Season 2011-12
The Mail Bag
Strikers or poor service?
53 Comments: After the Villa game, a thought struck me. That being ? What is our biggest need on the pitch? The majority will undoubtedly scream 'A Striker', and who would blame them looking at our recent abysmal scoring record. Moyes presumably would say 'centre-half', and there also is logic to this when you look at our injury list and the fact that we had no defenders on the bench for our last game.
But two incidents during the game stayed with me; Cahill's missed goal opportunity and Anichebe's goal. Both came about through defence-splitting passes, something sorely missed in Everton games in recent weeks... months... years...?
Last night, I watched Swansea's terrific win over Arsenal, the winning goal coming from ? yes, you guessed it ? a terrific through-ball. And looking at the 'bigger' sides in the EPL, they always appear to have players with this ability, and the goals inevitably follow. We have been bemoaning our strikers' goal famine of late but is it fair to say that they either must battle to get on the end of a series of long punts, or be expected to create something magical on their own?
But what is the quality of the supply that they receive?
Many have at times justifiably pointed out Big Vic's failings, yet didn't he finish well when the right through-ball arrived into his path? Isn't this what Saha, Stracqualursi and the others also crave?
It is worth noting that the two quality balls played in the Villla game came from the two 'newbies'. So the question is: Do we not have midfielders capable of playing these types of passes? Or is it a coaching/tactics failure?
Mark Fitzgerald, Posted 16/01/2012 at 11:25:41
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You've probably answered your own question in the 1st paragraph, Mark. we need improvements all over the pitch
Sorry, should have read the whole piece. Answer....BOTH
I pretty much had the same thought Mark. It's worth noting that a defensive formation (4-5-1) needn't be defensive if the manager installs an attacking belief in the players ? equally an attacking formation (4-4-2) isn't necessarily so if the players are shackled by a defense-first mentality.
When Moyes adopted the 4-4-2 recently, our lack-lustre performance almost justified his over-reliance on 4-5-1, and (as petty and ridiculous as I know it is) I could almost imagine Moyes rubbing his hands in glee when it failed!
I agree, our biggest failing (in my opinion) is the lack of urgency that the players show in getting forward to counter attack. People have said that we don't have any pace in the team but I actually don't think that's true. Distin, Jags, Saha, Rodwell and even Fellaini (and of course now Donovan and Drenthe) are no slouches, yet a sideways pass after winning possession, in order to ensure that the shape is maintained and we can't be caught out by a miss-directed pass, is more often than not the norm. What happens when Howard reacts quickly and throws the ball out to the wing? Exactly. Reina has being doing that for years and it's one of The Shite's biggest weapons.
I think Gibson will prove to be a good signing - he certainly showed glimmers of hope on Saturday and you have to wonder whether it's just that he's used to playing in a way that Moyes wouldn't dare. If he couches that out of him I fear we'll be left with an average journeyman.
When Moyes adopted the 4-4-2 recently, our lack-lustre performance almost justified his over-reliance on 4-5-1, and (as petty and ridiculous as I know it is) I could almost imagine Moyes rubbing his hands in glee when it failed!
I agree, our biggest failing (in my opinion) is the lack of urgency that the players show in getting forward to counter attack. People have said that we don't have any pace in the team but I actually don't think that's true. Distin, Jags, Saha, Rodwell and even Fellaini (and of course now Donovan and Drenthe) are no slouches, yet a sideways pass after winning possession, in order to ensure that the shape is maintained and we can't be caught out by a miss-directed pass, is more often than not the norm. What happens when Howard reacts quickly and throws the ball out to the wing? Exactly. Reina has being doing that for years and it's one of The Shite's biggest weapons.
I think Gibson will prove to be a good signing - he certainly showed glimmers of hope on Saturday and you have to wonder whether it's just that he's used to playing in a way that Moyes wouldn't dare. If he couches that out of him I fear we'll be left with an average journeyman.
Oh yes, the question... we do still need a goalscorer :-)
Without doubt we need all over improvement. Even Jags before his injury has looked shaky.
Big Vic if given more starting roles needs to show consistancy. Forget about Cahill and Saha they've had their best days.
