Man Of The Match At Wolves

[MikeO]

 

Current Player of the Year standings....

Fellaini 191

 

Baines 160

 

Coleman 136

 

Distin 127

 

Osman 100

 

Pienaar 85

 

Cahill 83

 

Arteta 82

 

Howard 80

 

Saha 55

 

Yakubu 47

 

Jagielka 30

 

Beckford 19

 

Rodwell 15

 

Bilyaletdinov 10

 

Hibbert 9

 

Neville 7

 

Gueye 6

 

Heitinga 5

 

Baxter 2

 

Anichebe 1

 

Vellios 1

 

MOTM winners....

 

Aston Villa (H)...Leon Osman

 

Fulham (H)...Leon Osman

 

Birmingham (H)...Leon Osman

 

Newcastle (A)...Mikel Arteta

 

Reading (H)...Rodwell/Osman Tie

 

Sunderland (H)...Leon Osman

 

Chelsea (A)...Tim Howard

 

Bolton (A)...Mikel Arteta

 

Blackpool (H)...Louis Saha

 

Arsenal (A)...Marouane Fellaini

 

Chelsea (H)...Marouane Fellaini

 

West Ham (H)...Marouane Fellaini

 

Liverpool (A)...Marouane Fellaini

 

Scunthorpe United (A)...Marouane Fellaini

 

Tottenham (H)...Seamus Coleman

 

Stoke City (A)...Sylvain Distin

 

West Ham (A)...Sylvain Distin

 

Man City (A)...Tim Howard

 

Wigan (H)...Seamus Coleman

 

Chelsea (A)...Leighton Baines

 

West Brom (H)...Tim Cahill

 

Sunderland (A)...Steven Pienaar

 

Arsenal (H)...Seamus Coleman

 

Bolton (H)...Sylvain Distin

 

Blackpool (A)...Seamus Coleman

 

Stoke City (H)...Ayegbeni Yakubu

 

Spurs (A)...Leighton Baines

 

Liverpool (H)...Tim Cahill

 

Birmingham (A)...Leon Osman

 

Fulham (A)...Steven Pienaar

 

Brentford (A)...Seamus Coleman

 

Newcastle (H)...Sylvain Distin

 

Manchester United (H)...Tim Howard

 

Aston Villa (A)...Leighton Baines

 

Huddersfield (H)...Marouane Fellaini

 

Wolves (H)...Sylvain Distin

 

Blackburn (A)...Leighton Baines

[Steve_E]

Went with Distin. Excellent game.

[Romey 1878]

Once again, Osman.

[MikeO]

Once again, Osman.

Likewise....he's really stepped up .

[BedfordBlue]

Osman How did Jarvis get picked for England ahead of him.

[carlmc25]

Heitinga for me, had his best game in midfield for the blues. Played some fantastic passes and made a great run through the middle at the end only for Anichebe to ignore him.

[smeghead1]

Osman again where has he been all season? Hes been brilliant for the last month now, keep it up lad your proving a lot of fans wrong just now!

[rubecula]

Bily's goal was sensational. Neville's was pretty good. But for his all round display in mid field, defence and mostly in attack I have to give it to Ossie. Great game lad, keep it up.

[coxy051]

ossie once again he keeps this up an he should deffo get that first england call up. he's doing the things that pienaar used to do for us but with more goals! granted he misses a fair few but he creates alot of his chances on his own. well done ossie long may it continue!

[Blue 250]

Osmans always had great feet, one of the few players able to take players on and beat them

not afraid to shoot from distance and will run and run.He is a pienaar type player, we can only hope he plays like this for the next couple of seasons.

Maybe Moyes needs to allow for Osman when he's thinking tactics, he doesn't stand out but he can win us games.

 

Well done Leon!

[MikeO]

Maybe Moyes needs to allow for Osman when he's thinking tactics...

I bet he never thought of that .

[Blue 250]

I bet he never thought of that .

 

Has Moyes ever made Osmans name first on the teamsheet and built the team around what he (Osman) can do at his best.He's done it with Cahill and probably Arteta, Osmans usually under the radar when it comes to midfield kingpin.

