VIEW FROM THE BLUE
Best Foot Forward
Comments (19) : David Moyes is nothing if not proud so his response to Yakubu's late return from the Africa Cup of Nations this past week — whether it was down to visiting his sick mother or honouring an invitation from Nigeria's president — was predictable and commendable. He has painstakingly assembled a squad founded on team spirit and mutual respect so it was only right for him to make an example of a player who seemingly defied the manager's wishes — not to mention an agreement made before he left for Ghana — by failing to report for midweek training on time.
That should be the end of it, though. Point made. Punishment meted out and suspension served. After yesterday's game with Reading, Moyes told inquisitive reporters that he hasn't yet decided whether or not Yakubu will be included in the squad that travels to Bergen this week but Evertonians concerned by the distinct lack of bite in attack in the Nigerian's absence will be hoping that he will be.
Setting aside the "goal" that Andy Johnson should have been awarded at Blackburn, Everton have scored just once in the last four matches in all competitions — to be honest, for an hour of that worryingly poor win over Reading, it looked as though the goal drought that stretched back to the middle of the Wigan game was going to continue. It's debatable whether Yakubu or Steven Pienaar has been missed more but there is no doubt who currently tops the scoring chart this season at Goodison and at this stage of the season, you need to have your best players playing.
That means putting the Yak's transgression in the past and getting on with the business of progressing to the last 16 of the Uefa Cup. Having exited the FA Cup in embarrassing fashion to Oldham and then been denied a Wembley date because they couldn't break through Chelsea's stubborn back line, the Blues have already seen their interest in two cup competitions ended by not being willing (in the former instance) or able (in the latter) to field their first-choice line-up.
Furthermore, Everton are not playing well at the moment and that means that when chances come, they have to be converted. I've been a staunch defender of Johnson, believing that he comes in for an enormous amount of stick despite feeding on precious little service in front of goal, but he undermined his own case with a bad miss yesterday. Of course, he didn't become a worse player in the space of 7 days because he failed to convert a virtual carbon copy of the one he did that was chalked off at Ewood Park but Yakubu's record this season speaks for itself and if he's fit he should be first choice.
There's also the added concern that by omitting Yakubu again at a time when Victor Anichebe is injured Moyes will be leaving himself short of important striking options at a time when he needs every available weapon in his arsenal.
It's possible that Pienaar will be fit enough to play against SK Brann this Wednesday and that will restore one of the most consistent forces in the Blues' midfield this season to the starting line-up. It will also allow Moyes to field the XI that formed the bedrock of that impressive 13-match unbeaten run after the Clattenburg derby, with the added option of Manuel Fernandes who is still settling back into life in the Premier League.
For many, getting that successful nucleus back can't come soon enough which is why the hope is that Moyes will have climbed off his high horse by the time it comes to selecting who gets on that plane for Norway and that Yakubu is among that number. The season to date has been great but it'll count for nought if we don't press home our position of strength in the two competitions in which we're still fighting.
Reader Comments
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The worst case scenario, I suppose, with playing him, is the possibility of dressing-room unrest. Maybe the players would be divided over whether the punishment was harsh enough. Perhaps this would affect their focus and possibly result in poor performances.
But that’s unlikely. I have a hard time imagining that there would be fractious debate over what is, really, a tempest in a teapot.
The worst case scenario with not playing him is, after yesterday,too terrible to contemplate.
Actually, on second thought, it would be perverse to leave Yakubu out even if Anichebe was fit.
We gotta score some goals.
The next few games will have a huge bearing on the sort of season we are going to have. I am still really angry with the Yaks conduct, especially when we hear DM feared this could happen and sought promises from the Yak even before he left for Africa, however, the Yak has shown he can be a match winner and lets face it, if he nets the winner we’ll all be happy to forgive n forget.
Tough, tough call for DM to make
I like Moyes’s stance here though. As Kevin points out, the media always probes for the inside scoop, but Moyes always leaves them hanging. This way everyone’s still guessing, even the Yak.