Velios needs to be selected more as well as Straqualursi. but you just know Moyes will continue with his favourites.
I would leave Fellaini out for a while but Moyes keeps him in because of his height. Rodwell should be his replacement.
Genarally though we have no real speedster except Donovan and Coleman but you cannot play both on the wide right. Beckford had speed and could go past players but was deemed expendable by Moyes. Our goals have dried up because we have no speed up front and very little shooting from the midfielders. Drenthe appears erratic and Biley should be sold.
With little to play for, Moyes should show some guts and play Barkley and Gueye on a regular basis.
Big Vic if given more starting roles needs to show consistancy. Forget about Cahill and Saha they've had their best days.
Velios needs to be selected more as well as Straqualursi. but you just know Moyes will continue with his favourites.
I would leave Fellaini out for a while but Moyes keeps him in because of his height. Rodwell should be his replacement.
Genarally though we have no real speedster except Donovan and Coleman but you cannot play both on the wide right. Beckford had speed and could go past players but was deemed expendable by Moyes. Our goals have dried up because we have no speed up front and very little shooting from the midfielders. Drenthe appears erratic and Biley should be sold.
With little to play for, Moyes should show some guts and play Barkley and Gueye on a regular basis.
Oh yes, Coleman can shift too!
Ben #286
If Fellaini was to race Brian the Snail over 50m, I wouldnt have a clue which way to call it
If Fellaini was to race Brian the Snail over 50m, I wouldnt have a clue which way to call it
The problem is both and lies in the personnel. When we had Arteta and Pienaar in the team our principal goal threat came from our midfield. Flowing passing moves would be finished off by any member of the midfield who wer ein the penalty area or a stationary yakubu who had trundled up there to tap it in. This urgency came from Pienaar and Arteta's ability to carry the ball forward with pace and direction. We didn't see many goals of Yakubu running onto the end of a through ball and banging it in.
We're trying to play the same way now except the players aren't there anymore. Fellaini who sets our tempo is not quick enough to get us moving forward and there's no outlet he can play it to with the confidence that Arteta used to give it to Pienaar with. Instead w eplay it sideways and back until we can either release Baines or play it long, our only two options.
This means the strikers start coming backwards looking for the ball once this ridiculous midfield shuffling back and forth happens - consequently there's no ball on when one of the midfielders actually does get their head up. With Donovan and Gibson in the team looking forward this showed signs of changing against Villa and Anichebe gambled on a run as did Cahill in the first half - probably the first two decent runs behind we've seen this season.
To conclude, get rid of Saha and Fellaini and put the urgency back into our play that we used to have.
We're trying to play the same way now except the players aren't there anymore. Fellaini who sets our tempo is not quick enough to get us moving forward and there's no outlet he can play it to with the confidence that Arteta used to give it to Pienaar with. Instead w eplay it sideways and back until we can either release Baines or play it long, our only two options.
This means the strikers start coming backwards looking for the ball once this ridiculous midfield shuffling back and forth happens - consequently there's no ball on when one of the midfielders actually does get their head up. With Donovan and Gibson in the team looking forward this showed signs of changing against Villa and Anichebe gambled on a run as did Cahill in the first half - probably the first two decent runs behind we've seen this season.
To conclude, get rid of Saha and Fellaini and put the urgency back into our play that we used to have.
It's not the strikers or the service that's the problem, it's the manager's tactics. Van Persie would struggle for goals in the system Moyes adopts. Give any manager in the game with a football ethos our squad to work with, eg Redknapp, and you would see a vast improvement.
Slagging off strikers who get one half-chance a game with their backs to goal is pathetic.
Donovan's through ball to Anichebe on Saturday was the first time I have seen an Everton player do that since the last time Donovan was here. Moyes is the culprit so look no further than him.
Slagging off strikers who get one half-chance a game with their backs to goal is pathetic.
Donovan's through ball to Anichebe on Saturday was the first time I have seen an Everton player do that since the last time Donovan was here. Moyes is the culprit so look no further than him.
Ha! Fair enough Dave, he's not the quickest runner, but he can move the game quickly when he's on form
The sooner we get out of the mentality to "get the ball out wide and get your crosses in" the better.
