The Rodwell Incident

[Summerskin]

A British born and bred player who's 94 appearances (the majority in his homeland's league) and he's still not the one of the first names on the teamsheet, nor do we know what his best position is.

That's either bad man management or he's just not very good.

You could arguably say the same about Billy, but he's had 1/3 less appearances in a foreign league and has probably double the goals/assists tally.

 

[Bigmaclad]

I reckon he could play right back, look at Smalling for Man U. He has very similar attributes to Rodwell, tall, strong, quick, composed and Smalling has excelled there thus far this season. Rodwell could easily emulate that, he's good defensively, and good break forward quickly.

It's worth a try.

However, I feel the saying 'Jack of all trades, master of none,' will be used for Rodwell in the future.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

A British born and bred player who's 94 appearances (the majority in his homeland's league) and he's still not the one of the first names on the teamsheet, nor do we know what his best position is.

That's either bad man management or he's just not very good.

You could arguably say the same about Billy, but he's had 1/3 less appearances in a foreign league and has probably double the goals/assists tally.

To be fair, he hasn't even started 50 games for Everton. He's also 20, Bilyaletdinov is a experienced professional half way through his playing career.

 

[Get_Jo_On]

It drives me insane watching Rodwell, just doesn't get involved enough. Doesn't want the ball and doesn't use his strength in the tackle, just stands off and is a passenger.

That is CLEARLY confidence. He's can do all these things, he hasn't gone in strong since he injured himself in a tackle when he was in top form. I think his head has gone and he needs to take a hard think about his game and how he plays. He's feeling pressure and isn't performing, only he can sort this out. He's playing with fear, I know this first hand, it could be the end of his top flight career if he lets it win!

 

[neonleon]

Deffo confidence. Comparisons with fabregas or messi are unfair on practically every young footballer on the planet.

Nobody said the lad is Pelé for christsakes.

Give him some games, let the goodison crowd get behind a local lad as they always do.

One of the reasons young players are brought on slowly is they suffer these dips in form, mainly down to confidence. The last thing they need is a load of media attention, and fans ****ging them off. Only makes it worse. That can lead to a loss of form to a total crisis in self belief and before you know it, the self fulfilling prophecy of playing football for Southport or Prescot Cables.

We've seen what he can do on form. No reason to belief he wont get back to those heights or even surpass them.

Be patient, give him time.

 

[sexualchocolate]

I think everyone wants Rodwell desperately to succeed and be the next best thing but lets be honest has he ever played really well for us? i cant remember any game where he stood out and dominated from start to finish and i dont think we can use the youth excuse or lets give him a run of games in his best position (whatever that is) anymore, Barkley at 17 achieved what Rodwell has failed to do in his first game for the club, and i dont think ithat 'm knocking him or being unsupportive here, I just think that these are the facts of his career to date......

 

[Arteta10]

I think everyone wants Rodwell desperately to succeed and be the next best thing but lets be honest has he ever played really well for us? i cant remember any game where he stood out and dominated from start to finish and i dont think we can use the youth excuse or lets give him a run of games in his best position (whatever that is) anymore, Barkley at 17 achieved what Rodwell has failed to do in his first game for the club, and i dont think ithat 'm knocking him or being unsupportive here, I just think that these are the facts of his career to date......

This. I think when Rodwell first broke onto the scene, the thing which excited everyone about him was that he did the simple things well and didnt look out of place in the side
It was more a case of 'oh Rodwell didnt do anything badly today' and everyone hoped that he would expand on what he had
But once that novelty has worn off its hard to pick things out that he actually has done, he hasnt really developed from that stage and too often hes a passenger in games where he should be picking them up by the scruff of the neck

 

[evilwebby]

Something's definitely wrong. He was a better player at 17/18 than he is currently at 20. It could be confidence, or it could be that it's all too much too soon. Undoubtedly some of it is the coaching he is receiving. He's not the player he should be or could be, and frankly that is a big concern.

 

[joey55]

Deffo confidence. Comparisons with fabregas or messi are unfair on practically every young footballer on the planet.

Nobody said the lad is Pelé for christsakes.
Give him some games, let the goodison crowd get behind a local lad as they always do.

One of the reasons young players are brought on slowly is they suffer these dips in form, mainly down to confidence. The last thing they need is a load of media attention, and fans ****ging them off. Only makes it worse. That can lead to a loss of form to a total crisis in self belief and before you know it, the self fulfilling prophecy of playing football for Southport or Prescot Cables.

