Rodriguez left out of Colombia squad for Copa America

Bonus for the Blues this.

Even I thought James was taking the piss and was just going out there to shag a pretty senorita and get some sun on his back.

Get well soon, James. Hope to see you back, fit as a fiddle.

This will certainly get some behind him that may have been skeptical had he gone to the Copa America and exhausted himself. If he takes his success in the Premier League seriously, we're in a good position to make things interesting.

If any player we have is not committed to the club's cause right now, then they can fuck right off for me... Mina too.

Were sadly just not ruthless enough.

“With surprise, I receive the statement from the main technical body stating that they do not count on me and wishing me a full recovery.

“Recovery that I already made and in which I have sacrificed a lot

“The above filled me with deep disappointment because for me it means playing for my country.

“Not receiving the trust from the technical body breaks with everything and causes me enormous pain, since for the shirt of the Colombia team I have always left even my life.

"For my colleagues the best energy and best wishes. From a distance I will support with the passion of always.”

James Unhappy

There have been widespread protests against the government in Colombia, with demonstrators disrupting some Copa Libertadores matches. Because of this, Colombia isn't hosting any of the games. All the games will be played in Argentina.

Declares himself unfit to play for us and a week later declares himself fit to play for his country.

His country tells him he's fit to play for no-one, this I agree with.

He's known he's not fit but has dropped us like some tart outside the Grafton, knowing his missus is at home, but the thing is we've been paying for the drinks all night!

Monday 31 May, midnight – 9-month Direct Debit deadline

Wednesday 30 June, midnight – 8-month Direct Debit deadline

Tuesday 13 July, 5pm – 7-month Direct Debit deadline

Tuesday 13 July, 5pm - Deadline for all Season Ticket renewals

Give him some love, and maybe, just maybe, he'll learn to love us back too.

Gutted for you kiddo. Viva la Colombia, get well soon, and show Goodson Park and the premier league next season the true James! 💪🏻

Colombia need fit players for the Copa America and can't afford a passenger in the ranks because they can't call up other players if James breaks down completely.

We knew about his injury record and love of country before we signed him. Just enjoy him when he plays for us, hopefully in front of a packed house for the first time in August, and give him something to love about Everton. Because thus far, he doesn't have much of an idea.

On signing, when he discussed his terms with us, I wonder if he volunteered the information that he'll declare himself unfit to play for EFC if he thinks his chances of playing for Colombia might be impacted by anything happening at EFC?

Do you think that above was made clear to EFC?

1) Can you confirm he hasn't expected to recover in the extra time he had between EFC matches and Colombia matches. Pretty clear he's genuinely injured… Expecting to recover in time for a later match is no crime.

2) Neither you nor I know his contract, but international matches help with the commercial side too… they are the reason he is the e8th most followed athlete on social media in the world.

3) If you want to spend your Friday evening slagging off our players and running both them and his legion of fans away from the club, fill ye boots kid. Me, I'd rather give our player some love when they need it. Enjoy your evening.

If it's been a mixed bag like here this might be just the excuse the manager has been looking for to bin him off. But being an icon I imagine the manager has to tread carefully. I remember Beckham being sidelined by England and Steve McLaren was shot dead as a result

Not quite, but there was a media backlash.

"He has taken the piss for weeks."

What brilliant, classy fan support for the guy who was clearly our best player when healthy, who led us to previously impossible wins at Anfield and the Emirates, performed with a top attitude and a smile, and who -- yes! -- did turn out to be injured.

Slag, piss and smear away, boys. You make us proud.

Shabbily treated imo.

I've no doubt he too was thinking he's been shabbily treated as he cruised 30,000 feet above the world in his private Learjet while reading ToffeeWeb and thinking thast Mike Gaynes is a good guy!

He understands I should only play once in a blue moon and if the match gets too physical and those nasty Premier League defenders start kicking me in the cold weather, I can sit down and sub myself.

Lets sign a triathlete and play him instead.

He's our only creative player and, as Lyndon said, we knew the risks, so I am not in the "James out" angry camp by any means. I hope he stays and stays fit.

But I do think it was crass posting his selfie from his jet before we had our game. I also think it's not appropriate for him to declare that he wants to play for Colombia if our medics and theirs say he is injured.

Sure he's patriotic and what have you but we know the consequences of playing through injury at international level after the James McCarthy experience. If his national pride allows him to push through pain for a few games but he exacerbates that injury or picks up a worse one, then Everton will suffer the consequences. I don't think that is acceptable.

I only googled the competition at the weekend which was the first time I'd see who was hosting anything.

Anybody who remembers 1986, Colombia don't have much luck hosting tournaments.

And some choose to slag him off because they think he missed too many games for his wages.

Just different ideas of what constitutes fan support, I guess. Everybody makes their own choices.

Great player on his day... but his signing has had an awful lot of poor judges who don't recognise a player on the decline tucking into crow.

Hopefully we will see a few more cameos before he rides off with the saddlebags Carlo has filled up for him.

There's a lot of teams out there who don't have the Beauty of a James.

Our neighbours don't have his beauty, he probably makes most of their players look quite ordinary, but I'd take all of their ordinary players rather than him right now, they'll turn up and be fully commited to the team be a fully functional part of the whole (regularly) and give us a team we can be proud of without being individually beautiful.

He was a dull signing by a fastly fading manager.

Posters deride the "tackling machines" on a regular basis, then deride the best footballer at the club?

Strange.

Latin American players and fans are absolutely fanatical about their national teams -- the fervor is hard for us gringos to comprehend. I played semipro with a guy who decades earlier had earned maybe six caps for El Salvador (all losses -- ES is weak), and he was so emotional about the experience that after all those years he would still break down in tears talking about how honored he was to stand on the pitch for their anthem with all those people singing in the stands.

