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Best XI

By Jake Wilson :  30/07/2010 :  Comments (41) :
In my view our squad is the best we?ve had in years.

In goal we have Howard who in my view is in the top 5 keepers in the Premier League. Now that Mucha has signed that gives Howard better competition. And enables him to take a break when injured instead of playing on like he did last season.

Right back we could have Neville ? I think this is the best place for him as we have to have him on the pitch... but maybe substituting him more. We could have Hibbert who is experienced and will give 100% every game. Then we have Seamus Coleman who is going to be our first choice right back in a couple of seasons.

Centre halves we could have Jagielka, Heitinga, Distin or Yobo, Moyes will play Distin because Jags and Johnny will be too small as they are only 6 foot.

Left back: Baines

Central defensive midfielder: Fellaini when fit or Johnny Heitinga. M

Right midfield: Donovan if we can get him , or Osman or Bilyaletdinov.

Left midfield: Pienaar... for me, his creativity and partnership with Baines is something we cannot afford to throw away... although Gueye could do a bit-part job for us.

Centre-midfield: Arteta and Rodwell will both do a very good job as they are both good on the ball and can create things which we can lack without them.

Centre attacking midfield: Cahiil supporting the striker) the best attacking midfielder on his day, he is unplayable.

Strikers: Beckford has looked sharp in pre-season; Saha Is world class, his touch and his football brain is immense... but could he do two games a week? Doubtful; Yakubu, we should try and sell and raise funds for Donovan (if he signs) or another young striker; Vaughan and Anichebe are both hyped up to be the next best thing but have let us down so far... each could have a bench role and come on round the 75th minute; Silva could have a bench role until he is experienced enough for the Premier League.

Best XI:

Howard;
Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines;
Fellaini or Heitinga, Arteta or Rodwell;
Donovan... if not, Bilyaletdinov, Pienaar;
Cahill;
Saha

Reader Comments (41)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
1 Posted 30/07/2010 at 19:02:13
Oaarrr, come on, Jake ? that's not how it works. If you're chosing the Best XI then choose the Best XI ? XIV!!! You can't say "Fellaini or Heitinga, Arteta or Rodwell" ? the rule is you gotta CHOOSE!

The real point is we have some great options for a number of positions, in case of injuries... to pick the best player for the opposition or (God forbid), the tactics(!!!)... or just to do squad rotation (what a concept!). We as fans really need to move on from this Best XI mindset ? it's a Squad game, and the 'Best XI' is gonna vary, game to game, week to week.

David Price
2 Posted 30/07/2010 at 19:06:39
Haha, come on Jake go for it mate. However, it's a great tough choice. Here goes:

Howard;
Coleman, Hetinga, Jagielka, Baines;
Osman, Fellaini, Arteta, Pienaar;
Cahill;
Beckford.

Subs, Mucha, Neville, Rodwell, Osman, Saha.
Wow, not a bad squad and there's the ones like Yakubu, Gueye etc. Donovan, maybe ? if so, then it's a recalculation. Happy Days.

Michael Kenrick
3 Posted 30/07/2010 at 19:14:25
Nice job, Dave; Subs too ? I forgot that was part of our rules! You can list two more... (seven, not five) but since you named Yakubu and Gueye, I'll give you that one!

So that's the rule: Eleven starters and seven subs! No ifs, buts or maybes!!! Oh, and they should all be current squad members.
Andy Crooks
4 Posted 30/07/2010 at 19:15:47
Howard
Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines
Anichebe, Heitinga, Arteta, Pienaar
Bily
Beckford.
Andy Crooks
5 Posted 30/07/2010 at 19:18:26
Sorry, subs.
Mucha
Neville
Yobo
Fellaini
Rodwell
Saha
Yakubu
John Daley
6 Posted 30/07/2010 at 19:13:07
Howard
Neville. Baines
Jagielka, Heitinga
Fellaini Rodwell
Arteta
Bilyaletdinov, Pienaar
Saha
John Daley
7 Posted 30/07/2010 at 19:24:29
Subs: Mucha, Distin, Cahill, Anichebe, Osman, Coleman, Beckford,
Wilson Tan
8 Posted 30/07/2010 at 19:50:25
Based on what we have currently:

Howard
Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines.
Heitinga, Fellaini.
Anichebe, Arteta, Pienaar.
Saha.

