Manager: Li Tie needs to convince me
(chinadaily.com.cn by Fang Xuan)
Updated: 2003-08-27 17:08

Li Tie has been put on bench in Everton for two games since being sent off in first round against Arsenal, and manager David Moyes gives his reason why Tuesday.

Li Tie, having played for only 16 minutes as a substitue in Everton's first round lose to Arsenal before sent off with two yellow cards, was not given an other chance in the following two games.

Even when Scot Gemmill and Thomas Gravesen, the defensive midfielder pair that Everton played last season, were absent for injury, Li Tie couldn't make Moyes put him on instead of placing left midfielder Mark Pembridge in the central.

"Li Tie didn't show the level he had", Moyes replied when asked why he did so at the press conference after Everton's 2-2 tie with Chalton. "I want him to cool dwon and reflect on this (getting a red card)."

This was rather a diplomatic answer given by Moyes, compared to what was followed.

"I watched Li's playing in the recent games with the reserve team. To be frank, he didn't bring any surprises to me. He needs to do it better."

Moyes said, "Li Tie came back to Everton one week later than other players because of transfer troubles. This makes him unable to concentrate on playing and slow to understand formation and tatics we use this season."

Tobias Linderoth was paired with Mark Pembridge in Everton's last two games, in which they won 3-1 over Fulham at home and drew with Chalton 2-2. In a team without top striker Tomasz Radzinski and Kevin Cambell, this could be a satisfactory result, but moyes said it wasn't an "ideal" pattern in future.

"Linderoth-Permbridge is not the ideal pair to me. They've never played liked this before, and I don't know what the result would be before I put them on." Moyes said, "Anyway, they played very well, I'm satisfied."

When asked what Li Tie should added to himself to play a reqular first team football, Moyes said, "He must improve himself. The rhythm of Premiership is very fast. And He needs to gain a better understanding of the English football."

"We have five to six defensive midfielder for this season, including Li Tie." Moyes said referring to the future of Li's position in the team, "Since He has just signed a three-year contract with Everton, he will get more chance to in future."