The Mail Bag
Have We Sold The Wrong Striker?
Comments (25)
Lets be brutally honest; right now Andy Johnson couldn't score in a brothel.
For some reason, Everton's main striker seems to have lost his ability to find the net. Sure he's all about running and work rate but it's a strikers job to score goals and at the moment Johnson sucks at that.
It's even more annoying because James Beattie scored again today for Sheff Utd. Now it's fair to say that Beattie is playing at a lower level but I believe Beattie is a more natural goalscorer then AJ. Beattie also has more physical presence which would better suit Everton's style of play.
What happened to Beattie is a real shame, an undeniably good player lost his confidence and his goal-scoring touch (sound familar AJ?). I'm not saying I would swap AJ for Beattie but watching AJ fail time again to get a shot on target against Blackburn, I did just for a second wonder if Moyes had sold the wrong striker?
Dutch Schaffaer, Posted 25/08/2007 at 22:36:23
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Brian Waring
2 Posted 26/08/2007 at 08:56:56
2 Posted 26/08/2007 at 08:56:56
Got to agree Dutch.For me,his only saving grace is his pace.His first touch is terrible,and his finishing(when he does get presented with the opportunity)is not that good either.Also,when you are getting balls hoofed up to you when you are up against a giant centre half doesn’t help.I hope that when he teams up with the yak,some of the pressure will be taken off him,and we might see a different player.
Robin Byrne
3 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:03:31
3 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:03:31
No way! Ok so AJ is going through a dry spell right now, but to say Beattie is a more natural goalscorer is taking the complete piss!! When Yakubu comes in and takes some of the scoring pressure off then hopefully we’ll see the best of AJ. You mustve been sucking on a serious amount of wine gums Dutch to a) suggest we shouldve kept hold of Beatts, and b) for even mildly suggesting that your Moyesiah had made a mistake - for shame Dutch, for shame
Keith Harrison
4 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:09:12
4 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:09:12
Johnson isn’t a natural finisher, but hyis all round game has improved from last year. Beattie missed a boatload of sitters last year, so cannot even be compared for my money.
AJ will come good with a big mobile partner - Yak or a more experienced Vic - and a midfield who can actually supply a decent ball/cross to him instead of asking him to attempt to head the snow off the ball when it finally comes down
AJ will come good with a big mobile partner - Yak or a more experienced Vic - and a midfield who can actually supply a decent ball/cross to him instead of asking him to attempt to head the snow off the ball when it finally comes down
Simon Jones
5 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:27:33
5 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:27:33
I think you’ve forgotten how crap Beattie was or you are a red on a wind up.
Simon
6 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:50:11
6 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:50:11
Roll on xmas when we can partner Vaughan and Yakubu up front , cos AJ will never score enough , he needs far too many chances before he eventually finds the net , and lets face it we dont create anywhere near enough for our stikers to continuously squander chance after chance !!
Neil Pearse
7 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:49:57
7 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:49:57
Forget Beattie - maybe Dutch you are trying to justify one of Moyes’ bad buys, but he was (apart from a few games) an immobile dolt playing for us. I’m not at all surprised he’s scoring in the Championship - a slow bruiser like him with a few skills will.
On Johnson, yes he’s lost his goals touch at the moment, but I could have screamed for two weeks running watching him trying to do something with balls hoofed up to him - and defenders nearly a foot taller! This is ridiculous and as we all know Moyes has got to stop it. Meanwhile, Johnson is still causing defences a lot of problems with his running, it’s a shame his colleagues are not currently taking advantage (come in the Yak!).
By the way, my personal view is that by far the most talented striker at Everton currently is James Vaughan. Great control, lightning pace and a killer instinct. Can’t wait to see you back James!
On Johnson, yes he’s lost his goals touch at the moment, but I could have screamed for two weeks running watching him trying to do something with balls hoofed up to him - and defenders nearly a foot taller! This is ridiculous and as we all know Moyes has got to stop it. Meanwhile, Johnson is still causing defences a lot of problems with his running, it’s a shame his colleagues are not currently taking advantage (come in the Yak!).