Subs:
Mucha, Cahill, Osman, Coleman, Beckford, Hibbert, Bily
Brendan O'Doherty
9 Posted 30/07/2010 at 20:18:15
You may as well play Monopoly than pick your best XI. It's all fantasy football - injuries/suspensions/form/fitness/the opposition will see to that.
Michael McIvor
10 Posted 30/07/2010 at 20:21:04
If all fit, very tough decisions but here it goes

Howard
Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines
Fellaini
Bily, Arteta, Cahill, Pienaar
Saha

Subs:
Mucha, Heitinga, Coleman, Rodwell, Ossie, Gueye, Beckford

Those of note who have been omitted......Yobo, Anichebe, Yakubu, Hibbert
Danny Burke
11 Posted 30/07/2010 at 20:39:59
Howard
Neville Jags Heitinga Baines
Bily Arteta Fellaini Cahill Pienaar
Yakubu

Mucha, Coleman, Yobo, Rodwell, Osman, Beckford, Saha

Stefan Tosev
12 Posted 30/07/2010 at 20:56:14
"We as fans really need to move on from this Best XI mindset ? it's a Squad game, and the 'Best XI' is gonna vary, game to game, week to week." ? I dont normally agree with Michael but IMO he nailed that. If all the punters just try to compare their "ideal" Best XI and how often they were played actually you will see that from 43-45 games a season (EPL + cups) not more than 3 times Everton were able to play the same squad, nevermind in consecutive weeks.

Football moved from what it used to be and the times when you could win the title with 14 players are long gone, nowadays the top teams do not falter because they have broader quallity squads and adequate replacements, wherever the likes of Everton and Villa are always struggling at some parts of the season due to injuries,suspensions and fatigue. Moreover in these best XI we don't factor opposition, tactics, schedule, form...
Ped Pearl
13 Posted 30/07/2010 at 21:50:28
It has to be
Howard
Heitinga Jags Distin Baines
Fellaini
Anichebe Arteta Rodwell Pienaar
Saha
Mucha, Coleman, Neville, Yakubu, Bily, Yobo, Beckford

I believe that Anichebe is going to have a breakout year on the form he began to show the back end of last season.

Funnily enough, you can argue that our home game v CIty was the best we played all year. That was without Arteta and Jags... and with Pienaar playing centrally with Bily on the left. All very interesting!!
Steve Pugh
14 Posted 30/07/2010 at 22:30:00
Got to be a 4-3-3 with:

Howard
Hibbert Jags Heitinga Baines
Fellaini Rodwell Arteta
Gueye Yakubu Piennar

Subs
Coleman, Osman, Neville, Beckford, Billy, Distin, Mucha
Jay Harris
15 Posted 30/07/2010 at 22:25:39
I'll go

Howard

Coleman Heitiga Jags Baines

Felli

Anichebe Rodwell Arteta

Beckford Gueye

Subs" Distin,Yak, Saha,Billy ,Mucha,Yobo,Hibbert.

I'm guessing Moyesy will go:

Howard

Hibbert Jags Distin Baines

Heitiga Neville

Anichebe Arteta Pienarr

Saha Cahill

Subs:Yak,Anichebe,Yobo,Billy,Beckford,Gueye,Mucha.

I dont really have a problem with either squad makeup as I feel the club as a whole will be up for it this season.

I just hope that we wont let disappointments (and we will have them) get to us too much.
Chris Mckenny
16 Posted 30/07/2010 at 22:46:32
4-2-3-1 formation with Cahill pushing on.

Howard

Neville Jags, Heitinga, Baines

Arteta Fellaini

Anichebe, Cahill, Pienarr

Saha

--------------------

Coleman on for Neville if we are not winning by half time to give him a chance. (Davie you can make subs at half time you know mate) by 60 mins if still chasing or looking for the win bring on Gueye for Anichebe and Beckford for Cahill and push Beckford forward with Saha just off him for flick ons and those thunder strikes.... 80 mins bring on Billy (if he ever pulls his finger out) for Saha.

I know it is highly unlikely Moyes will bring his captain off but this is mine XI so hay ho.

