The Mail Bag
Why The Yak?
Comments (35)
Why are we even signing Yakubu? Especially at £11.25 million?
Evidence from Saturday suggests it's craft we need coming from either wing ? especially the left-hand side ? and the middle of midfield. Baines will help down the flank but he can?t be expected to get to the bye-line every time we attack. Arteta is not a right-winger and we might benefit from his craft more in-field. We currently have Jagielka, Carsley and Phil Neville to operate our centre-mid. Obviously Fernandes was to be added to that but we all know how that turned out now. However, that is finished now and we must move on.
Up front we have AJ (poacher, hard worker), Anichebe (powerful), Vaughan (all rounder) and McFadden (answers on a postcard). Obviously JV is injured just now but his progress has been brilliant ? his performance at Old Trafford last season was evidence of the potential he has. Anichebe?s progression is great as well but surely signing a striker like Yakubu will set Anichebe back rather than help him improve. McFadden can produce moments of greatness and I feel he is better playing off the striker than being stuck out wide. He surely would be looking for a new club were we to bring in the Yak.
This large amount of money punted on a striker who, going by some comments from his current clubs fan base, is a lazy bastard might not be a very good idea at all. As unlikely as it is, the appeal getting turned down for the work permit might be a blessing in disguise for us.
Ross Trotter, Posted 28/08/2007 at 12:28:12
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Pistol
2 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:14:52
2 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:14:52
McFadden is better off playing at his natural level. In the English or Scottish First Division!
I agree about Yakubu. Lazy bastard who we will never recoup the money on in terms of goals or sell on fee. £11m when apparently Adriano is on the market for £10m...hmmmm
I agree about Yakubu. Lazy bastard who we will never recoup the money on in terms of goals or sell on fee. £11m when apparently Adriano is on the market for £10m...hmmmm
John Holmes
3 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:19:49
3 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:19:49
I reckon Yakubu will be a good signing although somewhat on the pricey side. Akin to Johnson who certainly was overpriced he may not be worth his transfer value but I feel the team will be better for his presence. Yes we definitely need a midfielder but, unless you’re in the conspiracy camp, there was of course supposed to be one of those arriving too and now money to spend. However, we also need a striker. Vaughan and Anichebe are promising but the former is injured the second is inconsistent in the extreme at the moment. Essentially we have 2 Premiership quality strikers and two unreliable strikers (plus Jutkeiwicz). We need someone to partner Johnson and Yakubu could be a great choice to compliment him.
jon wilson
4 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:20:41
4 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:20:41
No guarantee Adriano would be a success in the premier league, just look at Shevchenko and Crespo. Yakubu on the other hand has been a success and unlike Beattie has been a success for the majority of the 5 years he has played here.
Ross Trotter
5 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:24:13
5 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:24:13
Mike that’s all well and good but I would argue he can’t score the goals if they’re not created for him. Are we going to pass the ball back to Howard to punt it onto his scoring foot?
Dan Pedersen
6 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:24:57
6 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:24:57
Yakubu lazy, Adriano not? I think laziness, drinking, missed trainings etc.... are the reasons for Internazionale selling Adriano for 10 million.
I like the idea of Yakubu, but we need a midfielder and one of immense quality.
I like the idea of Yakubu, but we need a midfielder and one of immense quality.
karl
7 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:43:15
7 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:43:15
dont forget we already have one of the premierships best midfielders due to come back to our squad any time... mr tim cahill, i think with him back in our midfield and big yak up front things will be much improved.
Robin Byrne
8 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:50:06
8 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:50:06
Fair point Karl, but what happens if Tiny gets injured again, or God forbid Arteta? We need a top quality midfield player added to the ranks, plus Yakubu, simple as that. Not in January, not next summer, NOW.
kieran fitzgerald
9 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:50:13
9 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:50:13
I think Cahill has been overlooked during the last few weeks. As he is a definite starter, having both him and Arteta in midfield should provide more creativity.
