The Mail Bag
Blooming Beckford
Comments (51)
Ok - I like stats and maybe I have too much time on my hands but I put some more stats together that would seem to indicate Jermaine Beckford really is doing the business.
I took the current leading goalscorer of each team in the Premier League and looked at minutes on the pitch to get a comparison of how often these players scored:
| Player | Minutes |
Goals |
Interval (mins) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van Persie | 1207 | 12 | 100.6 |
| Berbatov | 2191 | 21 | 104.3 |
| Tevez | 2388 | 19 | 125.7 |
| Beckford | 1092 | 7 | 156.0 |
| Van de Vaart | 1780 | 10 | 178.0 |
| Ebanks-Blake | 1354 | 7 | 193.4 |
| Nolan | 2499 | 12 | 208.3 |
| Kalinic | 1049 | 5 | 209.8 |
| Gyan | 1894 | 9 | 210.4 |
| Odemwingie | 2343 | 11 | 213.0 |
| Drogba | 2464 | 11 | 224.0 |
| Campbell | 2197 | 9 | 244.1 |
| Dempsey | 2777 | 10 | 277.7 |
| Elmander | 2792 | 10 | 279.2 |
| Kuyt | 2275 | 8 | 284.4 |
| Gardner | 1941 | 6 | 323.5 |
| Piquionne | 2117 | 6 | 352.8 |
| Rodallega | 2614 | 7 | 373.4 |
| Kenwynne-Jones | 2454 | 6 | 409.0 |
| Young | 2639 | 6 | 439.8 |
As you can see, Beckford is well up there. If you compare him to a £9M player like Kenwynne-Jones, you will see what a great job he is doing.
There are some pearls to be unearthed in the lower leagues. I rate Morison at Millwall, Mackail Smith and Boyd at Peterboro and Becchio at Leeds.
Jonathan Tasker, Posted 12/04/2011 at 08:48:36
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Seems quite impressive but the amount of sitters he's missed mean that this stat exaggerates his form this year.
I wonder how he'd fare in the 'sitters missed' league...
The two old cliches are:
- at least he was in a position to miss them; and
- we've all missed them (Brian).
He has pace, is a bit of a greedy bastard, and has the general look of a goalscorer.
To put matters and costs into perspective: how does he compare against the current Torres vintage?
Astounded to see where Drogba is in your table, although he does set up many goals for others.
- at least he was in a position to miss them; and
- we've all missed them (Brian).
He has pace, is a bit of a greedy bastard, and has the general look of a goalscorer.
To put matters and costs into perspective: how does he compare against the current Torres vintage?
Astounded to see where Drogba is in your table, although he does set up many goals for others.
Good post Jonathan, I think Beckford is good and will get better. Likeability is over-rated.
What's even more surprising is that he has only got 1092 minutes over the course of 32 games ? 34 minutes a match. Any striker will tell you that they need to play constantly before even considering going on a goal run.
The start-stop nature of Beckford's appearances means he's done pretty well to have scored 7 goals as well as been in the position to miss many sitters. Definite potential.
He has got an eye for goal; I thought the Wolves game was his best as a lone striker.
He has really good movement which actually allows our midfielders to play the ball into him and create chances. Something we struggle with as none of our other strikers have good movement, if any.
He does need to take more time though... often rushes his chances... resulting in the West Brom game, where he could have had 4; Sunderland, where he should have got a last-minute winner; Villa, where he should have had two ? although one was the linesman's fault.
Overall, a pretty good first season, especially given the lack of a transfer fee.
He has really good movement which actually allows our midfielders to play the ball into him and create chances. Something we struggle with as none of our other strikers have good movement, if any.
He does need to take more time though... often rushes his chances... resulting in the West Brom game, where he could have had 4; Sunderland, where he should have got a last-minute winner; Villa, where he should have had two ? although one was the linesman's fault.
Overall, a pretty good first season, especially given the lack of a transfer fee.
Couldn't agree more. I would like to see him and Cahill play together a bit more as I think they would compliment one another. Considering he cost nothing, has seldom played, and is presumably on low wages, he's been a roaring success in my eyes.
I wonder how many "sitters" the rest of that list have?
I'm sure he will get into double figures before the season's out!
Not a bad return for a free transfer, playing mostly off the bench, who has had to play up front on his own in a role he's not suited to for large parts of the season when he's been in the side.
The biggest compliment I can give him is that he makes things happen and no-one has had an easy game from him all season. There are plenty of established PL strikers who that sentence doesn't apply to.