Subs:
Mucha, Coleman, Bily, Yobo, Gueye, Yakubu & Beckford.
Steve Pugh
17 Posted 30/07/2010 at 23:14:36
errr... Chris, that's four subs you've used.
Chris Mckenny
18 Posted 30/07/2010 at 23:19:55
haha Classic nevermind leave Saha on then as he'll be playing a blinder.
Alex Marsh Nikas
19 Posted 30/07/2010 at 23:22:15
Howard
Coleman Jagielka Heitenga Baines
Fellaini Rodwell
Arteta Cahill Pienaar
Saha
Steve Mink
20 Posted 31/07/2010 at 00:02:40
Howard
Neville Jagielka Heitinga Baines
Felliani Arteta
Osman Rodwell Pienaar
Saha

Subs: Mucha Coleman Distin Cahill Billy Gueye Beckford
Chris Mckenny
21 Posted 31/07/2010 at 00:03:56
Damn forgot about Rodwell....
Just goes to show we have a decent squad when all fully fit, oh wait that's the point of having a squad isn't it? as very rarely all fit...
Am I still writing?? fooks! Am boring myself here. Note to self lay off the vimto.
Jimmy Hacking
22 Posted 31/07/2010 at 00:44:02
Pugh
Pugh
Barney McGrew
Cuthbert
Dibble
Grubb
Owen De Asha
23 Posted 31/07/2010 at 01:22:39
Anybody who has chosen their "BEST XI" and left out Cahill should be ashamed of themselves. To leave him on the bench would be the footballing equivalent of attempting to do brain surgery without any tools.

And im disgusted that Steve Pugh in #14 hasn't even included him in his squad, insted choosing to go with a 19 year old kid with absolutely zero experience of ANY top flight football at all, be it English or French!!!
Ajay Gopal
24 Posted 31/07/2010 at 06:55:33
This will be a break-through year for Rodwell (based on the form he has shown so far). Anichebe, Gueye, Beckford, Vaughan (still not given up on him!) will all have outstanding seasons.

My starting XI (4-2-3-1):

Howard
Neville Jagielka Heitinga Baines
Fellaini Rodwell
Arteta Cahill Pienaar
Saha

Just the right balance of snarl & skill IMO.

Subs: Mucha, Coleman, Distin, Billy, Yakubu, Anichebe, Beckford

Notable Players Missing: Yobo, Hibbert, Gueye, Vaughan, Osman.

I look at this team and I have only one word ......"WOW".
Ped Pearl
25 Posted 31/07/2010 at 08:10:32
23 - Owen
Good point... I dont know why but I forgot about him!!
We have wonderful midfield with lots of options. Good options up front also... lets hope the Yak can find his feet again. The only question marks are right back - and cover for Bainsey. COYB
Peter Bourke
26 Posted 31/07/2010 at 08:18:36
My eyes must be painted on......there are at least 3 people above who dont even have Cahill on the bench...he's not in their squad???
Santosh Benjamin
27 Posted 31/07/2010 at 08:13:21
Ive been racking my brains over this for the last few weeks. I would start the season with
Howard
Hibbert Jags Heitinga Baines
Neville
Anichebe Arteta Rodwell Pienaar
Saha

Subs: Mucha, Coleman, Beckford, Gueye, Cahill, Osman, Bily

I was very tempted to stick Neville at right back and add Cahill to the starting line-up. I was also tempted to add Yakubu to the bench. All this could be altered by
1. Pienaar/Yakubu leaving
2. Jags not starting the season

As the season goes on and Felli is fit and Cahill is a bit rested i might start them and opt to rest Vic and Nev. Its a whole new dimension that we have to deal with this year with most of our squad fit and raring to go. Other than Baines' position we have good cover for every other position. I sense this could be a great year for us on many fronts. Lets hope we can stay healthy, keep most of the squad and play creative yet solid football. Cant wait for the seaon to kick off...COYB
Aiden Doyle
28 Posted 31/07/2010 at 08:57:44
Presuming that everyone?s available for selection and that we hold on to our key players, I?d have to go for a 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 with the creative midfielders playing relatively centrally, the fullbacks providing the attacking width and one of the defensive midfielders (i.e. Rodwell) willing to drop to central defence to allow them to do so:

Howard

Coleman, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines

Rodwell, Fellaini

Bilyaletdinov, Arteta, Pienaar

Yakubu

Subs: Mucha, Neville, Distin, Osman, Saha, Gueye & Beckford

(If we?re able to land Donovan, I?d drop Bily to the bench & Gueye to the reserves)

Choosing the front man was the only tough call for me but I went for the Yak because, whilst his goal scoring seems to have deserted him, he?s still supremely good at holding up the ball and bringing others in to play.

