Dwight McNeil
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Paddockoldie
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toffee_scot
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Re: Dwight McNeil
It seems from his partner’s post that he has struggled quite a bit with mental health and she had gone through some illness previously.
https://www.liverpoolworld.uk/sport/foo ... on-5500475
https://www.liverpoolworld.uk/sport/foo ... on-5500475
Re: Dwight McNeil
Quite sad that tbh. Think we are all guilty of forgetting the person behind the player pretty often. Hope he gets the help he needs
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Toddacelli
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Re: Dwight McNeil
Yeah, obviously when we’re ragging on him it is entirely about the football side and not the personal side. He’s always seemed a lovely lad.
Re: Dwight McNeil
She spent a lot of time in hospital a year or two ago, I think he was practically sleeping at the hospital at one point.toffee_scot wrote: ↑Tue Feb 03, 2026 7:29 am It seems from his partner’s post that he has struggled quite a bit with mental health and she had gone through some illness previously.
https://www.liverpoolworld.uk/sport/foo ... on-5500475
There's definitely something going on with him at the moment, ever since pre season he's looked like his head is elsewhere. I'm sure the club will be supporting him though and will continue to do so.
Re: Dwight McNeil
Mental health is spoken about a lot, but the reality is that you are either available to play or you aren’t - that’s not a dig at Dwight but is something that hasn’t been dealt with properly by both the club and the player. If you aren’t in a fit frame of mind to play, then that’s fine. But if you train and make yourself available, then be ready to give 100%.
It should be dealt with in the same way as a physical injury. If a player is at 70/80% in terms of physical health because of an injury, then we wouldn’t play them. Your mental state of mind is just as important, especially if for whatever reason he has a lack of sleep on top because of personal circumstances.
There shouldn’t be a situation where the player is deemed available to play but is clearly not 100% all in. That’s no good for the club or the player and it won’t result in the best outcome.
It should be dealt with in the same way as a physical injury. If a player is at 70/80% in terms of physical health because of an injury, then we wouldn’t play them. Your mental state of mind is just as important, especially if for whatever reason he has a lack of sleep on top because of personal circumstances.
There shouldn’t be a situation where the player is deemed available to play but is clearly not 100% all in. That’s no good for the club or the player and it won’t result in the best outcome.
Re: Dwight McNeil
Meh.
It’s a tough business and the players are compensated enormously to be a part of it.
Would have been good for everyone if he got a fresh start but he hasn’t so we all just move on.
Shame for him, shame for the club but gotta try to make it work whilst he’s still here.
It’s a tough business and the players are compensated enormously to be a part of it.
Would have been good for everyone if he got a fresh start but he hasn’t so we all just move on.
Shame for him, shame for the club but gotta try to make it work whilst he’s still here.
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Sir Stealth
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Re: Dwight McNeil
By the way - Dwight McNeil is a talented footballer and I personally think hes been a good signing for us. Recent form hasn’t been great obviously, but there is a player in there
His game has never been about pace or about using his right foot
But even this season he’s come up with a great assist for Garner in the win away at Forest and also he pounced on Torres error against Villa to get a shot away which led to Barry’s winner
He had a big injury last season and has only been a regular in the side this past couple of months, and he’s been playing in a position he’s not used to
Ultimately I get it - we do need to upgrade on him to move to the next level. But if he would have left us yesterday he could hold his head high in my opinion and would be worthy of a warm welcome every time he comes back as an opposition player
Mentally I can imagine it is tough being a footballer, in the limelight and having millions watch you do your day to day job. Add into this being out of form or injured as well as your partner being ill and it’s not hard to see why it could be mentally draining. Plus he seems like an introvert type of character anyway
He joined this club at a really tough time in our history and his first 3 seasons as an Everton player he’s been in constant relegation battles as well as seeing us go through a points deduction, played under 3 different managers and moved stadiums
Just to big him up a little - he’s scored some big goals and produced some big assists for us - winner away at Forest at the time of the points deduction, 2 away at Brighton and forced an OG in the same game in that massive 5-1 away win that played a big part in us staying up . Both goals in our first win last season at home to Palace after we were trailing 1-0. Clincher in the 2-0 win at home to Forest season before last. Last minute assist for Doucoure at Forest away last year. Corner in for Tarkowski winner in Dyche’s first game against Arsenal, Corner in for DCLs header in the 2-0 Derby win, broke the deadlock with about 15mins left against Newcastle at home in a 3-0 win - the lad has definitely contributed