No club loyalty can possibly compete with how these guys feel about wearing their national colors. You may consider James's remarks inappropriate or unacceptable, but believe me when I tell you that being Colombian (and a national World Cup hero) he could have said nothing else. And I guarantee he meant every word. That's just how it is.

Damned right they are.

This injury problem has dogged him for quite a while, maybe it's why Real had to sell, I am sure they had the best medical people try and sort this problem. Maybe it keeps recurring after a few games and can't be fixed, in which case, are we just going to have to manage the situation as he still has another 12 months of his contract to run?

I wonder if this was brought up when he was having his medical, as it seems to have been a long-standing problem, so I can't believe Carlo was not aware of the problem.

Where did we finish and where did they finish?

They've shown something we haven't: balls? However we have beauty!

Of course it mattered beating them for the first time at their ground in an eternity, but in the grander scheme of things it was only one game and then we regressed, they went on to show some real steel and get to save their season.

All my comments still stand.

We got James because he is not 100% fully fit. Even at 75% fit, he is head and shoulders above anyone else in our squad.

His club fitness?

The same problem has recurred often since then, most prominently at the 2018 World Cup. It's why we got him for free.

I predicted when we signed him that even if he played just half our games, if he was up to his usual standards, he would give us lots of reasons to cheer. He did, he was, and he did. It boggles my mind that some here actually think he was a bad signing. Nonsensical.

Nice try, but the topic here isn't which team is better. We all know that.

But tell me, where do you think we would have finished with 11 fewer goals? James scored 6 and created 5 more. Maybe somebody else could have contributed a couple of those, but not most of them. And NOBODY else on the club could have made the pass that beat the RS.

If you really think we'd have been better off without him this season, all I can say is that I hope it's a nice evening on whatever planet you're orbiting.

You reckon if Rodriguez hadn't have played at Anfield, we wouldn't have won the game? Well, he certainly played his part, laid a goal on and was good for an hour, then he went off. I'd say he was part of a good team effort that day, in which every player put a good shift in, most longer than Rodriguez, to earn that victory.

At Arsenal he was as poor as most of the team in a match we stole, playing football going backwards.

Finally in your last paragraph @ (53) you predicted if Rodriguez “played in just half of our games, if he kept to his usual standards he, he would give reasons to cheer. He did, he was, and he did”.

Well, he started in half of our games, didn't finish in lots of them. He provided lots of cheer in some of them, brilliant to watch; he was poor in some of them, a handicap in some of them, stunk and threw his hand in against Fulham, and played one hour in the last six games, because he was tired, felt a slight twinge, and fatigued or saving himself for Colombia's games this summer. Unfit, in his own head, for Everton's games, but fit, in his own head, for Colombia's games, for which he sacrificed a lot to play in.

If he wasn't a bad signing, he certainly wasn't value for money. He didn't come free, Mike, he came at £4M per season, priced at £80,000 per week. Maybe his wages were more, maybe less. He still has another year on the table at the same wages. I doubt if he will be any fitter, meaning, to me, he will not be value for money next season.

I have no doubt how proud he is to play for his country. I have no doubt he is taking the piss out of my club, and Carlo is allowing him to take the piss out of him as well.

As fans we have no way of knowing the reality at any one time. James is now a year older and has an amount more playing time under his belt; has the injury worsened? I'd still like to know where the "Fatigued" element fits in though. And whether his sack and stones are OK now.

If he now has the summer for a proper prepare/rest regime maybe we'll get five or six consecutive mostly full games from him at the start of the season, as last year. Let's see...

I don't doubt for a second some in the squad heard "fatigue" and quietly muttered "Fuck off, you malingering tool".

Undoubtedly he is a majestic technician but to be a true great requires mental and physical strength as well. He has failed on those counts at Madrid and Bayern so no surprise he's failing in the battlegrounds of the Premier League.

Love him to bits but he has now become a problem

Didn't Shankly just blank injured players? ... we put 'em on them private planes to go back home!

Just so angry at my club, the 5-0 defeat was bad enough, but when the world is watching and fucking laughing at us, it puts our current state into very sharp focus.

It would seem some of my fellow Blues are of a forgiving nature... I'm not.

I know it's frustrating but, if he was anywhere near reliable, then he wouldn't have signed for us. He'd be at one of the very top Champions League teams. That's how good he is.

I don't think everyone making comment thinks James is a ‘bad signing'. I think the real frustration stems from seeing a player who gets paid megabucks by EFC opting out of the final game of the season through injury to fly home for another competition and tweeting a gormless pic of himself on his kingsize bed while we endured yet another humiliation at the hands of Man City.

And then complaining when he gets ‘home' that he's deemed not fit enough to play for his country. Tough shit, James – we pay your wages and we need you fit for the start of next season, not limping back to another stint on the physio's couch.

James is the only footballer on Everton's books, yes he's expensive in relation to his wages, yes he may not be as committed to Everton as we'd like, but give me one half-fit, half-committed James rather than the many crabs we've watched over the last five years or so.

Rodriguez sounds like he's not far away from being fit, but Colombia have decided they don't want him because they don't think he's fit enough.

How will he feel after this rejection? A player with a point to prove, or a player who knows his best days are truly behind him, because his body keeps letting him down?

Give Carlo a chance to get things right here, I'm sure he isn't unaware of the Everton fans' discomfort over this. Until we sign a gifted 10, we are in a position to get played when things go sideways or worse. We can build past these types of embarrassments and sometimes we have to ride with slick types like James to get where we want to be.

If the Copa America tournament is being held once every 2 years then he would have a point to prove as he will be 32 (and not too old) during next one.

Reason and logic goes out of the window. Why even bother when you can just carry on hating.

