Toffeeweb - The Mail Bag - The One-Touch Maestro

Peter Barry
884 Posted 27/04/2012 at 04:18:07

Jelavic has been a revelation his touch is sublime so now all we need is another front player to feed him and feed off him. Felliani is a good interim solution but long term I believe he is better in midfield. Cahill is past it so maybe from the current crop Strac or Vellios would be good up front with Jelly. Strac with his hustling non stop style might give Jelly more opportunities and we know what he does with opportunities.

Jim Harrison
890 Posted 27/04/2012 at 06:00:45

think playing vellios with him for the rest of the season would be good. seeif the boy can cut it. Pretty sure straq wont be staying.

Jim Harrison
891 Posted 27/04/2012 at 06:00:45

I think playing Vellios with him for the rest of the season would be good. seeif the boy can cut it. Pretty sure Stracq won't be staying.

Dave Roberts
893 Posted 27/04/2012 at 06:40:59

As well as being a proper one-touch striker he can score different types of goals too. From longish range shots (15-20 yard stuff) to 6 yard box tap-ins. He reminds me a lot of Alan Clarke (Sniffer) who played for Leeds in the 60's and early 70's. We had his brother Wayne for a while and he wasn't a bad player either.

There's a big old fashioned English type centre forward at Atletico Bilbao (can't think of his name at the moment though! But he played last night) He's not only a goalscorer but is great at making chances for others too. Wishful thinking I suppose but I'd love to see him paired with Jelly.

Just remembered his name....Llorente. He's a fabulous player and Bilbao being a selling club he'll probably move on in the summer most likely to a CL club next seaon but I wish we had him.

In the meantime, Jelly will do for me. If only he could have paired with the Cahill of 4/5 years ago!

Anthony Hughes
896 Posted 27/04/2012 at 07:33:34

I agree on Llorente but i think he will be way out of our price range.

Dave Roberts
898 Posted 27/04/2012 at 07:48:40

Yeah I know! But we can dream can't we? Just getting carried away!

Jimmy Sørheim
901 Posted 27/04/2012 at 07:51:57

I think part of why Jelavic has been so good is because Drenthe and Pienaar has been working well on each sides on the wing.
Next season will be different though, if we do not sign Drenthe or Donovan than I think we will struggle at times during the season.

We all know that strikers has off times when it comes to form, and if too few chances are created then it will cause our striker to loose his touch after a while.

I am very worried that we will not even get Pienaar in the summer.
So where does that leave us?
WIthout Drenthe and Pienaar we are reduced to a relegation team.

Thew goals Drenthe has scored and made assists for has been vital this season.

I just can not see us replacing Drenthe who is on a free, it would require money we do not have!

Moyes should put his ego in check and give Drenthe a second chance, after all he is young and can mature with the right coaching.

I think Moyes is half right in diciplining Drenthe but I think it is overkill to do it for the rest of the season.

If Drenthe does get to play again then he might even learn something and apologise to the manager and the fans.
But if he is not given the chance to save face then he will be lost to us and go elsewhere.

SIgning Drenthe is not a gamble, he has proven himself enough to get a contract.
If Moyes were to find out that he is not working in the right direction then he can sell him at a good profit, now what is wrong with making more money for Everton FC?

Dave Roberts
902 Posted 27/04/2012 at 07:50:00

I know this is an Everton website so perhaps it's not entirely appropriate to bring this up but speaking of Llorente, his club, Atletico Bilbao, are the team of the season for me (even though it's the La Liga season not OURS!)

Against Manure they played like Barcelona and whipped them good style. Last night they played like us. Anglo-Saxon style (!) 4-4-1-1 and were really impressive. They are so flexible and seem to be able to adapt their style to the job in hand. Their manager seems to be quite a character too. I found myself shouting for them last night (well quietly supporting them anyway!)

If they could keep that team together they'd be a force to reckon with but apparently being a selling club is their policy rather than their predicament and half their team disappears every summer.

Shame.

Dave Roberts
905 Posted 27/04/2012 at 08:04:59

JImmy, I agree about Drenthe. He's mercurial and obviously immature and I dare say he is a handful behaviourally. But I see it as part of a manager's job to work with kids like that and to try to assist them to reach their potential.

