Removing the Rose-Tinted Specs
By Jon Livesey : 03/02/2008 : 
Comments (55) :
Comments (55) : When a young player emerges from our academy and is offered the chance to impress in the first team, we lend him our immediate support. More often than not, they arrive amidst heaps of praise from coaches and those of us obsessive enough to attend reserve and youth team matches. We forgive their mistakes and afford them the benefit of the doubt as we fight back the impulsive urge to berate them when they lose possession, fail to control a pass or make a poor decision. After all, they are young and will no doubt learn from their mistakes, improve and develop.
But, sooner or later, we can no longer fight those urges and start to demand the same level of performance that we expect from the rest of the first team squad. Currently carrying the burden of being touted as the ?next big things? are our 19-year-old strikers, Victor Anichebe and James Vaughan. Both have been regular fixtures in and around the first team for two years now and recent evidence suggests that Everton fans are growing increasingly expectant of at least one of the pair and unless he delivers, he may experience his first taste of mass criticism.
In his last two starts against Manchester City and Tottenham, Anichebe, in my opinion has done little to justify the ?new Drogba? tag that has been attached to him by some quarters of the media. Anichebe relies on brute strength alone to carve out any goal scoring opportunity as I don?t believe he possesses much skill, clever movement or a natural instinct to anticipate where the ball will land in the 6-yard box. He is fairly fast, but not rapid like Johnson and he is ok in the air, but not brilliant.
Against Manchester City, he faced Richard Dunne and Micah Richards, two central defenders who matched him for strength and pace and have a little bit more nous and Premier League experience than he does. In this contest, Anichebe carried little or no goal scoring threat. As he lost the personal battle and looked increasingly bruised, battered and fatigued, there were a few murmurs from the crowd around me in the Park End who directed accusations of ?lazy bastard? at the young forward.
In the game against Tottenham, Anichebe was marked by Tom Huddlestone, who ? despite putting in an impressive performance at centre half against Manchester United a week earlier ? is a central midfielder with an ability is to spray the ball about in a nonchalant manner akin to Glenn Hoddle. Before the game, I fancied Anichebe to ruffle Huddlestone?s feathers and carve out a few opportunities, but his flaws and limitations were exposed by the quality of both teams on show.
He looked inferior in all aspects of his game when compared to the players around him. He was unable to control most of the passes played to him by Fernandes and Arteta and never even looked like scoring. He was statuesque in his movement and provided our flair players with hardly any opportunities to play a defence-splitting pass. This time, there were more explicit signs of the growing unrest from the Goodison faithful. The murmurs of ?lazy bastard? were replaced by angry suggestions that Anichebe?s touch would be better suited to John Leslie, Mike Tyson or a baby elephant perhaps.
Like the rest of our fans, I want Anichebe to develop into a top player for Everton who performs consistently well, scores goals, works for the team and brings others into play. I want this for the same reasons as everyone else. He?s a local lad whose success will represent the good work being done by the academy, he has a love for the club and an understanding of our ethos.
But lately, I find myself without the rose-tinted spectacles us fans so often sport as I assess both the progress Anichebe has made since his emergence and the potential he has to become a major success for Everton. In terms of movement, he likes to play right on his marker with the hope of spinning him as he did against Wigan last season when Unsworth brought him down for a penalty and he doesn?t seem to have added much variety to this part of his game. It worries me that a good touch and goal scoring instinct are not skills that can be taught and Anichebe possesses neither, so his other attributes will need to be exceptional enough to compensate. Unfortunately, I don?t think they are.
It?s difficult to comment on his finishing ability because as strange as it may sound when talking about a striker, I can?t remember too many instances of him going through on goal. He finished well in two of the European games this season and against Fulham last year, but he often snatches erratically at the ball and displays a lack of composure. Admittedly, this is something that can be worked on in training and will also develop with maturity and experience.
But if we compare him to a player in the same target-man mould and how good they were at his age, it could tell us more about how good he is and has the potential to be. Emile Heskey is a much-maligned figure and probably not considered by everyone to be a top Premier League player. In fact, not many Everton fans would want to see him in a blue shirt. However, when he burst on the scene as an 18-year-old at Leicester, he was dynamic, had all the qualities Anichebe possesses and the added ability to score more than the odd screamer from 25 yards. My point is that Anichebe has done nothing to suggest he will ever be as good as Heskey is or was and we wouldn?t want Heskey in our team, so why do we persist in starting a player of this calibre?
Anichebe has undoubtedly made a huge impact in our European games this season, but how much of that can be put down to the fact that he was an unknown quantity to the opposition? And he came off the bench to face very tired defences against Kharkiv and Larissa. He hasn?t scored in the Premier League since the opening day of the season against Wigan and even then he almost managed to put it over from 6 yards with an unconvincing finish.
I don?t want to talk too much about Vaughan at this point, mainly because of the amount of time he has had out with injuries and also because he did enough in the second half of last season to suggest he is capable of becoming a prolific and effective Premier League striker. Even with his limited opportunities this term, he has managed to chip in with a few goals. I disagree with a lot of our fans who insist in various fan?s forums that he is ?class,? but I do think he has a chance of being a good player for us. Berbatov is class. Adebayor is class. Ibrahimovic is class. Vaughan is industrious, brave and clinical in goal, which is still good enough for me.
In the last 15 years, we have witnessed a number of players from our academy being handed professional contracts and some experience in the first team, but for one reason or another, not many of them stayed in the royal blue for very long. It remains to be seen whether Anichebe and Vaughan will follow in the footsteps of Barlow, Branch, Chadwick, Cadamarteri and Jevons, who have all ended up playing in the lower divisions, or whether they are capable of helping Everton gatecrash into the big four in the near future.
In my heart of hearts, I am becoming increasingly confident that one of them won?t cut the mustard at Everton. In October 2006, Alan Irvine said about Anichebe: ?He?s gone from being somebody that nobody really had great hopes for to someone who has come on in leaps and bounds.? I accept that he is only 19 and there is a good chance he will develop and become a better player, but his progress seems to have stalled a bit.
I fully expect a lot of disagreement on this issue, so I will end with a question for you to consider. If Anichebe was at another club and you had seen him play as much as you have for Everton, would you want us to sign him? I know I wouldn?t...
Reader Comments
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Ok I have been thinking over the past couple of weeks about Vaughan, and how frustrated he must be about getting 10 minutes every week, When I believe he's our second best srtiker behind Yak!!! I really hope he is patient enough to wait... But how long will he have to wait??? Yak is only 25!
I don't see Moyes changing the 4-5-1 formation but I think he should do for home games unless were playing the Big 3 (excluding ourselves from the Big 4!).
Basically I want to see Vaughan playing more, because I think he's a goalscorer and would suit Yak.
Good article. Sums up what I’ve been thinking about Big Vic for a while. Would love to be wrong, mind.
Great post John, but hey Michael thats your fellow Evertonians you are talking about ffs. Stop being so bloody sensitive.
