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No headless chicken
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Having watched Match of the Day tonight, I regret even more the sale of Andy Johnson. At the time of his sale, I posted the comment that he was the only real pace we had. Some supporters commented that he ran around like a headless chicken.
Sometimes, that looked the case but I believe that was entirely due to the tactics we played... and still play. A back-pass to Howard, an aimles punt up the field, and the hapless Johnston chasing the ball to the touchline. 4-5-1 only suits when Cahill is fit and playing well. In Cahill's absence, AJ had a thankless task which he stuck to admirably.
I accept that money had to be raised and we have bought Fellaini who I think will prove to be an excellent signing. I feel, however, that a proper summer strategy would have allowed us to keep AJ. Money was raised by the sale of James McFadden and surely we could have developed the side without selling a player with undoubted pace and commitment.
AJ was judged at a time when he was not fully fit and I am pleased that this player who give his all for Everton is showing that, in a team who play to his strengths, he is no headless chicken.
Andy Crooks, Posted 16/11/2008 at 00:29:50
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So all you need is to watch MOTD to convince you it was a mistake to sell AJ? I?ll use the three years he was here to form my opinion that he simply wasn?t good enough. Don?t get me wrong, I like his work ethic etc but alas, simply not good enough.
Andy is right though, we badly need pace up front.
AJ did, at least, bring that.
AJ did, at least, bring that.
AJ tried his guts out, but our 4-5-1 system just didn’t suit him. He is not a top drawer finisher, doesn’t have the size or height to match it with central defenders in a physical challenge and certainly not in the air, and in that system ended up being a Marcus Bent chaser of lost causes with a bit more speed, but less physicality.
Even though Davies doesn?t fit the bill, we are crying out for a class out and out winger who can provide crosses, has pace and likes to beat a man.
The added bonus is Arteta could move into the middle.
The added bonus is Arteta could move into the middle.
Baines out wide if we have no money and young speedy Daniel Sturridge from Man City could be a good option.
I agree that our style of play would not suit Johnson and of course he lost confidence which affected his play.He is not big enough to be a target man and lets face it..Fulham play the ball on the ground and pass to feet better than we do. Johnson wanted away because he was not enjoying playing for us anymore....!!
I agree that our style of play would not suit Johnson and of course he lost confidence which affected his play.He is not big enough to be a target man and lets face it..Fulham play the ball on the ground and pass to feet better than we do. Johnson wanted away because he was not enjoying playing for us anymore....!!
AJ had the touch of a wall. I remember several occassions last season where the ball was played into his feet around the 18 yard line and his touch would take him another 6 yards backwards.
I thought that we got a very good price for a player that obviously made it clear that he didn’t want to play for us anymore.
You can talk for ages about systems and formations, but at the end of the day the best a manager can do is get the best out of the players. Moyes hasn’t done that with Beattie, AJ and now Yak is heading that way. Perhaps Moyes needs a striker coach to help him out as this is obviously his weak point before we waste £m’s more on another striker.
Roy Hodgson is a very good experienced manager. All that he is telling AJ is to stay in the box and be a poacher. That is how AJ scores goals and wins penalties!
Yak is the same. He is a poacher. On our 3 months of amazing football last year, we had Yak stuck in the penalty box feeding off Arteta, Pienaar, Cahill and Osman. When 1 or 2 or 3 of these weren’t available, we started to struggle as the Yak wasn’t getting the service and Moyes probably telling him to work the channels!
If Moyes is going to play 4-5-1, he is either going to need a Drogba type of striker who does everything brilliantly, a Marcus Bent who can score goals, or he is going to need 4 creative midfielders who get up alongside Yak to give him service and tell him to stay in the penalty area, with at least 2 more creative midfielders on the bench to cover injuries, suspensions, etc.
A couple of wingers would also help to change our style of play. For about a total of £10m I’d like to see Kightly from Wolves and McGeady from Celtic. They would also allow Arteta and Pienaar to play in the middle if needed.