If that fails then fair enough, he would have to go. But it seems far too early to claim failure yet.

Providing he wants to stay at Everton then anything less than murdering the Finch Farm tea-lady should be used as a first step in the effort to do just that. The lad should be given something to aim for rather than just left out in the cold. Even if all the rumours are true, he has still done far less than George Best ever did in his younger days, Busby worked with him and although he was never a 'Corinthian' sportsman, he paid them back with interest.

I think Moyes should draw a line under what happened and realize that young lads will be difficult to keep on the straight and narrow at times.

Stephen Kenny
930 Posted 27/04/2012 at 09:44:32

With Jelavic up front I actually don't mind playing a 4-5-1. To make it really work for us we need the player off him to have an eye for a pass, inteligent movement and a decent shot from distance.

Perhaps Ross is the man for this in time or we need to get a player in. With our budget we'd need to be looking at players like Sigurdsson or Hoolahan.

For too long the side has been built around Cahill. Now is the time to build it around Jelavic, I can see good things if we do.

If Donovan comes in and Pienaar stays even Moyes would struggle to stop those players playing football.

Andrew Ellams
935 Posted 27/04/2012 at 09:59:34

I posted on a another thread earlier in the week that I would love to see Rodellega picked up on a free at the end of the year and play him off Jelavic. He has the flair and pace to come from deep and play around the edge of the box and the touch to score goals from in the box. Drenthe's wages should cover his.

Danny Broderick
938 Posted 27/04/2012 at 10:04:18

I think Rodallega's shite, sorry Andrew!

Danny Broderick
941 Posted 27/04/2012 at 10:05:11

The key for me is keeping up the service to Jelavic. Realistically, we are not going to have Drenthe here next year and I doubt we will have Pienaar either. Are we really going to pay £6 million for a player we allowed to leave for £3 million, who is now aged 30?
The key to keeping Jelavic scoring will be who we can get in to supply the bullets. There must be some lads in the lower leagues who could do a job on the wings. Off the top of my head, Jarvis of Wolves could be an option, but then he blows hot and cold. Wd can only hope Moyesie can pull a rabbit out of the bag again, because Elstone has hinted we will have no money to spend again!

Christopher Brown
942 Posted 27/04/2012 at 10:07:43

Have to agree Danny - I've never understood what people see in Rodallega. A poor man's Andy Carroll ;) Sorry Andrew!

Peter Davies
944 Posted 27/04/2012 at 10:17:01

A poor man's Andy Carroll...must be worth only £20 mill then!

Joel Jones
947 Posted 27/04/2012 at 10:24:21

I'm with Andrew on this guys, Rodellga offers pace and a decent link-up; sure, his finishing leaves a little to be desired but capable of getting 10 a season and, seeing as Jelavic looks to be the main man, those sort of goals will only add to the team. His work ethic is good also, to be fair, and he is coming from a 'footballing' side. Worth a gamble on a Bosman surely?

As for Drenthe, this will run and run, won't it? I think his days are numbered given Moyes's previous on discipline (Yak, Dunc, Shandy). He would again be worth the investment in wages in my opinion as he does offer us something different despite his faults and lapses of concentration (may of cost us 2-3 goals but he has had a hand in 10); again, he has something our squad has seemed to lack all my life: Pace. It's vital in the modern game now, especially going forward, and with the right coaching he could iron out the kinks. Also it's a Bosman transfer, so wwe only lose the wages if it goes sour, possibly command a fee?

I think Donovan needs to be put to bed, unless it's a deal similar to the previous ones, financially we can't justify it!

As for Pienaar, my theory is this: don't pay a penny more than what we received. Yes, we need him, he adds to our build-up play no end and his work ethic is good and he 'gets' the club. My argument is this though: he is now 30, has suffered a serious injury and his wages will cost us also (I'd imagine we'd offer what was on table last time to him as the whole dragging out of negotiations would've been pointless). If we're lucky, we could get another 3 good years from him, being that he's not somebody who relies solely on pace or physical attributes, it's his brain that does his work for him.