Fair article, Jon. Maybe a tad premature, Michael. I think that both Vic and Vaughaney are two of the most "promising" young forwards in the Premiership, but there is a long way to go before either of them can be judged as the "finished article". AND, even when they are, who knows yet how good the "finished articles" may be? However, they have, in certain circumstances (e.g Europe) proved themselves to be good enough to be "impact players" as subs. Moyes obviously realises that they cannot be relied on (at very least as yet) as automatic first team choices. That?s why he bought Yakubu to supplement the Andy Johnson / Cahil options. But, especially in our current state of financial development, I?d rather have Vic and James as our "next level" than blow £X mil on a Defoe, or an expensive (but demanding) has been like Viduka or Heskey as a squad player. (Hope that?s not too billious. Mick!)
Yea, Shaun you’re right. I read a lot of different views, and I can respect most of them from my fellow Evertonians ? as long as they can stay on topic and talk about the issues raised. Unfortunately, it seems the trend recently among some is to just contribute abuse to the person posting, especially when they disagree with the topic itself. Now that to my mind is not on. Let’s see what happens on this thread...
Great article Jon. I too believe he doesnt possess a good enough first touch to be a top class premiership forward. Also surely he realises that four strickers for one position means that 3 are always going to miss out? When he gets to play from the start he doesnt appear hungry enough to seize his opportunity. He appears a kid who needs a good rocket up his arse from the manager before kick off, and continious cajolement from his teammates during the game to keep switched on. Theres no doubt he could be a very good player as he has the physical attributes that our midget gems would die for.....however like many before him of the same style -such as Heskey - they all suffer from the lack of a killer instinct to really make the grade.
michael k the blues can do without guys like u ,like himler u will boot me from this site so much for democracy ! you will give your reasons with clever words and reasons ... but I won?t read them cos u will have banned me glad i am a true blue not a new blairite new blue ! why critcise our players the whole fuckin football nation want us to fail without help from so called evertonains!!! ps my family served club for over 25 yrs and still do !!! we can do from likes of u guys see u real supporters on blue kipper real blues site
I doubt that Anichebe will cut it here and have hopes that Vaughan can turn into a great player but right now they are not ready
Andy, I think when a player is 19 years-old with as many Premier League and European games under his belt as Anichebe, you start to get an idea of how good the finished article will be and I have doubts about whether he will ever be good enough to be a regular for Everton or a player that can help us move into the top 4.
I’m surprised that anyone would rather have Anichebe than Viduka on a free transfer. Viduka is class. When the ball goes forward to him, it sticks. That’s the main difference and what we lack when Yakubu doesn’t play. Last season when vaughan was starting games, he was a constant threat and started to score regularly. I also think that despite his lack of height compared to Anichebe, he’s better than him in the air. If Moyes wants to play with a forward that carries an aerial threat, he should start with Vaughan over Anichebe.
I’m surprised that anyone would rather have Anichebe than Viduka on a free transfer. Viduka is class. When the ball goes forward to him, it sticks. That’s the main difference and what we lack when Yakubu doesn’t play. Last season when vaughan was starting games, he was a constant threat and started to score regularly. I also think that despite his lack of height compared to Anichebe, he’s better than him in the air. If Moyes wants to play with a forward that carries an aerial threat, he should start with Vaughan over Anichebe.
New Drogba???
Who is saying this? He’s about as much the new Drogba as Vaughan was the new Rooney.
Ok, Anichebe is effective in the last 5 minutes of games, and notably against opposition who are not aware of his ability - or lack of as it may seem.
Now I don’t expect Anichebe or Vaughan to be regulars and as soon as better options come available they will slip down the leagues. Potential is not getting fulfilled and the term "out of their depth" is very apparent here.
I can understand Moyes not wanting to spend big on strikers when he has 2 internationals to appease, and whilst he does have youth coming through, they have been useful in games.
But let’s just look at them in part.
Anichebe
Lacks discipline, has a huge chip on his shoulder, not very quick, poor control and doesn’t have an intelligent football brain.
He does however have fire and is willing to run through defenders to get a goal. That is admirable and Moyes clearly see’s that willingness as a plus point.
Vaughan
I don’t think he is quick enough for the Premiership, and I don’t think he has the touch that is needed.
If anyone has seen Jose Baxter ( touch wood we don’t lose him), but he has a touch and a brain that clearly outshines these two. So basically for me, they are never going to be regulars in the side, because they lack the killer instinct to be world class, which we as a club can be and should be producing.
Who is saying this? He’s about as much the new Drogba as Vaughan was the new Rooney.
Ok, Anichebe is effective in the last 5 minutes of games, and notably against opposition who are not aware of his ability - or lack of as it may seem.
Now I don’t expect Anichebe or Vaughan to be regulars and as soon as better options come available they will slip down the leagues. Potential is not getting fulfilled and the term "out of their depth" is very apparent here.
I can understand Moyes not wanting to spend big on strikers when he has 2 internationals to appease, and whilst he does have youth coming through, they have been useful in games.
But let’s just look at them in part.
Anichebe
Lacks discipline, has a huge chip on his shoulder, not very quick, poor control and doesn’t have an intelligent football brain.
He does however have fire and is willing to run through defenders to get a goal. That is admirable and Moyes clearly see’s that willingness as a plus point.
Vaughan
I don’t think he is quick enough for the Premiership, and I don’t think he has the touch that is needed.
If anyone has seen Jose Baxter ( touch wood we don’t lose him), but he has a touch and a brain that clearly outshines these two. So basically for me, they are never going to be regulars in the side, because they lack the killer instinct to be world class, which we as a club can be and should be producing.
@Jon,
Viduka is lazy and is certainly not the sort of player we should be looking to bring in. He’s also a little on the old side.
I would like to think we have slightly more ambition than a washed up Aussie!
Viduka is lazy and is certainly not the sort of player we should be looking to bring in. He’s also a little on the old side.
I would like to think we have slightly more ambition than a washed up Aussie!
Agree with pretty much everything you?ve written here, Jon. Given the experience he has Vic should be more of a threat to defences when he plays. It does seem that he?s far more effective in short spells against tired cb?s. I think he deserves credit for the way he unsettled Chelsea at the Bridge in November. Mind you, they were all asleep because Yakubu hadn?t run ten fucking yards in the first 70min that day (seems to me that DM has made some progress with the smiley fella on that front).
I think the comparison with a young Heskey was spot-on. When he was young at Leicester he really looked like a murderous centre forward. Has barely developed a bit since then.
Glad i?m not the only one with admiration for Viduka. I advocated acquiring him here in the summer, saying something like ?he?s fat, slow and lazy. And God help you if he gets the ball at his feet in your box?. In retrospect, though, i?m glad Moyes bought the younger man. I don?t think MV would quite fit in with the (obviously) stern fitness regimen on offer at Bellefield these days.
I think the comparison with a young Heskey was spot-on. When he was young at Leicester he really looked like a murderous centre forward. Has barely developed a bit since then.
Glad i?m not the only one with admiration for Viduka. I advocated acquiring him here in the summer, saying something like ?he?s fat, slow and lazy. And God help you if he gets the ball at his feet in your box?. In retrospect, though, i?m glad Moyes bought the younger man. I don?t think MV would quite fit in with the (obviously) stern fitness regimen on offer at Bellefield these days.
I don’t think anyone sees Victor as the next Drogba. He has some of his attributes like Strength and pace etc but Drogba is world class and Victor has a long way to go before he is at or even close to that level.
