Player Features
Lee Carsley

Lee Carsley: Has turned his Goodison career around completely image © Everton FC

Where Carsley in particular was concerned, however, there didn't seem to be any part for him to play in Moyes's future plans.  He appeared to have been badly exposed as the one-dimensional, lower-division standard midfield "journeyman" he was billed as when he first arrived at Goodison Park.  The objective was to sign at least one central midfield player (Tim Cahill was the eventual acquisition from Millwall); with Li Tie, Steve Watson and Leon Osman in the ranks, the Republic of Ireland international was viewed by the fans as dispensable.  Maybe even his manager had lumped him into the category of those players he was glad he wouldn't have to put up with in 2004-05.

The current reality couldn't be more different.  Lee Carsley is arguably the linchpin of Everton's astounding rise to third in the Premiership in a season when most of the pundits were predicting either relegation or a long fight to avoid it.  As the anchor in a 4-1-4-1 formation that Moyes employed to great effect at Old Trafford at the end of August and stuck with until the home clash with Bolton, the Irishman has been ever-present when not sidelined through suspension.

Carsley is the defensive rock that frees Thomas Gravesen of many of his own defensive responsibilities and allows him the freedom to orchestrate things going forward, while also giving Cahill the same license to get forward and score goals.  The solidity that he has built behind the midfield has immeasurably helped a defence that consistently shipped goals — and, consequently, lost many points — last season.  It would be a disservice to Alan Stubbs and David Weir to say that their amazing renaissance this campaign is due solely to Carsley but, by the same token, the Irish international's role cannot be under-stated.

Nothing illustrated this more than the period when Carsley was suspended for the silly red card he picked up against Preston North End in the Worthington Cup.  In the following three games for which Carsley was ineligible, the Blues failed to register a win in matches against Villa, Chelsea and Arsenal's youth team in the cup.

It really has been a wonderful transformation from seemingly being surplus to requirements to being one of the most important members of Moyes's core team and — let's not forget — a great derby-day hero.  And it hasn't been all about being the no-nonsense, bulldog-esque midfield enforcer; he's shown some lovely touches in attacking areas, not least the terrific shot that was punched off the line by Muzzy Izzet at St Andrews and the way he finished a sublime Gravesen move on the opening day against Arsenal.

Questions will inevitably be raised now that, a) the 4-1-4-1 formation seems to have been found out by opposition teams who now choke the midfield with five of their own men and stifle Everton's attacking momentum, and b) the arrival of James Beattie presents the case for a two-man strikeforce.  With Gravesen, Cahill, Osman and Kilbane as competition, would Carsley be selected in a four-man midfield?  Time will soon tell how Mr Moyes sees this unsung hero of the current season fitting into any new formation.

Lyndon Lloyd

Fans Comment

ToffeeWeb reader Hugo Kondratiuk pens this little tribute to Lee Carsley:

Lee Carsley is not a David Beckham-type footballer.  He doesn't look like an icon of cool.  He looks like the man you'd want sent out to you if your lights suddenly went out on Christmas Day.  He'd have 'em back on, no bother.  A dependable, competent, down-to-earth man who — it is probably safe to say — has never been tempted to wear his wife's underwear.

And that's why it's so totally fitting that it was Lee Carsley who scored the goal that won the derby.  Though there's plenty of skill in this glorious Everton side, what's really inspiring is how honest they are.  In the age of remote superstars, they play like a bunch of mates (yes, Pistone included) who just wouldn't be seen dead letting each other down — or us either.

And no-one has worked harder or been more honest than Carsley.  That's the same Lee Carsley who up until this season was routinely derided by the fans, me included.  The Lee Carsley who's played in three different relegation teams.  When he first said he wanted a break from playing for Ireland to concentrate on his Everton career, most fans' reaction was probably: "What Everton career?"

But, like this whole side, he set out to prove everyone wrong — and boy, did he.  One of the best moments of the season so far was the free-kick equaliser at Newcastle.  He looked like Beckham then, all right.  It was a pleasure just to see the expression on his face — the sheer contentment that the hours spent on the training ground, grafting to try and add a new dimension to his game, had paid off.  He truly deserved it, just as he deserved the goal the other Saturday that has put him up there with Andy King and the other great derby heroes. 

So Lee, you were right and we were all wrong.  Good on you.  And if you ever come round my house to fix my dodgy wiring, I'll buy you a pint.
Hugo Kondratiuk, December 2004