Spurs on Wednesday were superb at playing the ball forward, fast and on the ground, We lumbered slowly out wide and then bombed a high hopeful ball into the box. Caveman football. As Mark says, the one time we tried it ourselves against Villa, it came up trumps.
The best strikers are only as goods as their service, just as a gun is useless without bullets. I just fear that our new signing (LD won't be here long enough) doesn't have it coached out of him and soon falls into the dreary pattern that we have been playing these last couple of seasons.
I don't think our strikers are good enough, but we'll never know until they're given the chance with some decent balls to have a go at.
Spurs on Wednesday were superb at playing the ball forward, fast and on the ground, We lumbered slowly out wide and then bombed a high hopeful ball into the box. Caveman football. As Mark says, the one time we tried it ourselves against Villa, it came up trumps.
The best strikers are only as goods as their service, just as a gun is useless without bullets. I just fear that our new signing (LD won't be here long enough) doesn't have it coached out of him and soon falls into the dreary pattern that we have been playing these last couple of seasons.
I don't think our strikers are good enough, but we'll never know until they're given the chance with some decent balls to have a go at.
Yakubu's form says it all. Give a decent striker the service and even if he misses a few, he will get you 20+ goals a season.
At Everton, our strikers are expected to compete for every header, run down the channels, close down the defenders - and also get on the end of things in the box.
>Unless this mentality changes, we may well never see a 20-goal a season striker at Everton again.
I forgot to mention, we feed them on scraps also! If they are lucky, they might get 1 chance per match.
Without the service, a good striker wouldn't change anything. Drogba or Shearer in their primes wouldn't have scored much playing in this team in this way.
At Everton, our strikers are expected to compete for every header, run down the channels, close down the defenders - and also get on the end of things in the box.
>Unless this mentality changes, we may well never see a 20-goal a season striker at Everton again.
I forgot to mention, we feed them on scraps also! If they are lucky, they might get 1 chance per match.
Without the service, a good striker wouldn't change anything. Drogba or Shearer in their primes wouldn't have scored much playing in this team in this way.
The problem with Everton is the style of play (or lack of it !), which comes from Moyes and Round and any other coaches he has at the club (must all be defenders).
Why can other teams (like Swansea) play nice football and have an end-product at the end of it (plenty of goals)? We are turning into Man Utd Reserves with Moyes and we need a change. There are plenty of good managers who we could attract, we need a new start and rebuilding (but not more Man Utd cast-off's!).
Why can other teams (like Swansea) play nice football and have an end-product at the end of it (plenty of goals)? We are turning into Man Utd Reserves with Moyes and we need a change. There are plenty of good managers who we could attract, we need a new start and rebuilding (but not more Man Utd cast-off's!).
Danny, Shearer would have scored a cartloads for this or any team.
Rubbish to our strikers having no chances. Saha had three good chances against Villa and two against Tottenham.
Also, movement is a large part of it. You can only play through balls if someone makes the right run. That is what Barca, Man Utd, Tottenham and even Swansea at times have that we lack. Constant and intelligent movement!
Rubbish to our strikers having no chances. Saha had three good chances against Villa and two against Tottenham.
Also, movement is a large part of it. You can only play through balls if someone makes the right run. That is what Barca, Man Utd, Tottenham and even Swansea at times have that we lack. Constant and intelligent movement!
The goal against Villa came from...........a superb defence splitting pass and was scored by a guy coming back from injury whom we've all slated unmercifully and judged useless. Maybe there is now a glimmer of hope at least until Landon goes back home at the end of February.
Lack of pace throughout the team, square pegs in round holes, the forward's we have are crocked or clearly not up to the job.
Confidence is a massive factor that cannot be ignored. If you want to retain possession and move forward quickly (as oppose to hoofing over the top which is quick but often useless) then there has to be an instictive understanding within the team as to who will be there in space to receive a pass.
Everton are so static because they are poorly coached around finding space and because there's no confidence. When even your manager is publically denigrating your chances then little wonder.
When I watch our games, I see lots of "busy" players looking active, all showing for the ball. However, I am not fooled as it is all sideways and 5 -10 yards with acres of room - nice and safe - and very easy to defend.