He was average against Spurs but in my eyes he was better than Johnson he looked the younger and less experienced of the strike force that day with his poor touch and continually breaking up our attacking moves. You fail to mention that he was also playing upfront on his own against Man city with no support around him. Cahill was terrible and only Arteta was helping the lad out.
He also comes in every once and a while and does a job. He’s not match fit because of the lack of opportunities. Match fitness and match practice are very much part of the game and if your not either your going to have a tough time competing against fully fit athletes who play week in week out.
Anichebe would benefit hugely from a loan deal to the Championship. Ismael Miller of Man city is with West Brom at the moment and is having a good season and I think Victor needs to do the same. I think we could cope without him for a few months without getting to many injuries. We more or less have 3 strikers and a second striker in Cahill.
Heskey is a good striker. He may not be Drogba but he is certainly capable. Would I have him at my club? Yes I would as I believe he’s better than Johnson and would give us and out and out target man. Anichebe could be as good as Heskey but it takes time and if he did get to Heskey’s level he’d be a good player.
Has his progression really stalled? 9 goals in 17 starts in his whole career. Believe me every team wants there youngsters to be better than they are. Arsenal fans think Walcott should be progressing faster and my Aston Villa friend thinks Agbonlahor is crap. Says despite his pace he has awful movement and a dire touch. Its all about time and giving youngsters time to nurture and there is no doubting Victor and Vaughany will do that working with strikers like Yakubu and Johnson.
He was average against Spurs but in my eyes he was better than Johnson he looked the younger and less experienced of the strike force that day with his poor touch and continually breaking up our attacking moves. You fail to mention that he was also playing upfront on his own against Man city with no support around him. Cahill was terrible and only Arteta was helping the lad out.
He also comes in every once and a while and does a job. He’s not match fit because of the lack of opportunities. Match fitness and match practice are very much part of the game and if your not either your going to have a tough time competing against fully fit athletes who play week in week out.
Anichebe would benefit hugely from a loan deal to the Championship. Ismael Miller of Man city is with West Brom at the moment and is having a good season and I think Victor needs to do the same. I think we could cope without him for a few months without getting to many injuries. We more or less have 3 strikers and a second striker in Cahill.
Heskey is a good striker. He may not be Drogba but he is certainly capable. Would I have him at my club? Yes I would as I believe he’s better than Johnson and would give us and out and out target man. Anichebe could be as good as Heskey but it takes time and if he did get to Heskey’s level he’d be a good player.
Has his progression really stalled? 9 goals in 17 starts in his whole career. Believe me every team wants there youngsters to be better than they are. Arsenal fans think Walcott should be progressing faster and my Aston Villa friend thinks Agbonlahor is crap. Says despite his pace he has awful movement and a dire touch. Its all about time and giving youngsters time to nurture and there is no doubting Victor and Vaughany will do that working with strikers like Yakubu and Johnson.
Nick,
Viduka on a free transfer in the summer and on a 2 year contract would have been a good signing for us. He’s 31, doesn’t rely on pace and would have complimented the attributes of either Johnson or Yakubu. He’s better than what we already have in that department- that was my point. I’d rather have had him leading our line in the games against City and Spurs than Anichebe. Starting with a player who as you put it "lacks discipline, has a huge chip on his shoulder, is not very quick, has poor control and doesn?t have an intelligent football brain" doesn’t represent the same ambition that starting with a proven international like Viduka would. I read two separate articles in different national newspapers where they called Anichebe the new Drogba.
Chris,
What an odd post. I don’t want Everton to fail and being a fellow blue, I’m sure Michael doesn’t either. Those who have posted articles in recent weeks have come in for some abuse after criticising players or other individuals connected to the club and he was simply predicting the same happening here. A fan’s worth should not be measured by their positivity. If a fan criticises a player or expresses a dislike for the way they play the game, that does not make them any less of a fan than someone who is in favour of everything the club does. That’s just ludicrous.
Viduka on a free transfer in the summer and on a 2 year contract would have been a good signing for us. He’s 31, doesn’t rely on pace and would have complimented the attributes of either Johnson or Yakubu. He’s better than what we already have in that department- that was my point. I’d rather have had him leading our line in the games against City and Spurs than Anichebe. Starting with a player who as you put it "lacks discipline, has a huge chip on his shoulder, is not very quick, has poor control and doesn?t have an intelligent football brain" doesn’t represent the same ambition that starting with a proven international like Viduka would. I read two separate articles in different national newspapers where they called Anichebe the new Drogba.
Chris,
What an odd post. I don’t want Everton to fail and being a fellow blue, I’m sure Michael doesn’t either. Those who have posted articles in recent weeks have come in for some abuse after criticising players or other individuals connected to the club and he was simply predicting the same happening here. A fan’s worth should not be measured by their positivity. If a fan criticises a player or expresses a dislike for the way they play the game, that does not make them any less of a fan than someone who is in favour of everything the club does. That’s just ludicrous.
Are we not judging these a bit prematurely, Vaughan has only recovered from an injury to force his way back into contention and Anichebe is no way the finished article yet at 19 he has time to improve, Get behind your team!!!! Stop criticsing, we are 4th in the league for gods sake and that's with 3 first team players away. Should we be having a chat about how well we have done without Yak, Yobo, and Pienear. Maybe on how well Jags has come on, or how AJ is looking sharp or how good it is to see Ossy back, Stop being negative ... Up the Toffees
Simon,
I hate to say this, but posts like yours really annoy me. They’re boring. I know we’re 4th in the league. I don’t need you to tell me that. I am as behind the team as the most passionate fan around. Does the fact that I spend some of my precious spare time writing articles about a football club not prove that? We have chatted about how much Jags has come on, how sharp AJ is and how good it is to see Ossie back. Look at the recent articles and you’ll see that these topics have been debated to fucking death. Manchester United fans dominated all competitions for years in the 1990’s but does that mean none of their fans were allowed to express opinions about how shit Jordi Cruuyf was? Were they afraid of voicing any dissatisfaction because someone like you would just reply with "we’ve just won the treble, stop being negative?" There will always be aspects of the club that fans aren’t happy with. Right now, I’m having some doubts about whether one of our young strikers has the potential to make it, so I though I’d make them known in the form of an article. It’s a cop out to just say "stop being negative...up the toffees" I want us to be the best or at the very least to show signs that we are progressing and starting games with a player of Anichebe’s current quality doesn’t persuade me that we are.
Connor, I certainly don’t see him as the next Drogba, but it has been uttered in the press who have probably seen a couple of video clips from the European games. I don’t just want our youngsters to be better than they are, I want all of our players to be better than they are. I honestly have doubts about whether Anichebe will ever be good enough to be a regular in the Premier League. I was going to compare him to Ishmael Miller and say that he would benefit from a loan spell in the Championship. I’d love us to sign Dean Ashton in the summer and allow him to do that, but I think he may end up moving there permanently because that is the right level for him.