 

Hope that's explained it in words you understand

[marcopaulo]

went for little leon too...was brilliant and is looking the part in the middle..just glad the chances didn't fall to him for him to blaze over/wide again

[The Beard]

A fair few to choose from yesterday. Jagielka and Distin played well at the back, Neville and Heittinga impressed in midfield but like the overwhelming majority Osman stood out for me. Great cross for Beckfords goal and his all round display was excellent. I have never doubted Osman as a decent player and hoping that this current level of form continues.

[MikeO]

Leon's heading for his fourth consecutive MOTM and his sixth in the last seven games.

 

Don't remember anyone having a run like this before.

[Matt]

Leon's heading for his fourth consecutive MOTM and his sixth in the last seven games.

 

Don't remember anyone having a run like this before.

 

Said it a hundred times before, he is awesome in the centre. Didnt get to see the game on Saturday but made up to hear Ossie is kicking ass again.

[craigb]

Yeah Ossie for me, splendid performance

[Bill]

Leon's heading for his fourth consecutive MOTM and his sixth in the last seven games.

 

Don't remember anyone having a run like this before.

 

 

Fellaini had a run of 5 on the trot earlier this season, the 5th one being a cup tie.[scunthorpe]

[Memmaclub]

I agree ossie from what I saw. There was a spell a few seasons back when Ossie spent alot of time in midfield (Not sure injury or form caused his inclusion) but he was amazing he can tackle (Unlike cahill) he can pass (nearly aswell as arteta) and he has the energy of piernar and he used to score a good amount of goals. And like someone said his close control is up there in the squad. He is 29 now I know he has had a bad press in the past but I think that is down to being played as a wideman. Woudl we be in this position if Ossie got in ahead of arteta.

 

Just a thought

[Matt]

I agree ossie from what I saw. There was a spell a few seasons back when Ossie spent alot of time in midfield (Not sure injury or form caused his inclusion) but he was amazing he can tackle (Unlike cahill) he can pass (nearly aswell as arteta) and he has the energy of piernar and he used to score a good amount of goals. And like someone said his close control is up there in the squad. He is 29 now I know he has had a bad press in the past but I think that is down to being played as a wideman. Woudl we be in this position if Ossie got in ahead of arteta.

 

Just a thought

Or Arteta back on the left wing and Ossie in the middle?

[lilpyrokid951]

Or Arteta back on the left wing and Ossie in the middle?

 

that was how we lined up against newcastle and birmingham wasn't it? right before arteta got injured

[Matt]

that was how we lined up against newcastle and birmingham wasn't it? right before arteta got injured

 

think so, but my point is we should play people in their best positions. Ossie has always been a cracking player in the middle and Arteta is best cutting in from the wing.

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

I agree ossie from what I saw. There was a spell a few seasons back when Ossie spent alot of time in midfield (Not sure injury or form caused his inclusion) but he was amazing he can tackle (Unlike cahill) he can pass (nearly aswell as arteta) and he has the energy of piernar and he used to score a good amount of goals. And like someone said his close control is up there in the squad. He is 29 now I know he has had a bad press in the past but I think that is down to being played as a wideman. Woudl we be in this position if Ossie got in ahead of arteta.

 

Just a thought

 

 

Ossie has been a consistent performer his entire Everton career but because he is a local lad who didnt cost millions a lot of people were quick to get on his back.

 

Im glad he is getting a little bit or recognition at last but he hasnt just suddenly become a good player overnight, hes always been a good player

[smeghead1]

He was played in the middle a few seasons ago but he got injured didnt he? Wasnt that the season we came back against Portsmouth and he scored a screamer in injury time? Im sure it was when we finished fifth the 1st time under Moyes.

[carlmc25]

Ossie has been a consistent performer his entire Everton career but because he is a local lad who didnt cost millions a lot of people were quick to get on his back.

