The Mail Bag
What will we do without The Yak?
Comments (53)
A great win at Spurs today was sadly undermined by Yakubu's serious injury ruling him out. I'm sure I'm not the only one fretting at the thought of a strikeforce consisting of an already-injured Saha and Vaughan, and the inconsistent (and not exactly prolific) Anichebe.
I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about how we're going to get around this situation. I know there's Lukas, Agard and Baxter - among others - in reserve, but will that be enough? With already limited Christmas spending money the most we can hope for is either a dodgy loan or two, or selling-to-buy; both far from ideal routes. Maybe Cahill could move further up field and get a goal or two.
Whatever the solution, its not the best situation going into a busy December, but at least we're still hot on the heels of Hull =D
Adam McCulloch, Posted 30/11/2008 at 15:05:06
Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
Great 3 points today and a good performance but I'm worried to hear the Yak is out for a long time. We will need a replacemet in Jan whether it's a loan or long-term striker as we have two other injury prone strikers as well. Come on, Bill, you can't be that poor, don't let a potentially good season slip away!
Just heard the Yak will be out for the season ? snapped Achilles tended. With Vaughan also out beyond Christmas and Saha carried off today... we are in deep shit. Anyone know what Franny Jeffers is up to these days?
Head up Yak... The guys has had ankle problems over the last few weeks and it seem like it has all just sadly peaked with the tendon rupture... Get well soon and we need you back to full fitness next season... I think that Podolski chase may well just hot up... Great win today.
Well, since Everton haven’t got anything to spend in January I would say bring Leonardo in from Ajax on loan. He wants away and he’s a good player, quick and can score a goal. He and Anichebe could be a great couple.
We have to go out and see if there's any half decent strikers out of contract now, because we will really struggle with just Anichebe up front.
I?m surprised at you guys. We?ve seen this all before.
It will be Cahill playing in the hole.
Personally I?d rather see Lukas J up front with Vic, but it won?t happen.
4-5-1. And if Cahill gets injured, then Pienaar or Osman will play there. Now, if Vic gets injured... now that will set the cat amongst the Moyes pigeons!!
It will be Cahill playing in the hole.
Personally I?d rather see Lukas J up front with Vic, but it won?t happen.
4-5-1. And if Cahill gets injured, then Pienaar or Osman will play there. Now, if Vic gets injured... now that will set the cat amongst the Moyes pigeons!!
A certain little Newcastle striker has 6 months left on his current contract.
Could be had for as little as £1.8 million!!!
Could be had for as little as £1.8 million!!!
Well last few articles and threads describe him as lazy, uselss playing for a transfer, useless etc, so why all the fuss...........oh yeah another flucky win today.......
Facts are the team is recovering from a poor start, and from a manager who had a tantrum, but it?s gradually been getting better. OK, only Anichebe up front, so it?s back to 4-5-1, but it?s time for Vic to step up.
I?ve got a horrible feeling we will sign Nugent on loan. It wouldn't be popular but I wouldn't mind signing Heskey to play in a 4-5-1 formation.
Just when we thought this impressive win and much better performance from the lads could lift our spirits, the strikeforce are almost totally wiped out. I’m gutted for Yak, and just hope Saha can shake off this hamstring problem sooner rather than later. Vic will fill in for now, but Lukas (IMO) will never make the grade at first team level.
A day of mixed emotions.
A day of mixed emotions.
What?s wrong with Nugent? He might not be the total striker but he loves the Blues and can play up front. Having failed to replace Duncan perhaps a six-foot-six giant is what we need. No chance Owen will come, he?s back off to his former employees, he can smell a PL winners' medal..
We could get the Kirkby resident David Kelly to play up front. We will have to get Manny Fernandez back on loan and play Lescott up front.
Absolutely terrible news. How long will Saha be out? What?s normal for a hamstring? 3 or 4 weeks?
We can?t rely on Anichebe all season as our only striker? Surely it?ll be a loan deal or a cheapie in January?
We can?t rely on Anichebe all season as our only striker? Surely it?ll be a loan deal or a cheapie in January?
Great win today, good all round team performance, shame about Yak though. Won't most fans be happy because it was only the other day he was getting slagged off?
Just a thought what about Jags and Jukes up front. Jags can play in goal so why not centre-forward?
Thats is a real fuck ba ? now we don?t have the the lazy twat nor the £12M transfer fee. It could only happen to Everton.
