Spot On Lukaku
When you break the Club record transfer fee and spend £28m on a striker, you might expect his fortunes and yours to be closely aligned. So it is with Romelu Lukaku and Robert Martinez.
Both had “dream” first seasons at Everton, but in their second both have found themselves questioned by fans who would not hear a word against them previously, this author included. The striker has been criticised for a poor first touch, for being offside too often and, worst of all, for not working hard enough. Some unfortunate alleged comments in the Belgian press concerning his ambitions to play for a “bigger club” did not help the player’s PR.
His manager has been criticised for not playing to his talisman’s strengths, not getting the ball into him quickly enough and not playing the ball in front of him, rather than with his back to goal.
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After 28 games League games this season Lukaku had scored 7 times, against 13 in the previous season, and Everton languished in 14th, a far cry from last season’s 5th place finish. However, the Europa League has for Everton and Lukaku been a very different story. In fact, the penalty scored in the come from behind first leg victory over Dynamo Kiev saw Lukaku become the club’s record scorer in Europe.
Leighton Baines has been the Club’s reliable penalty taker, but, with him not on the pitch v Kiev, Lukaku gladly accepted responsibility and, albeit slightly scuffed, was successful with the crucial kick. Kevin Mirallas was surely envious since, earlier in the season, he failed from the spot when taking the ball from Baines against West Bromwich Albion.
Lukaku's penalty against Kiev at the Gladwys Street End could yet prove a pivotal moment for player, manager and Club. Three days later in the League match versus Newcastle, Everton and Lukaku suffered no Eurpoean hangover, recording a much-needed and convincing 3-0 victory, equalling the biggest in the League this season.
Lukaku put in another top-drawer performance as he had against Kiev, showing skill, pace, intelligence and commitment. On 56 mins when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Lennon, Lukaku stepped up again, albeit this time with Baines on the pitch. The penalty was dispatched confidently, and he accepted the plaudits of the Gladwys Street.
When he was subbed off on 74 minutes, Goodison rose to their number 10; he applauded all sides of the ground, and you sensed a real togetherness that had been missing earlier in the season. Lukaku seemed to be loving the responsibility.
It is easy to forget that the player is still only 21 years old. He has all the physical attributes needed for a modern day striker. He is clearly intelligent and a keen student of the game; his recent interview to the Club’s own media was excellent, but those two penalties in front of the Gladwys Street have done him, his manager and the Club a power of good.
Reader Comments (43)
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2 Posted 17/03/2015 at 19:49:08
This brings into question: Why in hell's name did it take Martinez such a long time to recognize the problem and its obvious solution?
A long time ago, all bar Martinez's rapidly dwindling fan club saw through his folly. The entire cohort of PL managers latched on to and took advantage of his folly. Even those sycophantic reporters of the Echo offered criticism.
Despite all that, and with our position worsening by the week, Roberto ploughed on with his laughable so-called philosophy. He seemed blind to reality, his feeble excuses were ridiculous. Worst of all our once proud club had become the butt of jokes. Friends who know of my passion for the Blues would lend a sympathetic ear while out of earshot they probably chortled at my dismay.
Over the recent few weeks, there has been much talk about turning corners but I am more concerned with the road block in Roberto's mind. Sooner or later, he will again try to prove his philosophy and I for one hope to god it will not be with Everton.
3 Posted 17/03/2015 at 21:58:07
4 Posted 17/03/2015 at 22:24:16
Romelu Lukaku so far scored 7 goals in Europe in a single season, Liverpool have scored 5 in SIX YEARS!
6 Posted 17/03/2015 at 20:52:50
His season has not been the best, and he has some weaknesses. He is a top quality forward anyway, and I just hope he truly wants to play for us, not glancing over to to bigger'n better.
7 Posted 18/03/2015 at 00:44:23
One of you has to be wrong or your counting different goals?
8 Posted 18/03/2015 at 01:22:57
9 Posted 18/03/2015 at 01:29:09
I guess the OP was talking about domestic only, and Mike's number includes the Europa League. So they are both right.
10 Posted 18/03/2015 at 02:40:31
According to Wikipedia, Rom has scored 8 Premier League goals (not 7 as per the OP) to date but also scored 7 in Europa and 2 in the FA Cup. Meaning 17 goals so far this season.
11 Posted 18/03/2015 at 04:16:49
12 Posted 18/03/2015 at 04:49:08
Also the OP mentions goals after 28 games whereas Wiki total is after 29 games; take away the 1 scored in the 29th game and what do you get?
13 Posted 18/03/2015 at 05:55:42
14 Posted 18/03/2015 at 06:50:52
15 Posted 18/03/2015 at 06:44:52
16 Posted 18/03/2015 at 07:16:40
17 Posted 18/03/2015 at 08:46:57
However in the last few weeks he has shown that these qualities can improve with confidence and form and he has looked the exciting superstar that we all hoped he might become.
It's not just about goals; it's about knitting the team together and holding up the ball to relieve pressure on the defence. He has done this brilliantly for the last month but needs to keep doing it before he can be truly hailed as a player worth the price tag.
18 Posted 18/03/2015 at 09:09:44
19 Posted 18/03/2015 at 10:34:01
I was still waiting for the second half of this season. Let's hope it has somewhat belatedly started last Thursday.
