ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Striking striking dilemma

The emergence of Vaughan and Anichebe last year merely camouflaged the basic dearth of striking capability that has continued to exist since Moyes's second season. Two successive January windows criminally did not see the arrival of a quality striker and, although Johnson's signing at the beginning of last season alleviated the problem, the fact is that we do not score enough goals from open play. This problem has been around for years now ? it's nothing new! With Beattie gone, a top notch striker is imperative. We've piled so much expectation onto Vaughan and Anichebe, it's untrue and I'm not yet totally convinced about either.

We can't blame it entirely on lack of midfield creativity, although granted that is also a problem. The fact is that you still need lethal strikers to put away the chances (sometimes to even make them for themselves out of nothing). Time is running out!
Ray Robinson, Warrington Posted 05/08/2007 at 20:49:43

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Connor Rohrer
1 Posted 05/08/2007 at 23:42:03

I think if we had more creativity we would score goals. All our play comes through Arteta and if he is marked out the game we have a problem. When Fernandes came our Football changed dramatically and we looked a lot more creative. If we need anything we need Fernandes or at least someone in the same mould.

Andy Johnson is by no means a natural goal scorer. You can see this by the way he refuses to attack space in the box. I seen it against Spurs but never again. He will always guarantee you 12-16 goals a season. Every game Faddy started last season I was impresssed and he seems to compliment AJ.

Anichebe and Vaughan are young but they are very much part of our squad. Anichebe is someone who can step in when someone is injured and is very effective when coming off the bench for example Wigan away and Arsenal at home. Vaughan for me will be missed. He has pace but he can also play the target man role as good as anyone. Sadly though he is injured.

That is why I mentioned Andy Cole the other day. Someone who can step in until we get the likes of Cahill and Vaughan back. He may be 35 but he can still do a job and would not get in the way of Anichebe and Vaughan development in the future. His is also a natural goalscorer and that is one thing you never lose.

Roy coyne
2 Posted 06/08/2007 at 00:31:06

Conner I understand what your saying but that would be going back to Walters signings Gazza ect I would sooner they gambled on a unknown striker as its obvious there is no cash for the top class striker we deserve

John Nolan
3 Posted 06/08/2007 at 01:17:22

I think that the Argentinan link is rubbish. If we had 11 million we should be using it to buy cover for Tim Cahill and James Vaughan. At present, the cover up front is the more pressing. The link for a Striker is very deafening.

Jason Siri
4 Posted 06/08/2007 at 03:10:18

John, I completely agree with you. Now that Smith, Nugent, Roberts (which is what EFC can afford) who are we going for now? Crespo? Messi?

Allan
5 Posted 06/08/2007 at 10:46:55

Top quality strikers dont grow on trees though; all the best ones are kept my their clubs for exactly this reason so unless you’re a top 4 club with Champs League footy and pots of cash on offer you aren’t going to be able to sign one.

Spurs are the possible exception to this rule, but they do offer UEFA cup footy, a London lifestyle and lots of money. We on the other hand, can only offer UEFA cup football.

We’re a very unfashionable club whether we like it or not, overseas players don’t know of us because we dont have a European profile to speak of and those players all want to play for London clubs and/or the top 4.

The only players we’re likely to get are ones close to the end of the transfer window - its a bit like hanging around at 2am when a club closes and going home with a fat bird.

Keith Farley
6 Posted 06/08/2007 at 11:05:42

Everton have been in need of a top class natural striker for years. The last true striker was Lineker and before him, Latchford. Johnson is a goal getter but not a striker in the real sense. Big Dunc promised so much but ultimately did not deliver (and I loved him!). Everton missed out on Nugent who dearly wanted to play for the Blues and are now apparently looking at spending a large amount (for the Blues) on an Argentinian midfielder who probably could not care whether he plays for Everton or any other team. There has got to be natural strikers in the lower divisions rather than necessarily on the Continent. If there is a possibility of getting one or two young ambitious lads from the lower reaches then why not give them an opportunity and splash out the Gonzales money(if it exists!) on them.