Anichebe isn?t upto it. Waiting years to see Vaughan put a run of games together. Lukas ? you?re having a laugh mate!! Our season now hinges on the fitness of one Mr Louis Saha. If he stays fit (that's a large IF!!!) we?ll be fine as Moyes will play Cahill off Saha. On the whole, I fear for our season if Saha starts handing in his rather all too familiar sicknotes again. Just as the our season was beginning to take shape. But as we all know only too well, "IT'S A GRAND OL' TEAM TO SUPPORT!!!!"
C?mon, we still have Johnson, McFadden, Branch, Cadermatari, Madar, Barlow, Beattie & Angel on the bench.
We are in big trouble if Saha is also out for a while, Anichebe just isn?t good enough and we already know Vaughan will be injured too much every season. January is a long time off... Macclesfield away anyone?
We are in big trouble if Saha is also out for a while, Anichebe just isn?t good enough and we already know Vaughan will be injured too much every season. January is a long time off... Macclesfield away anyone?
He?s been fuckin' shite this season anyway.
I thought Saha injured his hamstring against Wigan? Maybe Moyes was back up to his old tricks again of playing injured players and aggravating their injuries. Good win though today. I think we play better with a 4-5-1 formation and get results, because it gives us the extra man in midfield allowing us more width and someone to help link-up the play with the lone striker. It?s obvious that Cahill doesn?t fit into playing in a 4-4-2 formation. It?s also worth noting that Arteta played in the middle today and we won! Any coincidence?
Yak won?t be missed, he?s been a waste of space recently. The transfer fee we might have conned out of Spurs/Newcastle/some other mugs will be missed however.
Vic can do a job, I have no real problems with him up front. He can hold the ball up, he made space for himself today, he?s strong, and he?s a master of that across-the-goal-from-the-inside-left/right-position shot.
At least it will make Moyes actually think about what he?s doing, rather than doing his usual management by numbers thing.
Vic can do a job, I have no real problems with him up front. He can hold the ball up, he made space for himself today, he?s strong, and he?s a master of that across-the-goal-from-the-inside-left/right-position shot.
At least it will make Moyes actually think about what he?s doing, rather than doing his usual management by numbers thing.
It?s a big chance for Anichibe and I hope he takes it. It may also help Cahill who for the last few weeks has looked hopeless. He?s at his best attacking the opposition instead of giving away silly fouls and getting needless bookings. It may work out better than we think.
Give Anichebe a starting place for a few games and see what he can do. He aint a kid anymore and he knows that this could make or break his Everton career. Give him a chance, get behind him from day one and let him build up some confidence over the coming games. 10 goals from the season would do nicely. Add to that 15 from Saha and will won?t miss the Yak.
Tall order but doable!
Tall order but doable!
Bad news on the Yak, anyone got a link to the highlights of today's game?
David Nugent in January I reckon. He shouldn?t cost that much. Who else is affordable.
Nugent - NO! Yak hasn’t been particularly rubbish this season, he’s been starved of decent service. The midfield has blatantly lacked balance and cohesion. As for Vic, he can cause problems for defenders up front with his physical presence and his running. I think he’d be a good foil for Cahill. Saha was only just fit enough for the bench today and under other circumstances wouldn’t have been risked so it is disappointing today. I hope the Podolski story has legs but i fear it’ll come to nothing. It is times like these where the kids have to step up so we’ll wait and see. Maybe Fellaini should play centre forward!
Getting Big Dunc back for a season long cameo isn?t such a bad idea. He?s still only 36 ? just look at Dean Windass, he looks about 46 and still going strong!
I think it gives Moyes the excuse he?s looking for to go 4-6-0 - only this time we?ll be hoofing it to the opposition..... actually no change there.
Saha has torn his hamstring so you can forget about him for a few months.
It?s 4-5-1 with Vic up top and Lucas from the bench until January.
It?s 4-5-1 with Vic up top and Lucas from the bench until January.
Joleon Lescott - your hour has come. A legend in the making.
Who?s seen Lukas and Agard, how do you rate them?
Fact is, even if we play 4-5-1 all the time, we?ll still need striking options to bring on from the bench.
Fact is, even if we play 4-5-1 all the time, we?ll still need striking options to bring on from the bench.
Yak being out, i?m philosophical!
I think Vic is waiting to happen and needs a 10 game run to prove it, I?m very hopeful he will as it will save us a lot of money in the transfer market. In my opinion a confident Vic can be a top prem striker.
Regardless I?d definitely strengthen in Jan and if we can stretch to Vagner Love, great... if not, what about taking a chance on Ebanks-Blake!