I hate to say this, but posts like yours really annoy me. They’re boring. I know we’re 4th in the league. I don’t need you to tell me that. I am as behind the team as the most passionate fan around. Does the fact that I spend some of my precious spare time writing articles about a football club not prove that? We have chatted about how much Jags has come on, how sharp AJ is and how good it is to see Ossie back. Look at the recent articles and you’ll see that these topics have been debated to fucking death. Manchester United fans dominated all competitions for years in the 1990’s but does that mean none of their fans were allowed to express opinions about how shit Jordi Cruuyf was? Were they afraid of voicing any dissatisfaction because someone like you would just reply with "we’ve just won the treble, stop being negative?" There will always be aspects of the club that fans aren’t happy with. Right now, I’m having some doubts about whether one of our young strikers has the potential to make it, so I though I’d make them known in the form of an article. It’s a cop out to just say "stop being negative...up the toffees" I want us to be the best or at the very least to show signs that we are progressing and starting games with a player of Anichebe’s current quality doesn’t persuade me that we are.
Connor, I certainly don’t see him as the next Drogba, but it has been uttered in the press who have probably seen a couple of video clips from the European games. I don’t just want our youngsters to be better than they are, I want all of our players to be better than they are. I honestly have doubts about whether Anichebe will ever be good enough to be a regular in the Premier League. I was going to compare him to Ishmael Miller and say that he would benefit from a loan spell in the Championship. I’d love us to sign Dean Ashton in the summer and allow him to do that, but I think he may end up moving there permanently because that is the right level for him.
My only gripe is that Moyes does not play Vaughan enough.
In my opinion he is a long way ahead of Anichebe and should be played more. For whatever reason Moyes seems to prefer Anichebe
In my opinion he is a long way ahead of Anichebe and should be played more. For whatever reason Moyes seems to prefer Anichebe
Jon completely agree with you about Anchovy, he looked good when he first came on the scene but does not seemed to have progressed.
The lads I go the match with all agree that out of the two, Vaughan is the better prospect. He terrifies defences and looks for the ball, can win headers and will run at defenders, Vic on the other hand tried to stick on the defenders shoulder and shrug them off.
We have also commented many times on Anchovy?s fittness, for a 19-year-old lad he must be one of the most unfit players we have, possibly just behind Shandy Andy. He looks goosed after about 30 mins and does none of the running Johnson does.
Against Spurs Johnson was all over the show chasing balls and trying to make space, however Vic just stood in the middle and miscontrolled most of the passes he received.
I just hope that Vaughan can get fully fit and get a few games under his belt, as I feel that he will be the one to make the grade not Victor, I hope they both can but I cannot see Vic being a regular starter for us.
The lads I go the match with all agree that out of the two, Vaughan is the better prospect. He terrifies defences and looks for the ball, can win headers and will run at defenders, Vic on the other hand tried to stick on the defenders shoulder and shrug them off.
We have also commented many times on Anchovy?s fittness, for a 19-year-old lad he must be one of the most unfit players we have, possibly just behind Shandy Andy. He looks goosed after about 30 mins and does none of the running Johnson does.
Against Spurs Johnson was all over the show chasing balls and trying to make space, however Vic just stood in the middle and miscontrolled most of the passes he received.
I just hope that Vaughan can get fully fit and get a few games under his belt, as I feel that he will be the one to make the grade not Victor, I hope they both can but I cannot see Vic being a regular starter for us.
Jon, The press may have uttered it but not us. We see him every week and we know what good and bad attributes he has. We are also realistic and realize it will take along time for him to even be by Drogba’s level.
"I don?t just want our youngsters to be better than they are, I want all of our players to be better than they are."
Thats where we differ. I understand that whilst Anichebe needs to be improving he also needs time. He’s not like Yakubu or Arteta. He’s a kid in Football terms and has only completed 17 career games. He will get frustrated and there will be times when he looks completely out of his depth but that is part of his progression and it happens to the majority of youngsters.
Your Heskey comparison puzzled me. Did Heskey make any more of an impression than Anichebe has? Heskey scored four goals in his first seventeen starts whereas Anichebe has scored nine goals in seventeen starts. If you look at the stats Anichebe has the better record despite not starting games week in week out like a young Emile Heskey.
You may have doubts but it is far to early to be certain that he is not going to make it at this level. The attributes he lacks can be worked on both on the training pitch and with experience of playing week in week out. A loan move would be great for him and hopefully he will get one.
"I don?t just want our youngsters to be better than they are, I want all of our players to be better than they are."
Thats where we differ. I understand that whilst Anichebe needs to be improving he also needs time. He’s not like Yakubu or Arteta. He’s a kid in Football terms and has only completed 17 career games. He will get frustrated and there will be times when he looks completely out of his depth but that is part of his progression and it happens to the majority of youngsters.
Your Heskey comparison puzzled me. Did Heskey make any more of an impression than Anichebe has? Heskey scored four goals in his first seventeen starts whereas Anichebe has scored nine goals in seventeen starts. If you look at the stats Anichebe has the better record despite not starting games week in week out like a young Emile Heskey.
You may have doubts but it is far to early to be certain that he is not going to make it at this level. The attributes he lacks can be worked on both on the training pitch and with experience of playing week in week out. A loan move would be great for him and hopefully he will get one.
Connor,
I compared him to Heskey because of their physical similarities and because they both made their debuts at an early age. They are both employed to do the same job- to score goals, hold the ball up and bring others into play. By the age of 19, Heskey was a regular in the Leicester first team when they were in the Premier League. He wasn’t prolific, but I think he scored 10 league goals that season. He did make more of an impression than Victor. The calibre of his goals for one thing were excellent. He has always showed more variety in his play than Anichebe who looks very one dimensional to me.
I accept that some of our players have limitations. Of course I do because I’m a realist, but I still wish they were all better than they are. Why wouldn’t any fan?
I disagree that all the attributes he lacks can be worked on at the training ground and with games. He will never possess great skill or a deft touch. They may improve slightly with practice, but a lot is down to natural ability. I don’t dislike him all that much as a player, but he shows no signs of having the potential to reach the kind of level that we look for when we sign players now.
I suppose we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one.
I compared him to Heskey because of their physical similarities and because they both made their debuts at an early age. They are both employed to do the same job- to score goals, hold the ball up and bring others into play. By the age of 19, Heskey was a regular in the Leicester first team when they were in the Premier League. He wasn’t prolific, but I think he scored 10 league goals that season. He did make more of an impression than Victor. The calibre of his goals for one thing were excellent. He has always showed more variety in his play than Anichebe who looks very one dimensional to me.
I accept that some of our players have limitations. Of course I do because I’m a realist, but I still wish they were all better than they are. Why wouldn’t any fan?
I disagree that all the attributes he lacks can be worked on at the training ground and with games. He will never possess great skill or a deft touch. They may improve slightly with practice, but a lot is down to natural ability. I don’t dislike him all that much as a player, but he shows no signs of having the potential to reach the kind of level that we look for when we sign players now.
I suppose we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one.
Rooney was awesome in many games for Everton but didn't score many goals for us much like Vic but people seem to forget even Rooney was terrible in some games much the same as Vic.
I remember watching Rooney against Man City and getting hauled off at half time coz he was so bad and Moyes siad it was for tactical reasons. He gave the ball away virtually every time he got the ball. Victor was much better against City the other week than Rooney was that day but City have been much more impressive at the back this season.
The point I am making is Victor like all young players will be poor and inconsistant and have dips in form and confidence but he has also shown some moments of real class which shows glimses of what is to come, the standards he will be capabal of more consistantly in the future.
Another point worth taking into account - I went the Villa game I think it was last season at home when Beattie never won a header all game, Victor came on and won every header thereafter and caused all kinds of problems and showed Beattie how to play the targetman role.