20 Posted 18/03/2015 at 18:10:19
Martinez, on the other hand, even though he signed the striker....
Success in Kiev could be the beginning of a genuine realignment in both their fortunes.
21 Posted 18/03/2015 at 20:34:52
22 Posted 18/03/2015 at 20:45:27
Penalties could prove crucial before the season is finished, and I would like any of ours to be very hard and just inside the post, no messing about. But then I'm sure you would too!
23 Posted 18/03/2015 at 21:13:31
Honestly, the amount of over analysing that some people partake in, is hard to understand, unless of course some posters want a career in punditry with the media.
24 Posted 18/03/2015 at 21:25:18
25 Posted 18/03/2015 at 21:39:07
I defended the lad when many were giving him stick and I'll say it again, we have a rough diamond on our hands who will be worth a fortune in 2-3 years. Far more than the 㾿M we paid for him.
26 Posted 18/03/2015 at 21:45:38
At the end of the day, he's scored two from two when the previous two had been missed.
27 Posted 18/03/2015 at 22:00:41
28 Posted 18/03/2015 at 22:11:14
Last season, the team played with amazing confidence in RMÂ’s first season and we saw how good Lukaku can be. He is still learning some things but it appears Mirallas has his thinking elsewhere these days. Everton would do well to offload some of the fringe players in May and invest in another class striker as well as making Atsu permanent, at the right price of course.
The game tomorrow is winnable if RM doesnÂ’t get the team selection wrong and the tactics. Kiev will expect Everton to park the bus early but I hope that doesnÂ’t happen. Everton need to surprise them and grab an early goal as the away goal may be the difference in the end. Above all, Everton need bags of possession and that means players who know how to tackle and protect the ball.
29 Posted 18/03/2015 at 22:49:58
30 Posted 18/03/2015 at 22:54:40
31 Posted 18/03/2015 at 23:00:47
33 Posted 18/03/2015 at 22:54:36
A confident Lukaku controls a ball very differently, and holds up a ball very differently. He has all the attributes to be one of the very best strikers in Europe, and we are lucky to have him. He has had a poor season domestically, reflecting our problems, but he has still contributed 17 goals in all competitions, and barring serious injury, he will get over 20.
With him, Stones, the left backs, Coleman, Jags (on his day anyway) and McCarthy, we've got top four quality. Barkley needs to find a role for himself (and the manager needs to find a role for Barkley), and Besic and Robles look promising.
We should concentrate on bringing in a talented creative wide player, a CB supplement, a replacement goalkeeper, and to replace Mirallas if he leaves. We should be looking to build a team around Lukaku, not on criticising a 21-year-old who will naturally drop off in form at points, especially in an impotent team.
34 Posted 18/03/2015 at 23:02:59
35 Posted 18/03/2015 at 23:13:23
36 Posted 18/03/2015 at 23:17:30
37 Posted 18/03/2015 at 23:27:29
38 Posted 18/03/2015 at 23:29:47
Even when we are playing badly he has still come up with some crucial moments such as the Crystal Palace goal away. He's on his way to scoring 20 in a season when we've created virtually nothing for him.
Yes his touch was poor and he looked lethargic but he did everything to turn it around. Now he has his pace power and touch back again and confidence flowing, but even when it was going badly he didn't hide like a lot of other players did.
I dread to think what would have happened had he been injured at any point and he is vital to any success we want to have in the Europa. Frightening to think how many he would score if we played to his strengths.
39 Posted 18/03/2015 at 23:41:37
I think we need to buy another striker in the summer who can take the pressure of Rom in the goal stakes. Rom already looks like he's going to score more this season than last. It's just unfortunate a few more of the 16 haven't been in the league, but if we have someone else to compliment Rom, I can see him easily grabbing 20+ next season.
I think having another strong forward like Kone playing alongside him will help him realise this. Kone has shown that having another big forward in the team has meant that Rom's not up top having to contend with 3-4 defenders all the time. Although I'm just not sure Kone is the fella for the long term, because I'd be unsure how many goals he's got in him after his injury.
40 Posted 19/03/2015 at 02:01:11
This kid – enjoy what he can do because we won't have him forever. He's a great young player and I for one think he's fantastic. He's a beast trapped inside a 21-year-old body.
41 Posted 19/03/2015 at 02:59:58
I think some fans have made their minds up on Lukaku (like some have with Martinez), and rather than risk being proved wrong on the internet (the shame!) they hope they are proven right, even if it's to the detriment of Everton.
Keeping the Newcastle link – I guess he's the modern equivalent to Mick Quinn for some.
42 Posted 19/03/2015 at 02:59:25
43 Posted 19/03/2015 at 13:04:48
44 Posted 20/03/2015 at 22:05:45
45 Posted 22/03/2015 at 00:28:28
On to the penalty debate, Baines has seemed to have passed it over to Rom while Rom's form is up so why not, good on him.
I've always backed Rom and he's showing his worth again as I knew he would.. Class is permanent, fact.
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1 Posted 17/03/2015 at 20:03:36
He's still scored more than last season though, he's rarely injured and doesn't hide. He's our focal point and just about only threat.
A good preseason, lose about a stone, give him some support up front and I'd take him over Chelsea's Costa all day long.