Everton Player Reviews - Phil Jagielka

Player: Phil Jagielka, #6

GS: Games Started, SB: Used as Substitute, G: Goals, A: Assists, SH: Shots, SG: Shots on goal, YC: Yellow Cards, RC: Red Cards, FC: Fouls Committed, FS: Fouls Suffered.

Introduction

Jagielka had an excellent year, both for Everton and for England. While Everton were up and down for parts of the season, the center back was solid and dependable in the heart of the defence, and he even earned the captain's armband after Phil Neville was injured.

What he did well

The 30 year old defender is a natural born leader and showed his leadership abilities on multiple occasions for the Blues. Strong on the tackle and blessed with good vision for the game, 'Jags' often bailed out Tim Howard in goal with crucial interventions. Time after time he proved himself, being called upon to shut down the best attacking forces in the English game.

Jagielka does very well in bringing the ball out of defence, and his distribution was a key part of the possession game that David Moyes instilled. Another understated part of Jagielka's game is his abilities in the air. Both his Premier League goals this season came from headers in corners, and tellingly, almost all the set piece goals Everton conceded were from areas that Jags was not covering.

Consistent throughout the season, Jagielka is definitely one of the candidates for Everton's Player of the Year.

What he could do better

While Jags has had some injury issues in previous years, his only missed time this year was due to a freak injury, a badly gashed ankle in the game against Reading. Pace is also not one of his enduring qualities and more than once he had to revert to dangerous sliding tackles to make up for being left for dead.

Voting

Using the school grading system of A, B, C, D, F, with A representing a great season, C an average season, and F a very poor season, how do you grade Phil Jagielka on his performance this year according to the expectations you had for him?