The Catalyst

Arteta2391 · April 9, 2012

Has Pienaar affected our late season surge or is it Everton just being Everton? I think we look like a completely different team with him playing. I think he excelled today in the CAM position. I think I'll be more happy if he stays and if Drenthe goes.

Famous Grouse · April 9, 2012

Its Moyes being Moyes.

I hate his part time management style.

davek · April 9, 2012

Arteta2391 said:
Has Pienaar affected our late season surge or is it Everton just being Everton? I think we look like a completely different team with him playing. I think he excelled today in the CAM position. I think I'll be more happy if he stays and if Drenthe goes.

He's done it there before in his first spell. I personally think he's wasted out wide and only drifting inside; we have this idiot orthodoxy that states that *only he can partner Baines* on the left.

Arteta2391 · April 9, 2012

I know he plays there for his national side, but a lot of people think Cahill is the problem. Don't get me wrong, I love the man. I just think his prime days as a footballer are over.

Famous Grouse · April 9, 2012

Am I the only one who thought no Baines today was slightly refreshing? Don't get me wrong I believe he's the best left back in the league by a mile, but our play was much less predictable and I think if we'd had Jelavic instead of Straq today we could have 7 or 8.

Paul_Mc7 · April 9, 2012

Just commented on the Cahill thread about how he should be phased out and become an impact sub at this stage in his career, and in his position should play Pienaar, if we can get him back full-time, or Osman. Having an incisive, livewire player who makes space and picks out passes in that 3rd of the pitch is essential to progressive football, and would bring out the best in Jelavic, as well as Gibson and Fellaini behind them.

Gwladys Nights · April 9, 2012

Paul_Mc7 said:
Just commented on the Cahill thread about how he should be phased out and become an impact sub at this stage in his career, and in his position should play Pienaar, if we can get him back full-time, or Osman. Having an incisive, livewire player who makes space and picks out passes in that 3rd of the pitch is essential to progressive football, and would bring out the best in Jelavic, as well as Gibson and Fellaini behind them.

This has been said a million times over the last two years. It's been apparent since we battered Man Utd a couple of years ago with Pienaar, Donovan and Bilyaletdinov alternating behind Saha and Osman playing behind them.

Moyes apparently disagrees though, at least for the time being. It's infuriating. Reminds me of the calls to play Coleman at right mid and Arteta back in the center. Both of those tactical switches were endorsed by the fans months before injuries compelled Moyes to try them, and they both paid off.