Nikica Jelavic

[Jeff Jones]

1. He done a bloody good job in rejuvinating the team but you can't prove that he single handedly stopped us from getting relegated, 1994 and 1998 were the closest we've came and he certainly wasn't anywhere near Everton then, don't forget that he led us to 17th in 2003-4 though.

2. I'd rather just win a trophy with the very good squad that Moyes has done brilliantly to assemble, the idea that Everton would be automatically relegated after lifting a cup just because Birmingham and Portsmouth couldn't be arsed to look after their own interests isn't our problem, and it baffles me the way a lot of our fans think this way.

I haven't heard anyone say we would relegated if we won a trophy.

What I've said is that I'd rather have a regular high finish in the league without silverware, than win a Cup every few years and
just scrape through in regular relegation battles.

I'd enjoy a season more with, say, 18 wins, 11 draws, 9 losses = 5th but no Cups, than 9 wins, 11 draws, 18 losses = 17th and
the League Cup.

Edit. I've just realised that this has nothing to do with Jelavic, but anyway.

 

[Goat]

Took his goals well tomorrow did Jela.

Not many get a hatrick at OT.

Well done lad.

 

[Royal]

I don't want to write him off because I wrote off Saha and then he went boss for a bit and then got injured.

 

[bluejock]

Took his goals well tomorrow did Jela.

Not many get a hatrick at OT.

Well done lad.

*bets youngest child on Jelavic hat trick.

 

[Groucho]

*bets youngest child on Jelavic hat trick.

Agrees
*regrets

 

[fozzy]

Took his goals well tomorrow did Jela.

Not many get a hatrick at OT.

Well done lad.

brace lad he will get a brace! 1-2

 

[ToffeeMike]

Improvement from Jelavic today, had a couple of shots saved. I'd defo start him next week with Anichebe probably being injured.

 

[davek]

Regardless of today (which told us not too much, really) he's a shadow of the player he was last season. I dont think we have to worry too much about anyone coveting him and taking him from us anytime soon. Maybe the handful of games he had last season he was just him playing out of his skin. It's just not good enough.

 

[Tubey]

Regardless of today (which told us not too much, really) he's a shadow of the player he was last season. I dont think we have to worry too much about anyone coveting him and taking him from us anytime soon. Maybe the handful of games he had last season he was just him playing out of his skin. It's just not good enough.

Nope, he's been "Moysed".

That's the only way I can describe it. Last season he came in, played instinctively as a striker, central role, sniffing for chances.

This season, now Moyes has had time with him, he's hitting the channels all the time, asked to play hold up on his own and barely run the line himself.

Yakubu, Andy Johnson etc. All strikers mercilessly killed by the Moyes method.

Strikers & tactics are Moyes' most glaring weakness, his nous in the transfer market and club control are his strengths.

 

[KUEFC09U2]

Nope, he's been "Moysed".

That's the only way I can describe it. Last season he came in, played instinctively as a striker, central role, sniffing for chances.

This season, now Moyes has had time with him, he's hitting the channels all the time, asked to play hold up on his own and barely run the line himself.

Yakubu, Andy Johnson etc. All strikers mercilessly killed by the Moyes method.

Strikers & tactics are Moyes' most glaring weakness, his nous in the transfer market and club control are his strengths.

Jesus you will blame Moyes for litreally EVERYTHING, well its looking like you will get your wish next year when he leaves, and i hope to god you are still around when we are back in the bottom half.

 

[davek]

Nope, he's been "Moysed".

That's the only way I can describe it. Last season he came in, played instinctively as a striker, central role, sniffing for chances.

This season, now Moyes has had time with him, he's hitting the channels all the time, asked to play hold up on his own and barely run the line himself.

Yakubu, Andy Johnson etc. All strikers mercilessly killed by the Moyes method.

Strikers & tactics are Moyes' most glaring weakness, his nous in the transfer market and club control are his strengths.

Even if it was the case that he's being used that differently to last season, he's had chances and not looked capable of converting them. I think he's one of those players who can score when the pressure is off - IE, when the ball arrives at his feet and it's just a case of pulling the trigger and getting a shot off. Give this lad time and space and he'll fluff his lines (or the effort will be pretty bog standard) and his link up play is very iffy.

I hope he comes through again. I was wrong to doubt he could hack it in the Pl initially, but I was won over. He needs to start winning people over again now though because his strike rate for a PL forward chasing a CL spot this season is very disappointing,

 

[Tubey]

Jesus you will blame Moyes for litreally EVERYTHING, well its looking like you will get your wish next year when he leaves, and i hope to god you are still around when we are back in the bottom half.

I blame Moyes for what he deserves to be blamed for. Read the last sentence - the sun doesn't shine out of his arse believe it or not.

 

[Tubey]

Even if it was the case that he's being used that differently to last season, he's had chances and not looked capable of converting them. I think he's one of those players who can score when the pressure is off - IE, when the ball arrives at his feet and it's just a case of pulling the trigger and getting a shot off. Give this lad time and space and he'll fluff his lines (or the effort will be pretty bog standard) and his link up play is very iffy.

I hope he comes through again. I was wrong to doubt he could hack it in the Pl initially, but I was won over. He needs to start winning people over again now though because his strike rate for a PL forward chasing a CL spot this season is very disappointing,

It takes a degree of class to get instinctively into the right areas to pull the trigger in the way you describe. That instinct is completely gone and you have to look at the coaching and the mentality.

Especially with the track record of the last 10 years. It can't be a coincidence.

 

[slimspek]

Even if it was the case that he's being used that differently to last season, he's had chances and not looked capable of converting them. I think he's one of those players who can score when the pressure is off - IE, when the ball arrives at his feet and it's just a case of pulling the trigger and getting a shot off. Give this lad time and space and he'll fluff his lines (or the effort will be pretty bog standard) and his link up play is very iffy.
,

Exactly. He has missed absolute sitters when he has had good service.

Really Jelavic's assets are really only his first touch and movement in the box. Jelavic isn't the the type of player who is going to grab a bunch of assists or be involved in build up play. He's a finisher and that is it. The nice thing about him and Anichebe playing together is that they complement each other well. Vic holds up the ball, bullies defenders, and gives Jelavic the ball.

 

[Baines' left foot]

The record speaks for itself as far as Moyes and strikers go. He struggles to get the best out of them really badly.

However, I don't believe for one minute that Moyes is entirely to blame. The sheer number of times Jelavic is offside is just staggering, and although he's not has as many chances as he did last year he's missed a fair few chances that he would have scored last season, and generally hasn't looked as sharp.