Cars

Couldn’t agree more. He was always committed and gave 110%. We will miss him, BUT, only if he is not replaced by someone with at least the same qualities! The question is, who?

Also, I’ve been out of the country for a few weeks, can anybody tell me what has happened on the Fernandes front?

Does any one else think that Carsley would have stayed for one more season if he thought Moyes never had some one to replace him? I personally don?t think that Carsley would have left if Moyes never said that he had two or three players that he can bring in to replace him even if it might take 2 or 3 seasons before they can do what he did for us...

Spot on, Cars was a great servant doing a consistently great job for the team.
I do believe Moyes has replacements lined up and Cars himself intimated it was a reason for him moving on.
He did such a great anchor man job though that it is a real concern, he is a big void to fill.
Good luck Cars and come on Davey and Bill, let's see the rabbits pulled out of the hat ASAP! COYB!

Great guy; average player. The most sung-about unsung hero I have ever known and vastly overrated by many blues nowadays. If we can?t replace Carsley the footballer with ease then we should give up. He never offered himself as an out-ball to the defence, instead choosing to point at the nearest man to him, his mobility had become embarrassing and he could only pass in the direction he was facing... usually backwards. He was effective for sure but allowed such a ridiculously limited role I reckon hundreds of players could be just as good and better, lower league players at that. Hopefully this will be the start of us moving onto another level in terms of quality. Carrying the likes of Carsley, Hibbert and Neville can only go on for so long...

He weren?t that fuckn good.

He was an excellent servant for this club and a very useful player in the 4-5-1 formation but I think he?s easily replaceable. If he?s not then we do have problems.

The 05/06 season for me had nothing to do with Carsley?s injury it was to do with David Moyes. Moyes bought the wrong players and we where a very average outfit. He could have signed the likes of Parker and Bellamy but we ended up with Neville and Beattie.

If we?d have got the right additions we would have had a decent season. Carsley may have helped yes but thats only because we had Phil Neville a right back by trade playing in his position. Any half decent midfielder would have improved us.

People think he?s the dogs bollocks because realistically he?s the only defensive midfielder on our books. His rivals are Phil Neville a right back and Manuel Fernandes a play maker with no defensive qualities. The fact is he had to play because we had no other options. If we?d have had a half decent defensive midfielder like Momo Sissoko or Scott Parker on our books then Carsley would have got into the team.

People have had a go at me for praising technically gifted players and not praising Cars because he isn?t easy on the eye. That is not the case. I appreciated the likes of Pienaar, Arteta and Osman more because they contributed a lot more to the team. They got forward, they defended and they where always making themselves available.

Carsley had the easiest role to play in the team. He moved from side to side almost crab like and played in a square box in front on the penalty area. He was excellent at blocking and tackling YES but a modern day defensive midfielder needs to do a lot more than defend. He has to defend, he has to get involved and he has to get around the pitch. If he doesn?t do this then you're playing with 10 men when you have the ball. That limits a team.

People have compared him to Makelele and it's laughable. Makelele does a lot more for Chelsea than Carsley does for Everton. Makelele was also excellent defensively but he had the bottle to show for his defenders, take the pressure of them and pass simply but effectively.

People have ripped into Neville when he?s played in midfield and I agree Neville is woeful but what people have got to understand is Neville does show for his defenders when he plays there and he does try and get up and down a lot more than Carsley. He was being a modern day midfielder but sadly his ability never helped him.

For me, Leon Osman has been the unsung hero this season along with Joseph Yobo. Not Lee Carsley. Ossie cover more ground than Carsley every game and does alot more than him.

I?m not having a go at Carsley just simply telling the truth of what I saw watching him. He was a very limited player, a battler and we need better quality. We?ll miss his character in the dressing room, yes, but we won?t miss his ability. There are much better defensive midfielders out there. So, as I?ve said, excellent servant to this club who is past it and needs to be replaced.

Carsley was a legend and won?t be forgotten for helping turn our fortunes around.
Thanks Lee you?ll be missed, by me at least anyway

I have been an admirer of Lee Carsley for some time and have commented on the unspectacular role he has played under Moyes in allowing others to play the fancy stuff on the back of his break-it-up, play-it-easy role. On losing Carsley, my thought was that it will take a very good signing to improve upon him, which we must do if we are to move on.

