Victor Chinedu Anichebe

[kenada_blue]

I offer you the comparison of James Vaughan, who he came through the ranks with and broke into the first team with. Vaughan was always the blue eyed boy out of the two, praised by many for his 'intelligence' and 'movement'...Vic was always the ginger haired stepson. Vaughan's now in the wilderness (admittedly he's had injuries) whilst Victor's knocking them in again in the PL.

He's been in and around the first team for a few years and you dont last that long and get new contracts by being slow witted. He hasn't got the quick feet of Osman or the anticipation of Jelavic, or the pace of others but he's got a solid all-round game and is an absolute nuisance for the opposition when he's in their box.

I dont know what people expect out of the kid. I keep hearing he's lazy and uninterested and strolls around. They're all just words that tell you more about the frustration of those that use them rather than anything meaningful about what they see as strengths and weaknesses.

You know I championed him over Vaugan for a while, mainly down to him actually playing games while Vaughan didnt

Vic began playing effectively on the wing a few seasons back until his injury. He ran at players when we didn't really have a player like that. The Villa FA cup game, the derby, he looked effective, attacked, but has limitations and downfalls.

After his injury (a game in which I wanted Nolan banned from football indefinitely) his limitations grew, his confidence went, and that's where his attitude came into it.

2 seasons back he was truly awful, didn't deserve the shirt. Gave up away against Bolton, rather fall over than stay on his feet, didn't want to use his strength, stumbled over his own weight... It's there when his lack of football and game time told. He shouldve went on loan.

Forward to today, it's how he should be playing. He still needs to bully defenders, he's also not overly intelligent to work the channels and peel from defenders. Looks like he's changed his game or been forced to, things on the training ground coming off (touches back to players that didn't come off showed a lot of training work where he was playing on instinct rather than looking up), and his fitness is the best its been. He now needs consistency and a bit more bullying

My problem with him is that he needed more games to learn his craft

 

[Skeleton Crew]

Well, I think he is still poor.

But i cant argue with his results so far. The Mule is finding the back of the net and creating chances.
I am fine with eating my words if he continues to improve and perform. ...I can't see him doing this for the season but damn if i dont wish for it.

 

[Joey66]

I hope you choke on those comments -call yourself a fan??

 

[davek]

You know I championed him over Vaugan for a while, mainly down to him actually playing games while Vaughan didnt

Vic began playing effectively on the wing a few seasons back until his injury. He ran at players when we didn't really have a player like that. The Villa FA cup game, the derby, he looked effective, attacked, but has limitations and downfalls.

After his injury (a game in which I wanted Nolan banned from football indefinitely) his limitations grew, his confidence went, and that's where his attitude came into it.

2 seasons back he was truly awful, didn't deserve the shirt. Gave up away against Bolton, rather fall over than stay on his feet, didn't want to use his strength, stumbled over his own weight... It's there when his lack of football and game time told. He shouldve went on loan.

Forward to today, it's how he should be playing. He still needs to bully defenders, he's also not overly intelligent to work the channels and peel from defenders. Looks like he's changed his game or been forced to, things on the training ground coming off (touches back to players that didn't come off showed a lot of training work where he was playing on instinct rather than looking up), and his fitness is the best its been. He now needs consistency and a bit more bullying

My problem with him is that he needed more games to learn his craft

Bullying isn't in him. He's a big lad but I dont think he can be aggressive. That may be part of his 'attitude' problem for some. As for movement: I dont think he's a slouch, tbh. Remember the goal he scored v Vila last season when he spun off to race onto a Donovan pass. He needs more of that as well as the hustle and bustle he brings.

He's ok, not great, but a utility player that Moyes wouldn't have around after 7 years if he thought he wasn't PL class.

 

[Brennan]

Bullying isn't in him. He's a big lad but I dont think he can be aggressive. That may be part of his 'attitude' problem for some. As for movement: I dont think he's a slouch, tbh. Remember the goal he scored v Vila last season when he spun off to race onto a Donovan pass. He needs more of that as well as the hustle and bustle he brings.

He's ok, not great, but a utility player that Moyes wouldn't have around after 7 years if he thought he wasn't PL class.

The same manager who hired McFadden and still thinks Neville is okay in midfield. Strange that you use Moyes as a reason to enforce your view on one player when you so happily slate him about his decisions regarding other players.

 

[Pomp]

It's a consciousness thing. Like Andy Cole at Man Utd. When Andy Cole came in to Man Utd, he didn't score for a while and missed a lot of chances. From that point on, no matter how well he did, he would not be appreciated. Victor Anichebe did well today, but he can improve. If he does, we have a very good player on our hands but even if he bangs in 15 goals this season people will still doubt him and desire more.

 

[davek]

The same manager who hired McFadden and still thinks Neville is okay in midfield. Strange that you use Moyes as a reason to enforce your view on one player when you so happily slate him about his decisions regarding other players.

