The Zhirkov

[Neiler]

Billy is a special player - its been said but he remids me so much of Sheeds.

He needs to adjust and the team need to settle down, but this lad is going to be top drawer - hes good at the mo - but theres yeads to go.

You dont get managers like Hiddenk dicking baout in the press praiseing players ubless they know there a class act.

The lad needs time to adjust, develop and needs consistencey of players around him, bnot forgetting hes played a hell of a lot of football.

 

[stinger]

I don't think Chelsea signed Zhirkov as a left back, they wanted him to play further forward, instead of Malouda with Cole playing left back. But there new system means he doesn't fit in anywhere.

If he was to ever join us, which is unlikely, I'd expect him to play as a winger.

1) He will never join us
2) We don't use wingers
3) If he would SOMEHOW play as left winger, where would Billy play? He can't play as one of two central midfielders, it would mean he would need to play as AM, in Cahill position, despite being totally different player.
It will never happen, we will never change our system from 4-4-1-1 to 4-2-3-1 in spanish mould, with playmaker behind single striker.
Same goes for Pienaar really - in our system he could only play behind the striker, single striker I should add.

 

[Hayee]

1) He will never join us
2) We don't use wingers
3) If he would SOMEHOW play as left winger, where would Billy play? He can't play as one of two central midfielders, it would mean he would need to play as AM, in Cahill position, despite being totally different player.
It will never happen, we will never change our system from 4-4-1-1 to 4-2-3-1 in spanish mould, with playmaker behind single striker.
Same goes for Pienaar really - in our system he could only play behind the striker, single striker I should add.

i would happily drop Bily for him

 

[Bruce Wayne]

No need to punch anyone is there?

 

[Number_25]

Well why the hell doesn't he do anything about it? He has a good 20 minutes now and then and then he just falls out of the game (Kevin Kilbane anyone?).

Bilyaletdinov, if you think that the side need to play football the way YOU like it, actually play a full 90 minutes or you might just find yourself on the Bench when Arteta gets fit.


Knob.

 

[CrownedSalmon]

Zhirkov was nice today against Fulham. Could have scoring chances if Kalou understood him better

 

[ash]

Be fair guys. i dont think his words were an attack on our style of football. He is just stating the obvious!

I love the toffees but we are not the most attractive team to watch. We need to be more creative rather than those long balls.

Passing it and creating chance on the ground is probably a good idea!

 

[bluebastardo]

It's highly possible that Bily came to Everton on the back of our recent form, and the reputation we earned from it.
He may well have had a big shock at our current slump and his head may have gone down.
I'm sure that once he realises our situation is simply a blip, then he will feel a lot better and his performances will improve.
I find it difficult to judge guys at the moment, as the whole team has been playing poorly, but recently there has been improvement, and we're starting to believe in ourselves once again.

I have a feeling Moyes may have bought him knowing that Pienaar may leave, and he is Pienaars replacement. ' Yes, I know, so don't persecute me for it'. :huh:

If our midfield are fit, I can't see how Moyes can play Bilyaletdinov, Pienaar, Fellaini, Arteta, Cahill, Rodwell, Neville, and Heitinga in the same 11, and with Bily, Heitinga, and Fellaini costing £30 mill, I can't see them being on the bench too often even if we rotate the squad.

Presuming Arteta is a cert if he hits form again, Rodwell is our future, and Nev is our leader, I can only see someone leaving soon.

That someone may be Yobo, Cahill, Osman, Gosling, and indeed Pienaar.

I just hope Moyes has a plan to keep them all and more importantly get them all playing together, as we would have some serious quality in the side if all stayed.

 

[TheDevils2001]

It's highly possible that Bily came to Everton on the back of our recent form, and the reputation we earned from it.
He may well have had a big shock at our current slump and his head may have gone down.
I'm sure that once he realises our situation is simply a blip, then he will feel a lot better and his performances will improve.
I find it difficult to judge guys at the moment, as the whole team has been playing poorly, but recently there has been improvement, and we're starting to believe in ourselves once again.

I have a feeling Moyes may have bought him knowing that Pienaar may leave, and he is Pienaars replacement. ' Yes, I know, so don't persecute me for it'. :huh:

If our midfield are fit, I can't see how Moyes can play Bilyaletdinov, Pienaar, Fellaini, Arteta, Cahill, Rodwell, Neville, and Heitinga in the same 11, and with Bily, Heitinga, and Fellaini costing £30 mill, I can't see them being on the bench too often even if we rotate the squad.

Presuming Arteta is a cert if he hits form again, Rodwell is our future, and Nev is our leader, I can only see someone leaving soon.

That someone may be Yobo, Cahill, Osman, Gosling, and indeed Pienaar.

I just hope Moyes has a plan to keep them all and more importantly get them all playing together, as we would have some serious quality in the side if all stayed.

