What should Moyes do with Rodwell & Barkley?

[chicoazul]

Keep their knees soaked in liquid nitrogen.

 

[SpeedEFC]

Against lesser teams play Barkley on the right and tell him to do basically what Pienaar does on the left, with Hibbert or Neville behind him he should be able to cut inside and try and dictate the game from the space between the midfield and defence, against sterner opposition use him as an impact sub where he'll do the most damage against tired legs. He's young enough that playing on the right but cutting inside to dictate play should help his development nicely but not put too much pressure on him defensively that it will stifle his attacking play.
For Rodwell I'd have him starting most games in centre mid telling him to get forward and support Jelavic and Fellaini wherever possible, Gibson is adept at tidying up and plugging holes from defensive midfield so we shouldn't have too much to worry about having Rodwell playing as a box to box midfielder.
If both have good seasons I'd expect Barkley to get about 30 apps with about 10-15 starts and Rodwell to play pretty much every game he's available with 30+ starts.

 

[james2805]

Against lesser teams play Barkley on the right and tell him to do basically what Pienaar does on the left, with Hibbert or Neville behind him he should be able to cut inside and try and dictate the game from the space between the midfield and defence, against sterner opposition use him as an impact sub where he'll do the most damage against tired legs. He's young enough that playing on the right but cutting inside to dictate play should help his development nicely but not put too much pressure on him defensively that it will stifle his attacking play.
For Rodwell I'd have him starting most games in centre mid telling him to get forward and support Jelavic and Fellaini wherever possible, Gibson is adept at tidying up and plugging holes from defensive midfield so we shouldn't have too much to worry about having Rodwell playing as a box to box midfielder.
If both have good seasons I'd expect Barkley to get about 30 apps with about 10-15 starts and Rodwell to play pretty much every game he's available with 30+ starts.

I disagree, I actually think he would have LESS responsibility defensively if he was played centrally, ideally behind the striker, but even as a standard CM. Modern day football wide midfielders have to do alot of tracking back, due to roaming full backs these days.

 

[It's_Just_Not_Cricket]

100% this
Moyes should utilize them more. in the end, it is like putting money in the bank. both are gems.
but ofcourse, we have to trust Moyes, he sees and knows their progress.

Thanks, I also agree with everything you added. I think with Everton's financial predicament blooding the youngsters to either part of our future or to be good enough to sell on to other teams is the best way Everton can generate revenue. I of course hope they can stay and make it. I know Rodwell has his injury problems but his attitude always seems spot on and lets not forget the lad has two England caps.... OK I know even Joey Barton has an international cap but I think it shows Rodwell is regarded within the football industry as having the potential to be the real deal.

As for Barkley I would love to see him come through, the lad seems to have all the credentials to be a player and with the likes of Moyes, Irvine, Neville etc around him I'd like to think he will go about his business and learn his trade and get a few more appearances this season.

I would play both of them, they have both got raw ability that needs nurturing and blessed with great talent. If these two where at another club and being linked with a move to Everton then the board would be buzzing with comments such as "Moyes could make them the finished article etc". Failing that and we don't play them surely a half season on loan in the championship for first team football would do them both the world of good rather than being wasted in the reserves.

I think you make a great point about sending them out on loan, particularly Barkley. It helped develop Coleman's game and although he didn't have the best campaign I still think the young Irish man has something to offer long-term. Perhaps Moyes wants to protect the lad and develop him 'the Everton Way'. That is a guess as I don't know. I also think Conor McAleny would benefit from more competitive games.

 

[It's_Just_Not_Cricket]

Plus this is going to sound naive but what exactly is Barkley's best position? Attacking mid?

 

[TheBlueGibbon]

Plus this is going to sound naive but what exactly is Barkley's best position? Attacking mid?

Probably, that's where he tends to play for the England youth teams, with Lundstram or A.N.Other sitting further back.

 

[james2805]

Plus this is going to sound naive but what exactly is Barkley's best position? Attacking mid?

I think that is his best position, less defensive responsibility and lets be honest, he's not the greatest defensively currently.