Allan
10 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:53:02
10 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:53:02
I disagree, Tim Cahill is good at what he does, but he’s not creative like Manny or Arteta - we need more creativity in midfield without doubt.
Yakubu is a great signing, and not overpriced, thats the going rate for a player of his qulaity. He’s proven in the PL, scores more than enough goals, supplies them too, has UEFA Cup experience and is a big, strong bloke; exactly what we lack up front. He’ll be a good foil for AJ and a good influence on Anichebe & Vaughany.
Yakubu is a great signing, and not overpriced, thats the going rate for a player of his qulaity. He’s proven in the PL, scores more than enough goals, supplies them too, has UEFA Cup experience and is a big, strong bloke; exactly what we lack up front. He’ll be a good foil for AJ and a good influence on Anichebe & Vaughany.
Shez Khan
11 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:52:14
11 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:52:14
I think Yakubu will be a brilliant signing for us. Agreed its about £5m too much but when players like Bellamy go for £7.5m what do you expect?
Yakubu is potentially as good as any striker in the Premier League - he just needs to play consistently well and not disappear for long periods.
Am I the only one who cant wait to see Yakubu, Johnson, Cahill and Arteta attacking the opposition?
Yakubu is potentially as good as any striker in the Premier League - he just needs to play consistently well and not disappear for long periods.
Am I the only one who cant wait to see Yakubu, Johnson, Cahill and Arteta attacking the opposition?
B G
12 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:44:52
12 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:44:52
I think Yakubu is a top class striker and that is why we are paying 11.25 million for him! His record speaks for itself...GOALSCORER not had one since Latchford.
However i agree Arteta should be in the middle if we don’t have another creative midfielder in there, otherwise I think he is fine out wide. I would like us to get Nolan,gets you 8 or so goals from midfield. By the end of the transfer window, I would like the team to be this when we play United:
Howard
Neville Yobo Lescott Baines
Pienaar Jagielka Nolan Arteta
Yakubu AJ
However when everyone is fit this is what i would want to see:
Howard
Neville Yobo Lescott Baines
Jagielka
Arteta Pienaar
Cahill/Nolan
Yakubu Vaughan
You can always swap people round.
However i agree Arteta should be in the middle if we don’t have another creative midfielder in there, otherwise I think he is fine out wide. I would like us to get Nolan,gets you 8 or so goals from midfield. By the end of the transfer window, I would like the team to be this when we play United:
Howard
Neville Yobo Lescott Baines
Pienaar Jagielka Nolan Arteta
Yakubu AJ
However when everyone is fit this is what i would want to see:
Howard
Neville Yobo Lescott Baines
Jagielka
Arteta Pienaar
Cahill/Nolan
Yakubu Vaughan
You can always swap people round.
Roy coyne
13 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:55:11
13 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:55:11
I like Cahill but I don think he has the creativity that we need that’s not to say I don’t rate him I do but do not think he should play as a playmaker leave him a bit further up the pitch
Paul Smith
14 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:06:45
14 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:06:45
We are signing him because of his goal record - we have been crying out for a top level goal scorer for ages!
Yakubu averaged 1 goal in 2 at Portsmouth and 1 in 3 in a poor Boro team.
The reason he may be percieved as lazy at Boro is because he dont wanna be there! Joey would not be pursueding him to join if he thought he was lazy?
Yakubu averaged 1 goal in 2 at Portsmouth and 1 in 3 in a poor Boro team.
The reason he may be percieved as lazy at Boro is because he dont wanna be there! Joey would not be pursueding him to join if he thought he was lazy?
Peter Singer
15 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:03:19
15 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:03:19
When I read hundreds of identical posts repeating "we need creativity" every day, I sense irony in the whole situation.
What we do need in fact is stronger cooperation between our midfield and defense. We need a midfielder who can provide the obvious pass for the likes of Hibbo, Yobo or Stubbsy, so that they’re not forced to hoof it when they are closed down by opposition attackers. If he’s creative, so much the better, but the most important thing is to have someone who can link up with the defense in the build-up phase.
