The Johnny 'Colossus' Heitinga Appreciation Thread

Keep or get rid?

  • Keep

    Votes: 24 19.8%

  • Get rid

    Votes: 97 80.2%
  • Total voters
    121
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I don't think he will be a long term midfielder, his best position is at centre back and that's what he sees as his 'natural' position. One of the reasons he left Atletico was because he wanted to be a regular centre back. No doubt he'll do a job here, there and everywhere, but I think his starting position will be in defence.

A midfield three of Heitinga, Arteta and Fellaini would be too defensive unless Fellaini is moved back into his second striker role, something I wouldn't be keen on seeing considering his development as a defensive midfielder. And Arteta spends alot of his time infront of the back four, as does Heitinga.

I think it'll be Heitinga and Jagielka at centre back with Fellaini and Arteta in the middle of the park when everyones fit.
 
ToxtethBlue said:
I don't think he will be a long term midfielder, his best position is at centre back and that's what he sees as his 'natural' position. One of the reasons he left Atletico was because he wanted to be a regular centre back. No doubt he'll do a job here, there and everywhere, but I think his starting position will be in defence.

A midfield three of Heitinga, Arteta and Fellaini would be too defensive unless Fellaini is moved back into his second striker role, something I wouldn't be keen on seeing considering his development as a defensive midfielder. And Arteta spends alot of his time infront of the back four, as does Heitinga.

I think it'll be Heitinga and Jagielka at centre back with Fellaini and Arteta in the middle of the park when everyones fit.
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Amen to this...
 
Last night i was watching the Arteta goal...again...:D

Heitinga picked up the ball mid way in his own half...

3 passes later, Arteta strikes it and its in the net!!!!

(y)(y)(y)
 

Probably done to death but.... he's hitting the Heits.

Although not really, because no-one, and I mean no-one, hits Johnny Heitinga.
 
ToxtethBlue said:
I don't think he will be a long term midfielder, his best position is at centre back and that's what he sees as his 'natural' position. One of the reasons he left Atletico was because he wanted to be a regular centre back. No doubt he'll do a job here, there and everywhere, but I think his starting position will be in defence.

A midfield three of Heitinga, Arteta and Fellaini would be too defensive unless Fellaini is moved back into his second striker role, something I wouldn't be keen on seeing considering his development as a defensive midfielder. And Arteta spends alot of his time infront of the back four, as does Heitinga.

I think it'll be Heitinga and Jagielka at centre back with Fellaini and Arteta in the middle of the park when everyones fit.
Click to expand...

I disagree mate, Heitinga is the player who can bring balance to the midfeild, though a good centre back i think he could significantly make far more of a contribution in the centre if he is allowed to develop there. Like i say he offers great balance. I think Mofor can play so many roles it doesnt really matter, he can be as effective sitting in beside Johnny if we are under the cosh as he can be going forward box - box and all that. While as we are seeing Arteta with a bit of licence is a joy to behold, but also effective in terms of creativity and goalscoring.
 

Neiler said:
I disagree mate, Heitinga is the player who can bring balance to the midfeild, though a good centre back i think he could significantly make far more of a contribution in the centre if he is allowed to develop there. Like i say he offers great balance. I think Mofor can play so many roles it doesnt really matter, he can be as effective sitting in beside Johnny if we are under the cosh as he can be going forward box - box and all that. While as we are seeing Arteta with a bit of licence is a joy to behold, but also effective in terms of creativity and goalscoring.
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He's a good player there, no doubt about it, but I think that midfield combination is too defensive. It'd have to be Fellaini or Heitinga for me, not both. Fellaini and Arteta can play a number of different roles, but there best performances have come as holding midfielders, Fellaini as the destroyer and Arteta as the deep lying playmaker.

I see no reason to play them in different roles nor do I think they need to be supported defensively. Fellaini's only going to improve and Arteta is very capable defensively. Obviously there will be games where Johnny is needed, but not on a regular basis.

It's a different story if you where talking about someone like Rodwell, Pienaar or Bilyaletdinov playing just infront of the two man midfield, I'd be very interested in that. Obviously that's just my opinion, we'll see what happens.
 
ToxtethBlue said:
He's a good player there, no doubt about it, but I think that midfield combination is too defensive. It'd have to be Fellaini or Heitinga for me, not both. Fellaini and Arteta can play a number of different roles, but there best performances have come as holding midfielders, Fellaini as the destroyer and Arteta as the deep lying playmaker.

I see no reason to play them in different roles nor do I think they need to be supported defensively. Fellaini's only going to improve and Arteta is very capable defensively. Obviously there will be games where Johnny is needed, but not on a regular basis.

It's a different story if you where talking about someone like Rodwell, Pienaar or Bilyaletdinov playing just infront of the two man midfield, I'd be very interested in that. Obviously that's just my opinion, we'll see what happens.
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Im sticking to guns on this one mate, i know where your coming from though, problem being of course we have conceaded to many goals as a team this season and part but not all of it has been not being solid as a team from front to back - so from that point of view i dont think its to defensive. Equally i think between Arteta, Fellaini and Heitinga their qualites as footballers in a creative sense wouldnt see us lacking in or creating chances IMO, all three potentially hold the key to creating chances especially if thier flanked by Pienaar and A) another winger - who ever that may be. I also think your doing Arteta and Fellaini a diservice - i think both are to good as well rounded midfeilders in ethier half to be ring fenced - its all about opinion though. The three together due to their adaptability like you say, offers us so much in terms of varience of formation, with either two advanced or two playing deeper depending on how the game is panning out - to be ignored. I think Johnny offers the balance, hands the other two the licence and makes us more solid for the option to be dismissed out of hand, he was so vital on Weds.

The only down side if those three where to start would be Rodwell and game time - he really has developed this season and is looked phenomanal since he has had a bit of rest and a chance to reflect on his game - still about 65% of the palyer he is going to be though.
 
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What would you consider a fair price for a match worn Heitinga/Everton shirt, signed by 'Mr.Colossus' himself, maybe even by the entire squad? I'll get a chance in a short while to bid for that item in an online auction.
 

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