 

Im glad he is getting a little bit or recognition at last but he hasnt just suddenly become a good player overnight, hes always been a good player

Agreed, although due to his slight lack of pace I do think being in the middle suits him more than out wide. I honestly think we have, on paper, the best central midfield in the premiership (no doubt someone will mention Chelsea and the eternally, unfathomably overrated Essien). For some reason Arteta and Fellaini hasn't worked this season, for the life of me I can't understand why but hopefully once Moyes pushes Arteta more forward we can have Arteta, Fellaini/Neville and Osman/Cahill in there and we should beat virtually anyone in the premiership, especially if we get a decent striker. We really need to press home our qualities now, this season has been a total disappointment for me, we are one of the top 4 teams in the premiership but it just never happened for us. Sell Rodwell (and possibly Fellaini) and get in a pacy, quality winger and a class act up front (if we sold both also a quality DM) and we're in business. No way can Arteta have such a poor season again. There are so few special players around now that Gerrard is getting past it, Fabregas isn't as interested etc that Arteta should really be able to shine once he hits form.

 

I don't understand why it takes an injury crisis for Everton to get back to basics and get their mentality right.

[c1982]

Agreed, although due to his slight lack of pace I do think being in the middle suits him more than out wide. I honestly think we have, on paper, the best central midfield in the premiership (no doubt someone will mention Chelsea and the eternally, unfathomably overrated Essien). For some reason Arteta and Fellaini hasn't worked this season, for the life of me I can't understand why but hopefully once Moyes pushes Arteta more forward we can have Arteta, Fellaini/Neville and Osman/Cahill in there and we should beat virtually anyone in the premiership, especially if we get a decent striker. We really need to press home our qualities now, this season has been a total disappointment for me, we are one of the top 4 teams in the premiership but it just never happened for us. Sell Rodwell (and possibly Fellaini) and get in a pacy, quality winger and a class act up front (if we sold both also a quality DM) and we're in business. No way can Arteta have such a poor season again. There are so few special players around now that Gerrard is getting past it, Fabregas isn't as interested etc that Arteta should really be able to shine once he hits form.

 

I don't understand why it takes an injury crisis for Everton to get back to basics and get their mentality right.

 

Our midfield will only be world class if we keep fellaini in it - he's the stand out player - the one who could probably get into any other side in the prem. Arteta needs to be on the left in my and many others opinions. Ossie/Cahill/Felli in the middle is as good as any with Arteta and a genuine outlet of the right - it's a lot to ask for Seamus to be that player but he's shown flashes of brilliance - imagine if we could get Donovan this summer - now that would be some midfield!!!

 

Is selling Rodwell the answer either? I wouldn't say - what a player to blood into that midfield and the expectance that Barkley will play some part next season - if we don't keep hold of our future talents then where's the next osman coming from?

 

I agree Gerrard's not looked as good and Fabregas hasn't looked as interested but there's a new crop of top Prem central midfielders... I hate to say but Merieles looks class, Wilshire/Song, Anderson, Toure/De Jong, Ramieres, Modric/Huddlestone, Tiote... there's many more - the premiership has got as much class as ever in terms of central midfield players and we need to keep our best ones to compete!

[c1982]

Is selling Rodwell the answer either? I wouldn't say - what a player to blood into that midfield and the expectance that Barkley will play some part next season - if we don't keep hold of our future talents then where's the next osman coming from?

 

In saying this I believe there's enough money to be raised through the sales of Yak, Yobo, Bily, Heit and Vaughan to help us buy that much needed winger/striker (and I know we'd need another CB but lets prioritise!)

 

... that German/Polish winger we have previously been linked with is on a bosman this summer Petr Tchow?*%$ski or something - I'd have him!!!

[carlmc25]

Our midfield will only be world class if we keep fellaini in it - he's the stand out player - the one who could probably get into any other side in the prem. Arteta needs to be on the left in my and many others opinions. Ossie/Cahill/Felli in the middle is as good as any with Arteta and a genuine outlet of the right - it's a lot to ask for Seamus to be that player but he's shown flashes of brilliance - imagine if we could get Donovan this summer - now that would be some midfield!!!

 

Is selling Rodwell the answer either? I wouldn't say - what a player to blood into that midfield and the expectance that Barkley will play some part next season - if we don't keep hold of our future talents then where's the next osman coming from?

