Tactical Preview to the new season

[RFUS]

I don't mind a bit of rotation but I wouldn't mix and match between games for the sake of it. Take Anichebe as an example at the moment. Moyes is sticking with him mainly because he wants the lad to play himself into form. I think though that Vic is going to get more uptight and frustrated that things aren't coming off for him and that he'll get into a rut. Personally, I'd throw him on for 10 minutes at the end of matches and tell him to come off knackered. He'll chase people down, he'll run with the ball, knocking people over and causing carnage. I think that Anichebe's strength, rather than trying to play a disciplined and tactical game.

I wouldn't mix and match for the sake of it either. But benching Cahill and playing 2 strikers for example, isn't for the sake of it. It's to change the team's dynamic.

As for Anichebe, yeah, I'd go for that. He's not good enough to be starting at the moment. Definitely not up top. Honestly I kind of wish we'd just loan him out though.

 

[billycopper]

I wouldn't mix and match for the sake of it either. But benching Cahill and playing 2 strikers for example, isn't for the sake of it. It's to change the team's dynamic.

As for Anichebe, yeah, I'd go for that. He's not good enough to be starting at the moment. Definitely not up top. Honestly I kind of wish we'd just loan him out though.

I'd definitely play two strikers against stubborn opposition at Goodison. I'd be inclined to play Cahill in a flat midfield though so that he could take advantage of the extra space in the box while their centrebacks are marking our forwards. I wouldn't do it every game. I don't think that anyone should play every week if we can at all help it. Subtle rotation like United would be the right balance.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

I used to stick up for Phil Neville big time, particularly his qualities in midfield. Sadly I think he's lost it a bit, seems to struggle with the pace of the game now.

This.

He was nowhere near as bad as he was made out to be in midfield, certainly in a balanced partnership, but his legs have gone. He struggles to turn and face the play in possession and that's vital for any midfielder. That, and he can't track runners like he used to.

We should stick with Fellaini and hope that he improves his positional sense and defensive awareness. He's only 23 and will get better with age. I look forward to seeing him and a confident Arteta playing together once again, there partnership was nowhere near as bad as people make out. Still potentially the best we have, and one of the better midfield duo's in the League.

 

[billycopper]

This.

He was nowhere near as bad as he was made out to be in midfield, certainly in a balanced partnership, but his legs have gone. He struggles to turn and face the play in possession and that's vital for any midfielder. That, and he can't track runners like he used to.

We should stick with Fellaini and hope that he improves his positional sense and defensive awareness. He's only 23 and will get better with age. I look forward to seeing him and a confident Arteta playing together once again, there partnership was nowhere near as bad as people make out. Still potentially the best we have, and one of the better midfield duo's in the League.

I think we have to give Neville credit for the way our fortunes changed when he moved to midfield. He's certainly not my favourite player and he's probably only got two full seasons at best left in him, so he's not the future, but he was surprisingly good. He was disciplined, he organised those around him, he closed down and his experience told. He had a positive effect on his teammates, encouraging composure and tigerish tackling in equal measures.

If I was the manager I'd probably play Neville with Fellaini infront of the defence to help to develop him. From there, he could also watch over Coleman and Barkley down our right hand side, mopping up any mistakes and nurturing them along. In time I'd like to see Rodwell take over from him, with Arteta sticking to the left hand side.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

I think we have to give Neville credit for the way our fortunes changed when he moved to midfield. He's certainly not my favourite player and he's probably only got two full seasons at best left in him, so he's not the future, but he was surprisingly good. He was disciplined, he organised those around him, he closed down and his experience told. He had a positive effect on his teammates, encouraging composure and tigerish tackling in equal measures.

If I was the manager I'd probably play Neville with Fellaini infront of the defence to help to develop him. From there, he could also watch over Coleman and Barkley down our right hand side, mopping up any mistakes and nurturing them along. In time I'd like to see Rodwell take over from him, with Arteta sticking to the left hand side.