He’s got a great shot on him with that left peg, can put in a wicked corner and at least up until his injury he was the fittest player at the club (well he won Dyche’s bleep test anyway!), plus that dodgy win against Burnley he didn’t stop running and pressing all game. One of the ways he has got by with a lack of pace is by managing to quickly control the ball and also has a unique ability to get a cross in with little room to manoeuvre from pretty much any angle on that left hand side
We’ve had some proper shit players over the years. We’ve had tons of players who don’t give a shit about the club and don’t show any heart on the pitch
None of those describe Dwight McNeil. All the best to him for the rest of the season . Hope he smashes it
His game has never been about pace or about using his right foot
But even this season he’s come up with a great assist for Garner in the win away at Forest and also he pounced on Torres error against Villa to get a shot away which led to Barry’s winner
He had a big injury last season and has only been a regular in the side this past couple of months, and he’s been playing in a position he’s not used to
Ultimately I get it - we do need to upgrade on him to move to the next level. But if he would have left us yesterday he could hold his head high in my opinion and would be worthy of a warm welcome every time he comes back as an opposition player
Mentally I can imagine it is tough being a footballer, in the limelight and having millions watch you do your day to day job. Add into this being out of form or injured as well as your partner being ill and it’s not hard to see why it could be mentally draining. Plus he seems like an introvert type of character anyway
He joined this club at a really tough time in our history and his first 3 seasons as an Everton player he’s been in constant relegation battles as well as seeing us go through a points deduction, played under 3 different managers and moved stadiums
Just to big him up a little - he’s scored some big goals and produced some big assists for us - winner away at Forest at the time of the points deduction, 2 away at Brighton and forced an OG in the same game in that massive 5-1 away win that played a big part in us staying up . Both goals in our first win last season at home to Palace after we were trailing 1-0. Clincher in the 2-0 win at home to Forest season before last. Last minute assist for Doucoure at Forest away last year. Corner in for Tarkowski winner in Dyche’s first game against Arsenal, Corner in for DCLs header in the 2-0 Derby win, broke the deadlock with about 15mins left against Newcastle at home in a 3-0 win - the lad has definitely contributed
He’s got a great shot on him with that left peg, can put in a wicked corner and at least up until his injury he was the fittest player at the club (well he won Dyche’s bleep test anyway!), plus that dodgy win against Burnley he didn’t stop running and pressing all game. One of the ways he has got by with a lack of pace is by managing to quickly control the ball and also has a unique ability to get a cross in with little room to manoeuvre from pretty much any angle on that left hand side
We’ve had some proper shit players over the years. We’ve had tons of players who don’t give a shit about the club and don’t show any heart on the pitch
None of those describe Dwight McNeil. All the best to him for the rest of the season . Hope he smashes it
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Kerryblueboy
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Re: Dwight McNeil
Yeah limited footballer but can be good on his day but must be way down the pecking order now can’t see him being involved much rest of the season
Re: Dwight McNeil
Interesting that the club would put out a post about him staying, there's clearly something been going on.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/184hfjtuZJ/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/184hfjtuZJ/
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StirlingBlue
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Re: Dwight McNeil
I mean I get all that but he’s been visibly dialling it in on the effort levels in recent weeks, if you’re not seen to be putting in the minimum (effort) then the fans are always going to turn on you.Sir Stealth wrote:By the way - Dwight McNeil is a talented footballer and I personally think hes been a good signing for us. Recent form hasn’t been great obviously, but there is a player in there
His game has never been about pace or about using his right foot
But even this season he’s come up with a great assist for Garner in the win away at Forest and also he pounced on Torres error against Villa to get a shot away which led to Barry’s winner
He had a big injury last season and has only been a regular in the side this past couple of months, and he’s been playing in a position he’s not used to
Ultimately I get it - we do need to upgrade on him to move to the next level. But if he would have left us yesterday he could hold his head high in my opinion and would be worthy of a warm welcome every time he comes back as an opposition player
Mentally I can imagine it is tough being a footballer, in the limelight and having millions watch you do your day to day job. Add into this being out of form or injured as well as your partner being ill and it’s not hard to see why it could be mentally draining. Plus he seems like an introvert type of character anyway
