c33: Substitution and Extra Practice Again
Because of his stunning winning goal in the match against Manchester United at Goodison Park, Vardy has become one of the hottest rising stars in the Premier League. That goal scored just minutes after coming off the bench was his first in the top flight and instantly made headlines across the country. Every day, countless reporters try to chase him down, hoping to get first-hand interviews or behind-the-scenes scoops.
Unfortunately for them, no one succeeded!
Other than the exclusive interview he gave to Anne from Liverpool Echo, Vardy remained tight-lipped. He refused to give in to pressure from media vultures, which drove the reporters into a frenzy. Their frustration boiled over to the point where they were half-joking, half-serious about wanting to bury this "arrogant" kid alive!
"This pair of bastards!" became the not-so-secret slogan among the frustrated journalist pool referring, of course, to Vardy and Anne.
To be fair, a lot of it stemmed from jealousy.
But Vardy didn't give a damn. The media might be good at shaping narratives and influencing public opinion, but they wouldn't get anything meaningful from him if they resorted to petty games and sensationalism.
To clarify, the "you" he's mentally scolding didn't refer to the entire media but specifically to a few small-time, sensationalist rags. It was their reporters who had stood outside Finch Farm Training Ground, making sarcastic digs at him after his breakthrough performance.
Still, these tabloids had limited influence. Even if they tried to slander Vardy maliciously, they were unlikely to shift public opinion or cause any major backlash. His goal against Manchester United spoke louder than any tabloid could whisper.
But despite the growing fame, Vardy was genuinely troubled at the moment. The reason was simple: even though he was listed in the squad for the upcoming clash against Manchester City, he once again failed to crack the starting lineup.
He had thought that scoring the decisive goal in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United a game that broke United's 12-match unbeaten run would earn him major points in the eyes of David Moyes. Bent was still recovering from injury, and McFadden, who had started the last match, had put in a forgettable performance. By all logic, Vardy felt this should've been his chance to start.
Yet, to his dismay, Moyes benched him again. Not only was McFadden dropped, but Moyes had chosen to start veteran Kevin Campbell up front, partnering him with the more physical Marcus Bent, who had apparently passed a late fitness test.
Two traditional center-forwards at once?
Was Moyes planning to bully Manchester City's backline with old-school aerial bombardment?
In truth, Moyes had spent days grappling with the striker conundrum.
McFadden's ineffectiveness against United was evident. He lacked composure, lost possession in dangerous areas, and didn't link up well with the midfield. Dropping him from the starting XI wasn't a difficult decision.
Vardy, on the other hand, had indeed scored a match-winner, but Moyes was not blind to the bigger tactical picture.
The data didn't lie: Vardy had just 8 touches in 20 minutes on the pitch. He made no successful passes in the final third, didn't create a single chance, and won only one duel. His movement was lively, yes, and his finishing instinct was sharp but his failure to combine effectively with players like Arteta and Osman made it clear he hadn't yet gelled with the squad's playing style.
Moyes saw potential but also saw risks. Integrating a new player into the starting eleven too early, especially in a match expected to be more open than the United game, could disrupt team balance.
And Manchester City, while far less dominant than United, still posed threats. Despite being the "noisy neighbors," as Ferguson Sr. famously called them, City had talents like Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joey Barton, and Sylvain Distin. Moyes believed Everton had a stronger, more cohesive squad at the moment, but it didn't mean they could take the match lightly.
Against United, Everton were forced into a defensive shell, hoping to counter-attack with pace.
Against City, Moyes expected a more direct game, where possession and strength up front would be more valuable than pace alone.
So, for now, Vardy remained an impact substitute one with the potential to change games, but not yet ready to start them.
In this case, if Vardy plays, it is very likely that the team will essentially be operating with one less player up front, especially considering his current lack of coordination with the rest of the squad. To play it safe, Moyes chose to start Kevin Campbell, who, despite being older, poses a more immediate aerial and positional threat, particularly when the team expects to exploit crosses and set pieces against Manchester City's shaky backline.
