I tended to defend tommy from the headless chicken tag, back in the days of linderoth, gemmill, nyarko, tommy was the only bit of quality and commitment oin the middle and so was reduced to trying to cover his own position and that of his inept midfield partner.
it was when li tie was included consistantly that we saw some of tommys true game, able to dictate play and make the occasional good pass, knowing full well tie would run himself into the ground every game just to cover.
similarly when cars was asked to do the reducer job and tommy was in the middle with cahill we saw the best of tommy yet again.
when he only had to do his job, he excelled, when he had to cover for other less players his game was all over the place.
i wonder how good paul scholes OR christiano ronaldo would fair in a midfield with scott gemmill, niclas alexandersson, and mark pembridge.
gravesen and tie - everton 7th
gravesen and cars/cahill - fine run of form up to january then saw everton limp to 4th
i liked tommy because he is nails.