The Mail Bag
AJ - When a Silence is Golden
Comments (21)
Even given the usual tabloid spin and emphasis - I was disappointed to read this article today:
'Andy Johnson yesterday blamed David Moyes?s tactics at Everton for his lack of goals after being paraded as Fulham?s record £10.5million signing. The 27-year-old England striker, who managed only six Premier League goals in 20 outings last season, said: ?At Everton they play one up front at home and away so they had four strikers fighting for one spot, which was quite difficult. Yakubu was the focal point up front and I was playing off him, working a bit deeper and a little bit wider, which maybe could have hindered it a bit for me. It was a bit in and out, a few games here and a few games there.' - Daily Mail
As always there is some truth in his statement. I often wonder if DM uses strikers as well as other managers, and I'm still not completely convinced 4-5-1 works as well as it should, nor the wide role AJ was used in on those fewer occasions 4-4-2 was used.
However, despite the grains of truth, I think AJ speaking out was a big mistake, and will now sully my (and others) views of him when he does return to Goodison.
I've been one of the more supportive fans of AJ, but even I think, injuries aside, his dropping down the pecking order behind the Yak was down to some indifferent one-touch skills, lack of focus in his channel running, over-compensation in staying on his feet following diving accusations, a lack of self-belief (notably his missed penalities) and generally a loss of that killer instinct that the likes of even a laid-back Yak seems to have plenty of. He wasn't good enough to usurp Yak's lone striker role and in support he had actually a lesser player than he was in his first season with us - I don't think Moyes deserves too much flak because of that.
As with Beattie, an honest, but ultimately under-achieving striker, making such 'sour grapes' comments will dispel any 'best wishes for the future' sentiments I might have still had.
Don't some players realise that 'silence is golden', if they wish to retain the respect of fans at their previous clubs!
David Edwards, Posted 09/08/2008 at 13:23:30
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Michael Kenrick
Come off it ? that was pretty innocuous surely. And more than a few grains of truth. I guess I just don't understand this ultra-sensitivity to being told things straight up. Of course, it does help explain (a) why Blue Bill tells us so many porkies, and (b) why so many of us Blues believe him!!
There’s no doubt that Moyes’ tactics were a serious disadvantage to Andy Johnson. and I see no problem in Johnson saying so. Are we to believe the mantra that ’Moyes is God’ ?- I don’t think so by a long way.
Johnson was a reasonable goal scorer and was welcomed at Everton - Praised for his goals against the RS! After the ’penalty problems’ various media comments and then playing eternally, alone on the right wing, I think Johnson’s probably being kind to Moyes - which is more than I am! I think he’s a wa**er!
Johnson was a reasonable goal scorer and was welcomed at Everton - Praised for his goals against the RS! After the ’penalty problems’ various media comments and then playing eternally, alone on the right wing, I think Johnson’s probably being kind to Moyes - which is more than I am! I think he’s a wa**er!
Spot on Michael. I hate all this "it?s never us to blame" fucking shite. AJ, for me, was fucked up, because he was asked to chase long balls into corners, all the time.
Tactics employed by Moyes. You watch, he will probalby bag a hatfull this season, because Fulham do actually try and play football.
Tactics employed by Moyes. You watch, he will probalby bag a hatfull this season, because Fulham do actually try and play football.
AJ is now a Fulham player. Wait, I mean Andy Johnson, Fulham FC. He can say whatever he wants about Everton FC. But when he was playing for EFC in a past life, he gave everything to the cause. Ran his socks off. No complaints to the media or his teammates. He was played in a bullshit of a system for strikers. His teammates hoofed the ball as though it was a timebomb. Yet all the time AJ gave the thumbs up. As on numerous occasions I have posted that Moyes will kill off all our strikers. Why? Because his tactics revolve around 10 players behind the ball. The striker is not his concern. Moyes’ tactics of 4-5-1 is flawed. He needs Torres up front before he’s satisfied. That is shit tactically nous. Good Luck AJ.
thats right blame Moyes, Last year we played some good football until injuries and fatigue kicked in thats all forgotten by most of our fans. Here is a thought for Johnson, He could have played better and scored more goals and then he rather than Yakubu Would have been the 1 man up front. Moyes tactics are good enough for me as without them we wouldnt have been the 5th best team in England last season. with the players we had 4 4 2 wouldnt have finished 5th. Johnson was a decent player and i would be glad to have him still but to blame moyes when it was Johnson who missed chances, he had blazed what could have been a crucial penalty over the bar is ridiculous. Moyes or Johnson i know who is more important to Everton’s future
Johnson at palace played up front on his own scoring over 20 of which at least half were pens,he did it at everton and scored 11 in his best season. Yakubu played up front for his first season with us and banged in over 20 and was focal point for some of our better football no contest for me really and no contest for Moyes. 4 strikers fighting for one slot I think it was more likely two strikers fighting for 1 slot and he was not good enough. He also said in the article that he is looking forward to "fighting" for a place in the Fulham side. Bollocks, if that were true he would fight for a place in a top 5 team, he has gone for guarenteed footy for which I do not hold any grudge. Moyes may very well of said Jags punt the ball down the channel and Johnson can chase it but he cant make Johnson mis controll it and end up on his arse time after time.