You are serious about this?

I don't see any problem with rotating these player in the midfield, yes, eight midfielder might sound like alot but we play a 5 man midfield and 8 midfielder does not sound too much, in a matter fact I think we needed more midfielder.

Top team normally have at least one or more back-up player for each position, so we could probably do with 2 more midfield player, don't forget we also treat Heitinga & Neville as back-up for the defence.

So, with possible injure to the defence or/and midfield I won't say eight midfielder are as too much, in fact I feel it might be insufficient.

Billy is a different type of midfielder to Pienaar and no way Moyes would have brought Billy as a direct replacement to Pienaar. As far as I am concern Pienaar is as important as Arteta to us.

He is basically our engine room in the midfield, and sadly we do not have a back-up nor replacement in place for Pienaar, and if he is unwilling to re-new his contract and he only had 2 season left, I would choose to used him until his contract end, well, unless we have found a suitable replacement, then it would be another matter then.

I still think we have a good squad for this season, just injuries has drag us down from what we fully capable of, and two months injured spell from Pienaar did not help our cause, but as soon as our back-bone player come back fully fit, then we would really see what Everton are capable of.

When we have a fully fit, Howard, Jagielka, Yobo, Baines, Pienaar, Arteta, Saha, Yakubu for selection plus other good player we have, our team are capable of beating any team on our day.

Still I think we could do with another winger loan signing in January to make-up the over-lapping problem we have from using Hibbert.

If we can't find that player we could consider using Coleman in RM, as we know he has no fear in running down the byline and get a cross in and he was train to be a RB, so he should have no problem with going back to support the defence.

 

[bluebastardo]

You are serious about this?

I don't see any problem with rotating these player in the midfield, yes, eight midfielder might sound like alot but we play a 5 man midfield and 8 midfielder does not sound too much, in a matter fact I think we needed more midfielder.

Top team normally have at least one or more back-up player for each position, so we could probably do with 2 more midfield player, don't forget we also treat Heitinga & Neville as back-up for the defence.

So, with possible injure to the defence or/and midfield I won't say eight midfielder are as too much, in fact I feel it might be insufficient.

Billy is a different type of midfielder to Pienaar and no way Moyes would have brought Billy as a direct replacement to Pienaar. As far as I am concern Pienaar is as important as Arteta to us.

He is basically our engine room in the midfield, and sadly we do not have a back-up nor replacement in place for Pienaar, and if he is unwilling to re-new his contract and he only had 2 season left, I would choose to used him until his contract end, well, unless we have found a suitable replacement, then it would be another matter then.

I still think we have a good squad for this season, just injuries has drag us down from what we fully capable of, and two months injured spell from Pienaar did not help our cause, but as soon as our back-bone player come back fully fit, then we would really see what Everton are capable of.

When we have a fully fit, Howard, Jagielka, Yobo, Baines, Pienaar, Arteta, Saha, Yakubu for selection plus other good player we have, our team are capable of beating any team on our day.

Still I think we could do with another winger loan signing in January to make-up the over-lapping problem we have from using Hibbert.

If we can't find that player we could consider using Coleman in RM, as we know he has no fear in running down the byline and get a cross in and he was train to be a RB, so he should have no problem with going back to support the defence.

Not so much serious as inquisitive.
We also have 10 midfield players, and 11 if you include Heitinga. A new winger would potentially give us 12. Only Moyes and Pienaar know what lies around the corner, but it was a strange purchase from Moyes to spend £9 mill on a player who will be competing with Pienaar, Arteta, Fellaini, Rodwell, Neville, Cahill, Osman etc etc but not have a definite position as yet, and certainly not a winger.

I think Moyes put all his eggs in one basket there, but not yet sure of his intentions.

 

[TheDevils2001]

Not so much serious as inquisitive.
We also have 10 midfield players, and 11 if you include Heitinga. A new winger would potentially give us 12. Only Moyes and Pienaar know what lies around the corner, but it was a strange purchase from Moyes to spend £9 mill on a player who will be competing with Pienaar, Arteta, Fellaini, Rodwell, Neville, Cahill, Osman etc etc but not have a definite position as yet, and certainly not a winger.

I think Moyes put all his eggs in one basket there, but not yet sure of his intentions.

Well, I did say we needed at least one back-up for each position, so with a five man midfield we needed at least 10, so having 2~3 more would be even better.

Honestly 9~10M for a midfielder in these days are pretty normal for a pretty decent midfielder, look Fellaini cost 15M and do you serious think he is worth that much, I personal feel we spend couple millions too much, but what can we do? That's the price his club wanted before he allow to come to us and we needed extra body on the final day of the window.

Well, you are underestimating Moyes, there is no way he is totally clueless of the midfielder he wants, but more to do with the board unable to provide him with the fund to get those player he want at the time.