Oh... and just so you know: no Cahill; no apologies.
Stephen Kenny
29 Posted 31/07/2010 at 11:41:00
Howard

Neville Jagielka Heitinga Baines

Arteta

Rodwell Fellaini

Anichebe Pienaar

Saha

I would play Arteta as a deep lying playmaker and have Big Mo and Rodders pressing high up the pitch. I would look to the fullbacks to provide width and get balls into the box. With Rodwell, Saha, Anichebe and Fellaini all powering into the box we would be a massive aerial threat without sacrificing the ability to move the ball quickly on the floor.

We all know it's a squad game and players like Cahill, Coleman and Bily will all have a part to play but for me that should be the 1st choice 11.
Stephen Kenny
30 Posted 31/07/2010 at 11:48:46
Sorry subs are.

Cahill
Coleman
Bily
Gueye
Distin
Yakubu
Beckford
Christopher Brown
31 Posted 31/07/2010 at 12:55:23
Definitely with Aiden @28 on the 4-2-3-1. Fellaini and Rodwell providing the base and Pienaar and Bily flanking Arteta in a compact three-man inside forward line. Shame for Cahill, but the football would be skilfull, creative and on the floor how it should be.

Howard

Neville-Jagielka-Heitinga-Baines

Fellaini-Rodwell

Pienaar-Arteta-Bilyaletdinov

Saha

Subs:
Mucha
Coleman
Yakubu
Beckford
Distin
Osman
Anichebe
Christopher Brown
32 Posted 31/07/2010 at 13:02:48
Oops, Cahill as sub instead of Anichebe... what was I thinking?
Andy Crooks
33 Posted 31/07/2010 at 13:39:41
Sorry Owen, I forgot about Tim Cahill. He'd certainly be on the bench but I'd give Bily a chance in his role.
Kevy Quinn
34 Posted 31/07/2010 at 14:44:36
Cheer up Brendan, its just a bit of fun. Go ahead pick a team, you know you want to.


Chris McKenny my starting line up would be the exact same. Though cant agree with your substitutions lol judging by the time on your posts and it being a friday night il assume you had a few beers.
Brendan O'Doherty
35 Posted 31/07/2010 at 16:42:42
That's what I mean about playing fantasy football. Half of you 'forget' about Cahill. a 100% starter, and he scores a hat-trick today.
Owen De Asha
36 Posted 31/07/2010 at 17:04:58
34 - Brendan.

Summing up exactly what I'm talking about. The man is Everton Football Club through and through in a time when contracts and loyalty are absolutely worthless.
Brendan O'Doherty
37 Posted 31/07/2010 at 22:39:02
Yes Owen, the man is a legend.

Kevy wants me to pick a team so here goes:

11 Tim Cahills.

Kevy, the only reason I don't indulge in this nonsense is that we have on average 3 threads per week doing this.Then people go "Oh I forgot about so and so" after they have posted!

Now, if we have a thread on who we genuinely think DM will pick for the next game, well that's a different matter altogether.
Peter Bourke
38 Posted 31/07/2010 at 22:52:54
@Aiden Doyle 28.
Your having a laugh, leaving out one of our proven best players. Thank god Moyes picks the team and not some of our supporters who clearly have no concept of football.
@Christopher Brown 23.
Why would you say shame for Cahill due to the football being skilful. He is one of the most skilful players to play for Everton in the last ten years and i am sick of these bandwagoners who seem to think he cant play skilful, passing football. Clearly some people must be watching the games with blinkers on.

Tony Anetts
39 Posted 01/08/2010 at 08:58:44
Here goes:

Howard

Coleman Jagelka Distin Baines

Heitinga

Arteta Fellaini Pienaar

Cahill

Saha

Subs:

Mucha, Neville, Bilyaledinov, Rodwell, Beckford, Yakubu, Osman

Omitted: Hibbert, Anichebe, Gueye, Yobo, Vaughan
David Thomas
40 Posted 01/08/2010 at 12:35:02
There is some amazing teams on this thread. Its amazing how some people have not even got Cahill in their squad. Anyone who goes and watches everton live would have him in their squad in a heartbeat. People are picking Gueye ahead of him for example without most likely ever having seen this lad play live. As an earlier person said thankfully David Moyes picks our team rather than some people on this site. I bet if you asked Moyes he would tell you Cahill is one of the most pivotal members of the whole squad.
Andrew Ellams
41 Posted 01/08/2010 at 14:48:24
John Daley at number and Aiden Doyle at 28, totally agree with your selections. I know you have picked different strikers but that is the position that I was undecided on.

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