I think if he played for the likes of Arsenal ? or even Blackpool, to a degree ? who create plenty of chances, he would get into the 20-goals-a-season bracket.
Not a bad return for a free transfer, playing mostly off the bench, who has had to play up front on his own in a role he's not suited to for large parts of the season when he's been in the side.
The biggest compliment I can give him is that he makes things happen and no-one has had an easy game from him all season. There are plenty of established PL strikers who that sentence doesn't apply to.
I think if he played for the likes of Arsenal ? or even Blackpool, to a degree ? who create plenty of chances, he would get into the 20-goals-a-season bracket.
The majority of people on the list are mediocre at football.
I clearly have a very different definition of 'mediocre'.
Take away the top 5. Mediocre. Unremarkable. Could do without them.
I'd have Drogba and Gyan over Anichebe and Yakubu/Saha anyday of the week.
And just think of the supporting players behind the top three. Not a Hibbert nor an Osman in those teams. (Anyone noticed a more pro Hibbert Osman vibe on these pages? We may have to leave off...)
Football is about Dixie Dean, Alex Young, Kevin Sheedy and Neville Southall.
Drogba don't impress me, nor Gyan.
Let's hope the support continues, Nick.
Drogba don't impress me, nor Gyan.
Let's hope the support continues, Nick.
What are you on about, Christopher? At the moment we are a 'make do' club because we have no money. Beckford has been an incredible signing, he was even cheaper than Seamus as he was free and he gives us pace and goals and he will only get better.
With out doubt an excellent addition to our squad and I cannot believe how quickly people were prepared to get on his back when he first arrived! Please keep a modicum of sense and take the long view!
What are you on about, Guy? Your comment doesn't contradict or agree with mine.
What's Billy's stat he has not been on the pitch much and scored quite a few including a number of screamers?
Christopher, you are probably right, I was to quick to leap to Beckford defense there, no offence meant!
Give it a rest, Christopher. At his best, Drogba was absolutely immense. Last season, he scored 37 goals in 44 matches - at the very highest level of the game.
Yes, we love our Everton legends. But it's crazy to dismiss great players just because they don't/didn't play for us.
Yes, we love our Everton legends. But it's crazy to dismiss great players just because they don't/didn't play for us.
Christopher. "The majority of people on the list are mediocre at football." ? You can continue to make stupid comments or you can continue to post: one or the other. Your choice.
Only on Toffeeweb could you find such a statement. We are trying to discuss the performance of a free signing from Division 2, on the lowest wages on that list, and someone pipes up 'he's not as good as Dixie Dean or Alex Young'. Priceless, that's really cracked me up!
Anyway, back to the original point, I was very sceptical when we signed him. But his finishing is there for all to see. The goal over the shoulder against Blackpool was probably the best goal I have seen from us this season, in terms of difficulty to execute.
Is he going to become first choice for a few years? His conversion ratio is not quite high enough for me, so I hope we can bring someone else in this summer. He reminds me of Marcus Bent in all honesty. But he has definitely been another good Moyes signing considering how much he cost.
Great post, Jonathan, but think your selection criteria has missed some obvious strikers out:- Darren Bent, Andy Carroll etc?
Ok, done some homework: Everton's best season in the Prem was 2004-05 ? Marcus Bent got 7, Tim Cahill 12. Suggests we might not need a 20+ goalscorer per season to compete with the top 4.
Beckford compares favourably in terms of goals and time played with Kalinic who cost Blackburn c £6M. Conclusion: Beckford ? great business... and showing signs of improving in the Prem.
The time he takes to really reach his potential is not only about him. Beckford is a different kind of striker to those we've had at the club recently. It will take time for the players who supply him to get used to his runs and abilities.
I agree with those who say he's been a very good signing for us given our financial state. Not a world-beater, but still someone who is capable of playing at this level and scoring regularly enough for us to be challenging for Europe.
I agree with those who say he's been a very good signing for us given our financial state. Not a world-beater, but still someone who is capable of playing at this level and scoring regularly enough for us to be challenging for Europe.
Christopher (16) "Drogba doesn't impress me" - that must go down as one of the all time most gobsmacking comments ever on this site. He may be an infuriating, whingong cry baby a lot of the time, but he can come to Everton and not impress the hell out of me anytime.
He's better than Bernie the Bolt.
Am I ok to say that Michael?
Am I ok to say that Michael?
Does this list include penalties?
