Cal
Player Valuation: £40m
It took £11.25 million to prise Yakubu away from Middleborough in the summer and with the hefty price came a natural goal scorer, something that has eluded Everton since Gary Linekar, back in the 80’s. He also came with a big of baggage too. Reported disputes with former managers, dis-obedience and general poor attitudes put managers off him but not David Moyes and currently, he’s reaping the rewards.
A string of fine performances has propelled Yakubu to one of the better strikers this season and has certainly justified the £11.25 million paid in the summer. He is and always has been about goals. Seen as somewhat of a hot and cold, lazy player Yakubu has thus far shattered any stereotype aimed in his direction. Whether it be in a 4-5-1 or a 4-4-2 formation ’The Yak’ is excellent. His strength, composure and gritty determination plays part in the 4-5-1 formation, allowing players like Tim Cahill, Steven Pienaar, Leon Osman and Mikel Arteta to gallop forward and his vision, distribution and pace works well in a 4-4-2 whether he would partner Andy Johnson, James Vaughan or Victor Anichebe.
Scoring his first goal for high flying Everton in September against Bolton he went quiet, getting dropped along the way. Another goal against Sheffield Wednesday in the Carling Cup got Evertonians excited but once again, he fizzled off. After the Derby defeat, Everton went on a fine run of results. Wins in the UEFA Cup, League and Carling Cup put them in the European spots and in 28 games, he has scored 16 goals, including two hat-tricks, against SK Brann and Fulham, startling.
“Feed the Yak and he will score…”, is becoming a well known song amongst Everton fans and he is vastly becoming a hero.
His form has seen Everton climb into 4th ahead of rivals, Liverpool. Not only Yakubu though, others have flourished this season. Phil Jagielka, since moving into central defence has been fantastic. Last ditch tackles, great timing and more even goals has put him as one of the key players for the Toffee’s this season. Another mention for Steven Pienaar. Class act is the loanee from Dortmund and Moyes has said he is keen on bringing Steven to the club on a permanent basis. With Liverpool winning against Bolton and Everton winning against Portsmouth the race for 4th is going to be interesting to say the least. The Derby, at Anfield on the 30th March is going to be one of the most important for some time.
The improvement under Moyes is sensational. Even with limited resources he has got Everton performing consistently good week in week out. Superb signings in Cahill, Arteta, Lescott etc have transformed Everton into a team pushing for Europe every season. Unbeaten in the UEFA Cup with a tricky tie against Fiorentina on the horizon Moyes can take Everton onto bigger and better things.
Here’s hoping for a day out in marvellous Manchester in May and the excitement of Champions League football next season.
----------------------------------------------------------------
This article was done by our member: Lower Gwladys
A string of fine performances has propelled Yakubu to one of the better strikers this season and has certainly justified the £11.25 million paid in the summer. He is and always has been about goals. Seen as somewhat of a hot and cold, lazy player Yakubu has thus far shattered any stereotype aimed in his direction. Whether it be in a 4-5-1 or a 4-4-2 formation ’The Yak’ is excellent. His strength, composure and gritty determination plays part in the 4-5-1 formation, allowing players like Tim Cahill, Steven Pienaar, Leon Osman and Mikel Arteta to gallop forward and his vision, distribution and pace works well in a 4-4-2 whether he would partner Andy Johnson, James Vaughan or Victor Anichebe.
Scoring his first goal for high flying Everton in September against Bolton he went quiet, getting dropped along the way. Another goal against Sheffield Wednesday in the Carling Cup got Evertonians excited but once again, he fizzled off. After the Derby defeat, Everton went on a fine run of results. Wins in the UEFA Cup, League and Carling Cup put them in the European spots and in 28 games, he has scored 16 goals, including two hat-tricks, against SK Brann and Fulham, startling.
“Feed the Yak and he will score…”, is becoming a well known song amongst Everton fans and he is vastly becoming a hero.
His form has seen Everton climb into 4th ahead of rivals, Liverpool. Not only Yakubu though, others have flourished this season. Phil Jagielka, since moving into central defence has been fantastic. Last ditch tackles, great timing and more even goals has put him as one of the key players for the Toffee’s this season. Another mention for Steven Pienaar. Class act is the loanee from Dortmund and Moyes has said he is keen on bringing Steven to the club on a permanent basis. With Liverpool winning against Bolton and Everton winning against Portsmouth the race for 4th is going to be interesting to say the least. The Derby, at Anfield on the 30th March is going to be one of the most important for some time.
The improvement under Moyes is sensational. Even with limited resources he has got Everton performing consistently good week in week out. Superb signings in Cahill, Arteta, Lescott etc have transformed Everton into a team pushing for Europe every season. Unbeaten in the UEFA Cup with a tricky tie against Fiorentina on the horizon Moyes can take Everton onto bigger and better things.
Here’s hoping for a day out in marvellous Manchester in May and the excitement of Champions League football next season.
----------------------------------------------------------------
This article was done by our member: Lower Gwladys