I've been saying for for a couple of years that I just don't get what people see in Rodwell.
He scored a couple of goals as a youngster and some fans seemed to think that made him a good player or prospect.
We hear excuses about his injury last season and him not being played in his best position.
My concern is he doesn't appear to have a football brain and he actively hides away from the ball.
If you just concentrate on his movement for any two minutes during a match, which I have done - if we have the ball not only does he not move into space to show for it (which he should be doing as a central midfileder) but he moves next to an opposiotion player so he is marked and cannot receive the ball.
To be fair he does try to track back when we lose the ball but he still doesn't pick up runneres and we conceded a few goals last season due to him.
He only ever passes sideways or backwards if he does receive the ball.
He doesn't have a good shot on him despite cries of shoot from the crowd whenever he gets it although to be fair they shout the same to Hibbert.
I know a young player needs time to develop but he just simply isn't good enough to get into our team at present nor as he shown any potential.
Ross barkley missed a whole year as a 16 year old and has only just come back from injury but as shown more talent and drive than rodwell has shown in three or four years.
As for people saying he should be a centre back then I'm afraid he'll have a long wait to get to Jagileka, Distin and Heitingas level in that department.
Just because somebody is quick and big does not mean they are suited to play in defence.
Hope Rodwell makes it and I would never voice my displeasure during a match at him but it baffles me how some Evertonians continue to big him up when he is in fact hding in games.
Billy gets stick. Rodwell doesn't.
Billy is far more talented.
Rodwell doesn't get stick simply because he is home grown.
Although I'm sure Anichebe would like the understanding he gets being home grown aswell.
I would sooner play Heitinga in midfield and that is saying something.
The hype created by some Evertonians and the media is not Jack's fault and he seems like a nice humble lad - it's nothing personal - I'm just bemused some Everton fans rate him - they certainly wouldn't rate him if he played for another team.
Rodwell
posted on 22/9/11
You're never understood
posted on 22/9/11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEdfMv-IWjo
I'm glad we've got that one cleared, Phil.
posted on 22/9/11
Even the pundits say he's "like a Bentley".
He's got some serious potential, it's a shame he's not showing at the moment but when I've seen him play his best he is very, very good.
After large injuries our players never seem to bounce back very quickly....something about the back room staff perhaps?
posted on 22/9/11
A good player if managing 20-30 games on the bounce.
At the moment confidence is very low.
Cant get a run of games due to injury over thelast couple of seasons.
One thing he most definitely is not,a wide midfielder,playing him on the wide right of midfield will do him no good at all.
posted on 22/9/11
I totally agree with the OP's comments about Rodwell, totally mirror my own tbh. I watching him closely on Saturday & his positional sense is awful, I lost count of the times that he never looked to move into space when Fellaini had the ball & was looking for a pass.
Dixie's comments about his "football brain" are spot on imo. He needs coaching & some of his weaknesses are very basic, which is a tad worrying as surely these issues have been pointed out to him by the likes of Round?
posted on 22/9/11
A case of too young too soon?
posted on 22/9/11
Maybe mate, but he appears to have gone backwards to me. He looked a real class act in the making at 17 but now he looks like a fairly average CM player. He's not developed, maybe it's down to confidence to a degree & he's 'hiding' a bit. I hope he can turn it round, as he's got all the attributes, he just needs to apply himself & continue to learn.
posted on 22/9/11
He definitely does have all the attributes. To be fair, there's very few players who are anything beyond 'average' aged 20. Even many 'world class' players don't mature until their mid-twenties.
posted on 22/9/11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hyaZOTtSmA
posted on 23/9/11
It's guidance and good quality coaching that Rodwell needs.
Not sure if he'll get the latter at Everton!