He joined this club at a really tough time in our history and his first 3 seasons as an Everton player he’s been in constant relegation battles as well as seeing us go through a points deduction, played under 3 different managers and moved stadiums
Just to big him up a little - he’s scored some big goals and produced some big assists for us - winner away at Forest at the time of the points deduction, 2 away at Brighton and forced an OG in the same game in that massive 5-1 away win that played a big part in us staying up . Both goals in our first win last season at home to Palace after we were trailing 1-0. Clincher in the 2-0 win at home to Forest season before last. Last minute assist for Doucoure at Forest away last year. Corner in for Tarkowski winner in Dyche’s first game against Arsenal, Corner in for DCLs header in the 2-0 Derby win, broke the deadlock with about 15mins left against Newcastle at home in a 3-0 win - the lad has definitely contributed
He’s got a great shot on him with that left peg, can put in a wicked corner and at least up until his injury he was the fittest player at the club (well he won Dyche’s bleep test anyway!), plus that dodgy win against Burnley he didn’t stop running and pressing all game. One of the ways he has got by with a lack of pace is by managing to quickly control the ball and also has a unique ability to get a cross in with little room to manoeuvre from pretty much any angle on that left hand side
We’ve had some proper shit players over the years. We’ve had tons of players who don’t give a shit about the club and don’t show any heart on the pitch
None of those describe Dwight McNeil. All the best to him for the rest of the season . Hope he smashes it
We’re seeing the same thing with Dibling, he’s young so people will give him leeway for mistakes and not expect loads straight away but since he looks lazy fans are starting to turn.
McNeil has always had problems (lack of pace, only one leg) but he put the effort in and that covered for them.
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Audrey Horne
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Re: Dwight McNeil
Also isn't it common knowledge about his partner? I know I mentioned it most weeks last season. I think she had cancer treatment or something similar
I spoke about it often as a way of understanding why he looked so ill himself and so off his game.
Tbh i am more angry with Moyes picking him when it is clear he is not in the right headspace and hasn't been for a long time.
Maybe the fact he had to hold it together whilst his partner was ill, and now she's well again, he has broken a little.
He needs protection if that's the case, not being in the team and putting in disgraceful performances, getting dogs abuse and hooked at half time.
I'm gutted he is still here because I don't want him in the team. But I feel for him alot. And hope he gets some support
I spoke about it often as a way of understanding why he looked so ill himself and so off his game.
Tbh i am more angry with Moyes picking him when it is clear he is not in the right headspace and hasn't been for a long time.
Maybe the fact he had to hold it together whilst his partner was ill, and now she's well again, he has broken a little.
He needs protection if that's the case, not being in the team and putting in disgraceful performances, getting dogs abuse and hooked at half time.
I'm gutted he is still here because I don't want him in the team. But I feel for him alot. And hope he gets some support
Re: Dwight McNeil
His missus had cancer last year and spent a lot of it very ill in hospital I believe.
It's probably had quite a major impact on his mental health, and I wouldn't be surprised one bit of he took his eye off the ball during the off season and it's then impacted his physical abilities this season.
Or it could just be simply that everything he and his partner went through last year has put life in perspective and his focus on footy in general has dropped off as a result.
Whatever the reasons it's clear he's not been himself this season, and whilst it's frustrating for fans sometimes we just have to understand that whatever the financial benefits of being a professional sportsperson are, life can deal you a hand that prevents you giving the levels required as an elite division player.
I didn't like the memes etc posted about him leaving, don't think he deserves that, and whatever happens moving forward with him I hope he finds happiness on and off the field.
It's probably had quite a major impact on his mental health, and I wouldn't be surprised one bit of he took his eye off the ball during the off season and it's then impacted his physical abilities this season.
Or it could just be simply that everything he and his partner went through last year has put life in perspective and his focus on footy in general has dropped off as a result.
Whatever the reasons it's clear he's not been himself this season, and whilst it's frustrating for fans sometimes we just have to understand that whatever the financial benefits of being a professional sportsperson are, life can deal you a hand that prevents you giving the levels required as an elite division player.
I didn't like the memes etc posted about him leaving, don't think he deserves that, and whatever happens moving forward with him I hope he finds happiness on and off the field.