Some years ago, playing Arsenal, they had a chant for Vierra and a wag in the crowd turned it into a chant for Carsley, which at the time was detrimental to both himself and the team as a whole. How times change ? not only did Lee outlast Vierra in the Prem but managed to turn around scorn to genuine appreciation.

My task for our manager now is to ensure that his replacement gets first to those balls whipped in to our box from set pieces which was a Carsley speciallity, his head seemed to attract those balls but in truth it was superb positioning and a will to do the job.

I will miss him and wish him all the best and if Birmingham get back to the Prem with him still playing, I am sure he will get a great ovation from those assembled.

In football terms, the Carsley's move on ? the Blues move on... but I am sure he would be the first to wish his successors well and be content in the role he has played.

Well played Lee and well written Nick.

Nick?s sympathetic appreciation of Cars and Connor?s constructive criticism of him both have much to recommend them. And its not as simple as heart vs head.

When David Moyes created the ?baldy twins? axis, Cars stepped up from being a ?journeyman? ? he became an important integral part of a successful formation. And he grew into the part ? well enough to be rated as a really good one for us.

But that was then ? the future without him doing this starts now. Moyes must... surely, must have moved on and has a better idea. What we all call the next step, the step up to take on the midfields of the teams we usually lose to, begins in August.

Can be done.

Well composed tribute to Carsley and richly deserved. I find it interesting when some say he’s easily replaceable, at what cost I might add. Yes, if we’ve got 10-12m to throw about for someone who can equal his defensive capabilities and perform as a creative playmaker which one has got to acknowlede Carsley was not. However, like for like, how much would it cost us to replace Carsley I’d reckon on 4-5m in todays market. Connor I read your post upto the referance to Sissoko I really couldn’t take you seriously after that. Moyes got out of gaol on that one, he has to be the worst passer of a ball I’ve ever seen. Now If you want to discuss players with limited ability I can’t think of better example.

Gerry Western, Sissoko on the whole was very good for Liverpool. He held his position for two years in a team that was winning trophies. He had injuries and dips in form towards the end of his Liverpool career, yes, and was replaced by one of, if not the best, defensive midfielders around. No shame in that.

A lot of a Evertonians wanted him last season and now there is a big change in minds because he?s had a bad patch in his career. Sissoko is now proving himself at Juventes where he has been excellent.

I don?t think Moyes got out of jail by not signing Sissoko. Just like he didn?t get of jail by not signing Fernandes. Both would have been good players for us if they had signed at the at the right time.

I agree Sissoko is limited but it again comes down to his contribution to a team. I think he contributes over 90 minutes more than Carsley ever did. If you gave him Carsley role in the team he would have done it alot better in my opinion. He would have covered more ground, he would have had the athleticism to get around and in terms of tackling, blocking and intercepting he?s just as good. He?s not the best example I agree but he was one of our targets back then and he had a quality season for Liverpool. He would have been an upgrade from Carsley without a doubt.

Carsley average at his very best.
He will be replaced easily, and I for one will now be looking forward to some decent football coming from the midfield position held by the great pretender himself.
Another lump of deadwood removed from the team, keep it up Davey only Hibbert and Neville to go now.
COYB.

I felt Lee Carsley typified everything that Moyes has instilled in the club: hard work, discipline, focusing on strengths and looking to compensate for weaknesses. A man of the time, and a player who worked well within the squad and a system. I think it’s more an indication of the team now, and the progress made over the last few seasons that we’re all looking to see Carsley’s role in the squad taken up by a player who at the very least performs like Lee did, and who could also add an extra element to the 1st 11. The guy ran his heart out, stood up & was counted. Well written article Nick, good read. Makes a huge difference waving a club servant God Speed, good memories and a personal slice of Everton history: the man scored a Derby winner, was it our 1st win in 3yrs? Classic...

