Holding Midfielder

[GoldfishMemory]

Theres been alot of talk recently of us having a need for a holding player in midfield to sit and protect the back 4 while Micky weaves his magic and Tiny gets forward to do his impression of the worlds one and only blue kangaroo.

 

So reading Adams post in the Carrick thread i noticed these little stats and the memories of a young Gavin McCann patroling the blues midfield and the major impact he made for Sunderland when we sold him came flooding back to me.

 

Tackles

1. McCann: 177

2. Savage: 167

3. Alonso: 167

 

Tackles won

1. Alonso: 126

2. Kishishev: 122

3. McCann: 119

 

Villa bought him from Sunderland 2 or 3 years ago now for 2.25mil and currently have no money or manager. Does anyone else rate him and more importantly would it be a good move for Everton?

 

I personally rate him and always have, I think we should never have sold him and would be delighted to see him back at Everton. Could solve our "lack of grit" problem in midfield and would proberbly be within our remaining budget.

 

Any opinions ToffeeTalkers?

[Adams]

Great point goldy yea i do rate him, we could get him quite cheap as well, the question is who would we leave out for him? He would do a great job of protecting our back 4 as the stats say he is a great tackler and would lead to alot more clean sheets, but it alll depends on who moyes wants to play and wich system he likes to play. Hes also only 28 and will be soon hitting his prime so it would be great to have him down here

Edited August 1, 2006 by Adams

[Rob W]

to be honest, ive never rated him. he was linked with us a couple of seasons ago and i was hoping it never materialised to anything and i was glad it didnt...i must say though those stats have me wondering if maybe im wrong

[Romey 1878]

I have to agree with you Goldy, i was disappointed we let him go. He was brilliant at Sunderland, hasnt shown his best at Villa IMO. I wouldnt be against it if we did bring him back, but someone younger would be more suitable. No complaints if he was in the blue of Everton this season though.

[thebluenose]

i thought gavin mcaan was villas best player last season

 

 

id have him for the right price. may be cars' replacement

[Adams]

i thought gavin mcaan was villas best player last season

id have him for the right price. may be cars' replacement

42740[/snapback]

Yea so did i and like you said could be Carsleys replacment we could prob get this lad for 2-3 million

[CraccerC]

i think he's alright yeh, but i wouldn't buy him back tbh

[Adams]

why not? Hes got great stats and tackling abbility

[GoldfishMemory]

i think he's alright yeh, but i wouldn't buy him back tbh

42745[/snapback]

 

Any other options then considering we have spare change left in the piggy bank?

[xavier]

Where did you find those stats, mate?

 

Phil Neville(451) and Arteta(442) are good enough, no? I think you guys need wingers.

[Romey 1878]

A left winger is more of a priority than the right, we do need a holding midfielder but i think that could probably wait until January or even next summer.

[Bill]

Is he better than Neville........i think not.

 

Forget Mc Cann, we deffo need a left sided wide man, cos VDMs "twinge in the Groin" has kept him out for a month already.

[Adams]

yea agree licker although i rate McCann we need a LM despratly

[scouse]

Agree with Xavier on this Phil Neville is more than capable in this position we defo need a left winger first and foremost

[GoldfishMemory]

after watching carsley against club america we dont need a holding midfielder...

he was superb...cant let him go cheaply.

its a playmaker we need from the centre of midfield as moyes wont play arteta there.

42810[/snapback]

 

What do you mean?

 

Arteta plays in the middle of the park unless we dont have anyone to play on the right in which case he plays out there!

[Ian]

I wouldn't have him back, not a fan of Neville but I think he can do a better job the mccan, Carsley can as well IMO. I dont mind Mccan, I dont rate him too highely though. Would prefer to see a winger to be honest as Licker said, Kilbane isnt good enough for the Prem and VDM is prone to injury. I think a loan deal will be the best option for a winger, if we pay we wont get much for our money, raid chelsea I say

[Adams]

"Does Simon Davie play RM? Cause if he does we could stick him there hes been doing well latly"

 

..................

 

Thats where he,s supposed to play, but he has a tendency to drift inside.........

.....Licker.

Edited August 2, 2006 by toffeelicker

[thebluenose]

but be fair to him hes putting the effort in to impress moyes (not to mention the fans)

[Romey 1878]

"Does Simon Davie play RM? Cause if he does we could stick him there hes been doing well latly"

 

..................

 

Thats where he,s supposed to play, but he has a tendency to drift inside.........

.....Licker.

42912[/snapback]

 

 

What did you edit his post for?

[Bill]

My chair collapsed as i was about to reply with his Quote, i knocked my cup of tea off the table, and in mid flight i pressed the wrong button.

 

In the ensuing Melee of me and my missus pickin me up off the floor, and at the same time trying to save the tea stains from soaking into the carpet, i failed to notice what i had done until it was to late.

 

Because i cannot un-edit once its been editted, that is the how my reply has ended up in his post. Simple really isnt it.

