The Mail Bag
Kieran Agard
Comments (17)
I have been following the stars in the wings for a while and I have to confess I'm dumbfouded ?can't anyone see the talent in the ypoung Everton Academy striker Kieran Agard? Dundee United wanted to sign this lad on loan but realised he was too young at 17. The lad has lightening pace, his first touch is excellent and is passing is unique.
I think Everton will strugle to keep Agard; his scoring is superb ? he's scored in almost every game pre-season and in the current season. Why is he still playing academy football at his level? I haven't seen any yougster I could compare to Agard. Is it gonna take Arsenal or Man U or Chelsea to come up with an offer before they realise? We have a gem in Agard.
Steve Roberts, Posted 27/09/2007 at 00:05:13
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Gaz Davies
2 Posted 27/09/2007 at 08:00:06
2 Posted 27/09/2007 at 08:00:06
Yep, Scott is right we got him from Arsenal.
I think it’s obvious Agard is rated at Everton, and if there’s one thing we do have it’s a decent youth set up. He’ll make the step up if and when he’s ready.
Remember for every James Vaughan there’s a Phil Jevons.
I think it’s obvious Agard is rated at Everton, and if there’s one thing we do have it’s a decent youth set up. He’ll make the step up if and when he’s ready.
Remember for every James Vaughan there’s a Phil Jevons.
John Holmes
3 Posted 27/09/2007 at 08:09:41
3 Posted 27/09/2007 at 08:09:41
Patience needed. The reserves league is very low quality and it’s a big step up to the Premiership. Plus some players take time to mature both physically and mentally into ’men’ so they can cope with the demands of being a professional.
Ernie Boyce
4 Posted 27/09/2007 at 08:51:46
4 Posted 27/09/2007 at 08:51:46
Crying out for a loan move to a good championship club where the league is far more competitive than the reserves.
These type of loans have worked for Chelsea and Man U in the past.
As far as I can see he’s prob our 7th choice, the polish lad from Swindon seems to be ahead of him in Moyes pecking order.
These type of loans have worked for Chelsea and Man U in the past.
As far as I can see he’s prob our 7th choice, the polish lad from Swindon seems to be ahead of him in Moyes pecking order.
Steve Ferns
5 Posted 27/09/2007 at 08:59:51
5 Posted 27/09/2007 at 08:59:51
I’d compare Kieran to big Vic quite easily. They are very similar, but Kieran has a better touch and all round game.
Richard Dodd
6 Posted 27/09/2007 at 09:19:37
6 Posted 27/09/2007 at 09:19:37
So the ace talent spotter Moyes unearths yet another gem!Given his development of our youngsters like Osman,Rooney,Vaughan and Anichebe it’s no wonder the best young talent can’t wait to join Everton.
A Moyestro, indeed!
A Moyestro, indeed!
Nick Veitch
7 Posted 27/09/2007 at 10:23:48
7 Posted 27/09/2007 at 10:23:48
Dodd, you must be having a laugh...
Nick Coyne
8 Posted 27/09/2007 at 10:36:35
8 Posted 27/09/2007 at 10:36:35
The boy was signed from Arsenal, who don’t make a habit of letting good players go early doors. The one team in the land who are willing to groom youngsters and give them every opportunity to prove themselves are the Gunners.
Furthermore, although the boy is still very young and undoubtedly has a great burst of pace, from what I have seen (which granted only equates to about 10 games worth), he is no where near the level of Anichebe (who I think is very average) and could not even lace the boots of Vaughan (who is an absolute marvel when fit). At youth team level he is a good player, but what sets you apart when you attempt to make the step up is a great first touch, a bit of thinking outside of the box, and from a strikers perspective making the opposition keeper work at every possible opportunity.
From the evidence I have seen (and I’d love to be proved completely wrong), his first touch is very average and the rest of his all round game supports the decision of the Arsenal youth coaches to let the boy go.
Furthermore, although the boy is still very young and undoubtedly has a great burst of pace, from what I have seen (which granted only equates to about 10 games worth), he is no where near the level of Anichebe (who I think is very average) and could not even lace the boots of Vaughan (who is an absolute marvel when fit). At youth team level he is a good player, but what sets you apart when you attempt to make the step up is a great first touch, a bit of thinking outside of the box, and from a strikers perspective making the opposition keeper work at every possible opportunity.
From the evidence I have seen (and I’d love to be proved completely wrong), his first touch is very average and the rest of his all round game supports the decision of the Arsenal youth coaches to let the boy go.
Connor Rohrer
9 Posted 27/09/2007 at 11:28:22
9 Posted 27/09/2007 at 11:28:22
Agard’s nothing like Anichebe and if anything he’s more like Johnson or Vaughan.