I think Vic is waiting to happen and needs a 10 game run to prove it, I?m very hopeful he will as it will save us a lot of money in the transfer market. In my opinion a confident Vic can be a top prem striker.
Regardless I?d definitely strengthen in Jan and if we can stretch to Vagner Love, great... if not, what about taking a chance on Ebanks-Blake!
Went to Notts Forest away friendly and Agard and Lukas looked way off playing for a top Premier League team.
I reckon a loan to a decent Championship team would be best for them.
I reckon a loan to a decent Championship team would be best for them.
I am gutted, because we won't be able to sell the Yak to Spurs in Jan!!! He is not good enough!! He can't play as a lone striker.... his control is way off the mark.... he's lazy. Give Baxter a go, Moyes!! Whatever happens, do not sign Nugent!!!
Alf Ramsey had his "Wingless Wonders". Look now as we witness the birth of David Moyes?s "Headless Chickens"!
It?s a shame for Yak, no doubt some will be made up. Personally I?m gutted as we don?t have any strikers.
Anichebe has improved and I have no doubts he?ll be a decent Premier League striker but he?s only 20 and has rarely started Premier League games. It?s going to be hard for him, especially playing in a 4-5-1.
I?d love to get Manucho on loan from Utd, can?t see it though.
Anichebe has improved and I have no doubts he?ll be a decent Premier League striker but he?s only 20 and has rarely started Premier League games. It?s going to be hard for him, especially playing in a 4-5-1.
I?d love to get Manucho on loan from Utd, can?t see it though.
Brian Taylor, I agree. Big Vic? Cometh the hour cometh the man. This is his chance and I have a feeling he just might take it. Anyway, with Saha out we?ve no choice.
I?m sorry for the Yak, despite what others think, I believe he is a top-class striker. Perhaps today is a turning point when we will see a return of spirit. If we can reach safety early in the new year then we really must prepare for next season with a strategy on how we want to play, what personnel are necessary and how they will be financed.
This season is pretty much a write off;how about having a squad assembled by June 2009? Whatever many of us think of David Moyes, he?s here to stay. Let today be a turning point.
We do have to remember that we have very little money, and we desperately need a holding midfielder and pace on the wings. We can?t afford to waste money on a stopgap. Our only hope is that we can get a loan in and Saha plays enough games.
At least this solves the "Cahill in a 4-4-2" problem.
I wonder if Arsenal would like Vela to be getting a Premier League game week in/week out for half a season?
On Anichebe, although he is clearly never going to be a major goalscoring threat, my opinion on him has risen a lot in the last couple of months. His hold up play has improved incredibly - one thing you notice with him playing in midfield is that he isn?t giving the ball away in tight situations. He gets it, holds off a couple of players and plays a simple pass.
I now have hope that he can grow into another Heskey. That might seem like faint praise, but England are seeing how important a player like that can be if you use him correctly.
At least this solves the "Cahill in a 4-4-2" problem.
I wonder if Arsenal would like Vela to be getting a Premier League game week in/week out for half a season?
On Anichebe, although he is clearly never going to be a major goalscoring threat, my opinion on him has risen a lot in the last couple of months. His hold up play has improved incredibly - one thing you notice with him playing in midfield is that he isn?t giving the ball away in tight situations. He gets it, holds off a couple of players and plays a simple pass.
I now have hope that he can grow into another Heskey. That might seem like faint praise, but England are seeing how important a player like that can be if you use him correctly.
We are looking at getting a player on the cheap or free that isn't getting a game or who wants to play for a team who challenge for Europe.
Alan Smith was a choice in the summer. Pompey, according to 'Arry, are looking to free up some money worries. Nugent, Utaka or Kanu.
Mido aint gettin a game at Midd.
Vassell wont get a game after Man City spend big in Jan.
Bellamy wants to play in Europe, and The Ham have got money and points troubles... or maybe Hasselbaink might fancy another run out before he piles the weight on sitting on a pundits couch. He won't want to go the same way as J Barnes.
So thats probably what we are looking at in the Prem... anyone know of anything better from other leagues?
Moyes will 100% revert back to 4-4-1-1 with Cahill in the hole. Anichebe will be thrown in at the deep end, and good luck to the lad. Why fret, moan and berate our luck, we simply have to make best of what we have.
Baxter, Lukas and Agard, yes, are all kids, but all likely at some point to be given 20 mins here etc, so stop panicking and start believing that they might nick a goal or two. Lastly, once Cahill is back in the hole, he is proven to be at least 10-goal-a-season man.