I would be very surprised if the Yak doesn’t make the team. We need him and Peanut back so that we can put the tie to bed in the first leg!
COYB!!
Big Dunc was superb and Moyes couldn’t of managed him any worse. Good strong management ? Bollux...
I would imagine thats the end of it now to be honest.
With Vaughan and AJ looking sure to fire in goals when given a start together then Yak should be on the bench for the next game. The dearth of minutes Vaughan has had on the pitch, plus Pienaar’s absence, is the real cause of our recent dip in goals.
I think DM got it spot on but will select Yak for Brann - he’s had his punishment and there is no real mileag in punishing the club, the playes, the fans by leaving him out.
Re Duncan F - not a hero, more a villain; I could list a whole load of instances where he let the club down (yes he did some vital things for us but not enough), but that is possibly another subject on its own.
Yeah, that wasn’t perhaps the right phrase to use as that wasn’t what I meant. I think he handled the interview very well, as usual it has to be said.
I guess what I meant was that I hope his view of Yakubu’s actions have softened sufficiently for him to be able to see past them for the good of our prospects in the next couple of games.
Life can be cheap in Africa and the opportunity to visit friends & family more valuable in consequence.
Think how we would feel if it were the other way round. You?re playing striker for Lagos United and are dropping in to poor old Britain for the Euro Nations Cup, held every two years to the condemnation of the African Premiership big bosses. You go out of the ENC unexpectedly and you think you have a chance to visit the folks back home. Your Dad’s not too well, after all. OK you?re on a billion rand a day, the contract says you can’t, and the supporters don?t care about your family. But still . . . you might!
If Moyesy is wise he will have a sharp word, remind him how to use his mobile, tell him he?s not ready for tomorrow and that he owes us one. And see a massive difference between the man Yak who would do this and - oh well, for example the man (?) Barton who so many wanted us to sign, who would shame his club, city and country at every opportunity.
Some excellent points and pretty balanced opinion on this issue means I don?t have much to add. I will say, however, that the Yak?s inclusion against Brann should be influenced in large part by his attitude during training this week (could be part of what Moyes had in mind when saying he remains undecided).
If it was as blatant a disregard (with prior, specific warning as some have alluded) for Moyes instructions, then surely we must trust Moyes to make the right call here. If he feels the Yak is genuinely repentant then surely he will pick him. If not, then we should accept that Moyes wasn?t satisfied with a mere 1 game ban and trust him to make that call.
Worst case scenario is of course if we lose to Brann and the Yak was left out of the squad. Then the Moyes-bashers will no doubt be out in force yet again. Our attack has looked decidedly toothless of late but I think we are going to be seeing more and more of the young Mr Vaughan in the next few weeks. I would personally love to see us go 4-4-2 with Vaughan and the Yak spearheading our attack, but I just can?t see Moyes doing that ... not from the start of games anyway.
When you write, ?That should be the end of it, though. Point made. Punishment meted out and suspension served.? I personally don?t agree with this. There is only Moyes who can decide whether the punishment meted out has been sufficient.
Obviously we will be stronger as a team if the Yak plays, but surely this has got to be secondary to how badly Moyes and the rest of the squad feel let down. Also Moyes has to think about the effect on future discipline at the club.
That?s why, in this case, I don?t think any of us are in a position to decide whether there should be further punishment ? I will support Moyes whatever he decides on this issue and I don?t think the Yak should be treated less severely than anybody else would, even if we are desperate for his presence.
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1 Posted 10/02/2008 at 08:21:25
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Consider the alternative responses and the messages they’d give out:
1. "Yes, he’s in the squad and will be playing" - Everton are desperate and Moyes is a soft touch
2. "No, he’ll not be playing he’s still serving his time" - Everton will be understrength and the manager is a disciplinarian.
3. "I don’t know" - Moyes is indecisive.
Saying that he’s not decided yet keeps the media at bay and the opponents guessing.
I’m sure Yakubu will play at some stage during the game. I’m glad we’ve a player of his tried and tested goalscoring ability - Moyes must field the best team available on the day and if that means playing Yakubu, then so be it.