Of course, if the attack fails to break through, Vardy will not be without opportunities. If he can once again produce a stunning performance off the bench like he did with that thunderous volley against Manchester United at Old Trafford then Moyes will likely gain more trust in him and use him more confidently in future games.
Regardless of Moyes' thinking, Vardy himself was deeply dissatisfied. During training, his frustration became contagious especially for the main goalkeeper Richard Wright when Vardy led the reserve team to defeat the starting lineup in a tactical simulation. His pace tore apart the first-team defense, and he made Wright fish the ball out of the net three times in under thirty minutes.
A man nearly two decades older glared at him with sheer disbelief, and Vardy, taken aback by the icy stares, suddenly felt the weight of locker-room politics.
"Manchester City should be thankful they won't have to deal with your cheetah-like speed tomorrow!" Gravesen joked, catching on to Vardy's gloomy mood.
Lee Carsley and Leon Osman soon came over, clapping Vardy on the shoulder and offering a few words of comfort. They were veterans who understood that squad competition could be brutal, especially for a young striker trying to break into a system as rigid as Moyes'.
Vardy could hardly hide the frustration anymore. Even his usual confidence had begun to waver.
Just then, Tim Cahill walked over unannounced. Gravesen and the others went silent, unsure of what the Australian midfielder known for being sharp both on and off the pitch would say.
"Jamie, if we're being honest, I don't think Moyes will start you yet," Cahill began frankly. "You haven't settled into the team's tactical framework. There's no chemistry with your attacking partners, and that matters. But that doesn't mean you're not important. With your explosiveness, you're an ideal secret weapon. I'm sure that's why the gaffer is keeping you on the bench for the right moment."
The players nodded in agreement. Cahill had nailed it. Even Vardy realized the truth behind the words. Operating outside the structure would make him a liability. In Moyes' system focused on discipline and synergy it's too risky to deploy a lone wolf from the first whistle.
Apparently, Vardy's breakthrough would take more time.
"But we can change that," Cahill added quickly. "We'll help you adapt. Look at the five of us you, me, Carsley, Gravesen, Osman. That's almost the full offensive midfield setup. If we drill together, practice the link-up play and quick passes, you'll click into our system in no time. I'll stay back with you after training. I'm sure the others will too. Right, lads?"
Cahill's proposal came with a warm smile, and in that moment, the others seemed to view him as some kind of footballing saint.
A true Lei Feng, Vardy thought with a wry grin.
He was right, of course. Everton's standard 4-5-1 relied heavily on midfield runners supporting the lone striker. If Vardy could sync with Cahill's late runs, Carsley's long balls, and Osman's link-ups, he'd become a natural fit.
"Why didn't I think of that?" Vardy said, finally seeing the light. "We can definitely do this. Just a few weeks of sharp practice and I'll be flying."
Carsley nodded immediately. "Exactly. A few weeks, tops. You've already got the raw tools. It's just about adapting to the rhythm."
Gravesen and Osman also gave their full support, pounding their chests like loyal brothers-in-arms.
Vardy was genuinely moved. He hadn't expected this kind of solidarity from teammates he barely knew a month ago.
"Oi, don't get all teary-eyed. At least give me a compliment," Gravesen said, puffing out his chest with exaggerated pride.
But his shiny bald head reflected the sun awkwardly, ruining the heroic image.
The group burst into laughter. In that moment, camaraderie and belief began to take root.
After training, the five-man unit stayed behind to drill combinations, short passing, and movement. Other teammates stared in surprise especially seeing senior players willingly volunteer for extra practice.
Even Moyes, watching from the sidelines, raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Well, maybe the sun did rise in the west today."
Still, he was pleased. He'd rather see this kind of positive energy than hear about players releasing frustration in late-night bars.
Realistically, Everton's tactical system used six key players across the midfield and forward positions. But with the towering Duncan Ferguson now 33, the veteran striker wasn't as agile or engaged with the younger group. His job was to bully defenders, not build chemistry with raw talents. You couldn't expect him to sweat through extra drills like the younger lads.
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