You can talk for ages about systems and formations, but at the end of the day the best a manager can do is get the best out of the players. Moyes hasn’t done that with Beattie, AJ and now Yak is heading that way. Perhaps Moyes needs a striker coach to help him out as this is obviously his weak point before we waste £m’s more on another striker.
Roy Hodgson is a very good experienced manager. All that he is telling AJ is to stay in the box and be a poacher. That is how AJ scores goals and wins penalties!
Yak is the same. He is a poacher. On our 3 months of amazing football last year, we had Yak stuck in the penalty box feeding off Arteta, Pienaar, Cahill and Osman. When 1 or 2 or 3 of these weren’t available, we started to struggle as the Yak wasn’t getting the service and Moyes probably telling him to work the channels!
If Moyes is going to play 4-5-1, he is either going to need a Drogba type of striker who does everything brilliantly, a Marcus Bent who can score goals, or he is going to need 4 creative midfielders who get up alongside Yak to give him service and tell him to stay in the penalty area, with at least 2 more creative midfielders on the bench to cover injuries, suspensions, etc.
A couple of wingers would also help to change our style of play. For about a total of £10m I’d like to see Kightly from Wolves and McGeady from Celtic. They would also allow Arteta and Pienaar to play in the middle if needed.
I think the biggest problem with AJ was that when he came to Everton he realised that defenders defend much deeper, meaning there is no space in behind. Defenders dont need to drop deep against teams like Fulham and Palace because they are going out for the win.
It's a shame we didn?t get more afternoons like that famous derby out of him, but we move on.
It's a shame we didn?t get more afternoons like that famous derby out of him, but we move on.
AJ was good at Everton but he left at the right time for him & for us. We are still moving forward and having a replacement like Saha gives Everton what AJ couldn't get us. If AJ would've stayed on for another year he would've devalued & also would start to become the whipping boy.
Andy, you have never posted a comment that I didn?t agree with. About Andy Johnson, Ian Drury couldn?t have put it better "What a waste".
Either, January or more to the point the summer, we defo need two pacey wingers in the Wright Phillips, Arron Lennon mode. We then need to put Arteta and peanuts in the middle of the park to control things.
This I feel will be the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle I feel we desparately need.
Come on blues, three points today and a good passing game will give us all a lift!
COYB
Either, January or more to the point the summer, we defo need two pacey wingers in the Wright Phillips, Arron Lennon mode. We then need to put Arteta and peanuts in the middle of the park to control things.
This I feel will be the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle I feel we desparately need.
Come on blues, three points today and a good passing game will give us all a lift!
COYB
There was no point in keeping Johnson because we still play the same shite. Back to Howard or Jagielka and then an aimless hoof upfield. Why not get some money back for him and play someone like Vaughan up there who is equally clueless but costs less. Until Moyes goes there is no point.
We never did play our thru-passing game enough to make AJ relevant in our team.
Even if we play 4-5-1, we took AJ’s speed for granted. We instead felt we can kick the ball upfront as we will without any regards to AJ’s feelings.
If only our midfields are a bit more indutrious, we could’ve played our thru passing game. Who knows where it will lead us.
But our midfields and defence didn’t appreciate AJ enough and now we’re regretting big time.
AJ is quite the finisher especially when he doesn’t have to do too much running.
Even if we play 4-5-1, we took AJ’s speed for granted. We instead felt we can kick the ball upfront as we will without any regards to AJ’s feelings.
If only our midfields are a bit more indutrious, we could’ve played our thru passing game. Who knows where it will lead us.
But our midfields and defence didn’t appreciate AJ enough and now we’re regretting big time.
AJ is quite the finisher especially when he doesn’t have to do too much running.
Given the financial position at the club, selling AJ for over ten million and bringing in Saha cheaply was a wise move. So far they have both contributed a similar return for their respective clubs. AJ was approaching the age when his value would begin to plummet and he wasn’t performing at his best for us. No regrets, we needed a central midielder.