Flashy feet would be a bonus but good positional sense is first and foremost.
What we do need in fact is stronger cooperation between our midfield and defense. We need a midfielder who can provide the obvious pass for the likes of Hibbo, Yobo or Stubbsy, so that they’re not forced to hoof it when they are closed down by opposition attackers. If he’s creative, so much the better, but the most important thing is to have someone who can link up with the defense in the build-up phase.
Flashy feet would be a bonus but good positional sense is first and foremost.
John Holmes
16 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:21:42
16 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:21:42
No doubts we need a striker and a midfielder. Cahill is a good players, great for getting a goal and on his day can be creative too but we need more than that. We need someone, in the mould of *gulps* Gerrard. Someone who can boss the midfield both going forward and in defence. Ok, realistically it’s unlikely we’re going to get anyone of that standard (no now the one we could have got has slipped away) but that’s the kind of player. Physically dominant, a driving force, composed on the ball and high workrate in defence.
Jason Burrows
17 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:22:10
17 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:22:10
Yakubu is overpriced but is still a good sighning, id rather have him for 11 million than Bent for 16 million! Its just the way that transfers are nowadays and the massive inflation with the increase from the Tv deal
P.S does anyone else think we shud draft Graveson in after failing to get manny. He’s older will settle quick, get goal and only cost about a million!!!!
P.S does anyone else think we shud draft Graveson in after failing to get manny. He’s older will settle quick, get goal and only cost about a million!!!!
Ray
18 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:25:00
18 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:25:00
BG......So,we’ve not had a goalscorer since Latchford.hmmm...so you never saw Lineker,then? I agree with most of your other comments with the exception of Nolan. We need a bit more guile and craft, not toil and graft!
Peter Singer
19 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:22:44
19 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:22:44
Mind you, this is why TC is not an answer to our main problem.
Ross Trotter
20 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:33:18
20 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:33:18
Peter Singer - that’s bang on exactly what we need. There’s no obvious forthcoming midfielder coming to take the ball off the defenders, hence the HOOF!
mark lewis
21 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:27:12
21 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:27:12
course we need yakubu overpriced or not, if aj not scoring we need someelse to
norman merrill
22 Posted 28/08/2007 at 16:06:45
22 Posted 28/08/2007 at 16:06:45
Mike Neely, You stole my thunder,
you got it right his record in
premier is second only to "Henry"
Nick
23 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:38:46
23 Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:38:46
Peter, In my opinion Jagielka offers that link up between defence and midfield as well as being a solid holding player. I’ve seen posts on this site claiming it needs to be either Neville or Carsley in midfield but not together. Personally i feel that it has to be Jagielka or Carsley due to the fact Neville is absolutely crap in midfield. He can’t pick a pass to save his life and his position is full-back, simple as. Although Hibbert is a decent defender he has not been in good form of late and even when hes on form his distribution is worse than Nevilles.
We still do need a ’creative’ midfielder (i.e. one who can actually pass the ball accurately more than 5 yards). Everyone moans that AJ isn’t scoring but we don’t play the right balls in for him. Diagonal passes on the ground in behind the opponents centre-halfs is where you will see AJ come into his own. We need a player like arteta in the MIDDLE of the park who can pick out those kind of passes. Nolan is definately not the player for that job.
As for Yakubu, as expensive as he may be he’s a good signing (if we actually manage to see this transfer through to its conclusion without him buggering off to Spain that is). AJ needs help up front from an experienced goalscorer. Someone with pace and power who knows where the goal is. For me Yakubu fits the bill. Especially while Vaughan is unavailable.