Are you having a laugh criticising Andy Johnson for those comments?
Do you not notice the patter with David Moyes and strikers? Namely the one where he signs proven goalscorers, who in turn, prove to be an initial hit scoring freely for the Blues at the start of their career for us only to see the goals dry up because of the negative tactics David Moyes employs.
Do you not notice the patter with David Moyes and strikers? Namely the one where he signs proven goalscorers, who in turn, prove to be an initial hit scoring freely for the Blues at the start of their career for us only to see the goals dry up because of the negative tactics David Moyes employs.
Personally I don?t find his grapes that sour - there?s no harm in him explaining his side of why he didn?t do as well as everyone would?ve liked. It?s a shame that he became somewhat a victim of his own success after those first few games in ?06. He goes with my best wishes.
Sorry, this is ridiculous. Yes, AJ was played deep. Yes, we used him as an out ball. What on earth is wrong with that? We used Andy in a way that was best for the team, sitting deep and utilising his pace to compensate for our limitations elsewhere.
The effect is to reduce the number of goal scoring opportunities that AJ received, but was for the good of the team overall. How is that "fucking up" AJ? Which do you think he would prefer - scoring 20 goals in a losing team or 10 in a winning one?
Don’t forget, this "bullshit system" took a relegation threatened team in 05/06 to 6th place in 06/07 and 5th in 07/08.
Thing is, AJ isn’t really complaining in those quotes. He’s just stating facts. He was played wide and he wasn’t first choice. He’s not saying he SHOULD have been played in a different position, he’s not saying he SHOULD have played every game, he’s just stating facts, and explaining in a reasonable way why he didn’t score 15 goals last season.
Also, the Moyes preferring one up front is a complete myth too. It just so happens that one up front is the best formation for our players.
Moyes’ first games at Everton, he played 4-4-2.
At the start of his first full season at Everton, he played 4-3-3.
At the start of the following season, he played 4-4-2, only switching to 4-5-1 when it was obvious 4-4-2 didn’t work.
When he signed Beattie, he tried 4-5-1, but eventually switched to 4-4-2 with McFadden as a withdrawn second striker.
When he signed Johnson, the first thing he tried was 4-4-2. When Johnson and Beattie didn’t gel, he went 4-5-1.
When he signed Yakubu, again the first thing he tried was 4-4-2. When Johnson and Yakubu didn’t really gel, he went 4-5-1, but often reverted to 4-4-2.
So Moyes has tried to play 2 up front at every turn, but the fact is that we haven’t had a natural strike partnership in that time.
The effect is to reduce the number of goal scoring opportunities that AJ received, but was for the good of the team overall. How is that "fucking up" AJ? Which do you think he would prefer - scoring 20 goals in a losing team or 10 in a winning one?
Don’t forget, this "bullshit system" took a relegation threatened team in 05/06 to 6th place in 06/07 and 5th in 07/08.
Thing is, AJ isn’t really complaining in those quotes. He’s just stating facts. He was played wide and he wasn’t first choice. He’s not saying he SHOULD have been played in a different position, he’s not saying he SHOULD have played every game, he’s just stating facts, and explaining in a reasonable way why he didn’t score 15 goals last season.
Also, the Moyes preferring one up front is a complete myth too. It just so happens that one up front is the best formation for our players.
Moyes’ first games at Everton, he played 4-4-2.
At the start of his first full season at Everton, he played 4-3-3.
At the start of the following season, he played 4-4-2, only switching to 4-5-1 when it was obvious 4-4-2 didn’t work.
When he signed Beattie, he tried 4-5-1, but eventually switched to 4-4-2 with McFadden as a withdrawn second striker.
When he signed Johnson, the first thing he tried was 4-4-2. When Johnson and Beattie didn’t gel, he went 4-5-1.
When he signed Yakubu, again the first thing he tried was 4-4-2. When Johnson and Yakubu didn’t really gel, he went 4-5-1, but often reverted to 4-4-2.
So Moyes has tried to play 2 up front at every turn, but the fact is that we haven’t had a natural strike partnership in that time.
Robbie Muldoon how the hell can your statement be correct about strikers scoring freely intially then their goals drying up due to negative tactics? How do they manage to score freely at first? What a load of absolute nonsense.
Whilst we are all aloud our own opinions I struggle to believe the stick that Moyes is getting here.
