....is Wes past it? Don't get me wrong he still looks like he is working hard but yesterday, an in the pre season v Panathinaikos he felt so ineffective to me. I think people are reading him better and he often does to much, however at least twice yesterday he chose not to make the easy pass to Redmond in favour of running into the brick wall that is Fellani. Maybe like all magicians once you know how they do their tricks they just ain't as good. Sorry Wes!
Of course he isn't. He could get even better -- if he has it in him to adapt his play to others a bit more. His shoulders are a bit older, the question is whether the head on them will ever become older -- and wiser. He wasn't the only one who struggled against Fellaini and his long legs. Until he tired towards the end, Fellaini was terrific, at the heart of most Everton play.
Wes always starts poorly, most of the time he's not even in the starting eleven at the start was the same every year until this one. Probably due to injuries, then he comes back and shows what he offers and gets back in the team. As Hughton said last year 'I probably underrated him as a footballer'. He'll definitely have a role to play this year
Yesterday he wasn't at his best like many others, there was one well thought out pass when he played it through to Redmond.
Wouldn't say Wes is past it, he is a strange player to judge and still has amazin ability. He gave the ball away too much yesterday sure but writing him off is silly. I don't know who is going to go in that role, I don't know enough about Fer to know if he is really there or better box to box or dead central. Howson did okay there yesterday but he had 2 chances through on goal and was wasteful with them, could have won us the game. The most encouraging thing to me about yesterday is I can see the team that's emerging. It's got a bit of class. It's not there yet but it coped very well yesterday.
Pretty sure trap said something similar, but I was thinking of hughtons comments just after he got his new deal last year.
Thought our shape looked better after Wes went off, replaced by Tettey, and Howson was in the AM position. Howson missed a couple of chances but he got in the position to get those opportunities. Wes will have much better games. Happy days.
Don't think he is past it, but we have players that will start getting ahead of him. We have seen the best he has to offer already i think. The squad has evolved a lot for the start of this season, and to be honest, i don't think he will get the same amount of game time this season compared to seasons past.
All fair comments guys thanks. As said in my op I like him and I have seen him change games but he just looks a bit off at the moment. I would assume if he wasn't suspended Fer would of been a more even match fo Fellani.
That would have been an interesting battle. Fellaini likes to have it all his own way and I can see Leroy being a huge irritant!
Wes is not "past it" but Norwich have now gone past Wes. He has been an excellent, but erratic, servant for us since being mistrebated by rodent, but truth is we have progressed so much in the last 4 years.
I don't think he's past it, but I think he thrives best when he has the support of other players, against Everton and in the pre-season we haven't been playing a full strength squad. We will have a better idea of his form this season if he gets some match time in the Hull game, perhaps he would play better with Hooper up front?
I agree, first game of the season!, plus you have to keep in mind he did play an international match earlier in the week.
nope felt he was the same during what I saw of pre season and the end of last season. Just my opinion guys.