Stubbs lauds McAleny's scoring form

Lyndon Lloyd , 14 March, 34comments | Jump to most recent

20 year-old has hit 5 goals in 6 games for U21s

Everton U21s coach, Alan Stubbs, has described how his side are reaping the benefits of Conor McAleny's extended run in the team after recovering from a succession of niggly injuries in the first half of the season.

The young striker has scored five times in his last six outings, including the winner in a 3-2 thriller against Blackburn and the only goal at Chelsea this month as the Blues' second string remain top of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Group 1 table.

It is reward for the 20 year-old's perseverance through injury which started with ankle ligament damage at the start of the campaign and he wasn't able to get back to full fitness until the start of 2013.

Since then he has helped the Blues' second string remain unbeaten so far this year and his impressive strike rate can only help put him back on David Moyes's first-team radar. McAleny made his senior debut as a late substitute at Arsenal a couple of years ago but has not been a regular part of the first team since.

"Conor looks lively," Stubbs told evertonfc.com, "he looks positive when he gets the ball, looks a real threat to opposition defences and he puts defenders on the back foot, which from a forward's point of view is a great thing to do.

"From a defender's point of view, trust me, it's not great when strikers do that.

"I think he's back to where he was before he had all his injuries and he's doing great at the moment. I'm really pleased for him."

Quotes or other material sourced from Everton FC

Reader Comments (34)

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Tony J Williams
1 Posted 14/03/2013 at 17:22:46

He'll never make it.......

Phil Sammon
2 Posted 14/03/2013 at 17:39:04

Young goal scorer on top form? Get him on the wing, Moyes!

Run those channels lad

Peter Fearon
4 Posted 14/03/2013 at 17:45:12

I'd be tempted to put him in the line-up ahead of Anichebe who had zero impact on the game when he was subbed in against Wigan, just as he usually has zero impact when he starts. I'd put Ross Barkley in there too, given that he was the only player on the field who looked as he gave a twopenny damn about attacking when he came on late in the game. The season is shot anyway so why not try something new?

Gary Seed
5 Posted 14/03/2013 at 17:40:54

Tony, are you a professional coach, a mystic gypsy or just a 'glass half empty' blue?

Phil, is 'wong' a stronger form of Chang?

Gary Seed
6 Posted 14/03/2013 at 17:54:09

Add to Barkley and McAleny the names of Duffy, Lundstram and Stones. Why not see where our future lies now ?

Patrick Murphy
7 Posted 14/03/2013 at 18:31:33

I'd be tempted to put him in the team ahead of Jelavic

Andy Crooks
8 Posted 14/03/2013 at 18:41:18

Peter,"why not try something new" why would we do that? It makes too much sense.

Ian Bennett
9 Posted 14/03/2013 at 18:54:53

At least get him on the bench.

James Morgan
10 Posted 14/03/2013 at 18:49:48

How is he at defending corners?

Seriously though, this lad is hardly a 'kid' at 20, is he?
He is scoring goals regularly therefore should be given a chance. We will never know if he can do it the prem if he doesn't get game time, but we all know Moyes won't play him 'in case he makes a mistake.'

Paul David
11 Posted 14/03/2013 at 19:01:05

James

We want committed players not uncertainty. We know where we stand with Neville, he will make a mistake. None of this 'will he won't he' bollocks you get from kids.

James Morgan
12 Posted 14/03/2013 at 19:38:56

Haha, true, Paul.

I mean, at least we can guarantee Neville will be shit. He gives you consistency, which we know we won't get from these young upstarts. What was I thinking?

Mark Tanton
13 Posted 14/03/2013 at 19:49:11

Hopefully he'll get his chance at post-Moyes Everton. Without being sarcastic, it might be like having several new signings - McAleny, Barkley, Vellios, Duffy... Who knows the impact these players could have? It could certainly reduce the need to spend cash replacing aging members of the squad.

This can only happen when Moyes has gone, that's clear.