"...they can fuck right off for me"
"James is a toe rag!"

"He has taken the piss for weeks."

Is that the comment of a "fan"?

I suppose it's a fine line in moderating sites like this. How Sad.

If you want to think he's been taking the piss, you're welcome to. My opinion is that he's been a pretty good value for what we've paid him, even on limited minutes. He was involved in a goal every 136 minutes in all competitions, by far the best on the club, and most of those goals were meaningful -- big goals at important times.

Also, he actually played considerably more minutes last season than he had for the previous two at Real and Bayern respectively. Call me a cockeyed optimist, but I think that's a good sign.

I like James and hate it when he is absent. I don't rate Gomes and am unhappy when he plays.

My perception this season was that Gomes was virtually an ever-present while James was frequently absent. The reality is that James played 200 minutes, equivalent to over two games more than Gomes. Yet I could swear I spent the majority of this season thinking "I wish James was playing instead of Gomes.”

As for him playing more than he did at Madrid and Munich, not sure he was always in contention to be picked by the managers there. Bayern never took the option on retaining him and I think Madrid were glad to get his wages off the books. Who else were offering him a better deal than the one that Everton gave him?

Mike, I'd like to be an optimist, like you, over James, nothing wrong with that. I just couldn't honestly force myself to do it.

Anyone remember him? Maybe he learned a lot from our current ever-present coach eh?

Why do we sign so many not up to the task of being a fit, skilled, big-hearted professional giving his all for the club?

Yours is the best post here and you say it all really well. As we know in any team sport you need a great team spirit so I would be concerned why James was not at the Wolves or City game supporting his team. Why not get on a plane after the last game?

Then on the first day of preseason July 7th or whatever he can be back at Finch Farm setting an example to the squad about commitment and showing absolute desire to win something with Everton next season.

If he shows that he is serious about giving 100% and not one percent less to Everton starting now, he will have my complete respect.

I sympathise with him for being left out. I wish him well in getting as physically strong as possible to have a blinding final season with us.

To have a player of this calibre we’ve got to retain faith that solutions can be found. We don’t have to build
a team around him at all, but we can use him intelligently as an ace in our pack.

James also started more games and played more minutes than Seamus, but I don't recall anybody accusing the captain of lack of commitment or being a part-timer or taking the piss out of the club. Even though he and James both had leg muscle injuries that recurred.

And nobody called Seamus a "toe rag" who should "fuck right off."

But James gets those comments.

Hmmm...

Others might have just taken their time, let's give him credit for that.

I will certainly give Gomes credit for a) fighting back from that horrific injury and b) doing his best. He certainly has a good attitude on and off the pitch.

That's because Seamus gets a pass because he's Everton through and through and a legend. James is not.

Hopefully a summer resting, new signings of the Godfrey class to support him, and a first Premier League season out of the way, and his second season will be a lot better, if he stays.

I like your loyalty to Seamus but I think it's a bit more complicated than that. There's also the fact that Seamus is older, had a horrific injury, and can't handle two games a week. A lot of people were quite happy to see him benched earlier in the season – not because they don't respect him but because they know his age and injury limitations. James gets more stick cause he's closer to his prime and no-one else can do what he does.

One thing is for sure: the only way he will be able to do the latter is playing for Everton because nobody will be rushing in to take him away from us.

Personally, I think nothing but good can come from this for us. He is a footballer that brings a smile to my face when he is on blob. I am hoping we will see the best of him next season.

The Road to Knockanore

Now that old lad has the lilt alright.

I will always give Gomes credit for courage and a great attitude, and an obvious love for Everton. Plus, by every account, he's a thoroughly lovely fellow to teammates, fans and the media.

It's just that he's pretty much the same player post-injury as he was pre-injury, which is to say... not great. He was no more productive for Barca than he is for us.

And Kieran #104, Seamus is 3 years older but he and James both have about the same mileage on 'em because James played more games earlier in his career. They both made their 400th career appearance this season.

But he still got 6 goals and 9 assists in 26 games: at last, we had a talent who could lose the opponent and make a superior pass.

I think he's the most skillful player I've ever seen in blue. In a better side, he would have accomplished more but, in this Everton side, it was always going to be difficult.

I hope we get the seven new players we need and that James will play another season relatively injury-free.

I don't think, or at least hope, people don't “dislike James because he's foreign.” Regardless of his nationality, I think if you look for the subtext everyone likes or at least rates him. The difference is, half on here are I would say pragmatic “he's great but injury prone but he wouldn't be here if he wasn't” while the rest are “get rid!”

Subtext “I'm just annoyed because he's our best player and I wish he played every game.

I can categorically state Evertonians are totally non-discriminatory in dishing shit out.

Our creed is “we don't care where you're from but give us 100% of your ability & commitment while you're with the club and we'll support you”.

I cite Denis Stracqualursi and Oumar Niasse.

100 percent agree. Good examples too mate.

James is a magician, a joy to watch who as Pekka says can spot a space and make the pass like no-one else. I don't care if he runs a lot, others can do that for him. Enjoy him while you can and hopefully we'll all get the chance to see him at Goodison.

You may be right and there's a cultural difference. My patriotism is pretty broad: mammals. I'll admit I'm very prejudiced against arachnids, reptiles and sponges.

But seriously, while I support and get upset if England or Ireland lose, through an archaic law 100 years old, I qualify for a German passport. Had the chance ever arisen (I was very good at penalties) I'd have happily mimed to "Deutschland, Deutschland" and represented that lot with zero tears, zero passion, just a healthy dose of ego, lol.

So I honestly can't fathom the dedication to playing for “my country” that motivates these lads to play through the pain barrier and weep during anthems. But, that's what makes the world great — so many different viewpoints and cultures. Respect.

We embrace ugly.