The man came into a club on its backside and has steadily brought us to the best postion we have been in for twenty years (and that in truth only lasted 5 years)
Johnson came as a good striker with a proven record. He did well at first but it was clear after not long that he wasn’t the perfect forward. Very poor control, useless 1on1 and suspect mentally (a couple of comments from Wenger, Mourinho etc and he completely lost all faith)
Simply Johnson wasn’t good enough to play week in week out for a club who are after a top 4 place (although I’ll accept that club might not be us after this preseason)
To play along with the Yak we need a strong, good in the air player - exactly what Milito is supposed to be.....
However after all that his words weren’t exactly stinging, more an excuse of why he only scored such a low amount. I for one will always be thankful for those goals on that glorious September afternoon
The man came into a club on its backside and has steadily brought us to the best postion we have been in for twenty years (and that in truth only lasted 5 years)
Johnson came as a good striker with a proven record. He did well at first but it was clear after not long that he wasn’t the perfect forward. Very poor control, useless 1on1 and suspect mentally (a couple of comments from Wenger, Mourinho etc and he completely lost all faith)
Simply Johnson wasn’t good enough to play week in week out for a club who are after a top 4 place (although I’ll accept that club might not be us after this preseason)
To play along with the Yak we need a strong, good in the air player - exactly what Milito is supposed to be.....
However after all that his words weren’t exactly stinging, more an excuse of why he only scored such a low amount. I for one will always be thankful for those goals on that glorious September afternoon
AJs probably right.
There?s no doubt he always put a shift in for the team and always gave 100%.
Maybe Moyes realised that AJ at 100% just wasn?t enough? Maybe at £10.5M plus add ons was to good to turn down for his second choice striker?
Players move on. I think AJ was quite dignified in his interview and I hope he gets a good reception on his Goodison return.
There?s no doubt he always put a shift in for the team and always gave 100%.
Maybe Moyes realised that AJ at 100% just wasn?t enough? Maybe at £10.5M plus add ons was to good to turn down for his second choice striker?
Players move on. I think AJ was quite dignified in his interview and I hope he gets a good reception on his Goodison return.
No problem with Jonson trying to explain why he failed to score regularly for us, however, as Nathan states, he ultimately didn?t have the top skills required to score 20+ a season - take a look at the clubs who reportedly wanted him - Fulham, Wigan, West Ham, I think that says a lot. Having said that ? good luck to him.
I for one, am glad he has gone. Too many supporters got hung up on him chasing lost causes - if we wanted that we could have kept Bent. As was proved by the teams that chased him, he is not good enough for a top six club - FACT
I’ve no qualms with AJ saying what he did as it is the truth. The only slightly mystifying thing to the argument though is that he managed to play up-top in a 4-5-1 for Palace to great effect. Since then he’s gone down hill. I’m glad he did want to go cos I’m not sure we’d have sold him otherwise. As such, it’s great amount of money recouped for a player who’d have been warming the bench
His return for Palace was very highly supplemented by penalties. I hope for some signings soon because in the absence of new news we’re overanalysing everything else far too much!
AJ in my opinion deserves a good response next time he’s at Goodison and i’m sure he’ll get one.
AJ in my opinion deserves a good response next time he’s at Goodison and i’m sure he’ll get one.
Guess it’s McClaren?s fault as to why he can?t score for England as well!
I?ve always believed that a man stands up. So this cowardly blame-shifting is much like his game? weak.
In 21 goals we have watched him score with his face, his thigh, his chest, his shin or off another?s anatomy. That isn?t clinical, that?s clumsy. Minus the pace, AJ wouldn?t make it in the game!
So ask yourselves this, had we played 4-4-2 against every opponent, would we still be in Europe? Would we be attracting the attentions of Moutinho, Cana, et al?
Some of you sound like Redshites because only they would rather we had kept AJ than target Moutinho.
He is on his way down now. The pinnacle of his career has highlighted nothing more than his limitations. What we have lost, Fulham have gained? Nothing!
I?ve always believed that a man stands up. So this cowardly blame-shifting is much like his game? weak.
In 21 goals we have watched him score with his face, his thigh, his chest, his shin or off another?s anatomy. That isn?t clinical, that?s clumsy. Minus the pace, AJ wouldn?t make it in the game!
So ask yourselves this, had we played 4-4-2 against every opponent, would we still be in Europe? Would we be attracting the attentions of Moutinho, Cana, et al?
Some of you sound like Redshites because only they would rather we had kept AJ than target Moutinho.
He is on his way down now. The pinnacle of his career has highlighted nothing more than his limitations. What we have lost, Fulham have gained? Nothing!
I suppose we’ll know how much Everton will miss AJ next week. Hope our midfield will keep possession of the ball and feed the Yak on a plate.
