Heitinga looking for redemption

Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post , 8 March, 10comments | Jump to most recent

Johnny Heitinga has been open in recognizing his poor form this season, but sees his chance to make amends at the weekend with the massive FA Cup 6th Round clash against Wigan — and his personal nemesis. Arouna Kone.

Back in October, the Everton defender was left exposed time and again by the pace and power of Kone, the Ivorian racing away from a floundering Heitinga before laying on a goal for Franco di Santo.

David Moyes showed his displeasure with Heitinga hooked at half-time and subsequently slipping behind Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin in the centre-back pecking order at Goodison.

The reality, of course, is should Heitinga help Everton negotiate Wigan this weekend, he will almost certainly be back on the bench once Jagielka returns to full fitness.

Quotes or other material sourced from Liverpool Daily Post

Reader Comments (10)

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Trevor Lynes
1 Posted 08/03/2013 at 16:06:31

Unfortunately what is lacking in JH is his pace and natural strength and these defects cannot be erased. He is slower than both our centre backs and is nowhere near as commanding in the air.

John Keating
2 Posted 08/03/2013 at 17:02:13

If Heitinga plays, I just hope Martinez rests Kone.

As Trevor says, his lack of pace and strength is woeful.

If Kone plays then Distin has to stay with him.

Callum Wilson
3 Posted 08/03/2013 at 17:09:07

Has Heitinga got to score 3 own-goals in one game for Duffy to even get a game?

Eugene Ruane
4 Posted 08/03/2013 at 17:47:44

Trevor - agree re his pace, which is why I never get us 'playing' the offside. Actually, to be fair, that's not just something I think affects a back-four containing JH. These days, a lot of sides have someone up front with a bit of pace (and strength) and I often think we might do better to sit deep and clog up the box than to push the line up leaving acres behind. Van Persie's goal against Utd for instance, who (apart from our back line) couldn't see that coming. We got away with it a couple of times but eventually when the run was timed well, he was away and our back-line was closer to the half-way line than the edge of our box. The deeper JH is against Wigan (if selected) the less chance he has of getting skinned....possibly.

Harold Matthews
5 Posted 08/03/2013 at 19:01:34

John Keating Spot on. Distin must stay with Kone. We can't have this Villa scenario again where Distin kept running over to help Baines leaving Heitinga at the mercy of Benteke. Of course , it all depends on Martinez. Villa continually attacked down their right wing which Wigan are not likely to do and that should suit us.

Trevor Lynes
6 Posted 08/03/2013 at 19:41:01

I'm really apprehensive and I reckon the uncertainty affects the rest of the defence. We are really struggling against teams who just play direct football. I reckon we cope better against sides with forwards who like the ball on the ground ie: Man City, Arsenal and Swansea.

With Jags and Distin together we cope pretty well against the likes of Kone, Lukaku and Co but Heitinga seems to be really fazed by big, pacey strikers. I just wish Anichebe could do a similar job for us as he has all the physical attributes.

Managers analyse every opposing player and I'm sure they will all be really pleased that Jags is out and also to a lesser extent Hibbert. If Hibbo was fit I would rather have him in the team than JH. As I've said before... If Duffy is not better than JH at this stage of his career, then he should consider a change of jobs.

Another thing that Duffy has over JH is his ability in the air, he has scored plenty of goals himself.

Craig Mills
7 Posted 08/03/2013 at 20:41:20

I'm sure Kone will start for Wigan but it should be no issue for Distan who is both quicker and stronger than him. 3-0 to Everton tomorrow, Mirallis will be too much for them and tomorrow will be Jelavic's day!

Declan Brown
8 Posted 08/03/2013 at 21:09:08

If something goes wrong and we concede a goal tomorrow, i'll bet my house Jonny H has something to do with it.

It's got to the point I dread seeing him play for us now!!!

Stephen Pitts
9 Posted 09/03/2013 at 08:31:49

I'm with Declan on this one.
Where is the Heitinga of 12 months ago?

Kurt Knight
10 Posted 10/03/2013 at 17:02:38

Well, he showed up yesterday, Trouble is, the rest of the team should have stayed in bed.

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