I think there was a time when he was very underrated in the role. He suffered from having to play alongside Carsley during his early days here and the balance clearly wasn't right but his best form for us probably came during the 08-09 season, playing alongside Arteta in the middle of the park. He was excellent there, and despite the crying about Carsley's departure, we ended up keeping more clean sheets with Neville and Mikel sharing the duties, and playing far better football as a result.

Times have changed though, and whilst he can still do a job, it's obvious to me that his legs are not what they once where, and you can't carry that, in and out of possession. Even during that spell last season, he was getting caught in stupid positions trying to turn and get the ball under control. He did a solid job as a whole, but he also had Johnny Heitinga alongside him, and we where playing dreadful, mind numbing football. Not for me.

That, and his partnership with Fellaini wouldn't do him any favours in my opinion, neither of them have an expansive passing range, and I could see teams just harrying them and knocking us out of our stride. You need that link between defence and attack, someone who moves into space well, takes that extra touch in possession and can make an intelligent pass under pressure. I think it's vital, so if Neville was to come in, for me, Fellaini would be the one to drop out. It's all about balance really.

 

[somuchfun]

Keep up the good work! Writeups like these make me sound like I know my stuff when rambling drunk.

 

[davek]

I'm surprised Neville is getting credit for his MF performances early in his Everton career. I thought he did a good job for United when called upon to do a man marking role - so I'm not suggesting he's a total duffer in there. And I'm sure he had one or two more than decent games in the middle for Everton. But I cant remember thinking that he was consistently the answer alongside anyone. He's got practically zero creativity. Surely a prerequisite for that area of the pitch? RB on the other hand I've always thought he did a very good job for us since he arrived. Best RB at the club, no question. Probably still is. But last season - and despite all the interest and acclaim from wobbly head - I thought he was just blowing for tugs half the time and being an auld arse pulling Coleman closer to him to double up for defensive duties to mask his frailities...probabaly one of the key the reasons Coleman's form dropped off late last season.

 

[billycopper]

I think there was a time when he was very underrated in the role. He suffered from having to play alongside Carsley during his early days here and the balance clearly wasn't right but his best form for us probably came during the 08-09 season, playing alongside Arteta in the middle of the park. He was excellent there, and despite the crying about Carsley's departure, we ended up keeping more clean sheets with Neville and Mikel sharing the duties, and playing far better football as a result.

Times have changed though, and whilst he can still do a job, it's obvious to me that his legs are not what they once where, and you can't carry that, in and out of possession. Even during that spell last season, he was getting caught in stupid positions trying to turn and get the ball under control. He did a solid job as a whole, but he also had Johnny Heitinga alongside him, and we where playing dreadful, mind numbing football. Not for me.

That, and his partnership with Fellaini wouldn't do him any favours in my opinion, neither of them have an expansive passing range, and I could see teams just harrying them and knocking us out of our stride. You need that link between defence and attack, someone who moves into space well, takes that extra touch in possession and can make an intelligent pass under pressure. I think it's vital, so if Neville was to come in, for me, Fellaini would be the one to drop out. It's all about balance really.

I've got a slightly different take on it. When Arteta played there last season he was, uncharacteristically, getting caught on the ball and he was strolling back without picking anyone up. When he was in possession it was congested and there was no movement ahead of him so that he could move the ball forward. Played on the left he had much more space to exploit and he had freedom to get forward. He would stay there if I was picking the team.

Heitinga has been a massive disappointment for me. If we sold Jags I'd give him a run in his favoured position at centreback but, otherwise, I couldn't sell him quick enough.

I think our options down the right hand side are either that we alternate Coleman and Barkley at right midfield, with a senior pro behind them such as Neville or Hibbert or we go for it and play Ross ahead of Seamus, but we look to bolster that flank so as not to leave us exposed. For me, Neville can come across and bail them out if other teams look to exploit their inexperience and slight build. I wouldn't trust the job to anyone else.

Fellaini is too good to leave out. I'd have him coming out of the anchor role and bossing the middle of the park, blocking the opposition bringing it out from the back and laying it off to Arteta and Barkley.