As for other names mentioned, Adam Johnson ? great buy, but surely out of our price range? Jarvis ? Wolves will command a fee that we couldnt afford surely as other clubs will pay it, plus is he all that? Dempsey ? this would be a massive coup, and despite his age, 29, at reported £5m would be a great signing, although I think strength in other areas is more of a priority.

If we could somehow get a full back, two wide-men and a link up player (striker/att mid) without disrupting too much, I'd be happy.
I wouldn't be too disheartened to see us raise funds by off-loading fringe players, Vic, Coleman, Mucha and finally sell Yobo, or use him?

Pete Bibby
954 Posted 27/04/2012 at 11:06:50

I like Hugo and Diame from Wigan. Would love to see them both here.

Phil McKeown
966 Posted 27/04/2012 at 12:02:45

Matt Jarvis and Steven Fletcher, anyone?

Tony J Williams
970 Posted 27/04/2012 at 12:22:59

"If that fails then fair enough, he would have to go. But it seems far too early to claim failure yet".

Dave the rumours are that he is a pisshead...there's no going back with that. If you turn up to training pissed in the afternoon, have a bar in your house then the warning signs are clearly there.

Once bitten, twice shy with Dutch pissheads

Drew O'Neall
981 Posted 27/04/2012 at 13:00:29

Jimmy 901 - Talking bollocks as usual.. re Drenthe. For all his pace and long range shooting he created very little for others, I can think of the cross against Fulham.. We're well shot of him.

Just a point re Bilbao, as a Basque club set up by brits (I think) they have self imposed restrictions on the players they select meaning they rely quite heavily on their youth setup for locally grown talent.. They are also run by socios as a member's club so there are all kinds of reasons for them to inspire fans of clubs like ours who dont have a wealthy benefactor...

Andy Peers
000 Posted 27/04/2012 at 14:27:07

Moyes will always put Cahill behind Jelly. I know he didn't start against Utd, and we played better without him, but Moyes will always persist with him and not learn. I can not understand not having Barkley try the Cahill roll and even if he plays crap there in the last 4 games it will still be 100 less crap games that Cahill and Osman have had for us.

Brian Foley
017 Posted 27/04/2012 at 15:09:20

Phil Mac, Yes nice one. I've been going on about Jarvis for a while, loads of energy pacey and always seems to get that extra foot or two at the by-line to get a cross in with his weaker left foot, stands out in a bad side would be a great addition I think. Fletcher is tough as old boots left-footed which is handy and worth a punt at a lower price (3m)

Tony McNulty
038 Posted 27/04/2012 at 16:16:26

Jelavic's towering strength is his ability effortlessly to find space in the box. As opposed to other recent strikers who either take up space (I can guess who'll be nominated here) or who are a waste of space.

Micky Norman
039 Posted 27/04/2012 at 16:15:54

Dave@905 "If the rumours are true...." Well i don't think George Best ever spoke to City in the week before a semi against them to try and get a move did he? Then again rumours are what they are, aren't they. I can't see him (Drenthe) ever wanting to stay anyway. He doesn't seem to have learned much wherever he has been.

Dave Roberts
042 Posted 27/04/2012 at 16:28:51

Micky

That's not one of the rumours I've heard....so not one I am talking about I'm afraid. What I've heard is that he was late twice under the 'influence'. Something which Bestie did every week....if he turned up at all!

Ian Glassey
053 Posted 27/04/2012 at 17:03:50

Jelavic could be one of the best in a long long time. Great movement, very clever, good in the air, two good feet and fast enough, and works hard.. Lets hope we can keep him and find him a partner..

Shaun Brennan
055 Posted 27/04/2012 at 17:20:42

I remember reading some tripe on a website. Sumamry of the story was the Jelavic moves on every other year or so.

He left Rangers because they've gone all tit's up.

I'm not sure why but when I think of Jelavic, I conjure up images of Football Italia when I was younger and specifically Firoentina.

David Hallwood
095 Posted 27/04/2012 at 20:06:26

Not too sure about the Latchford comparison; Jelavic would need to eat a few more pies before he resembled our Bob. Seriously Jelovic is the real deal-and a cut price deal at that, the best forward at the club since a certain former resident of Croxteth..now there is someone that could give portly Bob a run for his money.