AJ never wanted those ?pretty balls to feet? so despised by David Moyes but to have balls played into space a couple of yards ahead of him. That is a tactic totally beyond the teams the Moyestro has turned out over his six-year reign. We just have to accept that being a striker signed by this manager is the kiss of death!
Quite happy we got rid to be honest, such an average player and very limited.
I watched him at Goodison a week or two very closely and he’s so average. All pace, no brain. His movement is shocking for a man who moves so fast. Service was an issue at times but then so was his lack of movement and lack of intelligence. Good players can adapt to a teams way of playing, AJ couldn’t do that.
He had 4 in 10 which is very decent but we’ve replaced him with a better striker in Louis Saha. A player with 3 goals in 6 starts.
For AJ is an average player and we needed to replace him with a better striker. We’ve done that.
I watched him at Goodison a week or two very closely and he’s so average. All pace, no brain. His movement is shocking for a man who moves so fast. Service was an issue at times but then so was his lack of movement and lack of intelligence. Good players can adapt to a teams way of playing, AJ couldn’t do that.
He had 4 in 10 which is very decent but we’ve replaced him with a better striker in Louis Saha. A player with 3 goals in 6 starts.
For AJ is an average player and we needed to replace him with a better striker. We’ve done that.
In other news, and regarding players that still play for us :) On the OS it states that the Yak is fit today, as is Pienaar, but Jacobsen is the ONLY unfit senior player - now I know this is (kind of) old news, but what about AvDM, isn’t he a senior player anymore?
Castillo is in the squad list though which is good news.
Castillo is in the squad list though which is good news.
We have got pace up front, his name’s James Vaughan
Yeah but isn’t James Vaughan a bit of a headless chicken?
Here’s my tuppence worth:
Andy Johnson was a good forward, not a great one.
He worked hard, and was usually a handful for the opposition defence
he scored seventeen league goals over two seasons, a mediocre return.
Everton would have a significantly stronger squad if We’d retained AJ.
£10.5 million was FANTASTIC business, especially considering he was crocked when we sold him.
So I guess the jury’s still out! I always really liked him as a player though.
Andy Johnson was a good forward, not a great one.
He worked hard, and was usually a handful for the opposition defence
he scored seventeen league goals over two seasons, a mediocre return.
Everton would have a significantly stronger squad if We’d retained AJ.
£10.5 million was FANTASTIC business, especially considering he was crocked when we sold him.
So I guess the jury’s still out! I always really liked him as a player though.
We need some pace in are side, maybe a quick winger and some one with a bit of drive in midfield, i wish we could of got that M’Bia fella, ive seen him play a couple of times on setanta now and i saw him the other day and he was brilliant playing just infront of the back four breaking attacks up and not only that but driving on with the ball, he did’nt just pass the ball to a team mate all the time once he won it, he drove on with the ball and took it in to the oppositions half and started plenty of attacks through doing so, he’s quick and powerfull and a real quality player and i hope Moyesy goes back in for him in january or in the summer!
I see the Yak missed another absolute sitter today, no doubt the blinkers were on again and half of the people here will pretend he didn't - just like all the other sitters he?s missed
AJ isn't top drawer, nor is he a natural finisher, but will work very hard and my money would be on him to get more goals than the Yak, even though he?s missed half of the season.
It's ridiculous to call the guy a headless chicken just because he followed orders.
AJ isn't top drawer, nor is he a natural finisher, but will work very hard and my money would be on him to get more goals than the Yak, even though he?s missed half of the season.
It's ridiculous to call the guy a headless chicken just because he followed orders.
Even though he’s missed half the season? He’s only played four less games than Yakubu. Yakubu has 5 in 14 and AJ has 4 in 10. Not a massive difference to be honest Dave.
Just like all the other sitters he’s missed? Sorry for dropping the stats on you again Dave but I just have to. Look at Yakubu goals to game ratio for Everton and then jog on my friend.
Your Yakubu bashing is laughable, I bet you where gutted when he scored weren’t you?
