Jack Rodwell

[Wayno]

Agree with a lot of that mate. Think there's also been some re-writing of history regarding young Jack too. For some reason we love to dish the dirt on our academy kids, even after they leave the club apparently.

As a kid he was always highly thought of. In those days it wasn't like today where you can watch a lot of youth football live on TV or on line and we know a lot about the younger lads coming through. Then, you had to be something special to have your name known but most Evertonian's were looking forward to seeing him make it into the first team. He represented England youth at all levels and was also invariably captain. He was a regular for what was then an open age Everton reserve team from the age of 15. He made his first team debut in Europe at 16 and premier debut aged 17. He played 21 times for England U21s making his debut aged 18, and then made his debut for the full England team aged 20.

When he first became a regular in the first team at 18 I thought he looked a natural and had the ability to turn both ways with the ball which is very rare. But I felt he had that coached out of him pretty quickly by the ultra cautious Moyes. He came into a squad that included Arteta, Fellaini, Cahill, Piennar, Neville and Bilyaletdinov, so it wasn't just because there was no competition for places at the time. I also felt we didn't know what his best position was. I always liked him playing further forward as he had that extra bit of quality, and when he was fit he was an absolute athlete. Remember a MOM performance from him there in a 3-1 home win against United in which he scored our third goal. A couple of MU mates of mine were really impressed with Rodwell that day and even joked about buying him.

I really don't think he was that over hyped by our fans at all. As a kid he was probably the best player in the country in his age group and expectations were high. But it wasn't just Everton who held him in high regard. We (the club or the fans) don't pick the national youth and older age teams and it was clear that they rated him too.

Sadly from the age of 18 he was besieged by injuries which have hampered him all his career. So the majority of the playing time that should have seen him develop into a top class footballer was actually spent on the treatment table. It was very sad but, from memory, not many were disappointed when he was sold to City for a decent fee, as we knew by then that he was unlikely to come good.

To read the posts in here you'd think we were dealing with a Franny Jeffers mark 2. The lad could have gone on to be a top top player for us, at a time we had a group of players together capable of challenging for trophies. The fact that injuries put a stop to that seems to be celebrated by some on here and I can't understand that thinking.

Whilst all that is pretty much spot on , there’s no mention of him being an absolute coward. That was his downfall, he’s spineless.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Whilst all that is pretty much spot on , there’s no mention of him being an absolute coward. That was his downfall, he’s spineless.

In what way was he a coward?

 

[bring the ghost on]

Agree with a lot of that mate. Think there's also been some re-writing of history regarding young Jack too. For some reason we love to dish the dirt on our academy kids, even after they leave the club apparently.

As a kid he was always highly thought of. In those days it wasn't like today where you can watch a lot of youth football live on TV or on line and we know a lot about the younger lads coming through. Then, you had to be something special to have your name known but most Evertonian's were looking forward to seeing him make it into the first team. He represented England youth at all levels and was also invariably captain. He was a regular for what was then an open age Everton reserve team from the age of 15. He made his first team debut in Europe at 16 and premier debut aged 17. He played 21 times for England U21s making his debut aged 18, and then made his debut for the full England team aged 20.

When he first became a regular in the first team at 18 I thought he looked a natural and had the ability to turn both ways with the ball which is very rare. But I felt he had that coached out of him pretty quickly by the ultra cautious Moyes. He came into a squad that included Arteta, Fellaini, Cahill, Piennar, Neville and Bilyaletdinov, so it wasn't just because there was no competition for places at the time. I also felt we didn't know what his best position was. I always liked him playing further forward as he had that extra bit of quality, and when he was fit he was an absolute athlete. Remember a MOM performance from him there in a 3-1 home win against United in which he scored our third goal. A couple of MU mates of mine were really impressed with Rodwell that day and even joked about buying him.

I really don't think he was that over hyped by our fans at all. As a kid he was probably the best player in the country in his age group and expectations were high. But it wasn't just Everton who held him in high regard. We (the club or the fans) don't pick the national youth and older age teams and it was clear that they rated him too.

Sadly from the age of 18 he was besieged by injuries which have hampered him all his career. So the majority of the playing time that should have seen him develop into a top class footballer was actually spent on the treatment table. It was very sad but, from memory, not many were disappointed when he was sold to City for a decent fee, as we knew by then that he was unlikely to come good.

To read the posts in here you'd think we were dealing with a Franny Jeffers mark 2. The lad could have gone on to be a top top player for us, at a time we had a group of players together capable of challenging for trophies. The fact that injuries put a stop to that seems to be celebrated by some on here and I can't understand that thinking.

Good post

 

[bring the ghost on]

In what way was he a coward?

If you dont reach the required standard in one of the worlds most competitive leagues, you’re branded a coward or a fraud on here. Tiresome.

 

[Wayno]

In what way was he a coward?

Everything about his performances. He looks terrified every time he’s on a football pitch, he would hide in big matches, he would never get involved, he was quiet, he wouldn’t tackle.

It’s been said in jest but “too much birkdale , not enough kirkdale” is spot on with him.