I take Moyes to task because of his negativity, not his assembling of squad personnel. There's a difference.

 

[billycopper]

Vic seems to really have come on since the start of last season. I'd like to see him be more selfish though. He got the ball to feet with his back to goal quite often today. Rather than laying it off I'd like to see him try and turn on it, rolling and backing into his defender. They'll either foul him trying to stop him or he'll be in point blank range for an effort at goal.

He did make some strong runs in the second half but they were down the channels and there wasn't a lot to aim for in the box. He needs to run for goal and cut across his man rather than running wide to evade him.

And there were a few times where we had possession on the edge of the box and Vic was behind the ball. I would be good if we can get him to realise where he should be on the pitch and to get himself in the area at every possible opportunity.

I gave him my MoM vote today though. I expected him to be ineffective but he worked hard, looked dangerous and was unlucky not to score more.

 

[davek]

Vic seems to really have come on since the start of last season. I'd like to see him be more selfish though. He got the ball to feet with his back to goal quite often today. Rather than laying it off I'd like to see him try and turn on it, rolling and backing into his defender. They'll either foul him trying to stop him or he'll be in point blank range for an effort at goal.

He did make some strong runs in the second half but they were down the channels and there wasn't a lot to aim for in the box. He needs to run for goal and cut across his man rather than running wide to evade him.

And there were a few times where we had possession on the edge of the box and Vic was behind the ball. I would be good if we can get him to realise where he should be on the pitch and to get himself in the area at every possible opportunity.

I gave him my MoM vote today though. I expected him to be ineffective but he worked hard, looked dangerous and was unlucky not to score more.

You dont know what the manager's instructions are though. I bet he was given the remit of holding the ball up and laying it off to on-rushing midfielders and to chase down the channels.

 

[billycopper]

You dont know what the manager's instructions are though. I bet he was given the remit of holding the ball up and laying it off to on-rushing midfielders and to chase down the channels.

He seemed to change his game a bit at half time and he was turning and running at people, so maybe they picked up on it. He did come too deep in the second period though which doesn't seem to have been by design because we weren't playing any deeper as a side.

Basically I'd like to see him get himself fouled more. He's getting rid of it a bit too quickly and not giving defenders chance to clatter him. Maybe it's inexperience or it could be that his past injuries are in the back of him mind. If he keeps hold of it he's got enough strength and girth to hold most people off, so they'll try coming through him to get to the ball and that could win us freekicks in dangerous areas and penalties. His lay offs were too easily intercepted.

 

[johnnydawg68]

I take Moyes to task because of his negativity, not his assembling of squad personnel. There's a difference.

We're not negative anymore though are we?

 

[kenada_blue]

Bullying isn't in him. He's a big lad but I dont think he can be aggressive. That may be part of his 'attitude' problem for some. As for movement: I dont think he's a slouch, tbh. Remember the goal he scored v Vila last season when he spun off to race onto a Donovan pass. He needs more of that as well as the hustle and bustle he brings.

He's ok, not great, but a utility player that Moyes wouldn't have around after 7 years if he thought he wasn't PL class.

That's not an attitude problem.

He threw his toys out the pram playing on the wing, didn't perform when played up front, fans got on his back, he put a defence up and lost the fight, gave up

When things are good, like they are now, I'm not surprised he's performing to a level he could get at. But our fans are unforgiving and it effects him, he gets subbed, it effects him.

I've been at the game where a load of fans were giving Bilyaletdinov utter **** for a wayward pass, pure bile for 90mins, for example. That's how little things can flip the fan base. Times that by 10 at Vic who had a season of terrible performances, you get an idea of how he's probably got the "me against the fans" look. He's a bit stroppy.

 

[Brennan]

I take Moyes to task because of his negativity, not his assembling of squad personnel. There's a difference.

So you didn't berate the signing of James McFadden on a one year contract ?

 

[Blue Wiz]

Thought BigVic did a good job today, sure he could (should) have scored at least 1 more goal, but then Fellaini also missed in just the same situation 5-10 minutes earlier. Everyone can do mistakes sometimes, but he did score a nice goal, he did create a lot of problems to Swanseys defence, he did some really nice passing today. The sad part is that he isn't consistent... or at least he wasn't. I hope that with the type of game we are now playing it might suit him better. He is a big lad, strong and works for the team like a maniac. If he gets a higher lowlevel he will be a very good PL player. I just hope fans won't get on his back if he doesn't score in a few games. All strikers have their dryspells. He might not be the first choise striker in a PL team, but as a backup striker he has very good potential.

 

[Kurt.]

So you didn't berate the signing of James McFadden on a one year contract ?

not if it does not suit Dave's agenda today ha ha...... this may change tomorrow but for now it fits with Dave's argument.