Just like all the other sitters he’s missed? Sorry for dropping the stats on you again Dave but I just have to. Look at Yakubu goals to game ratio for Everton and then jog on my friend.
Your Yakubu bashing is laughable, I bet you where gutted when he scored weren’t you?
Connor
I see your desperately clinging to the European goal to try to make the Yaks "stats" look respectable whilst overlooking the missed penalties ? now that is laugable
Was I just imagining sections of the crowd booing his lack of effort yesterday ?
I jumped out of my seat when Yakubu scored ? I?m an Evertonian and want the best for my team, but despite your blind spot with this guy, even you can't deny he cost us a win... again.
I would be delighted if he proved me wrong and went on a scoring spree, but last week's three goals would suggest to me that we are better off with forwards who will work for the hole game.
If it's a bet you're after, then I?m more than happy to take you up on a straight Yakubu versus your "headless chicken" this season
Oh and I?ll give you that European goal you're so desperate to factor into the Yak's stats.
So you get...
A vastly superior player, playing more games, for a better team
Feeling lucky ?
I see your desperately clinging to the European goal to try to make the Yaks "stats" look respectable whilst overlooking the missed penalties ? now that is laugable
Was I just imagining sections of the crowd booing his lack of effort yesterday ?
I jumped out of my seat when Yakubu scored ? I?m an Evertonian and want the best for my team, but despite your blind spot with this guy, even you can't deny he cost us a win... again.
I would be delighted if he proved me wrong and went on a scoring spree, but last week's three goals would suggest to me that we are better off with forwards who will work for the hole game.
If it's a bet you're after, then I?m more than happy to take you up on a straight Yakubu versus your "headless chicken" this season
Oh and I?ll give you that European goal you're so desperate to factor into the Yak's stats.
So you get...
A vastly superior player, playing more games, for a better team
Feeling lucky ?
Missed penalties are just like missed chances, they have no relevence here. He missed them and that is that. I gave you both players goals to game ratios in all competitions, I count all goals. If Johnson gets a goal in the FA cup I?ll count it. As I said Yakubu has 5 in 14 whereas AJ has 4 in 10. That?s a fact. In the League Yakubu has 4 in 12 which is even closer to AJ?s 4 in 10.
I certainly didn?t here him getting booed and I sit in the street end, you must be imagining that. I remember him getting applauded when he left the pitch.
"but last week?s three goals would suggest to me that we are better off with forwards who will work for the hole game."
Funny comment there to be honest. Saha is also a laid back a somewhat lazy striker just like Yakubu. Do your turn a blind eye to that because you don?t have a grudge against him yet?
In terms of workrate there isn?t much between them at all but I still respect there qualities and appreciate what they bring to the side. It?s a shame you have problems accepting players who are a little different but offer far more. Yakubu gave us more in a season than AJ gave us in two. He?s different class.
I?m not willing to take that bet as I?ve said before anything can happen in football. AJ could have a fantastic season and Yakubu could have a poor one or vise versa. Anything can happen, we?ll just have to wait and see. Unlike you I?m not one for writing players off because I don?t like them.
I don?t see how he cost us the game to be honest. Because he missed quite a hard chance? Having watched it against that was not a sitter, mate. He had to shake of the defender and the keeper was already coming out to block the ball. We had a lot of chances, a lot of easier chances than that one. But like always it?s Yakubu?s fault, lets all blame the Yak for not the being "fit to were the bloo shirt lid."
I certainly didn?t here him getting booed and I sit in the street end, you must be imagining that. I remember him getting applauded when he left the pitch.
"but last week?s three goals would suggest to me that we are better off with forwards who will work for the hole game."
Funny comment there to be honest. Saha is also a laid back a somewhat lazy striker just like Yakubu. Do your turn a blind eye to that because you don?t have a grudge against him yet?
In terms of workrate there isn?t much between them at all but I still respect there qualities and appreciate what they bring to the side. It?s a shame you have problems accepting players who are a little different but offer far more. Yakubu gave us more in a season than AJ gave us in two. He?s different class.