Steve Barr
098 Posted 27/04/2012 at 20:31:44

Bob Latchford was a fantastic goalscorer, one of my all time favourite palyers in a blue shirt.

I don't have the stats, but I reckon he would even concede that a lot of his goals were created by Dave Thomas, who in my opinion was one of the best wingers and crossers of a ball ever!

At the time Latch rightly earned a few England call ups but never got the same service at international level so his England star quickly faded.

Jelovic has been an absolute revelation so far, even without such excellent service. Let's hope we can find a couple of wingers like Thomas and we'll be in for the emergence of another legendary No 9 at Goodison.

Kevin Sparke
105 Posted 27/04/2012 at 21:13:10

Latchford was a totally different type of player to Jelavic. Latchford was very much an old fashioned Centre Forward who needed a good winger to stick the ball on his head or at his feet and he had the best in Dave Thomas. Latchford was also often criticised for being lazy but he had a knack for being in the right place at the right time

The Everton forward who Jelavic most reminds me of is Lineker - who was class personified on a football pitch - he had a great first touch, fantastic balance and a superb eye for goal also his running off the ball was inspired - he always found that elusive space in the box and just outside it.

We've most definitely found a very good player with Jelavic, perhaps even World class.

James Flynn
121 Posted 27/04/2012 at 22:36:02

As delighted as I am, there's one thing I can't get over. If all the clubs above and below us, who definately have the cash, would have bid just 8 mil, we'd have been priced out. 8 mil being just a little more than a punt for so many other clubs. And we wind up with the guy for 5 mil. Fuck me.

A known finisher available during a fire sale and no one else comes in for him? What luck. An all-blanketing financial black cloud over EFC and here appears a silver lining. When does this even happen in today's game?

Paul David
122 Posted 27/04/2012 at 22:48:49

47 touches to score 44 goals is an amazing stat and shows how good an instinct finisher he is.It also shows he doesnt make goals himself so he needs a proper strike partner,not be left isolated up front on his own.

Mark Riding
123 Posted 27/04/2012 at 23:03:24

Whats McFaddens 'touches to goals' ratio like ??

Jay Woods
126 Posted 27/04/2012 at 23:21:21

This first touch striking, it's so hard for defenders because they have no time to deal with it. So how on earth are we going to hold on to such a rare talent, if indeed he continues this form next season?

Dean Adams
136 Posted 28/04/2012 at 01:04:11

Mark Riding 123

"Whats McFaddens 'touches to goals' ratio like ??"

Would'nt he need to score to work that out!!

David Edwards
137 Posted 28/04/2012 at 00:53:28

Let's get back to the original post. Jelavic has been absolutely superb since he joined. My Rangers mate advised me thast if he was up for it and got service, he was a natural goal-scorer, and how right he was! His first touch has been great (come on, how many of our other strikers have needed multiple chances before getting one on target).

If Moyes's passion has returned, I think he sees potential in Jelly he has not seen since the Yak's first few games. Peanuts has revitalised the midfield (yes, I'm still eating humble pie!) and while Felliani might be useful behind the striker, I think it sadly says more about an end of an era for Tiny Tim in that strange 'fox-in-th-box' role he hasn't really been successful with in recent years.

I was concerned that in the 90's we unsuccessfully tried to build a team around Dunk! If we start building around Jelly I think we'll have more success!!!

Finally, less of the knocking of Bob Latchford. Forget the subsequent ego. He was my hero in the 70's and his 30 goals was one of my few memories to stay with me from that decade, along with some great Duncan McKenzie flicks! Remember Bob's game against Chelsea, and Mick Lyon's dive to get him that penalty for hos 30th - Ashely Young, Drogba - you're so Money Supermarket!!!! he he! COYB

Pat Finegan
148 Posted 28/04/2012 at 03:28:46

Jay, it's toughest for the keeper. If a guy takes a touch to set himself up, you have time to get in the proper position. On a one timer, you're never really ready for it so the shot doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be good enough. What a luxury for us! If Jelly can keep this form going into next season, maybe we won't start so poorly.

