The Mail Bag
Time for AJ to deliver
Comments (13)
I know it`s heresy to mention it but has anybody noticed that AJ has now gone 11 matches without finding the net? His last goal was against Arsenal on March 18 and however much unselfish running he does a record like his hardly makes him a multi-million pound striker.
No doubt his failure to contribute more than the occasional goal - and the injury to Vaughan, a more natural finisher - persuaded Moyes to demand funds for re-inforcements. Following on from the signing of the hopeless Beattie and the relative failure of Johnson as an out and out striker, it is to be hoped that, at last ,with the coming of Yakubu, the manager has found the solution.
I know that Steve Bruce regarded AJ as a winger `who could do a job in the middle`. Am I alone in thinking he got that one just about right?
Paul Corbett, Posted 24/08/2007 at 21:48:23
Comments
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Michael Kenrick
Personally (dons flak jacket) it is clear to me that Johnson is grossly over-rated. Yes, he runs a lot and gets into some good positions but he simply does not impose himself on the ball. Think Alan Shearer. Yes, obnoxious twat... but by God that man knew what to do with the ball when it was at his feet.
Roy coyne
1 Posted 25/08/2007 at 00:56:17
1 Posted 25/08/2007 at 00:56:17
Sadly must agree although AJ can not be faulted for effort his first touch at times is poor this being said his running creates space for others and if the critics are right about Yak that hes lazy AJ should be the perfect partner but potentially I think Vaughan is better than both I think Vic lacks that bit of guile but with more games he will improve
Paul Dancer
2 Posted 25/08/2007 at 08:36:24
2 Posted 25/08/2007 at 08:36:24
Couldn’t agree more.I love to see AJ on one of his runs but as shown against Reading,he is a poor ’finisher’.I’m sure Moyes hoped he would get a better goals contribution from him but the lad has many other attributes and is an example to all for the effort he puts in.Sadly,that alone is sometimes not enough.
Leigh Sadler
3 Posted 25/08/2007 at 08:32:43
3 Posted 25/08/2007 at 08:32:43
Sorry I disagree, ok I know he is not a natural finisher, but he stretches teams with his pace, and creates space for others. Look at our goals for record last year compared to the previous 5 seasons, even if he did only score 12 league goals (something that an Everton striker hasn’t managed for a long time, and he was injured for a quater of the season) it frees the likes of Arteta, Cahill and Osman to score more goals.
How many chances are served to him on a plate, not many, most of the chances he gets are made by his own excellent running.
That said I do agree that if Vaughan can stay fit he has all the attribues of a top class striker, and in the few games that AJ and Vaughan did play last season we looked a potent force, lets hope they can both stay fit once Vaughan is back.
How many chances are served to him on a plate, not many, most of the chances he gets are made by his own excellent running.
That said I do agree that if Vaughan can stay fit he has all the attribues of a top class striker, and in the few games that AJ and Vaughan did play last season we looked a potent force, lets hope they can both stay fit once Vaughan is back.
Oliver McAdam
4 Posted 25/08/2007 at 08:54:45
4 Posted 25/08/2007 at 08:54:45
AJ got 11 league goals, 1 cup goal. His finshing is poor at times however we have over-relied on his services much. Hopefully with the corect partner and more real chances, as often, AJ ends up on right side of pitch or the on the line, with proper wingers (pienaar) maybe he can stay in middle more.
It is also worth noting that Drogba ’only’ got 20 last season, and was top scorer and no-one else got near. Even the likes of Benni got 17, however 5 or so where penalties, AJ had one penalty and that was his cup goal. So, there is a problem with how many goals strikers are required to get.
Basically, AJ is our best striker, our best striker since Dunc in his prime. Yak we will see, hopefully will challenge that mantle. However, if at end of season AJ has 11-15 and Yak has 11-15 (legue goals) it will be one of the prems best strike forces, add to that Vaughan getting 5-10 and Anichebe (5-10) it would be one hell of a season. No doubt Vaughan is our most talented striker, but AJ is currently our best.
It is also worth noting that Drogba ’only’ got 20 last season, and was top scorer and no-one else got near. Even the likes of Benni got 17, however 5 or so where penalties, AJ had one penalty and that was his cup goal. So, there is a problem with how many goals strikers are required to get.
Basically, AJ is our best striker, our best striker since Dunc in his prime. Yak we will see, hopefully will challenge that mantle. However, if at end of season AJ has 11-15 and Yak has 11-15 (legue goals) it will be one of the prems best strike forces, add to that Vaughan getting 5-10 and Anichebe (5-10) it would be one hell of a season. No doubt Vaughan is our most talented striker, but AJ is currently our best.
Karl Jones
5 Posted 25/08/2007 at 09:09:04
5 Posted 25/08/2007 at 09:09:04
I think he is just struggling for full fitness at the moment, but still contributes moments of sheer quality. Anichebes goal assist v Wigan was class. Also, I think he is a natural finisher. Goals against Arsenal, Liverpool etc prove that.He is one of the few players who can turn a game just by running into the box and winning Pens. I think we are lucky to have him.
