If we were able to get Neville on a player coach contract or a pay as you play deal then his experience, attitude and professionalism will be a massive benefit to our squad next season, as he is a player who will have a very similar attitude (and the success to back it up) to ML in that every game is a must win game and nothing less than 100% effort in each game and training session would not be good enough, and could give us the leadership that Ash is lacking, as well as give the likes of Ki and JDG a rollicking when required. Some of you are debating Monk v Neville, hell I'd go one step further and say, Monk + Bartley + Tate v Neville. I'd ship the three of them out to accommodate Neville for a season.
I have nothing against Phil Neville but, as others have mentioned, with Canas coming in and the emergence of Davies we don't really need him. It would be slightly unfair to waste the last year of his career sitting on the bench. With no hint of a backhanded compliment or snidiness, I think Cardiff should definitely go for him - covers many positions and, along with Bellamy, would bring some real leadership and experience to the club. He would do a great job of grounding the players and demonstrating what is needed to succeed at this level. Seriously, if I was Cardiff I would go for him over a gamble on a young foreign player - the first season is about achieving stability.
Along with ability, every squad needs strong characters, leaders, people who can coax, cajole and bully, on occasion, to extract better performances from their team mates. Who have we got? Ash, to a degree but I don't really think he cuts it. Seems he'd like out, anyway. Who else is there with the sort of personality and experience needed? Chico could be one but he is new to the Premier League and there is a language, communication issue. We can debate the merits of Neville as a player but there is no debate about his qualifications as a strong personality who would demand a performance from every one of his team mates in every game. Let's not forget that he captained a very useful Everton team for a long time. One thing is certain. Either in training or in a competitive game, Neville would not tolerate some of the anonymous performances we have witnessed from some of our players. He is a thorough professional and expects others to be the same. I think he could be a good influence for us for not a lot of money.
Ivor, rather than have Phil Neville making sure no one gives anonymous performances, I would rather Sir Michael get up off his backside during matches and bark a few more orders! I know thats not his style, but to me its an area in which he could improve.
Point is that during a game is not the best time to motivate from the bench, there's too much to consider - substitutions are generally the best action there. ML has taken matters in hand when it comes to Bartley - keep harping on about this guy - but unless he is injured his absence has been prolonged and noticeable and it all stems from the Liverpool debacle.
PGF, managers can only do so much. All the successful teams have a "big" character, a player who motivates and drives the others on the pitch; some have more than one. Chelsea have Terry/Lampard; United have Rio; Liverpool have Gerrard/Carragher; Manchester City have Ya Ya/ Kompany. Perhaps Spurs don't have a stand out leader and neither do Arsenal, at least not since Viera. Perhaps Laudrup could be more animated but that's his style. Where I want to see it is on the field of play and it is a fact that we lack leaders there.
If he is that good a player then why is one of our rivals getting rid.??? that is not going forward one bit is it. you are saying he is not good enough for them but is good enough for us.. Come on get real unless we can get him as a coach or even as someone says a player coach that we can use in an emergency then its not worth the millions we would waste on him when we should look to bring in players who will give us time and commitment and take us forward......coach ....ok....player then that is a backward step for a fellow premiership side.....
Monk is one of the best captains we have ever had and its a shame he is coming to the end of his playing career. Ash is a good player but not so good captain and he tends not to be on top of his game when he has the responsibility of captain.....We need a new captain for next season reguardless whether monk or williams will still be with us if we are to compete with the best...I am not in favor of any forward player whether in midfield or striker as captain. I believe the best position for the captains armband has to be a defender like we have now and more like monk who is exellent than ash who is not that good......I think that we dont have that player at the club yet and i hope we find that player in the summer....
Horses for courses. Because a player doesn't suit, or has come to the end of the line at a particular club, doesn't mean to say he can't give good service to another club. It depends on need and we are talking about one, maybe two seasons. Taking the logic you have used in your post, United should never have signed Eric Cantona from Leeds. OOPS!!
Neville is leaving Everton, not because he is not wanted at Everton, but because Everton have told him that he cannot be guaranteed regular playing time. In other words, they have younger players coming through that they want to blood in. Neville doesn't want to be a bench warmer. We have a bench warmer in Monk .... Neville would add more on the field and off, be a better sub and stop us all from having heart attacks.
we should follow everton's example and bring younger players in than waste money on a player who will be 37 next birthday......where is the sense in that.....they have come to realise he is not as good anymore and his legs have gone.....and you want him to come here in place of a younger player.. Behave yourself ffs...
I'd agree that we need more leadership on the pitch. I just don't think a 37 year old Phil Neville is that man. I was thinking more of a 25 year old Roy Keane! "Huw, have we got 50 million spare!"
not a shame Dai, everyone has their time, Monk was a good L2, L1 etc player, totally out of his depth in the PL, only my opinion so no pls, this is a debate
you can behave as well musty..that statement shows you have no knowlledge of players abilities really....monk has more and held his own in the premiership..ask Laudrup
thats why he is on the bench nearly every week Dai, too slow however as i said good L1, avg CL player. i hate to think what Bartley has done or Monk would not be on the bench, should Monk go volunteraly or will he be pushed. i think the former, get his badges and stay