You mentioned Stracqualursi and Niasse. Two guys who could stop clocks just walking past them.

Look at some of our other most popular players: Carsley, Big Dunc, Big Nev, Sheeds, Ball, Kendall, Baines, Sharp. And have you taken a close look at the statue of Dixie?

Not a looker in the bunch.

You have a theory worthy of consideration, oh hang on I refer the honourable gentleman to my previous mention of the gormless looking Ross Barkley.

So jury is out.

So you’re not into the rugged, rolly polly dustman fetish? After a few beers, old Nev is like Chris Hemsworth meets J-Lo.

If he wants to play football... any football, then he has to get fit. If he can't get 'Premier League fit' then either, try his luck in the MSL, or retire and play Xbox, thus saving us millions.

Over to you, Mr Rodriguez.

If he has played a high level for 37 games, got injured in the last game and left, then maybe we all go "fair enough"... but he hasn't. The reality is he was very poor in the business end of season, like the rest of the players, and is clearly not committed; otherwise, he would stick around to support us.

We need 100% people to get the club moving in right direction but nothing has changed and we're a soft touch with average demands on our players, coaches and team.

The irony of our club being the ugly sister of the Premier League for well over a decade causes me an almost physical pain. We are essentially a football-loving tribe.

The difference in popularity between Seamus and James has nothing to do with cultures. The reason is simple. One of them regularly demonstrates his love for this club... The other only says it.

If you don't love Everton with your heart and soul, you will never receive universal love in return... no matter how good you are.

And loving Everton "with your heart and soul" is far from a guarantee of universal love in return. Ask Ossie. Nobody was more loyal to the club. Or took more shit.

Untalented and hard working: Stracqualursi, Niasse, Carsley, Kilbane, Linderoth, Castillo, Pembridge, Martina, Williams, Hibbert.

Average talent and hard working:Walcott, Coleman, Distin, Osman, McCarthy, Gueye, Jagielka, Unsworth, Lennon, Sigurdsson, Ovideo, Osman, Naismith, Fellaini, Neville, Yobo, Cahill, Lescott, Beattie, Weir, Stubbs, Bent, Campbell, Radzinski

Average talent and lazy: Mirallas, Ferguson, Schneiderlin, McGeady, Heitinga, Jelavic, Rodwell, McFadden, Gravesen, Kone

Talented and lazy: Barkley, Deulofeu, Lukaku, Saha, Yakubu

Talented and hard working: Baines, Pienaar, Barry, Stones, Arteta

Top class: Rooney, James

But I feel his pain as he is passionate about representing his country. I have done so in a very different non-footballing way so I get patriotism.

I like Lydon's post above. Enjoy this player playing for Everton when he does. Like Kanchelskis & Beardsley, he is a true top talent and we haven't had many of those in recent decades.

He won't play every match but most players don't in the modern game. I have previously done so and will again draw parallels (not exact similarities by the way) to Agüero at City. I don't hear many City fans complaining at the fact he only gave them half a season most seasons. I see and hear them talking about what a great player he is / was for them and how he impacted the games that he did play in.

The most telling is that most of the players listed fall into your average talent and hard working category. That kind of sums up Everton teams over recent decades.

Gary Speed. One of the greatest Evertonians, was treated disgracefully. he loved this club and said so regularly.

Gary Speed. Great shout, Thomas. Great player and Evertonian. If only timing had been different.

There was a mutual understanding of each other's play and a mutual expectation of total commitment to get the win. Howard created an irrepressible wave of teamwork that the opposition just could not cope with. The type of player who fits into this concept is the most important attribute.

With regards to the perspiration argument, it's the recruitment side who should only be interested in signing committed players. Homework should be thorough on the player's mentality, not just stats or passages of play.

Then once the player is signed it's the manager's and coach's job to make sure each player is motivated and standards don't slip. I don't think in the recent past we have focused or analysed or even discussed the psychology of a player as much as we should have.

Errrr.... yer wha???
,"untalented..."
Lee Carsley.
Errrr yer wha???
,,michael.kenrick@gmail.com,1,08:28:11,,92.16.169.57,ok,18777,05/29/2021 08:28:11,markmurphy,reader,,,no 1159092,40873,toffeeweb,29/05/2021,Phil Wood,canterburyblue@sky.com,"Excellent points from everyone but, to my mind, James is a luxury player that we just cannot afford to trust for consistency. A Bruno Fernandes but only turning up every few games or in glimpses. We cannot afford this inconsistency if we want success.

Not slighting the player but he hasn't either the legs, spirit or maybe both for a Premier League battle every week.

It would be interesting to know how much James has generated in commercial revenue for Everton since he joined. I would imagine shirt sales globally will have offset some of his wages. Indeed, Everton are a much more attractive proposition to sponsors with him at the club.

Whether you think of him as a diva or a flawed genius, from a business perspective, it would be hard not to see his value to Everton.

Maybe next season, if he is still with us, we might get more games out of him as he has been unreliable this season.

It remains to be seen where he will play, not on the right as Carlo says he wants to bring in a new right-winger, so I assume No 10?

Teams and, in the modern game, extended squads, that support the increasingly necessary rotation requirements, need balance.

Too many grafters, you'll huff and puff, satisfy the punters with effort and the odd slide tackle, but you'll never achieve anything.

Too many prima donnas and they will throw their dummys out of the pram and blame everyone else. You won't achieve anything

Balance. The 80s team you talk about had balance.

Peter Reid battling in the midfield (but he could play too), balanced with the graceful Bracewell. Oh how I wish he could have played longer.

Our very direct right back who got us goals and our nails, but (in my opinion), not the best footballing left back.

Ratcliffe defending, Mountield scoring goals from set pieces.