I agree with David. Hopefully it will revitalise Cahill. It's worth giving Vic a go before Jan to see if he can fill the gap. We have been linked with Podolski... I would love it but don?t really see it. Shame Arsenal won today. Bring on the Villa ? I think we can go above them if we get a result next week. COYB
The Yak is out, Saha as well by the looks of it, Vaughan is out, Anichebe will never be Premier League as long we've all got a proverbial hole in our backside. What do you think to pushing Tim up front, Arteta to stay in midfield (ok, he did ok at Spurs, but "can do better") but surely, with Timmy's experience and ability to head a ball, we couldn't do any worse.
With the Yak out for the season, it's time a certain young striker proved his highly rated potential. Victor has been in and out for the past 3 years and this has to be his best chance to prove he can be a top striker. I'm sure there will be more then 35k fans at Goodsion next week chearing the blues... Come on, Vic were right behind you this is you're oppurtunity!!
Cahill up front with Pienaar in the hole.
Nugent is very limited but a far better player than Anichebe is ever likely to be.I’d have him on loan any day.All our young strikers are rubbish as anybody who watches the Ressies well knows.
Heskey sounds like a great idea to me, with Bains going in the other direction.
If the worst comes to the worst and we cannot afford a forward in January then how about Fellaini up front? With his height we can launch it up to him to try and hold it or flick it on to Cahill. I hope the reported deal we had for Love in the new year is true.
There are two England centre-forwards going cheap in the January sales.
£5 million will buy Heskey and Owen. We might as well sell Baines as we aren’t playing him, so could even come out of it in profit.
I don’t believe for a minute that Owen will return to the RS. The fat waiter didn’t want him 2 years ago, he’s done little since and they now have Torres and Keane.
£5 million will buy Heskey and Owen. We might as well sell Baines as we aren’t playing him, so could even come out of it in profit.
I don’t believe for a minute that Owen will return to the RS. The fat waiter didn’t want him 2 years ago, he’s done little since and they now have Torres and Keane.
To me, we should completely focus our efforts on trying to sign Owen in the new year. He’ll be able to leave Newcastle then for free by committing to sign for someone else at season’s end. I really doubt, in their current state, that they would rather keep a disgruntled (and admittedly, out of form) Owen up there in the sticks if they could get a mil, maybe abit more, for him. Viduka’s back in the frame again so it could work out well.
He is a blue, the only problem would be if any other teams decided to go in for him. There was talk of Villa & Spurs throwing their weight in. I doubt Villa wanna risk destabilising their balance but Spurs would be someone we just couldn’t match dollars with.
Podolski’s put in a transfer request aswell. Whether he’d wanna come our way is debatable and I really doubt we’d be able to afford him.
Still, relying on Big Vic isn’t really an option: on his day he’s a fine player, but he hasn’t honed his game yet, and he’s not capable of full games, never mind leading the line for a few months at least.
He is a blue, the only problem would be if any other teams decided to go in for him. There was talk of Villa & Spurs throwing their weight in. I doubt Villa wanna risk destabilising their balance but Spurs would be someone we just couldn’t match dollars with.
Podolski’s put in a transfer request aswell. Whether he’d wanna come our way is debatable and I really doubt we’d be able to afford him.
Still, relying on Big Vic isn’t really an option: on his day he’s a fine player, but he hasn’t honed his game yet, and he’s not capable of full games, never mind leading the line for a few months at least.
Owen has got a worse injury record than anyone on our books and would be a non starter for me.
Heskey would also be a backward step IMO.
I really think we could give Vic a chance and encourage him and Saha will be available in a couple of weeks anyway.
Heskey would also be a backward step IMO.
I really think we could give Vic a chance and encourage him and Saha will be available in a couple of weeks anyway.
I’d give Vic the chance for the time being , of course, but don’t expect any miracles. To my mind he’s an impact player only but let’s see what happens when he’s regularly asked to play the full 90 minutes.
I suspect the real answer is a loan signing - where’s Brian McBride these days?
I suspect the real answer is a loan signing - where’s Brian McBride these days?
I?d like to think that Anichebe will adequately fill the gap and score 20 goals a season but as has been pointed out on this site on numerous occasions he seems to run out of steam in the last 15/20 minutes of a game. I?m very unsure about Nugent and Owen may be a blue but he?s so injury prone I don?t think it?s worth considering ? unless he?s on a "free" and will take £100 a week plus £5 for every goal he scores!
© ToffeeWeb
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 30/11/2008 at 18:14:20
Report abuse