Season 2011-12
The Mail Bag
Our Strikeforce, 2011-12
15 Comments: The Yak is back... at least for now and in truth, with the fees being mentioned, it seems that it makes more sense to keep him than to sell him on for a cut-price, of which we will probably never see a penny.
So what does the future hold for the big lad at Goodison Park?
Well the last barnstorming performance had us all on our feet, at Goodison, against the old enemy. Even the Yakubu bashers were licking their lips at the prospect of our portly Nigerian terrorising defences like we know he is capable of, when he can be bothered to do so.
So, I ask you this:
If we go into this season with the existing strikeforce of Yakubu, Beckford, Saha, Anichebe and Vellios, will this be enough to fire us towards a decent season?
Granted, the fitness and application of Yakubu, the Mr Glass qualities of Saha, the general enigmatic performances of Anichebe and the inexperience of Vellios will again be problematic; however, being optimistic, I think one thing can be a great boost for us...
Beckford.
To score 10 goals in your maiden Premier League season, with the limited amount of starts he has had, is extremely pleasing and a great confidence boost for the lad. Especially the peach against Chelsea.
Moyes's preference of using Anichebe in a wider position means that we will possibly need to bring in one more striker, maybe a freebie or a loan, to boost numbers in case of injury. However, next season, if (when) we play 4-5-1, I am not too disheartened when I look at the strikers we have.
My preferred choice up front would be Beckford from the start with the hope that he can hit the ground running, although Saha is also a great forward to have.
Yakubu, IF he can shed at least a few pounds, is always dangerous and can be used solely as an impact sub. His fitness meaning that this maybe the best that he can hope for I feel.
I don't know a tap about Vellios yet, so I'll leave an assessment of his attributes for now.
Obviously, I am being ultra positive, banking on a relatively injury-free campaign, but I am more optimistic, thanks to Beckford's development last season.
Here's hoping.......!
Anthony Jaras, Posted 16/07/2011 at 20:04:56
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Also, I don't see much wrong with Yak's fitness level, he's a larger guy for sure, if anything stocky, but I can't say he looked slow yesterday. He moves like a guy his build would. He got honorable mention from both Neville and Saha on twitter for how fit he was.
It's part of the Tragedy that is Everton at the moment that a) he's still with us and b) you are now trying to rationalise this by making out it'll be fine if he stays.
I actually thought his performances prior to his loan move were a vast improvement. Ever since his injury the Yak had looked shot to pieces to me. Even before the injury he looked lethargic, lazy and lacking any enthusiasm for the fight. There were rumours going around about an impending transfer to Spurs at that stage, and going off his previous at past clubs it would not have surprised me if the Yak had been angling for a move. Obviously the injury put paid to that, and now it is looking increasingly likely he won't be going anywhere unless Everton are prepared to accept a derisory fee and the Yak himself is prepared to take a considerable pay cut.
If we're going to be stuck with him then we may as well use him. However, he's going to have to put the effort in and I'm not sure he's either willing or able anymore. Even in his short spell at Leicester the fans seemed to be split 50/50, with some proclaiming him to be the natural goal poacher they needed, and others bemoaning the fact that he was basically a lazy fat twat who went missing in the tougher games.
Saying that, I'd still back him to outscore Anichebe no matter how out of shape or overweight he may be.
Where does that leave us for the new season. Becks, injury-prone Saha, piss-poor Vic and Vellios who, let's face it, Moyes won't play. And £4M (if Kenwright lets Moyes have it) won't buy shit these days.
Poor move in my opinion.
But then, as Moyes will spend all season playing one up front, guess we only need a max of 3 forwards!!!!!
Let's hope that the paltry sum we get for them will finance some sort of backup for Beckford next season. Saha might play a few games if he is fit, but let's hope Beckford has really found his feet in the PL now, and does the business this coming season.
Anichebe? No comment.
Has it really come to this?
I'm not entirely sure our strike force is the biggest problem going into the new season. I'd like to see some more pace and creativity in the midfield.
It's EFC or nothing. I say he'll try hard this year.
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1 Posted 16/07/2011 at 21:07:44
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I hope we keep the Yak. He seems to have got himself into shape and I just hope Moyes uses him as I'd like to see Becks and the Yak or Becks and Saha lead the line.
Velios I think can be a great player coming off the bench this season, if only Moyes will play him , but as Moyes swears by the 4-5-1 he'll have Yak or Saha on the bench and the likes of Velios and Baxter will be squeezed out.
I hope Moyes adapts tactically for the new season and recognises that we could have a dangerous attack, especially at home and I hope we get to see Gueye, Baxter, Velios and maybe even Hope get a few games.
Despite the negatives surrounding the club at the moment when you look at the team we have some good quality in there. But as I said before, I'd like to see some new faces (I can dream)