2021/22 James Rodriguez

[Spadge Vernacular]

Let's be honest though, comparing James Rodriguez to Floyd Mayweather is a bit of a stretch. Ignoring the fact that Mayweather hand-picked opponents for a long time but let's stick with him as the gold standard for sake of the discussion.

James has been a bit of a nomad in the past few years and has not got in any team consistently besides us really and we are not elite level sadly. As such, James has not competed at an elite level for some time and when he has been in an elite team, he has either not been picked or has not been fit.

If you are comparing Mayweather to someone, you would have to compare him to Cristiano who has been everywhere and done it. If we are comparing James to any boxer, it would probably be Adrian Broner. All the talent in the world, lots of hype but a failure to put the work in and get a consistent run.

There are a lot of quotes from people closer to the situation than us that suggest James simply isnt putting in the effort you need to be a footballer in 2021. Does he have talent? Undoubtedly, but his application of that talent seems to be the issue.

Strange that you should say this as Duncan Ferguson had a slightly different perception, based on working with him.

"He's shown that in his career that he is the master of the space hopper. He was sensational tonight even without one. When on the ball he just gives you time, its a bit like watching Floyd Mayweather dictate the pace of a fight, he is so relaxed and gives you a forward pass, he receives [the ball] well and he has great assists in him. He is a top, top player and I thought he was excellent tonight."

"He doesn't really lose the ball and when he does give it away it's always because of a positive pass that at times reminds you of the way Naseem Hamed would open an opponent up with a slip of the shoulder, a feint, he's got that quality."

 

[PaddyJames]

Thanks for trying to think mate, the effort is appreciated. ? Please do not feel too insecure about not believing what you type, it's natural for group 3's.

I, @COYBL25 @NathDogg @Simon Buttle @Daveysgingerlovechild are all here to help if needed. If you are still having bad thoughts about James and fantasising about being covered in lard and rolling around Anfield rd with a herd of walruses please reach out to HalewoodBlue. There is still hope, you will be ok. Much love.

 

[PaddyJames]

Imagine being that bad at comebacks you have to call in the "troops" I've seen more wit watching soccer aid

 

[PaddyJames]

Thanks for trying to think mate, the effort is appreciated. ? Please do not feel too insecure about not believing what you type, it's natural for group 3's.

I, @COYBL25 @NathDogg @Simon Buttle @Daveysgingerlovechild are all here to help if needed. If you are still having bad thoughts about James and fantasising about being covered in lard and rolling around Anfield rd with a herd of walruses please reach out to HalewoodBlue. There is still hope, you will be ok. Much love.

I see you couldn't answer the question...... No surprise there

 

[Harryflashman]

Let's be honest though, comparing James Rodriguez to Floyd Mayweather is a bit of a stretch. Ignoring the fact that Mayweather hand-picked opponents for a long time but let's stick with him as the gold standard for sake of the discussion.

James has been a bit of a nomad in the past few years and has not got in any team consistently besides us really and we are not elite level sadly. As such, James has not competed at an elite level for some time and when he has been in an elite team, he has either not been picked or has not been fit.

If you are comparing Mayweather to someone, you would have to compare him to Cristiano who has been everywhere and done it. If we are comparing James to any boxer, it would probably be Adrian Broner. All the talent in the world, lots of hype but a failure to put the work in and get a consistent run.

There are a lot of quotes from people closer to the situation than us that suggest James simply isnt putting in the effort you need to be a footballer in 2021. Does he have talent? Undoubtedly, but his application of that talent seems to be the issue.

It was effectively a throwaway comment about enjoying different styles and I certainly agree on the ronaldo comparison .

Look I’m not demanding he starts, we’re winning matches . i’m not really getting into any arguments any more but the reinvention or rewriting of facts that his wages , Or reporting of wages has doubled even trebled in a couple of weeks . The player is hammered for going on holiday when others who’ve done the same aren’t . I read here “he’s not putting the effort in “ or just as often is a “bad apple “ yet other reports or players accounts say the opposite and just as often lately I read he’s not a very good which in my opinion contradicts the evidence of my own eyes .

Look the manager picks the side and if we’re winning he’s getting it right . In my humble opinion to have Gordon or an extra keeper on the bench instead of James is mad but it’s up to the manager and so far he’s getting it right but much of this stuff in this thread is frankly ridiculous in my humble opinion .

 

[UltraVires]

Strange that you should say this as Duncan Ferguson had a slightly different perception, based on working with him.

I understand what Dunc is saying here but surely he is talking about James' ability when he actually gets on the pitch which is relatively few and far between compared to the greats he is being likened to.

I don't doubt that he has the potential to be one of the best like a Mayweather but where James falls down is that his career has shown that his body is either not up to the rigour of top-level football or his work ethic isn't up to the standard to get his body to where it needs to be.

Mayweather has a lot of bad characteristics about him but having been a boxing fan all my life and watching the 24/7 shows etc. it is his work ethic that has allowed him to reach his potential AND sustain it into his 40s.

On the other hand, James is 30 years old and cannot get in an Everton side that are not even playing in Europe at a time where there are more competitions to play in Europe than ever before.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

I see you couldn't answer the question...... No surprise there

Thanks, mate. ? Try not to be surprised. Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment - that which they cannot anticipate. If you follow this code you will find the path to making Everton great again. God bless.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

I understand what Dunc is saying here but surely he is talking about James' ability when he actually gets on the pitch which is relatively few and far between compared to the greats he is being likened to.

I don't doubt that he has the potential to be one of the best like a Mayweather but where James falls down is that his career has shown that his body is either not up to the rigour of top-level football or his work ethic isn't up to the standard to get his body to where it needs to be.

