2025/26 Dwight McNeil


Eggs said:
….Mykolenko looked far less exposed than Patterson, they certainly got in behind him less but they did throw an extraordinary amount of crosses in the box. The CBs were magnificent dealing with them.

Worth looking at McNeil’s part in the 2nd goal as it might have even been more impressive than his assist. He again won a valuable defensive tackle outside of our box and made that pass to Barry on the half-way line but he then ran the length of the pitch and when Garner found Barry running into the `Forest area, McNeil was actually the nearest Everton player.

He has plenty of detractors but it was good to see him returning to decent form and providing such a valuable contribution.

Be interesting to see if offers come in but I reckon Moyes will be happier if he stays, he’s an ideal squad player. Saying that, if the price is right and he wants to leave it’ll happen.
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I agree with this.

And I have to say, I thought his defensive support of Mykolenko last night was very noticeable. It's not even the tackles, it's that he gets himself into good positions and helped ensure the player was forced back.

He has been poor this season, but last night he had an excellent all round game.
 
Similar to Leon Osman on that he has always suffered from being played on the wing, despite him having zero pace. Like Osman, he always looks more suited to playing in the number 10 role. I am not advocating we keep him, because he has never been consistent enough, but played centrally he still has something to offer at PL level, hopefully a potential buyer spots it?
 

I have been blasted in the arse for mentioning his creativity but he clearly has it. This year though I can agree with others that something has been definitely off with him. Call it lack of interest or whatever, but he has been really lazy with his passes in very dangerous positions. I do think he needs to get it together if he wants to see the pitch, but I will double down and say he is the best creator in the team when he isn't sulking.

I would give him a go central and see if he is the guy to go with the front 4. Dib should also get a look there. We need to find the guy while people are away from the team and we can afford to experiment a little.
 
Bluebonic said:
Similar to Leon Osman on that he has always suffered from being played on the wing, despite him having zero pace. Like Osman, he always looks more suited to playing in the number 10 role. I am not advocating we keep him, because he has never been consistent enough, but played centrally he still has something to offer at PL level, hopefully a potential buyer spots it?
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Not a patch on Osman
 
Don’t really know how the finances are looking PSR wise. We need a squad, and McNeil showed last night that he can step up when needed. If we can keep him as a squad player, I’m fine with that. If we need to sell him to create some financial wriggle room to buy a couple of full backs, I’d also be fine with that!
 

I’ve always liked McNeill, even if he frustrates at times. He's not the quickest and I think he’s the most 1 footed player I’ve ever seen, but he's scored/been involved in lots of important goals for us during his time here.

He was directly involved in both goals against Forest. I’d certainly keep him as a squad player, the issue is that he takes a few games to get up to speed, so he needs regular substantial minutes to maintain his sharpness.
 
He's got the football brain.
He's good at short decisive passing.
He's got a left peg that could be knighted.

Speed
Strength
One footed

Play to his strength's not to his weakness.

My biggest critism was his Attitude, that seems to have gone now..

Whether it's with us or not, teams will look at his attributes.
 

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