The Mail Bag
Tokyo Jô
Comments (12)
Something good stood out in Saturday's dazzling performance and that was the team's formation. Having two good forwards up front puts a lot more pressure on the opposition. It helps keep them in their half of the field and gives the rest of the team more options to get forward.
We really looked balanced and strong in most departments but I would like to highlight the contribution of an athletic out-and-out forward. Having a spearhead such as Tokyo Jô, looking hungry for the ball even though you could tell that he isn't full of confidence yet... his movement was quick, his positional sense was good, he was strong and held it up well, laying it off more often than not maintaining possession, looks like it can head it too! This lad is a good player and looks like the others like him and fits in with the rest of the family. He might just turn out to be a 'Lineker' type that we have been yearning for. Does anyone know if we might have a chance of keeping him and if any agreement on a fee?
Also, Arteta's looking in his element, conducting matters in midfield with Peanuts and Screech to return. The youngsters Rodwell and Gosling are beginning to find their feet and young Vaughany to return ? exciting stuff.
Defence looking rock solid ? how Lescott has missed out on England spot is beyond me...
Bainsey has been a revelation and if only we can fit a rocket to Hibbo to do same overlapping on right hand side, but at least the lad is playing well at the moment. There is a feeling of '84' about this side, maybe an excursion to Wembly this year might be a distinct possibility. POSITIVE STUFF FOR A CHANGE. Makes you believe the Blue tide is rising ? COYB
Alan Thompson, Posted 09/02/2009 at 14:58:30
Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4891550,00.html
Many a forward have left citing the long ball as their Achilles heal. In a moment of Berkamp genius Jô made Nevilles long-pass look Beckhamesque. But forget the goals for a moment.
We witnessed a master class of attacking genius. I mentioned elsewhere that he reminded me of a young Henry? without any exaggeration, he was that good.
He linked up with midfield and brought them into play. He dragged the Bolton defence down both channels, he forced their defence to chase him creating space for others, hence our domination. Bolton got played off the park. It was like watching Sugar Ray and a rookie. He had the same levels of intellect, flair and skill as Arteta and he wasn?t even fully fit. No striker has been able to dictate a game that well since Rooney.
Had it been Liverpool, Bolton would have conceded to the better team. However as it was Everton, Bolton were ?POOR???? Go figure.
As for the future I believe we have money. Why else would Moyes forego transfers in January and send representatives to Sporting in February. He signed his contract? he?s got more than just a promise!
I sense a 4-1-4-1 formation on the cards with Arteta and Moutinho in the centre pulling the strings, Felliani or Neville behind them and Pienaar/Cahill on either side.
I have always wanted to see Ronaldo in an Everton shirt but never got the chance. In Jô I believe my prayers have been redeemed.
Jô didn?t fail Manchester City, they failed him. Brazil don?t suffer fools lightly and I believe this wonder-kid is their future number 9.
As far as comparing him to Henry that is absolutely laughable... Henry is probably amongst the best ever players from abroad ever seen in Britain and if he had played for us he would have been a TRUE legend.
To compare Jo with Henry after seeing him in one match is ridiculous. Like comparing VDM to Best or Gosling to Maradona... get a life!!!!
Unfortunately Moyes can't name the same side this weekend as Jo is cup-tied. With that in mind, asssuming he?s fit, it's likely that Fellaini will replace Jo. With Pienaar suspended Gosling will probably start again.
It's nice to have a few options for a change; I was really impressed with Jo at the weekend. His all round play was as good as I?ve seen from a striker at Goodison in a long time in terms of holding the ball up and bringing others into the game. Early signs are good just hope there is an agreement to sign him and Bill can find a spare £15 million or so down the back of the sofa.
As for comparing ourselves to the team of the mid 80s, no chance. Jo v Links totally different players; Jo v Henry, I wish. Changing the team, Aston Villa are much better than Bolton... maybe Yobo for pace.
Personally I dont think that Saha or Vaughan can be relied upon long term due to their injury problems. Anichebe doesn?t appear to be good enough at the level we are aiming at, aside from any behavioural problems.
My personal opinion is that Cahill should be made into a permenant striker, fighting for one of two berths alongside the Yak and Jo. His instinct, workrate and cunning appear second to none. He is a great finisher too. What he will never be(in my eyes) is a top drawer midfielder.
We need a quality right winger with pace to be our first choice there in place of Osman. Fellaini and Arteta are potentially a very good midfield pairing comparable with any in the league. Moving PN back to right back, with Hibbo and the new chap from Sligo to fight him for it long term.
Finally Iain Love, I think it would be criminal to change the defence for the AV game. I guess it would be at the expense of Baines who has done more than enough to keep his place. It would also mean splitting the almost impregnable jag/lescott pairing and putting Lescott back into a position where this season he hasn?t looked comfortable. Unless there are injuries, I say let Yobo fight for his place.
Only Ozz is under threat... I wish we had Palacious :0)
It was a very promising debut but I'd like to see more of him, he tired towards the end so I don't think he's 100% fit yet. And despite being called lazy at Man City he put in a good shift which is promising.
With Saha coming back we've got some good options coming into the final 15 games or so, it's good to see Moyes can change things and use different players in different games.
He reminded me of a ?Young? Henry. A 21-year-old Henry, not the Arsenal Henry that we?ve all become familiar with.
Read slower and quote me right next time!
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 10/02/2009 at 04:11:36
Report abuse
I?m guessing Moyes will have budget for one major fee (plus a few cheaper ones), hopefully he can afford ?not ordinary Jo? plus a Moutinho.... such things could really push us to the top but can we find the money?