Mayweather has a lot of bad characteristics about him but having been a boxing fan all my life and watching the 24/7 shows etc. it is his work ethic that has allowed him to reach his potential AND sustain it into his 40s.

On the other hand, James is 30 years old and cannot get in an Everton side that are not even playing in Europe at a time where there are more competitions to play in Europe than ever before.

You are spot-on, mate. James would have definitely had the measure of Mayweather and would have taken him on the inside. Mayweather knows this and this is the reason that he is still avoiding fighting James, even in an exhibition match. I'm not too bothered though as like you, I am confident in the outcome.

 

[PaddyJames]

Thanks, mate. ? Try not to be surprised. Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment - that which they cannot anticipate. If you follow this code you will find the path to making Everton great again. God bless.

It's ok oh holy brother. We can all watch countdown and be impressed at our 6 wordathon "Ha eh love, I got that look - SPROUT - They didn't see that coming....love? eh?! Love?"


Now answer the question

 

[UltraVires]

It was effectively a throwaway comment about enjoying different styles and I certainly agree on the ronaldo comparison .

Look I’m not demanding he starts, we’re winning matches . i’m not really getting into any arguments any more but the reinvention or rewriting of facts that his wages , Or reporting of wages has doubled even trebled in a couple of weeks . The player is hammered for going on holiday when others who’ve done the same aren’t . I read here “he’s not putting the effort in “ or just as often is a “bad apple “ yet other reports or players accounts say the opposite and just as often lately I read he’s not a very good which in my opinion contradicts the evidence of my own eyes .

Look the manager picks the side and if we’re winning he’s getting it right . In my humble opinion to have Gordon or an extra keeper instead on James is mad but it’s up to the manager and so far he’s getting it right but much of this stuff in this thread is frankly ridiculous in my humble opinion .

I am not bothered about his wages or the fact he goes on holiday mate. I am basing my view of him lacking desire and work ethic off of reports that seemed to come from Benitez's long standing view of him from Madrid and the fact the Colombian boss seems to have suggested something similar this week (unless he has been misquoted).

I totally agree that having James on the bench at least is a no brainer but only if he is willing and able to play to the same tactics and intensity for even just 20 minutes as Benitez is demanding from the rest of the squad.

If Benitez really thinks that if he brings James on at 70 minutes, he doesn't have the ability to maintain the kind of effort/intensity levels as he demands from the rest of the squad for 90 minutes then Benitez is right to leave him at home to play COD or whatever.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

It's ok oh holy brother. We can all watch countdown and be impressed at our 6 wordathon "Ha eh love, I got that look - SPROUT - They didn't see that coming....love? eh?! Love?"


Now answer the question

Not many people do see sprouts coming, mate. They are the enigma of the vegetable world and cannot be trusted.

 

[Egil Olsen]

I'm sorry did you just compare JR with Osman? Come on man.

I agree we should not build a team around him, but because of his fitness reliability rather than his ability. Needs to play sparingly if we're going to have him available most games, and I think you'll see the best of him if we do.

Just about all players at the highest level can produce brilliant moments in short periods, but the very best players usually do so consistently over time.

There is no doubt that JR is more talented and has had a more successful career than Osman, but there is also no doubt that Osman has meant more to Everton than what JR will ever do for Everton. Osman has had seasons at Everton where he has performed far better than what JR did for us last year. If you look at clips from Osman's career, you will see many brilliant passes, and some absolutely fantastic goals for Everton.

My point is not that Osman was a world-class player, but that some on this forum exaggerate the importance of JR, and are very easily impressed by some passes - which are actually quite basic for professional football players - and lose all proportions in their cultivation of JR.

 

[UltraVires]

You are spot-on, mate. James would have definitely had the measure of Mayweather and would have taken him on the inside. Mayweather knows this and this is the reason that he is still avoiding fighting James, even in an exhibition match. I'm not too bothered though as like you, I am confident in the outcome.

The mad thing is, James v Floyd could actually happen in a day/age where Youtubers are fighting old pros. James v Floyd main eventing with John Terry v Wayne Bridge and Roy Keane V Alf Inge Haaland on the undercard.

 

[Harryflashman]

I am not bothered about his wages or the fact he goes on holiday mate. I am basing my view of him lacking desire and work ethic off of reports that seemed to come from Benitez's long standing view of him from Madrid and the fact the Colombian boss seems to have suggested something similar this week (unless he has been misquoted).

I totally agree that having James on the bench at least is a no brainer but only if he is willing and able to play to the same tactics and intensity for even just 20 minutes as Benitez is demanding from the rest of the squad.

If Benitez really thinks that if he brings James on at 70 minutes, he doesn't have the ability to maintain the kind of effort/intensity levels as he demands from the rest of the squad for 90 minutes then Benitez is right to leave him at home to play COD or whatever.

I wasn’t specifically talking about you but read the thread it’s all “look at him on holiday “ , “he doesn’t care “ ,” he’s a bad apple “ ,“he’s on £400k a week “ blah blah it’s ridiculous.

I think we both know the manager doesn’t fancy him , intensity is probably part of it but also he’s just not having him . It happens in football I get that , with a squad like I ours I personally think it’s a bit stupid and a risk because if we lose 1-0 to Burnley he can’t really moan about the lack of creativity in the final third but he’s backing himself so that’s that .

I understand him not picking him and I understand your point but I’m not having people tell me he’s crap because I’ve watched footy for a long time and when he played well , I accept the when caveat , it was a pleasure a genuine pleasure .

 

[PaddyJames]

Not many people do see sprouts coming, mate. They are the enigma of the vegetable world and cannot be trusted.

They make your bum air smellier.