Everton boss David Moyes so impressed by Jack Rodwell
DAVID MOYES has urged Jack Rodwell to learn from his pre-season experience so that he is ready for action when the real business starts next week.
A combination of a lengthy injury list and no new signings thus far has meant 17-year-old Rodwell starting each of Everton's six friendlies and he should make that seven against PSV Eindhoven at Goodison Park this evening (5.15pm).
Just like Dan Gosling, Jose Baxter and Lukas Jutkiewicz, Rodwell has got the hang of things the longer he has been on the pitch but Moyes has been quick to point out to the youngsters that things will be completely different in the Premier League.
That said, he has always held Rodwell in the highest esteem so the manager is not surprised that he has made the step up from the youth ranks to senior action so smoothly.
"As the season goes on, we are going to have to use these boys as we don't really have big numbers," said Moyes. "There are bits of his game that he needs to improve on but that is more to do with age and experience.
"What you can't fault him on is his passing. He is comfortable in possession, he's got a style about him and the way he does things. What he needs is the experience of getting roughed up a little bit.
"That will happen when the 'big ball' comes out. He has always been in my thoughts and is doing well. But there will be times when it will help his development to go back down into the reserves and come through the way most young players do."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the Blues still working on bringing in new additions, Moyes is unlikely to tinker with the XI that started against Chicago Fire and Colorado Rapids too much, which means Steven Pienaar will have another chance to improve his match fitness.
Having spent a large part of his career in Amsterdam with Ajax, Pienaar is no stranger to tussles with PSV and hopes to get a confidence boosting win against his old foes to set things up for next week's Premier League opener against Blackburn Rovers.
"I've played against PSV a few times before," said Pienaar. "It didn't go so well with Ajax so I hope this time it will.
"They've got a good team with quality players, and they're a passing team that likes to keep the ball for fun. It's going to be a good test for us.
"The Dutch league is still strong and getting stronger. I've been away from Holland for two years now and PSV are still setting the standard. It shows because they've won the league four times in a row."
There are still tickets available for today's game and supporters can either pay on the gate or obtain tickets from the Park End box office
Older/Newer
« Everton move for Alan Smith move on despite Newcastle unrest | Under orders for Alan Ball fun run »
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Everton boss David Moyes so impressed by Jack Rodwell.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.evertonbanter.co.uk/cgi-bin/mt421/mt-tb.cgi/18807
Leave a comment