Heitinga praised for his mental strength

, Sky Sports News , 6 April, 17comments  |  Jump to most recent
David Moyes has heaped praise on John Heitinga after the Dutchman's return to form and a regular starting spot. Heitinga has been at the heart of Everton's defence for recent victories over Manchester City and Stoke, both achieved without conceding, just two months after being dropped following some inept displays at the back.

"John is mentally very strong," Moyes said.

"He's played in a World Cup final and against all the top players, so I think that single-mindedness brought him through.

"He had some real bad periods in the season. In a way, he had to prove himself again. If it was anyone else, it would have broken them but John's Dutch mentality got him through it."

Quotes or other material sourced from Sky Sports News



Reader Comments (17)

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Mark Frere
1 Posted 06/04/2013 at 14:50:08
Heitinga has to do a lot more to redeem himself. He's played okay recently, but I still think he's a disaster waiting to happen. I can't wait for the day he is sold and got off our wage bill.
Jimmy Salt
2 Posted 06/04/2013 at 15:34:33
Drops him when he's playing well then bigs him up when he's struggling and makes space for him in a three at the back! Moyes's man-management is odd sometimes...
Trevor Lynes
3 Posted 06/04/2013 at 15:59:29
He has to pick sides against certain opponents. I'm not too keen on Heitinga and he is still poor against big, pacy strikers.

One thing he cannot improve is his pace and in a one-to-one he is often not close enough to make a tackle or even a good block. I certainly would not pick him in my best starting eleven.

Colin Glassar
4 Posted 06/04/2013 at 18:34:03
Has he really improved lately? I've seen him making quite a few dodgy decisions and being saved by either Distin or Jags. If he plays tomorrow ,he'd better be on his best behaviour.
Phil Walling
5 Posted 06/04/2013 at 18:53:44
Mental strength? What utter bollocks! Catterick would have kicked him up the arse and out of the gate.

The man has been a bloody embarrassment all season.

Barry Rathbone
6 Posted 06/04/2013 at 19:33:28
All down to his dutch cap then!

{My missus is wrong I am fookin' hilarious}

Kevin Hudson
7 Posted 06/04/2013 at 19:36:00
I usually defend Moyes, but this comment: "He's played in a World Cup Final..."

...failed to mention that John also got sent-off in said final!

(I know... puff-piece, etc...)

Ben Jones
8 Posted 06/04/2013 at 19:49:17
He's still the best passer by a mile out of all of our centre backs. Positionally he's been pretty good, and he was outstanding against City plus decent in the other 2 games to be fair to him. He certainly has improved recently.

But yeah he's still too slow, and I am still scared whenever somebody quick goes one on one against him.

Basically, he has obvious strengths and weaknesses, not a very well rounded player.

Jimmy's spot on though. He was player of the season last season, in the form of his life, then suddenly into the next, Distin and Jags play. That is a strange one.

Trevor Lynes
9 Posted 06/04/2013 at 20:14:14
Ben (#621)

I'm at a loss about your praise of his passing ability... I don't remember him making decent passes in any game I've watched. He is not in the same league defensively as Jags and Distin.

Distin for his age has been an absolute revelation. He out paces Heitinga, is better in the air, stronger than Heitinga and a far better tackler... and he is years older than him!!

Jags too is future captain material and much better than JH. If Duffy is not better than JH at this stage of his career, then he is in the wrong job.

Ben Jones
10 Posted 06/04/2013 at 20:44:10
Trevor,

You know the name of the game for defenders nowadays is distrubution and Heitinga is clearly the best at it. They don't have to be hollywood passes all of the time, but he's more composed on the ball. Think how many times he gives the ball away? A lot less than Jags and Distin.

But yeah, I agree with you, although a bit harsh, Distin and Jags are better defenders. But I think Heitinga has to get a little credit seeing he's played in clean sheets in the last 2 games. Im not saying a lot, just a little.

Paul Nicholls
11 Posted 06/04/2013 at 21:30:30
Not quick enough, not strong enough, no good in the air. All essential centre half attributes. Ragdolled by Benteke, Lukaku, Kone et al. Has never had enough pace for the Premier League in any of the positions he has played. Can ping a pass. Great. We would be a good few points better off if he could defend.
Phil Sammon
12 Posted 06/04/2013 at 23:50:11
He's getting worse than Jags for those long diagonals. At least Distin knows he can't pass so gives it short unless he absolutely has to get rid.

I think JH did well against Stoke - but he still shouldn't play. Two CB's on the pitch is enough for any team - and he's third choice.

Nick Armitage
13 Posted 07/04/2013 at 02:03:26
Heitinga is the best ball playing centre half we have had at the club for years and we played our best football under Moyes with him at the back with Distin when Jagielka was out injured.

In fact I remember the season turn around last year coinciding with him getting into the starting eleven. I don't remember him getting hammered like this when he was player of the season.

Jelavic has been complete gash all season, but never a word of criticism from the 'experts' on Toffeeweb for him.

Dan Brierley
14 Posted 07/04/2013 at 02:44:25
Nick, I fully agree he is a better ball player than Distin or Jags. But is he a better defender? And who are the 'experts' you speak of? Jelavic has been slated (in general) on this website for most of the season.

I think Moyes is right for giving credit where credit is due. Heitinga could have sulked like many players do, but it appears he has knuckled down and has lifted his game. I agree with the lack of pace which is his main weakness, but when I think of my list of top centre halves, none of them had pace as an attribute. Pace most often comes into play when you have positionally made a mistake and have to recover.

Nick Armitage
16 Posted 07/04/2013 at 09:43:29
Dan

One of the centre halves at the top of my list was a lad called Kevin Ratcliffe, he was a bit nippy.

Nick Armitage
17 Posted 07/04/2013 at 09:43:29
Dan

One of the centre halves at the top of my list was a lad called Kevin Ratcliffe, he was a bit nippy.

Nick Armitage
18 Posted 07/04/2013 at 09:43:29
Dan

One of the centre halves at the top of my list was a lad called Kevin Ratcliffe, he was a bit nippy.


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