Our personnel are not good enough for top 6 - but they are better than they are showing. Moyes needs to motivate and encourage - allow for a creative pass to go astray without fear of retribution from him. And of course, be bold and say bye to his chum Mr Round who to me contributes little (given what I am seeing). Get an attack-minded coach who can bring fresh ideas. Learning to run/play into space does not cost millions.
One final point on instinct: sure we remember Sunderland at home 1985, that Trevor Steven goal. The finish waqs sublime. However that pass from Bracewell, over his shoulder, blind, and 60 yards, to run onto...!! Bracewell was not our best passer...but he had instinct, trust in his colleague and confidence and licence to try something from his manager.
All a bit different now!
Everton are so static because they are poorly coached around finding space and because there's no confidence. When even your manager is publically denigrating your chances then little wonder.
When I watch our games, I see lots of "busy" players looking active, all showing for the ball. However, I am not fooled as it is all sideways and 5 -10 yards with acres of room - nice and safe - and very easy to defend.
Our personnel are not good enough for top 6 - but they are better than they are showing. Moyes needs to motivate and encourage - allow for a creative pass to go astray without fear of retribution from him. And of course, be bold and say bye to his chum Mr Round who to me contributes little (given what I am seeing). Get an attack-minded coach who can bring fresh ideas. Learning to run/play into space does not cost millions.
One final point on instinct: sure we remember Sunderland at home 1985, that Trevor Steven goal. The finish waqs sublime. However that pass from Bracewell, over his shoulder, blind, and 60 yards, to run onto...!! Bracewell was not our best passer...but he had instinct, trust in his colleague and confidence and licence to try something from his manager.
All a bit different now!
Tom (289) - Is Alan Biley still on our books ? He's gotta be on a pension by now !
James McPherson (307) I certainly do remeber it, I was there, a few mins late into the ground, we were 0 - 1 down, I remember saytng to my brother, i'm not worried, 4 - 1 such memorable goals, we wtill remeber them over 25 years later. Fast forward to the Moyes years (over a decade of them), after that length of time, and on 65k a week I expect Moyes to have addressed this. Tony M (294) is spot on. Tony always has been!!!!
Good strikers quite suddenly lose the fraction of a second that gets them goals. I can remember both Andy Cole and Yorke losing it. They don't become less good players, they become absolutely fucking useless, Saha has lost it .
Andy - bang on
One player - Yakubu.
As one poster has already stated - our forwards have run themselves into the ground every game, or they are dropped.
Before anyone says Yak only plays well after a move etc. A good manger would have him scoring every season, that's his job.
Poor Andy Johnson weighed about two stone when he left Goodison. Watching Beattie chase the goalie down was fucking painful.
Time for a change top to bottom.
As one poster has already stated - our forwards have run themselves into the ground every game, or they are dropped.
Before anyone says Yak only plays well after a move etc. A good manger would have him scoring every season, that's his job.
Poor Andy Johnson weighed about two stone when he left Goodison. Watching Beattie chase the goalie down was fucking painful.
Time for a change top to bottom.
We've had a total reliance on Baines to be our sole creator. Even Arteta and Pinnear's roles were to get Baines isolated out wide, get the ball to him and hopefully he would pick out Cahill with across. We got rumbled about 18 months ago, but the Pinnear/baines combination was too good for most defences. When we lost Pinnear we've effectively lost Baines as well.
I have seen some excuses for Saha missing some six yard sitters but this one must take pride of place. We do not create a lot of chances every game, but missing the amount of sitters that Saha has is inexcusable. I do not believe that Velious would have miss kicked those chances so I cannot blame the midfield for not playing defence spliting passes.
Most needed is a manager who knows something about attacking football. Until we get such a man the rest is like pissing in the wind.
We would have both if Moyes didn't sell them.
Sure our midfield is not the most creative, but.
Quality strikers take their chances when they come(Vellios have scored three from very few chances), and most of them also show more awareness than our has-been Saha. He`s never to be found where balls fall down. The ability to fashion out chances on your own also comes with the territory, our Saha has not been able to. Our second in line, Cahill has also lost his touch when it comes to finding those spaces.
