Official: "Neville to leave the blues"

[Baines' left foot]

I disagree, I think earlier on in the Season he was a useful squad player, he played alright a few times, not wonderful, cos your never gonna get wonderful from a player of his age and overall talent.

Clearly his last few appearances have been a car crash, hence the decision has been made for him to move on.

But I personally dont think hes been "holding us back for years".

Oh I agree he's been awful at times.

Moyes obviously didn't want him in the starting line up anyway as he was after Fer in January, and N'Zonzi and Ofoe in the previous window. The fact is that we didn't have anything better. Or, Moyes didn't think we had anything better. And in terms of leading a team, providing the defensive stability etc... I think he was right. Up until a year or so ago anyway.

We actually have - 7 points out of 9 since he was Wigan's best player

I wouldn't say he's been holding us back for years or Moyes is clueless, but I wouldn't say he was definitely the best person we could have had in the Everton midfield for the last three years to say the least - my point was that even Moyes makes mistakes and I believe his rigid usage of Neville at all costs was one of them.

I agree. It's just the attitude some people have towards him is very blinkered and bordering on scapegoatism. He's a poor player these days, that's for sure. But he's a top professional and only gave his best for Everton.

Personally I've always preferred Neville at RB. But due to injuries, suspensions and Moyes not getting in the players he wanted Neville has been used in CM far too many times. CM was never his natural position though, it was LB wasn't it? He was always at the very worst a solid full back for us.

 

[snipellis11]

Wish him well for the future, was a good captain for us, he wasen't a very gifted player for but he always gave 100% and played with pride and passion i know a lot on here didn't like him but he was good for our club, don't think he desrevd the amount of stick he got from people on here, but saying that it's probably best for him and for us that he moved on. Well in phil lad.

 

[Kurt.]

Was never my favorite player but I admire him for the fact that he was a positive presence around the club when we needed it most, a better role model for the younger lads coming through i couldn't think of..... he has given more to the club in a positive aspect than a lot would give him credit for. Sadly, in my opinion, he played for 2 years too long for us, I wish him all the best in whatever direction he decides to take in the future.

 

[Rook]

This is such a pointless stat.

He played over 30 league games most years, there's no way that proves one way or the other that he had a positive impact on our play.

Even the biggest Nev haters can't say that he was never a model pro and having guys like him who at least put a shift in every week are more valuable than you think. Plus Nev has been out for periods of time as well and we've had seasons with 50+ matches while he was here so there is a bigger sample size than you think.

As for comparison look at a player like Fellani. The Best talent we've had since Rooney and has been the best player on the pitch at times against United and City. However a big reason why we aren't in/closer to 4th is that for the most part he's been avg at best against the Wigans WBAs and Stokes of the prem (IMO I think he looks down on those squads). If he had a little bit of phil in him trust me this team is much more consistent and he'd be talked about in the same vein as Bale is.

 

[bluebottle]

As solely an ambassador, there is nobody better for the club. His playing days are numbered, but he was a positive influence.

 

[Carlito]

3 times LMA manager of the year disagrees with you.

Alex Ferguson, the most successful manager ever, doesn't.

 

[DanEFC92]

Great ambassador, great servant. Good luck skip.

 

[ToffeeMike]

Good luck to Phil in the future, he may have not have been the best footballer but he was certainly a cracking leader on and off the pitch.

 

[Azzurri]

YEEEEES!


Wish him well, though. Always gave 100% and is a great influence on the younger players in terms of how to be professional and dedicated.

 

[blueblue]

I notice a lot of references to his performance in the recent cup defeat to Wigan.Obviously I missed something.

I thought it was a miserable team performance where hardly a single player came out with any credit...it turns out that it was all Nevilles fault all along.
Now that Neville is gone,Anichebe is playing well,Hibbert not a regular on the team,I think that the scapegoat gun will now be firmly pointed at Osman.

 

[Baines' left foot]

Alex Ferguson, the most successful manager ever, doesn't.

Yes that's why he kept him on for 10 years.

 

[Azzurri]

I don't really see him as a 'servant to the club', though.

You could argue that Matt Le Tissier was a servant to Southampton because he could've played for a top side but chose not to. Very rare among players.

Neville would never have got a game for a better team than us and has been paid VERY well for doing a job.

 

[Carlito]

Yes that's why he kept him on for 10 years.

He kept him on until he was too old to sit on the bench most weeks. The one season Neville played more than thirty league games for United was the only time they finished lower than second.

Jaap Stam and Roy Keane were right about him.

 

[edever]

Thanks Phil Neville and the best of luck to you wherever you go.

 

[Steve Wigan]

He kept him on until he was too old to sit on the bench most weeks. The one season Neville played more than thirty league games for United was the only time they finished lower than second.

Jaap Stam and Roy Keane were right about him.

I don't know about Jaap Stam, but in my opinion Roy Keane has never been right about anything.