Nikica Jelavic

[Big Fat Sam]

What a chance the useless get had to remind us what he is all about on Saturday. Honestly, that's pathetic that he didn't score that. Get him sold to anybody who'll take him in January, absolute waste of space and about 45k a week wages. Even if we get 1m for him, better than him stinking the place out. Rather have Naismith up front than him, which puts him in my book at least fourth choice striker. In a system that only plays one up top we can afford to let him go imo.

Free on goal against a demoralised Stoke, he can put it to the keeper's side, chip, go round him... so he goes a sidefoots it about 2cm next to the goalie. Rubbish. Send him back to Austria.

 

[micknick]

When he starts slotting you're going to be 'vaulted'

I too was like you. I so wish this to happen, I just really cant see it.

He may move on and start banging them in again, that ability must be in there somewhere that was so evident when he first joined but it isnt happening with us in my opinion.

That attempt on Saturday spoke volumes in terms of where he is, he showed strength to hold the defender off and then the way he shaped up to shoot had no conviction at all- he could have side footed it past the keeper but instead he hit it straight at him. Was really poor.

 

[davek]

If you notice the one on ones we have had, the goalies have done well to stay on there feet rather than go to ground. If you mean chipping from a distance then I think we have only had the 1 opportunity to do this and that was Gerard against the RS

I disagree, tbh.

We could have had 4/5 more goals in the past couple of games alone if our breaking players got their heads up and remained composed enough to scoop the ball over the advancing keeper with loads of space in behind to get it high enough up and down. I'd say one of Lukaku's efforts in the Derby deserved a better fate, because Mignolet just tipped an upstretched hand to get a glove and pat it away, but the rest were easy meat for a decent GK.

 

[Big Fat Sam]

I agree that we could and definitely should have scored at least two goals from one-on-ones in recent games. Those two breakaways against the ****e were pathetic; poor awareness by our attacking players and terrible conviction and composure when faced with just the keeper to beat. We need to work on that.

 

[allen]

I agree that we could and definitely should have scored at least two goals from one-on-ones in recent games. Those two breakaways against the ****e were pathetic; poor awareness by our attacking players and terrible conviction and composure when faced with just the keeper to beat. We need to work on that.

I reckon Deulofeu would score that one-on-one chance now. He's got his goal, shown us what he can do. That'll ease the pressure on him.

Even if Jelavic scores, you get the feeling he'd instantly worry he's at the start of another drought. I can't see him getting his confidence back.

 

[andybaker]

our 1 on 1 with the GK definately needs practice in training. Its all well and good saying you cant replicate the game nerves and situation...but when youve done nothing but practice it makes it easier and more instinctive.

Its like England always saying 'we dont practice pens because you cant replicate the pressure...

But the germans practice pens so much they dont even feel any pressure.

Our finishing from 2 or 3 culprits the past few games has been dire. Even Mirallas with that lame effort when he came on. Ok it wasnt a one on one but a player of his ability should be just curling that towards the top corner and strolling away with a goal...not pea rolling it back to a keeper.

 

[caught]

He's absolutely desperate to get a goal, and you have to feel for him a bit. If he's in a team playing with the movement and intelligence we had against Stoke he'll get chances and, I honestly think, would start scoring more consistently. However, he's got no starting chance with Lukaku around.

The important point is that without goals he contributes very little to the team. He struggles to stay on his feet, struggles to stay on-side, doesn't really offer much on the ball and doesn't hold it up very well. Having a 'boss slotter' who's otherwise limited is a massive luxury that even the very best clubs don't tend to indulge in very often - Hernandez's goal ratio at Utd is very good, but he doesn't start very often; Bayern were happy enough to let the prolific Gomez go despite his goals. And Jelavic has never been that kind of scorer.

 

[maccavennie]

When your that low on confidence, the best thing to do is just put your foot right through it and smash it in. It was a great little turn but a terrible effort. I was willing him to come on even before Lukaku scored as it was a great opportunity to get a bit of confidence. Chance came and he fluffed it and that will just heighten his anxiety. He's still gonna bag the winner against the mancs though so that was just a warm up for Wednesday.

 

[billy]

I was so excited when he went in on goal, then I seriously teared up when he missed felt for him.

 

[Housequake]

The lid won't score a goal for us again.

And you can f*cking quote me on that.

Nearly had egg on my face there.

Thankfully Niki conspired to hit a weak effort right at the keeper, as opposed to lashing it into the net he hasn't found in 9 months.

 

[Housequake]

He's absolutely desperate to get a goal, and you have to feel for him a bit.

Why? He's stealing a living and earning millions from it.

 

[Baines' left foot]

Nearly had egg on my face there.

Thankfully Niki conspired to hit a weak effort right at the keeper, as opposed to lashing it into the net he hasn't found in 9 months.

Just give him time mate don't give up on him yet NNSO.

 

[Housequake]

Last week for the same miss by Lukaku everyone was "well yeah, Mignolet is class", but this week for the same thing - "Jelavic is crap".

But Jelavic is crap though, you only need two eyes to see how dire he is at playing football, not to mention the 2 goals he's scored all calendar year.

Lukaku on the other hand is boss, and scores goals despite missing chances.

 

[Housequake]

Just give him time mate don't give up on him yet NNSO.

Your right mate class is permanent and Jellyfish has it by the bucket full ETID!

 

[Housequake]

Yes but the two years before he was slotting for fun

Derek Acorah would be prolific in Scotland mate.