By the way, my personal view is that by far the most talented striker at Everton currently is James Vaughan. Great control, lightning pace and a killer instinct. Can’t wait to see you back James!
Jimmy Hoffa
8 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:53:02
8 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:53:02
I think Johnson has been given the max security by any defenders making it difficult for him to score.
In short, he has much less space to work nowadays compared to last season.
In fact, most of his goals last season came in the early part of the season where his threat was not stinging to the managers in the PL.
And, i think bringing Yakubu is a correct move on the count that that will take pressure away from Johnson and allow him to score.
No forward in the world can score boatloads of goals given the amount of pressure he has to receive like Johnson has to bear.
Besides, the dude’s injured. He’s not himself 100%. My take is that we shouldn’t have even played him last Saturday and let him heel properly.
But, his pace is takes a shitload of pressure from our attacking midfielders thus allowing them to score i.e. Osman, Arteta etc.
Johnson would’ve worked perfectly if Vaughn and Cahill is around.
But, right now, our only hope in a scoring midfield is Osman.
Osman, when up against big center forwards, just cannot score because of his size.
Jimmy Hoffa
9 Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:00:11
9 Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:00:11
I think it?s clear now that both Neville and Carsley cannot occupy the midfield at the same time.
Neville should be given the Right-Back position on a permenant basis.
Hibbert should be his backup.
Since Crasley is injured, position should be given to Jigelka.
Osman should be rested and bring out Pienieer.
Stubsy is injured, replace him with Baines at left back and bring back Lescot.
When Manny Fernandez comes, he should take Neville?s place in midfield.
Try that out for size
Neil Pearse
10 Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:09:23
10 Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:09:23
Hey, I think we may have total agreement on Toffeeweb!
Does anyone think this is NOT our best current side?
Howard
Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Baines
Pienaar, Jagielka, Fernandes, Arteta
Johnson, Yakubu
Wessels, Stubbs, Carsley, Osman, McFadden
Does anyone think this is NOT our best current side?
Howard
Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Baines
Pienaar, Jagielka, Fernandes, Arteta
Johnson, Yakubu
Wessels, Stubbs, Carsley, Osman, McFadden
Rob Prince
11 Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:33:52
11 Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:33:52
That´s a mouthwatering line up Neil yes! But here is how I would see Everton 4 months down the line (when Vaughney is fit Howard
Neville Yobo Lescott Baines
Jagielka
Fernandez Arteta
Cahill
Yakubu Vaughn
bench: Johnson Pienarr Osman etc...
Neville Yobo Lescott Baines
Jagielka
Fernandez Arteta
Cahill
Yakubu Vaughn
bench: Johnson Pienarr Osman etc...
Adrian Haggar
12 Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:38:32
12 Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:38:32
Totally agree with you Neil that is a good side and then replace Pienaar with Cahill who is without doubt our most important player and is being sadly missed.
How Moyes could leave out Lescott in favour of Stubbs is beyond me unless he has a slight knock. Lets just hope the Yak can give us the goals from up front that we have been sadly lacking for for too long.
How Moyes could leave out Lescott in favour of Stubbs is beyond me unless he has a slight knock. Lets just hope the Yak can give us the goals from up front that we have been sadly lacking for for too long.
Allan Hobbs
13 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:06:31
13 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:06:31
Have you ever considered the following Dutch?
AJ plays up front on his own. He gets long high balls lofted up to him and he?s only a little fella compared to the defenders he?s up against. He gets very few clear cut chances due to our lack of creativity.
You cant blame AJ for his lack of goals currently. You have to look at the team as a whole; I mean you cant give clean sheets as an indication of how good a goalkeeper is can you? Its all about the defence in front of him, and likewise a striker can only be as good as the service he gets.
We dont play the right way for AJ to score alot of goals, having Manny & the Yak might help his cause though - Manny will add some creativity to the midfield, even if he takes some burden off Arteta giving him more licence to create, and Yakubu will give us alot more physical presence up front.