The problem is we have such a small squad we needed more versatile player, and Pienaar, Arteta & Billy could play out wide on both side and could play in the middle. If Pienaar, Arteta & Billy are all fit we might not need another player like them or a winger, but who could say they won't get injured.

I did say we could be playing a line-up like this when everyone are fit:-

------------------ Howard -----------------------
----- Neill ---- Yobo ---- Jagielka --- Baines ---
--- Arteta - Heitinga/Neville --- Pienaar --- Billy ---
----------------- Fellaini/Cahill -----------------
----------------- Saha/Yakubu ----------------

As we know Arteta, Pienaar & Billy would move around in the midfield during the game, I wish Moyes would used Coleman as Neill's back-up but we all know it's going to be Hibbert.

Expect Rodwell, Osman & Gosling to be the midfield back-up, Hibbert, Coleman, Distin, Duffy & Bidwell to be defence back-up and we have Vaughan, Anichebe & Jo as striker back-up.

Wouldn't you say the above line-up are pretty decent?

 

[Neiler]

You are serious about this?

I don't see any problem with rotating these player in the midfield, yes, eight midfielder might sound like alot but we play a 5 man midfield and 8 midfielder does not sound too much, in a matter fact I think we needed more midfielder.

Top team normally have at least one or more back-up player for each position, so we could probably do with 2 more midfield player, don't forget we also treat Heitinga & Neville as back-up for the defence.

So, with possible injure to the defence or/and midfield I won't say eight midfielder are as too much, in fact I feel it might be insufficient.

Billy is a different type of midfielder to Pienaar and no way Moyes would have brought Billy as a direct replacement to Pienaar. As far as I am concern Pienaar is as important as Arteta to us.

He is basically our engine room in the midfield, and sadly we do not have a back-up nor replacement in place for Pienaar, and if he is unwilling to re-new his contract and he only had 2 season left, I would choose to used him until his contract end, well, unless we have found a suitable replacement, then it would be another matter then.

I still think we have a good squad for this season, just injuries has drag us down from what we fully capable of, and two months injured spell from Pienaar did not help our cause, but as soon as our back-bone player come back fully fit, then we would really see what Everton are capable of.

When we have a fully fit, Howard, Jagielka, Yobo, Baines, Pienaar, Arteta, Saha, Yakubu for selection plus other good player we have, our team are capable of beating any team on our day.

Still I think we could do with another winger loan signing in January to make-up the over-lapping problem we have from using Hibbert.

If we can't find that player we could consider using Coleman in RM, as we know he has no fear in running down the byline and get a cross in and he was train to be a RB, so he should have no problem with going back to support the defence.

Good post mate, you saved me 15 mins - except for Seamus at right back!

 

[Neiler]

Well, I did say we needed at least one back-up for each position, so with a five man midfield we needed at least 10, so having 2~3 more would be even better.

Honestly 9~10M for a midfielder in these days are pretty normal for a pretty decent midfielder, look Fellaini cost 15M and do you serious think he is worth that much, I personal feel we spend couple millions too much, but what can we do? That's the price his club wanted before he allow to come to us and we needed extra body on the final day of the window.

Well, you are underestimating Moyes, there is no way he is totally clueless of the midfielder he wants, but more to do with the board unable to provide him with the fund to get those player he want at the time.

The problem is we have such a small squad we needed more versatile player, and Pienaar, Arteta & Billy could play out wide on both side and could play in the middle. If Pienaar, Arteta & Billy are all fit we might not need another player like them or a winger, but who could say they won't get injured.

I did say we could be playing a line-up like this when everyone are fit:-

------------------ Howard -----------------------
----- Neill ---- Yobo ---- Jagielka --- Baines ---
--- Arteta - Heitinga/Neville --- Pienaar --- Billy ---
----------------- Fellaini/Cahill -----------------
----------------- Saha/Yakubu ----------------

As we know Arteta, Pienaar & Billy would move around in the midfield during the game, I wish Moyes would used Coleman as Neill's back-up but we all know it's going to be Hibbert.

Expect Rodwell, Osman & Gosling to be the midfield back-up, Hibbert, Coleman, Distin, Duffy & Bidwell to be defence back-up and we have Vaughan, Anichebe & Jo as striker back-up.

Wouldn't you say the above line-up are pretty decent?

Just reading that mate, we could have an absolutley massive squad in a couple of years, if Baxter, Duffy, Coleman and Garbut come through the way i expect them to. Im sure we will sign one or two as well.

 

[bluebastardo]

Well, I did say we needed at least one back-up for each position, so with a five man midfield we needed at least 10, so having 2~3 more would be even better.

