The Mail Bag
Can Big Vic save us a fortune ?
Comments (46)
Victor Anichebe hasn't always endeared himself to Evertonians, he hasn't always behaved in a way you would want him to and, if reports in the press are to be believed, it seems he had started to believe his own publicity, the potential he'd shown when he first burst onto the scene just seemed to vanish.
Many accused him of acting like an over-privileged teenager... but was that so unforgiveable? After all that's what he was, by the time he was 18-19; he'd played for Everton in places some of us haven't even heard of.
Vic was 22 this week, in his thus far short career, he's been through a fair bit, he's was brought back down to earth with a career threatening, attitude adjusting injury, but it seems like he may be coming out of the other side, he was brilliant at B/ham and although he has since suffered a relatively minor setback, he has come on twice in as many weeks to help swing games that were going away from us.
So is he the Answer ?
As wingers go Vic's certainly unorthodox, nobody will mistake him for wee Jinky, he often looks disinterested, his touch isn't always assured, he spends far too much time whinging, or worse, on the floor — usually knocked there by someone half his size, frankly at times he looks like a big baby, but then...
I've always felt Big Vic has the attributes to be a top Premier League player, but God knows he's raw and underneath the bravado is a kid who seems to need confidence like the rest of us need oxygen. A confident Anichebe is powerful in the air, his first touch improves immeasurably, he strikes a terrific ball with either feet, he can cross too, but his main attribute is when he turns and runs at them, OK he doesnt always take the right option and he won't trick his way past defenders, but by fuck he causes panic, he terrifies them and judging by the crowd reaction when he goes on these runs Goodison is beginning to sense it.
So what do you say? Does Moyes persevere? Can Vic save us a fortune, can he develop into a kind of footballing Jonah lomu, scaring the shit out of opponents? Or is he just another youngster who we will eventually prove not good enough and have to cut adrift ?
Dave Wilson, Posted 27/04/2010 at 19:44:53
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I like his versatility in that he can easily shift to a forward if we need to go 442, but there are still some attitude issues that concern me. There still seemsto be a bit of the "me" thing going on there, but goalscorers need to be a little selfish.
I don't think he's been flopping as much, but I could be wrong. I wonder if it would come back if he got a consistant run.
He does seem fragile as big as he is.
And would he track back defensively?
I don't think he's the answer, I would still like a winger with the ball skills to run up the field and stretch defenses. Vic would run, but I think his lack of contol would stifle a lot of counterattacks.
In saying that I certainly think he's useful and offers us some speed and power at both forward and wing.
Big Vic is useful. He's a squad asset and an impact sub. He may never hold down a long term starting place due to the need for goals but I'd keep him - certainly ahead of Vaughan.
He has a couple more games ... most likely wide on the right ... but the jury is definitely still out.
I would not cry if he was to be sold..
You`re right of course. I didnt intend to make a comparison.
I`m looking to discuss whether Vic can develop into a right sided player capable of cutting it in the prem consistently, thus giving us the opportunity to spend what precious litle we may have strenghtening other areas. Lomu, on the other hand, was simply one of sports true greats.
I just thought your boy was a perfect example of the effect pace and power can have on the opposition
Victor is deffinitly worth keeping hold of considering the attributes his possess but mostly because we are skint. Who remembers Drogba in his first season for chelsea? Alan Hanson was constantly slagging him for his poor fist touch now he must have one of the best first touches in the league.
I will say though that Anichebe has overtaken James Vaughan.
4 years a go I would have said Vaughan was the more exciting prospect but now I feel Anichebe is the better player and has more chance of making it.
However when this football does not work or a more direct approach is needed ( see Fulham and last 10 mins against Blackburn) then Vic works well.
So i say keep him. On the bench.
Basically our right side attack is so shite that even a player of his qualities makes me realise what a force we would be if that position was tagged down by a decent player, if the money is there for me it would be someone like Wright-Phillips or Landon.
I think some of the above posts also sum up his attitude issues, I have noticed at several games he does not look at Moyes when they are talking and he seems to have a permanent look of being pissed off - additionally, I also hear rumours that big Vic has a bit of a gambling problem (then again they have money to burn).
But he's a very useful player to have around, I've always said that, especially as a right sided wing forward. He's a handful and always have been coming from that position. I don't know why people are so surprised, he played to a similar level last season, stand out performances against the likes of Stoke, West Ham, Aston Villa and Liverpool spring to mind.
This was completely ignored when he had that argument with Moyes. People pointed to his lack of goals despite the fact that he'd only started one game upfront all season.
And whilst I agree it was petulant and immature on Victor's behalf Moyes has obviously forgiven him and his attitude has improved. Moyes has always considered him a 'good lad' by all accounts.
So no, not as a regular in the side, but he's certainly far from 'shite' and his presence and unorthodox style can unsettle defences, he's already proven that. He's learning to use his strength and physique to his advantage.
He's not a winger, we all know that; he's too big and clumsy and no trickery about him at all... although he does like to run at defences when his confidence is up but, like others have already said, we need a genuine out-and-out RW with pace, a bit of trickery and who likes to get chalk on his boots and put crosses in. Although Donovan isn't an out-and-out winger, he does a great job of it and gave our side a lot of balance and a genuine threat down our right and not just our left. We got at teams dangerously, especially the top teams this season. Donovan proved our team, our right hand side, needs that, cos IMO with someone like Donovan or someone similar down our right to balance the side out and give us that threat as well as what we've got down our left, then I think we could be serious challenges for the top four next season.
