Everton 1 Wolves 1- David Moyes takes pride in the rise of teenager Rodwell
19 Oct 2009 - 02:23:46
Jack Rodwell's rise to prominence is a constant source of pride and satisfaction for David Moyes, but the Everton manager admits to one nagging concern.
Moyes knows he has unearthed a gem in the Birkdale-born teenager, but he would rather not flaunt it. Rodwell has been on show all season, starting every game since going on as a substitute on the opening day against Arsenal, and has underlined his undoubted England credentials in the process.
Power house: Everton midfeilder Jack Rodwell takes on Karl Henry
While the second part of the equation brings a smile to Moyes's face,the first brings a frown. The versatile 18-year-old is not even playing in his true position, but it speaks volumes for his prospects that, tipped as a future England centre half, he has adapted to an onerous central midfield role with an authority beyond his years.
If his form has faltered marginally in recent weeks, in common with the rest of an Everton side who have now been held to successive home draws by Stoke and Wolves, Moyes knows where the blame lies.
'If we had enough bodies around the place, I would have given him a breather by now,' he said.
'But we don't have enough options. Jack has made more appearances than we thought he would and if he has dipped a bit, it is only to be expected after he played virtually all summer.
I think he had one week off and you can't expect too much from such a young lad. He may have to carry on, but whatever happens, we've been really pleased with the way he has progressed.'
Everton salvaged a point with an 88th-minute equaliser from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov after Wolves had threatened an upset when Kevin Doyle capitalised on woeful defending 12 minutes earlier.
They could not put Wolves on the canvas - even after the sending off of substitute Stefan Maierhofer - due in no small part to a defender who spends hour after hour sitting in front of one.
Jody Craddock may fit the description of an old-fashioned centre half - in the first half he had seven stitches in a head wound - but he cuts a different figure away from the pitch.
After effectively subduing danger man Louis Saha, the 34-year-old described an artistic flair that is likely to be his main source of income, once he retires.
'I realised I could draw at school, and I built it up from there,' he said. 'I couldn't afford any oils when I was on £60 a week at Cambridge, but I can now and it's really taken off. This will be my future when I hang up my boots.'