In some games we have peppered the opponents box with crosses, never to find a target, strikers fault.
Quality strikers take their chances when they come(Vellios have scored three from very few chances), and most of them also show more awareness than our has-been Saha. He`s never to be found where balls fall down. The ability to fashion out chances on your own also comes with the territory, our Saha has not been able to. Our second in line, Cahill has also lost his touch when it comes to finding those spaces.
In some games we have peppered the opponents box with crosses, never to find a target, strikers fault.
One thing that never happens(but happened on Saturday)
Anichebe ran in behind the defender to score. Does Saha even try this?
Drenthe and Donovan are also able to do what Anichebe did against Villa, if given the opportunity and if we show a bit more urgency when countering.
Anichebe ran in behind the defender to score. Does Saha even try this?
Drenthe and Donovan are also able to do what Anichebe did against Villa, if given the opportunity and if we show a bit more urgency when countering.
Wonder how much Saha's current low is just due to confidence rather than being older. Was surprised Moyes didn't play him for a half or so against Tamworth to get one or two to boost his confidence - especially at GP. Pace may go with age but class doesn't and regardless of what people think, somewhere in there is a striker. Hopefully Blackburn may be the turning point if he plays.
That's it Tony 294, it's never the players faults is it? It's all Moyes, no-one else.
It's Moyes's fault that Cahill can't strike a ball from 4 yards, it's Moyes's that Saha fluffs his 3 or 4 chances a game.
His his fault that Fellaini can't stop a ball from being crossed in, His his fault that Duffy couldn't clear the ball properly, it's his fault that Neville lost his man etc etc
Player apologist.
It's Moyes's fault that Cahill can't strike a ball from 4 yards, it's Moyes's that Saha fluffs his 3 or 4 chances a game.
His his fault that Fellaini can't stop a ball from being crossed in, His his fault that Duffy couldn't clear the ball properly, it's his fault that Neville lost his man etc etc
Player apologist.
Maybe not Tony (461), but it was Moyes who insists on playing an out of form Cahill every single game, it is Moyes who turned down an £8m offer for Saha a year or so ago, it was Moyes who spent £15m on Fellaini, and it is Moyes who decided that Phil Neville would be a good purchase, and it is Moyes who trains these players week in week out.
Through balls...It isn't actually hard to do, I mean last season Anichebe slid one through for Beckford, that was Anichebe not Hoddle.
Being allowed to use even a small portion of an average football brain is all that is required, rather than pass it sideways out to Baines....dredges memory, rewind, rewind... ah yes Football that was what it used to be called, NOW I remember.
Moyes out
Being allowed to use even a small portion of an average football brain is all that is required, rather than pass it sideways out to Baines....dredges memory, rewind, rewind... ah yes Football that was what it used to be called, NOW I remember.
Moyes out
"At Everton, our strikers are expected to compete for every header, run down the channels, close down defenders - and also get on the end of things in the box"
Fuck me, give the lads a wage rise. Thats asking far too much for someone who's paid over £40000 a week. Maybe if they did these things instead of strolling around the pitch, they'd have more than 1 goal between them.
Tony Marsh, Saha has had plenty of chances to score this season.
Fuck me, give the lads a wage rise. Thats asking far too much for someone who's paid over £40000 a week. Maybe if they did these things instead of strolling around the pitch, they'd have more than 1 goal between them.
Tony Marsh, Saha has had plenty of chances to score this season.
The problem lies in the system that Moyes chooses to play week in, week out! It's ridiculously negative.
Both to blame. Our team consists of zero creativity as you can't count Donovan. That is down to Moyes. Saha has had chances but is clearly finished.
Cahill is just crap. The rest who knows. We have looked ten times more dangerous when we actually have two up front. When those two aren't Cahill/Saha. Probably the worst pairing in the entire league.
Cahill is just crap. The rest who knows. We have looked ten times more dangerous when we actually have two up front. When those two aren't Cahill/Saha. Probably the worst pairing in the entire league.
Scott, if the tactics are so negative, how come our forwards are fluffing so many chances?
