Bolton Wanderers News 24/7Writer: Richard McCormick 
Date:Friday October 31 2008
Time: 11:18AM
UK time is: 14:07:55
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Were Villa Right to Dump Gary Cahill?
There was a depressing familiarity about Marouane Fellaini`s late goal that gifted Everton three points in Wednesday`s match at the Reebok. This was because more or less the same thing had happened in the previous game against Tottenham. A Large striker left to head home unopposed, with two gormless centre backs marking thin air.
One of those was Andy O`Brien, the other Gary Cahill. The latter was signed from Aston Villa in the last January transfer window and has been regarded as Gary 'Molehill` Megson`s best piece of transfer business. But is the 22 year old all he`s cracked up to be?
Cahill was sent off in a pre-season friendly and again against League One side Northampton Town as Bolton crashed out of the Carling Cup. That left disastrous Danny Shittu to figure in three league games, a man whose abilities are accurately reflected by his surname.
Last season, Cahill gave away penalties against Blackburn and Arsenal that proved costly and gifted Liverpool two goals, as they secured a comfortable victory. Clearly he is some way off being the finished product.
For most of the time, the young centre-back looks extremely competent, but those lapses of concentration are usually punished at Premier League level. Last season Martin O`Neill was criticised for disposing of Steven Davis, who flopped at Fulham and is now plying his trade in the backwater that is Scottish football. It may be that the Irishman has made the correct call again.
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Your Comments
It did make me laugh for our goal, our best header of the ball and tallest player, completely unmarked right in front of your goal 3 yards out... That's the VERY basics of tactics, Megson is either completely inept or the players just don't listen to him.
EvertonMike
Had and still has a lot of promise. Cuellar, Davies and Laursen are all better than him though and he wanted first team football so the writing was on the wall. He will always be loved by us for THAT goal against our arch enemies and for not signing for them when both them and you guys wanted him.
Villan444
stick with cahill, you have a gem. he is young so is always likely to make the occasional mistake, but when they dry up, i can see him getting an england call.
ric112
Mike I will finish the sentence for you "Or Both" Looking at what O'Neill has done at Villa I suspect he made the right call. I know some at Villa Park questioned the manager over his decision but I have to say any money we paid for him should be returned as we were sold "Non merchantable goods"
tomog
I think he's quality and I was upset to see him go, he's not tall enough for MON, either that or they just didn't get on because there's no doubt he is a good defender. I haven't seen him play for you other than a couple of times but I used to firmly believe we had a future England star coming through at Villa. He always seemed to be on the line getting in the way of shots, always tried and worked hard. He's only a kid, you can expect some mistakes. It would be a shame to see him fail so I'm hoping the answer to the question is no. UTV
PTP
Stand him next to an experienced, quality centre-back and you'll see why I and a lot of other Villans were sorry to see him go. He's an old-fashioned balls to the wall stopper but just needs reining in from time to time.
Platypus
Vote in the poll in 100%http://www.bolton.vitalfootball.co.uk/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1017&posts=1
tomog
I was gutted when he left us. Like you say he's still young and he will only get better. Definately a bright future ahead of him I reckon.
DeanoVilla
Apart from the amazing goal against the Blues he never really shon for us. We gave him you early that's for sure, could of done with him for another half season but now with Laursen and Cueller, Curtis Davies and Zat Knight as our 3/4th choice, we certainly dont need him. I hope he serves you well.
leelindsay
He couldn't get into our side because he was behind Zat Knight in the pecking order. That should tell you all you need to know about how good he is.
GCR_villlan
Another big Gary Cahill fan here. I was very upset when he left, but Carlos Cuellar looks absolute class, and is a lot more experienced than Cahill. I still think he is a future England prospect. Remember, he is a young lad playing in a struggling team, who always seem to be under a lot of pressure. I'm sure he will come good for you.
krfeskivilla
Good young player but we signed davies and cuellar, he would not have got a look in.
lerneravfc
Stick with him, he's never gonna be world class but he's a good honest kid!
Stourbridge Villan
Cahill is a very promising defender,both him and Steve Davis will are very good players and will be better in a year or two.They needed games every week and we needed more experienced players so they had to go.I think we (Villa) got good prices for both but given the right guidance Cahill could be brilliant,I wish we still had him.Give him time.
Pking
Bit harsh I feel. Looking at the table we have as good a defence record as anybody outside the big four. We just can't create jack sheet.
Big Stu
Settle for any class.
tomog
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