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Everton manager David Moyes lavishes praise on John Heitinga
Dutchman could be used as a utility player...
7 Mar 2010 09:19:00
By Adithya Ananth
Everton boss David Moyes has been buoyed by the recent form of John Heitinga, explaining he could act as a utility man due to the club's injury crisis.
The former Ajax player was pushed into midfield for the Toffees against Tottenham Hotspur, and the 26-year-old's poise and presence in the middle of the park may have left the Scot feeling hard done by the 2-1 loss.
Although the Netherlands international has been used primarily as a defender, his gaffer hinted at a role further up the field due to the absence of regular midfielders Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill.
"He’s done really well at centre-half for us this season," said Moyes, according to the Daily Post.
"But Johnny [Heitinga] helped us last week when he went into midfield.
"We were needing something different, which we might do from now on with losing [Marouane] Fellaini. With Fellaini and [Tim] Cahill out we missed that little bit of strength against Spurs [Tottenham Hostspur].
"We didn’t need it in the Manchester United game. Folk might have thought we’d have needed it there, but we didn’t. In the end, we needed it at Tottenham."
Heitinga featured at international level during the recent 2-1 victory over the USA, and the former Preston North End boss acknowledged his versatility.
"He has that ability to adapt," Moyes added. "He can do a couple of jobs and do them well.
"He’s given us that steadying influence. He’s gone quietly about his job and done very well. He came in at a difficult time for us.
"When he joined I thought the best way would be to settle him in midfield, to introduce him to the Premier League from there.
"He had a couple of games there but then had to move back because of injuries to other players.
"He just settled there nicely. It’s one of those decisions now where we might use him as a holding midfielder in some games while in others we can play him at centre-back."
Everton play Hull City at Goodison Park on Sunday with the hope of bouncing back from two consecutive defeats and challenging for an end of season European place.
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The former Ajax player was pushed into midfield for the Toffees against Tottenham Hotspur, and the 26-year-old's poise and presence in the middle of the park may have left the Scot feeling hard done by the 2-1 loss.
Although the Netherlands international has been used primarily as a defender, his gaffer hinted at a role further up the field due to the absence of regular midfielders Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill.
"He’s done really well at centre-half for us this season," said Moyes, according to the Daily Post.
"But Johnny [Heitinga] helped us last week when he went into midfield.
"We were needing something different, which we might do from now on with losing [Marouane] Fellaini. With Fellaini and [Tim] Cahill out we missed that little bit of strength against Spurs [Tottenham Hostspur].
"We didn’t need it in the Manchester United game. Folk might have thought we’d have needed it there, but we didn’t. In the end, we needed it at Tottenham."
Heitinga featured at international level during the recent 2-1 victory over the USA, and the former Preston North End boss acknowledged his versatility.
"He has that ability to adapt," Moyes added. "He can do a couple of jobs and do them well.
"He’s given us that steadying influence. He’s gone quietly about his job and done very well. He came in at a difficult time for us.
"When he joined I thought the best way would be to settle him in midfield, to introduce him to the Premier League from there.
"He had a couple of games there but then had to move back because of injuries to other players.
"He just settled there nicely. It’s one of those decisions now where we might use him as a holding midfielder in some games while in others we can play him at centre-back."
Everton play Hull City at Goodison Park on Sunday with the hope of bouncing back from two consecutive defeats and challenging for an end of season European place.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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