 

 

PS.... forget all that crap, it was an accident.

[Romey 1878]

Well that certainly gave me a laugh, so thankyou Licker

[Adams]

My chair collapsed as i was about to reply with his Quote, i knocked my cup of tea off the table, and in mid flight i pressed the wrong button.

 

In the ensuing Melee of me and my missus pickin me up off the floor, and at the same time trying to save the tea stains from soaking into the carpet, i failed to notice what i had done until it was to late. 

 

Because i cannot un-edit once its been editted, that is the how my reply has ended up in his post.  Simple really isnt it.

PS.... forget all that crap,  it was an accident.      

43074[/snapback]

 

that was funny

[java2001e]

tommy grav was a great holding midfielder and if we could get him for about what we sold him that would be great.

 

but if the price is silly, well, lets face it he's got maybe 2 or 3 seasons at the top and we are well stocked in midfield.

[GoldfishMemory]

tommy grav was a great holding midfielder and if we could get him for about what we sold him that would be great.

 

but if the price is silly, well, lets face it he's got maybe 2 or 3 seasons at the top and we are well stocked in midfield.

43131[/snapback]

 

You just posted the same thing in 2 threads!

 

http://www.toffeetalk.com/index.php?showto...t=0entry43129

 

Why not just respond to one?

[Romey 1878]

Maybe hes just going senile and couldnt remember he'd already said it

[StevO]

tommy grav was a great holding midfielder and if we could get him for about what we sold him that would be great.

 

but if the price is silly, well, lets face it he's got maybe 2 or 3 seasons at the top and we are well stocked in midfield.

43131[/snapback]

 

i seem to be disagreeing with you a bit today java, dont take offence.

 

Grav was not our holding midfield player, Carsley was. Grav was our creative midfield player. and didnt really do much of a job as a holding player at Madrid

[CraccerC]

i seem to be disagreeing with you a bit today java, dont take offence.

 

Grav was not our holding midfield player, Carsley was. Grav was our creative midfield player. and didnt really do much of a job as a holding player at Madrid

43161[/snapback]

 

spot on mate

[java2001e]

You just posted the same thing in 2 threads!

 

 

 

2 threads on the same topic, tommy grav!

 

i dont think carsley has the same ability to hold things up in midfield as gravvers had. he could take the ball, virtually stand still with it while holding off other players before releasing it. he's never made an impact at real and i never thought he would. its a different game over there.

[StevO]

holding another player away when your on the ball does not make a "holding midfielder", Beattie isnt a "Holding Forward" Yobo isnt a "Holding Defender" but they both have these qualities. the "holding midfielder" needs to be able to do the defensive duties required in the middle, Tommy can not do these to half the ability Cars could.

When Tommy left we didnt start conceding goals that season, we just stopped scoring them.

[java2001e]

holding another player away when your on the ball does not make a "holding midfielder", Beattie isnt a "Holding Forward" Yobo isnt a "Holding Defender" but they both have these qualities. the "holding midfielder" needs to be able to do the defensive duties required in the middle, Tommy can not do these to half the ability Cars could.

When Tommy left we didnt start conceding goals that season, we just stopped scoring them.

43271[/snapback]

 

 

midfielders are defensive or attacking, but that doesnt mean that their skills dont overlap. they do. gravvers could hold the ball until the forwards were in place and then release it. that was his job.

[GoldfishMemory]

You just posted the same thing in 2 threads!

2 threads on the same topic, tommy grav!

 

i dont think carsley has the same ability to hold things up in midfield as gravvers had. he could take the ball, virtually stand still with it while holding off other players before releasing it. he's never made an impact at real and i never thought he would. its a different game over there.

43270[/snapback]

 

What so because theres 2 threads it makes sense in your world to post the same thing in both of them?

[StevO]

midfielders are defensive or attacking, but that doesnt mean that their skills dont overlap. they do. gravvers could hold the ball until the forwards were in place and then release it. that was his job.

43276[/snapback]

the skills may over lap, but my point is Grav is not a holding midfield player, and he never was

[Adams]

Stevo is right on this Grav isnt a holding midfielder hes better getting forward he can run with the ball and has great strengh but isnt a holding midfielder

[java2001e]

Stevo is right on this Grav isnt a holding midfielder hes better getting forward he can run with the ball and has great strengh but isnt a holding midfielder

43303[/snapback]

 

 

oh yes he is.

[Zed]

OH NO HE ISNT - HES BEHIND YOU

[GoldfishMemory]

oh yes he is.

43331[/snapback]

 

LMAO

 

So Cars' was the creative one out of the pair?

[Adams]

oh yes he is.

43331[/snapback]

Do you not remember his times at Everton? Carsley normally played holding roll

[StevO]

Booo Hisss

 

i always saw Cars running round like a headless chicken tryin to score goals, while Grav stayed back. shit im confused now

[Pat]

Ohhhh mr Toffeelicker..........