You wait, I guarantee you AJ will score at least 12 this season; a good return for a player who offers so much more than goals. I also promise you if you asked any player in our team that they love having AJ in the first 11.
AJ plays up front on his own. He gets long high balls lofted up to him and he?s only a little fella compared to the defenders he?s up against. He gets very few clear cut chances due to our lack of creativity.
You cant blame AJ for his lack of goals currently. You have to look at the team as a whole; I mean you cant give clean sheets as an indication of how good a goalkeeper is can you? Its all about the defence in front of him, and likewise a striker can only be as good as the service he gets.
We dont play the right way for AJ to score alot of goals, having Manny & the Yak might help his cause though - Manny will add some creativity to the midfield, even if he takes some burden off Arteta giving him more licence to create, and Yakubu will give us alot more physical presence up front.
You wait, I guarantee you AJ will score at least 12 this season; a good return for a player who offers so much more than goals. I also promise you if you asked any player in our team that they love having AJ in the first 11.
Mark Pendleton
14 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:17:03
14 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:17:03
Johnson has been VERY unlucky so far this season, with defenders getting the merest of touches to deflect a few of the chances he’s had. He’s also not been fully fit and annoyingly yesterday we didn’t give him a chance with the service he got. Beattie got the same type of service as Vic and Vaughan so don’t give me the "we’ve sold the wrong striker". AJ is a valuable asset for EFC and to think people are starting to get on his back reflects badly on the fanbase.
Anthony Newell
15 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:15:19
15 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:15:19
Dutch, look no further than your esteemed manager, David Moyes for the reason Johnson is below par. Moyes is sending out sides which are far too defensive in nature and instructing them to punt the ball upfield for Johnson to chase. Beattie is not as good as Johnson but suffered under similar circumstances. Yesterday was an opportunity to set the side up in an attacking way, play on the deck, Pienaar and Jagielka in the side, go for it but no. I’ve a horrible feeling that were going to get more of the same against Bolton before things get better but I’m desperate to be proved wrong
Kevin Sparke
16 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:39:37
16 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:39:37
Dutch, if you are going to come out with ludicrous arguments like this, at least have the courage to use your real name.
Beattie failed to score for us from outfield for an entire season... and we still got 4 million for the pudding... does that not tell you something?
Hint: he’s playing in the Championship.
Beattie failed to score for us from outfield for an entire season... and we still got 4 million for the pudding... does that not tell you something?
Hint: he’s playing in the Championship.
Ian Moorecroft
17 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:57:06
17 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:57:06
Just to add, AJ did get one shot on target, a sort of volley which went straight to the keeper. I think that if everyone was fit (as well as if we sign yakubu an fernandes), this should be our first team.
Howard
Jagielka Yobo Lescott Baines
Arteta Cahill Fernandes Pienaar
Yakubu Vaughan
A very attacking,exciting starting line up which looks asthough it could have us on the edge of our seats for the 90mins instead of slouching in boredom.
Howard
Jagielka Yobo Lescott Baines
Arteta Cahill Fernandes Pienaar
Yakubu Vaughan
A very attacking,exciting starting line up which looks asthough it could have us on the edge of our seats for the 90mins instead of slouching in boredom.
Ric Carey
18 Posted 26/08/2007 at 12:20:02
18 Posted 26/08/2007 at 12:20:02
We should never of sold beatie in the first place, moyes bowed to fan pressure and look whats happened the defenses weve come across this season needed a player like beats. and also last season we dont cross for him (beaties strength) we sell him and then start crossing to a player not very tall (johsons’ weekness)
Ben Jones
19 Posted 26/08/2007 at 12:54:30
19 Posted 26/08/2007 at 12:54:30
I actually agree with Neil.. that is our best side.. maybe Carsley instead of Jagielka because he’s an important player for us. The only problem now is where will Cahill play?