I remember watching Rooney against Man City and getting hauled off at half time coz he was so bad and Moyes siad it was for tactical reasons. He gave the ball away virtually every time he got the ball. Victor was much better against City the other week than Rooney was that day but City have been much more impressive at the back this season.
The point I am making is Victor like all young players will be poor and inconsistant and have dips in form and confidence but he has also shown some moments of real class which shows glimses of what is to come, the standards he will be capabal of more consistantly in the future.
Another point worth taking into account - I went the Villa game I think it was last season at home when Beattie never won a header all game, Victor came on and won every header thereafter and caused all kinds of problems and showed Beattie how to play the targetman role.
I think, although a nicely written article, you are a tad premature in your expectations. don?t forget, Vaughan missed nearly four months with the dislocated shoulder at the start of the season, and anyone who saw his early comeback performances knew he was far from match fit. As for big Vic, can?t say I?ve heard anyone call him the ?New Drogba? perhaps that?s a tag you?ve added yourself to add weight to the article. Moyes has oft been quoted that big Vic has come on leaps and bounds in the last 18 months, although no-one can say at the moment if he is better starting or coming off the bench. They both, however, will improve with experience and a little patience, a commodity that seems to be in short supply these days!
Jeeeez, your a picky lot? Any other team you know without Zillions to spend who have young, hungry striking talent like us?
19 or 20 are they and they are not like that diving, self important shiester twat Drogba!
Get Real will ya. Call yerself an Evertonian?
Beattie. Jesus, there?s a name I?d like to forget...
I’d say its a fair article , I too am not overly impressed by Vic , especially when he starts a game , against Spurs he couldn’t trap a bag of cement , maybe it is his lack of experience or his youth but these are qualities that you expect any young player to have . He can be quite a handful when coming off the bench and have a few tired centre halfs a bit wary .
As far as vaughany is concerned , I think he will become a quality player , he has been hindered by his injuries but i don’t agree with one post saying he’s not quick , he is very fast , as a junior schoolboy sprinter he was rated one of the top half dozen in Britain so he can’t be that slow ! He could never be classed as lazy and he does know where the net is . Ok he may never be a Berbatov but he’ll put more effort into a game and will score his fair share of goals . Of the two , vaughany is more likely to be a regular premiership player. , In my humble !
As far as vaughany is concerned , I think he will become a quality player , he has been hindered by his injuries but i don’t agree with one post saying he’s not quick , he is very fast , as a junior schoolboy sprinter he was rated one of the top half dozen in Britain so he can’t be that slow ! He could never be classed as lazy and he does know where the net is . Ok he may never be a Berbatov but he’ll put more effort into a game and will score his fair share of goals . Of the two , vaughany is more likely to be a regular premiership player. , In my humble !
Light up your Hamlet and ponder, when does potential become unfulfilled potential? that is the question.
Cahill is a midfielder, in a 5 man MF who scores goals.
Vaughan and Yakubu seem to me, the best, again that word, potential, 2 up front pairing.
The reason we play 5 in MF is we don’t have 4 good enough to carry the load, think 5 @ 80% equaling 4 @100%.
It would be a deathwish for Vaughan to play Tim’s role, he is much too keen and Gung Ho for his own good as yet.
So until say, Arteta is the ’ worst ’ player in our Mid field 4 we will continue to fall between the pillar and post of 442 and 41311.
Unless, that is we go to 3 at the back, 2 wingback/midfielders, 1 holder, 2 in the middle and 2 upfront.
The game is won and lost in the midfield, always was, always is.
Aye, and there’s the rub.
Lead on Mc Moyes.
Cahill is a midfielder, in a 5 man MF who scores goals.
Vaughan and Yakubu seem to me, the best, again that word, potential, 2 up front pairing.
The reason we play 5 in MF is we don’t have 4 good enough to carry the load, think 5 @ 80% equaling 4 @100%.
It would be a deathwish for Vaughan to play Tim’s role, he is much too keen and Gung Ho for his own good as yet.
So until say, Arteta is the ’ worst ’ player in our Mid field 4 we will continue to fall between the pillar and post of 442 and 41311.
Unless, that is we go to 3 at the back, 2 wingback/midfielders, 1 holder, 2 in the middle and 2 upfront.
The game is won and lost in the midfield, always was, always is.
Aye, and there’s the rub.
Lead on Mc Moyes.
A good article and in line with my (much shorter) comments last week.
I am not giving up on either of them yet and hope that they do develop into strong regular performers.
However, what are EFC doing to develop them further? The coaches will have to earn their corn to further develop the talent that we have appreciated so far. We have a specialist goalkeeping coach, for effectively a coach for just 2 senior players, why don?t we have a specialist striking coach? Go and get someone like Bob Latchford or dare I say it Ian Rush to help them.
I am not giving up on either of them yet and hope that they do develop into strong regular performers.
However, what are EFC doing to develop them further? The coaches will have to earn their corn to further develop the talent that we have appreciated so far. We have a specialist goalkeeping coach, for effectively a coach for just 2 senior players, why don?t we have a specialist striking coach? Go and get someone like Bob Latchford or dare I say it Ian Rush to help them.
To compare Vic with Drogba is unfair.
Drogba is 11 years older and in his 4th season as a premiership player surrounded by his enormously expensive Chelsea team mates.
Prior to Chelsea he had years of experience with other top Euro clubs.
Drogba is 11 years older and in his 4th season as a premiership player surrounded by his enormously expensive Chelsea team mates.
Prior to Chelsea he had years of experience with other top Euro clubs.
Vic’s touch is bad, really bad. But he’s bagged a few good goals. He can’t make the ball stick, it just bounces off him, but put the ball at his feet, facing the goal, one-on-one with a defender and he’s dangerous.
I dunno if he’s got what it takes, I think he’s improved over the last 18 months, but maybe not quickly enough to be overly optimistic.
To me, Vaughan appears to be the more gifted player of the 2, but his (already) extensive list of injuries is cause for concern. I think to have 4 strikers of the calibre we have and Cahill as a ’support striker’ is no bad thing, but we are reliant on one of AJ and the Yak staying fit and available to play.
I honestly think Anichebe will end up playing in the Championship, but I hold out more hope for Vaughan.
Tho, interestingly, Drogba didn’t really become a top class player until about 24/25 years old..... so who knows?!
I dunno if he’s got what it takes, I think he’s improved over the last 18 months, but maybe not quickly enough to be overly optimistic.
To me, Vaughan appears to be the more gifted player of the 2, but his (already) extensive list of injuries is cause for concern. I think to have 4 strikers of the calibre we have and Cahill as a ’support striker’ is no bad thing, but we are reliant on one of AJ and the Yak staying fit and available to play.
I honestly think Anichebe will end up playing in the Championship, but I hold out more hope for Vaughan.
Tho, interestingly, Drogba didn’t really become a top class player until about 24/25 years old..... so who knows?!
Just what Victor needs, a good slagging off. I’m sure it will benfit his development...
"But how long will he have to wait??? Yak is only 25!"
25 my arse lad, I’m going to his secret 40th next week!
25 my arse lad, I’m going to his secret 40th next week!
Lot of sense written above but they are still developing and, Vaughan especially, lack the game time and service for us to properly rate them.