I have that photograph of the pile up after the goal that beat Liverpool in our 2004-05 season. Tim Cahill perched on top, arm raised in tirumphant salute to the bench. It?s a great shot, one every Evertonian should see. And who was at the bottom of the pile receiving the adulation? Carsley. For that moment alone, he deserves our thanks and affection.

Connor, everytime I read your comment it is always having a go at our current players or manager. Everything about you is negative. You compared Cars with Sissoko and other better defensive midfielders but have you ever thought of a few factors why he is never near them but at least tried his very best when he has played in that position? When we first got him from Coventry, he was a right winger and was only converted to a defensive midfielder when his age was 28 or 29!! I doubt Sissoko or any other higher valued player you mentioned could NEVER change position in that age!! Not to mention he came in much much cheaper compared to your favourites, and during that time money was a big factor in Everton!!

So I suggest we give credits where it is deserved! Cars has proven his worth whether some of you think he covered more grounds or not. We wouldnt have been consistent being top 5 if it wasnt for Cars contribution, not that other players didnt contribute but I dont think we would have achieved that without him.

He has since moved on, so please have some respect for the guy and thank him for his contribution!!

Joey Fong, I think your wrong there. I wouldn’t call myself negative poster at all and I think alot of people who read my posts would back me up on that. I have my opinions and I try to back them up as much as possible.

I respect Carsley. I think he’s been an excellent servant for this club but that doesn’t mean I rate him as a player nor do I think he’ll be hard to be replaced. As far as I’m concerned Carsley was once a good player for us and a very effective player but has now been past it for a while. But at the end of the day thats my opinion.

Don’t try and make out like I’m being the bad guy. I’ve give perfectly good reasons why I didn’t rate Carsley the player and I’ve contributed to this thread. I haven’t just been negative for the sake of it as that is not my style.

And by the way Joey, Carsley was never a right winger before he joined Everton. Moyes played him there for a short spell because we where short on options. He was always a centre midfielder.

Why can?t we just accept that we all see things differently? To some Cars was excellent, to others average at best. Whatever we think of his displays on the pitch and however our own personal radar picked up his performances, can we just agree that no one is absolutely right and no one is absolutely wrong. Shades of grey exist in between and all our views are subjective anyway.

Cars had his strengths and his weaknesses, just like every other player and human being! Why do people get so arsey just because someone tenders a different view? As long as no one is abusive, surely we?re adult enough to accept that others see things differently.

Football is not an exact science. Yes, there are multitudes of facts and statistics relating to a players? performance that can confirm that a player has 78% accurate passes, 2 assists or whatever but the human eye takes in far more than raw stats. Body language, positioning, even whether a guy is smiling or not! How many people on this and other fora actually say they think Manny has the wrong attitude because he 1) never smiles, and 2) his body language is all wrong.

All subjective viewpoints based on what we see rather than fact. Must admit though, Manny isn?t exactly Mr Happy at any time, on or off the pitch!

Lee Carsley has been (in my opinion) a good player in the role he has been asked to play in recently. He will be replaced because no one is irreplaceable but he will certainly be missed by me as one of those characters in the team that epitomised the spirit that exudes throughout the squad.


Good luck Lee Carsley. Decent player, great character and a footballer that is putting his family top of the list. What a refreshing change!

as i live in coventry where lee played his football once most games for cov he used to get man of the match .so i was quite annoyed when people said he was crap i knew he’d come good i’d just like to say a big thankyou for his goal he scored against the dark side and all the good old hard work he has done in midfield all the best lee

Connor, I think we can both agree that Carsley was not the best play maker. As for Sissoko, well it goes without saying. As for effort and overall contribution, Carsley wins it hands down. Pass completion? Carsley wins that one easily too. As for Sissoko?s appearances, he was out of favour and destined to be shown the door long before Mascherano arrived.

Gerry Western, I never asked Carsley to be the playmaker, nor was I expecting him to create chances for players. All I was expecting was for him to get involved and support the team when we had the ball. Drop deep every once in a while and give the defenders a short option.

A lot of the long balls come from lack of options for the defenders to make. Carsley, being the deepest midfielder, should have supported more like Masherano does for Liverpool or Makelele does for Chelsea.