Having watched the TV news conference live on SKY I was impressed by AJs diplomacy on why he ended up joining Fulham. He stated that he didn’t wish to discuss why he had left and that he wished all the best to DM, his former colleagues, and the fans but he only wished to talk about his future at Fulham.
I expect the Daily Mail has a less diplomatic and truthful version for it’s London readers.
The fact remains that (not for the first time) the Blues have left themselves short by selling before buying, and not just once but twice !!!
The sale of McFadden in January and now AJ has left the forward options looking pretty poor and anyone wishing to sell a forward to us will now put a premium on the selling price because of our desperation both in terms of time and numbers.
Bent, Faddy, and AJ have all gone and we have gained the YAK and promoted the injury ravaged Vaughan, and Big Vic to first team duties.
It seems that the Blues felt the "credit crunch" before the rest of the country. Let’s hope the YAK stays fit
I expect the Daily Mail has a less diplomatic and truthful version for it’s London readers.
The fact remains that (not for the first time) the Blues have left themselves short by selling before buying, and not just once but twice !!!
The sale of McFadden in January and now AJ has left the forward options looking pretty poor and anyone wishing to sell a forward to us will now put a premium on the selling price because of our desperation both in terms of time and numbers.
Bent, Faddy, and AJ have all gone and we have gained the YAK and promoted the injury ravaged Vaughan, and Big Vic to first team duties.
It seems that the Blues felt the "credit crunch" before the rest of the country. Let’s hope the YAK stays fit
The reason why Andy Johnson was allowed to leave is because he had a worse goal-scoring ratio than one of our midfielders and Fulham were prepared allow us make a profit on him.
Tactics and systems mean bugger all when your finishing is as bad as a blind man with one leg. Centre forwards need to score goals and he doesn’t.
Fulham is about the level Johnson should be at and anyone who disagrees obviously hasn’t been watching him for the last one and half seasons.
Tactics and systems mean bugger all when your finishing is as bad as a blind man with one leg. Centre forwards need to score goals and he doesn’t.
Fulham is about the level Johnson should be at and anyone who disagrees obviously hasn’t been watching him for the last one and half seasons.
Well, first off, the whole premise for this thread is flawed. Why David Edwards of Darlington got the hump with Andy Johnson is a mystery as inexplicable as the departure of the dinosaurs.
Even the stinging quotes Mr Edwards attributes to Johnson sound quite diplomatic and thoughtful Johnson remarks that the tactics Everton used perhaps, possibly, maybe weren’t suited to his better attributes. If he’d appended something along the lines of "And what Moyes knows about football would just about fill the back of a fag packet?" you could rightfully claim a slur on our beloved manager. But a simple statement of fact devoid of any opinion whatsoever? How do you get fucked off at that?
It’s all quite odd really, especially as Mr Edwards analysis of Mr Johnsons failings as a player is inimical to my own and aren’t worth repeating.
In the context of his career as an Everton player, I found it strange that we bought the guy in the first place. During his time at Palace I thought he was just another Marcus Stewart - enjoying the one outstanding year of what was sure to be a moderate career
Nothing has changed my view in the interim. I’m just glad we made a profit - albeit a slim one - because I thought we overpaid in the first place. Anyway, good luck to him at Fulham, particularly if some of their fans are as critical as our own Mr Edwards.
Even the stinging quotes Mr Edwards attributes to Johnson sound quite diplomatic and thoughtful Johnson remarks that the tactics Everton used perhaps, possibly, maybe weren’t suited to his better attributes. If he’d appended something along the lines of "And what Moyes knows about football would just about fill the back of a fag packet?" you could rightfully claim a slur on our beloved manager. But a simple statement of fact devoid of any opinion whatsoever? How do you get fucked off at that?
It’s all quite odd really, especially as Mr Edwards analysis of Mr Johnsons failings as a player is inimical to my own and aren’t worth repeating.
In the context of his career as an Everton player, I found it strange that we bought the guy in the first place. During his time at Palace I thought he was just another Marcus Stewart - enjoying the one outstanding year of what was sure to be a moderate career
Nothing has changed my view in the interim. I’m just glad we made a profit - albeit a slim one - because I thought we overpaid in the first place. Anyway, good luck to him at Fulham, particularly if some of their fans are as critical as our own Mr Edwards.
I would like to remind those supporters who have critisised Moyes?s tactics for last season, the 4-5-1 system was played with an attacking midfield which worked up to Cahill and Arteta getting injured and I firmlly believe we would of finished fourth if they would of still been there. After their injury, we reverted back to a 4-4-2 which was not working. I feel sorry for AJ and wish him well for the future. I don?t think the Yak is the answer as... well, he?s lazy and puts the weight on too much ? hope he prove?s me wrong!
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