He was bigger and stronger than the other kids in his age group and it gained him a good reputation but he was found out at this level fairly quickly.

There’s a reason that he can’t get a game for a Sunderland team that are about to be relegated from the championship. He isn’t and wasn’t ever anywhere near good enough to okay for Everton. He wasn’t even half the player that someone like Lee Hendrie was for Villa. He had no redeeming qualities and he still doesn’t. He’s stolen a living and set himself up for life by being athletic as a kid.

It will be interesting to see where he goes after Sunderland if anywhere at all. He doesn’t have the heart guts or spine for professional football at any level.

 

[nsno-chris]

Still better than Schniderrat

 

[Barnfred 55]

Everything about his performances. He looks terrified every time he’s on a football pitch, he would hide in big matches, he would never get involved, he was quiet, he wouldn’t tackle.

It’s been said in jest but “too much birkdale , not enough kirkdale” is spot on with him.

He was bigger and stronger than the other kids in his age group and it gained him a good reputation but he was found out at this level fairly quickly.

There’s a reason that he can’t get a game for a Sunderland team that are about to be relegated from the championship. He isn’t and wasn’t ever anywhere near good enough to okay for Everton. He wasn’t even half the player that someone like Lee Hendrie was for Villa. He had no redeeming qualities and he still doesn’t. He’s stolen a living and set himself up for life by being athletic as a kid.

It will be interesting to see where he goes after Sunderland if anywhere at all. He doesn’t have the heart guts or spine for professional football at any level.

I don't agree with the highlighted bit at all mate. He was not a tackler I agree but that wasn't his game at all. He was quiet but I never saw him looking terrified. If anything he was comfortable in possession, especially compared to the lot we have now who treat the ball like a hot potato. But you have to remember he played for our first team from the ages of 17/21 and through most of that period he struggled with some injury or another.

Those injuries meant he never kicked on as we hoped and we made the right decision to sell him when we did. I don't get the coward calls and neither do I get the malice towards him given that we got decent money for him at the time. Probably equivalent to about £30m+ in todays terms. It was good business from us for somebody who's injuries prevented him from fulfilling his promise.

As for stealing a living, I don't blame him one bit really. If somebody is stupid enough to pay him that much that's their problem. I'm more concerned with the umpteen current no marks who are still stealing a living out of Everton.

 

[cronullasharks]

SELL

 

[Axlswhk]

I don't agree with the highlighted bit at all mate. He was not a tackler I agree but that wasn't his game at all. He was quiet but I never saw him looking terrified. If anything he was comfortable in possession, especially compared to the lot we have now who treat the ball like a hot potato. But you have to remember he played for our first team from the ages of 17/21 and through most of that period he struggled with some injury or another.

Those injuries meant he never kicked on as we hoped and we made the right decision to sell him when we did. I don't get the coward calls and neither do I get the malice towards him given that we got decent money for him at the time. Probably equivalent to about £30m+ in todays terms. It was good business from us for somebody who's injuries prevented him from fulfilling his promise.

As for stealing a living, I don't blame him one bit really. If somebody is stupid enough to pay him that much that's their problem. I'm more concerned with the umpteen current no marks who are still stealing a living out of Everton.

He was terrified to try something other than a 5 10 yards side ways passes. Terrified of dribbling. So yes he was terrified and a limited footballer

 

[BernieH]

Rodwell is an absolute Rolls Royce compared to the Ladas playing now.

 

[Barnfred 55]

He was terrified to try something other than a 5 10 yards side ways passes. Terrified of dribbling. So yes he was terrified and a limited footballer

That's an absolutely ridiculous comment. Terrified of dribbling. You could probably say that about 95% of players who have played for Everton over the last 30 years.

He is a limited footballer though I agree. He was a young lad who didn't fulfil his potential because of injuries. Not his fault. he cost us nothing and we got a very decent fee for him. I don't know what you expected of him.

 

[Frang]

first

 

[ilikecheese]

He just hasn't been given his chance at CB....

 

[Axlswhk]

That's an absolutely ridiculous comment. Terrified of dribbling. You could probably say that about 95% of players who have played for Everton over the last 30 years.

He is a limited footballer though I agree. He was a young lad who didn't fulfil his potential because of injuries. Not his fault. he cost us nothing and we got a very decent fee for him. I don't know what you expected of him.

I expect him to impose himself. To close down and win the ball back as much as he can. To occasionally drive the team forward. Make himself a nuisance to the opposition and launch quick counter Attack with quick forward passing. That’s what a defensive midfielder must do. he failed miserably.

 

[Wayno]

That's an absolutely ridiculous comment. Terrified of dribbling. You could probably say that about 95% of players who have played for Everton over the last 30 years.

He is a limited footballer though I agree. He was a young lad who didn't fulfil his potential because of injuries. Not his fault. he cost us nothing and we got a very decent fee for him. I don't know what you expected of him.

Whilst I admire your passion. Rodwell’s career has been hampered because of the mental side of the game.

Physically he is fine , and when it comes to development, injuries aren’t an excuse. He doesn’t have the mentality to be a professional footballer and injuries haven’t caused that.