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Saha: 13 games; 8 goals

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I have to admit it, I was rather under-whelmed when Louis Saha joined Everton last summer. In fact, my first knowledge of his signing was a text message whilst in work, it read 'HA HA, You Got Saha'. It was off a Man Utd supporting friend. I was then greeted with much laughter as I informed the news to my Liverpool fan work colleague.

I had always seen him as over-rated. Scored a lot in Division 1, then did OK in the Premier League for Fulham. Had one good half season and off he went to Man Utd.

Injury ravaged, 30 years old and destined for 2 seasons cashing in while sitting on the bench, before sodding off to Australia, America or wherever for a final pay day.

How I was wrong... 100% wrong. This guy is class.

His first touch is excellent, he can beat a man, great skill and is a great finisher. What he lacks in pace he makes up with intelligence.

That goal today is what separates the good players from the very good ones. We didn't have a sniff all afternoon, then... Wham! One chance — one goal. AJ would never do that in a million years.

Look at Torres, Van Persie, Drogba. These are the best in the league/world because, when they get a chance, more often than not they score, when other 'good' strikers will not. Those games that others will draw 1-1 you win 2-1; those games you would otherwise lose you draw. Strikers like Louis are worth their weight in Gold, and we got him for next to nothing (if only he was 27).

If he stays fit, we have one of the best forwards in the League. And if Yakubu can get fully fit... well I wouldn't want to be a defender in that opposing team.
Fran Mitchell, Liverpool     Posted 08/11/2009 at 20:41:02

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Stewart Littler
1   Posted 09/11/2009 at 06:32:36

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My post does not intend, in any way, to insult or criticise David Moyes, but I wonder when the day will come when he starts the Yak and Saha up front together. If 3 of Pienaar, Bilyaletdinov, Fellaini & Osman are in the same team, I think we may just start seeing the type of football many TWers envisage and hope for.

Also, I’m sure Louis now has 9 in all comps??
Russell Buckley
2   Posted 09/11/2009 at 08:03:03

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Have to say I always thought Saha was a class act. That skill and touch has always been there. He is a top-shelf stricker.

In a way we are lucky he had a bad run of injuries otherwise we would have stood little chance of getting him.

Sit back and enjoy watching this guy play, he is a class above most. Long live King Louis!
Andy Mack
3   Posted 09/11/2009 at 08:09:09

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Yak and Saha together, if only, I don’t think either of them can manage a full match these days, but even a half with Louis in it promises more goals than most of our ex strikers under Moyes. Hope he keeps on popping up with goals the rest of the season. Glad he’s a Toffee!
Tony Williams
4   Posted 09/11/2009 at 09:41:36

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He is a class act and instinctive, that can’t be trained into a person. One thought in his head, hit it at the goal, as Kanchelskis used to say, hit it on goal and on target, something will happen.
Ciarán McGlone
5   Posted 09/11/2009 at 09:47:31

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As one of those who thought his injury problems were too much to overcome, I’m very happy to be proven wrong.

The man, when fit, is an absolute genius... He deserves better than the players he has around him at Everton, to be honest...

Luckily he doesn’t need any help to put the ball in the net from anywhere he chooses.
Matthew Lovekin
6   Posted 09/11/2009 at 09:47:09

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Having a player of that capability in your team usually makes the difference between good and excellent teams.

I’m not saying that Everton are an excellent team, but with Saha playing, we have that ability to beat anyone else.

The defence works hard as a unit to stop goals, which Moyes is good at, but to strikers it comes naturally and that ability and can’t be taught.

It’s that ability which separates the likes of Torres, Drogba, etc from the likes of Andy Johnson and James Beattie and luckily we have a striker like that regardless of age or injuries.
Dave Wilson
7   Posted 09/11/2009 at 11:37:46

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Ciaran, Genius? Are you sure?

Coming from the place that produced the only British one in 50 years, I’d have thought you would have known the difference between a genius and very good player.
Ciarán McGlone
8   Posted 09/11/2009 at 11:50:32

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Ok...

Maybe a little over the top.

But he’s the best striker we’ve had since Cottee.
Mike McLean
9   Posted 09/11/2009 at 12:18:36

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Some of might prefer to say, "Coming from the place that produced the only Irish one in fifty years" .... !
Tony Williams
10   Posted 09/11/2009 at 13:08:14

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"Some of might prefer to say, "Coming from the place that produced the only Irish one in fifty years" .... ! "

I knew Kilbane would get noticed sooner or later.
Mark Jones
11   Posted 09/11/2009 at 15:21:08

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After watching the highlights on MOTD2, I think we have been playing Hibbo out of position. His finish at West Ham was as good as King Louis's. Must go down as one of the Own Goals of a lifetime.

Great win on Sunday.We need to attack teams at home and try and pinch any points away from home. When we get the injured players back, we can make our push up the table and I hope it is as soon as possible. I went to work with a smile on my face for the first time in weeks. COYB.

Joe Grundy
12   Posted 09/11/2009 at 16:17:45

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Mark Jones, Tony's own goal wasn't a bad own goal. I have seen a lot worse, just look at some of Carragher's for example. I hate the stick that Tony gets on some of these sites, he tried to clear the ball but was running at speed and obviously couldn't get his foot to it cleanly enough.
Tony Williams
13   Posted 09/11/2009 at 16:56:28

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One thing that annoyed me a little about the own goal was that Tony was trying to clear it with his left foot, yes he was running back quickly but I feel he would have still had the chance to move right slightly and hit it with his right, would have had a better chance to clear it
Ciarán McGlone
14   Posted 09/11/2009 at 17:06:38

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Troare’s own goal gets my nod... hilarious...
Tom Bowers
15   Posted 09/11/2009 at 23:17:12

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Saha is a gifted striker and only for his cursed injuries he would have gotten more French caps. This guy, if he stays fit will prove a formidable partnership with Yaks who is gradually starting to get fitter.

Sadly though Fellaini once again proved what a big amateur he is. If he is not to be a target man then leave him out as playing him anywhere else is ludicrous as he has no idea how to challenge for the ball. Who coaches this guy on how to tackle? We have to just play him as a sub or just sell him.

The Hibbert own goal was not bad luck just bad defending and Tony has been defending poorly for most of the season. Come on, Moyes — get Neill in for the Prem games and play Hibbert in the Europa games.

Gosling took his goal well but generally had a poor game, seems to lack the confidence in deciding what his options are when he is on the ball.

Roger Domal
16   Posted 10/11/2009 at 18:04:54

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Greene never moves on Sunday’s goal. I don’t think he ever thought he was going to go where Louis hit it.

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