Yes Lee, it is Moyes's fault he picked Cahill etc, so he is to blame too....not solely. Player apologists all over this site.
£8m? It was an alleged £6m two years ago and then it considered to be bullshit too...
Yes Lee, it is Moyes's fault he picked Cahill etc, so he is to blame too....not solely. Player apologists all over this site.
£8m? It was an alleged £6m two years ago and then it considered to be bullshit too...
Don't want to be pedantic Tony, but it was reported by all sources to be 9.4m Euros, and based on an exchange rate of the time of 0.85, that's £8m. And it wasn't considered bullshit, as Moyes himself was quoted as saying ?Louis is someone we had a big bid for, but he didn't want to go and we didn't want to sell."
I'm not a player apologist either Tony, believe me I vent my frustration at the players as much as I do the manger, it's just that I believe that Moyes is actually in a better position to do something about it and turn our fortunes around with his admittedly limited resources ie tactics, team selection, and therefore more deserving of the critisism. When we have been 'successful' he was rightly reaping the praise, now we have turned to utter dog shit, I think he needs to take the flak.
I'm not a player apologist either Tony, believe me I vent my frustration at the players as much as I do the manger, it's just that I believe that Moyes is actually in a better position to do something about it and turn our fortunes around with his admittedly limited resources ie tactics, team selection, and therefore more deserving of the critisism. When we have been 'successful' he was rightly reaping the praise, now we have turned to utter dog shit, I think he needs to take the flak.
It was just on the radio that Moyes was at the DW last night to watch Hugo Rodegella who is out of contract in the summer and could be availalbe for cheap in this transfer window......
I'm confused why people are talking about saha as if he is a striker... From what I have seen this season he has spent more time in midfield than Fellaini has. Can someone account for the amount of time he comes deep and then sacks of returning to the goalscoring area of the six yard box?
Fuck it, we are playing with one striker at all times and that striker is Cahill.
Fuck it, we are playing with one striker at all times and that striker is Cahill.
Moyes treatment of our strikers this season has been a disgrace. Only Saha and Cahill given game after game to try and get a run going.
Vellios, despite showing that he can score goals is in and out of the team as soon as he has an average game. Straq must wonder what the hell is going on, he shows some really class touches when he gets good service, but otherwise looks two yards away from the ball most of the time.
Yes, because of ultra boring midfielders like Fellaini and Rodwell. Give these two a proper chance with Gibson there, and I am sure the returns will be much better than we have seen from Cahill and Saha.
Vellios, despite showing that he can score goals is in and out of the team as soon as he has an average game. Straq must wonder what the hell is going on, he shows some really class touches when he gets good service, but otherwise looks two yards away from the ball most of the time.
Yes, because of ultra boring midfielders like Fellaini and Rodwell. Give these two a proper chance with Gibson there, and I am sure the returns will be much better than we have seen from Cahill and Saha.
Moyes treatment of our strikers this season has been a disgrace. Only Saha and Cahill given game after game to try and get a run going.
Vellios, despite showing that he can score goals is in and out of the team as soon as he has an average game. Straq must wonder what the hell is going on, he shows some really class touches when he gets good service, but otherwise looks two yards away from the ball most of the time.
Yes, because of ultra boring midfielders like Fellaini and Rodwell. Give these two a proper chance with Gibson there, and I am sure the returns will be much better than we have seen from Cahill and Saha.
Vellios, despite showing that he can score goals is in and out of the team as soon as he has an average game. Straq must wonder what the hell is going on, he shows some really class touches when he gets good service, but otherwise looks two yards away from the ball most of the time.
Yes, because of ultra boring midfielders like Fellaini and Rodwell. Give these two a proper chance with Gibson there, and I am sure the returns will be much better than we have seen from Cahill and Saha.
NO STRIKER WILL SCORE FROM OPEN PLAY WITHOUT SERVICE. The best way to stop any striker from scoring goals is transfer him to the current EFC side.
Both Arteta and Pienaar have gone and Osman is injured so our midfield is bereft of an accurate passer unless Gibson can step up to the plate ?
Landon is on loan so will be gone soon.
Drenthe is also a loanee.