He is very quick and intelligent with a good workrate but it is far to early to be throwing this kid in. He scored in flurries last season and if he score more this season there is no doubt we will see him near the end of the season like we did with Vic and Vaughany.
We have some decent players in the youth/reserves my only problem is there size. Some are good players but still need to develop in terms of size and muscle before they are ready for the big time.
He is very quick and intelligent with a good workrate but it is far to early to be throwing this kid in. He scored in flurries last season and if he score more this season there is no doubt we will see him near the end of the season like we did with Vic and Vaughany.
We have some decent players in the youth/reserves my only problem is there size. Some are good players but still need to develop in terms of size and muscle before they are ready for the big time.
Peter Roberts
10 Posted 27/09/2007 at 12:23:02
10 Posted 27/09/2007 at 12:23:02
Nick Coyne, don’t be too sure.
David Bentley, Steve Sidwell, both left under Wenger’s reign but still turned out Premiership class. Everton have one of the best academies in the country, it’s small wonder given the players we’ve produced in the last few years.
David Bentley, Steve Sidwell, both left under Wenger’s reign but still turned out Premiership class. Everton have one of the best academies in the country, it’s small wonder given the players we’ve produced in the last few years.
Lee Kidd
11 Posted 27/09/2007 at 13:17:51
11 Posted 27/09/2007 at 13:17:51
Never seen Agard, but I remember seeing Grant Leadbitter play in the Sunderland youth team and being certain he was the next Beckham/Gascoigne rolled into one.
Ultimately, he isn’t.
You have to be careful with young players. It’s not like Football Manager - they don’t have stats for technique and potential ability. ;)
Ultimately, he isn’t.
You have to be careful with young players. It’s not like Football Manager - they don’t have stats for technique and potential ability. ;)
James Newcombe
12 Posted 27/09/2007 at 13:19:40
12 Posted 27/09/2007 at 13:19:40
Richard Dodd, you are Bill Kenwright and I claim my £10
Chris Lee
13 Posted 27/09/2007 at 13:19:30
13 Posted 27/09/2007 at 13:19:30
Only seen bits and pieces of Agard but I have been impressed aswell. Takes his chances well with his feet and his head! Scored a cracking header against United reserves last season on MUTV.
From what I understand he was rated quite highly at Arsenal but Liam Brady has the final say and ultimately decided against keeping him. Arsenal were concerned he might get snapped up by another London side (Agard’s a Spurs fan I believe) so offered him to us because of our "good relationship" with them.
From what I understand he was rated quite highly at Arsenal but Liam Brady has the final say and ultimately decided against keeping him. Arsenal were concerned he might get snapped up by another London side (Agard’s a Spurs fan I believe) so offered him to us because of our "good relationship" with them.
Nick Coyne
14 Posted 27/09/2007 at 14:36:29
14 Posted 27/09/2007 at 14:36:29
I take your point entirely Peter, but in my opinion neither Sidwell nor Bentley would get in the current Arsenal team. Both, it could be argued when considering the fabulous crop that Wenger presently has at his disposal, would struggle to get on the bench even.
Although, I wouldn’t mind either player in our squad at the moment. I do hope that Agard proves to be a cracker though pal.
Although, I wouldn’t mind either player in our squad at the moment. I do hope that Agard proves to be a cracker though pal.
Gavin Ramejkis
15 Posted 27/09/2007 at 16:27:31
15 Posted 27/09/2007 at 16:27:31
Sorry to burst your bubble Dickie but Moyes had sod all to do with the players mentioned and would even go as far as to say wanted to get shut of Osman hence he spent most of his formative time on loan and came back when seriously depleted, we all know how much Moyes and Shrek love each other
Stuart Bradshaw
16 Posted 27/09/2007 at 18:53:11
16 Posted 27/09/2007 at 18:53:11
Agree with tony beep beep john paul kissock looks asthough he will be real class from what I saw pre season/reserves etc and is great he turned down money bags chelsea to stay with the club he loves. Jack Rodwell is obviously also a great talent.
Would be great to see more lads coming through the academy though
Would be great to see more lads coming through the academy though
Michael Newton
17 Posted 27/09/2007 at 20:46:54
17 Posted 27/09/2007 at 20:46:54
The best youngster on Everton’s books are Jose Baxter 15yo striker for the Everton u18’s a prolific scorer at that level and Jack Rodwell Centre Back and Captain of England u16.
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1 Posted 27/09/2007 at 04:57:08
Didn’t we just get him from Arsenal?!...
Highly doubt he’ll be going anywhere, he remains perhaps 6th choice striker here behind AJ, Yak, McFab, Vaughan & Victor... But he’d be further down the pecking order at any of the 3 clubs you mentioned...
After seeing Victor and Vaughan come through and becoming semi-regulars, Agard, I’m sure, is happy biding his time for now...