For part of the Under 19's game he was playing on side of midfield, when he was tracking a winger/fullback, he stood off and let an easy cross come in. He was not bad defensively, just not great. Probably why Moyes shielding him still a little.

But attack, he was great. Needs to be in a role where he does not have as much responsibility defending.

 

[It's_Just_Not_Cricket]

Thanks james2805 and TheBlueGibbon. Looks like the lad has a little defensive work to do but that is to be expected at this stage. I think I even used to think that about Fellani (but don't quote me on that!) as an attacking midfielder is he more the Cahill role or an on-form Osman who can spray it around and thread a killer pass?

Lundstram could prove to be a dark-horse. He doesn't always seem to get the credit he maybe deserves here on GOT.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

I shudder at the thought of a Gibson, Rodwell and Fellaini central midfield.

 

[chicoazul]

I shudder at the thought of a Gibson, Rodwell and Fellaini central midfield.

What if Fellaini was playing in the Cahill role mate?

 

[It's_Just_Not_Cricket]

I shudder at the thought of a Gibson, Rodwell and Fellaini central midfield.

I don't think that midfield would give any opposition an easy afternoon. Particularly as Chico says with the big fella in an attacking role. If you add Piennar to the wing and someone experienced on the right like Osman it looks a strong midfield on paper. Plus some of us still remember the likes of Pembridge, Ginola and Mitch Ward playing midfield for the blues!

 

[ToxtethBlue]

What if Fellaini was playing in the Cahill role mate?

I don't have a problem with that, I'd rather see him deeper, personally, but he's getting to the point in his career where he's very dominant wherever he plays. It's more about the balance of the midfield around him and the lack of variety in there. Who can beat a man? Who can pick a killer pass? Who willing to take that extra touch in midfield? It all seems a bit basic to me, especially when you've got players like Osman, Barkley and Pienaar available to you.

Swap Rodwell for someone with a bit more craft and the balance looks promising again.

 

[chicoazul]

I don't have a problem with that, I'd rather see him deeper, personally, but he's getting to the point in his career where he's very dominant wherever he plays. It's more about the balance of the midfield around him and the lack of variety in there. Who can beat a man? Who can pick a killer pass? Who willing to take that extra touch in midfield? It all seems a bit basic to me, especially when you've got players like Osman, Barkley and Pienaar available to you.

Swap Rodwell for someone with a bit more craft and the balance looks promising again.

Hard to disagree with that on the basis that it may struggle to open up teams where we would be dominating.

I suppose it would be Osman based on the current squad, or get decent wide players and put Pienaar there. Pienaar could do a job easily with Gibson and Fellaini in the mix with him.

 

[Steven Naismith]

Hard to disagree with that on the basis that it may struggle to open up teams where we would be dominating.

I suppose it would be Osman based on the current squad, or get decent wide players and put Pienaar there. Pienaar could do a job easily with Gibson and Fellaini in the mix with him.

I'd love us to have someone who could carve open the defence in the centre midfield and find the 'killer pass' but i can't see Moyes doing it, next seasons 3 in the middle is most likely Gibson and Rodwell with Fellaini just infront of them and just off Jelavic. If we get Pienaar sorted he'll be on the left and Naismith on the right, Naismith seems to be similar to Osman in how he plays but he's got a bit more creativity about him and he's got pace

 

[chicoazul]

I'd love us to have someone who could carve open the defence in the centre midfield and find the 'killer pass' but i can't see Moyes doing it, next seasons 3 in the middle is most likely Gibson and Rodwell with Fellaini just infront of them and just off Jelavic. If we get Pienaar sorted he'll be on the left and Naismith on the right, Naismith seems to be similar to Osman in how he plays but he's got a bit more creativity about him and he's got pace

I can see him eventually moving your name sake to the Cahill role mate. As Toxteth and yourself both said we would benefit from someone with good craft in the middle. Pienaar could do that job but we can't afford to buy decent wide players so he'll stay out left probably. Shame as we've got the makings of a very good side indeed.