Ross Edwards
14 Posted 14/03/2013 at 19:55:31

Now, if we had a tactically aware, or better manager in charge, this guy would possibly have had a chance in a few games, but as he isn't one of the favourites we have to stick with a forward up front on his own who hasn't scored in 15 games. No wonder that talent is wasted at Everton, as we have a manager seemingly scared of trying younger players.

Tony Marsh
15 Posted 14/03/2013 at 20:29:12

You never know Conor could join the illustrious group of Johnson, Yakubu, Beckford, Anichebe, Jelavic — all players who have been taught how not to score by Moyes. I reckon the lad should refuse to play for the first team if selected as we all know his fate don't we?

Then again he could be transformed in to a holding midfield utility man that can some times play left back or goalie. What ever happens if Moyes stays the kid will get ruined.

Steve Jones
16 Posted 14/03/2013 at 21:49:09

Ha ha Paul David, made me laugh that comment.

I would have this kid on the bench instead of Naismith any day, reminds me of Adrian Heath the way he plays, could link well with Jelavic.

Philip Quilliam
17 Posted 14/03/2013 at 21:50:47

Yeh let's get him in the side . Then as soon as he misses chance, or misplaces a pass or mis controls the ball. You can all slag him off, call him shit (sometimes in upper case text), criticise Moyes for yet another shit decision, have another moan that we haven't spent £75 gazillion that we haven't got because all our players are gash/useless/don't care/technically inferior and the manager we have got that has produced a team that consistently finishes in the top third of the table after inheriting one that was perennially fighting against relegation is fucking useless because he isn't Jesus Christ and can't work miracles. And yes I expect all the bollocks from the usual crew about how this is an apologist rant for a discredited management/executive/group of players but explain to me why if it is so easy to produce a top premiership side why don't more people do it and for God's sake don't quote Swansea they have 12 to 18 months before they disappear back to the anonymity they came from.

Phil Walling
19 Posted 14/03/2013 at 22:21:46

Should get the kid an extended loan to Brentford next season.Might as well be playing in Becistan for all Moyes will be interested.

James Morgan
20 Posted 14/03/2013 at 22:19:24

Philip, what an idiotic post.
You really think people would berate and moan at a 20 year old academy graduate making his way in the team if he made the odd error? I think we would all love to see him or any other bright youngster coming on and having a go rather than than the dross that the likes of Neville or Naismith serve up every time they set foot on the field.
So basically your saying lets not give these lads a go because we will all suddenly get on their backs and complain that the manager has thrown them in? Ok, let's just persist with the shite we are getting now and wait till they are all forced in to retirement! People moan because Moyes insists on playing shit/out of form players!!!

Fran Mitchell
21 Posted 14/03/2013 at 23:03:33

He should be given a chance. Jelavic needs someone to take the pressure off. At the moment, every time Jelly get's the ball we are waiting for a goal. This pressure is probably nagging at him. If a young lad comes in, it would tae some attention away.

Also, even if he aint the second coming, sometimes a young striker the opposition have never heard of can come in on a temporary basis and get a few goals purely for being unknown, like Jeffers and Vaughan have done in the past.

Andrew James
22 Posted 14/03/2013 at 23:56:29

James

To be fair to Philip he does have a point. People were coming on here berating Vic and Rodwell when they were 20 years of age. Vic was getting accused of the usual stuff and Rodwell was being called the crab.

All that said, this lad does seem to be deserving of a go, not a start but at least coming off the bench for 20 minutes here and there. I wouldn't start with him. Let Vic do the hard work for 70 and get Conor on to pick off the scraps.

Jelavic has gone from unable to score but hard working team player to utterly woeful. He can't even trap the ball anymore...

Ben Jones
24 Posted 15/03/2013 at 00:49:49

When has Moyes ever played a pacy striker up front? Think the last one was Andy Johnson.

Moyes likes his big lads up front, so if anything McAleny on the wing.

Am I right in saying he's been playing on the left for a few games in the u21s? I'm sure I read a report that he scored from the left wing, but I imagine a few people on here go to the u21s regularly

Kev Johnson
25 Posted 15/03/2013 at 01:02:28

Ben - no, I don't think he plays on the wing. His goals in the last two games came from vaguely central positions. I think he kind of plays off Velios. I don't go to U21 games so I'm basing that on the highlights videos on the official site. Check them out. His last goal against Chelsea was a real beauty!

