion rate are different things don't you? That article is from January, it also debunks your whole reason to play him if were using them stats, as his shooting accuracy is less than Pienaar's!

Do you have a stat, opta boy, for the amount of times he sh*ts himself on the ball and the opposition player easily dispossess him of it?

Good God. Is it just me? Please someone tell me if it's just me?

 

[billycopper]

You do realise that retaining possession and pass completion rate are different things don't you? That article is from January, it also debunks your whole reason to play him if were using them stats, as his shooting accuracy is less than Pienaar's!

Do you have a stat, opta boy, for the amount of times he sh*ts himself on the ball and the opposition player easily dispossess him of it?

Good God. Is it just me? Please someone tell me if it's just me?

I don't think Executioner's Bong has that exact stat, but I'm pretty sure that if he's able to find his teammates with the ball most of the time that he didn't need a clean pair of shorts that often.

 

[chicoazul]

Lid, I've gave you a whole list of reason why he's not gonna make it. All you've come back with is he has a boss shot from long range. Keep digging like.

Anyone who has half a football brain and has watched him play for us for the past two seasons can see he's so not suited.

 

[Kay20]

Bily has made 26 league starts for us in 2 seasons and has scored 8 goals. Just over 1 in 3. Since Pienaar left this is the opportunities that Bily has had.

Liverpool- 9 mins.
West Hamm- 22 mins. Goal.
Chelsea- 90 mins.
Arsenal- 65 mins.
Blackpool- 70 mins.
Bolton- 60 mins.
Chelsea- 20 mins.
Sunderland- 7 mins.
Reading- 46 mins.
Newcastle- Unused sub.
Birmingham- 4 mins.
Fulham- 13 mins.
Villa- 90 mins.
Wolves- 82 mins. Goal.
Blackburn- 90 mins.
United- 46 mins.
Wigan- Unused sub.
City- Unused sub.
West Brom- 18 mins.
Chelsea- Suspended.

So he's played the full game three times in that time and the longest run of starts he's had has been four games. He must be expecting to get the hook every time he plays. He's had pressure on his place from Gueye, Arteta, Osman and even Forshaw. Bily's not an impact player. He can't come on and suddenly alter the pattern of the game. As I keep saying, Ossie has had 10 years and far more of a fair crack of the whip to show what he's capable of. I think we're expecting a lot from someone who only in his second year in the country. The fact that his record almost identically matches Krancjar's for Spurs in terms of goals to games is a massive credit to him.

If he's STILL coming off the bench after these games, or being subbed out in games, indicates a larger issue for me. That's plenty of time to make your mark. He didn't. Training must also not go so great for the kid. You're good, you go the full 90.