However, from what I’ve seen, Vaughan could be pure gold. His pace is electric, he is very physical in the right way, tenacity in unparalelled, plus vision and a clinical finish too.
If Vaughan stays injury free, I’d go so far as to say he CAN go on the be a number 9 to equal or better all but Dixie Dean! (Don’t wanna talk the lad up though...whoops)
However, from what I’ve seen, Vaughan could be pure gold. His pace is electric, he is very physical in the right way, tenacity in unparalelled, plus vision and a clinical finish too.
If Vaughan stays injury free, I’d go so far as to say he CAN go on the be a number 9 to equal or better all but Dixie Dean! (Don’t wanna talk the lad up though...whoops)
Good article Jon. I really want to see Vic do well and I do think he succeed. Footballers are supposedly in their prime at 27 or something so he has plenty of time. The question is will he develop quickly enough to keep him at Everton - and keep him in contention.
Can everyone who is moaning about a reasonable and well-thought-out article (and fixating on the Drogba comment as well) give it a rest? You just add fuel to Michael?s "nobody can take criticism" fire.
Can everyone who is moaning about a reasonable and well-thought-out article (and fixating on the Drogba comment as well) give it a rest? You just add fuel to Michael?s "nobody can take criticism" fire.
Good article Jon, I’d have to agree with Ian mostly with the exception of that daft comparison with the Fattest one as there’s a huge gulf in class that will never be filled in. Admittedly Vaughan is a much better prospect but Ian Wright, Henry and many other stars took a long time to get up a level so I won’t be losing hope for a while because If he can be anywhere near those two I’ll be pretty damn happy and relieved at us not being labelled with another Chadwick, Jeffers, Cadarmarteri etc.
Michael Thompson, Im with you.
Big Vic, if you are reading this, I think you are doing great, keep it up lad.
Big Vic, if you are reading this, I think you are doing great, keep it up lad.
Vaughan appears to be a more complete striker than Vic but due to his injury Vic got the nod and now needs to be displaced. If anything Vaughan appears far more hungry but I’d lose neither even consider giving Vic a run out on loan to get matches under his belt in the championship where I am certain he would develop a first and second touch.
I think Vaughan’s injuries have hampered him this season and maybe long term the best bet is to nurse him through to May, pack him off on his holidays and unleash him next term.
His performances at the back end of last season along with the goal he scored againt Brum and his involvement in the non goal on Saturday show to me that he has more premiership quality than his mate.
His performances at the back end of last season along with the goal he scored againt Brum and his involvement in the non goal on Saturday show to me that he has more premiership quality than his mate.
Jon, Heskey played week in week out for a team that had just been promoted from the Championship to the Premiership. He’s likely to have had more of an impression than Victor as he played alot more games and he played consistently. Anichebe’s situation is different. He comes in every once and a while and people expect him to put in a good performance. Its not always that easy. Players need continuity and they need to be as sharp as the players around them. Both Anichebe and Vaughan are bound to look rusty and unfit when they start a match. The same thing is happening to both Johnson and Fernandes at present. There not showing there true potential because they haven’t played enough to get into the swing of things. Once they play more games, get there touch back and get fitter they’ll be fine and will play to a higher level.
So comparing a young Heskey to a young Anichebe is unfair. But if you compare Anichebe first 17 games to Heskey’s first 17 games then Anichebe has a better goal ratio.
"He has always showed more variety in his play than Anichebe who looks very one dimensional to me."
I’d disagree with that. Heskey had a tendency to get bullied despite having great physical attributes. Anichebe can be matched physically obviously as the Man city game shown but he always always gives it a go and try’s to use what he has. In terms of goals then Victor has shown a good variety. three poachers goals against Newcastle and Wigan, three excellent runs against Larissa AE, Nuremberg and Luton, and three good finishes against Fulham and West Brom.
"I disagree that all the attributes he lacks can be worked on at the training ground and with games. He will never possess great skill or a deft touch."
Of course they can be worked on. Playing week in week out for a start will improve his all round play instead of coming in every once and a while rusty. Thats why I think we agree that a Loan deal would be great for him. Obviously he’s never going to be a Berbatov with a superb touch and excellent skill but not many strikers are. There are many strikers like Johnson for one who don’t have a good touch yet are very much capable premiership players.
Victor isn’t the finished product so its to early to judge but in terms of potential attributes then he has a lot going for him. He’s got brute strength, he’s decent aerially, he looks a good finisher and he does have pace. A loan move to the Championship would polish up his raw attributes and hopefully he gets one.
So comparing a young Heskey to a young Anichebe is unfair. But if you compare Anichebe first 17 games to Heskey’s first 17 games then Anichebe has a better goal ratio.
"He has always showed more variety in his play than Anichebe who looks very one dimensional to me."
I’d disagree with that. Heskey had a tendency to get bullied despite having great physical attributes. Anichebe can be matched physically obviously as the Man city game shown but he always always gives it a go and try’s to use what he has. In terms of goals then Victor has shown a good variety. three poachers goals against Newcastle and Wigan, three excellent runs against Larissa AE, Nuremberg and Luton, and three good finishes against Fulham and West Brom.
"I disagree that all the attributes he lacks can be worked on at the training ground and with games. He will never possess great skill or a deft touch."
Of course they can be worked on. Playing week in week out for a start will improve his all round play instead of coming in every once and a while rusty. Thats why I think we agree that a Loan deal would be great for him. Obviously he’s never going to be a Berbatov with a superb touch and excellent skill but not many strikers are. There are many strikers like Johnson for one who don’t have a good touch yet are very much capable premiership players.
Victor isn’t the finished product so its to early to judge but in terms of potential attributes then he has a lot going for him. He’s got brute strength, he’s decent aerially, he looks a good finisher and he does have pace. A loan move to the Championship would polish up his raw attributes and hopefully he gets one.
i think the article was well thought through but disagree whole heartedly that vic is not good enough. i have watched vaughany and vic since they were very young and have seen them give up their childhoods to give everything to efc. how can you call vic lazy and disinterested. i watched the spurs game and unless i was watching a different game i believe that he did a great job when all around him especially aj were not performing. the two of them need our support and if everyone keeps telling him hes rubbish then he will lose confidence and we will all be to blame.
Its very easy to get excited when young players break through and perhaps get a bit carried away. I still think he has potential and will try to hold my judgment unil he is arond the age of 21. I did think he would have a bigger impact this season. However he is only 19 and I think to try a compare him as being the next Drogba isn’t fair on the lad. I suppose only time will tell.
No one sensible would claim Vic is disinterested, lazy or useless. But for what we aspire to at the moment, I doubt that he is good enough to start. As a fit, motivated, fiercely strong young striker, he has proved several times (Chelsea last year, Kharkiv and Nuremberg this year) that he can have an impact.
It’s just that I doubt that he’ll be satisfied about being a bit-part player, and it isn’t fair to him either. Hence, I think the best thing to do would be to sell him come summer, he’d cut it at a lot of clubs, and I think we’d get decent money for him as well.
Nothing personal, but the club must come first.
It’s just that I doubt that he’ll be satisfied about being a bit-part player, and it isn’t fair to him either. Hence, I think the best thing to do would be to sell him come summer, he’d cut it at a lot of clubs, and I think we’d get decent money for him as well.