John Crawley
190 Posted 28/04/2012 at 10:13:57

No doubt about it Jelavic is one hell of a player and we effectively committed daylight robbery on Rangers to get him for the price we did. Moyes may have his failings but you can't argue about his record when picking players up in the bottom price range. In my time watching Everton the best finishes I have seen have been Lineker and Yakubu, I think Jelavic is up there with them.
Personally I would love to see Barkley playing that Cahill role. he's got the ability to run at players, he's got a good shot, he scores goals and most importantly he's got the creativity and passing skills to set things up for Jelavic.

Mick Davies
256 Posted 28/04/2012 at 15:20:23

Mark Riding, what has James McFadden done to cause you such a frantic case of PMT? He has hardly played for us this season, I reckon about 50 odd mins in total. I remember his goals and assists, even being played out of position years ago and judging by his contributions lately, he might make a good partner for Jelavic if we can't afford to buy in. His touch in the box is top class (the one against Utd where he picked a pass through 2 defenders to set up Fellaini) and I think his decision to rejoin us ahead of other clubs like Celtic, shows he wants to be here. Then again, people like M Riding would probably boo him and tell us all how AVM was a class player who never got a chance etc. blah blah

Ernie Baywood
269 Posted 28/04/2012 at 17:11:13

Well he trashed the ratio with his second today.

David Hallwood
311 Posted 28/04/2012 at 19:27:38

Kevin Spark #105, jelovic reminds me more of Klinsmann than Linacre, just hope we can hang onto him but if we can't, on the Caroll scale he must we worth £50-60 million

Mike Green
313 Posted 28/04/2012 at 19:33:56

Talk about knowing where the net is! I'm with you Dave (Roberts), would be great if the Cahill of yesteryear was up there with him.

If we can keep Pienaar and grab another striker / attacking midfielder to add another dimension to what Jelavic gives then we've got a team on our hands. Imagine if we landed Donovan to play on the right too.......

Ian Glassey
315 Posted 28/04/2012 at 19:36:25

Like i said from his first game the lad has got it.
If we keep him for any length of time he could score as many as Big Bob,Sharpy and Big Joe..
He is that good...

Paul David
316 Posted 28/04/2012 at 19:45:48

I'm not sure if I've seen a player like Jelavic in the prem era. There are plenty more skillfull or who catch the eye but as an out and out goalscorer I think he looks like one of the best.

Ian Glassey
319 Posted 28/04/2012 at 19:49:19

I would like to see a nippy striker brought in to partner him, no idea who maybe somebody like Moses that sort of player. But as i said no idea who, just somebody to chip in with 10 goals...

Jamie Barlow
323 Posted 28/04/2012 at 19:59:50

Paul, I think he's shown while he's been here that he doesn't need a proper strike partner. He holds the ball up superbly and brings others into play and he's not afraid of doing a bit of running either.

Paul David
324 Posted 28/04/2012 at 20:05:03

Jamie

I think another striker with him especially at home would only increase his chances of scoring but it is so good knowing you have a striker that is capable of scoring and not needing 5 chances to do it

Ian Glassey
329 Posted 28/04/2012 at 20:15:58

Missed his second goal was in the toilet so looking forward to M O D, some goals to watch tonight...

Paul David
332 Posted 28/04/2012 at 20:23:40

Ian it was a great goal but for the wrong reasons. It was a tight angle and he took the wrong decision to shoot with the keeper in the way and a man on the line but it somehow squeezed in.

I'm not used to seeing a goalscorer so I shouted "pass it don't shoot". He has confidence in himself and its been a long time since I've seen that in an Everton striker.

Ian Glassey
336 Posted 28/04/2012 at 20:32:20

Sounds good Paul, I think we have got are selves a gem of a player...

Jamie Tulacz
339 Posted 28/04/2012 at 20:49:46

He's definitely a top class striker, my one worry is, if he keeps up this form how long are we going to be able to hold on to him for. I know it's a bit early to say this, but we've become a selling club!

Paul David
341 Posted 28/04/2012 at 20:55:46

Jamie I think we'll be knocking back bids as early as this summer and if he has a good euros then he will be on a lot more clubs radars.I'm surprised its taken him till hes 26 to make it to a top league.