Kevin Sheedy; my favourite Everton player to date in my lifetime. Even in the midst of our success, I used to regularly hear shouts (my best mate included) of laziness because he wasn't perceived to work hard enough. He often took time on the ball rather than rush things, even when the baying crowd were screaming at him. But then delight when he often won a game for us, either through a goal or what we would now call an assist.

Balance. And if we want to succeed, we are going to have to need and accept players like James in the team / squad. Otherwise, let's go back to Marcus Bents because they try hard and run fast.

I read Mike Gaynes above explaining the duty and pride that these guys have for their country. As much as I can understand that, it is clear that he made a judgement on either pushing himself to play in our last game (which, if we had won, would not have brought European qualiffication – but we didn't know that). He chose his country over his club. We pay his wages – therefore, I am disappointed in him.

Next season we could have a similar situation with an important fixture followed by a Colombia game a week later. So he will miss our game to be fit for theirs. I think we should insist that he is not released for internationals if he has not been available to play the club's most recent fixture.

I do feel though that he needs to take a leaf out of Ronaldo's book about fitness and beef up a bit. At the moment, he does seem too fragile for the Premier League.

Let's hope he has a good break and comes back eager for the fight ahead in August.
COYB

Very good post Danny.

Loving the club isn't a guarantee you will be loved by the fans, but not loving the club is a guarantee that you wont - Ask Lukaku.

James asking to be substituted, crying off with Fatigue and taking selfies on his way to SA when his mates needed him will get people like Bobby Mallon riled up every time. Is someone going to come on and say he is wrong ?

People who havent been anywhere near the country let alone the City since James got here. are simply not qualified to say there is no difference between the popularity of James and Seamus "except on TW". Especially when they glean most of what they know about the club from this site.

Nobody doubts James's ability, but if you think he is anywhere near as popular as Seamus in this City you are miles away

I maybe being a bit harsh, but only really good sides (like City) can 'carry'...and afford for that matter...players who only turn up and/or, turn it on, for half a season.

Beacause if they don't, there are others to 'carry' the load.

For half a dozen games a season, He might well 'carry' us...as he did early in the season.
But if he fluctuates between being a nonentity, and some times a liability and then just plain absent.
He's not somebody we can afford, in both senses, to carry.

If he gets really fit fair enough, but if he's only kidding himself and us - No.

Your sense of self importance has no barriers.
Mike Gaynes (one of them who hasnt been in our city since James got here, therefore negating his right to an opinion) and myself gave an example of two great Evertonians who were treated badly.
Thats all, nothing else.

To insinuate that James is only questioned on TW is just ill informed Gibberish. To claim he is as popular as Seamus Evertonians as a whole will not see the fan boy poster boy other people around the world see. They will see only their player and they will judge him (rightly or wrongly) on everything form skill to commitment.

Btw; Those who actually know. will tell you that Gay speed was loved as an Everton player The anger and animosity only surfaced AFTER he left and it was only directed at him by people who did not know the full story.

The clubs behaviour towards Gary Speed was one of the dark moments in our history. They let him cop all that flack because they didnt want to tarnish the reputation of a legend Poor. Poor show. Speed was as Blue as any one of us on here.

BTW; I did not negate Mikes right to an opinion, Thats either your latest foolish attempt at an argument.or another example of you being unable to understand the point

I said he was not qualified to claim that the people on TW are the only ones who question.James...Thats because he isnt

Ive posted it before.
Seamus is in my top ten all time favourites as an Everton player.

Carlo stated - "This week he did 80 minutes. He asked me to change it because he was physically tired, but no physical problem."

Having James doesn't stop us signing other world class ability players, being a 'basket case' club that seldom qualifies for European football does that. In fact having James is one of the few things that has raised the profile of this club.

If we stopped giving sub-standard players 5 year contracts on ridiculous wages then we could still afford a consistent top 7 team irrespective of whatever we are paying James.

James injury record is a problem, but it shouldn't even be on the shortlist of immediate problems this this club needs addressing.

He is a sensational footballer who can turn a game with his left peg. But he also can be a liability who is taking up a place that might be filled by a less talented but more effective player.

So, yes he’s a sick note but that’s why we have him. Yes he’s the most talented player in the squad by a mile, but that doesn’t mean he’s the best player we have.

You posted at 147.

"People who havent been anywhere near the country let alone the City since James got here. are simply not qualified to say there is no difference between the popularity of James and Seamus "except on TW". Especially when they glean most of what they know about the club from this site"

Snide and sniping.

They would have played him on crutches!

Columbia must feel they're carrying James to drop him like this? His form must not be too hot.

They've dropped him for an ordinary mortal who probably doesn't have a private jet.

Never play James or Sigurdsson out wide; alternate them between the number 10 roles. They both score, both assist and this simple solution will keep them both fresh.

A robust, fast box to box midfielder might help too, as would playing a higher line - less need to come back and collect the ball - as James often does.

Simple this management!!!!!

Good post.
Agree with all of that.

He got on against City in the CL semi ahead of Mbape, he can't be playing too badly judging by that?

In any case he wants out and Ancelotti has said any player can leave who doesn't want to be here, we need to extort every single possible euro out of PSG for his services.

With regards that attacking midfielder it’s been quiet, not many rumours . Also, I think Carlo said something about not signing a midfielder a few weeks ago. That might change if we can find buyers for any combination of our current midfielders Bernard, Delph, Gomes, Iwobi, maybe even Sigurdsson since he is on his final year of contract - if someone offers a decent fee.

I think we need that attacking midfielder you describe, so I will be hoping something happens on that front. Brands is going to be busy.

The closest thing to James in the Premier League era is Le Tissier and Bergkamp, no speed quick brains and skill above the run-of-the-mill player. James brings us star quality. We need his workhorses to do the dirty work.