Nothing personal, but the club must come first.
Vic is only 19 and is perhaps our best player for winning the ball in the air. He will have a role in the team in the same way crouch hesky and drogba have in their teams to win headers against the majority of prem defenders.
I remember Alan Hansen slagging off Drogba every week for his poor 1st touch in his 1st season at chelsea, i think ur touch can be improved with match practice confidence and most imprtantly time. I think this debate should be saved for another 2 years.
I remember Alan Hansen slagging off Drogba every week for his poor 1st touch in his 1st season at chelsea, i think ur touch can be improved with match practice confidence and most imprtantly time. I think this debate should be saved for another 2 years.
I’m another who found the original article insightful and thought-provoking and regards to Jon for throwing it into the ring.
I think that there is an element that is being missed to some extent. Look at how Grant read us for the Carling semi final match. He knew how we played and his players, defenders especially, knew exactly what we were going to try minutes before we did it. It was painful watching the ball going down the right channel time-after-time for Neville to lob into the box hoping someone would be there to connect. We, seemingly, had no ability to mix the play and disrupt that prescient Chelsea defence.
We need to develop precisely this ability to step-change our style of play and wrong foot opponents who think they have us nailed down. Anichebe has the potential to offer that if he can be encouraged to develop some of his attributes over others. He has aerial presence, possibly more than Yak, and we need that....so lets work on it. He doesnt have AJ’s close control, but, he can turn and can hold the ball up. The good news is that he CAN be taught the positional awareness and movement that he really needs to make his game more complete.
In short then whilst he does appear to be in Vaughnies shadow in terms of outright ’natural’ skill having a player that can offer a ’different’ set of skills available isnt necessarily a bad thing. I’m very much in the school of thought that says we need to keep hold of Vic and see what we can mould him into.
I think that there is an element that is being missed to some extent. Look at how Grant read us for the Carling semi final match. He knew how we played and his players, defenders especially, knew exactly what we were going to try minutes before we did it. It was painful watching the ball going down the right channel time-after-time for Neville to lob into the box hoping someone would be there to connect. We, seemingly, had no ability to mix the play and disrupt that prescient Chelsea defence.
We need to develop precisely this ability to step-change our style of play and wrong foot opponents who think they have us nailed down. Anichebe has the potential to offer that if he can be encouraged to develop some of his attributes over others. He has aerial presence, possibly more than Yak, and we need that....so lets work on it. He doesnt have AJ’s close control, but, he can turn and can hold the ball up. The good news is that he CAN be taught the positional awareness and movement that he really needs to make his game more complete.
In short then whilst he does appear to be in Vaughnies shadow in terms of outright ’natural’ skill having a player that can offer a ’different’ set of skills available isnt necessarily a bad thing. I’m very much in the school of thought that says we need to keep hold of Vic and see what we can mould him into.
I think a lot of you are totally unfair.When the balls pinged up to you at great speed not even to feet very few players have a good first touch - just look at Aj against Spurs.
Vic should be judged(after a decent run in the side)for his goalscoring and assists.
To get into the top 4 we need to stop this culture that the front runner(S) have to run themselves into the ground.
That is MF’s job.A good striker is sharp and quick in the peno area and I think big Vic is a very useful future EFC centre forward given the chance AND ENCOURAGEMENT something we blues are not good at particularly for gome grown lads.
Vic should be judged(after a decent run in the side)for his goalscoring and assists.
To get into the top 4 we need to stop this culture that the front runner(S) have to run themselves into the ground.
That is MF’s job.A good striker is sharp and quick in the peno area and I think big Vic is a very useful future EFC centre forward given the chance AND ENCOURAGEMENT something we blues are not good at particularly for gome grown lads.
big vic:
bad first touch
low pain threshold (always on the floor)
sulks
poor movement
cant finish
not quick
gets bullied easily
not clever
he reminds me of a young caleb folan (the wigan reserve)
he wont even be playing professional football in 2 years
bad first touch
low pain threshold (always on the floor)
sulks
poor movement
cant finish
not quick
gets bullied easily
not clever
he reminds me of a young caleb folan (the wigan reserve)
he wont even be playing professional football in 2 years
Christopher some of ur points are very harsh and some arnt even true. How many other 19 year olds are playing in the prem and in Europe for a top 4 team? Victor has been crucial in our European qualification campaign this season and Moyes knows what Victor can offer and what he can potentialy offer in the future which is why he has been kept on. In Moyes we trust!
To be honest, the criticism levelled here is a mix of both fairand premature criticism. I think it is fair to say that Victor sometimes gets out foxed, out thought and out manouvered by some of the Premiership’s better defenders but please, lets not jump the gun. The lad is only 19 years old and has developed immesurably fro where he was last year.
I really do think that Vic will continue to develop because he has the one thing that you can’t teach, attitude. He knuckles down, works hard and makes sure that he is watching the more established strikers and learning new tricks.
We’ll see in a year or so’s time if he can really deliver. I think if you get to 21 and can’t regularly score top flight goals, you need to move on.
I really do think that Vic will continue to develop because he has the one thing that you can’t teach, attitude. He knuckles down, works hard and makes sure that he is watching the more established strikers and learning new tricks.
We’ll see in a year or so’s time if he can really deliver. I think if you get to 21 and can’t regularly score top flight goals, you need to move on.
Chris Robinson - Very harsh mate! Which young players at other clubs would you rather have?
There seems to be a general opinion that big vic is not good enough at the moment and i would not disagree though as many have mentioned he is only young and there are not that many 19 year old lads who have scored in the prem and in europe with limited chances. What concerns me is, are we judging the lad on his performance against spurs? I say this because just after the chelsea game alot of us were saying big vic should have played. I think we should send him out on loan, maybe next year, I dont think the lad will ever be world class but he could be pretty damn good.
Jon’s comments reflect my own opinion that Vic is only really good as an impact player. My guess is that he’ll become a lower division player in the fairly near future - unless another Premership club takes a hopeful punt. No disrespect to the lad but he doesn’t have what it takes. Physique and muscle can only take you so far.
The jury’s out on Vaughan. At the moment, he goes charging around the pitch like a rhino on heat. Once he controls his agression (as he will have to if picked for 90 minutes), there may be a very decent forward in there.
But I’ve seen too many young players slip by the wayside to get too excited too early - Jevons, Barlow, Branch, Cadamarteri, Wakenshaw, Jeffers to name a few.
The jury’s out on Vaughan. At the moment, he goes charging around the pitch like a rhino on heat. Once he controls his agression (as he will have to if picked for 90 minutes), there may be a very decent forward in there.
But I’ve seen too many young players slip by the wayside to get too excited too early - Jevons, Barlow, Branch, Cadamarteri, Wakenshaw, Jeffers to name a few.
Composure - nice finish at Metalist away, no snatching there.
The lads 19, give him a break. Won’t be playing football in a couple of years, how wrong you will be.
Yes, an impact player from the bench at the moment but he has great skill now and is not bullied (remember Chelsea at home last season)
Vics da man!
The lads 19, give him a break. Won’t be playing football in a couple of years, how wrong you will be.
Yes, an impact player from the bench at the moment but he has great skill now and is not bullied (remember Chelsea at home last season)
Vics da man!