Jamie Tulacz
347 Posted 28/04/2012 at 21:09:55

Yeah, that's my fear Paul. Surely we can't let him go just after half a season though?

Paul David
351 Posted 28/04/2012 at 21:30:26

No we cant but be sure if he does go this summer or next it will be for more than we sold Lescott.

Mick Davies
412 Posted 29/04/2012 at 03:46:50

Not seen a poacher at Everton like him since Lineker. He has a natural instinct to just lash the ball home from anywhere and if he can get into double figures since January, think of how many he could get in a full season, with a close season of working with the lads and finding a long term strike partner. My only worry is what I read on another site from a Rangers fan, who obviously thinks highly of Jelavic, but bemoaned his inability to stick at one club for long, and warned Evertonians of his desire to move and prove himself. We are his 5th club in as many years, so I hope he bucks that trend and stays with us for years, and I'm sure if he does, we have a chance of winning something at last

Rory Slingo
418 Posted 29/04/2012 at 06:28:47

One plus for us Mick, is that the Everton lads will have made him feel at home here and I doubt very much he's felt anything like the team spirit we have at his previous clubs. So hopefully he'll be more inclined to stick around with us. Once Everton touches you, nothing's ever the same again! (Unless you fall out with Moyes!)

John Ford
421 Posted 29/04/2012 at 07:28:18

Id be thoroughly depressed if Jelly was sold in the summer. Even if we doubled our money on him how likely is it we could replace him with anyone as good....and in any case Everton would only ever put part of the proceeds into the transfer kitty.

To my mind we must keep hold of Jelly, Felli and Johnny (sounds like a Eurovision band!). Id sell Baines ahead of those three....Johnny is becoming a leader which we don't have enough of. Id take a risk on a smaller squad/youngsters and get what I could for Tim, Vic, Coleman and even Jags.

This summer isnt going to be much fun

James Stewart
470 Posted 29/04/2012 at 11:54:03

Jelavic is absolute class. He reminds me more and more of Van Nistelrooy in his prime. Deadly around the box. I am slightly scared he is just too good for us though and will be off too soon.

Paul Mackie
498 Posted 29/04/2012 at 12:56:37

I can't believe how good he is for the amount we paid. Also with a lot of his first time touch goals he doesn't just blast it, he just calmly slots it into the net.

He's a fucking ice man.

James Flynn
540 Posted 29/04/2012 at 16:45:54

Here in the States some 30 years ago, a fellow from Serie A came to America to play for the Cosmos. His name was Giorgio Chinaglia. When he announced he was leaving Italy for the US, Italians threw themselves in front of the vehicle taking him to the airport. When he arrived in New York, we had no idea who he was.

At the press conference upon his arrival, he described himself as a Finisher, ?I?m a Finisher?, he said ?That means when I?m finished the ball is in the back of the net?. He proved that true repeatedly (RIP Giorgio).

Now, by some twist of karma, EFC signed a fellow who?s exactly the same as Chinaglia?s description of himself, a Finisher; Jelavic. It?s not that he scores or how he scores. He?s proven he can score any old way.

It?s the manner he carries himself out there. Like Chinaglia, he has that ?I was put on earth to score goals? glow about him. He treats goal scoring as perfectly naturally. He puts it in the net; he?s happy, but no big deal.

And we tripped and fell over this guy? Some cosmic corner?s been turned. There?s no practical reason this fellow should have been available to a team with pockets to let. Yet here he is in Royal Blue.

Let?s finish up strong and next season come on. Everton got a Finisher. Fuck me.

Lester Yip
637 Posted 30/04/2012 at 00:15:46

Danny, we sold Arteta for $10m and he scored a few screamer for the Gunners. I think I'll grab Pienaar for $6m as he's proven. And without Mikel, he can play his favourite position.

Bring him back.

Phil Bellis
640 Posted 30/04/2012 at 01:18:02

I refer my learned colleagues to one, James (Jimmy) Greaves who, apart form the odd aberration - usually against Labone and Hurst - just passed the ball into the net
Jelavic seems to be a composite of Greaves, Latchford, Law and Lineker - about time we had a bit of luck