Beckford was being used incorrectly at the beginning of the season. We were treating him like the Yak and hoofing the ball at his head rather than beyond him and into the gaps. I'm glad we finally started tailoring our offense to his talents and it's showing great benefits.
Beckford isn't a world beater but his movement and finishing is pretty good. He's becoming more and more confident and rushing things less. It'll be interesting to see if Moyes goes more 4-4-2 next year. Beckford would probably excel if he could play off another striker.
Beckford was being used incorrectly at the beginning of the season. We were treating him like the Yak and hoofing the ball at his head rather than beyond him and into the gaps. I'm glad we finally started tailoring our offense to his talents and it's showing great benefits.
Beckford isn't a world beater but his movement and finishing is pretty good. He's becoming more and more confident and rushing things less. It'll be interesting to see if Moyes goes more 4-4-2 next year. Beckford would probably excel if he could play off another striker.
He also should have two more goals to his name ? Villa last week and Wigan a few months ago!
.....and Saha? Has he even totalled 1,000 minutes since we signed him on?
Definitely worthwhile getting hold of on a free. Good movement and a good instinctive finisher.
Would say though that he's not so good when composure is required- have seen him a number of times blazing over when he's had a bit of time to think about things. Still beggars can't be choosers when you have no money to spend
Would say though that he's not so good when composure is required- have seen him a number of times blazing over when he's had a bit of time to think about things. Still beggars can't be choosers when you have no money to spend
I think he's done better over the last few months.
What is overlooked is his selfless movement off the ball. The run to drag Spearman out of position for Bily's goal on Saturday was crucial, leaving old Dinyar a pretty clear run on goal. He knew he probably wouldn't get the ball, but made the run anyway. Can you imagine the Yak or Vic making that run? Me neither!
You beat me to it Gary... great movement for Bily's goal... pretty much put it on a plate for him... couldn't miss from there!
Good signing... could prove to be great. Definitely capable of 20 in a season.
Good signing... could prove to be great. Definitely capable of 20 in a season.
I am surprised that Cahill does not get a mention.
Beckford is a good player and will get goals. He is of the Andy Cole ilk: it will take him 5 chances to score one but he gets in great positions so it's hard to knock him too much. The guy was a free for god's sake from two divisions below us!
He's done well! Show me another free signing that has scored as many!
He's done well! Show me another free signing that has scored as many!
So all we're missing is strikers then? I agree. And that's the frustration. Moyes has everything but the finishers.
Ciaran (3) can we have a league for the sitters missed due to bad playing surface?
Despite his 7 goals, it's for this very reason we aren't winning or scoring as freely as we should be, aside from the odd game where we are capable of scoring a hat-full.
Nevertheless, I am sorry but I expect a decent striker next season. We can't sit idly by and say what a superb player he is... your stats only point to the fact that he has only scored seven league goals; regardless of where he came from, we need strikers who can put 20 in the net a season ? not 7 to 10.
Nevertheless, I am sorry but I expect a decent striker next season. We can't sit idly by and say what a superb player he is... your stats only point to the fact that he has only scored seven league goals; regardless of where he came from, we need strikers who can put 20 in the net a season ? not 7 to 10.
Dick Fearon - why would he get a mention?
He isn't a striker for which the league stats above apply.
And this season imo he has been woeful, and almost non-existent since he came back in January due to injury.
He isn't a striker for which the league stats above apply.
And this season imo he has been woeful, and almost non-existent since he came back in January due to injury.
Bit harsh on Christopher, I thought, Michael, to come out with your yellow card so quickly. I've seen considerably more more stupid posts, and serial stupid posters, on this site. Try, for starter, the 'we'd score more goals and win more games if Tim Cahill wasn't in the side' brigade.
Also, James (39), perhaps the point that the statisticians are making is that if Beckford was given more minutes he'd not only miss more sitters but get closer to your 20 goals per season.
Sorry, Steve, but his comment struck me in the context as stupid and asinine, contributing nothing to the discussion. I could have just deleted it but people were already responding to it.
Your example of a stupider post is unhelpful: there is no such brigade. Behave! There is valid discussion of Cahill's role and Everton's performance with and without him.
Dave Fearon is right though: his comment (#35) reveals a flaw in the OP, which claims to list "the current leading goalscorer of each team in the Premier League". Everton's current leading scorer in Premier League games is Cahill with 9 ? not Beckford with 7 (or Saha, who also has 7). That blows a big hole in the entire topic... perhaps I should just delete the whole thing?
