Chris Eagles v Liam Feeney: Battle of the Wingers

CATEGORY

CHRIS EAGLES

LIAM FEENEY

COMMENTS

Physical

Corners

6

4

Feeney's corners are a real problem due to their wild unpredictability. I could be wrong, but I recall Eagles being a more reliable corner taker.

Crossing

6

7

Feeney edges this one, mainly due to him being a traditional winger and capable of hitting fantastic crosses on the run. Crossing them in from a standing position however is another matter.

Dribbling

8

6

Eagles takes this one on account of his superior technique. Feeney does have the ability to go past players, but uses his pace more than any trickery.

Finishing

7

6

Simple - Eagles scores/scored more goals. Feeney only has 3 so far for Bolton Wanderers. Eagles left the club with a goal/game ratio of 1:5 which is decent for a midfielder in my book.

First Touch

8

6

Again a technical ability-based decision. Control of the ball has been a stick to beat Feeney with of late.

Free Kicks

5

5

Both pretty average, so a draw.

Marking

5

6

Both players are attacking, and so defending is not a priority. Feeney's willingness to act as a wing-back makes him edge this one.

Passing

6

5

Eagles just shades this one, but I could have quite easily called it a draw.

Tackling

3

4

Both pretty weak on the physical side of things, but Feeney wins out over the notoriously-soft Eagles.

Technique

7

5

No brainer for me. Eagles is by far the better technical player and so takes the prize (there is no prize).

RUNNING TOTAL

61

54

Close win for Eagles due to his superior technical abilities.

Mental

Aggression

2

4

Feeney wins, because I've seen him tackle once, which is once more than Eagles.

Anticipation

4

4

Both fairly poor in this category. Reactive players rather than proactive, for me.

Bravery

1

5

No contest. My 3yr old daughter, who is afraid of rain, is braver than Eagles.

Composure

7

5

Back to a technical point here - Feeney has his moments but Eagles was the more ‘reliable' of the two.

Concentration

5

5

Again both average scorers. Could improve.

Flair

7

5

Eagles wins this on account of him having better hair. Hair = flair.

Off the Ball

2

4

Feeney the winner of this category. He at least ‘tries' to join in with defensive duties.

Positioning

4

6

An advancement of the above, with Feeney continuing to take the points due to his willingness to help.

Teamwork

6

7

Only a slight win for Feeney, as I often felt Eagles was unfairly accused of being lazy.

Work Rate

5

7

Feeney the undoubted winner of this. He puts in the hard miles which Eagles would only do sparingly.

RUNNING TOTAL

104

106

A difficult category for Mr Eagles with him suffering from a more individualistic approach to the game.

Other

Adaptability

4

7

I get the feeling from Feeney that he appreciative of his position at the club, and I've interpreted that gut feeling into this category because I was struggling. I get the feeling that he'll do whatever it takes, and play wherever he is asked to keep that place. Eagles was always more of a maverick.

Consistency

7

5

Very tight but I've gone with Eagles because of his consistently excellent performances in the first season in the Championship. Feeney can blow hot and cold.

Important Matches

8

6

A win for Eagles here as a result of him being present and playing well in the Premier League. Point knocked off for being part of a relegated side.

Injury Proneness

7

7

Both are quite consistent in being available for selection. A draw.

Pace

5

7

Versatility

6

7

Feeney takes this on account of his willingness to play where required. It's only a tight one though, as Eagles himself was played on the left, the right and the middle with equal aplomb.

RUNNING TOTAL

143

144

A really really tight win for Feeney. Eagles wins the hair though, which is probably the category he wanted to win. Feeney has his undoubted talents, and when on form is an important player for us. Let's hope we see more of the good than the bad.