Straq's last two performances

[Loz]

It probably took him a couple of months to get fit enough to run up the pitch.

Sadly, DM then told him that he had to run up the pitch and then back again.....back to training for another couple of months lad.

Still...we are seeing the benefit of that now as he has run more in 2 games than Saha did in his last 20. I will miss the clinical nature of some of Saha's finishing though....poor work rate and fitness and often low on confidence but there's no denying that he was one of the most natural finishers we have seen for a while. Sadly he was not at his best often enough but I suspect that Harry will get something out of him with the kind of ammo that Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart etc can supply.

 

[Howards tipple]

Straq has done well in the last couple of games. I really dont think he is anywhere near the finished article, but for impact and getting stuck in he cant be faulted.

Any one who wears the blue shirt with pride and passion is much more deserving than some one happy to pick up a huge wage check for walking round the penalty area waiting for things to happen.

 

[Sharpys top lip]

I didn't rate him. Called him the Argie Brett Angel. I'm a pissflap. Sorry Denis, I love you.

Mate you are a pissflap. But so am i.....

I ADMIT EVERYONE....

IM A PISSFLAP.


I LOVE DENNIS!!!

So let have it......

Were you like me a Dennis knocker?

Are you a pissflap??

 

[flibbyflob]

Workrate is the key word here.

I love seeing an Everton player coming off after 80 odd minutes, breathing out his arse because he's run himself into the ground. Thoroughly deserved standing ovation.

He'll never be the most skillfully gifted player but I'd have him permanently if the opportunity arises.

If it can be done within our financial constraints i'd sign him up. Be ideal as 3rd striker behind Jelavic and Vellios and I doubt his wages would be much. The comparisons with Angell are fair but this lad works his nuts off and you can't ask for more than that.

 

[kenada_blue]

Hes 24 isnt he?

Certainly time for him to improve technically

 

[Arteta's Girl]

The thing I like is that his work rate and the effort he puts in raises the rest of the players and it lifts the fans too. This in turn lifts the tempo and I believe we always play better when we play at a high tempo. It's no coincidence that these last 2 performances where he has started have seen an increase in the tempo of our play, a better atmosphere around the ground, and the whole team closing. He's really impressed me lately, he's not a world beater but heart goes quite a long way.

Makes such a difference from Saha this year.

Just how I see it anyway.

 

[thebluefox]

lets not go overboard the lads not a top footballer ,but that was a proper old school center forwards performance from big denis last night ,i think it was him alone who got the crowd going ,with his constant chasing of lost causes ,he never gave lescott and kompany a mins peace ,the standing ovation was fully deserved ,thats what i want from r center forward ,were you watching jelly ,just going to have half an hour on the bluemoon forum before i pick the baby up ,i know ill get a little laugh on it

 

[Arteta's Girl]

It has taken over 6 months to get close to fitness, he was either a wreck or getting close to prem fit is a near military exercise.

It's not just fitness though. He has moved at 23/24 to the other side of the world, doesn't speak a word of the language, isn't used to the intensity of the training/games, has to settle in the city, get used to his teammates, everything like that. Players who move from abroad generally take a year or so to fully settle into a new club.

 

[Titus Bramble]

I think he's going to get better and better as he gets more match practice and gets his fitness to the best it can be.

He was awesome last night and I don't think he will struggle if he stayed next season. Players like Coleman for example can be found out and their threat nullified, but I don't think it's as easy to do when you've got Denis running into you and knocking you all over the place.

He's like a bigger and stronger Cahill from a few years ago.

 

[mrkenny1878]

How unlucky was he not to score again last night.10/10 for last night lad keep it going Count Strackula!

 

[Christiffa25]

I thought straq was useless, really useless and the sign of desperation from moyes just to get a forward in to make up numbers.

I'm happy to say he's changed my opinion. He's not full of ability, he's very average BUT his work rate and effort can't be faulted whatsoever and does make up a little for his lack of natural ability. He's also young enough to improve and hope he gets a perminant move.

Impact sub/squad player at best currently. But I like him, he offers something (strangely enough) is young enough to improve a little more but jelavic is and will prove 10x the player.

 

[Pblueman]

I think my fav players have been Heart not skill players, duncan ferguson, daniel amokachi for eg. i love anyone whos appears to love wearing the shirt and puts a shift in. this lad is ok by me.

 

[Greek Fisherman]

23 is young for a striker.

Strong, good in the air, has no fear and a fantastic work rate. Must keep him, will rattle the big teams and come off the bench when we need something with 10 to go.

Gets stuck in and that's the Everton way.

 

[ToffeeMark]

I think he showed he's got certain abilities that make him valuable to the team.

1. He held the ball up, defenders weren't nicking it off him. he wasn't attempting to spin in behind and losing it. He wasn't trying to beat players and go alone. He Held the ball.

this allowed our defence to get up. It also allowed our midfield to get around him and move further up the pitch.

2. He layed the ball off accurately. His chest control, deft headers and lay offs all helped maintain possession further up the pitch.

3. He made it difficult for city to play from the back, made the defenders rush their forward passes and helped our midfield close down and nick the ball while the city midfielders and forwards tried to deal with the poor passes.

So all 3 of these abilities helped the team. These abilities he had, playing from the front with his back to goal are what alot of forwards lack.

Saha may have a better touch, be a better finisher and he even may be better in the air but the ball didn't stick with him. He'd be hustled off the ball, balls would bounce off him or he'd try to spin and lose it. This didn't help the team. Straq last night did.

He could be a real good partner for someone to bag lots of goals and all the glory. Jelavic??

 

[Get_Jo_On]

Someone please please please explain to me how he's so technically very average? Did you not watch the game? His first touch, bringing the ball down, passing and heading was excellent last night. He looked quite comfortable dribbling yet very direct I admit. He has no pace but his work and passion make up for it. His strength is a huge factor too, very hard to out muscle. I mean yeah, next to Rodwell he looks normal, but Rodwell technically is fantastic, turns both ways on both feet but I'd say he was very gifted like Barkley. I just don't get where some are coming from??