I think this criticism is premature and you seem to be writing him off which is unfortunate for such a young player. How good was Drogba & Viduka at 19yo? I haven’t got a clue because I had never heard of them at that age.
As for skills and what he can and can’t develop on the training ground, i think you are getting this the wrong way round.
’displays a lack of composure. Admittedly, this is something that can be worked on in training’
Actually composure is probably the most difficult attribute to develop. Banging them in in training is vastly different to bearing down 1 on 1 in a derby. You can’t practice nerve!!
’ I disagree that all the attributes he lacks can be worked on at the training ground and with games. He will never possess great skill or a deft touch. They may improve slightly with practice, but a lot is down to natural ability.’
I believe with hard work someone of his ability can improve.
I don’t think fans expectations of Vic have risen, more likely those fans have lost patience. Does he deserve being singled out? He is a young developing player, with lots to learn, who presently enjoys a place in our squad.
No more no less.
As for skills and what he can and can’t develop on the training ground, i think you are getting this the wrong way round.
’displays a lack of composure. Admittedly, this is something that can be worked on in training’
Actually composure is probably the most difficult attribute to develop. Banging them in in training is vastly different to bearing down 1 on 1 in a derby. You can’t practice nerve!!
’ I disagree that all the attributes he lacks can be worked on at the training ground and with games. He will never possess great skill or a deft touch. They may improve slightly with practice, but a lot is down to natural ability.’
I believe with hard work someone of his ability can improve.
I don’t think fans expectations of Vic have risen, more likely those fans have lost patience. Does he deserve being singled out? He is a young developing player, with lots to learn, who presently enjoys a place in our squad.
No more no less.
I do not agree with any points in the long written "yawn" article by COLUMNIST JON LIVESEY. My first observations of Victor Anichebe came last season & although raw he has talent one thing his is strength when back to goal. He has also never had a clear run in the blues frontline when DM persisted playing Beattie even when Victor was dropped for him after scoring a brace at home to Newcastle! He is deffo one for the future & to write an article of this substance is premature to say the least. I remember a certain Joe Royle first seasons & some fans were saying the same as this article! It is far to harsh as he has not had a regular run in a strong line up Everton side, & I hate write ups like this as we should be encouraging our younger players. I feel Vic will make the grade, he has pertnered Vaughny upfront in the reserves & both have played well & scored goals perhaps DM should risk them upfront together sometime! He did in Europe for a period when Victors delicate chipped pass to Vaughny gave us our win in Russia. Take you rose tinted glasses off & put proper ones on as you are seing sod all your article is nonsense IMO !!!!!!
"...the ?new Drogba? tag that has been attached to (Victor) by some quarters of the media..."
Simple question for you Jon - can you prove that statement? Or have you made it up just to add weight to your argument?
Jon, you are perfectly entitled to your opinion but please stick to the facts (as you see them.)
For what it’s worth the only opinion that really matters (to me at any rate) is the manager’s who works with the players day-in-day-out. And at a guess it probably goes something along the lines of "young lad doing okay could do a lot better." Simple really.
Simple question for you Jon - can you prove that statement? Or have you made it up just to add weight to your argument?
Jon, you are perfectly entitled to your opinion but please stick to the facts (as you see them.)
For what it’s worth the only opinion that really matters (to me at any rate) is the manager’s who works with the players day-in-day-out. And at a guess it probably goes something along the lines of "young lad doing okay could do a lot better." Simple really.
"...the ?new Drogba? tag that has been attached to (Victor) by some quarters of the media..."
Simple question for you Jon - can you prove that statement? Or have you made it up just to add weight to your argument?
Jon, you are perfectly entitled to your opinion but please stick to the facts (as you see them.)
For what it’s worth the only opinion that really matters (to me at any rate) is the manager’s who works with the players day-in-day-out. And at a guess it probably goes something along the lines of "young lad doing okay could do a lot better." Simple really.
Simple question for you Jon - can you prove that statement? Or have you made it up just to add weight to your argument?
Jon, you are perfectly entitled to your opinion but please stick to the facts (as you see them.)
For what it’s worth the only opinion that really matters (to me at any rate) is the manager’s who works with the players day-in-day-out. And at a guess it probably goes something along the lines of "young lad doing okay could do a lot better." Simple really.
People seem to forget that Drogba was a total bag of shite in his first couple of seasons for Chelsea and was a nobody until Marseille had a good run in Europe the year before Chelsea pounced (and at a time when the mere mention of Chelsea at least tripled a players value)! I agree Vic is off form and needs to improve but lets not write a 19 year old off just yet!
After reading a few of these comments, I’m amazed that we don’t have a specialist striking coach. Of course he isnt going to develop as quickly if he isn’t constantly taught. I play amatuer football, with amatuer coaches, and we still have a defensive coach and a striker coach.
I’m an Aussie, and I wouldnt sign Viduka. Yes he was a great goal scorer, but would be on a huge wage, and has maybe two years in him. He isnt even a regular starter at NUFC. Young Vic has a lot of potential (we all said it last year - and you can’t lose potential) he just needs guidance. Get in any ex-decent striker to help them out, Cottee, Liniker, Beardsly, Rush, god help me, maybe even Shearer.
I think both Vic and Vaughen are quality unmatched in the league for their experience and age, and we should consider ourselves lucky to have them (we could be relying on Alan Smith instead).
I’m an Aussie, and I wouldnt sign Viduka. Yes he was a great goal scorer, but would be on a huge wage, and has maybe two years in him. He isnt even a regular starter at NUFC. Young Vic has a lot of potential (we all said it last year - and you can’t lose potential) he just needs guidance. Get in any ex-decent striker to help them out, Cottee, Liniker, Beardsly, Rush, god help me, maybe even Shearer.
I think both Vic and Vaughen are quality unmatched in the league for their experience and age, and we should consider ourselves lucky to have them (we could be relying on Alan Smith instead).
Tony Williams,
his name is ANICHEBE, I’m sure ’the lads’ you go the match with laughed their heads off when you came up with anchovy. Ignorance or idiocy, both probably.
Joey Dela, ta mate, saved me a bit of time with your excellent post.
his name is ANICHEBE, I’m sure ’the lads’ you go the match with laughed their heads off when you came up with anchovy. Ignorance or idiocy, both probably.
Joey Dela, ta mate, saved me a bit of time with your excellent post.
Miserabilist sniding dressed up as thoughtful criticism.
One average game against a rapidly improving side and he should be lining up for Scunthorpe next summer.
Yes, a lot to learn but if he matches the improvement he’s made over the last year repeatedly, then there’s no reason he can’t become a fine PL player for us....At the club he’s unique in his style and gives us an option........
As for ’Anchovy’....you absolute beaut
...............
One average game against a rapidly improving side and he should be lining up for Scunthorpe next summer.
Yes, a lot to learn but if he matches the improvement he’s made over the last year repeatedly, then there’s no reason he can’t become a fine PL player for us....At the club he’s unique in his style and gives us an option........
As for ’Anchovy’....you absolute beaut
...............
Maybe a correct assessment for 18 months time but not for now. Hope you are totally wrong
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1 Posted 03/02/2008 at 21:21:19
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Now, judging by recent threads of this ilk, stand back and await the bilious vitriole from the usual quarters who can?t stand any kind of critical consideration of our assets...