Season 2012-13 
Opinion Talking Points
Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe...is he any good?
Comments (9) jump to end
Bearing in mind the debate going on with regard to our current crop of midfielders and whether or not they are up to it... did anybody see the Newcastle v Brugges match last night? And, if so. what were the impressions of Mr Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe?
I know it's hard to gauge from one match but does he look like he'll improve us in that area?? ... (Cue Neville haters!!)
ps: I never thought I'd ever say that Gibbo was gonna be such an important player for us when we signed him!!!!
COYB!!!!
Simon Boyd, Posted 26/10/2012 at 13:57:25
Reader Comments
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Frank Wade
465 Posted 26/10/2012 at 21:47:39
465 Posted 26/10/2012 at 21:47:39
Simon, I was unable to watch this match last night but recorded it to see how Odjidja matched up to his YouTube reputation. I have just watched the 2nd half and tried to record his stats. He played as part of a central midfield 3, mostly on left and for last 20 mostly on right but always forward of the centre/defensive midfield player.
Overall impressions were:
Strong on the ball, Good touch, Passes mostly good and sharp, Shows well for the ball when his side is in possession, Not as dynamic as I expected, Athletic but not a speedster, Goes through the motions in closing down and tracking back but I would like to see more obvious determination to actually win the ball. Reminds me of Jack Rodwell, a good player, but you get the feeling he is holding something in reserve.
Unofficial stats for 2nd half only:
Simple passes completed 29, Creative passes completed 9 – mostly feeding wide player, Passes to opposition 4 – one of which lead to the Newcastle goal but IMHO fault lay more with intended pass recipient, Closed down opponent 6, Was fouled 3 times, One shot to Row Z, One yellow card for shirt pull on Obertan at half way line when no danger, Tackles won 5, Tackles lost/missed 3.
He did not play the defensive midfield role last night, but did not show defensive instincts to spot and anticipate danger needed for that role, so on that basis would not take the Gibson/Neville role. More likely to fit into the Osman role, but hard to say if he is a better player on this showing. I must add that contrary to most posters on here, our current midfield duo with backing from Fellaini, have done very well, as our current league placing, dominance of matches and overall quality of football this season would suggest.
Overall impressions were:
Strong on the ball, Good touch, Passes mostly good and sharp, Shows well for the ball when his side is in possession, Not as dynamic as I expected, Athletic but not a speedster, Goes through the motions in closing down and tracking back but I would like to see more obvious determination to actually win the ball. Reminds me of Jack Rodwell, a good player, but you get the feeling he is holding something in reserve.
Unofficial stats for 2nd half only:
Simple passes completed 29, Creative passes completed 9 – mostly feeding wide player, Passes to opposition 4 – one of which lead to the Newcastle goal but IMHO fault lay more with intended pass recipient, Closed down opponent 6, Was fouled 3 times, One shot to Row Z, One yellow card for shirt pull on Obertan at half way line when no danger, Tackles won 5, Tackles lost/missed 3.
He did not play the defensive midfield role last night, but did not show defensive instincts to spot and anticipate danger needed for that role, so on that basis would not take the Gibson/Neville role. More likely to fit into the Osman role, but hard to say if he is a better player on this showing. I must add that contrary to most posters on here, our current midfield duo with backing from Fellaini, have done very well, as our current league placing, dominance of matches and overall quality of football this season would suggest.
Terry White
466 Posted 26/10/2012 at 23:05:02
466 Posted 26/10/2012 at 23:05:02
I did not see the game there is nothing from what I have seen in highlights to suggest that Vadis is a Gibson replacement. Everything I have seen suggests that he is a box-to-box midfielder and we should forget about the idea once and for all that he is a stand-in for Gibson if he joins us. And a strong box-to-box midfielder to play alongside Gibson is sorely needed.
Peter Thistle
475 Posted 27/10/2012 at 05:15:42
475 Posted 27/10/2012 at 05:15:42
He did the simple things well but fell down when he had to play killer balls. Looks most comfortable as a holding midfielder from that performance but to be fair it was only one game and he's playing under the uncertainty of a possible move away from the club. Maybe he has something that's worth taking a look at, hence the loan move and not buying him straight away.
Ajay Gopal
476 Posted 27/10/2012 at 05:53:30
476 Posted 27/10/2012 at 05:53:30
On another note, did anyone watch the Arsenal-Schalke match, and how good was Lewis Holtby? Just before the game in the press conference, he once again reiterated his love for Everton. If he is not a star of the Schalke team already, he could be someone we see in a Blue shirt. Hoping .....
Mark Tanton
481 Posted 27/10/2012 at 07:50:34
481 Posted 27/10/2012 at 07:50:34
Lewis Holtby has to be brought to Everton, it's a no-brainer. He's very highly thought of, he loves the club and he's out of contract. So yeah, he'll probably end up at Liverpool in July.
Paul Andrews
507 Posted 27/10/2012 at 10:59:42
507 Posted 27/10/2012 at 10:59:42
Terry White, nail on the head.
Paul Andrews
515 Posted 27/10/2012 at 12:34:25
515 Posted 27/10/2012 at 12:34:25
Mail online today, Martin Keown column.
"I was hugely impressed. He is full of imagination, has an eye for a pass and is one of the best young midfielders I have seen in many years. He is two-footed and can be the English equivalent of Santi Cazorla."
High praise, I think, while not ready yet, Barkley has the potential to fulfill that prediction. We have a great player in the making.
"I was hugely impressed. He is full of imagination, has an eye for a pass and is one of the best young midfielders I have seen in many years. He is two-footed and can be the English equivalent of Santi Cazorla."
High praise, I think, while not ready yet, Barkley has the potential to fulfill that prediction. We have a great player in the making.
Peter Jones
645 Posted 28/10/2012 at 02:55:36
645 Posted 28/10/2012 at 02:55:36
When we inevitably sell Fellaini for huge money, we're going to sign Holtby to be the our #10. Book it.
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454 Posted 26/10/2012 at 21:01:15