We also need players on his wavelength. What we now need is dynamism, athletic speed and cold-blooded finishers upfront. Richarlison ain't never going to be a Salah or Kane, Calvert-Lewin, although dramatically improved, will only ever be a penalty-box finisher and reliant on crosses – he will never have the tricky quick feet of a Greenwood or, dare I say it, Jota or Foden.

Derek Thomas- 169. Wasn't me mate. Some other chap with a very Welsh name. I only come on this forum with regards to all things Everton!

Tony Everan - 170. I thought Doucoure was that midfield player, whilst he has been okay and an upgrade, he isn't. I would certainly be happy to see one of Keane, Mina or Holgate be replaced by a cb with pace and ball playing skills.

A lot of work needed in the next season or two (or three )

You had been blanked, but you dived in yet again to look for another argument.

Argumentative and stupid.

Fully expect a dummy spitting response tacitly blaming Everton rather than knuckling down. After years of lounging around with injuries the idea of grafting to prove people wrong seems slightly optimistic.

Probably sticking pins in Carlo and Moshiri dolls between platters of Bandeja Paisa as we speak.

I don't think we'll see an out and out winger. I think more of an attacking midfielder who plays wide. Not someone who gets chalk on their boots and hits the byline to whip in a cross. More someone in the Kanchelskis mode.

I'm probably being more wishful as to what I'd personally like there as opposed to what the manager may actually do!!

Mike, although that statement may be true in so much as physical evidence can't be provided I have to disagree with the point being made (if that makes sense?).
People in the city, AND surrounding areas will be related to, live with, work with and meet with other, mostly match going, Evertonians on a daily basis even though they're not attending games and haven't for some time. And they'll talk all things Everton each and every time they meet.

I can safely say, although not provide evidence, that the feelings towards Seamus and James are totally different mate.

Seamus is loved unconditionally because of HIS obvious love for the club, his outstanding integrity, and his desire for us to win something for US the supporters, and in no small part due to the length of time and level of service he's given to the club. He's also a humble person (Scousers don't tend to take to superstars in the same way) cut from the same dare I say, lowly, cloth as lots on Merseyside, myself included (despite being from Killybegs).

When it comes to James he's "admired" for his sublime skills and at the moment that's it.

If I bumped into Seamus he'd get hugged to embarrassment. With James I'd shake his hand (while secretly admiring his fucking lovely hair obviously).

Thanks for blanking me in your post.
It must be contagious after your alter ego did similar yesterday😁😁

James must be crushed, and I hope he has the fortitude and mental strength to shake off among the most public of bone jarring repudiations.
This isn't particularly good news for anyone really. Quite a few posters have vocalized their belief that James has a motivation problem. If we assume that is correct, I do not see how being publically featured as no longer fit for purpose for the national team might help.

I'm hoping one of our most creative players has more mental strength than he's being generally given credit for on this thread anwyay. With the fans likely to be returning in numbers across the league, any negative body language or perceived prima donna stuff will no doubt fill many threads like this one. Once again, I think we'll know fairly quickly how James is feeling about things.
Brands has probably got more headaches than Tyson Furys sparring partners right now. As the very wise James Flynn rightfully points out this summer really hinges most on Brands performance at his job. Fuck this up and I think we could be stuck here for long long while.

Not sure I can compare him to anyone off hand. From what I've seen, he's a direct attacking player who can cut in from wide positions and has goals in him. He can also score from distance and has a blistering shot on him; either from set pieces or open play. He scored a fantastic one in front of me last February at Schalke. One of those those that as soon as it left the boot you knew it was in.

Not my assessment, but I have read comparisons to Beckham in terms of style.

Oh, and I want him to start at least half our games or as many as is possible as we don't appear to have anyone quite as good.

For some reason I couldn't imagine James walking down the street. He seems too "galatico" for that unless it was a boardwalk at Copacabana Beach. If anything, he'd be rolling along with his shades on in one of those electric Sinclair C5s or those weird little platforms hipsters roll about on

Thanks for blanking me again. 😁😁

Tip.
There is a scroll button.
Wizz quickly by my posts if they annoy you.

You can scroll past John G's posts as well whoever he may be.

Not a clue what you are alluding to.

I also think that Colombia and its governing body would take into account the possibility of James aggravating his injury or breaking down after ten minutes and thereby becoming liable for his wages due to him being 'injured' whilst on International duty.

Unfortunately for Everton, I think we may have seen the last of him in a blue shirt and he may well decide to retire from football altogether, which is fine so long as he doesn't string Ancelotti and Everton FC along next season before arriving at that decision.

What difference would it have made if he went to the game?
People angry because he took a photo of himself on a plane?
Welcome to modern day football

Other than, and I I know I open myself up here, but Sigurdsson like he did against Tottenham.

Right, I'm off to get my tin helmet for the inbound!

I'm absolutely convinced he'll be back with us next season, trying to play his way into top condition to return to his national side for Qatar. That has to be his dream, to play in a third WC for Colombia.

Then he'll retire.

Yes, a wide midfield player who lets the fullbacks overlap, so you have the best of both worlds. We don't seem to have that type of player in the squad. Steven and Sheedy were wide-midfielders not wingers after all. Kanchelskis was excellent in that role. I thought that's what Bilyaletdinov would have brought to Everton many millenniums ago now. I thought Iwobi too, but there you go! Shows you what I know! I still think there is a player in Iwobi as I thought he looked decent at right-wing back, and in his brief cameo as a number 10!

Bilyaletdinov must have been the slowest player I've ever seen. I swear he'd come last if he was running freely against primary school kids in a sack race. But he left foot was a rocket

What none of us know is the extent of his calf injury and his chances of making a proper full recovery.

