The Mail Bag
Joey Yobo ? A Tribute
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With Jagielka's superb season, Lescott's England call-ups and well deserved praise being heaped on Everton's defensive qualities, Joseph Yobo has had to take somewhat of a back seat of late. I, like most would put both Jags & Joleon as first choice centre backs, but now seems as good a time as any to honour just how good a servant Yobo has been for the blues.
One of Moyes's first buys (possibly his first? stat-heads will confirm this or otherwise), Yobo has been outstanding for us over his long spell at Everton. We all know he can be a little erratic at times and is prone to the odd error or two, but what a good signing he's been for us. He's not a badge kisser, he doesn't spout on about his love for the club and yet he's spent the best part of his career at Everton and has recently put pen to paper on a new deal, even though he has been warming the bench for large parts of last season and you never hear him complain. Players like Yobo are few and far between nowadays.
We've been spoiled with Jags and Joleon. Those two could make most defenders look ordinary in comparison, but Yobo has been and is still a quality centre back. I for one am glad he's sticking around and, with the possibility of Lescott moving on and with Jagielka out for the fist part of the season, Yobo is more than likely going to play a vital role in 2009-10. So here's to Yobo!
Ian Ankers, Posted 27/06/2009 at 12:26:35
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The only main faults with him are (a) he doesn?t communcate enough for my liking ? if he?s the Nigeria international team?s captain, he should be more of a calming and commanding presence, yet he seems too quiet, which can get him into some tricky situations; and (b) he is often a culprit for hoofball, when he could have more confidence in his own ability to pass it out of defence.
However, despite this, he is still easily the best non-first team player in the squad, and in some situations he is even better than the Lescott and Jagielka partnership, such as against big, strong strikers such as Kenwyne Jones, who if memory serves was completely marked out of last season?s win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light by Yobo.
And considering this season he’s had spells on the bench but has been happy to bide his time, speaks volumes about his character but also his wanting to remain at a club like ours. If he were to stay here for the duration of his career I would not be surprised at all.
Alex quite rightly says "Yobo would walk into most Premeir League clubs" and that goes for the best in Europe too. And he has signed up for us for what may well be the top years of his playing career. We can all think of examples of players who have established themselves as PL players at Goodison and have ratted out. Joe is a cut above.
I don?t know how his mind works, but having Joleon and the Jag as clubmates doesn?t seem to be a problem for him ? which sounds very good to me. His family went through a very bad time in Nigeria, I believe, and as I recall the club was supportive. These things count ? if you are dealing with a good man like Joseph Yobo as opposed to the many mercenaries who prowl the world of football these days.
Already a very good, blue, he may yet become a great. More like him will do us no harm at all.
Saludos Joe!
Yes, I agree Yobo is a class act. He plays a lot of pointless longs balls at times and makes some bad mistakes but nobody is perfect and 95% of the time he is superb. Arsenal have wanted him for years, so that says it all.
"We all know Joey can be frustrating with a guaranteed heart-in-mouth moment every two games."
To be honest I think this is little bit of a myth. As he was settling into English football he had a few dodgy moments/back-passes, however in the last three seasons he has been solid. He obviously makes the occasional error of judgment, but which players don’t?
And has anybody noticed when he does a long-ball / clearance they are surprisingly accurate? I notice James Vaughan is excellent at heading/controlling long balls, I think if both Yobo and Vaughan stay fit we could get half a dozen super direct goals next season.
My own epithet for him has always been The Quiet Man, not in any sense of deprecation, but because he?s one of those footballers who goes about his business without feeling the need to big himself up. He knows what he does, his team-mates know what he does, Moyes knows what he does; if the fans recognise what he does, that seems to be a bonus to him.
I believe you?re right about him being Moyes? first permanent signing, and seven years on I think his continued presence ? with the addition of Jags and Lescott ? speaks volumes. Here?s to him staying long enough for a testimonial.
To lose Jags for the cup final was a huge blow for us. One silver lining in that was that it allowed Yobo to play in the final. An appearance which is well deserved for his service he has given to the club.
Just another point, it was Walter Smith who brought Yobo to the club (on loan initially with a 4 year option). Moyes first signing was Richard Wright.
Moyes brought Yobo in on loan for 12 months at a cost of 1 million as a signing on fee in July 2002. An additional 4 million was paid a year later when the player made the move permanent.
Just don’t want Walter Smith getting the credit for one of Moyesy’s best signings!
In 2007 Joseph Yobo set up the Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation, to help under-privileged children in Nigeria. As of 18 July 2007 he has handed out over 300 scholarship awards ranging from primary to university level. Yobo has started a football academy in the Ogoni region of Nigeria. He also runs football camps in Lagos., in conjunction with Everton Lagos F.C.
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And checking the stats for last season, from a total of 48 games Everton played, Yobo started 30 (subbed off in 1), came on as a sub in 3, was an unused sub in 6, and was out injured for the remaining 9. He scored only 1 goal but picked up only 1 yellow card; no assists.