If he?d have given our defenders an option then a lot of the hoofs would have turned into short passes which would have improved the football. Osman does it, Fernandes does it... and I don?t see why Carsley couldn?t do it. Most of the time he just stood statically and pointed to another player.

Your comparison with Sissoko is completely biassed. Sissoko covered the most ground in the Liverpool team according to Rafa Benitez. He was known for his high stamina and energy levels. Playing in a 4-4-2 he was bound to cover a lot more ground than Carsley. Carsley played in a 4-5-1 and had the luxury of Osman and Cahill working alongside him.

In terms of contribution again Sissoko playing in a 4-4-2 means he?s bound to get involved more. He has to get forward and he has to support attacks and he has to defend. Despite being shite going forward Sissoko covered a lot of ground and had box-to-box stamina and athleticism Carsley could only dream of. Distribution wise I can?t see the difference. Neither where particularly good in that area.

Sissoko wasn?t destined to be shown the door. Up until his injury problems, he was first choice alongside Alonso with Gerrard being shifted to the wing. When Maserano came Sissoko was injured and that was it for him. Whenever he came back in after injury he was unable to get any momentum and looked a shadow of his former self.

Connor I hate to shatter your illusions of Sissoko the fact is he would often win possession then give the ball straight back to the opposition unfortunately with his team mates looking to push forward at this opportunity they found themselves over comitted and exposed to the counter attack. A little like ourselves when Osman would be frequently disposessed all too easily. Thankfully Carsley was there to regain possession and unlike Sissoko play a short simple pass to a team mate.

Frankly, with Carsley now gone there will be no one to cover for Osmans failings. I suspect he may now struggle to make the first eleven.

I find it strange that this thread is turning into a Sissoko discussion and I think we should leave it there.

From what I can see Lee Carsley is also being slated for not being Claude Makelele. This guy has had a position named after him and won titles in every country he has played in. In stark contrast Lee Carsley cost less than £2m.
What Lee Carsley gave Everton was a huge barrier in front of the back four, consistency, and value for money.
Thats what he was paid to do and he did it. Lets not berate him for being something he wasn’t. Instead just be glad we had someone who was good at doing the dirty work. I fear it will take a fair bit of cash to replace him.

Gareth, finally the voice of reason. Just as I was about to pull out my handbag and start windmilling...

Just imagine if Lee Carsley came onto this website and started reading how his career was being compared with Makelele? And then even more surreal... that fans were comparing his time at the club, to that of Sissoko, a man who turned down the opportunity to play for Everton and decided to play for the team across the park?

Each to their own. I’m wishing Lee Carsley all the very best with his career, I thought he was a sterling performer, sure he could have been more like Zico, but when Gravesen 1.0 left, we all felt with Carsley’s performances that maybe Real had signed the wrong skinhead.

Everton have been accused of punching above its weight, but the consistent upward jabs typified by Carsley’s contribution must count for something. Surely loyalty and passion is also what Everton is all about, and you can’t go much further than the man’s contribution in a blue jersey to define those attributes in spades.

If the guy ever stumbles across this thread, don’t worry, I’m sure the majority of Evertonians think Sissoko is a bag of crap and would take your contribution to the team (as fact) rather than the absurdity of Makelele (as pure fiction) any day of the week.

Like many others who have replied to this thread, I can accept that Carsley was not the most gifted footballer. However his determination alone puts him up there with the Peter Reid?s the Mick Lyon?s and the David Unsworth?s as players who would run through a brick wall for our beloved club. Carsley was the last of the "Dogs of war" and will be missed. I?m hoping Everton will move on in terms of formation and tactics in his absence. Carsley was not a Makelele or a Sissoko because neither of those players had the commitment of Lee Carsley. All the best Lee. If you put half the effort into your career at Birmingham as you did here, you?ll get back to the Premier League no problem.

I find it laughable when people try to use statistics and mumbo jumbo to justify praising a player. Here?s one for you, with no stats required; I have been watching football for years and I just know the difference between a good player and a bad one, simple as.