Your example of a stupider post is unhelpful: there is no such brigade. Behave! There is valid discussion of Cahill's role and Everton's performance with and without him.
Dave Fearon is right though: his comment (#35) reveals a flaw in the OP, which claims to list "the current leading goalscorer of each team in the Premier League". Everton's current leading scorer in Premier League games is Cahill with 9 ? not Beckford with 7 (or Saha, who also has 7). That blows a big hole in the entire topic... perhaps I should just delete the whole thing?
We had a finisher only recently, the Yak. In my book he ranks up there as our best striker in recent seasons. Remember the goal against David James/Portmouth? The Yak actually ran, cut inside the defender, and blasted it pass James. Loads of first time tap-ins and knows where the goal is. Natural striker and finisher.
Shame he's blown his achillies and is no longer motivated.
Shame he's blown his achillies and is no longer motivated.
Andy Carroll: 13 goals ? one every 145.6 mins
Darren Bent: 13 goals ? one every 192.4 mins
That's my fantasy league front three, along with Beckford.
Darren Bent: 13 goals ? one every 192.4 mins
That's my fantasy league front three, along with Beckford.
James #40
"imo 'Cahill' has been woeful, and almost non-existent since he came back in January due to injury"
Errrr, he's harldy played since he came back from the Asian Cup due to his injury and he was hardly woeful in the first half of the season when he was the only one scoring.
"imo 'Cahill' has been woeful, and almost non-existent since he came back in January due to injury"
Errrr, he's harldy played since he came back from the Asian Cup due to his injury and he was hardly woeful in the first half of the season when he was the only one scoring.
James Hollister ? ?your stats only point to the fact that he has only scored seven league goals.? We can use stats to prove anything. So here's my attempt at proving that Beckford is better than the 7-10 goals a season player you call him ? the devil is in the details.
Beckford has played 1092 minutes in 26 appearances this season scoring 7 goals. The total amount of minutes available in 26 games is 2340 minutes ? so let?s say, rather simply, Beckford starts those games and plays the 90 minutes ? at the rate at which he scores (1 goal every 156 mins) he *could* have scored another 8 goals - 15 goals in 26 appearances. Now with 6 games to go in this season let?s call that another 3 goals - 18 goals in 32 appearances wouldn?t be a bad return.
Admittedly, that?s primary school analysis of stats, ?If we double this, we double the other? and assuming goals to minutes ratios never change, and I know it?s not that simple ? there are thousands of variables and other factors affecting performance and scoring feats. But what I would say this proves (using the term loosely!!) is that next season we will see a better goals return from him, assuming he is given more game time ? and not a load of 5-10 minute cameos like this term.
You might not agree, and fair enough, but we're skint, I doubt we'll get another striker. Beckford is our guy for next year, and I'll put it out there, 16+ goals for 2011-12.
Beckford has played 1092 minutes in 26 appearances this season scoring 7 goals. The total amount of minutes available in 26 games is 2340 minutes ? so let?s say, rather simply, Beckford starts those games and plays the 90 minutes ? at the rate at which he scores (1 goal every 156 mins) he *could* have scored another 8 goals - 15 goals in 26 appearances. Now with 6 games to go in this season let?s call that another 3 goals - 18 goals in 32 appearances wouldn?t be a bad return.
Admittedly, that?s primary school analysis of stats, ?If we double this, we double the other? and assuming goals to minutes ratios never change, and I know it?s not that simple ? there are thousands of variables and other factors affecting performance and scoring feats. But what I would say this proves (using the term loosely!!) is that next season we will see a better goals return from him, assuming he is given more game time ? and not a load of 5-10 minute cameos like this term.
You might not agree, and fair enough, but we're skint, I doubt we'll get another striker. Beckford is our guy for next year, and I'll put it out there, 16+ goals for 2011-12.
Where is Victor on that list?
I'd like to see the stats on how many minutes Big Vic has played against how many times he has fallen over. I'm sure he would be top of the table. Saying that, he kept Donovan out of the side at one point and looked a crack-a-lacking player. Shame he's done naff-all since.
Interestingly the highest scoring team in the Championship is .... Leeds Utd!
Whilst I agree that, all things considered, Beckford has done quite well, I think it would be a real mistake to start next season without bringing in another striker.
NA NA NA NANA NA NA! NA NANA NA NAAAA! BEEEEECKFORD!
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1 Posted 12/04/2011 at 14:41:15
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