We still do need a ’creative’ midfielder (i.e. one who can actually pass the ball accurately more than 5 yards). Everyone moans that AJ isn’t scoring but we don’t play the right balls in for him. Diagonal passes on the ground in behind the opponents centre-halfs is where you will see AJ come into his own. We need a player like arteta in the MIDDLE of the park who can pick out those kind of passes. Nolan is definately not the player for that job.
As for Yakubu, as expensive as he may be he’s a good signing (if we actually manage to see this transfer through to its conclusion without him buggering off to Spain that is). AJ needs help up front from an experienced goalscorer. Someone with pace and power who knows where the goal is. For me Yakubu fits the bill. Especially while Vaughan is unavailable.
Yankee Blue
24 Posted 28/08/2007 at 16:15:42
24 Posted 28/08/2007 at 16:15:42
The fact that we didn’t sign Manny was dissapointing. But was he really worth the sum that we were going to pay for him? He played for us for 9 games and scored 2 goals. He was brilliant v Manure but other than that, I think that he was mediocre, average at best. I think that as supporters, we are desperate to see another midfielder to help Arteta. Manny essentially is unproven in the Prem. What if Manny signed and then left after a year or two? In retrospect maybe it was better this way. I would prefer to see some of that money spent on a proven midfielder that will sign and stay in the club longterm. Let’s not forget about Pienaar. He could be the darkhorse and exactly what we need.
Assuming that we sign Yak, I woild like to see the following lineup(taking injuries into account):
Howard, Nev, Yobo, Lescott, Baines. Jags to be the link and Arteta, Pienaar, Osman to round out the mf. Yak and AJ up front.
Assuming that we sign Yak, I woild like to see the following lineup(taking injuries into account):
Howard, Nev, Yobo, Lescott, Baines. Jags to be the link and Arteta, Pienaar, Osman to round out the mf. Yak and AJ up front.
Peter Singer
25 Posted 28/08/2007 at 16:20:02
25 Posted 28/08/2007 at 16:20:02
Nick, it’s interesting what you say about Jagielka. Yes, he could easily be this man. (I’d never drop Carsley, he’s my favourite player.)
If he fits the bill, we will see substantially less hoofball.
As you suggest, a good passer should be our next target. Again, no need for fancy tricks, just someone who can reliably put in balls AJ can run onto. (Either diagonal or into the channels that inevitably open up if AJ has a strong and quick strike partner, like Yakubu.)
Nolan is definitely not like this and I think the same goes for Nakamura, whom I’ve heard being suggested.
If he fits the bill, we will see substantially less hoofball.
As you suggest, a good passer should be our next target. Again, no need for fancy tricks, just someone who can reliably put in balls AJ can run onto. (Either diagonal or into the channels that inevitably open up if AJ has a strong and quick strike partner, like Yakubu.)
Nolan is definitely not like this and I think the same goes for Nakamura, whom I’ve heard being suggested.
Mike Allison
26 Posted 28/08/2007 at 16:59:40
26 Posted 28/08/2007 at 16:59:40
Johann Vogel is probably that passing/holding player.
We also need a left winger and Arteta in the centre running the game. Pienaar can play on the right and Baines and Neville would be a good pair of overlapping full backs.
We also need a left winger and Arteta in the centre running the game. Pienaar can play on the right and Baines and Neville would be a good pair of overlapping full backs.
Stan
27 Posted 28/08/2007 at 17:00:11
27 Posted 28/08/2007 at 17:00:11
Peter your spot on about the link up player. My bro is a redshite fan and he watched the Blackburn game on Saturday with me and said the same thing!
Jagielka looked good when he came on against Blackburn and I hope he starts the next game with Nev going to right back. Jags may have missed that header in the 2nd half but at least he was there to have the chance. He’s strong, good in the air and likes a tackle.
Having said that we definately need a bit more guile to go with the steel so lets hope we get someone in (don’t fancy Grav or Nolan) or that Pienaar turns out to be a smasher!
Jagielka looked good when he came on against Blackburn and I hope he starts the next game with Nev going to right back. Jags may have missed that header in the 2nd half but at least he was there to have the chance. He’s strong, good in the air and likes a tackle.
