Wow, how was this over 10 years ago. I was at Goodison park for James McFaddens debut for Everton in a cup game and i have never seen a performance like it in an Everton shirt. It was like watching old footage of George Best the way he was beating players for fun. It was only against a lower league team but i remember saying to a friend of mine that if he could maintain that standard then he might well be better than Wayne Rooney. The next game we played Leeds Utd and although they were a struggling side they were still a PL standard side and James McFadden absolutely destroyed them. I think Everton beat them 4-0 and McFadden was involved in all 4 goals. I thought to myself wow. What have we signed here, we have a superstar. Im not sure what happened after that. I think perhaps he raised expectations so much that the Everton fans almost expected him to take on the entire opposition side on his own every single time he got the ball. Perhaps he put too much pressure on himself. Also for some reason Moyes kept playing Kevin Kilbane ahead of him. I think McFadden needed to play regularly to maintain the level of fitness and the form required to beat people with skill. Eventually he lost a bit of form and he would lose the ball, the crowd seemed to get a bit a frustraighted and you could feel it in the atmosphere, that there was a tension. James seemed to lose a lot of confidence over time and almost seemed to be trying too hard to impress and trying things that wernt coming off when he didnt need to and should have kept things simple to maintain possession. It was a real shame that he never quite hit the heights i expected and hoped for. I did notice that his confidence seemed to return when playing for Scotland and he would produce magic for them on a regular basis. One of my few criticisms of Moyes is i just dont think he got the best out of McFadden and i think he mismanaged him with his safety first defensive minded approach. I think with a Martin O'Neil type manager he would have flourished like Ashley Young did at Aston Villa.
this man is the best scottish footballer in the last 30 years!!!!!!!!! unfortunately a career ravaged with injury but we will forever cherish this talismanic superstar
@jon340l Years ago I used to know him.He would play football with everybody.And run rings around them,and I am 6 years older than him.He told us all that he would play for Scotland one day.I am glad that he made it.He deserves it he is a good guy.Happy that he never needed to take the step down.And think its crazy,that Celtic have never came in for him.He has issued a come and get me plea,for them to sign him up.Crazy as he has still got plenty of good seasons left in him,for EPL and for ALBA
Lets hope so he is our talisman,can still do the job he is only 30.Cooper got recalled at 36 when he was at Motherwell,and James is in his class a entertainer.
@jon340l Looks like he is signing for Wolves.Hope he can talk sense into Fletcher,when he is there.And get him back into the Scotland squad.The two of them could make a good partnership,in a 4 4 1 1.With McFadden sitting just behind him.Where he can get the ball,and run with it.And create a lot of chances.I hope the move works out for him.The injury was a tough one to get over.Just shows you that he has good mental strength to.As well as having the ability.I know about that,as I played with him
I think maybe he's suffered physically and he's not exactly a supreme athlete... but you look at the quality of his goals for club and country and no-one can deny he's a special talent.
forgot how good he was. looks like he is signing for Sunderland then, will hopefully get a good run in the team and being managed under Martin O'Neill is a great positive. c'mon Scotland tommorrow against Wales!!!! ps i would put him back in the Scotland squad if and when fit as Commons, no disrespect, is a a similar player but a poor mans James Mcfadden.
See that is why we are so bad just now,the natural football ability got bashed out off them.And in its place they see more off a gym that a football field,its exactly the reason that any young Scots talent should be motivated to playing abroad if they get the chance,England is were the money is so they go there instead.Sad but true we will always lose our best players to English teams,its been that way since the game started out.Plenty off good teams playing passing attacking football in the SPL
Turkish and Russians teams would pay it if they could land him.Plenty off oil money flushing around there plenty off rich owners just like in England,who are now after teams in there own leagues.And if you think he is not worth it,then you really do not know football.Fletcher has scored more headers than any other player last year.The guy can play left side off midfield or up front alone,or off a centre forward.Teams pay money for that,funny how Bent is getting kept out the Villa team,lets talk
How Good.So.BRILLIANT. we all love U.