 

I agree Gerrard's not looked as good and Fabregas hasn't looked as interested but there's a new crop of top Prem central midfielders... I hate to say but Merieles looks class, Wilshire/Song, Anderson, Toure/De Jong, Ramieres, Modric/Huddlestone, Tiote... there's many more - the premiership has got as much class as ever in terms of central midfield players and we need to keep our best ones to compete!

I think people quickly forget that many fans were getting on Arteta's back when he was out on the wing and it was when he went into the middle that he really showed what he could do and people started raving. This season hasn't been his best but I can't accept that Arteta isn't a better player than Fellaini (and Osman), he's our most important player when on form and Moyes needs to get him on form and then Everton will go places. He's a game winner and capable of magic and we don't have many (if any) of them.

 

That being said, he used to be a brilliant winger as well so I've got no problem where he plays, as long as it's in an attacking position and not screening the defence like he's done this season. It's a shame he got injured as his performances had started to improve since Moyes told him to push forward.

 

None of those players above are anywhere near as good as Gerrard, Fabregas (usually) or Ronaldo imo from what I've seen apart from possibly Modric. Wilshere looks like a good prospect, Huddlestone and Ramieres I don't particularly rate at all.

 

I don't mind if we sell or keep Fellaini or Rodwell, I'd definitely sell if the money was right though. Rodwell has been totally overhyped from what he's shown so far and the more I see him the more disappointed I get. Fellaini has played well but if the money is right then he's replaceable for a reasonable price and will allow us to strengthen where we are really weak. It's not about selling Fellaini for the sake of it, if we had money to go and buy a winger and striker I'd definitely keep him, but we don't, and buying a winger and striker would help our team more than keeping Fellaini will (especially with such an able deputy as Neville).

 

I'll stop going on about Fellaini now as people will really think I don't like him when I do, I just don't think we particularly need him and we could use the money elsewhere.

Edited April 14, 2011 by carlmc25

[Romey 1878]

Neville's well into his 30s now, don't forget that

[c1982]

I think people quickly forget that many fans were getting on Arteta's back when he was out on the wing and it was when he went into the middle that he really showed what he could do and people started raving. This season hasn't been his best but I can't accept that Arteta isn't a better player than Fellaini (and Osman), he's our most important player when on form and Moyes needs to get him on form and then Everton will go places. He's a game winner and capable of magic and we don't have many (if any) of them.

 

That being said, he used to be a brilliant winger as well so I've got no problem where he plays, as long as it's in an attacking position and not screening the defence like he's done this season. It's a shame he got injured as his performances had started to improve since Moyes told him to push forward.

 

None of those players above are anywhere near as good as Gerrard, Fabregas (usually) or Ronaldo imo from what I've seen apart from possibly Modric. Wilshere looks like a good prospect, Huddlestone and Ramieres I don't particularly rate at all.

 

I don't mind if we sell or keep Fellaini or Rodwell, I'd definitely sell if the money was right though. Rodwell has been totally overhyped from what he's shown so far and the more I see him the more disappointed I get. Fellaini has played well but if the money is right then he's replaceable for a reasonable price and will allow us to strengthen where we are really weak. It's not about selling Fellaini for the sake of it, if we had money to go and buy a winger and striker I'd definitely keep him, but we don't, and buying a winger and striker would help our team more than keeping Fellaini will (especially with such an able deputy as Neville).

 

I'll stop going on about Fellaini now as people will really think I don't like him when I do, I just don't think we particularly need him and we could use the money elsewhere.

 

I don't recall Arteta getting stick for being out wide - the only stick has come this season when he's played in the central role. The central role where he was playing his best football at the end of last season (since his first full couple of seasons when he played out wide) but it hasn't worked for whatever reason this season. As for comparing players to fabregas/gerrard - I wasn't but above players vs a midfield of arteta/neville/osman or cahill - we will get dominated by many teams with those players - fellaini is the key against the better sides e.g. chelsea, arsenal, spurs, man.utd.