We need to test out Gibson with one or two of our present front men.
We have let Beckford, Yakubu and Vaughan go so who knows what any of them would have been like playing in front of Gibson and a fit Osman with Drenthe and Landon out wide...it appears that our management are trying to close the gate well after the ponies have made off !!
Only to be expected from the Board we have....totally inept !
Both Arteta and Pienaar have gone and Osman is injured so our midfield is bereft of an accurate passer unless Gibson can step up to the plate ?
Landon is on loan so will be gone soon.
Drenthe is also a loanee.
We need to test out Gibson with one or two of our present front men.
We have let Beckford, Yakubu and Vaughan go so who knows what any of them would have been like playing in front of Gibson and a fit Osman with Drenthe and Landon out wide...it appears that our management are trying to close the gate well after the ponies have made off !!
Only to be expected from the Board we have....totally inept !
Saha makes up for the extra man in midfield whilst Fellaini plays as the 3rd centre back. Distin slides over to Left Back and Baines plays left wing forward abandoning all sense of defensive duty.
Harry Redknapp would get results out of our squad... seriously?
Just watched Beckford play a blinder tonight at Leicester good running, keen, good touch, scored a hat trick....
Yakubu cant stop scoring....
We are left with an unfit, ageing, slow, disinterested Saha who cannot score.
Moyes out!
Yakubu cant stop scoring....
We are left with an unfit, ageing, slow, disinterested Saha who cannot score.
Moyes out!
Both Yakubu and Beckford are now world beaters... incredible!
Not world beaters KPR, just ex strikers scoring goals - which are sadly missing from our squad at the moment. Always goinng to be painful to see when we can barely buy a goal at the moment.
Hopefully regardless of who is played up front on Saturday, with a balanced defence and midfield, and against one of the worst defences in the league, I fancy us to get at least 2 goals, even if Baines has to score both!
Hopefully regardless of who is played up front on Saturday, with a balanced defence and midfield, and against one of the worst defences in the league, I fancy us to get at least 2 goals, even if Baines has to score both!
Beckford's found his level, and to be fair he's hardly been banging them in all season has he. Is he even a regular starter? and the Yak will score when he can be arsed trying, something he stopped doing way back in an Everton shirt
chris #500 - It was just on the radio that Moyes was at the DW last night to watch Hugo Rodegella who is out of contract in the summer and could be availalbe for cheap in this transfer window......
Not necessarily, could just be taking the advantage of watching 2 teams that we play in the next 3 league games.
Not necessarily, could just be taking the advantage of watching 2 teams that we play in the next 3 league games.
Danny #642 Yeah of course that could be the case, It might of just been the radio speculating that that is why Moyes was there. Maybe he was doing all three things!!? Id certainly take Rodegella if it was true though, anyone who even kind of knows where the goal is would be great!!!
I liked Beckford and am still at a loss as to why we let him go especially as we got rid of Vauaghan and Yakubu as well, We must of been able to see that we was running seriously low on strikers?! But although he scored a hat-trick last night he has actually struggled and Leicester, he isnt a regular starter and the Leicester fans i have spoken to arent keen on him, im glad he got a hat-trick yesterday but it was against a team really really struggling at the bottom of the championship. He is a natural goalscorer though and the was we are at the moment we could really of done with him.
Some comments on this thread remind me of the story about Roy Vernon after he'd slipped into non-league football. The manager was berating Vernons side in the half time team talk and ended by saying "And you could help, too, Roy, by showing a bit more movement"
Vernon said "If they can't find me when I'm standing still they've no fuckin' chance of finding me if I move around"
We need a constructive mid-fielder who can spot a forward pass almost as much as we need a forward. Even Beckford might have stood a chance with better service.
Vernon said "If they can't find me when I'm standing still they've no fuckin' chance of finding me if I move around"
We need a constructive mid-fielder who can spot a forward pass almost as much as we need a forward. Even Beckford might have stood a chance with better service.
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279 Posted 16/01/2012 at 14:19:20
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We do have players that can pass the ball but the way the team is set out, defensive-minded, means we rarely get the chance to execute it.
We do not break quickly enough from defence and rely on the big hoof too much.