Let's have a look at Carsley... slow, not really athletic as midfielders go, crap in possession, can only pass in the direction he?s facing, doesn?t show for his colleagues(particularly the defence)... but can make the occassional tackle. Lee Carsley is one of the most ridiculously overrated footballers I?ve ever heard of, I just think people are so naive in rating him.

I said before and say again, given such a limited role, literally being allowed to patrol a 30 yard square at times, expected to do nothing in possession ? just break up a few attacks ? there are countless dozens of players who could perform that role BETTER than Carsley. The endless praising of the ?unsung hero? Lee Carsley is the exact equivelant of the emperor's new clothes. Great guy and all that but let's have it right, he was pretty crap as a player.

David Jones spot on. Well almost, I don’t believe Carsley is overrated - as I never rated him. He was a very limited player in a very limited role, so much so it was a role only Moyes would’ve given him, and maybe at Brum now (who are no longer in the Prem). AC Milan build midfields around playmakers, Moyes build midfields around Cars. C’mon.

I do enjoy and have great fondness for those who wore our blue shirt with pride, say Unsworth, but playing ability wise they’re laughable. We are going places now and its become a serious matter to get decent quality players to match our ambitions. We can all be positive as it can only improve (the midfield) from here onwards. COYBs

David/Jason ? football is a team game and stopping them going in your net is just as important as putting it in theirs.
Lee?s job was to protect the back four and add a bit of muscle in the middle of the park. Berating him for not having Tim Cahill's goals or being able to pass like Arteta is akin to complaining that Yakubu doesn?t get back much.
Any idea who you would have to replace him?

Let’s put it this way... can you think of any defensive midfielders as good as Carsley that you could sign for £2 million?

Gareth Humphreys, you're completely missing the point. No one was expecting Carsley to be like Makelele and we wheren?t expecting him to create or score goals all we where asking for was a rounded performance. A performance of a modern day midfielder. Tackling, getting up and down, showing for your team and making the odd effective pass every once and while.

Carsley rarely gave a rounded performance. He made a few decent tackles and blocks yes but he lacked in every other area.

He never ever showed for the ball or gave an option to the defenders for the short pass. He stood still statically behind his marker and hid. The majoirty of defensive midfielders do this. They move and give defenders an option. It doesn?t matter is its the best in the League or the worst the majoirty do it.

So no where not looking for Arteta?s passing and quality on the ball where just looking for an actual contribution when we have the ball.

Connor, I think we are going to agree to disagree here.
Carsley’s contribution when we had the ball was that the other 4 could get forward with a bit of freedom.
To say that he hid is an insult to him.
The facts are that when he missed most of the season we really struggled as his role is not easy as you seem to think it is.
I ask again - who do you think we could get to replace him and at what cost ?

Before you answer have a little think at what Hargreaves, Makelele, Mascherano and Flamini - did/would cost in the open market. They all did pretty much the same role that Carsley was asked to perform.

Comparing Carsley?s game to that of Makelele is just wrong, they play different systems in completely different teams.

The reason Makelele shows for the ball is because he always has someone like Lampard dropping back and showing for him. I have never seen Makelele pass a ball more than ten yards and it always goes the way he is facing. To criticise Carsely when he cost £2M and probably earns a fifth of Makelele is harsh.

On a final note, if the Carsley role was so easy to fill then why can?t other players in the squad do it? The proof in the pudding will be next season and I stand by my original assertion, "I am sure we won?t realise how important he was until next season when he isn?t there."

Gareth Humphreys, its really hard to say. The market has become so inflated nowadays that you have to pay decent money to get a decent defensive midfielder in.

If we where looking for a cheaper option then there’d be a few. M’Bami at Marseille would cost 4 million and has alot more in his locker than Carsley. He passes it well, starts attacks, is physically strong and covers the ground quickly and well. The only problem with him is he’s not the tallest and I believe Moyes is looking for a tall midfielder.

Another player I like is Harper at Reading. He was one of the few Reading players to come out with any credit this season. Again has box to box stamina, covers the ground well and is half decent on the ball. He’d probably cost around the money we paid for Carsley. Harper has alot of attributes that the modern day midfielder needs.