I?m not willing to take that bet as I?ve said before anything can happen in football. AJ could have a fantastic season and Yakubu could have a poor one or vise versa. Anything can happen, we?ll just have to wait and see. Unlike you I?m not one for writing players off because I don?t like them.
I don?t see how he cost us the game to be honest. Because he missed quite a hard chance? Having watched it against that was not a sitter, mate. He had to shake of the defender and the keeper was already coming out to block the ball. We had a lot of chances, a lot of easier chances than that one. But like always it?s Yakubu?s fault, lets all blame the Yak for not the being "fit to were the bloo shirt lid."
No, James Vaughan is not a headless chicken, the boy's class, just needs more game time; either that or he?ll go find it elsewhere. AJ is a class player but we didn't play the way that suited him, Palace and Fulham play the ball on the floor and play through balls for him to run onto ? that's what suits him and he's doing well; I'm pleased for him.
Connor
Strange statement for you to make, I have never held a grudge against an Everton player.
I happen to believe hard work makes a good player even better, at the same time I believe apathy will make a good player worse.
Any Everton player who gives 100% will get total support from me; however, I won't be blinded by a few goals from a player who is capable of so much more. I believe you also know the benefits of hard work, why else would you even think there was a chance an inferior, but more industrious player, will score more?
I haven't checked, but are you sure AJ has played 10 league games?
He missed the start with injury and also got a 3 match ban.
Strange statement for you to make, I have never held a grudge against an Everton player.
I happen to believe hard work makes a good player even better, at the same time I believe apathy will make a good player worse.
Any Everton player who gives 100% will get total support from me; however, I won't be blinded by a few goals from a player who is capable of so much more. I believe you also know the benefits of hard work, why else would you even think there was a chance an inferior, but more industrious player, will score more?
I haven't checked, but are you sure AJ has played 10 league games?
He missed the start with injury and also got a 3 match ban.
AJ wasn?t good enough, simple!!
Option 1 - AJ at the club
Option 2 - LS at the club, plus £10 million in the bank
It?s a no brainer really, isn?t it? Forget the money (which was a fantastic bonus), Saha is better.
Dave Wilson, (you love a good moan, don?t you?!), when was the last time AJ scored 20 or over in a season? I?m not totally sure, but think the Yak has done it virtually every season for about the past 5 seasons; was it only Henry who?s used to score more than him? We signed the Yak late last season, he went off to Africa for 6 odd weeks and he still scored double the amount AJ got. Enough said.
I?m off to watch AJ?s 2 yard tap in again (from Saturday), amazing goal...
As they say, Feed the Yak and he will score (well most of the time anyway!)
Option 2 - LS at the club, plus £10 million in the bank
It?s a no brainer really, isn?t it? Forget the money (which was a fantastic bonus), Saha is better.
Dave Wilson, (you love a good moan, don?t you?!), when was the last time AJ scored 20 or over in a season? I?m not totally sure, but think the Yak has done it virtually every season for about the past 5 seasons; was it only Henry who?s used to score more than him? We signed the Yak late last season, he went off to Africa for 6 odd weeks and he still scored double the amount AJ got. Enough said.
I?m off to watch AJ?s 2 yard tap in again (from Saturday), amazing goal...
As they say, Feed the Yak and he will score (well most of the time anyway!)
"Even you can?t deny he cost us a win... again"
Dave, if we are pointing fingers then you have to say that Cahill?s chance was so much easier than Yakubu?s and that Arteta should have been tracking back to cover their player.
Also why again? When else has he cost us the game, I don?t include the Man Utd games as it was a good save by Van der Sar.
Dave, if we are pointing fingers then you have to say that Cahill?s chance was so much easier than Yakubu?s and that Arteta should have been tracking back to cover their player.
Also why again? When else has he cost us the game, I don?t include the Man Utd games as it was a good save by Van der Sar.
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1 Posted 16/11/2008 at 02:06:22
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