We've seen what he can do on form. No reason to belief he wont get back to those heights or even surpass them.

Be patient, give him time.

I think alot of people are forgetting how hyped he was until the last few months. I've not been a member here for that long and when I first joined there were threads discussing if we should sell Jack for £30 million! And I'm not talking about the odd person saying he was worth those amount, but alot were saying it. If they were rating him that highly 6 months ago, imagine who he was rated 2 or 3 years ago when he broke into the team at such a young age. I didn't post here then, but many Evertonians I know were saying he was a better prospect than Rooney. But right from the start I've never been able to see what is so special about him. I could see he was ready for Prem football at a young age, but that was more down to his physical maturity, rather than a special footballing talent. To me, at 17 he looked big enough, strong enough, fast enough and fit enough to handle the Prem. He also looked comfortbale and composed on the ball, so there was no reason not to throw him in at 17. But there was nothing in his game to suggest he was sublimely talented, which would suggest there was so much more to come from him. At 17 he looked neat and tidy on the ball and had the pace and power to drive forward at times. To me he's still the same now and will be in five years time. I just don't see the scope for massive improvement.

 

[ToffeeDan]

Poor keeper mind.. hardly moved!

 

[duncan's pigeon]

He just needs to express himself, and that's down to him really, I very much doubt Moyes tells him not to play difficult passes, because you do see it in glimpses. I watched the first under 21 game and he made three of four excellent raking passes, and showed some lovely footwork at times, but the balance isn't right. He passes on responsibility far too much and is happy to drift in and out of the game. There's nothing wrong with being disciplined in possession, and it's good that he has that base, but he needs to expand on that and evolve.

The attributes are all there, he has alot of going for him, but a change in mentality is needed if he's going to kick on or develop into the player the majority of us know he can be.

Spot on that Toccy lad.

The game against Sheffield he was pinging 40yd balls to the full backs on the run and putting them on their toes.

Before you say it was only Sheff Utd. it doesn't matter who you are playing against, it's ability that allows players to do that.

I genuinely believe Jack has the talent, it is the attitude and confidence to express himself he needs more. He had scored, albeit off the Sheff Utd. player, that game and the confidence was evident in his play after that.

 

[cc1e]

I cant understand Evertonians - and I am one - because the vast majority of comments are negative, pessemistic and whiny all the time. Rodwell has flashes of class and is a work in progress, yet dickheads on here cry about him. He's a young lad FFS. If he's scared or lacks confidence, that's Moysey's problem, not Jack's. He needs a regular run in the side to gain confidence. I think in a 4-4-2 he'd be superb with room to roam but in 4-5-1 it's difficult to see the woods for the trees. Give him a chance and get behind him and he will come good - just in time to be sold to pay the (w)bankers - see I told you I was an Evertonian

 

[Cena]

He was outstanding today, his performances of late have been very good. Was easily MOM for me.

 

[qwertyboy]

He was outstanding today, his performances of late have been very good. Was easily MOM for me.

Don't know why more people aren't talking about his performance. Most people have been questioning what he is all about and this game was the perfect example. He is the lynch pin. He reminds me so much of Scott Parker it isn't funny. They have identical passing and technical ability and both players just get the job done.
Rodders allows Fellaini to not be restricted with being purely defensive either which makes us a much more dangerous team.
His defensive side is underated to as constantly on Sunday he was there pressuring and tackling. Might not play the dangerous ball, but like Parker just sets a great tempo and puts things in control. If he can continue to build his engine to Parkers level I have no doubt he will be the better version of Parker which would be fantastic as every club needs a player like that in midfield.

 

[EFCNIK]

Don't know why more people aren't talking about his performance. Most people have been questioning what he is all about and this game was the perfect example. He is the lynch pin. He reminds me so much of Scott Parker it isn't funny. They have identical passing and technical ability and both players just get the job done.
Rodders allows Fellaini to not be restricted with being purely defensive either which makes us a much more dangerous team.
His defensive side is underated to as constantly on Sunday he was there pressuring and tackling. Might not play the dangerous ball, but like Parker just sets a great tempo and puts things in control. If he can continue to build his engine to Parkers level I have no doubt he will be the better version of Parker which would be fantastic as every club needs a player like that in midfield.

Then he'll get sold to Man United for 15 mill :/