Instead of us all speculating on this matter, please step forward his doctor at our club to provide an official statement on this question. Then we can comment about his future with us or not.

Meanwhile, the jury's out.

Back to work or your benefits are stopped!

NOT!!!

If he was 100% fit he would be nowhere near this mid table club.
We have got him, he is probably playing to 75% of his capability.
That 75% still makes him our most creative player. By a mile.

There is no comparison with Seamus who is a star studded legend at GP and rightly so.

The Jury is still out on James after only playing a handul of games for us.

A very relevant question for you Nicolas. With the civil unrest in Colombia forcing the authorities to move all Copa America games due to be played in that country (as dual hosts with Argentina) to ONLY Argentina, is your country prepared for this?

Being South American based myself I keep abreast of regional news and - like Brazil - things are not going well with CV-19, as this report in the UK's Guardian makes clear.

Cancel Copa America NOW!

What is the mood and opinion of your fellow countrymen at this time, hosting this tournament when your own president says currently is 'the worst time of the pandemic for Argentina'?

Which is why I think he should have played more centrally. I remember him scoring a pearler, I think I was working in Azerbaijan then, and thinking he was a bit wasted out wide.

Until we get a player who can do the same or better then perhaps then is the time to discuss the merits of a players ability.

Let’s see what players we can get in preseason.

I look forward to next weekend being the same etc etc.

James? Great player when he wants to be.

All have a good Bank Holiday.

1. There is a video somewhere on the internet of James arriving at the airport and getting out of a taxi. A young girl [his daughter] runs up and hugs him; the commentary says he hugs his daughter "who he hasn't seen for 9 months...".

2. I used to play a reasonable standard of cricket. One day, while running in to bowl, my calf went 'twang'. It recovered, but in each of the next 5 seasons, I missed several matches when the injury recurred. Eventually, I had to retire. It still 'goes' every so often [it went last Friday]. When it does it is excruciatingly painful. It is now 20 years since the original injury. The medical advice was 'rest it and hope it goes away'. I suspect, that James will have this injury, to some extent or other, for the rest of his life. Let's hope that modern medicine can keep him serviceable for a season or two.

I saw that video too on Twitter. Interesting to hear your perspective on the injury. For sure let’s hope medicine has moved on since your unfortunate experience

About your question, the mood about the pandemic is pretty bad and the truth is it really IS the worst moment pandemic-wise. Just the president (and some of his followers) wants the tournament to be played and there are lots of opposers who criticize him for that. They see it as a political move”. I personally would love it being held totally here to be near Richarlison and Allan (if they make the squad). Although stadiums will be empty, it’s kind of a distraction at least. Maybe my opinion is the one of a too fanatic person but well...

The government is a popular one and hasn’t given the amount of vaccines it promised and is loosing lots of credibility, so I’m flying to USA in august to get my vaccine (fingers crossed) so next year I can go to a “better” country for some time maybe. Because as a “young” person (I’m 35) and the tortoise rate at which vaccines are being given by the government It’ll be 2023 when my turn comes in the pecking order of age groups and bla bla...

The newspapers say the tournament will be held here but I haven’t seen an official confirmation so waiting to see what happens, as everyone.

The amount of football and physical abuse I put my body through over the years took its toll.

My ankles and knees frequently remind me of those injuries I ignored and played through with pain killers every time I go for a run. Oh, and the hamstring pokes me every now and again as does the right calf!!

And like you say, we often overlook the personal sacrifices a lot of players have to make in the modern, global game. From first hand experience, it's not pleasant being separated from your family for several months at a time several thousand miles away.

If we can get James on the pitch for half of the games next season and use him appropriately, as the player obviously has injury problems, I'll be happy with that.

Is it worth it? Maybe playing in a lesser league might help him nurse his long term injury in a much better way, and might just prolong his international career, which seems to be of the upmost importance to South American footballers?

Now he's in his twenties and me in my forties (just clinging on!!), he's the one away but you adapt, as you say. The advent of the internet and social media does make it easier too, but even then, only because we're both older, wiser and more accepting.

Back to James, Tony makes a good point. I think we often get annoyed, but underestimate how important it is for South Americans to play for their country. Whether we like it or not, that seems to be their priority. We generally (well I do) come from a club first culture, so that is alien to a lot of us.

I hope he does the soul searching and sorts his head out in the summer and comes back strong to play for Everton next season. It's quite possible we have the manager who can help him do that as there seems to be mutual respect between the two of them?

We fully knew what we were getting, and it’s time that fans understood that.

1 James Rodriguez is a world class talent and a huge marketing asset to Everton.
2 We 100% can NOT build a team around him.
3 Use him intelligently for certain games and to inspire from the bench.
4 He needs to be used sparingly (see 3) to best maintain fitness , for him to enjoy his football and be happy to be here. We can’t get more out of him by using him less!
(ie he misses Burnley away then plays Liverpool at home rearing to go a few days later)
5 Get him involved to be passing on wisdom, inspire and teach some of our younger players.
6 We need to get positive about James Rodriguez.

Regarding the 9 months not seeing his daughter (if true), I have worked overseas and have known Indian blokes who work for two years without seeing their wife and kids, knowing they are providing for them. They are earning a pittance compared to James & Co, as are all of the Phillipino welders and thousands of construction workers in the Gulf and elsewhere.

I can't have too much sympathy for a multi-millionaire with a Lear Jet.

So, if you know your history, we don't have a very good record with seemingly world-class yet past-their-prime players (see Eto'o, Rodriguez, Drenthe).

If anyone is advocating that we pay him his £100k (maybe more) weekly wage to only play him in half our games, then you must be crazy! That is in effect paying him £200k a week!

We all know how it's going to end with him. I say we cut our losses and invest elsewhere.

'I’m pretty mentally tired about this lockdown here'.