Having said that we definately need a bit more guile to go with the steel so lets hope we get someone in (don’t fancy Grav or Nolan) or that Pienaar turns out to be a smasher!
James Elworthy
28 Posted 28/08/2007 at 17:41:58
28 Posted 28/08/2007 at 17:41:58
Yakubu is a strong powerful player has a scoring record 2nd to Henry. Anichebe is raw and one for the future who needs nurturing and still needs nurse maiding till he is ready the lad is still a teenager. Vaughan has great talent if he can overcome injuries he will be a top player. McFadden is an enigma bundles of talent but lacks the self belief. AJ lacks the first touch required of a great striker works hard and will give 100% but lacks the final quality to make him a great player which his England performances show. He would be the ideal man though to play with Yakubu as he will thrive on the extra space the big man would give him. I also think Johnson is playing with injury at the moment making him less effective at the moment
Mark Pendleton
29 Posted 28/08/2007 at 17:45:25
29 Posted 28/08/2007 at 17:45:25
I really wanted us to sign Manny but as for saying he was class against Man Ure, yes he scored a class goal but other than that he was anonymous.
The Yak will be a good signing. If he’s that lazy and useless then why, given all the other strikers he’s signed, was Harry keen to re-sign him?
Not sure Nolan is the answer to our problems, but in truth we already have enough midfielders capable of playing the ball around. We’ve done it, albeit in flashes many times so it was a complete mystery to me why we punted it forward all the time vs Blackburn.
I must admit, rather than rush a midfielder in now (i don’t see Moyes as a panic buyer anyway) i think if it’s an option then Tommy G would be an ideal stop gap for the remainder of the season so we can make 2 class midfielders (and another centre half and class right back) our priority next summer.
Move Phil to right back and keep the Jag in midfield. Him and Baines were excellent against Blackburn - £10m well spent (THANKYOU BILL - SOME OF US APPRECIATE IT).
The Yak will be a good signing. If he’s that lazy and useless then why, given all the other strikers he’s signed, was Harry keen to re-sign him?
Not sure Nolan is the answer to our problems, but in truth we already have enough midfielders capable of playing the ball around. We’ve done it, albeit in flashes many times so it was a complete mystery to me why we punted it forward all the time vs Blackburn.
I must admit, rather than rush a midfielder in now (i don’t see Moyes as a panic buyer anyway) i think if it’s an option then Tommy G would be an ideal stop gap for the remainder of the season so we can make 2 class midfielders (and another centre half and class right back) our priority next summer.
Move Phil to right back and keep the Jag in midfield. Him and Baines were excellent against Blackburn - £10m well spent (THANKYOU BILL - SOME OF US APPRECIATE IT).
harj
30 Posted 28/08/2007 at 18:22:50
30 Posted 28/08/2007 at 18:22:50
time to unleash VDM - at least give him a few games
David Shaw
31 Posted 28/08/2007 at 18:26:54
31 Posted 28/08/2007 at 18:26:54
I think you’re all wrong, what we’re really missing is a backup goalkeeper!
I’ve heard from big Nev the real reason Manny chose Valencia over us was all down to his squad number. He really wanted his no. 37 shirt but all numbers between 31 and 152 were goalkeeping shirts. What’s the chances Moyes will invest that extra cash in a young goalkeeper, to provide some cover for the other 5?
I’ve heard from big Nev the real reason Manny chose Valencia over us was all down to his squad number. He really wanted his no. 37 shirt but all numbers between 31 and 152 were goalkeeping shirts. What’s the chances Moyes will invest that extra cash in a young goalkeeper, to provide some cover for the other 5?
Eddie Harrison
32 Posted 28/08/2007 at 18:28:01
32 Posted 28/08/2007 at 18:28:01
A central midfielder would be nice but why sign another when we can already mix and match between the creative and the defensive in Carsley, Neville, Jagielka, Cahill (when fit), Osman, Mcfadden (when desperate), Pienaar (arguably his best position) and of course Arteta (where he can be his most influential).