George London
20 Posted 26/08/2007 at 12:27:46
20 Posted 26/08/2007 at 12:27:46
Johnson is going through a tough spell and agreeing with Mark Pembleton people unreasonably getting on his back reflects badly on our fanbase.
He is obviously our most dangerous attacking entity on the pitch. You can see defenders unease when Johnson recieves the ball.
He may not be banging them in at the moment but he works damn hard(I am not talking about the James Beattie "working hard" but I mean his movement and improved hold up play which bring tangible results).
Johnson works tirelessly but doesn?t score-he gets reprimanded.
McFadden in the main is ineffectual but scores- he too gats reprimanded.
Hopefully the arrival of Yakubu will alleviate some pressure of Johnson but i find it funny how people can place so much unfounded faith in him,that he warrants an inclusion into their best Everton XI ahead of Johnson.
He is obviously our most dangerous attacking entity on the pitch. You can see defenders unease when Johnson recieves the ball.
He may not be banging them in at the moment but he works damn hard(I am not talking about the James Beattie "working hard" but I mean his movement and improved hold up play which bring tangible results).
Johnson works tirelessly but doesn?t score-he gets reprimanded.
McFadden in the main is ineffectual but scores- he too gats reprimanded.
Hopefully the arrival of Yakubu will alleviate some pressure of Johnson but i find it funny how people can place so much unfounded faith in him,that he warrants an inclusion into their best Everton XI ahead of Johnson.
Michael Squires
21 Posted 26/08/2007 at 13:31:33
21 Posted 26/08/2007 at 13:31:33
I don’t think AJ is 100% fit, he was sent home from England duty last week with fluid on the knee.
He seems to have lost a yard of pace.But even so he still put in a decent shift yesterday, working hard for the team.He didn’t get a clear cut chance which is moore to do with the way the midfield is set up.
James Beattie has obviously found the right level to play in at Sheffield, You have to admit he was poor for us.
I hope Yakubu is going to produce for us but I do have doubts about his consistency.
He seems to have lost a yard of pace.But even so he still put in a decent shift yesterday, working hard for the team.He didn’t get a clear cut chance which is moore to do with the way the midfield is set up.
James Beattie has obviously found the right level to play in at Sheffield, You have to admit he was poor for us.
I hope Yakubu is going to produce for us but I do have doubts about his consistency.
Ali Jamu
22 Posted 26/08/2007 at 14:08:36
22 Posted 26/08/2007 at 14:08:36
Its a shame that drug tests are not a requirement from Toffeeweb before someone is allowed to post such articles.
Martin Berry
23 Posted 26/08/2007 at 14:12:02
23 Posted 26/08/2007 at 14:12:02
How despondent we become because AJ has had a couple of average games, so we forget that goal against Arsenal last season. Those who say he cant finish, lets see him been given a decent pass and a one on one with the keeper then we will see if he cannot finish. As for keeping Beattie, 30k + per week for a Z minus season, he scored TWO !! goals both pens last season, good riddance and count your blessings. Judge Johnson when he gets a decent partner for layoffs, then we will see him score goals, dont get on his back already thats just ridiculous
Keith Harrison
24 Posted 26/08/2007 at 14:42:05
24 Posted 26/08/2007 at 14:42:05
Jimmy Hoffa and Neil Pearse - you plagiarists. Youve nicked my team posted this morning on another thread !!!!!
Agree with you Neil - nice to see some agreement on here for a change.
Agree with you Neil - nice to see some agreement on here for a change.
Neil Pearse
25 Posted 26/08/2007 at 17:19:12
25 Posted 26/08/2007 at 17:19:12
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Keith! Didn’t see your post earlier actually - so it’s good to see some agreement for once. I wonder what Davey thinks though?
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1 Posted 26/08/2007 at 08:35:21
And you?d rather have Beattie ?
You?re either a wind-up or your under the influence some kind of mind-bending drugs. I honestly can?t decide which.
Anyway, thank god you?re not being serious.