Mano, trust me! I can TOTALLY relate to that from my Brazilian bunker!

How much can you 'thank' Bolsonaro and your neighbours Brazil for exporting its CV-19 variants to you, prolonging the suffering?

I hope you get vaccinated soon, even if it requires traveling outside Argentina to do so.

As for Copa America, how deeply frustrating for your football mad fans (and tourism and the economy) that it will be played out behind closed doors.

You should see Richarlison, but Allan isn't in the squad.

Keep safe and try to take pleasure from whatever you can Nicolás, even if that means watching the footy from home rather than in the stadium.

11 p.m. here in Brazil and it's just been announced at the end of the round up of today's Brazilian football that CONMEBOL has suspended the Copa America indefinitely due to the CV-19 situation in Argentina.

That is surely that for the tournament in 2021 I would think.

I don't like the money argument though, as that insinuates that because you succeed and earn money because of that success, you're not allowed to miss your family or have it effect you.

I don't have money by the way!!

Regardless, I just think we have to take James for what he is and get the most out of him in the right games for the games he can play in.

The Indian fellas who selfishly provide for their families, must surely do so out of love?

Rodriguez doesn’t need the money, (I know he’s still getting it) so he must be doing it because he wants to succeed?

Maybe I’m wrong, it’s hard to look into any individual, especially someone that I don’t personally know, but that’s why I think Rodriguez has got a lot of soul-searching to do this summer.

If his body is going to continue to stop him playing at his optimum level, then England is probably the last place he needs to be playing football, such are the physical demands of the league?

We have an incredible talent at our disposal in James and at times he is a joy to watch on the football pitch.

But then to contradict that, he's not hit the heights he could have given the god given ability he has.

The reasons for that are only known to him, be they personal or physical.

I maintain, if he gives us 10 to 15 good games next season, I'll be happy. Especially if he makes another pass like that, which puts us on a winning footing at Anfield!

Back from walking the dogs and watching the news. Speedo Mick on the BBC national coverage. Epitomises Everton, our City and just human values.

"We can’t get more out of him by using him less!" should read "can" not "can't"? Typo?

Good point about Rodriguez and his career Danny, and maybe it’s because he’s not a proper athlete, which is so important in modern day football ?

The point on athleticism is probably a key point in why we don't see as much of James as we'd all like to.

Even my generation can cast their mind back and remember that players with ability used to get away with ability alone more than players do now.

I still maintain my stance on it not all being about physical pace and power alone. Speed of mind and decision making remain important aspects of a top level footballer's game, even in the modern game.

I don't mean to suggest previous generations of footballers weren't athletes in their own day, but yes, now, more than in comparison to previous generations, they have to be top level athletes as well as footballers.

Some (myself included) would argue its all relative to the time / generation, but now they totally have to be top level, elite athletes to perform at the highest level on a consistent basis. And consistency differentiates, both individually and as a team.

Final point, and this might be particularly relevant to James. Trying to do so and maintain that standard can, and probably does, break a lot of them physically.

Zero chance we ship Rodriguez out, nor should we. When he plays he has match-winning ability, something the squad has very little of. There are so many players in the squad that contribute little, or nothing. So, no I don't see James as a problem, it's the other 10+ players we could all name that need shifting, not him.

Talk of his wages. Bernard is on approx. 120k pw and plays far less than Rodriguez. Delph is on maybe 100k pw and rarely plays. Iwobi and Gomes not much less and add little even when fit and playing. Removing James would be foolish in the extreme and just gives us one more big headache in terms of replacement.

Google www.spotrac.com and you can see all the players wages - ensure you're sitting down first !!

We'll never be able to move on if we can't even get the basics right and we can't. I'm accusing the club right now of fielding unfit professional footballers and being amateurish at the top level of the English game. The fact that no one at Everton seems to have noticed tells you all you need to know of the quality of people running the club.

I totally agree. Lots of players in the modern game are good athletes but can't control a speeding football for Toffee, eg, Iwobi. Others like James are not as fast but great on the ball.

It's the way of the modern game that prefers the former and I don't think a football was invented to be knocked around at such speed. You see it in every match, balls overhit that no human being could ever control – even Alex Young!!

Sadly for me, as an oldie, you can't turn back the clock – we're stuck with these tactics.

Another in a long line of talented footballers who had his priorities wrong.

Just to the point that it was a different era and less athletic players could get away with it. The can't now. Unfortunately.

Sheedy, I can watch him all day. Especially that moment he seemed to slow the game down against Bayern Munich to play us in for the 3rd goal and the moment he stopped in front of the Norwich defence to lob them and put Adrian Heath in to score.

Forget his free kicks. His vision, ability on the ball and passing was a joy to watch. I'll be honest and I was probably too young at the time, but I never used to take much notice of his defending, at the time, so I'll take your word. And to be honest, for those all too brief years, we didn't really need to worry about defending too much!!

Sadly, and I'll go to confession after saying this, but I wonder if Sheedy would have played so much or been so successful in today's game based on the point Tony and then Pete made about athleticism in the game.

Drenthe. What a talent. What a waste.

I would add a No 7 to consider the number of times he is targeted by opposition players, who are well aware of his susceptibility to injuries. In the derby home game, he was aggressively 'challenged' by Van Dijk twice in the first 5 minutes, a definite case of 'get the man not the ball'.

I would also add a No 8 and ask is there any other Everton player with the combination of skill and vision to execute the control and pass to set up Richarlison for the 1st goal at Anfield.

He is a joy to watch and hopefully he can find a resolution soon. I had a similar recurring calf problem about 30 years back, in a cycle of attending doctor and physio, resting, recurring again for months. A friend suggested I drink more water in lead up to games, especially on hot days and hey presto. I wonder could it be that simple.