Even Michael Bradley at Heerenveen would be in with a shout although I’m not sure where he’d fit in. I see him as more box to box.

If where looking at more expensive options then I’d have a look at Alou Diarra at Bordeux. He’d cost around 8 million but would do well in England. He has tremendous physical attributes and is neat and tidy on the ball. He isn’t going to offer anything offensively but he does show for his defenders and gets involved. Then there’s other expensive options like Dudu and Cana who we’ve been linked with but I think there unrealistic.

As I’ve said its hard to say. If any of these midfielders where given Carsley limited role in a 4-5-1 formation I think they’d do it quite comfortably. I don’t see what stopping them. If they didn’t have to get involved offesively and could just concentrate on there defensive duties like Carsley then there natural athletisism, positioning and tackling ability would be useful.

But I think Moyes is looking to get away from this old fashioned one dimensional defensive midfielder. Listening to his interview on the Times podcast he seems to be looking for a modern day midfielder who can do a bit of both. Defend and start attacks. I expect the new defensive midfielder will have alot more responsibility than Carsley so it will be alot harder job. He’ll probably be asked to play in a 4-4-2 something Carsley was never able to do effectively.

As you said I think where going to have to agree to disagree. I respect Carsley and he probably did provide value for money but I’m not going to pretend he was a legend or a talented player just for the sake of it. Anyway, good discussion boys.

"On a final note, if the Carsley role was so easy to fill then why can?t other players in the squad do it.

Nick Armitage, for the simple reason that we have no other defensive midfielders on or books like I have mentioned in one of my previous posts. We have Phil Neville a right back, Jack Rodwell a reserve centre back and Manuel Fernandes a deep lying play maker with no defensive qualities in competition with him.

It's pretty obviously that the only natural defensive midfielder is going to get the role in the squad. Its not like you can throw Fernandes, Arteta, Cahill or Osman back there just like you can?t ask Carsley to play on the wing or behind the strikers.

Fact is Carsley hasn?t had any competition for his place for a while. He?s the only defensive midfielder we?ve had so we?ve had to make due.

Good note to end on Conner. The King is dead, Long live the King. I too think DM has someone already lined up for a more mobile midfield.
Good luck to Lee, but Everton march on.

Gareth, comparing Hargreaves and Mascherano to Carsley is laughable. They would cost a good deal of money because, not only can they do what Carsley can, they are also worldclass football players.

How you can rate a defensive midfield player who doesn?t show for his colleagues is beyond me. Watch these players you speak of and you will see them forever running towards the man in possession, offering an out ball, giving it simple and going again etc. Scott Parker is brilliant at it, I?d have him in a shot if he could stay fit. Carsley = emperors new clothes, working class hero to people with no clue!!

David
Interesting to see you are now reverting to insults because people disagree with you. I shall treat your last comment with the contempt it deserves.
I ask again - who would you have to replace him?

All the best, Lee!

It’s embarrassing that people are picking out Carsley’s faults and having digs at him. He was brilliant for Everton, along with Cahill arguably player of the season when we finished 4th, played in nearly every game in the best Everton side in years last season AND scored the winner in the Derby!! There is no point anyone trying to sound constructive on here or any rubbish like that, just appreciate the player that came from being "deadwood" to one of the most important players in our side. A great servant, top player and a huge member of Everton’s revival from relegation regulars to top 4 challengers. Good Luck Cars, you have been brilliant for our club.

Ian Mitchell, we're discussing and provding different opinions. I don?t see the problem with that and there?s nothing embarrasing about it. Some think he?ll be hard to replace whereas some think he?ll be easy to replace.

No one?s having digs at Carsley where just writing what we saw in him as a player. How he played, how he performed, his strengths and weaknesses etc. Nothing embarassing about it.

Ostensibly Phil Neville was employed at Everton as a defensive central midfielder or a right back. This is a man who has won more silverware than most players dream of and won a European Cup and FA Cup playing in midfield. Yet even a man with his experience and fifty odd England caps could not fill Lee Carsley’s boots when asked to do so.