We need to have more variety to our play and attacks instead of just doing most of our work down the left. Teams are getting wise to it and are trying to nullify it and we need to have that outlet out on the right. Moyesy this summer for me needs to address that situation as soon as he gets Pienaar tied down to a new deal (he's the main priority 1st for me!). Surely the impact Donovan had in his short stint showed Moyesy what we need out on the right and showed him how dangerous we were at attacking teams and breaking at teams from either flank and what damage we did to teams when we got at 'em.
Hopefully he will try and get Donovan in or someone similar, maybe Wright-Phillips, looks like his time is up at Shiteee and a possible loan deal for him perhaps could be done this summer. I'm sure Moyes would get the best out of him cos we all know that Big Vic isn't the answer, don't we... So why not take a chance on someone like Wright-Phillips on loan for a season, cos let's be honest, we won't be able to afford Donovan and we won't be able to loan him for the season either. Also, we wont be able to afford someone real decent to play RW so maybe Wright-Phillips on loan could be a possibilty?!
Who does everyone else think we should look to bring in to play on the right for us this summer? I'm sure a lot of you will say Donovan but apart from him...
He has pace and power and whilst he rarely actually uses it he is capable and as such the oppo have to pay attention to our right hand side when he plays - this in itself creates more space for Pienaar and Baines. When we have Ossie at RM then the oppo just basically say 'stop Baines and Pienaar and we stop Everton'.
In short the fact that we look a better team with Vicon the right just highlights the deficiency in our team. In my opinion he is a good alternative to RM and an option up front, a good squad player who will get plenty of game time. But all he does is show how much we need Donavan.....
We still need to reinforce that area regardless, but he is certainly an option, and the tactic of pitting Vic against physically inferior full backs has shown signs of bearing fruit. He can be an option, it is well an truely a squad game now afterall.
A striker who fluffs in front of net and a winger who essentially can't dribble. It's not looking good for him – perfect player to bring on when switching to a 4-4-2... I'd rather have him supporting the Yak or Saha – than those two supporting each other.
I think we need to blow our budget [sic] on the right... decent player to have here, but not the answer IMO.
At one point in the Fulham game he was put through with a perfect chance to shoot but hesitated and passed instead. That told me he is lacking, not confidence but real goalscoring instinct. Come on Vic – prove me wrong in the last two games?
He plays in the Cahill role and scores alot from there to!
Yes. Decent enough player with potential to become more.
Is Vic the answer to the RW/F issue?
No. Landon Donovan is our best chance in that area... MOYESIE, SIGN HIM UP!
Not particularly effective as wingers (see; practically useless) but good runners, willing to harass and bully the opposition, maybe chip in with a few goals (in Kuyt's case, it's only against us, the little shit) but his main game is to upset defences.
I don't think he's anywhere near "the future" or "the answer" - we need pace, skill, pace (with a bit more pace) and an eye for goal; Donovan saw to that and - but I would have no complaints about seeing him stay on and develop that role.
Frankly, if what I hear is true about Ireland and Wright-Phillips being binned off by Mancini, I'd throw my transfer kitty at him for both of them.
What relevance is it that Donavan plays in a different position for LA Galaxy and the USA?
Fact is he played right midfield for us and was very effective there so your comment that he is NOT a right midfielder is incorrect.
While we all want a pacy winger just bear in mind that one of the best right sided players England has produced was never able to go past a man (Goldenballs himself), fair enough Big Vic has nothing like the quality in his right peg that Becks had but he certainly can do a job there, especially against smaller full backs.
I would like to see Wright-Phillips come in but I doubt we have the cash and his wages will be a fair wedge too. Loan?
Everton's best team would look like this:-
Saha
Cahill
Pienaar - Fellaini - Arteta
Heitinga
Baines - Jagielka - Distin - Neville
First on the original post, a few months go I would have no been sorry to see Vic leave, however he is giving a good account of himself, ok he may never be the regular starter but as a squad player, I thinking, with his versitility and age he could be worth keeping and you never know what may happen.
Second to Dick Anderson
I must disagree I think playing Arteta on the right is a huge waste, in the centre with Felliani is surely the best position, and as our best player I think he deserves to be put where he can really dominate a game.
As for Heitinga, I think he is just what Jags needs at the back. If Jags has one weakness it is distribution, Johnny is not only very assured defensively but also the best defender we have at playing the ball out.
Even with the players we have now and no new additions, I would not play Arteta out wide.
Obviously that needs addressing. Useful squad player due to mainly his size!
Agree with most that Vic is not the answer either. We need new blood (or Donovan) there.
Ian Kearney - Why would we want a player that a ) spends more time sulking than playing b ) spends more time falling over his own feet? c ) slowest winger I have seen in a long time, even cahill can move faster than him and thats saying something.
As in above the lad is too weak, wrong attitude, and simply not good enough at our improved level of football. We need a high quality winger and a decent striker, of which Anichebe does not fit either category.
Both anichebe and vaughn need to be sold come the close season, and while we are at it, saha too.
Saha can go with him, absolute waste of space on the squad or in the team. Since he signed his new contract for improved pay. how many weeks now? 12/13 without netting once? he hasnt even looked arsed either when ever he has been on.
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1 Posted 28/04/2010 at 00:58:56
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