Bizarrely both played 226 times for the blues. Heath scored 71 and Cahill 56. Cahill would play for 19 years and Heath 18, where Cahill scored 150 goals to Heaths 120. Fairly even when it comes down to it in terms of stats, although you could argue Cahill played in a poorer side against tougher opposition.
I think it's a tough argument. I mean Heath's game was about more than just goals and was a cleverer player than Cahill. Some of Cahills goals were also against lower league opposition so that has to be factored in.
In many ways Heath was ahead of his time really, and in an era now where 1 plays up top and a smaller lad can play as a 10 he'd have probably suited it to the ground. That being said Cahill would have fitted in very well into the 80's side in my view in terms of ethos and mindset. He was probably a player who in terms if mental strengths could have hacked it in the league at that stage.
It's always a difficult argument when you talk about older teams and who would get in them. I normally start from the premise that the 80's team in it's entirety would beat comfortably Everton sides that followed, but certain players may have lifted their game by being in that team. A while back I posed Joe Parkinson as a player who might have really suited that team. We love Bracewell but I might Parkinson (when at his best) as up there with him. Others probably disagree.
Where it comes to Cahill though, he'd have done very well in the mid 80's side and would have fitted it naturally. I think he'd have loved working under Kendall too with the passion he showed and responsibility he gave his players. My gut feeling is though he'd have been an impact sub, similar to an Alan Harper or Kevin Richardson who have been a really useful player but probably not a regular starter. A great man to have as 12th/13th man though.
There's no disgrace in that either. He'd have probably been in that bracket for most of the best post war Everton teams. I remember Steve Waugh said of Darren Gough, that he'd have none of the English cricket team in his Aussie team, then paused and said he'd actually have had Gough for the dressing room and that he never gave up. I see Cahill as similar to that. In terms of ability a little bit off most of the great players, but mentality wise top class.