Connor Rohrer stated that we played Carsley "for the simple reason that we have no other defensive midfielders on our books" when it was obvious that we had a ready made replacement all along. Why let the facts get in the way of a good arguement?

For God’s sake, I don’t think he was fucking Superman but how many defensive midfielders outside the top four can you honestly say have consistently outperformed Lee Carsley over the last five years? Probably about none. Don’t forget the yard dog reputation he arrived with, the money he cost and the wages he earned.

I rest my case.

Nick, that’s a poor argument for me. Phil Neville is a full back who played a few games in midfield, as a yard dog, and got the idea he could play a bit. He can’t, never could. I can’t see how that is a ringing endorsement for Carsley. The point about other players I find quite irrlevant too. The ridiculously limited role Carsley has been allowed to enjoy has been in no small part down to the system we have employed. How many teams have employed a 4-5-1 formation as consistently as us?? Probably the same answer you came up with!! Slow, rubbish in possession, doesn’t show for a pass, can tackle a bit + nice guy = world beater = emperors new clothes.

Phil Neville is and always has been a right back. The majoirty of his Utd career was played at fulback. He filled in when they had injuries yes but that doesn’t make him a centre midfielder. Anyone with a decent knowledge of football would realise that Neville is nothing but a right back. He’s isn’t a ready made replacement at all.

And I have to ask you this Nick. How many times was Neville actually given a chance to fill Carsley role? Very few times. I’m talking about the out and out defender in a 4-5-1 formation where he doesn’t have to get involved when we have the ball. I can’t even think of one occasion.

Neville when played in midfield has always had the disadvantage of playing alongside Carsley. He has never been given the chance to be the lone defensive midfielder with Arteta, Cahill, Osman and Pienaar all playing off him.

I’m no Neville fan and I’m not trying to big him up but he has rarely been given a chance to play Carsley’s position. Patroling a 30 yard box and not having to get involved on the ball.

If Neville was ever given this role I’m sure he’d have done a similar job.

Good point Connor, it’s another I have made myself in the past. If anything when I have seen Neville play he is less effective because he gets around the pitch more but then, as you rightly point out, in a 4-4-2 that is required of you. I have no doubts that, allowed the same limited role, Neville could do a better job than Carsley. He’s a better athlete, he can still actually run a bit and he couldn’t be any worse quality wise. Carsley got so deep at times he was playing as a 3rd centre half!!!

Nick, I think it would be best to close this article. Don?t get me wrong here, your articles are all brilliant, always enjoy reading them; but this arguement on Lee Carsley is getting way too heat up. Some of the fans here do not show the respect Lee deserves and its a pity they were having a go at him and still refuse to admit it. I hope Lee is not reading all this crap!!! He has always given his 100% whenever he was called upon and I remembered him playing on even with his head bandaged.

Everton FC wouldn't be where we are at the moment if it was not for him "sitting around in front of the defence" and doing the dirty tackles. We would have conceeded more than 32 goals if it wasn?t for him. Jagielka or Neville would have their heads chopped off by some of you if they were being deployed by DM in that special role which they have failed miserably.

We never had the luxury of having loads of cash for expensive players and I doubt we would be having them this season but we have a crop of players who would do the job well for us and Lee had done an excellent job whether some of you guys think his position is nonsense or not.

youve done it again, its too much, im cracking up ! tell me mikhail what good is all your rubles to you in this stinking prison -well dimitri i have a cunning plan to get out of here, i am going to buy everton fc, but they are crap mikhail, yes i know dimitri, putin will think ive gone bonkers and let me out, no that pig will keep you here and make you watch videos of their games, he is sadistic like that

I think it is time people like myself ate humble pie in the context of Lee Carsley. For the past few years I have stated to friends a number of times 'what does Moyes see in Lee Carsley?' I now know. He has proved to be one of, if not THE, archetypal professional. He has played 49 games for the Blues over the past season and has performed remarkably well week-in, week-out. He is now leaving and I for one would like to take this opportunity to thank Lee for sterling service above the call of duty. He is my personal PLAYER of the past three seasons. Good Luck to him, wherever he decides to finish his professional career.