Honestly 9~10M for a midfielder in these days are pretty normal for a pretty decent midfielder, look Fellaini cost 15M and do you serious think he is worth that much, I personal feel we spend couple millions too much, but what can we do? That's the price his club wanted before he allow to come to us and we needed extra body on the final day of the window.

Well, you are underestimating Moyes, there is no way he is totally clueless of the midfielder he wants, but more to do with the board unable to provide him with the fund to get those player he want at the time.

The problem is we have such a small squad we needed more versatile player, and Pienaar, Arteta & Billy could play out wide on both side and could play in the middle. If Pienaar, Arteta & Billy are all fit we might not need another player like them or a winger, but who could say they won't get injured.

I did say we could be playing a line-up like this when everyone are fit:-

------------------ Howard -----------------------
----- Neill ---- Yobo ---- Jagielka --- Baines ---
--- Arteta - Heitinga/Neville --- Pienaar --- Billy ---
----------------- Fellaini/Cahill -----------------
----------------- Saha/Yakubu ----------------

As we know Arteta, Pienaar & Billy would move around in the midfield during the game, I wish Moyes would used Coleman as Neill's back-up but we all know it's going to be Hibbert.

Expect Rodwell, Osman & Gosling to be the midfield back-up, Hibbert, Coleman, Distin, Duffy & Bidwell to be defence back-up and we have Vaughan, Anichebe & Jo as striker back-up.

Wouldn't you say the above line-up are pretty decent?

I don't underestimate Moyes, but to be fair, he has failed to establish any wingers in the time he has been here, when every fan is crying out for one.
He has been unable to get the team to play great football either, but on the most part he's done an awesome job.

Looking at your team selection, I'm not sure if you intend each player to play in that position, or whether you just listed them, but to start with, Neill is 32 in a few months, and Neville is 33 this month.
Distin is also 32. None of them are the future of Everton football club so let's not give priority over the lads that are.

Why put them as first 11 when we have youngsters who need the experience, and need it quickly if we are to develop together as a team, and compete for the title one day.

Neill / Coleman 21
Distin / Duffy 18 in 2 days
Neville / Rodwell 18

We need to get these lads on the park as much as possible. Throw them in at the deep end and let them mature on the pitch and not on the bench.
Think Arsenal and United.

We also need to think about getting a young keeper in to eventually replace Howard. Ruddy is 23 but will Moyes give him his chance?

Picture this:

..................................Ruddy 23 (Howard for now)

Coleman 21 ......Jagielka 27 ........Duffy 18 .......Baines 25

Arteta 27
Billy 24
Heitinga 26
Pienaar 27
Rodwell 18
Fellaini 22
Gosling 19

Aggard 20
Baxter 17
Vaughan 21
Yakubu 27
Jutkiewicz 20
Jo ? 22

Saha 31

I say lets keep the team as young as sensibly possible, and with the right additions, we could be another Arsenal very soon.

 

[TheDevils2001]

I don't underestimate Moyes, but to be fair, he has failed to establish any wingers in the time he has been here, when every fan is crying out for one.
He has been unable to get the team to play great football either, but on the most part he's done an awesome job.

Looking at your team selection, I'm not sure if you intend each player to play in that position, or whether you just listed them, but to start with, Neill is 32 in a few months, and Neville is 33 this month.
Distin is also 32. None of them are the future of Everton football club so let's not give priority over the lads that are.

Why put them as first 11 when we have youngsters who need the experience, and need it quickly if we are to develop together as a team, and compete for the title one day.

Neill / Coleman 21
Distin / Duffy 18 in 2 days
Neville / Rodwell 18

We need to get these lads on the park as much as possible. Throw them in at the deep end and let them mature on the pitch and not on the bench.
Think Arsenal and United.

We also need to think about getting a young keeper in to eventually replace Howard. Ruddy is 23 but will Moyes give him his chance?

Picture this:

..................................Ruddy 23 (Howard for now)

Coleman 21 ......Jagielka 27 ........Duffy 18 .......Baines 25

Arteta 27
Billy 24
Heitinga 26
Pienaar 27
Rodwell 18
Fellaini 22
Gosling 19

Aggard 20
Baxter 17
Vaughan 21
Yakubu 27
Jutkiewicz 20
Jo ? 22

Saha 31

I say lets keep the team as young as sensibly possible, and with the right additions, we could be another Arsenal very soon.

Man, do you think I want to put Neill or Neville in the line-up, but everyone is saying we need experience or he is not ready, so I am just trying to be sensible with my current selection.

I have been saying we should play Coleman, but it's not happening and Hibbert is playing RB which I don't want to see, and Neill is the only one Moyes would consider experience enough to start ahead of Hibbert.

Duffy again is the future, but in the mean time it would have to be Yobo & Jagielka, let's hope Bidwell would taken over from Baines in 2~3 years as well.

The reason we need to have Neville around is because he has the winning mentality, which sadly not many have around.