Once we’ve got Yakubu, and I’m sure/hopeful we will then it makes more sense to go out and buy some width, as I hope we won’t rely too much on Baines for this. A couple of good wingers would do wonders for our style of play. Look at Chelsea this season with a revitalised SWP and the signing of Malouda, or a couple of years ago with Robben and Duff. Or if the unprolific strikeforce of Rooney and Rooney alone can score 15 odd goals a season on the basis of good wingers in support then surely the power and pace of AJ and Yak while obviously not world class could surely hit 30 between them.
Malouda is probably a bad example due to his price, but there are other players of similar quality in the French and Dutch leagues that would be available for a fraction of the price, imagine a Babel or a Drenthe (before their post U21 over inflated prices).
As a team we’ve looked at our best when we’ve been playing football, not hoofball or rugby, but real football, a passing game, just ask spurs (this year and last).
Someone made the point that Jagielka looks like he can mix competent defending with good movement going forward (the mssing link), and I agree, its players like Jagielka and Lescott that are our future.
Players like Stubbs and Hibbert are great when were defending with are backs to the wall (like versus Liverpool at Anfield last year), but we need to step up now.
And a couple of wingers would be a great start, or even just one, as Pienaar, Osman and of course Arteta can all do a job their
Once we’ve got Yakubu, and I’m sure/hopeful we will then it makes more sense to go out and buy some width, as I hope we won’t rely too much on Baines for this. A couple of good wingers would do wonders for our style of play. Look at Chelsea this season with a revitalised SWP and the signing of Malouda, or a couple of years ago with Robben and Duff. Or if the unprolific strikeforce of Rooney and Rooney alone can score 15 odd goals a season on the basis of good wingers in support then surely the power and pace of AJ and Yak while obviously not world class could surely hit 30 between them.
Malouda is probably a bad example due to his price, but there are other players of similar quality in the French and Dutch leagues that would be available for a fraction of the price, imagine a Babel or a Drenthe (before their post U21 over inflated prices).
As a team we’ve looked at our best when we’ve been playing football, not hoofball or rugby, but real football, a passing game, just ask spurs (this year and last).
Someone made the point that Jagielka looks like he can mix competent defending with good movement going forward (the mssing link), and I agree, its players like Jagielka and Lescott that are our future.
Players like Stubbs and Hibbert are great when were defending with are backs to the wall (like versus Liverpool at Anfield last year), but we need to step up now.
And a couple of wingers would be a great start, or even just one, as Pienaar, Osman and of course Arteta can all do a job their
MIke Neely
33 Posted 28/08/2007 at 20:01:17
33 Posted 28/08/2007 at 20:01:17
B.G......I don,t know if you watched Scotland v South Africa last week.I did,just to get a glimpse of Pienaar.He didn,t do much.In fact I,d go so far to say that he was lacking industry.In other words BG he was alazy sod.
I sincerely hop that Moyes gets more out of him than his national coach did.
I sincerely hop that Moyes gets more out of him than his national coach did.
Mike Neely
34 Posted 28/08/2007 at 20:12:33
34 Posted 28/08/2007 at 20:12:33
Nick ;...You got it in one mate Jagielka is the midfield link we need.Because of that gobshite Warnock,Sheff Utd were on tv a lot last season and I was impressed enough to be pleased we signed him.
Mark Stone
35 Posted 28/08/2007 at 21:24:25
35 Posted 28/08/2007 at 21:24:25
I’ve said on here before Everton is a bit of a graveyard for strikers. Doesn;t matter how good thney are, or how many they scored before us ... they come here and will be lucky to score double figures
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1 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:14:19
Because over the past 4 seasons he,s been second only to Tierry Henry as the premiership,s highest scorer.Thats why!