toffeestillidie
Player Valuation: £35m
With all the doom and gloom i figured i would join the brave few trying to shed a positive light on our season's outlook. last season despite doing well, we struggled early, but i don't think that will happen this year mainly because i think form is generally picking up around the team.
Tim Howard: for both club and country, this has probably been the best summer of his life in terms of form. He first guided USA by the defending european champions and world cup favourites spain, holding them scoreless for the first time in god knows how many games. He followed that up with one of the most phenomenal performances i've ever seen against the MLS all-stars, blocking several penalties to give the MLS all-stars their first ever defeat. His last game, against mexico, while a defeat saw him come up with numerous amazing saves. I think this summer alone has probably earned everton many american fans, particularly young aspiring keepers.
Phil Neville: I haven't seen too many preseason games but from what i've seen and heard, he's been rock solid. He's played right back , his normal defensive midfield role, and even centre back, and has shined at all of those positions (i know none of you will accept him at CB but i really think there are worse options out there). I think his leadership qualities really peaked last year as well, i don't think anyone could accuse him of being a captain in name only as he's really taken to leading the team like a general on the pitch. Even off the pitch, i think he's seen as almost a spokesman for the team, particularly with his comments warning off manchester city. He's greatly grown in confidence, due in no small part to most evertonians finally accepting him, and i think he'll be one of our strong performers. His last preseason game saw him put in a solid performance in a position he has limited experience with, so i'm sure he's just buzzing for the campaign to get started.
Tim Cahill: He's always been one of our best players so i don't need to go into much detail, but even though he's one of my favourite players i think he struggles for form from time to time. This summer i got to see him play wide midfield, a position i'd hate to put him in, but atleast we know he can do a good job there if arteta and fellaini in the middle is deemed to be enough. But the big thing here is form, his last game was a 3-0 trouncing of a relatively good international side, in which he put 2 goals passed none other than City's goalkeeper, shay given, he's coming off 4 goals in his last 2 internationals, opponents beware.
Baines - Pienaar: It wouldn't make sense to talk about these two individually because the synergy between them is remarkable. i don't know how they'd played together earlier in preseason, but against Malaga it really gave our side a huge boost. I knew the partnership was important, but i didn't realize how special it was until we were forced to go without it for a little while, the link-up play is amazing, and we're coming off one of the best performances i've seen the two of them put in. I'm really looking forward to seeing the contest between pienaar and baines, and sagna and whoever arsenal stick at right wing (i imagine arshavin will be playing striker since adebayor is out).
Rodwell and Fellaini: Very different players I know but i feel like they're worth grouping for this instance. They're both very young, and some might say two of the brightest young prospects in the league. Everyone has spoken highly of fellaini for quite some time as he quickly works to make the 15 mil we paid for him look like a bargain, and on top of the praise rodwell has been getting just recently NewsNow: Loading story... came out. Fellaini has adjusted to the pace of the premier league, and this preseason his fouling, the weakest part of his game, has dropped to a minimum, and he generally looks more comfortable on the pitch. Rodwell has grown from cover last season, to a full-fledged first teamer. Moyes has the confidence to play him at Defensive Midfield, which very few will do for someone so young, and he's only risen to the occasion so far. I really do believe this is his breakout season.
so despite the lack of signings, we're coming off a summer of the best goalkeeping we've had in a long time, our proven goal scorers scoring many goals, our team chemistry only growing despite departure rumors, and the matriculation of several young prospects. when you look at it like that, suggestions of bringing boots to the game or whatever other protests you're thinking of just seem misplaced.
Tim Howard: for both club and country, this has probably been the best summer of his life in terms of form. He first guided USA by the defending european champions and world cup favourites spain, holding them scoreless for the first time in god knows how many games. He followed that up with one of the most phenomenal performances i've ever seen against the MLS all-stars, blocking several penalties to give the MLS all-stars their first ever defeat. His last game, against mexico, while a defeat saw him come up with numerous amazing saves. I think this summer alone has probably earned everton many american fans, particularly young aspiring keepers.
Phil Neville: I haven't seen too many preseason games but from what i've seen and heard, he's been rock solid. He's played right back , his normal defensive midfield role, and even centre back, and has shined at all of those positions (i know none of you will accept him at CB but i really think there are worse options out there). I think his leadership qualities really peaked last year as well, i don't think anyone could accuse him of being a captain in name only as he's really taken to leading the team like a general on the pitch. Even off the pitch, i think he's seen as almost a spokesman for the team, particularly with his comments warning off manchester city. He's greatly grown in confidence, due in no small part to most evertonians finally accepting him, and i think he'll be one of our strong performers. His last preseason game saw him put in a solid performance in a position he has limited experience with, so i'm sure he's just buzzing for the campaign to get started.
Tim Cahill: He's always been one of our best players so i don't need to go into much detail, but even though he's one of my favourite players i think he struggles for form from time to time. This summer i got to see him play wide midfield, a position i'd hate to put him in, but atleast we know he can do a good job there if arteta and fellaini in the middle is deemed to be enough. But the big thing here is form, his last game was a 3-0 trouncing of a relatively good international side, in which he put 2 goals passed none other than City's goalkeeper, shay given, he's coming off 4 goals in his last 2 internationals, opponents beware.
Baines - Pienaar: It wouldn't make sense to talk about these two individually because the synergy between them is remarkable. i don't know how they'd played together earlier in preseason, but against Malaga it really gave our side a huge boost. I knew the partnership was important, but i didn't realize how special it was until we were forced to go without it for a little while, the link-up play is amazing, and we're coming off one of the best performances i've seen the two of them put in. I'm really looking forward to seeing the contest between pienaar and baines, and sagna and whoever arsenal stick at right wing (i imagine arshavin will be playing striker since adebayor is out).
Rodwell and Fellaini: Very different players I know but i feel like they're worth grouping for this instance. They're both very young, and some might say two of the brightest young prospects in the league. Everyone has spoken highly of fellaini for quite some time as he quickly works to make the 15 mil we paid for him look like a bargain, and on top of the praise rodwell has been getting just recently NewsNow: Loading story... came out. Fellaini has adjusted to the pace of the premier league, and this preseason his fouling, the weakest part of his game, has dropped to a minimum, and he generally looks more comfortable on the pitch. Rodwell has grown from cover last season, to a full-fledged first teamer. Moyes has the confidence to play him at Defensive Midfield, which very few will do for someone so young, and he's only risen to the occasion so far. I really do believe this is his breakout season.
so despite the lack of signings, we're coming off a summer of the best goalkeeping we've had in a long time, our proven goal scorers scoring many goals, our team chemistry only growing despite departure rumors, and the matriculation of several young prospects. when you look at it like that, suggestions of bringing boots to the game or whatever other protests you're thinking of just seem misplaced.