Dick Fearon
6 Posted 25/08/2007 at 10:18:04
6 Posted 25/08/2007 at 10:18:04
Last year for suggesting that AJ was merely one half of a great twin strike force I was shot down in flames. Sadly we did not then have the other twin. If Yakubu shares the load AJ will be unstoppable.
Gavin Harris
7 Posted 25/08/2007 at 11:50:07
7 Posted 25/08/2007 at 11:50:07
Something I have yet to do but will do it now is agree with Michael.
AJ is not a goal scorer, he misses far too many chances and when he has a 50 50 opportunity he always passes rather than having a crack like all stikers should do.
He has the abiliy to pull defences apart though and open up areas for others which is very important. This however will not be enough for england as they goals not contributors, so unless he starts scoring regularly he will never be first choice for england.
AJ is not a goal scorer, he misses far too many chances and when he has a 50 50 opportunity he always passes rather than having a crack like all stikers should do.
He has the abiliy to pull defences apart though and open up areas for others which is very important. This however will not be enough for england as they goals not contributors, so unless he starts scoring regularly he will never be first choice for england.
Steve Brown
8 Posted 25/08/2007 at 12:27:13
8 Posted 25/08/2007 at 12:27:13
I can’t belive what I am reading. AJ is a natural finisher. Look at his goals on You tube. You can count on one hand how many clear chances he was given last season. He hasn’t had a chance to build up a proper understanding with any partner yet. Let’s reserve judgement until we have seen him with the Yak for half a season. He will get more space now and hopefully better service. Then you will see him finish. Overated?? What a joke!!
Tony Williams
9 Posted 25/08/2007 at 13:07:52
9 Posted 25/08/2007 at 13:07:52
I agree and disagree,ermm, if that makes sense.
At the moment AJ is our best sriker and can be lethal, however my biggest concern is his one on ones, I can’t remember him actually scoring one to date.
Instinctively he is exceptional but similar to the Rat his one on ones leave a lot to be desired.
My mate at the match mentioned this early on last season and I berated him, now I understand where he is coming from. It is unusual, as he scored one on ones frequently with Palace
At the moment AJ is our best sriker and can be lethal, however my biggest concern is his one on ones, I can’t remember him actually scoring one to date.
Instinctively he is exceptional but similar to the Rat his one on ones leave a lot to be desired.
My mate at the match mentioned this early on last season and I berated him, now I understand where he is coming from. It is unusual, as he scored one on ones frequently with Palace
Ray Robinson
10 Posted 25/08/2007 at 13:19:12
10 Posted 25/08/2007 at 13:19:12
A striker who drags and snatches so many efforts, does not put more than 50% of one on ones away and who basically hasn’t got a left foot is not a Category A sriker.
Still, his instincts, effort and pace make him our best forward - although Vaughan may have something to say about that in the near future if he can stay fit.
Still, his instincts, effort and pace make him our best forward - although Vaughan may have something to say about that in the near future if he can stay fit.
Gavin Harris
11 Posted 25/08/2007 at 13:55:44
11 Posted 25/08/2007 at 13:55:44
I was watching an old video of us play in the 80’s and I have to say that Gary Lineker was lethal.
Every one on one he put away, his finsihing was excellent and looked every bit as good as he was for england.
Michael rightly points to shearer becuase he like lineker was a fantastic striker who always took his chance. Johnson has a lot to do to be even half the finisher these guys are. Hope I am proved wrong though.
Every one on one he put away, his finsihing was excellent and looked every bit as good as he was for england.
Michael rightly points to shearer becuase he like lineker was a fantastic striker who always took his chance. Johnson has a lot to do to be even half the finisher these guys are. Hope I am proved wrong though.
Karl Jones
12 Posted 25/08/2007 at 15:06:23
12 Posted 25/08/2007 at 15:06:23
Tony W., Thats a good point regarding one-on-ones, I cant remember him scoring one either.
What I can remember are most one-on-ones he has had ending in penalties..Sheff Utd twice, Watford and other times being brought down and not being awarded pens.That is his quality.Even though he might not have been prolific last season, he won a lot of pens which in the past he would have taken himself.
What I can remember are most one-on-ones he has had ending in penalties..Sheff Utd twice, Watford and other times being brought down and not being awarded pens.That is his quality.Even though he might not have been prolific last season, he won a lot of pens which in the past he would have taken himself.
Adam Carey
13 Posted 26/08/2007 at 08:59:49
13 Posted 26/08/2007 at 08:59:49
Let’s be fair to AJ here guys. Last year we were singing his praises as we had for the first time in a while pace up front. We won a lot of penalties due to AJ and his workrate was first class.
Comparing to Lineker or Shearer is unfair as to my memory they didn’t spend most of the game running down the lines chasing a long ball.
I think when Yakubu gets up and running and we have a target man to play/link to AJ’s goals will come.
Comparing to Lineker or Shearer is unfair as to my memory they didn’t spend most of the game running down the lines chasing a long ball.
I think when Yakubu gets up and running and we have a target man to play/link to AJ’s goals will come.
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