Jamie Sweet
26 Posted 15/03/2013 at 01:16:44

Good call Kev Johnson, that strike against Chelsea was an absolute belter!

When was the last time any of our first team did anything close to that? Maybe Pienaar against Reading but even that wasn't as good as McAleny's.

James Flynn
27 Posted 15/03/2013 at 01:52:12

Expect to see the kids in next season.

Whoever comes in after Moyes has a 1-year free pass, minimum.

1. The New manager/New era illusion. Same owners/Same era reality.
2. Plays youngsters, they make mistakes causing losses; repeatedly. "They haven't has enough playing time". Fucking Moyes.
3. Plays youngsters, they don't make mistakes (I know, fantasy land, but still) and we win games with them. Fucking Moyes should've played them sooner.
4. No youngsters are good enough/ready yet. Fucking Moyes.

And best of all for the new guy in:
5. We finish lower in the Table next season, which we're gonna. Fucking Moyes.

Christ, I could manage the Club next season and I speak English with the first disqualifier of an EPL manager position; an American accent.

The line of guys craving to walk into the current EFC position will be out-the-door, down-the-steps, and around the block. What, this explosive array of 19-20 year-olds primed to take the EPL by storm? This young talent neglected by their predecessor?

What can be easier than replacing fucking Moyes.

Gavin Ramejkis
28 Posted 15/03/2013 at 06:26:02

You'll only get to see the kids under two circumstances

1. Gollum literally has no one fit to play
2. Gollum is managing some other poor saps

After 11 years he is the most predictable manager going

Jeremy Benson
29 Posted 15/03/2013 at 07:00:47

I'd like to see him on the bench for the last couple of games.

Depending on how things pan out with league and euro places, we might find ourselves with little to play for at the very end of the season - an ideal time to bring a couple of the younger players in for some experience and to freshen things up a bit.

James Morgan
30 Posted 15/03/2013 at 07:53:33

James Flynn,

"And best of all for the new guy in:
5. We finish lower in the Table next season, which we're gonna. Fucking Moyes."

Can I have the lottery numbers for tomorrow please?

Lets say we finish 7th this season, and 8th next season, but play bright, pacy, attacking football and two or three youngsters come through and things look positive for the future, wouldn't you take that?
Obviously a lot hinges on the next manager, but we've got an ageing team and fuck all cash, we have to gamble on a few of these lads.

Tony J Williams
31 Posted 15/03/2013 at 08:14:02

I'd take that James, but surely these Messi like youngsters that Moyes is holding back will get a move elsewhere and show him up when they sign for City or United.

James Morgan
32 Posted 15/03/2013 at 10:22:12

At least we will get a few quid, Tony.

Roman Sidey
33 Posted 15/03/2013 at 12:21:20

"From a defender's point of view..." must be a very commonly used phrase around the club.

The thing is, our coaching staff are so behind the 8-ball that they still see 20-23 as youth/youngsters. Fair enough, once upon a time that might have been considered young. However, if you're 20 and have played 20 minutes of top flight in two seasons, you're either not good enough, or your coaches are out of touch.

Dennis Shaw
34 Posted 15/03/2013 at 12:33:30

To be fair Vic and Rodwell deserved the flak and still do Ben they have failed to live up to the hype that's not our fault it's theirs.

James Flynn
36 Posted 16/03/2013 at 01:59:28

James (341) - Soooooo, you're a tout? I'm open. Lay me odds.

keep in mind, I consider Moyes a miracle-maker, given the disgrace of ownership he's suffered all these years.

So, the next manager finishes top-half of the Table? Odds you're offering?

James Newcombe
37 Posted 16/03/2013 at 10:01:34

Let's face it, he wouldn't score less goals than Jelavic.

Anton Garvey
38 Posted 17/03/2013 at 13:02:10

The lad will get woodworm the same as Barkley and Duffy, waiting for a game from Moyes — the most dour negative man they play for.

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