How Do You Solve A Problem Like McGeady?
After Roberto stated that McGeady will not be heading for Celtic this summer is there a realistic future for the player at Everton?
Upon his arrival it would be safe to say that the majority of the crowd envisaged that McGeady would be a success at Everton, his reputation from Celtic still in the memory as well as his glowing international career in which he would often become Ireland's saviour almost all on his own. Even a four year spell in Russia would have only benefited him as well as making him a valuable commodity as a player for the tricky European nights Everton were to experience in the upcoming season. It seemed a shrewd piece of business, beckoning a player who was obviously homesick and wished to vacate Russia as soon as he could for such a low price. A player whom the manager had wanted at Wigan the year before his eventual signing so to bring him to Everton after a year had passed meant that he was highly rated in Roberto's eyes (that season it was hard to disagree with much of what Martinez did). He was a player that would have be seen to fit in well within the squad; linking up with the large contingent of Irish players at the club, his International mainstay Seamus Coleman playing behind him, a successful partnership could have been forged, one that could balance the team given the over reliance at times with Baines and Pienaar (injury permitting). Having not played since November for his previous side due to a fall out with the manager, the January signing could perhaps of been forgiven to not quite making as big an impact he might of wanted to make.
Entering a high flying squad with wingers such as Mirallas and Deulofeu really hitting their stride, Aiden was only granted 16 appearances with only 4 starts, resulting in an average of close to 30 minutes per appearance, resulting in one assist to his name at the end of the campaign. Murmurs of discontent had began to radiate around Goodison as his performances had not filled the crowd with much hope and his inability to affect a game, including the infuriating 'head down, beat one more player' style of dribbling had started to agitate the faithful the wrong way. It is said that it takes players a long period of time to adjust to the pace and pressures of the Premier League and fleeting cameos off the bench would not of aided his experience during his first half season in England. Perhaps unfairly targeted by some, it was expected that the following 14/15 season would provide the perfect platform, coupled with the return of the on loan 'Magic Man' Gerard Deulofeu to his parent club Barcelona, meant that there was a fantastic opportunity for Aiden to stake his claim as a first team player.
And to be fair to him he didn't start to badly, the cracker of a goal against Leicester on the opening day delivered a sense of optimism about the winger that perhaps he could replicate his form for Ireland on a consistent basis. However the inconsistency in his game crept in as the year progressed, his tracking back began to disappear, something he had actually highlighted earlier as a request from the manager, although this doesn't translate well to the 40,000 strong crowd at Goodison, and for all his endeavour and hard work that he was showing, often plays would break down when the ball was played to him, losing possession and not working hard enough to get the ball back. An instance of this was during the Newcastle match away where his attempted pass across the pitch around the 25 yard mark went straight to an opponent who played through the defence to slot one home. This epitomised his Everton career in a nutshell, it just wasn't working. I fear frustration through a cumulation of factors such as the crowd reactions, his own performances, the dreadful form the club was having and the niggling injuries that would affect him through the year all capitulated in his silly sending off in the cup game against West Ham, a competition the club could have and should have done much better in, eventually resulting in a penalty shoot out, playing with 10 men from the 60th minute onwards. After that game, as well as the arrival of Aaron Lennon from Tottenham on loan, meant that appearances were restricted once more. As the clubs fortunes on the pitch increased and the new signing endearing himself to the Goodison crowd with his work rate and fight for the cause, often seen as a classic Everton trait, Aiden became the forgotten man again, similar to his first half a season, simply replacing Gerard with Aaron. The season ended with McGeady logging in 24 appearances in all competitions (17 starts), 1 goal, 6 assists from 1,400 minutes of football.
So what does for future hold for Aiden Mcgeady?
It's fair to say that given the choice the Goodison faithful would much rather have the on loan Lennon, returning favourite Deulofeu and existing members Mirallas and Pienaar ahead of him at this moment in time. The potential re-signing of Aaron means that further doubt will be cast towards Aiden's time left at Everton, the arrival from Tottenham certainly gave him competition and most would regard his time to be a success. However looking at the stats his effectiveness may not be all that it seems. Yes his energy and work rate meant that overall he contributed well to the team however Lennon only notched 2 goals and 1 assist in 14 appearances for the blues from over 1000 minutes of football, in 16 games Aiden had scored 1 and created 3 in only 800 minutes. Although more would be expected from both players when it comes to the necessities of a winning a football match, goals, Aiden actually performs better. He is a player who can on one day be unplayable and the next totally anonymous and the target from the vocal boo boys within the ground. However sometimes at a club those moments of magic can make all the difference. Having still yet to have a full competitive season under his belt I personally feel Aiden has alot more to give to club and would be a shame to not see his full array of talents. However with Deulofeu signing on a permanent basis I feel that without European competition increasing the need for a larger squad, his appearance time would be limited to the cups and from the bench. Although it could be argued that he could be a fantastic player to bring off the bench when a goal needs to be nicked due to his unpredictability.
His no show at the Singapore pre-season tournament makes me believe that despite Roberto's claims of an occurrence of his hamstring injury and rubbishing reports of a move back to Celtic, he might not last the summer at Everton which I believe would be a shame, as I feel he hasn't been given the right support from the crowd or enough opportunities to showcase his talents. Perhaps I feel sorry for the player who unlike Naismith who really turned his career around after initially being lambasted to becoming a first team regular through sheer determination, maybe he doesn't contain the same mental strength. Either way I feel that McGeady's time at Everton may be approaching its end and its a shame as the move was filled with hope and promise, and eventually ended in disappointment and frustration from both the player and supporters alike.
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