This Yakubu bashing is really getting my goat I have to say. He hasn't played well but jeez, give the guy a break.
There's an expression in rugby 'playing behind a beaten pack', which basically means that unless the forwards are laying a decent platform the backs will never be able to do anything good. So if your big guys are getting bashed about it doesn't matter if you're Jonny Wilkinson or Jonny Vegas you won't be able to do a great deal.
This season we have, by and large, been utter gash. That we occupy such a lofty position is equal parts miracle and indictment of the quality around us. Now kudos to the guys for scrapping away and eking points out that we really havn't deserved. That's the sign of a good team and is a real positive for the season ahead. But our midfield has stunk to high heaven. They're the equivalent of forwards in rugby, they create the platform for the strikers to do something. It's no coincidence that our top scorer is a defender. We're creating very little for the strikers and relying overly on set-pieces for goals.
In the centre of midfield we've looked all at sea. Neville hasn't looked in form at all, Jagielka has had an awful start (maybe he's out of position as well but notice how he's being given time and grace by the fans), Carsley hasn't been a regular. We all know how we suffered with Arteta absent, and when he has played he hasn't maintained the standards he showed at Spurs on a consistent basis. Pienaar has shown potential, as did Osman in the first few games but none have really bossed a game yet.
Now I don't want this to be construed as a negative post because I am largely optimistic about our chances this season. We are playing awfully at the moment, yet we are still 5th in the table and present in both cup competitions. We have 5 new signings this season (not including Wessels), all of whom might realistically expect to be straight into the first team. They will take time to gel and understand how Moyes wants the team to play. It can't really get much worse performance wise and I fully expect us to improve, especially with some key players returning from injury.
All I ask is that people get off Yakubu's back. Football is littered with players that take time to settle (Drogba anyone?), or are played in systems that don't showcase their abilities (Henry/Juventus, Forlan/Man Utd). The football we are playing at the moment doesn't suit Yakubu, it really is as simple as that. If we are going to play this way then Anichebe is much the better option because physically he is a real handful and can make things out of long hopeful hoofs up to him.