Wow, how was this over 10 years ago. I was at Goodison park for James McFaddens debut for Everton in a cup game and i have never seen a performance like it in an Everton shirt. It was like watching old footage of George Best the way he was beating players for fun. It was only against a lower league team but i remember saying to a friend of mine that if he could maintain that standard then he might well be better than Wayne Rooney. The next game we played Leeds Utd and although they were a struggling side they were still a PL standard side and James McFadden absolutely destroyed them. I think Everton beat them 4-0 and McFadden was involved in all 4 goals. I thought to myself wow. What have we signed here, we have a superstar. Im not sure what happened after that. I think perhaps he raised expectations so much that the Everton fans almost expected him to take on the entire opposition side on his own every single time he got the ball. Perhaps he put too much pressure on himself. Also for some reason Moyes kept playing Kevin Kilbane ahead of him. I think McFadden needed to play regularly to maintain the level of fitness and the form required to beat people with skill. Eventually he lost a bit of form and he would lose the ball, the crowd seemed to get a bit a frustraighted and you could feel it in the atmosphere, that there was a tension. James seemed to lose a lot of confidence over time and almost seemed to be trying too hard to impress and trying things that wernt coming off when he didnt need to and should have kept things simple to maintain possession. It was a real shame that he never quite hit the heights i expected and hoped for. I did notice that his confidence seemed to return when playing for Scotland and he would produce magic for them on a regular basis. One of my few criticisms of Moyes is i just dont think he got the best out of McFadden and i think he mismanaged him with his safety first defensive minded approach. I think with a Martin O'Neil type manager he would have flourished like Ashley Young did at Aston Villa.
one of the best players scotland have had in the last 20 years.
this man is the best scottish footballer in the last 30 years!!!!!!!!! unfortunately a career ravaged with injury but we will forever cherish this talismanic superstar
the radio guy, enough said
truer words have never been spoken
Thanks for the memories James!
Fair to say injury has hampered his career
The one against Ukraine was lovely - and so were all the others - but I'd forgotten about that one.
simply.
WOW.
@jon340l Years ago I used to know him.He would play football with everybody.And run rings around them,and I am 6 years older than him.He told us all that he would play for Scotland one day.I am glad that he made it.He deserves it he is a good guy.Happy that he never needed to take the step down.And think its crazy,that Celtic have never came in for him.He has issued a come and get me plea,for them to sign him up.Crazy as he has still got plenty of good seasons left in him,for EPL and for ALBA
Brilliant video, thanks.
Good times
Great player, at a time when talent was lacking, imagine what he could have done with better support around him.
Lets hope so he is our talisman,can still do the job he is only 30.Cooper got recalled at 36 when he was at Motherwell,and James is in his class a entertainer.
@jon340l Looks like he is signing for Wolves.Hope he can talk sense into Fletcher,when he is there.And get him back into the Scotland squad.The two of them could make a good partnership,in a 4 4 1 1.With McFadden sitting just behind him.Where he can get the ball,and run with it.And create a lot of chances.I hope the move works out for him.The injury was a tough one to get over.Just shows you that he has good mental strength to.As well as having the ability.I know about that,as I played with him
I think maybe he's suffered physically and he's not exactly a supreme athlete... but you look at the quality of his goals for club and country and no-one can deny he's a special talent.
anno he was born in 84 that makes him 4 years younger than me which makes him 28/29......he should be at his peak
Legend
Great player, great video :)
Great vid m8!
The one against Ukraine was lovely - and so were all the others - but I'd forgotten about that one. 0:38 Dare I say it Messi-esque?
proper braveheart!
WOW THIS WAS AWESOME!!! WHERE DID U GET THE HD FOOTAGE :<
my nose bleed after that faddy goal v france!!! it was fadden worth it!!!
the mans a genius
agreed.
forgot how good he was. looks like he is signing for Sunderland then, will hopefully get a good run in the team and being managed under Martin O'Neill is a great positive. c'mon Scotland tommorrow against Wales!!!! ps i would put him back in the Scotland squad if and when fit as Commons, no disrespect, is a a similar player but a poor mans James Mcfadden.
Wish he was in to day team! Poor fella was in the wrong
Generation
See that is why we are so bad just now,the natural football ability got bashed out off them.And in its place they see more off a gym that a football field,its exactly the reason that any young Scots talent should be motivated to playing abroad if they get the chance,England is were the money is so they go there instead.Sad but true we will always lose our best players to English teams,its been that way since the game started out.Plenty off good teams playing passing attacking football in the SPL
can we have the old faddy back?
I would agree. Scotland have a few players that are a bit of a waste. Riordan for one I'd say. His attitude has let him down.
in my opinion better than messi.
Who the hell voted down on this ?
Great player for scotland could have been much better if he had stayed injury free
just unlucky
whoever made this video should be knighted
He could have been even so much better than this even. He was excellent but he feels like such a wasted player. Am I the only one that thinks this?
Turkish and Russians teams would pay it if they could land him.Plenty off oil money flushing around there plenty off rich owners just like in England,who are now after teams in there own leagues.And if you think he is not worth it,then you really do not know football.Fletcher has scored more headers than any other player last year.The guy can play left side off midfield or up front alone,or off a centre forward.Teams pay money for that,funny how Bent is getting kept out the Villa team,lets talk
and a lack of work ethic.
Legend