 

...

 

Been Busy of late....Just came across You no what..." The Senior Moment"

 

Up there with Zed's lil Secret & The highlight of my Sunday..Classic stuff..!!!.

[Adams]

Everton legend Howard Kendall believes David Moyes should resist switching Phil Neville to right-back for the new Premiership campaign.

 

"Personally, I think it would be a waste if Neville is given that position. He was bought to play as a central midfielder and that is where he is seen to best effect, even though he has the ability to play in a number of different roles.

 

"When Hibbert was ruled out of the final five matches last season, Neville did nothing wrong in his place and emerged as a possible candidate to travel to the World Cup finals with England.

 

"There is an awful lot of competition for places in midfield and cases can be made for a number of people but I think it is unfair to bracket Neville as just a utility player.

 

"Shuffling him here, there and every where prevents him building up any kind of consistency in one role.

 

"If Hibbert is going to miss out against Watford, I think the manager should look for someone else and let Neville loose in his best role."

[java2001e]

"Meanwhile, it seems Thomas Gravesen could return to Goodison Park. Moyes has admitted he would be interested in signing the Dane if he leaves Real Madrid this summer and that prospect has moved a step closer as Gravesen was left out of Real's squad for a tour of the United States. "

 

who knows? we could be closer to getting a good holding midfielder than you think.

[StevO]

news flash "makelele reveals Everton dream!"

[xsaint]

[StevO]

Java said were gettin a good holding midfielder

[Adams]

 

Are squad is fine at the moment, it could do with more players but thats nothing serious i dnt think we need a holding midfielder

[Londonblue]

Read Downtowns comment on the Aberdeen game last night. It's a familiar story. We have some average to good midfield players who don't know quite what they are doing. While Arteta is in the side we can compete with most teams. But who is going to take over 'the creative midfielder' role when he's out. Cahill is a scrapper and gets goals but can't pass and will get suspended a lot. Davies is infuriating, he's got pace and can look dangerous but he disappears for whole games at times. Neville is a strong tackler but not even his biggest fans would say he is any good going forward, same for Carsley. Van the Man has 'issues'. Kilbane, is just not premiership standard. Osman is skillful and creative but lacks pace and seems lose possession due to lack of strength.

Gravesen is a creative midfielder but remember, he was great for half a season, what about the rest of his time with us.

I can't think of anyone off the top of my head who would be a freebie or loan signing and make a difference but then again, how many of us realised the impact Arteta would have?

[Bill]

Ohhhh mr Toffeelicker..........

 

...

 

Been Busy of late....Just came across You no what..." The Senior Moment"

 

Up there with Zed's lil Secret & The highlight of my Sunday..Classic stuff..!!!.

43556[/snapback]

...........................

 

PAT.......???? My memory's not how it used to be. remind me.

[Pat]

Couldnt do that Bill, Zed might get narky & ban...well himself...

[Guest blueboy122]

well i think danny murphey

[CraccerC]

Read Downtowns comment on the Aberdeen game last night. It's a familiar story. We have some average to good midfield players who don't know quite what they are doing. While Arteta is in the side we can compete with most teams. But who is going to take over 'the creative midfielder' role when he's out. Cahill is a scrapper and gets goals but can't pass and will get suspended a lot. Davies is infuriating, he's got pace and can look dangerous but he disappears for whole games at times. Neville is a strong tackler but not even his biggest fans would say he is any good going forward, same for Carsley. Van the Man has 'issues'. Kilbane, is just not premiership standard. Osman is skillful and creative but lacks pace and seems lose possession due to lack of strength.

Gravesen is a creative midfielder but remember, he was great for half a season, what about the rest of his time with us.

I can't think of anyone off the top of my head who would be a freebie or loan signing and make a difference but then again, how many of us realised the impact Arteta would have?

44205[/snapback]

 

i've been saying that for so long, but i got labelled negative ... arteta for PM

[StevO]

sht up an dy all you ngatv prcks

sorry, just thought id offer up some useless piss taking

[java2001e]

While Arteta is in the side we can compete with most teams. But who is going to take over 'the creative midfielder' role when he's out. Cahill is a scrapper and gets goals but can't pass and will get suspended a lot. Davies is infuriating, he's got pace and can look dangerous but he disappears for whole games at times. Neville is a strong tackler but not even his biggest fans would say he is any good going forward, same for Carsley.

 

arteta is our best midfield player, by a long way. he would be hard to replace if injured, but thats life. unless your owned by the russian mafia!

 

davies is a very talented player who hasnt settled and hasnt been consistent. if he can turn that around he he will make a huge contribution.

 

neville is a defensive midfielder, rather than an attacker. thats a role he plays well. and its an essential one. you need to have someone in front of the defense that can disrupt attacking forwards. the same applies to carsley.

 

cahill is an attacking midfielder and he can get forward and scrap. he's good at goalmouth scrambles and gets a few goals that way. i think he's good but usually over-rated.